Awaken with Horses International
By Appointment L0G1L0 Loretto, ON, Canada

Taking a little break from Social Media to reflect on a whirlwind of a year and enjoy a quiet holiday with our family. Wishing you all a beautiful, blessed holiday season and a new year that shines with peace and awakening! Merry Christmas from our home to yours!... We love you

Moving to a new farm has been a huge transition for all of us. Our Horses have lived outside 24/7, together as a Herd, for the past 8 years. On moving day, they all walked up onto the trailer with a surprising amount of ease. I believe it helped that we had been meditating together on the idea and when I asked them how they wanted to get on the trailer, they even physically showed me the order they would stand in the trailer by standing in a row!! Despite the sense of ease, ...Continue reading

Check out Horse Wisdom Yoga Certified Teacher, Rona Welsh-Fromager and her Horse Teachers as they share this special work in the Owen Sound area through the The Wellness Farm Retreat!

Shop local Our mission is to help the businesses in our community this Christmas by buying gifts and goodies in their stores. These businesses rely on the holiday season as a huge part of their annual revenue. ... Please tag a small business from your community in the comments below. It takes a village. Together, we got this!!! #shoplocal

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted. ... God forbid love ever leave you empty handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me that youll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Livin might mean takin chances, but theyre worth takin. Lovin might be a mistake, but its worth makin. Dont let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter. When you come close to sellin out, reconsider. Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance. #leeannwomack #ihopeyoudance #lyrics #horsewisdomyoga #natarajasana #dancerpose #dancewithlife #easeandflow #loveishome #homeislove

Whats in a shadow? Reflection. Hope. ... Connection. Truth. Flow. Presence. Acceptance. Infinite. Love. The opportunity to see that you are surrounded by Light.

Another incredible week of Summer Camp at The Big Red Barn! This weeks theme was Connection with all; the Earth, plants, sky, animals and each other. The Horses were incredible teachers of the feeling of connection while the plants offered creative opportunities to deeper connect to them through art and wildcrafting. ... The morning chores gave us balance and so much fun was had among us all! Flowers dont worry about how theyre going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful. And thats just what we did this week. We bloomed together. Thank you dear campers and friends for sharing this amazing week with us!

An easier way to vote. Follow the link! We thank you https://www.simcoe.com//the-big-red-barn-creativity-and-we

Thank you all so much for showing your love and support by voting for us! We made the shortlist of nominees in the following categories: Alternative Medicine & Healing (under Health & Beauty category)... Yoga Instructor (under People and Professionals category) Martial Arts Instructor (under People and Professionals Category) Equestrian (under Professional Services category) We are so grateful that YOU brought us this far in the votes! If youd like to help us get to the next level, please cast your votes from your email addresses! No matter whether we receive the final Readers Choice Awards or not, we appreciate YOU for taking the time to recognize our work in the community! We thank you from our whole hearts! The Big Red Barn Farm-ily Link in bio

Follow Your Dreams Have you heard this saying before? I know I have. But, until recently, I dont think I fully understood what it meant for me, and maybe for you too. ... So often in life, we visualize our dreams, we plan, we set goals, we accomplish, we achieve. We fulfil our wildest dreams, and then what? We settle into the satisfaction of making it and, often, attach to the outcomes. We sink into linear thinking, losing touch with the grace of flow. And just as we do, things change. Our dreams take a detour, they take the scenic route and, sometimes, go in a completely different direction. This is when we are tested to believe in the motivation behind our dreams. The driving force. The power of our purpose. We can make the choice to resist the way our dreams take shape in our lives, or, we can follow them as they change shape and form, moving with their own life force. This takes an incredible amount of faith and offers immeasurable bliss. Even when its hard. When I first met Kevin, 18 years ago, we both were living in very unstable situations, with little more than a garbage bag of belongings. We financially had nothing but we both had big dreams. And thank goodness that we followed them. We allowed them to pave our way, blaze our trail, create our path. They have led us on a journey of purpose-driven co-creation. A Dream come true. Our dream has now led us to the next place on our path. A beautiful new farm in Loretto, Ontario (very close to our current farm in Tottenham). Although, it would be easy to grasp and hold onto this space we have passionately co-created, that would mean abandoning our trust in our dreams. We have chosen to let go and follow the guidance of our dreams. With continued passion, purpose, and intention. Just for today, see if you can let go and step onto the path that your dreams are asking you to follow. Are you following your dreams? Or are you asking your dreams to follow you? From one dreamer to another, I say go for it. Follow your dreams.

I see you and your Soul Light. Shine bright. Guide the way

R E F L E C T I O N Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.- Benjamin Franklin This past week, I had the privilege of sharing space with 9 incredible children, one of which I am grateful to call my son. ... Our theme for this weeks camp was balance. The children balanced their time between serving the animals and the land, having good ol summer fun, and connecting with the creative side of themselves. It always fascinates me how natural the things we do here are for the children. When I work with adults, it seems there is so much for us to unlearn in order to return to that place of natural, pure connection. In our camps, we call the children the teachers, and we are the students. Children help us reconnect to the purest place within ourselves. Here is your invitation to hug your children extra tight tonight in gratitude for their invaluable teachings. They remind us to laugh. They remind us to cry. They remind us to feel joy. They remind us to feel bliss. I am so grateful to be here. Right here. Right now. Reminded by the children to love the child inside of me.

Y O G A T E A C H E R S Are you ready to answer the call of the Horses? Final Certification opportunity of 2020. ... Please contact us to register and become a Horse Wisdom Yoga Certified Teacher this Summer! Not a Yoga Teacher but would LOVE to follow your bliss, together with Horses through the Horse Wisdom Yoga experience? We offer Yoga Alliance approved 200hr Yoga Teacher Training ever Fall/Winter to prepare for the Spring/Summer Horse Wisdom Yoga Certified Teacher Trainings! Please visit The Learning Path page on our website at www.HorseWisdomYoga.com for more details.

Meet the Horse Teachers They are the reason we do what we do. They have been the driving force of our mission to help others on their journey of creativity, wellness, self-discovery and healing. When we learn to listen to the subtle communication that surrounds us in Nature every single day, we open our hearts to a whole new world that is filled with brilliance and wisdom. Horses offer us their Gift of such profound insight and energetic reflection. ... Do one of these magnificent Horses speak to your heart this morning? What is their special message for you? @ The Big Red Barn Creativity and Wellness Centre

I have been studying herbalism since my Ayurvedic training almost 5 years ago. In my subsequent Aromatherapist training, I embodied my studies of plant essences and how they help humans and horses. I have been drawn to plants and herbs long before ever studying them. I could feel their healing vibration and plant-onalities when in communion with their unique gifts and essences. In March, I enrolled in the Herbalism program at @chestnutschoolherbs where I am now immersed in t...he intensive study of wild plant medicines and backyard herbs. I am loving every minute of learning more about the abundance of goodness growing in our own backyard, forest and gardens!!! Just like every wild plant has its very own medicine, so do we! Life is filled with bliss when we finally recognize, accept and live in our special gifts and talents that are unique to who we are. If you are either ready to explore the healing power of your gifts or interested in learning more about the healing power of wild plants...lets connect. I may be able to help you along the way! P.S. do you recognize any of the wild ones in the photo? P.P.S. many of these wild plants can help your Horses too! #herbalism #herbs #plantmedicines #aromatherapist #horseshelpinghumans #humanshelpinghorses #holisticwellnessforall #learningforlife #livetolove #lovetolearn #horsewisdomyoga #ayurveda #bloomingbeauties #naturemandal #wellnesscoach #followyourbliss

We are thrilled to have partnered with Parlour Project to share our Field of Wisdom: LIVE Virtual Connection. We are offering this FREE event at 7:30am in most Saturday mornings (during the warmer months when we are not hosting other events or trainings on the farm), to share a glimpse into a special way of BE-ing with Horses and opening our hearts to their incredible wisdom. Pre-registration through our website www.thebigredbarn.ca by 6:30am is preferred so we can keep you ...in the loop of our future events. Parlour Project offers a link and password to their Zoom directly, if you dont wish to pre-register with us. Be sure to check out and like their Facebook page to be invited to some wonderful classes and events, all free of charge and commitment. We look forward to seeing you in the Field this Saturday, July 4!

Are the Horses calling you to take the first step on the Horse Wisdom Yoga Learning Path? Are you ready to embrace the full Truth of who you are and let go of all that you are not? Our upcoming 200hr Yoga Teacher Training may be for you!... Approved by the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga School and by the Canadian Government for full tax credit, our training program is an adventure through all eight limbs of the Yoga practice. You will explore meditation, self-expression, compassion, Yoga postures and so much more as you take this journey of self-discovery. Upon certification, you will be ready for our 2021 Horse Wisdom Yoga Certified Teacher Training. If any of this sparks a fire in your Heart, please visit our website for dates and details or contact us to book a consultation call and lets explore the possibilities together! We cant wait for you to join us, Fotini Chandrika and the Horse Teachers

I am forever grateful that we are together on the road less travelled. - - Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,... And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost (1874-1963) The Road Not Taken -

It has been a productive day here on the farm. Our new website is LIVE! A special thank you to Tina from The Courage Herd for inspiring me to complete this task!... If you have a few minutes to browse, I would love your feedback. Bright blessings, together with Horses, Fotini Chandrika Www.horsewisdomyoga.com

Yoga Teachers who LOVE Horses...There are still two opportunities to join us for Horse Wisdom Yoga Certified Teacher Training this Summer! Not a Yoga Teacher (yet!) but ready to embark on the transformational journey of 200 hr Yoga Teacher training? Stay tuned for our upcoming Ontario offering this Fall! ... https://youtu.be/_OGewSlC0r8

We are SUPER excited to have been nominated for 4 categories in the Heralds Readers Chouce Awards! If you have 30 seconds, we would so much appreciate your nomination so we can make it to the voting stage on August 27! Thank you for nominating us! ... https://www.simcoe.com//the-big-red-barn-creativity-and-we

There is much to say about Fathers. The space they create for the expansion of Life. The space they hold for the growth of the young. ... I have spent over a decade observing this role, not only in my blessed human family with the birth of our son, but in my horse family with the coming together of a yearling and his elder. Malachi has raised Spirit as his own son and Ive watched as he has cared for, nurtured, taught, disciplined and, most of all, loved him. Last week, during our Horse Wisdom Yoga Certified Teacher Training, Malachi forfeited his sacred beads during our closing ceremony and pushed Spirit ahead of the Herd to accept the Mala. Malachi turned away so only his grown son could shine in the spotlight of the ceremony. Spirit stretched his neck and stood proud, standing almost as tall as his elder. It was unforgettable moment of the true father-child connection. One without ego. One without competition. A humbling role that is willing to stand back in order to give space for empowerment of their young, when they are ready to stand on their own. But, even then, he is never far behind. Father figures everywhere of every kind are celebrated today. And every day! Im grateful to each and every one of you who spend your days helping your young ones grow and shine! #happyfathersday

The fire of yoga, once lit, will never die...

Our first on-site social distancing Horse Wisdom Yoga Certified Teacher Training has come to an end. It was another incredible experience in connection with Horses, bringing us into connection with the truth of our authentic selves. Both Yoga Teacher participants left the experience with fresh perspectives and intuitive insights from their time with the Herd. ... They also left with a basket full of knowledge and resources in order to help facilitate Horse Wisdom Yoga experiences for others. Our youngest Horse, Spirit, shone extra bright during this training. During our closing ceremony, our eldest Horse, Malachi, declined to wear the traditional mala and literally pushed Spirit into the front of the Herd to accept the mala. Proudly wearing his honor, Spirit stood taller than Ive ever seen him stand, seeing off the newest human members of the Horse Wisdom Yoga Herd, as they return to their Herds with a new way of being with Horses. When the final day came to an end, all of the Horses left our side and returned to grazing, symbolizing the completion and processing of this profound experience. All of us. In our Hearts. Together with Horses. #horsewisdomyoga #equineguidedwellness #certifiedteachertraining #followyourbliss #togetherwithhorses #awakenwithhorses. @ The Big Red Barn Creativity and Wellness Centre

Compassionate connection holds us together in sacred illumination and healing. #horsewisdomyoga... #crownchakraillumination #beheard #beopen #belove #connection #creativity #compassion #thebigredbarn #mytwogreatestteachers See more

If you are in the PEI area, I highly recommend you explore the amazing upcoming opportunities to join Horse Wisdom Yoga Certified Teacher, Emma Aadhya from The Simblissity Movement and her sister, Marina Wright from The Wright Approach, together with their Horses (and chickens!) at their new sacred space!

Black Lives Matter. #blackouttuesday

B L A C K H O R S E It was an interesting morning. When I went to turn out the herd into the pasture at the back of the property, nobody wanted to go. They were so frightened. There mustve been a coyote or something that scared them in the paddock through the night that made them hesitant to enter in the morning. ... I have learned that this journey is not about forcing. So I honoured their fear and opened the side paddock so they could graze there. At the same time, I left the back paddock open for anyone who did want to venture out and face the fear that had taken over their body. While I was cleaning the dry lot, I noticed Malachi, the Black Horse, enter the back field. He was alone. Everybody else was too afraid to follow him, so they stayed where it was safe. I was so moved by this visual, that I stopped what I was doing and began to walk to the back field. As I walked, I found myself chanting George Floyds name. Over and over again. As I approached my sit spot where I meditate often with the horses in the back field, I saw a rock at my feet. For anyone that knows me, knows I have a collection of heart shaped rocks. I picked up the rock at my feet, which was slightly embedded in the Earth, and I held it in my hands. I could tell that it was not shaped like a heart, but my hands wanted to continue to hold this rock. I carried the rock with me to my sit spot and began to meditate. As I meditated, I could feel the warmth of my own tears falling down my face. The Black Horse was brave. He walked into fear with courage and faith. Within moments, Malachi was in front of me and I could feel the warmth of his presence fill my entire body. When our time together was complete, I made my way back to my chores and eventually back to the house. I was still holding the rock, though I had not taken the time to really look at it yet. I began to survey the rock in my hands. When I turned it around, I saw a heart etched in the stone We are on the right path. Love is the power etched within us all. Its time to face our fears and trust that we are not alone. Love is One.

"Where we are betwixt and between the familiar and the completely unknown. There alone is our old world left behind, while we are not yet sure of the new existence. Thats a good space where genuine newness can begin. Get there often and stay as long as you can by whatever means possibleThis is the sacred space where the old world is able to fall apart, and a bigger world is revealed. If we dont encounter liminal space in our lives, we start idealizing normalcy. The thresho...ld is Gods waiting room. Here we are taught openness and patience as we come to expect an appointment with the divine Doctor." ~ Richard Rohr, Author/Theologian Our new blog post Liminal Space - The Threshold of Change is on our website at www.TheBigRedBarn.ca. Check it out! Its a two minute read with a perspective on the space of the unknown. #liminalspace #horizonofchange #divinetime #faithoverfear #horsewisdomyoga

Every day we wake, we have a choice to make. Will we be the product of our fears or the sum of our faith? Surrendering to faith is a chance we take but once we do, we know nothing is by mistake. It is not giving up, it is being free to let go. Loosen the grip of control and go with your purposeful flow. What you seek is seeking you, trust in that very Truth and dreams begin to come true. #horsewisdomyoga... #freestylepoetry #choosingfaith #surrendertotheflow #liveyourpurpose #dreamyourdream #happymonday See more

Stewardship When people hear that we share life with Horses, the response we most often hear is you are so lucky! We definitely feel blessed, but luck has little to do with our experience. Here are a few fun facts: Fun fact #1: we have had one holiday in 12 years. ... Fun fact #2: Every day starts by 5:30am and ends at 10pm. Of course, this isnt all related to caring for the Horses but it is the only way to make full use of our days caring for the animals, our family, clients, land, plants, repairs, maintenance, self-care and some fun!Horses in captivity need to be observed consistently. As flight animals, one moment in flight mode can be the cause of serious injury. There are no days off. Fun fact #3: each Horse leaves behind 50 pounds of manure per day that has to be picked up to maintain their good health. Fun fact #4: Horses have an uncompromising digestive system that can easily twist and turn wreaking pure havoc on their wellbeing. On Wednesday, we had a very challenging experience with our mare, Penny. She had major diarrhea and would not take her feed, which is unheard of for her! I called the vet and stayed on close watch. By morning, her diarrhea had cleared and I took her temperature and she was no longer feverish. All of her symptoms led us to determine it was a bout of colic. The first one Ive ever witnessed in the almost ten years of caring for Horses. I racked my brain to figure out what had caused it. My intuition led me to the field where I found a plant called Field Penny Cress which is toxic to Horses. Horses are generally quite wise about what they forage on but in the excitement of Spring grass, harmful plants can easily find their way into their grazing. I spent the morning picking out all of the Field Penny Cress out of the field and scouting out for any more potentially harmful plants. I find it so ironic that the plant has her name in it! Nonetheless, all is well that ends well and there is one less hazard out there for our beloved Herd. Caring for Horses is humbling and comes with a depth of responsibility that is not for the faint of heart. Fun fact #5: We wouldnt change a thing!