Hi Friends,
It has been a while since we have spoken. There is an abundance of good news to share. First and foremost, our non-profit organization has come alive and we have a proactive, well rounded board of directors; I’m calling it my dream board. Please welcome our Vice-President and liaison for our research team, Martha Ward. Martha brings a life time of experience as an advocate for inter-community relations and state programs that support neighborhood well being. As a beautiful visionary woman who has held the dream of this healing place, my daughter, Jamie Hodge is with us as the director of research. Because she is emotionally invested in the wellbeing of Fourrier House, she has taken the mantel of keeping us in compliance with all things regarding our nonprofit status with the federal government. Horse woman extraordinaire and human resources expert Molly Christi is on board with community activist and park restorer Kathleen McMullen. They have agreed to design and produce the public face of Fourrier House. Mandy Daugherty, healer, teacher; is an impeccable woman with unique insights. Having apprenticed with me for more than three years Mandy has become intimate part of the growth and development of Fourrier House. She will serve well as the secretary of our board. No public service company would be complete without the love and appreciation of a committee dedicated to sharing a good time. Beth Kennedy heads our entertainment and fund raising committee. Beth is a textile artisan and is no stranger to organizing successful events and art shows. Many of you have seen her pieces exhibited in galleries around town as well as through Austin’s quilting guild. And her team consists of Sarah Sharp, a loving mother of three precious children, local recording and touring artist, song writer, a and SXSW ally and performer. And Beth’s team rounds out with multi-talented Annalee Langham whose unique voice can be heard in local theater, and musical stage performances, who also enjoys success as another SXSW ally.
There is one thing that all of these women have in common. They share a deep passion for bringing communities together as families, friends, and stewards of the good earth. They know how important it is to create an environment whereby people can heal themselves. I am honored to call each of these women friends of Fourrier House and my personal mentors and friends.
Yours in the Light, Debbie
Executive Director of Fourrier House School of Massage and Research Center
Your nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the reach of renewed approaches to healing.
Paul’s been drummin’ and Paul’s been singin’
But most importantly Paul’s been praying in a good way. For those who know Paul and me well, it should come as no surprise that we have a bend toward the traditional beliefs of the Native American way. It makes my heart full to say that he has been honored as a pipe carrier by Ira Knox. As pipe carriers, they smoke the pipe in a very sacred and time honored way.
Ira is a pipe carrier and as an associate member of the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipe Makers, he enjoys carving pipes and fetishes. He is a joy to watch as it is apparent that his talent is directed and guided by his unique relationship with spirit.
As a spiritual healer, teacher, and shamanic practitioner he reminds us “All it requires to transform oneself, one’s life, one’s relations and one’s world for the better is willingness. The willingness to take responsibility, to dream well, to show up, to acknowledge\ignore\accept those parts of oneself that are unwilling, human, and ego…all the while focusing on the part of oneself that holds willingness.. It all starts with milliseconds of success and ends in a lifetime of Joy, Happiness, and Love. If I can do it, you can do it…”
We will be sharing more information about Ira and his work in up coming issues of our newsletter. In the mean time check him out at http://www.ziabeaver.com
Moon Time
by MandyDaugherty
Moon time refers to our menstruation cycle and how it ideally comes every twenty eight days as the moon does. Often when this time of the month comes along not only do we get menstrual cramps, but we often feel bloated, extremely vulnerable, socially awkward, not pretty, distracted, ungrounded and have low energy but we still go to work, attend a good friend’s birthday, grocery shop, and clean house. Today’s hectic society does not support women during this time of month. Maybe we should take a couple of tips from our ancestors and honor this time by making life a littler simpler and listen to what the body needs.
According to Chinese Medicine and many Yogic lineages, this is a time of rest and not much physical vigor. During Moon time take a walk instead of a run or go to a Restorative Yoga class instead of Power Yoga. In the many Native American traditions women on their Moon time would completely check out of their daily routine and go into what many tribes called a Moon Lodge where they would simply sit and meditate to receive epiphanies to take back to their family and community.
Start making changes during this time to take better care of yourself. Mark your calendar so you can prepare for Moon time. Spend more time at home. Listen to what your body wants and go with it. Ask your loved ones to help with chores around the house or your husband to bathe the kids while you meditate for 10 minutes. Explain why! This is a wonderful teaching for our children. Imagine adolescent girls and young women meditating and taking care of themselves during this time. What a way to teach them to trust themselves and listen to their intuition, to turn Moon time into a positive experience of meditation and introspection! For mothers who have young daughters there is a book by Mary Dillon and Shinan Barclay, Flowering Woman: Moontime for Kori, that has Moon time teachings through a story of a young girl who receives a lovely Moon time initiation ceremony.
Another way to honor your body during Moon time is through massage. Massage helps relieve cramps that come along with it. It relieves tension in the psoas muscle. If the psoas is contracted it puts pressure on the reproductive organs which can irritate the nerves and constrict blood circulation to that area. It’s also a wonderful way just to receive some tender loving care. Be sure and tell us at Fourrier House that it is Moon time so we can accommodate you. We will use a blend of oils (almond, lavender, rose, and clary sage) specifically for the belly. Also let us know if cramps are caused from other things like fibroid cysts or endometriosis. We have resources that can help.
Diet can play an important role in Moon time discomfort. Easily digestible foods are wonderful to eat during this time. Swollen reproductive organs can press on the colon making it uncomfortable to digest food in general. Hot chamomile tea is wonderful to drink during this time as it calming and warmth to the belly is always soothing. You can also brew a cramp relieving tea: 1 teaspoon for St. Johns wort leaves, teaspoon of raspberry leaves and one cup of boiling water. Combine the herbs in a glass container and cover with the boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes then strain. Drink as needed.
Slowing down to listen and take care of ourselves during our Moon time is a positive habit we as a society can create for ourselves. We just have to do it! If you have any questions or would like more information, just ask us at Fourrier House. We have many more resources.
