Testimonials
From the Fall Equinox of 2023 to the Fall Equinox 2024, Rooting and Rising expanded into Menopause. A vibrant cohort of powerful Women dared to Root in essence to Rise in the Heart of Elderhood. Below is a glimpse of their inspiring journeys…
When I joined Rooting and Rising I didn’t quite know what I was letting myself in for and as someone perpetually stuck in commitment phobia it challenged me on every level: being honest, being present, being seen and being there every week. What? No way. I missed the first session, I emailed Rory who introduced me to Rooting and Rising and said it’s a sign – I’m not supposed to be there. “Come to the next one and see how you feel,” she said with an encouragement that is her to her core. And so I did. And to the next one…and the next.
Sharing Saturday mornings with a group of women I now consider beloved friends has been like winning a contest I didn’t even know I entered. Saturday mornings with a peer group of warm, brilliant, open and honest women, guided by Yamin, Rory and Jade always through a prism of true kindness and possibility has filled me to the brim. I went from buckling under the weight of the bag of promises I’ve been carrying for 40+ years to a manifestation of these promises. Zero hyperbola, 100% truth – from losing weight, to delivering a challenging piece of work, to announcing a dream job – all within one calendar year. It’s almost impossible to put what this has meant to me in words, challenging to put it into action, but honestly not continuing with the gifts of this year would be like slurping mud out of a puddle instead of sipping fresh spring water in a glass so clear you see your full potential in this world and beyond.
~Lauren~
52+ weeks
a daunting weekly commitment
gosh…
can I gift myself time to
explore, inquire, discern
what is essential?
of value?
discover – who am I?
I said yes
My essentials come into focus
shedding what no longer serves
to decay
decompose
providing transformed nourishment
while
melting into the moulten earth
Rooting commences
I dive in
down below into the mulch
my heart begins to
Quiver
my edges soften
merging
into the mycelium network
vital in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
which transport water
and the stardust of our beginnings
into the dark void
pouring into
pure nothingness
enveloped in emptiness
Sacred Space
Free to be
No one
Be not afraid
do not freeze
rather
spark the flame
of Curiousity
creating spikes of electrical potential
lighting the pathways
to Emergence
I begin to rise
Ordinary matter and spirit meet
Wide-eyed
wonder-filled
wandering the vast horizons
guided by a
magnificent
heart of diamonds
Orgasmic quaking
beaming with laughter
twinkling
sparkling
pulsating to the
vibrating mysterious
Hum
of all Being
Imagining the impossible
Awakening to my dreams
Wild wilderness surrounds me
with endless possibilities
I dare you to
say yes…
and don’t look back
…as in the words of our beloved poet
Mary Oliver:
Pay attention
be astonished
…and tell about it
WARNING!!!
You are embarking on the Ride of your Life
~Anita Marie~
I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for Rooting and Rising. I’d never been in a year-long weekly program. I’d never held council. But I said yes. And I’m so glad I did.
This program has had a profound impact on my life. Rory, our resident writer, took me to imaginary places and then invited me to “show up on the page.” Jade, our mystic, gave me tarot readings that questioned rather than answered. But it was Yamin, our true guide and leader, who most propelled me forward, inviting me to lean in to my heartspace and to let go of what no longer serves.
In this program, you meet people from the inside out. Often I would feel they saw me before I even knew myself. Our sharing and feeling back was intimate and authentic. It was so rewarding to finally feel my transformation, and to see others’ transformation around me. I still can’t tell you which was more exciting for me. So many thanks to Yamin, Rory and Jade for such a gift.
~Lisa~
Where do I begin to thank each of you for a most exceptional year! While I was very open to this journey from the beginning, it greatly exceeded all expectations. The three of you as our guides provided a magical, interwoven fruitful journey. I also enjoyed the various inspirational teachers you brought to our circle during the relevant seasons. I grew into and beyond myself in a myriad of ways, the essences and teachings of which will stay with me forever. This experience in Rooting and Rising proved to be life changing for me. I already miss our weekly meetings. I made new lifelong kindred spirit friends. If I sound like I am gushing, you have it right! Bravo to the three of you and our entire group. As Aristotle said, ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’. This was certainly my experience. I urge anyone interested in personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves and others to take the plunge into their generous offerings.
~Kim~
I came to Rooting and Rising feeling a bit unsure to put it mildly.
What was I looking for in this group experience?
Would the information be helpful?
Moving through weekly explorations supported by compassionate and heart-led guides, I began to meet deeper and often new facets of self. The personal experience was further enriched through witnessing collective stories and shares of my co-travelers. I am profoundly grateful for this expansive journey and those who shared in it.
~Callie~
One of, if not THE Best gift I could’ve given myself this past year…& you all wrapped it in love!
Thank you thank you thank you Yamin, Rory & Jade (et.al.) for showing us how to open our windows.
~Beth~
Rooting and Rising was such an enriching experience in a community of women going through similar, and yet very different, experiences. It was a wonderful opportunity to explore the Five Elements, writing and Tarot to connect more deeply with ourselves and each other through the seasons. Our guides created magic with their wisdom and experience. There is a lot on offer for anyone ready to make the journey!
~Andrea~
Rooting and Rising 