Be Still and Know

Kathleen S McPhillips

Marvelous Women

It's Monday morning and my heart is full from this retreat. Leading beautiful women through a life changing weekend is moving, amazing, and a blessing. Each woman present will live on in my heart forever. 

It is humbling to take a woman by the hand and lead her deeper into herself, her Self, to discover all that is amazing, wonderful, awesome and incredible within. Our focus is always outside of our self. We work, we give, everything is external. To take a full weekend and look within, turn all energy to your self is essential to our well being. During our midlife years we experience a shift...there is a need that we seek to fill. All that we seek...is within. It takes courage to go within. It takes kindness and self compassion to go within. Through gentle movement and breath we connect to our self in a very special way. The breath is our connection to Soul/Spirit. We take our first breath when we enter the world and our last when we leave. 

As we reconnect to our breath...something begins to happen. We have an opportunity...our heart opens to self and the fullness of Life. We discover, uncover and find the extraordinary within. You are the pyramid and the mountain; strong, steady, sturdy. You are the warrior...courageous and strong. You are the sun, the moon. You are the star...so shine, shine, shine.

To every brave, beautiful woman who attended the Marvelous Midlife retreat remember that YOU are brilliant, amazing, beautiful, strong, courageous and wise. Live the vision you create. Reflect on your journaling...remember that YOU are WORTHY of living a Marvelous Life in every possible way. No more playing small...just BE!!! Take your life experience and bring the best version of yourself to Life. Be the change you want to see. Be the Light. Be Love. Be Peace. Be the Wise Ones...bring your wisdom to the world around you. Be the Sage, the Crone, the Elder...the world needs you to shine more brightly than ever.

And above all my dear Ones....I hope you dance.

With love, blessings and the deepest gratitude,

Kathleen

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Just Checking In

So...how is your I Love You challenge/practice coming along? Have you been looking in the mirror each day and saying (your name) I Love You? Some of my Yoga students actually worry that I'm going to ask them this same question...

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Perfection

Last week I read excerpts of my book; Adirondack Retreat My Midlife Journey to Wholeness, in Tupper Lake where I wrote the book nine years ago. Each time I read it something new touches me deeply...

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Another Time

As I prepare to leave for the Adirondacks and my book event I came across an envelope. On the back of the envelope in my hurried writing & shorthand are these words:

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Just Step Outside

As I'm preparing for another book discussion and the reading of portions of Adirondack Retreat My Midlife Journey to Wholeness I'm reminded of my journey that began ten years ago. I was broken in so many ways and yet my Soul was strong and determined to lead me to something I kept seeking outside of myself. 

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Kathleen S McPhillips

  • I was touched by the depth and simplicity of the practices Kathleen offered. This was an opportunity to be immersed in attentive awareness, allowing participants to discovery a sense of inherent completeness despite their individual external stories.

    J.F.

  • Kathleen’s teacher training workshop was inspiring. She led us with authenticity from ritual to practical. She infused the session with the wisdom of her years of yoga service and her personal yoga journey.

    This gave the participants, of diverse experience and ability, permission to meet the practices from where they were in their own path of yoga. I have been able to infuse much of what she offered us in my personal practice and as I teach others. I look forward to more opportunities to work with her.

    In gratitude, J.F.

  • I am going to do what I am guided to do even when it doesn't appear to make sense and I loved listening to every story...I love "seeing" their glow brighten.

    K.K.

  • I loved the discussions led by Kathleen and left with more awareness of what my soul is telling me.

    E.J.

  • I love your retreats! There is something so powerful and inspiring to gather with a group of women all on the path to self discovery. Kathleen is a wonderful guide and moderator. Kathleen, you do have a light around you that shines very brightly, and it has a way of putting everyone at ease. I love the subject matter in your retreats. I think my "aha" moment was the realization that the pain we experience is a blessing, really. It has made us who we are....I'm really looking forward to the next retreat. Thank you for making the trip up here to share your gifts with us.

    A.S.

  • I enjoyed the burning ceremony and talking to my soul. I learned to accept where i am in life. The positive things Yoga can do and to honor this chapter of my journey.

    A.D.

  • I really enjoyed being with like minded women, meditation and auto writing. I am inspired by Kathleen and the breath work. You are such an inspiration to me along with others. I am grateful for you in my life. Thank you.

    C.S.

  • I am inspired to embrace this time of my life, to keep learning and listening deeply to others; being still, breathing and looking for answers within.

    B.B.

  • I want to let people know about the yoga teacher training I attended this fall with Kathleen. Let me start by saying I am not a yoga instructor, I am a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist. With that said; the class was nicely organized, very informative and easily understandable. As a student of yoga it was nice to further my insight into my own practice and be a part of conversation with so many accomplished instructors about their success and struggles while teaching others. As a therapist it was nice to get another lesson in the power of breath and the value of being present with another human being. If you are reading this I sincerely hope you take the opportunity to learn from the wealth of information and experience Kathleen has to offer you. Thank you for taking the time to read and be

    Tony C. LMT

  • I enjoyed seeing women open up and accept themselves. I am inspired by every woman sharing her deepest thoughts and hopes and horrors. I'll take this with me: I am divine. I am a child of God.

    S.T.

  • Attending Kathleen’s Retreat softens the heart and opens the mind to quiet reflection. Such a wonderful way to stop the clock and make space in our busy lives for gratitude and change to happen! Namaste

    E.M.

  • Kathleen McPhillips embodies the true meaning of yoga. She is a deep well of knowledge that only comes from sincere practice over a long period of time. Her teachings are simple, focused and profound. My own teaching moved to a whole new level after she showed me by example that it's not only ok, but vital, to teach fearlessly, from my heart. For that I am eternally grateful.

    A.K.

  • I enjoyed the self exploration, listening and sharing activity. I am inspired by listening to information from Kathleen, from others and recognizing that others are where I am at. I will take this growth and self worth into my life, understanding I am not alone and others are there with em on this journey. Thank you so much for coming to us, our weekly yoga practices are wonderful but a retreat like this can be life-changing. I love the notes I take and the handouts as I have something to reflect upon when needed.

    C.L.

  • I enjoyed being with other women who have similar concerns about themselves. I was most inspired by the deep listening portion and that I have many things to look forward to and much to be grateful for. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and spirit with us. You always leave me inspired.

    F.M.

  • Kathleen's ability to create an instant community and midlife is an empowering time of life and to embrace it.

    J.F.

  • I've been to many of Kathleen's retreats here in the Adirondacks where I live. Kathleen has inspired me through my own spiritual journey. She is my teacher, my mentor, my friend. I am truly blessed that she walked into my life. I believe we are all teachers and students. Many thanks for her knowledge that she passes along.

    C.S.

  • Taking the time for myself and listening to other women and appreciating every day.

    D.L.

  • I enjoyed the community of women, the common thinking and reason for being here. I am inspired by the realization that the answers and Knowing are within me. I'll take the writing exercises and the revelations to come from it into my life.

    G.K.

  • I enjoyed hearing your wisdom and others stories. What I'll take with me from this retreat is that our experiences both good and what we perceive to be bad all have a purpose.

    J.V.

  • I loved the self reflection, sharing, listening to your teachings and soul reflection. I learned to accept myself as I am and happy at this stage of my life.

    K.V.

  • I love the trust, the sharing, the midlife topic is great. Listening to others and that we all come from the same place. This is what I'll take with me: to love and be grateful for the life that has been given to me.Thank you Kathleen for coming back to the Adirondacks and sharing yourself and your teachings again.

    T.B.

  • I enjoyed the women's circle, Kathleen, and knowing the women in the circle are not alone and there are others with the like minded spiritual base.

    R.H.

  • The continued self awareness and listening to my soul.

    S.D.

  • I enjoyed your honesty, your knowledge and the group "spirit" and was inspired by the end results of the writing and the listening and talking to your soul exercises. I will take with me mindfulness, breathing and being a better listener.

    S.F.

  • Kathleen - thank you so much for teachings, practice and opportunity for community within The Purpose of Asana workshop on Sunday. In addition to the above, I loved the way that you communicate and teach with true Joy, and from the Heart. That's truly a gift. I look forward to your return to the Adirondacks in the future!

    S.W.

  • This retreat was life changing. I am inspired by the five stages of the soul and encouraged to continue my yoga practice and follow my path.

    E.S.

  • This has been a wonderful experience. Kathleen's spirit sets the tone of acceptance and safety. I love the listening exercise, "Everyday Grace", and the energy from the circle of women.

    J.B.

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