the women of arising

| sigrid | carly | brandi | nadia |

sigrid

Here is a little piece of my story: I was born in the backwoods of Cape Breton Island at the end of a four-mile-long driveway and raised in the forest of Northern Ontario without the creature comforts of running water, electricity or a telephone - needless to say, although life was "simple" it was not always easy!

Throughout my youth, I sought my entertainment in the bosom of nature by exploring the simple wisdom of the woods - frolicking through the fields of wild flowers, eating breakfast in wild strawberry patches and playing hide and seek amongst the briars and the brambles of the Killaloe Hills. Spending the beginning of my life in the thick of the natural world has inspired me to forge an intimate and everlasting relationship with the wilderness that I feel indebted to introduce to you. I bring this to you through my two passions, my hand made line of all natural body care products Sigrid Natural Skin Care www.sigridnaturals.com and arising, women in nature.

carly

I feel we are all connected and as women it is part of our essence to bridge this connection with other woman, supporting and accepting each other, building community. I think as woman we should feel empowered to be ourselves, seeing our own true inner beauty. Through using the natural world women can become better connected to themselves and each other, allowing their true spirit to arise from within.

I am passionate about working with people and being in the outdoors. Nature provides infinite opportunities for woman to explore and unravel their true inner being. It is through my degrees in Earth Science, Outdoor Recreation and Education, my life and work experiences that I have come to hold the value of outdoor experiences so close to my heart. When an atmosphere of positive energy, acceptance and non judgment is present the opportunity arises to explore inside ourselves, recognizing that true happiness comes from within.

brandi

I love our natural environment and celebrating its resplendent beauty. I love learning and challenging myself and others. It takes strength, courage and understanding to be a woman in our patriarchal society. I want to enable all women to gain self-confidence, and to tap into their true wise woman potential.

Growing up I had a mother, sisters and aunts who were incredible role models and women I looked to and continue to look towards for guidance and support. Within my life experiences I have traveled and followed my heart and instinct into many adventures that would never have been possible without the love, support and guidance from these women. Another enormous influence in my life has been an organization called Boundless and the inspirational community I found a place within. Introducing me to the Madawaska Valley and its abundant splendor in 2000, I found a place that is home and has enabled me to safely explore and grow as a woman and as an outdoor educator.

Women's issues surrounding health and wellness such as depression, stress and anxiety have been the driving force behind my passion to create spaces and places for women to explore and strategize coping mechanisms and create support networks to alleviate and minimize these health issues. Within my personal life studying yoga and nutrition, staying active and practicing mindfulness has enabled my own healing and continual growth. Through arising, I hope to share and exchange wisdom, stories, songs and laughter with others.

nadia

Hello dear friends, my name is Nadia Kindermann. My background is in organic sustainable gardening and agriculture, as I was born and raised on a small farm in the Madawaska Valley; a land that has taught me many things and nurtured in me an appreciation for the earth. I grew up embraced by the rawness of nature in all its beauty and grace, and equally, the unavoidable harshness and storms. On Half Moon Farm, where I live, food is grown organically and sustainably. The soil is replenished each year with good, wholesome organic matter, giving back the earth what it has so bountifully provided each growing season.

Today, many people do not have the opportunity to be close to the earth, to her rhythms, to the ways of the seasons. My joy and passion is to bring people back, close to the land, to have a direct experience with 'food source.' Through our Arising workshops hosted at Half Moon Farm, I am dedicated and excited to create a time and space where groups of people come together to share, learn, and inspire each other, feeling the earths embrace. Through gardening, wildcrafting, meditation, yoga, storytelling, and much more, we strive to create a holistic learning environment.

Currently, I am laying a foundation to continue to learn about body healing. I am studying for my RMT diploma at Sutherland-Chan Massage School, from where I will graduate in spring of 2010. Body work and assisting others through their own healing journey, is a passion of mine. Massage Therapy is an excellent way to take moments of stillness to listen, to replenish energy levels, and to learn more about your own body. Our bodies know things! -- they are so wise when we listen to them!

Something that rings true for me is a quote from the renowned yoga practitioner Saraswathi Vasudevan. She says, "While the teacher is giving, they are also receiving... and when the teacher is receiving, they are also giving. So I am really not here to teach you or to offer you what I know... I am here to share my experience. It is not what I know, but what I have experienced."

In this way I look forward to sharing time and creating new memories with those who join workshops offered by Arising.