I'm thrilled with all the new shifts happening not only within Esoteria but at Sound Wellness! These shifts benefit me, YOU and our community.
 
I've also included upcoming Breath Circle dates at the bottom of this page - with one coming up this Sunday the 12th from 6-7:30pm. Come try it out! No experience necessary, just an open curiosity and a willingness to receive.

Acutonics®
I just completed Acutonics®: Level 1 two weekends ago. It was such a powerful learning experience and it's a perfect addition to my bodywork sessions. For more information about Acutonics®, the use of tuning forks and sound healing visit this link. 

I need your assistance. I'm already integrating this new work into my sessions, but I'd like even more practice. I am gifting 30 minute Acutonics® sessions for the month of March to each of you. All I ask in return is your time and honest feedback. 
 
The use of tuning forks in a session can assist in: breaking up scar tissue, chronic or recent muscle aches/pains, energy balance, sleep, stress reduction, migraines or headaches, increase relaxation and much more. This is a very tactile experience and you will feel shifts almost immediately to your physical system as the frequencies and vibrations resonate throughout. Our bodies are about 70% water. Water is a great conductors of sound. Essentially we're using sound to massage your system from deep within. 

​If you have questions or you'd like to sign up please call or text me directly at 206-619-2976. I look forward to hearing from you!

​My deepest wish is that this note finds you transitioning into the new year with more ease, grace and love in your hearts.

I am personally finding great comfort in the spaciousness I'm feeling as I move into 2017. The "to do list" seems to be disappearing when I'm in flow and allowing space - tasks are easy, enjoyable and finish quicker when I wait for the right time to do them rather than pushing "to just get it done" (This one is still an ongoing practice. ha!). I've been finding a new delight in cooking, specifically soups that I've never had before - finding meditation in the chopping of vegetables and allowing the aromas to permeate deep into my being. 

It hasn't all been peaceful days of comfy bliss - I've also had days of wrestling with my demons - doubt, guilt, anger, and fear is always the big one. There are a lot of unknowns in my world at the moment, but here are a few things that have helped me during these moments of struggle.

1.) Allowing Creative Flow - I recently went to an Intuitive Painting Group in Tacoma and it blew my mind! To step into a space where your heart and breath are the leaders (Reminds me of the Breath Circles - nudge, nudge). There was no lack of abundance and no judgement neither positive or negative. It was meditative painting where no thought was involved - just a constant question to the heart - "whats next?" Allowing the mind to take a back seat and the heart to lead. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this was a daily existence?  It's very freeing to create with wild abandon, making a mess, all while laughing and sometimes crying at what comes forth.

2,) Get Outside! (or at least look outside) - yes it's rainy and cold, but there is something that makes me feel so alive when I bundle up, rain gear on, and go for a walk - feeling that brisk air enter my lungs, the cold wind on my cheeks, hearing the trees sing and seeing them sway in the breeze. The simply act of walking moves so much energy in my system. Then of course the deliciousness of coming home to the warmth and perhaps a hot cup of tea. Even on the days when I can't work up the nerve to brave the weather outside (which has been this last week) it's been so nourishing to simply sit in a chair by the window and bask in the glow of the moonlight. It's been a brilliant one these last few days, even amidst the clouds!

3.) Just Be - this is a hard one for me, but the more I can sit with it, the more I see how it affects my life in very profound ways. I've pushed and pulled most of my life. It can be unnerving to simply be - agitating actually, especially when it can feel like there is so much "to do". It can be hard to listen to my heart when I'm out doing errands and I "just have one more", but my system is done. Or I have a preconceived notion what I will get accomplished in a day and nothing seems to get done, in fact the list gets longer, WHAT?!?. But in those moments of low energy, stress, annoyance, etc - stopping what I'm doing to take a little nap or just sit down for a while, close my eyes and breath - really feel into my body, my system, and simply being quiet - really helps.

A quote from the book Making Space by Thich Nhat Hanh:
"Often we tell ourselves "Don't just sit there, DO something!" But when we practice awareness, we discover that the opposite may be more helpful: "Don't just do something, SIT there!"

Sending Love and Light,
Terri Lynn

​​As many of you know September was my last month at The Massage Place. It was a beautiful space to grow both personally and professionally these last five years, but as I stepped more boldly into living my soul's purpose - I was led to take a giant leap of faith that would not only change my work, but my LIFE.

Transition 
​
When I gave my notice at the end of August I had no idea what the next step would be. Would I continue in the massage therapy field? Would I find a whole new line of work? Would I take an indefinite amount of time off to figure out what was next? how would I finance this transition time? Would I be traveling abroad sooner than expected? Would I take more courses or get another license? Would I even continue living in Olympia?? 

As I moved through September - getting closer closer to my last day - the questions continued, both within my own mind and from others. I was in free fall.

At times I felt a deep sense of empowerment, excitement and adventure, while others I was left overwhelmed and riddled with fear of the unknown. 

While I still didn't have answers regarding where I was going to land next and what I was going to do - In mid September during an amazing, soul opening session with the dear Amanda Lux of Earth in Heart, it became clear that I was to shatter the box that I had so carefully put myself in. Shatter the fear, the control, the walls of protection and open to vulnerability, deep self-love and my true self - in all it's perfect imperfection.

No small task! Where was I to begin???

I knew I'd be taking most of October off to figure out what was next and that an open ended road trip was in my near future. October 1st (the new moon) I packed my car and headed south, but to my dismay excitement was replaced with stress - where was I to go? where was I to stay? was I going the right direction? what if I missed something important? The onslaught of questions and the unknown was all too familiar. My shoulders tensed, a headache started and anger came boiling to the top. What the hell was I doing?? In that moment I almost turned around and came home.

But I continued on - heading south on I-5, rain pouring, I sat with both the physical and emotional discomforts I was feeling - curiously asking about all that was coming to the top. With the help of deep breathing, a phone call with a friend and a break in the rain, I began to find some moments of clarity as well as a place to sleep for the night: Beacon Rock State Park. As darkness settled in I found a great place to set up camp under two beautiful, towering Douglas Firs. Tent set up, fire crackling,  and hot soup in my belly - I looked upward through the trees to the twinkling stars above and let out a sigh of complete contentment. 

In that moment I new with absolute clarity that I was exactly where I was meant to be and I was moving in the right direction - even if the end result was unknown. 

For the next four days I would continue my road trip - winding east along the Columbia River Gorge, then south through the Willamette National Forest (Central Cascades), stopping to stay at Breitenbush Hot Springs a few days, then continuing on to Bend, Oregon. All the while my mind and spirit winding in and out of complete freedom/faith to anxiety/fear, then back again. Along the way witnessing nature's limitless, wild beauty and meeting many beautiful beings whose stories touched my heart and strengthened my trust in the journey. Inevitably it all pointed me back home to you - much sooner than expected - with renewed clarity, purpose and vision.

Most of October I sat with the unknown (some days easier than others). A few days before the 1st of November it became clear that I was to began renting space at the beautiful Smyth Landing on West Bay Drive (yes, right on the water!)

​Within the building is a new space and group of holistic practitioners called Sound Wellness. It has been a dream of mine to work with a variety of wellness professionals in a space brimming with vision, possibility and new creation - I just never thought it would happen so early in my career! The rest of November I spent creating my space - my sanctuary - grounding even more deeply into my heart and the new work I was to offer you. 

Transformation
​
During my trip it became clear that my work was to undergo a deep transformation. My early training and work was strongly based in the physical/treatment oriented side of bodywork - more or less Deep Tissue Massage and Treatment Sessions. If someone had an ache or pain - we looked for a solution - dare I say I tried to "fix" the problem area. At times this would work with great success while others left me dumbfounded, even frustrated - like I was beating my head (or hands) against a wall. 

There was a lot of force and determination involved in my first 5 years of practice - not bad qualities to have as you're starting a business, but it took it's toll - physically, energetically and emotionally. I realized not only was I wearing myself out quickly, but I was resting back into what was known, easy and safe. In short, I was not practicing in a way that served our highest good, both you - the client or me - the practitioner. And the passion I once had for my work was dwindling as well.

As my work began to progress over the years, my personal awareness of my own being deepened and my awareness of the entire human system expanded. Not only was I feeling the physical aspect of one's being, but sometimes the energetic, emotional and/or spiritual sides as well. This was a struggle for me - what do I do with this information? How does this fit in with physical bodywork or healing in general? How can I work more holistically while maintaining my own integrity, ethics and clarity? How can I assist in creating lasting change, instead of momentary relief?

What is "healing" anyway??

These are questions I still ask and continue studying about, but for now I realized I don't need to have all the answers. I'm realizing the more self work I do - by strengthening my personal practice, deepening my self awareness and self love, healing my own wounds, and clearing/balancing my energy fields on a regular basis then all that comes through is pure love - the ultimate healer.

The more I lean into the unknown, trust the process and simply LISTEN - deeply listen - to each human system that I encounter the more things naturally begin to unwind and find balance again. It's as if coming back to the body and heart - allowing space for breath and inward focus - moves energy once more to those spaces of dis-ease. By going within, we find our hearts, our POWER and the grace to transform - possibly even AWAKEN to find our authentic selves.

During a time when our world is so full of fear, violence, never ending struggle and chaos it's hard to know where to begin or how we can make a difference. I've been told time and time again these last two months to go within, go within, go within - find that peace and unconditional love deep within your own heart - then let it permeate every cell of your being.

This allows flow instead of force, ease instead of  dis-ease,  response instead of reaction. and love instead of fear. The work done within your own heart will affect your family, your neighbors, your community - OUR WORLD.

If you want to be a voice for peace in the world, begin by making peace a permanent condition of your own life. Your higher self knows the way, and all it takes is awareness and a determination to listen to the calling of love, forgiveness, and kindness as you move through your days. Here are a few ideas to think about:

You must offer peace to have it. Think of yourself as a peaceful person. Watch out for your ego’s inclination to take offense and ramp up confrontation and disturbance in the lives of others. Try saying, “You are really having a rough day,” to a harried clerk, rather than, “I’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes already.” Let your loving presence, not your ego, guide your words and actions.

Remember that grievances bring turmoil while communication brings peace.
You can shed grievances by letting go of your own self-absorption and practicing forgiveness. If you are angry toward someone in your life, work at communicating with that person. A few moments of discussion and forgiveness can send the turmoil away and weaken the influence of your anxiety-loving ego.

Give yourself the gift of a silent retreat every day. Even if it is only for a few moments, experience this key to higher awareness. Shut down the inner dialogue and see the difference between the constant chatter and the bliss of your silent connection to the Universe. This is the surest way to ease control away from ego and move into the inner vision of peace that is your birthright.

Remind yourself that the greatest technique for bringing peace into your life is to always choose being kind when you have a choice between being right or being kind. This is the single most effective method I know for having a sense of peace. And you have that choice in all your interactions.

If you have a question about whether it is your ego or your higher self speaking, the answer becomes obvious when you ask yourself, “Will this bring peace or turmoil to my life?”

By all means, work toward righting the wrongs you perceive, but do it with an understanding that an angry heart keeps you from knowing God on the path of your sacred quest. Peace will come to you when you're a healer rather than a judge.