Just the Beginning
A little over a year ago, I walked into the doors of The Practice, formally located in downtown Walnut Creek. A sweet space filled with expressions of love, trinkets, cozy chairs and blankets, mats and bolsters, patchwork and elegant artwork, words and reminders of encouragement, trust, connection, and sisterhood. The fragrant and familiar smell of lavender and Palo Santo, a reminder I was home.
Michelle Young Long and I go as far back as adolescence, sometime around first grade and Brownies. Through Elementary, Middle, and High School, our lives intertwined. Times when friendship close and moments of distance. Periods of comparison and competition as athletes and teenage girls.
After High School, we parted ways. Though our spiritual path parallel and unique. Quietly I witnessed as Michelle launched Bloom Retreat, to then renovate into The Practice for Women.
Our worlds perfectly aligned the summer of 2018. My curiosity and inquiry to respond to a post about renting space was my initial purpose. Hoping to teach and offer a writing class, the space was perfect. Life had other plans and as it does so well, threw me a curveball. A family member got sick; life felt heavy, and I retreated. Launching something new and teaching required more energy than I could give, and my focus went into a different direction.
My journey with The Practice, however, did not end. It had only just begun.
I attended The Practice pop-up as Michelle’s guest. The moment I settled into the space and witnessed Michelle leading and guiding women through sacred storytelling, sharing, listening, and movement, I knew had found the next step on my spiritual journey.
Timely, I felt a nudge and listened to the call. Ready to do more profound work, allow for rest, further healing, and transformation. I signed up for the Wild Grace Immersion while simultaneously participating in The Practice. I witnessed women healing, coming together, and opening in ways I had not seen in a typical yoga class. It was as if all of what I had learned up to that point collided into one sacred space. A comprehensive practice that leads women back to themselves.
After the end of Wild Grace, the natural next step was to sign-up for The Sacred Leadership Training. At the close of The Sacred Leadership Training, I began the Certification process to become a Certified Leader of The Practice.
And through it all, I had the honor to walk this path with Michelle and fellow sisters. To witness Michelle as she made the decision to close the doors to her home of 8 years. Followed by the call to move her family to Oregon, leaving a hometown and residence of 40 years. As Michelle was leading and guiding, she was also alongside participating in her own healing journey.
I am forever grateful I followed my curiosity. I sat across from Michelle one afternoon over a cup of tea. Two old friends getting reacquainted. I feel lucky to have found a sister on this path, to have been in the company of her and my fellow sisters weekly for the past year. That I got to experience the magic of the space once known as The Practice. A pivotal shift on my path and an incredible gift and opportunity I will always hold close to my heart.
The work and wisdom Michelle is cultivating, curating, and spreading, is beyond the description of words. The work myself and fellow sisters and leaders of The Practice are currently and will continue to do, is just the beginning.