Environmental activist Helene Van Manen teaches us about earth medicine and self-care.
Helene Van Manen describes herself as a woman that is much like a western landscape. “I see myself as ever changing with the seasons, with a lot of texture and when seen at a distance, probably much different than when I am experienced up close.”
Judith: Thanks Helene for visiting with me and my readers here on my blog. What a wonderful visual you paint of yourself as a western landscape and a great metaphor for change. I have known you to be a wonderfully inspiring woman so I am anxious to hear your ideas. What type of changes would you like to talk about today?
Helene: I just turned 50 and with it comes changes that one just has to keep pace with. I am so happy that I have invested in my health and self-care at a very high level in this past decade…since I am noticing the body changes that 50 brings…and I am so glad I am fit, can hike and still carry a backpack so I can go into the wild canyons of Utah that give me inspiration. I am also noticing the inner changes that invite me to listen more…to spend more time in quiet…a going inside that is more compelling than ever.
Judith: The canyons of Utah sound like a very special journey that would inspire anyone able to make the trip. You talked about being "proactive" with self-care so that you are able to continue to do the things you love by taking time to go inward as well as strengthening your physical body. It sounds like a mind body and spirit connection led you to where you are today. What would you like my readers to know about your change at 50 and beyond?
Helene: I have this acute sense of how fragile life is, how precious and how temporary it all is. I am someone who is not “waiting to live” but living each day. I do not do well waiting. I want it all now...and I feel I have it.
As an environmental activist I find that I must go to wild places in nature where I can listen deeply to not only what my life is saying to me, but also to what the land says to me. My work as a professional coach combined with the role I have been entrusted to live as a grandmother, I take very seriously. So I guess that what I want readers to consider is…are you taking time to listen? Where do you go to find ‘earth medicine’?
Judith: I love the phrase earth medicine. I only need to walk out my back door, as you do, to have nature at my fingertips. My want is that we never take nature or our precious lives for granted. You really walk your talk, as they say, being of service to others as well as your own family and the earth. What type of clarity do you get when you go out in nature on your hikes with your husband David or alone?
Helene: Something happens to me when I am outdoors. It’s hard to explain but somehow while walking, I am moved into a flow...and from that comes a fueling of my inner fire that spills then over into my work. I often tell women in business that I built my entire business on taking long walks in the ponderosa forests after hours of relationship marketing: I would talk with potential clients, send emails, give a talk and then while walking I would just bask in the flow of the deep green. Upon my return, I would find 3 people having left messages on my phone machine wanting me to coach them. It’s a process that I believe mirrors the connected system the Nature has designed where everything is connected.
Judith: I know exactly what you are talking about Helene. It has to do with taking action and then just letting go! If we get too attached to what we want, it can often block the flow. Your way of doing business is very similar to mine when I stay present and don’t let doubt or worry override my efforts. Thanks for that lovely reminder. I’ll take an extra long walk in the woods tonight.
I know you are a very busy woman, grandmother, business owner, teacher, earth keeper, professional coach and so much more, but one thing you do I would really love for my readers to know about and that is your Retreat Coach Training. I was extremely blessed to be able to be trained by the best (Helene Van Manen) and go to not only one but two of your wonderful in-person retreat trainings in Colorado. Those retreats are simply fabulous!!! Tell my readers a little about your work in this area.
Helene: I specialize in training women to lead retreats. I invite women to come and learn hands on with me in Colorado this fall for one of a half dozen trainings I will offer ranging from 2 day intensives to 5 day spacious sky retreats combined with training. What women get from me is a deep immersion into both their own development as a Retreat Coach and their inner personal landscape through the power of retreating in a mountain landscape setting. I love training other women to combine their skills and talents along with the many exercises I teach. Learn more here at my site www.retreatcoaches.com
Judith: It has been such a pleasure talking with you today Helene. Thanks for coming. I also love this picture because it brings back such wonderful memories of how it feels to be on retreat with you as the leader. Yes everyone it is me in the cowboy hat and great big smile! Coach Judith is offering a full weekend retreat this fall at the beautiful Stella Maris Retreat Centerin Skaneateles, New York. You are invited on a journey of self-exploration to find your balance in changing times.Learn more here.Email or call for more information about retreats or coaching. 315.497.3059 Judith@flyingchangecoaching.com "Retreat is about stepping out of your ordinary existence to listen and attune to your truest, most authentic self. It is about being self-referenced to become self-restored. It is setting apart time to tend the hearth of your inner life, feed your muse, reclaim your dreams." Jennifer Louden I had to include the Colorado earth flag photo because this is really soo me..women extending out from me under the beautiful blue green globe.
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