Soul Care | Spiritual Health + Natural Practices

We get up close and personal into the topic of not being seen nor heard as a woman individually and collectively. Do you ever feel unseen or unheard by those closest to you ? How do you feel about women collectively being unheard and unseen ?

What if you are talking an audience that can't hear you? So, what to do about that? Well, I can't answer that for you but, I can say this is one reason why I do podcast. It helps to put it out there. I'm practicing here how to speak about such topics that are very painful. My hope is that we can have more open space to do so.

You know that love hate relationship? Some call it Winter. Ha! A quiet time of reflection and personal hibernation these past two years proves it is necessary to prepare for Spring's emerging cycle of life. There is a lot to digest or assimilate. Being still with myself has been challenging while worth it.

Can ya hear me when I say I love Winter? I really do. Maybe it is because I kinda crush on Jack Frost a teeny bit. Hmmm. Living on our little farmstead for a full resolution around the Sun this Winter we are more settled into our living space. So, moving slow is the name of the game.

My husband and I both may be slight pyromaniacs. Any excuse to make a fire and chill around it awhile is good for the soul. This Winter one focus for me spiritually is bringing the Sun on inside. My gut and solar plexus need some good medicine and rest.

Our fireplace is forreal a focal point in our home. Bringing the fire or Sun inside your home during the Winter grounds me down. Learning in a tangible practical way that the slow burn is what makes it last. Even the chores around having a fire on the inside gives back to the garden with the ashes from the transformation.

On the Yoga scene, bringing in the Sun as a practice feels like stoking your own fire. Do you know what I am talking about? The fire that is on the inside. Like it fuels your drives and passions, that part of the belly that feels primal. From that place your blood pumps quicker?

Well, the concept of bringing in the fire is a kind of practice to stoke your inner fire or agni. Winter gives you the space to stoke a slow burn simultaneously acting as a purification process.

Since purification is more like an inside thing. We have experienced a change of behavior, lifestyle, circles, you name it, while not changing much on the inside.

While that is an inside job, for me it has been the hardest work to do. Making amends with my own shame, and feelings of unworthiness. Trust me when I say I haven't arrived anywhere quite yet in my process. Slowing down to the quiet trickle I am paying attention to what stokes my fire. and I hope you are too.

Happy Wintering. Give yourself compassion and grace as we Winter over this season, then cover over that with a whole bunch of patience. Namaste` lovely souls.

Originally when recorded the podcast had another name in place of Woman for the title was the terminology used for this valuable woman when I was fundamentally taught about the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at Jacob's Well. Her name is Photina, the whore at the Well.

Fun Fact : She is the FIRST recorded account of the revelation to the culture that Jesus is the Messiah! Have you ever heard of her? She was the Samaritan woman that Jesus met at Jacob's well in Sychar, you remember those stories in church?

What is so interesting for me personally is how she is referred to as a "whore" by the laypeople. You know the place and very thing that Jesus died for... the church.

It seems antithetical to call this outcasted woman a whore when Jesus was compelled to share his big reveal with her first Jesus, the Face of God in this story is at Jacob's well offering living to a woman whose vessel spiritually and physically was unclean according to Jewish law.

For him to accept anything from her hands would be considered super taboo and a no-no for this cultural setting and time period. The question begs, is Photina now filled with the living water upon revelation of God before her very eyes in her everyday circumstance as truth?

Nowhere biblically is this woman noted for receiving compensation for sexual favors. So. lemme set this up. So the connotation in the language of Scripture in John 4 states that Jesus "had to pass," pointing to a compelling sense to go through Samaria which was extremely dangerous due to cultural differences not to mention racial tensions.

The Jews (God's "chosen" people mind you), believed that she was unclean at birth being a Samaritan woman, not to mention having multiple sexual partners.

What I love about Jesus is that he consistently speaks truth in spirit to the religious cultural norms and legalism. And gets this, in many stories recorded we can honestly admit that Jesus esteems women! So, lets take it all the way to the fact then that God must esteem women too!

This is the underlying story right here! That we can meet ourselves at the well of revelation to drink in self compassionate grace, especially for those of us who needs some right about now.

So the story goes, Jesus was hot and tired from the journey so he goes to the well in the heat of the day to rest while the crew goes in town to get food.

So when Photina shows up to have the longest recorded conversation in the Holy Bible with Jesus. Not only does he speak with her longer than any other person, but it points to opening act of his ministry with this conversation. Then he takes her down to the bottom of her well to draw up respectful worthiness by revealing himself as the Messiah to her FIRST!

Proof that God esteems women, epecially women that society and religious communities shun, God as the face of Jesus in this story, says that he was compelled to tell her FIRST!

UPDATED NOTES FOR LIVE RECORDING

BTW it is Proverbs 4:23. I transpose numbers sometimes :) I say in this episode "proverbs 4:32," when I was referring to 4:23 instead. I caught it before publishing but...you know I am human getting my words wrong sometimes. Especially when I am practicing speaking my innerstanding on a public platform.

Originally when recorded the podcast had another name in place of Woman for the title was the terminology used for this valuable woman when I was fundamentally taught about the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at Jacob's Well. Her name is Photina, the whore at the Well.

Fun Fact : She is the FIRST recorded account of the revelation to the culture that Jesus is the Messiah! Have you ever heard of her? She was the Samaritan woman that Jesus met at Jacob's well in Sychar, you remember those stories in church?

What is so interesting for me personally is how she is referred to as a "whore" by the laypeople. You know the place and very thing that Jesus died for... the church.

It seems antithetical to call this outcasted woman a whore when Jesus was compelled to share his big reveal with her first Jesus, the Face of God in this story is at Jacob's well offering living to a woman whose vessel spiritually and physically was unclean according to Jewish law.

For him to accept anything from her hands would be considered super taboo and a no-no for this cultural setting and time period. The question begs, is Photina now filled with the living water upon revelation of God before her very eyes in her everyday circumstance as truth?

Nowhere biblically is this woman noted for receiving compensation for sexual favors. So. lemme set this up. So the connotation in the language of Scripture in John 4 states that Jesus "had to pass," pointing to a compelling sense to go through Samaria which was extremely dangerous due to cultural differences not to mention racial tensions.

The Jews (God's "chosen" people mind you), believed that she was unclean at birth being a Samaritan woman, not to mention having multiple sexual partners.

What I love about Jesus is that he consistently speaks truth in spirit to the religious cultural norms and legalism. And gets this, in many stories recorded we can honestly admit that Jesus esteems women! So, lets take it all the way to the fact then that God must esteem women too!

This is the underlying story right here! That we can meet ourselves at the well of revelation to drink in self compassionate grace, especially for those of us who needs some right about now.

So the story goes, Jesus was hot and tired from the journey so he goes to the well in the heat of the day to rest while the crew goes in town to get food.

So when Photina shows up to have the longest recorded conversation in the Holy Bible with Jesus. Not only does he speak with her longer than any other person, but it points to opening act of his ministry with this conversation. Then he takes her down to the bottom of her well to draw up respectful worthiness by revealing himself as the Messiah to her FIRST!

Proof that God esteems women, epecially women that society and religious communities shun, God as the face of Jesus in this story, says that he was compelled to tell her FIRST!

UPDATED NOTES FOR LIVE RECORDING

BTW it is Proverbs 4:23. I transpose numbers sometimes :) I say in this episode "proverbs 4:32," when I was referring to 4:23 instead. I caught it before publishing but...you know I am human getting my words wrong sometimes. Especially when I am practicing speaking my innerstanding on a public platform.

Hi y'all. It did! It got real juicy in Mama Rish's Kitchen this episode. Join us at the table for some passionate talk with my friends Marsha & Becky. To be authentically you can be a tight walk. Honoring ourselves, passions, and sovereignty we talk about issues that can feel a little risky. Shame can be healed when hurt can be spoken in a safe space.

Holy smokes being a woman who speaks her mind runs in the family. For years, it has been keep your mouth shut so I do get pretty passionate about certain subjects. And by the way when I am speaking the words on the episode, "don't sit there and act like," that was not directed toward my (Mama Rish's) friends. Rather to the offended as I speak them. it is so good to listen to opposing views, cuz we learn from each other along the way. Sorry for possibly pissing you off this episode, we flow with the convo to see where it goes...

Namaste`

Hi y'all. Comin' atcha with some of the finest, my good friends Marsha & Becky. Not only do they have uteruses, they are witty too! Join us around the table for some talk about some shame that we have all experienced in our religious communities. The three of us have been friends for years and gone through many cycles together. Our intention is to bring light to some common things women struggle with in an open dialogue. We are not preaching truth to you we are simply speaking ours.

Hi y'all. Comin' atcha with some of the finest, my good friends Marsha & Becky. Not only do they have uteruses, they are witty too! Join us around the table for some talk about our cycles as women. We felt so validated that we need time and rest when the culture says to push through and exhaust ourselves. The three of us have been friends for years and gone through many cycles together. Our intention is to bring light to some common things women struggle with in an open dialogue.

Namaste` Becky, Mama Rish, and Marsha

We pick up in the middle of the convo just like the flow of life. We all go through it at some point, and then come back around again. Our podcasts are a myriad of conversations offered as real talk so you can relate to for reconciliation on any level. We are not preaching truth we are only speaking ours. Grateful. Namaste`

Hey y'all. This is an ongoing conversation. We try to come back full circle, but to be real it is often more like not knowing the beginning nor the end. Real life feels more like walking into the conversation. Soul Care with Mama Rish has this same feel. So we pick up, share a bit, and come back full circle. This episode's conversation with Shelby is blessed sharing our soul stories about the shame of mercy.

.... part two.

Hey y'all this one is off the cuff! Thank you for the journey over the past five years! It has been a ride. Grace has brought me from a suicidal wounded soul to opening our first studio on July 7, 2018. That changed my life! Yoga has been a life line too many times to count, like a constant friend. Marsha and I have been through many cycles and seasons. We all have our ways to care for our souls. There is somethin' magical about good company & food.

Sorry for the sound not being as clear in some spots. Mama Rish's Kitchen is outdoor to enjoy soul food while listening to the birds. Our podcast is often just off the cuff. No scripting to flow in the moment for real talk. Being in a community of women talking about vulnerable things is our offering. Our souls have stories to tell that we hope that inspires you wherever you are on your journey.

We appreciate your support by listening to at time a ruckus but the convo and wisdom are some good stuff.

We only serve the finest so around the table we have :

• Marsha Hill, a Certified Nurse Midwife & Nutrition Coach

Hey y'all this one is off the cuff! Thank you for the journey over the past five years! It has been a ride. Grace has brought me from a suicidal wounded soul to opening our first studio on July 7, 2018. That changed my life! Yoga has been a life line too many times to count, like a constant friend. Marsha and I have been through many cycles and seasons. We all have our ways to care for our souls. There is somethin' magical about good company & food.

Sorry for the sound not being as clear in some spots. Mama Rish's Kitchen is outdoor to enjoy soul food while listening to the birds. Our podcast is often just off the cuff. No scripting to flow in the moment for real talk. Being in a community of women talking about vulnerable things is our offering. Our souls have stories to tell that we hope that inspires you wherever you are on your journey.

We appreciate your support by listening to at time a ruckus but the convo and wisdom are some good stuff.

We only serve the finest so around the table we have :

• Marsha Hill, a Certified Nurse Midwife & Nutrition Coach

Rise & Shine ya lovely people! Mama Rish coming atcha from The Loft in Missouri. This episode is about our :|: Shine :|: Yoga Practice at Selah, along with some ramblin'. People want to know what is going on over here. Being a believer and church goer for almost two decades, you can imagine what walking away from institutional religion felt like for me, something that I judged others in the past for doing. Like most of us big sweeping changes have been a part of our experience for the past three years. For me personally, Mama Rish, leaving religion at the beginning of 2022 has been quite a ride.

Praying for the scales to fall off my eyes in the Fall of 2019, I didn't get to choose what I was shown. Do you hear me on that? It was my experiences that I felt became a real focal point. Instinctively I knew that cutting back on church activity was needed to focus on my family. Making that one decision for myself had such repercussion that my eyes were opened even more.

This episode gives insight into what Shine Yoga Practice is at Selah. We honestly believe that we alI need a place to practice listening, room for breathing deeply, and non-religious while holding space for faith. Personally moving through grief I went to the yoga practice space almost daily to wail, cry, sing my heart out, and stomp my feet. Other times I danced remembering that I can pray through this any way I wish. When those prayers come to fruition it is a reminder that all has been set in its proper time and place to work for our good.

Not everyone wants to hear what I gotta say. Understandable. It is important to limit what has access to your body, mind, and soul. Come visit The Loft to practice with us. What a joy to meet you face to face in the near future. Until then, stay bright and keep shining.

Namaste`;) Mama Rish

Hey y'all! Rise and Shine. This episode is nuthin' but a bunch of rambling about how we are made from goodness. Stream of consciousness at its finest family. While, this episode felt more like a hamster wheel, we can be there often in our everyday experiences. Take some deep breaths. Let your heart life back up to the place where the breath comes from. Be still in the moment. What if...? Let all those questions come. Let some of them go. Are there some fundamental questions that have need to be answered for a long time?

Check it. I don't have answers to your questions. I simply ask a few more for you to contemplate. What if you believed you are/am/is/was/were/will be very good? What if you knew you were beautiful, brilliant and so very bodacious BECAUSE YOU ARE HUMAN? How would you show up?

Starting fresh cuz today is my birthday! As the journey does, it has led me right back to where I started. So, I can begin again. This time from experience. My lifetime has been a journey finding my soul's voice sifting through the fear and intimidation that has kept me silent. My last journey around the Sun was exponentially transformative for my spiritual walk with the experience of letting go in ways unexpected.

As an analogy, this letting go felt very much like : worn armor that has protected me with an appearance of fitting in with style that suddenly no longer fit. As I began to disassemble, it was astonishing to find outdated beliefs in my modern world.

Ironically, as I my journey led me back home to my soul's voice it become archaic to demonize spirituality that doesn't follow the status quo. As I was unfolding seeing my spirituality as a celebration, I began drowning in the religion mainstream. So I began asking myself again the same questions that my religion simply can't answer logically for my soul to be in peace.

Praying for God to take the scales off my eyes it was a new experience as I watched with open eyes. Withdrawing from the overload of externals that were overwhelming, and limiting who and what has access to me, it was required to also stepped back from the religious institution that I was passionately committed to for 16+ years. God was clear that now is a time to go slow to be still and know. Certainly, this was the last thing that I expected to no longer fit in.

When are we going to respect others without inserting how we disagree? Wouldn't be a source of light to simply admire that we all are good and brilliant because we are human made in the image of God as a form of respect? Can I respect that in myself first? If not, where am I stuck in behaviors of not respecting myself? What I found is the ending is the beginning.

Never once in all my wandering has there been condemnation from God as I approach The Throne of Grace. But, what I did realize is that condemnation was from man. As I sift through the grit of my soul's metaphorical desert a vibrant hope became my birthright. Understanding that we get to shine brilliantly 👑 overcoming shame and trauma that shaped how we see ourselves and possibly God. Namaste`

Our Ladies Slumber Party. Hey fam, we are real and raw.  We really believe being vulnerable is more important than perfection.  Appearances have been given way too much weight in the culture in our opinion. That is why we choose to keep some of the honestly in an unpolished podcast recording.  Authenticity is something we strive for within this circle of friends.  We had too much fun recording this.  

April gets to giggle all she wants and eat chocolate in the background.  There was a silent period when April was very quiet, and she may or may not have been the rest of the cookie dough in the kitchen :)  

We are a quaint studio in St Charles, MO offering a space for people to come practice their spirituality in the context of the Yoga Practice on their mats.  Our hope is for people to come as they are to our space with freedom to be themselves to practice surrendering in the pause of truth.   This episode we talk about how we teach Asana at our studio for your Yoga Practice.  What sets us apart from other studios in the area. It isn't due to having a bigger space.  Our focus is on the intrinsic value of each student by teaching Yoga fundamentally, with joint action, and integrity.   We would be honored to have you as a student, simply come as you are.  Namaste` 

How can doing Yoga help your faith? This episode is during our most recent Girl's Weekend. A candid conversation about Christianity and Yoga with Becky, a faithful student.  We can move closer to God or away from God, join our open conversation about how Yoga has not only deepened our faith, but has helped us love God even more.  Stay for the bloopers at the end.  Please give me grace. I am a Yoga Teacher not a sound major nor know much about production perfection.  lol

April is also in the house, during the podcast.  Her vibrant self show up in laughter on the bloopers.  We had too much fun creating this.  

We are a quaint studio in St Charles, MO offering a space for people to come practice their spirituality in the context of the Yoga Practice on their mats.  Our hope is for people to come as they are to our space with freedom to be themselves to practice surrendering in the pause of truth.   This episode we talk about how we teach Asana at our studio for your Yoga Practice.  What sets us apart from other studios in the area. It isn't due to having a bigger space.  Our focus is on the intrinsic value of each student by teaching Yoga fundamentally, with joint action, and integrity.   We would be honored to have you as a student, simply come as you are.  Namaste` 

Gina was a student that was apprehensive about beginning a Yoga Journey.  Being a student a Selah Yoga Studio for a year and half has brought her to some new insights.  You getting to see through her eyes is a true privilege.  My hope as her teacher is that you get to appreciate her as much as we all get to enjoy her lovely presence in our community.  This conversation is off the cuff, not scripted, so we can both be raw and vulnerable with our listeners.   Every time I think of you Gina, I praise God!  

We are a quaint studio in St Charles, MO offering a space for people to come practice their spirituality in the context of the Yoga Practice on their mats.  Our hope is for people to come as they are to our space with freedom to be themselves to practice surrendering in the pause of truth.   This episode we talk about how we teach Asana at our studio for your Yoga Practice.  What sets us apart from other studios in the area. It isn't due to having a bigger space.  Our focus is on the intrinsic value of each student by teaching Yoga fundamentally, with joint action, and integrity.   We would be honored to have you as a student, simply come as you are.  Namaste`