Recalibration.

To say that the start of 2020 was a bumpy ride is an understatement for many of us.

I personally went through a very deep and intense recalibration of not only my physical body, but my mind and spirit as well. I experienced intense bouts of exhaustion, my nervous system seemed completely out of whack and my thoughts went from dark to light in what seemed like an instant and my body was experiencing anxiety attack symptoms while my mind felt clear. None of these symptoms were familiar to me and as a Type 1 Diabetic of 32 years, my innate reaction was to try and control what was happening.

Sometimes when we go through an immense shift in life, our physical body will react. It will force us to slow down, to go inside and to rest. Really rest. I had spent the last decade or longer working hard and playing hard. Meditating, practicing yoga, committing to my daily practices but I was not truly resting. I was not restoring and I was certainly not relaxing in the way my body needed to.

As soon as these experiences entered my field I made a subconscious choice to give up alcohol, dairy, and most animal protein. I started going to bed around 9:30pm each night and spent at least 2 hours outside in nature every day. I began stimulating my vagus nerve with cool fresh air and cold showers (last 10 seconds is all I can stand). I took 2 weeks to myself to heal. I read, relaxed and dove deeper into my Yoga Nidra and Meditation practices. I was definitely resting and I was certainly relaxing and recalibrating every inch of my system and every cell in my body.

Through all of this I realized I was experiencing exactly what I wanted to inspire and assist people with in their lives, but I had not experienced some of these symptoms before. I was having so many aha moments through this process that I journaled an entire notebook, healed skin issues, lost 15 pounds and had the best blood work results of my life. I also learned how to let go, how to allow space for myself and how to fully and deeply relax.

Sometimes, we truly have to practice what we preach. It might hit us hard - like this did - and force us into a space of peace, nourishment and true self care. It might tip us off course to experience something that we need to learn, embody and move through for a greater purpose, maybe even our soul’s path.

Recalibration can seem scary. I asked “why” so many times that it’s something I’ve taken out of my vocabulary for the next little while (new blog post to come). Sometimes we aren’t meant to know why something is happening, but we are meant to feel it, acknowledge it and move through it. The process can seem daunting, difficult and strange - but it’s always for the greater good of our soul.

This process of recalibration has truly been my saving grace. What seemed like the darkest times (health wise for me) truly grew the most magnificent light. I felt like a lotus flower, growing out of the mud slowly, expanding her petals (or wings) and blossoming into something beautiful, full of peace, healing and love.

So February is a new beginning for me. A chance to focus on my healing, my creativity and my soul’s path. Did I get off course? No. I believe this allowed me to experience exactly what I needed to through the magic of recalibration of my mind, body and spirit.

The forest in winter is infinite with contrast,
it sheds light in places we otherwise might not see.
The snow, against the bark of the trees, sparkles,
and allows the natural landscape of the branches to shine.
I see our bodies as the trees rooted deep into the earth,
recognizing the chiaroscuro of our soul in the realm of nature.

Kate Carson

If you’re interested in staying connected, please sign up for my newsletter here to receive monthly meditations, free goodies and event announcements.

In love, light + peace.

What is Mindful Creativity?

What is Mindful Creativity?

Throughout my entire life I've been called creative. Sometimes it's a hard label to live up to. There's a lot of pressure when people pose questions and you're expected to always come up with the most creative solution. Now don't get me wrong, I love nothing more than coming up with creative solutions to problems or projects, but I truly believe creative essence is part of our DNA, and available to everyone.

Some people are artists by profession, and some people create art as a hobbie. But what if it's possible that everyone and anyone is an artist? This sounds like a popular generalization but it's true. We all have creative energy, we were born from creation weren't we? Whether you're a line cook, a scientist, a politician or a cashier, we all have creative abilities at our fingertips, and in our soul.

But what about the healing aspect of creativity. Art Therapy has always been an interest of mine, and although I don't hold that professional title, I do a lot of research in this field. I find it fascinating that trauma can be ignited and brought forth to heal through artistic practices. Self-expression and exploration is such an important part of healing emotionally, physically and spiritually that it only makes sense that creativity is another aspect of deep and profound healing.

As a yoga instructor I guide people to a space where they begin their own path to healing. I use the word guide as that is exactly what people need, to be guided to find these spaces and places of healing within themselves. Over the past few years I've found that when I'm creating art I'm in the same healing space as when I'm practicing yoga: I feel a sense of peace, calm and healing through my body as if I'm meditating. For those who know me know that I'm coming up on 30 years as a Type 1 Diabetic and I also have Hypothyroidism and Celiac Disease. Wellness is very important to me, and my health is always my primary concern, next to my wild child 3 year old! Through meditation, yoga, mantras, diet and mindset I create an environment that is positive, healing and nourishing to not only my physical body but my soul.

I started to experiment more and more with what meditation, yoga and art and how they are all interconnected. From the artwork I was creating, and the healing modalities I was practicing, I began offering Creative Chakra Workshops at various yoga studios and spaces. From here however, I've found that connecting these practices of creative energies is far-reaching, and so I created Mindful Creativity: the exploration of self-expression with creative healing energies through meditation, movement and art.

If this inspires you, or intrigues your daily rituals or practices, or you're simply looking to unleash your inner artist, connect with me on Facebook, Mindful Creativity with Kate Carson, and join a community inspired by the exploration of wellness practices and art! 

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice

As I sit outside this evening and listen to the birds and the out of the ordinary silence, it takes me back 3 years ago, just a few weeks before having my son. For those of you that know me, you'll recall the story of how the birth of our son went from one end of the spectrum to the other...and every which way in between. You may also remember how we were stuck in the hospital for 7 full days following his birth, or, I was. 

I remember the Summer Solstice, the first day of summer, June 21st of 2014 like it was yesterday. It was a beautifully warm evening, I was nestled in a small, but private, hospital room with our new son and my husband. Our window was open, the birds sang away all day and into the evening, and the hospital just seemed quieter than usual. It was a Saturday that year. As a new mother, brand new, I was extra emotional, frustrated from the situation we were in, and exhausted. My husband being the saint he is, was playing old Saturday Night Live skits with John Candy to make me laugh and distract me from the reality of what was: not being allowed to leave the hospital.

As I scrolled through Facebook and Instagram I saw countless posts of special yoga events to celebrate summer solstice; photos of friends attending live music parties on the beaches of Toronto and numerous other posts of what seemed like my old life, and what used to be my freedom.

I get an anxious feeling in my tummy when I go back to that feeling. Why was I in my situation? Why hadn't I witnessed my son's birth? I was the one who carried and birthed him! Why had my blood pressure risen so high I wasn't allowed to leave the hospital? And why, had I lost my freedom?

Freedom is a funny word. We all want it, yet, we don't want TOO much of it. It can be inconsistent, scary, but also invigorating and beautiful. Becoming a mother changes your freedom. It takes it away but also creates space in your life for new and amazing things and experiences. I wouldn't change a thing with how things went down in June of 2014. That week in the hospital may have been the most difficult week of my life yet, also the best. Our new family, all 3 of us, roomed in that tiny space for 7 full days. My husband didn't leave, my son was only there with us for 4 as he was in NICU for 3 of those days...but I still feel grateful. We had our chance to nest in together...we learned how strong we were, and no matter how much you pray to God, or higher beings or your guardian angels, there is still always a plan that has your best interests in mind.

This year on Summer Solstice I am hosting a Yoga Celebration at my place of employment: Station Gallery in Whitby. As I listen to these birds and this silence this evening on our deck in the backyard of our Suburban home, I am reminded of how everything comes full circle. Everything you dream of can and will happen. The things you truly want in your life will come...you just have to relax into what is, follow through on your intentions by putting them into action even with baby steps, and open yourself up to receive all of the blessings and amazing magical miracles that will come your way.

For more information on my Summer Solstice Yoga Celebration at Station Gallery, please visit our website to buy your ticket or to purchase a membership and come for free!

https://www.stationgallery.ca/?post_type=events&p=1072

What do I REALLY, TRULY want?

What do I REALLY, TRULY want?

I try to meditate every single day even if just for 2 minutes either in the morning, mid-morning when I have a few minutes alone, or before bed. It actually differs every day because that's the beauty of my life right now; it's open and flowing.

Yesterday I meditated for 5 minutes in my car after work. It was a beautiful fall day, quite windy in fact, and I felt the urge to just unplug and empty my mind. As I settled into my breath I noticed the same question arising in my mind: what do I want? I contemplated for a moment about the career goals I made for this year, the things I want to share with the world and the ways in which I was to inspire and heal where I can. Then, a very interesting scene arose in my head and I went with it...funny enough I don't usually talk about these scenes I have in meditations with anyone, especially with the world, but here it goes!

I was led by this small woman with wings, like a lunar moth through these beautiful fields and up this mountain to a castle. The castle had a huge golden door and we just walked in...well she was fluttering about but I was walking. When we got inside there was a large crystal globe in the middle of the room and that was all...and a wizard-like man waving me over to the globe. He looked at me and said what do you want, and grabbed my hand while directing me to look into the globe. In that moment, for literally not even one second, I thought about all of my goals and then POOF they disappeared and I heard clear as day...I want to heal my myself, I want to cure my diabetes.

In that moment I felt this odd sensation...like why hadn't I ever asked the universe for this? Why, in the last 28 years had I just accepted this disease? Why have I always talked to the universe for so many other reasons but not for healing? I am a healer...so why am I not trying to heal myself? Well I am...but I haven't asked for any help, or assistance, or divine nudges on this, and that is what I find the most interesting. Have I buried this hurt so deeply that I have just went on living not facing the fact that I have a chronic disease? I believe this has actually helped my journey with this disease however, I also think it's been a bit of a denial...a repression of what is really happening.

During my yoga teacher training I also had a moment. We were in this intense method of meditation where we move our bodies very quickly to music and banging our fists while lying on the floor. Stick with me here. It's supposed to release something so deep that we haven't been seeing...and what came up for me was how ANGRY I am on a cellular level with this disease. Why me? Why did I get this? What did I do to deserve it? These questions came through me with a lot of strength and power...needless to say it was a very powerful experience for me because they did not come from my mind, they were not the thoughts I was thinking about on a daily basis or even in the beginning of this meditation. They came from a place where they have been hiding for a long time, and they wanted to be acknowledged and heard.

Well, I've made the decision that my goal truly is to try and heal myself. I have tried various techniques but I am making a declaration of commitment to this now...with the universe's help...with divine assistance and maybe a little bit of magic to heal my pancreas. I honestly feel that this is why I'm here...and I have the power within me to make this possible. Will it happen overnight? Most likely no, but, with intention and focus it will, I promise. I also promise you this...right now, that sometimes feelings of not having control over something in our lives can be buried so deep that we don't even realize that is what we need the most help with - not making money, or becoming successful, but healing from the inside out. Sometimes, asking for help from people, from guides and from the universe can be exactly what we need, and what we really, truly want on a cellular, spiritual level. I have chosen to listen to my SELF and what my real, true self wants.

Namaste and blessings,

Kate