"Just wanted to send a note thanking you for the wonderful classes ... The asanas were different than what I am used to, but I embraced the challenge. Thank you for your wonderful instruction."

Maria Enrique, Antioch, CA


 
Testimonials

"I appreciate Colleen’s patience, her seemingly endless patience adapting poses when I hurt or had injuries so I could learn what it felt like to feel strength in my body even though I was hurting!  Many, many times I’d enter class sick or down and by the end of the class I was not only well, I was 10 years younger and 2 inches taller! I have healed many injuries and ailments by learning to listen to that part of my body...  I am now not afraid to move."

-- Grace Kirby, Dallas, TX

 

 

 

" My healing path with Forrest Yoga taught by Colleen Millen  has been a deep journey inside from where she inspires and guides me to bring out precious treasures that is exhilarating about myself.  Colleen brings so much integrity that you just grow your confidence and go forward fearless of the next step."

-- Claudia Guedes, San Francisco

Healing Stories

Nursing a Broken Wing Back to Life
January 2012


I found a broken wing. In the myriad of healing opportunities I had this month I became aware of how much my right arm wants to stay clamped to my side. I felt somatically how difficult it was to extend this arm and accept the reach of another. My deeply rooted story of not being held, seen and loved returned this new year.

Of course, it was with my teacher Ana Forrest that I had an chance to shift. Late this month, near the end of our practice we all were playing with inversions. Ana held her partner Gary as he navigated a handstand with lotus legs and, while in the pose, pumped his pretzel legs down and up. To be honest, seeing this amazing pose and movement I froze. If you were to hear my thoughts at that moment, you might have heard something like: "Maybe in the next lifetime ..."

And then Ana looked at me - her eagle eye sparkling mischievously. "Your turn," she said. So I put my hands down, kicked up, did half lotus (scar tissue has to be honored) and ... thrashed. My head screamed: "I can't!" I crashed down. Ana kindly reminded me how strong I was and talked to me a bit about how this was my "chasing-the-dragon" moment. The dragon was the old story of having to collapse when putting myself in the hands of another.

I needed a break from the dragon: I let Ana's words seep in as I did Chest Opener on the Wall. When I felt more in my body I asked to her to help me try again. I spoke out loud to her how much I trusted her, how I know I could trust her because she's supported me so well this past decade. I guess some part of me had to name it: Some part of me had to acknowledge that it wasn't the pose, it was trusting someone else.

I got UP and IN and went down and up, down and up with those half lotus legs. I came triumphantly out of the pose and hugged her letting the space in my right wing quiver through. I thanked Ana for being there to catch me and coax me lovingly into another layer of healing.

I was reminded again that in building courage to feel, I built courage and ability to heal. I'm still giving space for the new paradigm to be felt inside: I am trustworthy. I have many people I can trust in my life. I can trust.

Quote of the Month:
"How did the rose ever open its heart and give to this world all its Beauty? It felt the encouragement of light against its being. Otherwise we all remain too frightened." -- Hafizife


Aho!

Colleen


 

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Contact Colleen
Colleen Millen
Blue Buddha Yoga
925-487-4592
contact@bluebuddhayoga.com