Sharing Sedona Experiences
Posted by Johanna Maheshvari at 10/23/2008 3:19 PM 
Categories: Mescal Mountain,vortex,yoga,Sedona,Johanna,Hiking
Categories: Mescal Mountain,vortex,yoga,Sedona,Johanna,Hiking
Greetings and welcome to our brand new blog, the Sedona Vortex Voice! I invite you to send in photos and jottings about your Sedona vortex experiences. You need not write anything lengthy or elaborate, just your free flow impressions.The journal below was sent to me by Doug Lowe, who had journeyed to Sedona on a vision quest to celebrate the anniversary of the day he died twice and came back to life. I was honored to share this experience with him. While the journal entry is a bit long, it is so well-written and heartfelt that I did not want to shorten it, so feel free to skim it.
Well, my team and I have just finished leading our October retreat and are gearing up for another on November 6th. If you would like to know more about our 4-day Sedona and Encinitas retreats, please visit our website at www.yogalife.net We are hosting a very special retreat after Christmas to celebrate the New Year. Would you like to come to Sedona for New Year's Eve? We are also offering a $100 per person discount for 2009 retreat registrations paid in full by check by Nov. 30th.
It's October 31st--Happy Halloween! I am going to a costume party tonight masquerading as an angel. Let me remind you that next Tuesday is Election Day, so don't forget to vote for whoever you would like to lead our country into prosperity. In the meantime, when times get rough, just remember to breathe and count your blessings. I hope you enjoy reading these blog entries and look forward to hearing from you soon.
All the best, Johanna
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Happy AnniversaryGina and Wayne were married in Sedona in a chapel in Telapaque three years ago, and every year they come to Sedona to celebrate their anniversary.
This year they decided to have me take them on a special hike with a long outdoor red rock yoga experience.
We had a great time doing fun warm-ups and poses. After our deep relaxation, we ended with a beautiful prayer for their ongoing happiness that just came to me in the perfect words for them both.
Gina and Wayne, may your love continue to grow and may you always empower each other. Many blessings.
________________________________________________________________________________
The Search for Spirit: A Journal Entry by Doug Lowe
________________________________________________________________________________
The Search for Spirit: A Journal Entry by Doug Lowe
January 29, 2008
Driving up I17 from Phoenix and coming over the ridge to Fort Verde Valley, the dark roiling thunderheads gave way to a sunlit valley with a rainbow stretching welcoming arms across the highway into Sedona with the promise of so much more. I was sure this would be one of those lifetime experiences, and it was.
Earlier that day I had noticed a Sedona guide on the web, Sedona Spirit Yoga & Hiking, and discovered a way to combine my hearts desires yoga, spiritual experiences, hiking and the Sedona vortexes all in one! I thought to myself this is too good to be true; surely they must be booked up already. When I called I spoke directly to Johanna, owner, director and the real deal guide, who said she was available tomorrow for a custom tour as long as I didnt need to do the heavy duty buns of steel hike (not that she couldnt do it!). I was looking for the spiritual quest, vortex experience with a little yoga and hiking on the side so we had a perfect match! "The spirits were just toying with me," I thought, "this cant really be happening, can it?"
Rain gave way to more rain that evening; yet as I drove back from a delicious veggie dinner at the India
Palace Cuisine with the torrential downpour on my windshield, the rain was prompting me to consider how much this nourishment was needed by the earth and to let go of the worry of what tomorrow would bring – whatever it was would be perfect for that time. Rising before dawn, with excitement I peered out of my hotel room to see a perfectly clear sky. I rushed outside to see if I could spot the planetary alignment – Venus and Jupiter conjoining, with the moon in the southeastern sky; and sure enough, there they were bright and bold in all their heraldic glory. What did it mean? Coincidence?
Coincidence that I should be here in a vortex capital at exactly one year to the day that I died of congestive heart failure, twice, and was revived twice? Coincidence that, unknown to me when I planned this trip, a planetary event should occur at this time? Hmm - no, not coincidence– synchronicity. And just so, I met Johanna later that morning and we began our day of play and learning that spirit was shaping up for me!
Coincidence that I should be here in a vortex capital at exactly one year to the day that I died of congestive heart failure, twice, and was revived twice? Coincidence that, unknown to me when I planned this trip, a planetary event should occur at this time? Hmm - no, not coincidence– synchronicity. And just so, I met Johanna later that morning and we began our day of play and learning that spirit was shaping up for me!
Johanna picked me up at my hotel and we proceeded to Bell Rock. From there, she led me a short distance across icy pathways to an extraordinary place – the exposure to the three visible, major vortex
areas – Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock and Airport Mesa Rock. We proceeded to take in the magnificent views from this location and seated ourselves on our yoga mats and pillows facing east, towards “the
portal”. Johanna led us through pranayama (breathing) exercises to calm and center ourselves. As I stilled my mind and let the sun awaken my chakras, I could feel my energy mingle with that of the
surrounding areas, and my spirit lifted, expanded – my senses flowing outward to the nearby pillars of electromagnetic force.
It was there, in that moment, that Johanna suggested I address the spirits of that place with a prayer of my intent for today – whatever it was I needed or hoped to achieve that day. I opened my heart and spirit to that momentand I felt my intentions fulfilled in an instant – confidence in my direction, compassion for others and the earth’s condition, and a sense that I was already able to help others with healing energy. What a fabulous moment to recall as I write about it. Before we left that area it was time for play. A few yoga poses, sun salutations, loving the body we were given and lots of time for pictures. All the while, Johanna was pointing out this feature and that – so many fantastic formations and figures for the fertile imagination.
When we left the area, Johanna provided a first class tour of West Sedona, uptown Sedona and pointing out the other scenic and she provided detail directions on hiking to the other vortex spots I should check out tomorrow. These directions, by the way, later proved to be flawless and priceless for someone like myself, who gets lost when stepping between two trees. As we stopped for lunch at the New Frontiers Natural foods, Johanna began talking about Yoga, Patanjali and the 8 Limb path. She asked me if I knew anything about it, and my mind seemed go blank. I told her I thought that postures, breathing and meditation were part of it – since that was the part I was really practicing. She proceeded to talk about how those fit into the Eight Limb path (Ashtanga) as we munched in the car. It was like having many parts of my life fall into place as I listened. The concepts she described were very similar to ideas from many authors teaching about spiritual growth, and in addition she described the framework to hang all of it together. This really helped to put my physical yoga practice together with the thinking and spiritual sides of it.
After lunch we headed out to Mescal Mountain overlooking Boynton Canyon. Johanna told me that she awoke that morning with an intuition that we needed to be sure to go there today rather than to Cathedral Rock and Airport Rock. She said that this was a place (an electro-magnetic vortex) that provided balanced yang and yin energies (doing/being, male/female, active/receptive, etc.). We left the car and headed up a mild and sometimes muddy trail that turned into a moderately challenging climb for half an hour. The afternoon sky was clearest blue and Johanna was intent on teaching the 5 Yamas (principles of restraint guiding how we interact with the outer world) which I learned are part of the code of conduct from Patanjali thousands of years ago! Walking and learning is such a great opportunity because my mind was free to absorb and reflect on what iwas being said in terms of my own experience all the while Johanna was providing me with thought provoking examples of her own. As if on cue, Johanna would turn to me and ask, so what do you think of about this in terms of your own experience? And so the friendly exchange would continue all through the hike to the top.
Very near the highest poiMahesvari and Doug Lowent in our journey, we stopped to play at the fire pit – a 20 foot circle of flagstone seats around the perimeter, complete with high backs for seated resting. As we surveyed the area Johanna asked for help in “fixing up the place,” so we put seats and backs together, rearranging a few stones here and there until we were satisfied with the result. We sat facing the west this time to enjoy the setting sun energy. As we settled into breathing meditation, the quiet and balanced energy of this peaceful location saturating our own, I could feel arrival of the essential elements of my intentions. I could feel my emotion chakra (solar plexis) clearing and expanding, and my speaking chakra (throat) growing stronger. Our clearing chakras with sound and color, harmonizing with mantras and prayers, and anointing each other with sacred oils remains a remarkable tapestry of play and spiritual intent that I will treasure.
After that we climbed up a bit to reach an upper knoll where I sat on a way out overhang and enjoyed the vertigo. As the sun declined we finished up with some light yoga postures to limber ourselves up andsoak in a bit more energy. Johanna captured me in warrior pose silhouette against the late daylight and I captured the enchanting vistas of red rock formations just across the canyon where the Kachina woman guards the western gate. As we reluctantly headed back down the trail, Johanna continued to talk about the 5 Niyamas (guidance for our inner world) and I was struck by the beautiful symmetry of this hike in discussing the Yamas and Niyamas for reflecting on our outer and inner world restraints. In the same sense of balance we had talked of this and that in our lives - sharing our hopes and goals, our fears and concerns.
As we neared the end of the trail, Johanna turned to me and said “I’m getting a strong energy from you that you should be publishing articles about some topic with a number in them – a five or a six in it.” I said “that would be on Six Sigma – my specialty area!”. I really love a direct hit!
We reached the car and celebrated our journey with a hot cup of peppermint tea that Johanna had brought in a thermos. Johanna and I headed back to town ready for some rest but wholly refreshed in spirit. I think together we each accomplished what we set out to do earlier that day. I came away with a renewed sense of purpose, confidence and direction in starting my consulting practice. The feelings of energy, confidence and concentrated intent were with me now. It was a perfect end to a perfect day and I’m still soaring.
What a joy to be a part of the Sedona Spirit Yoga team!
As a mother of two boys, and an Arizona resident for nearly 20 years, I so enjoy sharing the magic of this area with newcomers and seasoned visitors as well. There is always something new to discover in these red rock hills
To all of the wonderful people, who have gifted me with their presence, openess and wonder, I wish you the best of what life has to offer.
Sedona angels be with you...
In love and light,
Roxanne~
Reply to this
I highly recommend this retreat to everyone. Johanna and her angels do an incredible job.
My husband died in June and I needed to get away just to heal. Someone suggested Sedona because of the healing energies there. I found this retreat in my research about Sedona.
There isn't one thing I can single out as the whole experience was remarkable. I met eight of the kindest fellow retreaters. Johanna has such a kind and sassy spirit. Roxanne is a gentle soul. Tara was a beacon of light for me. Ed and Mario were wonderful.
I had massages, reflexology, and a healing session. I met with Claudia for an intuitive reading. The days were busy, the scenery beautiful. I learned a lot about myself.
All I can say is the healing in my soul is more than I can express or convey.
To my friends on the journey, I can only say thank you for being there with me.
Johanna, thank you and I just need to say my most precious moment of all was the night under the stars with my sister stargazers.
Reply to this
Johanna,
Thank you for an amazing journey!!! My heart is still "spinning".
I loved the retreat and feel like I walked away with some great tools to enhance my yoga practice and enrich my peace and relaxation.
It was fun to fly solo, I met some new friends and enjoyed some peaceful moments alone as well. It is nice to be comfortable in my own skin and explore.
I hope to see you again soon. I hope to share the experience with friends and my niece sometime soon.
Until we meet again, Peace and be well.
Love,
Cathy
Reply to this
I know how Doug feels. I have been to Sedona 5 times. Last year my husband and I bought a time-share in Sedona. Our last visit was on Oct. 18th. My intention for this visit was to buy a second home without knowing how I was going to finance this. I am very drawn to Bell Rock. As we were looking at houses, we found one. I wanted to go to Bell Rock to do a short meditation as to whether this was the house or not. As I meditated, I asked for a sign. I wanted a sign of a "Y" for yes. On our way back to the Hyatt, I didn't see any sign of a "Y". That night as I was flipping through the channels, I stopped at the channel regarding Sedona. Then, the announcer said "The Hyatt, turn at the "Y" in the road". Well, I jumped up and went screaming to my husband not knowing what it was all about. As I write this, we are in the process of purchasing this home with the view of the red rocks. I cannot wait to become a Sedonian. I just cannot get enough of Sedona. A beautiful place that God has created.
Reply to this
I have been looking forward to an opportunity to write about my experiences with Johanna in California in July 2007. After having worked in two very stressful jobs and ending a friendship that I had outgrown, I was feeling tired, confused, and burnt out with life. I decided that before undertaking my next step that I needed to detox and focus on myself for a bit. I found Johanna on the Web and I felt that this was the place I should go and the person that I should work with on my journey. The first day on the retreat Johanna commented that I seemed stuck in negative thinking and labeling myself, my husband, and those around me. Johanna encouraged me to not get caught up in defining myself and those around me. To accept others for who they are and to not focus on defining myself (eg. a codependent, enabler), but to accept things are they are. Simply. Through meditations, conversations, and other treatments, I learned to release some of my tension and to accept myself and others. I can not say there was this one moment when it clicked, but by the time I left the retreat I had such a sense of inner peace and comfort that people who knew me well and people who had only met me a few times commented at how peaceful and serene I appeared. Over time the tensions have reoccurred but I remind myself that everything that happens in my life is a learning experience and to not try to control it, but to see where it leads me. Invariably, I have seen a pattern in my life where everything does happen for a reason and I am a better person for the experience.
However, the best thing to come out of the retreat was my baby Paige. My husband and I had tried to get pregnant for 5 years to no avail. We were in the process of beginning fertility treatments. During the retreat I had mentioned my inability to conceive, and Johanna and I talked about my stress around it as well as some facets of my relationship that led me to put my husband down. Johanna coached me to accept him as he was and to not label him due to his differing ways of handling conflict. After the retreat, in fact the day after, I conceived a baby. Unfortunately, that pregnancy ended in miscarriage 7 weeks later, however, in November 2007, I found out I was once again pregnant. On July 5, 2008, my sweet baby Paige was born.
I consider myself blessed that God led me to Johanna, and I look forward to continuing the journey in the near future.
Reply to this