I start to write. It’s really hard.

I spewed out a bunch of stuff, none of which I wanted to send.

Stuff about how this practice centers me, but more than that — it brings me a tangible feeling of being in control of my immediate space when I start to get overwhelmed (that cool vortex thing, no doubt).

About how I am all about making crazy connections … as I try to do with my own blog, in which I see shiatsu lessons as life lessons … and Shiva Nata just enhances awareness of those connections by like 300%.

And about how I come right smack face-to-face with that thing my brain does when it’s challenged by things like spreadsheets, or foreign accents, or driving directions dictated by my husband.

Today’s post is from Danielle Cornelius: fellow Portlander, Somaphile, one of my wonderful students and all around amazing person. Super interesting piece. Yay, Danielle! And thank you! – Havi I don’t know about you … … but I have a bit of a tortured past with exercise videos. It always begins with the best of [...]

Total time spent healing: approximately 25 minutes.
Total time spent avoiding healing: 28 years.

This all seems pretty pat and obvious to me now that I can tie it up in this little package like so, but it’s something that I spent years hating myself for.

Shiva Nata literally scrambled my brain and allowed me to make these deep and hidden connections.

In fact, I truly believe this healing process would have taken way longer if I had not been working with Dance of Shiva (if it would have happened at all, which I kind of doubt).

This knowledge brings all sides of me into harmonious alignment.

Now during Shiva Nata when my leg spazzes forward when I meant for it to go back, and I experience that delicious brain-scramble feeling, my internal dialogue goes something like this:

Airy-fairy-side: Ooh fun!

Intellectual-side: Aha yes, neuroplasticity at work.