Shamanic Yoga with Leah Bracknell
It
is hard to find a way of describing this incredible experience; I believe it
needs to be felt. Upon entering the workshop Jez Hughes founder of ‘Second
Sight Healing’ with his calm welcoming nature approaches everyone individually asking
them to take a small amount of tobacco to give as an offering later in the
workshop, intrigued everyone took some as they selected their spot and settled
into a circular formation of mats. Leah gently approached the center of the
circle welcoming everyone. She shared the journey that led her to this point
and spoke of how fear often prevents progression. She described the elements of
the medicine wheel located at the center of the circle making note of its
likeness to the Chakras and emphasised its connection to healing.
Leah
has a luminous personality and a beautiful voice with which she captivates and guides
participants gracefully through a range of poses whilst inviting self-reflection
and soothing. She guides everyone safely through a journey acknowledging all
four directions of the compass welcoming their elemental qualities. Ripples of
music are sprinkled through the practice; a Shamanic drum brings rhythm to
promote healing along with Native American rattles symbolic of independence. All
participants are encouraged to greet each breath as a welcome guest and
reminded how it is said that each life is given a finite number of breaths,
every single one should be treasured.
Towards
the end of this emotional enlightening journey Leah encourages participants to
join her in song and gratitude for mother earth, the volume rises then softens
as everyone spirals together coiling into the center of the room. I very much
doubt anyone left this room feeling the same as when they had entered, I
strongly suspect they left feeling lighter yet grounded, benefiting from the
skilled guidance of Leah. Prayers made along with the offerings were left in
very safe hands to be released ceremonially later that day.
Shamanic
Yoga guides you to where you need healing, where you feel broken, it helps to
free those who have become stuck, to reignite the fire within bringing
empowerment and guidance towards a truer self. There really could not be a
better way to start your day or indeed the next part of your journey than with
this incredible workshop.
