I wrote this blog on my computer in the airport right after my last workshop with Baxter Saturday evening....

For whatever reason, I had a strong feeling that Baxter was leading me on a scuba diving expedition into the liquids of my body which connect the more etheric fibers of my being to a larger intergalactic whole-ness... Part preacher, part channel, part goddess worshipping mythologist, Baxter is a blast . Learning with him in the Bend warehouse was a froliking adventure all it's own, full of laughter and funky attitude... the Nia space, in contrast, had a resonant vibe of spirit which created a vessel, a basket, open, ready and receptive to his creative meanderings.... Teaching in the Nia space is a doorway, for sure. When I taught my own training there I found myself unlocked in a very magical way. Actually I am still somewhat amazed I was allowed to teach there! Such a blessing. To be sharing space with Carlos, Debbie, and Candice is pretty sweet~

Now being there with so many loved ones in the room, including Carlos whom I have admired and learned so much from, I felt, quite simply, blissed out. Slightly out of my body at the same time, Bax's words floated in and out of my consciousness... but I let it happen, allowing the floating like being on a wave and figured that his mojo would osmos even if I couldn't process all the words. I was flooded with respect for his awareness when he greeted Nia upon initiation of his workshop and felt from that moment on that a portal had been opened in my awareness. Was it the caffeine or his urgent reminders to "open, open, open!" that freed my hands, arms and shoulders to move through a flooding series of geometric symbols in succession? He just kept circulating among his students, remembering lots of their names, sharing from his own lens of the world. His workshop energized me at a deep level.

It felt fabulous to be the student again, to immerse into "beginner's mind" and to receive. Being a student really is a wonderful gift. You just get soaked with inspiration and gifts non-stop. I mean, what could be better than being a student? Your only job is to open and be nourished! Blossom, get ripe and transcend.

Gems for me... again, the realization of cross body opposite hand reversals. Also balancing for prolonged periods of time while standing or dancing on one foot, then the other. Getting approached by Sparkle Star and others who shared the love and appreciation with me. Seeing Candice, my ministry soul sister. Seeing Jess, my AllStar twinkling-eyed friend!

Ann is so quietly supportive of Baxter, gorgeous, attentive and everpresent, but honestly I long for her to break out and let her own wildness loose. I long for her to take the mic and lead too. How would the material emerge differently from a woman? She has harnessed the same elemental powers through hoopdance which he has... but at the same time, I also sense she is still taming the power of words which flood through her like a tidal wave. I can't wait to see how her power as a space-holder evolves...

The closing jam really was a wonderful release. Knowing that I would probably be unable to hoop for the next couple days.. with 3 flights and a red eye, followed by wakes and a funeral ahead of me, I just pretty much unleashed in every way possible. I rocked a new small light hoop which I have only played with a few times... it was perfect. I LOVE hooping in this way. Raw, unbridled, unharnessed. I feel like a cheetah, charging across the savanah, I could almost feel the air rushing my the fur on my face and sense my eyes, glazing over slightly to protect me from the rushing air... and the blur of brown and green all around me under an expansive blue sky and blazing sun. Faster, faster, faster, envisioning my heart inside my body, red and pumping, the rhythm syncing with the music, the rush... the high. The purest place of connection I know. So grateful I could visit this place, even if only for a few moments while at this event! Usually I have connected with this place occasionally at BAHs or usually at Burning Man, or on stage.. but there she was, my cheetah guide, there again to greet me. Open arms. Yes!

What I especially l loved was a deepening awareness also, of how radically different my teaching style is than Baxter's. Sometimes, frankly, I don't appreciate myself and the unique things I provide. It's hard to see myself. While Baxter's wise words took me on a magical journey all of it's own, at the same time I felt a precious thankfulness for my own way -- a teaching style which sometimes I have questioned -- A unique channeling all of it's own. I was able to see clearly the energetics which I work with -- joy, beauty, blissful exuberance .. freshness like ripe orchid blossoms... delicious nourishing and vivid imagery.. like grasses and flowers and dirt in a field under foot, rubbing against my legs, making their own earthy smell. A style that is uniquely feminine, powerful and vivid... guiding like a nurturing mother, an urgent lover, a thrilled best friend. I felt myself flooded with appreciation, validation.. in Baxter's words, "following my own inclinations". Yielding to my own poetics... claiming my own divine link and soundings. Thank you! I feel re-inspired to re-immerse myself in my own channelings, my own sonar seeking psychic senses ... what a sweet reminder of my own value.

So here I am in San Francisco airport. Took a plane here after a group dinner following the workshop. It is 10:31 pm and after landing and waiting an hour Kramer arrived to continue on the journey with me. We are taking a red eye back east for the family gathering.. my hoops are checked in with my bag.. I'm envisioning them arriving since we have to drive from Connecticut, once we land, to New York... I know I could always replace them, but i could sure use their support now. Regardless, I know I can do the same exercises I did on the plane on the way here.. playing music on my ipod, closing my eyes and imagining my hands, blurring, playing, guiding, teasing, flirting with my hoop in connected movements of love and ecstatic flow.