Raw
I finished the last mouthfuls of my green smoothie, relishing in the sharp taste of cacao. It’s my third morning in Hai’ku, Maui and my diet has consisted thus far on raw foods. Yesterday I swam the churning ocean and practiced yoga twice with Tarah and this morning, I felt sore (in a good way) and in need of a little extra sleep. I started doing a little yoga after breakfast and very clearly heard my body ask me to stop. I sat on my mat and ate avocado and sunflower nut pate sprinkled with cayenne while the girls practiced. After I felt nourished, I wandered out onto the porch and curled up on the lounge chair, bundled up in jackets and knee-high socks and scarves. It is winter, after all.
kitten tries to interrupt my hard work
On Tuesday, I begin a juice feast liquid love live-it (vs DIE-t) with my radical friend, Tarah. This week of raw foods is the perfect preparation for me, and I know it – but it is going to be quite the challenge. I feel blessed to share the company of others who are participating with much knowledge and support for my experience. This is already one of the most nourishing and empowering “vacations” I have ever taken – leisurely mornings on the porch, dabbling in a few projects; an hour or so at the beach, taking in sun on my hungry skin; taking sample shots of kombucha (best. Kombucha. EVER.) and munching on new foods prepared in many different ways; sharing stories girl-to-girl heart-to-heart; bending on the mat and opening my heart to the warm scent of flowers.
Yep. I feel the island welcoming me brightly into its embrace.
At the end of my morning practice at Studio Maui yesterday, I began to rouse my breath in Savasana to transition up. I had a clear vision of a big red disc, almost a giant button that rolled into view. It read, “RAW” in big block letters. A ladder flew in from my peripheral and reached from the darkness around the button right up into the center of it. I am taking big steps into a new experience, climbing up towards something different and radical. Something that I expect will leave me raw and exposed – and I am ever so ready to let go of all this needless negativity that still clings to me. I understand the expense of taking on a raw diet, of spending a few days on just juice. I understand this is a commitment. A sacrifice that I offer up into the fire with a big “swaha!” – an exclamation of devotion to everything I have lived, every mistake I have made, every heartache and heartbreak and fear and pain; the pieces of my life that have made me exactly as I am.
I am happy. I am whole. I am healing.