Journeys of the Heart
#1 Adventuring along the South West Coast Path, lessons on radiating heart, and an invitation to a brand new workshop.
I’m back! Welcome to the my first Cultivating Heart newsletter. You’re receiving this as you previously signed up to my last incarnation Wildling Studio.
It’s been a while since we were last in touch. I’ve spent A LOT of time tramping along the South West Coast Path and, having returned, am now wading through the equally wonderful and terrifying conundrum of what to do next!
Below you’ll find a sneak peak of my trip, lessons on radiating heart and an invitation to join me for my first collaboration of the year with the wonderful Mia Macallister at the absolutely enchanting venue of Cadenham Manor.
Landscapes of the Heart - Vision Board & Sound Journey Workshop
Cadenham Manor
Thursday 25th January 6pm-8pm
£35
scroll down to the bottom of this post for more info and booking details
I’d love to hear all your news - so please do feel welcome to respond to this post or send me an email at camillevh@googlemail.com. If you’ve found your way over by some miracle but are not yet subscribed, let me help you with that (it’s free):
The tale of two wild women Coddiwompling along England’s South West Coast Path
Over the coming months, one of the stories you’ll find here are the hilarities and lessons learnt whilst tramping England’s longest national trail. A tale of friendship, breathtaking landscapes, salty smiles, wind swept hair, enormous blisters and a somewhat concerning amount of slugs in tents.
Coddiwomple: “to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination”
It was a rainy day in August, as English summers are wont to do, when the pair set off to the land of the ‘outdoor store’. A place of overwhelm full to the brim with everything you never knew you needed for a walking and camping trip.
One already had most of her kit thanks to a potluck of hand me downs, but, up until this point, the other’s closest experience of wild camping was a festival glamping pod.
It was on the very top floor that the two happened upon A. - a kind, patient and supportive shop assistant, who, as it soon transpired, would deeply regret approaching them. Mostly to do with the fact that A. would spend the next hour tirelessly helping them compare tents, try on backpacks, sprawl on camping mats in the middle of the showroom and answer endless questions. But fate had a role to play in the meeting, as it turned out A., an avid walker, was also planning on walking and camping the SWCP. The difference was A. had been planning the trip for years, had read all the books, joined all the Facebook groups, and intended, after a number of weekend trial runs, to complete the trek next year. The two women on the other hand, having only fully decided on the journey a couple of days ago, were leaving next Monday. Much to A’s horror (which was confirmed by the expression on her face) they had no experience, no plan, no trial runs, currently no kit, and a rather laissez-faire attitude. Apparently, they were going to ‘figure it out along the way’.
And so the women headed home, slightly shell shocked, but in no way less determined. They would set off on Monday with all the joy, naivety and gentle trepidation of heroines embarking on a journey - a journey of inner and outer worlds. And of course, there was Gus, the emotional support dog who was yet to realise he was about to set out on the longest walk of his little life.
What could possibly go wrong.
This tale will continue in the next newsletter.
A Practice for the Heart
Empowering emotional equilibrium and learning to radiate light through the dark moons of winter.
About this time each year you’ll find me making beeswax candles. I love the ritualistic nature of stirring the melting wax, and the slow steady dipping of the wick. Once complete, each candle lies nestled in a drawer waiting patiently to be called upon and release the golden glow and scent of hazy summer days.
Just like a drawer full of captured sunshine helps me feel resourced and prepared in times of darkness, there are practices we can learn to resource our emotional selves in the depths of winter.
The technique I’ve chosen to share with you is called the Heart Lock-In Technique - one I leant on my training with the HeartMath Institute. Practising Heart Lock-In helps us find a regenerative state in which we can accumulate energy and recharge our emotional system. I’ve been finding it particularly useful over the festive period where the not-so-helpful part of my familial patterning has been playing out rather painfully. Whilst I’m on the way to carving new pathways, this technique, without doubt, is helping me recharge from the emotional drains. It enables me to soften any judgements and shine a kind, compassionate light on events. Most importantly, it leaves room for things to shift and change, and new paths and patterns to weave their way between us.
Like candles waiting patiently in drawers, our hearts are waiting for us to harness their ability to illuminate from within.
The beauty of this practice is that it’s adaptogenic to our nervous system - wherever we find ourselves, it will bring us back to a state of much needed balance. It works by training us to activate and sustain a state of coherence, then, from this more energetically centred place, our nervous system can start to settle into a new normal. This means greater mental and emotional flexibility to roll with the punches that the festive season often brings.
What is a state of coherence I hear you ask?
It feels like being in a state of flow - the starling murmurations at this time of year are, in my mind, an embodiment of it. Physiologically when in a state of coherence we function at an optimal level - our immune, hormonal and nervous systems work in energetic coordination. It’s also a state where our heart, mind and emotions are in sync and balanced.
The part I love the most about practising Heart Lock-In is that, by radiating renewing feelings into the field environment, we help others become more coherent whether they know what we’re doing or not! It’s a secret superpower.
We can accomplish more through our radiance than our doing.
Thankfully, the technique is simple - but it does require practise, practise, practise with a little extra practise on the side for good measure. I recommend finding an accountabilibuddy!
Heart Lock-In Technique
Read through the instructions, or listen to the recording below:
Step 1: Focus your attention in the area of the heart. Imagine your breath is flowing in and out of your heart or chest area, breathing a little slower and deeper than usual.
Inhale for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds (or whatever rhythm is comfortable.)
Step 2: After about a minute or so (or as long as you need to centre your attention) activate and sustain a regenerative feeling such as appreciation, care or compassion.
In order to connect with positive feelings, it can help to reflect on a loved one, pet, memory or place where you last felt it strongly.
Notice the word ‘sustain’ - this means when you notice your attention wandering, gently redirect your attention back to appreciation and care.
Step 3: Radiate that renewing feeling to yourself and others.
Radiating should be something that feels gentle and effortless (not a hard push). Simply allow your heart to naturally broadcast the regenerative feeling you have chosen.
You can consciously intend that the energy built in your Heart Lock-In be used towards a purpose or person.
Once you’ve finished:
Notice how you feel in your body during and after the practice.
As you complete your Heart Lock-In experience, be receptive to your heart’s intuitive guidance. Is there anything your heart would like you to know?
Heart Lock-In Quick Steps
Once you get the knack, you can use these simple quick steps to prompt you:
Heart-Focused Breathing
Activate a regenerative feeling
Radiate
Landscapes of the Heart - Vision Board and Sound Journey Workshop
Late January is a time when winter is at its peak, but as the sun creeps up for a little longer each day, we welcome his apricity and feel the first gentle signs of spring.
In the old Celtic calendar the festival associated with this period is Imbolc. A time when our intuitive and receptive energy is strong, a time for planting the seeds of ideas - a time for new beginnings.
Heart Wisdom & Vision Boards
Across everything that separates us as human beings, there’s something that unites us - the heart. There’s a reason we use phrases such as ‘follow your heart’, ‘listen to your heart’, ‘take heart’, and discover the “heart of who you are". What if we could learn to use the intelligence of our hearts to map the landscape of our year ahead?
Join us this wintertide as we craft vision boards as a creative meditation, learning what insights can be gained from the wisdom of our hearts. This intuitive, non-intellectual approach can be helpful when we so often find the voice of the heart quieter than the roar of the mind.
A Journey in Sound
We’ll follow the vision board session with a healing gong bath allowing time, space and energy for integration and inner reflection.
A sound journey is a deeply rejuvenating submersion in sound. Mia uses gongs, Himalayan bowls and other instruments collected on her travels to weave together a sonic soundscape.
Alchemy in Collaboration
A kind and friendly space to meet new people, our workshops use a light hearted, down to earth and curious approach in the exploration of our inner and outer worlds.
Mia and Camille are delighted to be hosting this event at Cadenham Manor. Alive with history, Cadenham is a three hundred year old house nestled amongst enchanting gardens and ancient grasslands. Aligning with our values of nurturing the hearts of our local community, and living closely with nature’s rhythms, Victoria and Martin are generously opening their doors and sharing the magic of Cadenham.
Location Address: Cadenham Manor, Foxham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4NH
To reserve you place send me an email to camillevh@googlemail.com
That’s all for now. I’d love to hear back from you whether it be a question on your mind or a simple hello.
With big heart, warmth, wonder and much, much love.
Camille