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Embodied Expressions, Buckhorn, ON (2025)

10/13/2024

Grief, Growth, and New Beginnings

Over the past year, I’ve stepped away from holding space and guiding others to focus on my own path, an unexpected upheaval that commanded my full attention. In July of 2023 I separated from my 13-year relationship with the father of my children. This journey has been one of the most profound and polarizing experiences of my life.. marked by heartbreak, grief, fear, and yet also filled with divine love, expansion, and empowerment. It has felt like both breaking and expanding at the same time, and it has scored my heart and soul forever.

Through this rupture and radical life change, I have taken long, hard, and painful looks in the mirror. I have allowed myself to break down, to wail deeply, and to feel all the emotions that needed to come through. Sometimes, in order to see clearly, we need to step away from situations that trap us in unhealthy patterns. Sometimes, we don’t fully understand what we have until it’s gone, and we realize that going back is no longer an option.

The "cliches" we all know so well have felt very potent for me during this transition. Ultimately, the biggest lesson for me has been this: if you truly love someone, and you know you can't be what they need, or they can't be what you need, then the most loving thing you can do is to let go. Breaking free from codependent cycles of wounding takes an incredible amount of courage and strength, and sometimes, healing can only happen outside of the relationship.

I feel that the loss and grief of losing a family will be something that will stay with me for my lifetime. This awareness hits deep, and the cyclical nature of grieving is that it truly never goes away. I know that the breaking of my heart is, indeed, its opening.

_______

After all of this, I feel more ready than ever to serve from a place of profound truth. I feel a turning of the page happening for me, and this is bringing a lot of inspiration, joy, and gratitude for my life. I am stepping into a new chapter, one where I can hold space for others once again, but this time, with deeper clarity and authenticity.

This Women's Circle has been a long time coming. As someone who holds space for others to feel into and navigate hard and uncomfortable places within, it feels like the natural next step to offer this unconditional space on a more consistent basis. I am excited to bring this offering forward, creating a space where we can sit together, share, heal, and grow.

I’m excited to share that I will now be offering two circles every month:

~A daytime circlMindful Meridians PEMF & Float Centre Float Centre
~An evening circlPeterborough Yoga Wellness Centrellness Centre

Each circle is open to 12 women, and I’ve created a support fund to ensure these gatherings are accessible to all who feel called to join. If you would like to attend but require financial assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

❤

Here are some other upcoming offerings that might be of interest.
https://linktr.ee/embodiedexpressions

07/12/2024

JOIN US JULY 27 & 28!

We are thrilled to announce the inaugural Healing and Wellness Fair in support of Right to Heal PTBO, happening on July 27 & 28. This event kicks off a series of seasonal gatherings aligned with the Solstices and Equinoxes, celebrating diverse healing modalities and wellness practices.

Join us to explore various healing methods and connect with wellness practitioners in our community. Highlights include an Artisan Market featuring local handmade goods, energy healing, Reiki, reflexology, yoga, breathwork, tarot readings, sound healing, and informative workshops.

Schedule will be updated this week, to join email list follow the link in bio!

Saturday evening will be special with a Medium Dinner with Irish Mystic Fiona Newman, followed by a Sound Experience with Cacao & Blue Lotus led by Nicole Laureen. Limited tickets available, so reserve yours soon! Link in bio!

Our Bake Sale and Raffle will offer delicious treats, including our famous Grandma Reilly’s butter tarts, and a chance to win fantastic prizes.

All funds raised support essential healing services in our community through Right to Heal Peterborough.

Join us for a weekend of healing, connection, and community!
Ticket link in the comments.

07/09/2024

The Importance of Living from the Heart

Living from the heart is essential for authentic growth and profound healing. An open heart allows us to embrace the full spectrum of our experiences, leading to a richer, more meaningful life. While it can be uncomfortable to stay present in our hearts, especially during moments of pain and uncertainty, this discomfort is a powerful catalyst for growth.

When we live from the heart, we become more attuned to our true selves and our genuine emotions. An open heart enables us to experience both joy and pain fully, without judgment or embellishment. This raw, unfiltered connection to our emotions fosters deeper self-awareness and self-compassion. We learn to accept ourselves as we are, with all our contradictions and complexities.

Growth through discomfort is a crucial aspect of living from the heart. It takes courage to remain open and vulnerable, especially when faced with fear, disappointment, or hurt. However, it is through these challenging experiences that we develop resilience and strength. Embracing discomfort allows us to break free from the limitations of our past, shedding old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us.

An open heart enhances our relationships with others. When we are truly present with our own emotions, we can better empathize with the experiences of those around us. This empathy fosters deeper connections, mutual respect, and unconditional love. By being vulnerable and authentic, we invite others to do the same, creating a space of trust and intimacy.

Living from the heart aligns us with the natural flow of life. Instead of resisting or trying to control our experiences, we learn to move with them, embracing each moment as it comes. This harmony with life’s rhythms brings a sense of peace and fulfillment, as we are no longer struggling against the current but flowing with it.

In essence, living from the heart means being fully alive. It means daring to feel deeply, to love fiercely, and to grow continuously. While the journey may be uncomfortable at times, it is through this discomfort that we find our true strength and beauty. By keeping our hearts open, we invite healing, transformation, and a profound sense of purpose into our lives.

Opening to Love ~ Join me.

photo credit- Zach Owen

05/07/2024

WALKING WITH LOVE...

Walking with love means choosing not to take things personally, especially when someone else's hurt leads them to hurt you. Understanding that people's actions are often reflections of their own inner struggles rather than direct responses to you can be a powerful perspective shift. While we may inadvertently trigger reactions in others, how they choose to respond is influenced by their past experiences, belief systems, and emotional wounds.

When someone hurts us, it's essential to recognize that it's not necessarily about us. It's about their own journey, their perceptions, and the way they navigate the world. This realization doesn't excuse hurtful behavior, but it can help us approach the situation with empathy and understanding.

Forgiveness becomes easier when we realize that the actions of others are not always a reflection of our worth or character. By knowing our own intentions and understanding ourselves deeply, we can separate our identity from the wounds, defenses, and ego-driven reactions of others.

In choosing to walk in love, we embrace the wisdom of discernment—recognizing what is someone's personal struggles and what is their true spirit. This understanding empowers us to respond with kindness, compassion, and grace, even in the face of hurtful actions. It allows us to cultivate deeper connections and foster healing, both within ourselves and in our relationships with others. We can extend compassion, forgive, and release the burden of carrying someone else's pain as our own.

Acknowledging our own responsibility is crucial in walking in love and fostering healthy relationships. Sometimes, the hurt someone feels and their response may indeed be influenced by our actions. It's essential to reflect honestly and take accountability for any harm we may have caused.

In our journey of understanding love and compassion, we must also recognize our own capacity to impact others. While we can't control how someone chooses to react, we can take ownership of our behaviors and their potential consequences. This requires humility and a willingness to examine our actions, even when it's uncomfortable.

When conflicts arise, it's important to engage in introspection and consider how our words or deeds may have contributed to the situation. This doesn't mean blaming ourselves unnecessarily, but rather acknowledging our role and striving to learn and grow from the experience.

By embracing both perspectives, we can navigate relationships with integrity and sensitivity. This includes being open to feedback, offering sincere apologies when necessary, and making amends to repair any damage caused.

Walking with love involves a delicate balance between recognizing our impact on others and understanding that their responses are shaped by their own experiences. By embracing this dual perspective, we can foster deeper understanding, empathy, and connection in our interactions with others.

With Love,
Nicole Laureen

05/05/2024

THE POISON OF RESENTMENT..

Resentment is like a festering wound in the heart, a poison that seeps into every interaction, every thought, every breath. It's the silent killer of relationships, a slow erosion of love and trust, leaving behind a bitter residue that taints even the sweetest moments.

When we harbor resentment, we're holding onto grievances from the past, allowing them to color our present and dictate our future. It's a toxic cocktail of anger, hurt, and disappointment, simmering just beneath the surface until it inevitably boils over, scorching everything in its path.

In our relationships, resentment acts like a corrosive force, eating away at the foundation of trust and understanding. It breeds mistrust, sows seeds of doubt, and creates an emotional distance that can feel insurmountable. It's like building a wall brick by brick, isolating ourselves from the ones we love until we're left stranded in a fortress of our own making.

But how do we know when resentment has taken hold? It's in the little things. The fleeting glances filled with contempt, the sharp words laced with sarcasm, the subtle jabs disguised as jokes. It's the cold silence that hangs heavy in the air, the avoidance of intimacy, the unwillingness to forgive and forget.

A resentful person is like a storm cloud on a sunny day. They're quick to anger, slow to forgive, and always on the lookout for slights real or imagined. They dwell on past injustices, replaying them in their minds like a broken record, unable to let go of the pain that binds them.

Their thoughts are consumed by thoughts of retribution, of righting perceived wrongs, of settling scores. They see enemies where there are none, allies as potential adversaries, and every interaction becomes a battleground in the war of their own making.

They feel the weight of the world on their shoulders, the burden of carrying their grievances like a cross. They feel alone, misunderstood, unseen by those they hold responsible for their pain. They feel trapped in a cycle of resentment, unable to break free from its suffocating embrace.

But there is hope. There is always hope. For beneath the layers of anger and hurt lies a heart that longs to heal, a soul that yearns for peace. It takes courage to confront our demons, to let go of our grievances, to forgive not just others, but ourselves.

So let us release the shackles of resentment and embrace the freedom that comes from letting go. Let us choose love over hate, forgiveness over revenge, and in doing so, let us reclaim our power, our joy, our humanity. For in the end, it is not our grievances that define us, but our capacity for grace, for compassion, for love.

In Service,
Nicole Laureen.

----------------
~Opening to Love~ (3 spots left)

During this 5-day retreat, we'll embark on a profound healing journey, delving into what we are holding onto that is keeping us from love, including wounds like resentment. This sacred space will be dedicated to forgiving ourselves and others, fostering authenticity, compassion, and reverence among kindred spirits on a quest for transformation. Here, guided by the principles of forgiveness and surrender, we'll explore the depths of our beings, discovering the transformative power of unconditional love as we let go of burdens beyond our control.

More detail can be found here: https://forms.gle/iwbngJ6aH2RJPReR9

05/02/2024

The Wounds we Carry…

Many enter this lifetime burdened by the weight of intergenerational trauma, embarking on the courageous journey of healing. It’s a path that beckons many, often leaving them feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of what lies ahead. The echoes of pain and suffering reverberate through time, passed down like an unwanted inheritance, until someone decides to break the cycle.

It’s often striking how awakening can be sparked by tragedy or profound life events. These moments shake us awake, compelling us to confront the pain we’ve long suppressed. Some, even from a tender age, perceive the world's illusions and sense the hidden wounds beneath the masks people wear. Within a family, there may be only a brave few who dare to face the shadows, to acknowledge the scars that mark their lineage.
These souls tread unconventional paths, seeking truth and healing amidst a world often shrouded in deceit.

However convoluted the path that brought you to this moment, know this:

I see you.

I feel the weight of your burdens, whether or not I've walked in your shoes.
Your pain is not just yours—it reverberates through the collective, a testament to the shared human experience.

The journey of healing unfolds like the petals of a flower, each layer unfurling in its own time. It demands a sacred commitment to truth, trust, humility, courage, and forgiveness—a dedication to the self that can never be stripped away.

Yet, it is a journey best traveled in the company of kindred spirits, for healing gains its strength in the open arms of shared vulnerability. Together, we create sanctuaries of healing, spaces where authenticity reigns supreme and every soul is welcomed exactly as they are.

In this sacred dance of expansion and contraction, let us envision spaces where healing is inclusive, grounded, and authentic. Let us hold each other in the tender embrace of compassion.

For in the words,

"I'm sorry, Please forgive me,
Thank you, I love you,"

lies the alchemy of healing—the power to transmute pain into peace and wounds into wisdom.

So, to you who bravely tread the path of healing, know that you are not alone. May your journey be guided by the light of love, leading you ever closer to the homecoming of the self.

Nicole Laureen
-----------------

In August, I will be hosting a transformative 5-day retreat for nine souls. This sacred space will be dedicated to embarking on a healing journey filled with authenticity, compassion, and reverence, among kindred spirits on a quest for profound transformation. Here, we will delve into the depths of our beings, guided by the principles of forgiveness and surrender, discovering the power of unconditional love as we release the burdens we cannot control.

More information here:
https://forms.gle/xdRzQLEWNEQxe5WA7

Blessings to you,
In Service,

NL

04/26/2024

THE GREEN EYED MONSTER

Ah, envy, the silent storm that brews within.

How many of us have felt the twinge of envy at some point?
Maybe you've had a close family member, a trusted friend, or even a romantic partner direct their envy towards you.
Or perhaps you've found yourself grappling with feelings of envy toward someone else. It's a tale as old as time—envy, the shadow that casts its veil over relationships of all kinds.

But what truly resides at the core of envy's grip?

To me, it's like a slow burn, quietly eating away at the bonds of love and authenticity.
Envy can quickly become a dominant lens in which we see and experience the world.
Especially for women. I see it as one of those corrosive emotions, akin to resentment or insecurity. Left unchecked and unaddressed, it can hinder the growth of authenticity and love within a relationship.
It is a force that doesnt care if you are “supposed” to love the person or not.
You might say, can I not feel both care and love for someone AND feel pangs of envy?

It's a question worth exploring, and it really makes me want to define what LOVE even is (perhaps that's for another share). For now, let's explore how envy shows up for you and the possible roots of it.

Think about a time when envy crept into your heart.
Maybe it's happening right now, or perhaps it's a memory from the past.
Sometimes, envy hides behind other emotions, like judgment or resentment.
Let's unpack it together.
If you have the time and capacity, I invite you to reflect..

What does envy feel like to you?

As you recall moments of your own envy, pay attention to how your body responds.
Maybe it's a tightening in your chest or a knot in your stomach. Taking a moment to tune into your internal landscape by scanning for sensations in your body.
Bring your awareness to your
~stomach/solar
~heart/chest
~throat
~womb (for female bodies)
What sensations show up for you?

These sensations stem from past experiences, often from childhood, and become stored in the body as sense based memories.
Once we can find presence to be with these sensations we can begin to unravel them, digest them, and move forward from a place of awareness and respond-siblity.
Take a moment to tune into one of those sensations.

Ask it questions like:

How old are you?
Why are you here?
What do you need?

These memories represent a part of yourself that hasn't been fully acknowledged.
What experiences would you have had in the past that would elicit such feelings of envy or jealousy? And what is the feeling really saying?
At some point, something or someone triggered feelings of inadequacy within you.
Maybe it was comparisons made by your parents between siblings or challenges you faced while others seemed to have it easy. If we feel we have been victimized in some way, we can start to think "why me" and begin to compare ourselves to others' perceived success or happiness. This sparks jealousy and envy. Never feeling like we are "good enough", which speaks on insecurity being the root of a lot of our projections onto others and our internal pain and suffering.

Whatever the cause, these feelings of envy can hinder our ability to love and be loved fully.
But there's hope.

By acknowledging, holding compassionate space and understanding these parts of ourselves, we can start to let go of envy's grip. We can begin to feel worthy and deserving of good things. We can begin to love and appreciate who WE are and the individual journey we have walked.

We can start to choose to feel inspired by others' successes.
Their achievements can become a source of motivation for our own growth. We start to celebrate our own strengths and love our “weaknesses” thus loving and accepting others weaknesses too.

That's true freedom…

And it's something we all deserve to experience. So I invite you to stop and be present with your heart next time you feel the charge of envy rise up in your belly and into your heart. Take a breath with these tender parts of yourself.

“I’m sorry, please forgive me”
“ Thank you, I love you.”

Nicole Laureen
-------------------
When we begin to wake up to our ego and set an intention to be conscious of our internal narratives, we start on the path of soul liberation.

There are many paths to get there and when you truly want to find god within, you will be shown the way.

If you stayed to read through this post, then clearly you are on this path, as this message would not have interested you if you were not.

The offerings I hold are designed to take you deep into yourself and really look...I have done, and continue to do, this work on myself..and it is a journey of becoming and remembering our truest form.

This August, I will be holding a 5 day retreat.

This will be a powerful dip into looking in the mirror and taking our power back from the past. Owning, feeling and liberating ourselves from karmic cyclings of envy, resentment and suffering, of all kinds.

Ready to Open to Love?

Blessings to you,

In Service,

Nicole Laureen.

04/17/2024

What kind of experiences are you looking to have?
What ambitions are you eager to pursue, to evolve within, to grasp a deeper comprehension of?

Recognizing that we hold the power to choose... we have the privilege to chart our course and unfurl our sails in any direction we desire…

Deep within us lies an urge, a magnetic force that propels us toward certain people, places, and experiences. In every moment, the tapestry of karma, spanning lifetimes, unfurls before us, offering opportunities for growth and the power to make choices.

Regardless of our circumstances, our adversities, or the weight of our burdens, we still retain the ability to opt for life, for truth, for forgiveness, for healing.

To be human is to possess free will.

Though our paths may be influenced by societal norms, flawed educational systems, the trauma of our bloodlines, and the echoes of our collective ancestral karma…

How we navigate our thoughts and emotions, particularly in the context of living in North America, the supposed land of freedom, shapes our experiences and steers the course of our lives!

Some may argue that external forces of oppression and control seem to constrain us, leaving us with little to no agency over our circumstances…

However,

While we may lack control over external factors to some extent, we wield considerable power over our internal landscape. We are the architects of our choices, the captains of our own vessels—whether consciously or not, drawing from the tapestry of this lifetime and those preceding it.

We've placed our orders, perhaps unaware, yet there are no accidents. The very fabric of our universe, the intricate mechanisms governing existence, hinge upon this fundamental truth.

None can evade the interplay of karma and dharma.

The question remains: how do we awaken to this embodied sense of liberation?

How do we carve out enough space within ourselves to respond to life rather than react to our past?

It begins with the choice to do so.

And then, it's about placing trust in the universe to furnish us with everything we need to tread that path.

My journey has been a tapestry woven with such choices, selections made from the universe's vast array of offerings. It's all inspired by an unwavering desire to heal, to grow, and to recognize myself as a divine child.

May your journey to wellness be adorned with blessings, compassionate lessons and sustainable growth.

Nicole Laureen.

Image credit: JanetParsonsART

03/08/2024

𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕄𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕖

𝑾𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈?

"Shaking Mëdicinë reintroduces the oldest medicine on earth--the ecstatic shaking of the human body. Most people’s worst fear is losing control--of their circumstances, of their emotions, and especially of their bodies. Yet in order to achieve the transcendent state necessary to experience deep healing, 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹. Examining cultural traditions from around the world where shaking has been used as a form of hËaling--from the Shakers and Quakers of New England to the shaking medicine of Japan, India, the Caribbean, the Kalahari, and the Indian Shakers of the Pacific Northwest" - Bradford Keeney

Let us explore this 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 ~ together. Held in a sacred and intentional container infused with the spirit of plants, Cacao and Blue lotus.

This collaborative brew of 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘂𝘀, will be sure to heighten this movement exploration and bring you into new levels of experiencing your body.

You will be guided through several ways to "shake" the body to evoke the benefits of the movement. 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐚/𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞.

Some benefits of this practice include;
~𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁/𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆
~𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
~𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀
~𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆
~𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄
~𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 & 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀
~ 𝗦𝗢 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲...

We will begin in circle with our Cacao/blue lotus ceremony, demonstration of the types of shaking you can go into, and then into the hour long shaking process. We will finish with a sound journey to allow for integration of the experience.

𝕁𝕠𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕕𝕒𝕪!

Embodied Expressions

10/13/2024

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07/09/2024

05/07/2024

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04/26/2024

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