Brian F.

I use the lessons from my  Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership training to support clients in my practice and in community programming. With clients, I teach Sit Spot and MOE process as a method of developing self-care for trauma clients. It has become an incredibly valuable tool in their kit for creating a container for even the most challenging activation they encounter. Those that make it a part of their consistent practice often report better sleep and improved mood. In the larger community, I am working with our local recreation department to bring MOEs into our pocket parks and summer programming. Our goal is to help folks who often would not use these spaces connect more with the land we live on, develop good self-care, and responsibly use natural spaces.
My personal MOE practices have become an essential part of my self-care. It's time that I need to refocus on the enduring world around me during challenging times. The walk I take each day helps me connect with the seasonal cycles and see the hope that comes from staying present through the darker times. With this practice, I am far better equipped to show up for my clients each day.
While I've had Earth-based practices for many years, the KMSOL training helped me develop language and skills for sharing these with others. It took the skills I learned in my 200 and 300-hour Kripalu YTT programs and transformed them with language that is accessible to so many more people. I find that my guiding through somatic work, tools for spiritual dialog, and ability to inspire curiosity in others grew exponentially through studying with Micah and Katie in KSMOL Level 1 & Level 2.
An unexpected challenge came in KSMOL 2 during the fire work with the bow drill. For some reason working with flint and steel was incredibly natural for me. I did not find that was true with the bow drill. Try as I might with an incredible range of suggestions and support I could get some smoke but no ember. For years I have helped others learn about the challenges of being Willful rather than Willing. Applying Willingness to stay present with the task but let go of the attachment to an outcome never came through more clearly. When I switched to Willingness I could learn from others, take suggestions more easily, and be curious about the challenge. It took an hours-long challenge and made it possible to stay present- and begin again. I never got my ember, but I had a hell of a lighter experience going forward. I use this as a metaphor in helping clients build acceptance skills often.