Well, I finally did it after one year of putting it off.  Last night was my first experience with facilitating an Intro to Animal Reiki Practice Evening. Hosted by Serena with Grande Prairie Energy Evenings myself and a group of Animal lovers joined for  a 2 hour presentation on the System of Reiki and working with animals.  Those of you who attended that even might of notice my funny shoes. With the words. " Step out of your comfort Zone " in bold black lettering across the side.  These are my presentation shoes. A year ago I created these shoes on a website suggested by Kathleen Prasad during a Reiki weekend in San Francisco.
WHATS THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOES?
I was listen to a recording of a very talented public speaker a few years ago, he told this story about elephants and it rang true to me.
In some Eastern countries you will find elephants in captivity. At a young age they are tied by a chain to a peg. This secures and restricts them from escaping. The baby elephants spend hours running to the end of the chain only to find out once again they can not break free. Eventually the elephants give up. If we fast forward 10 years we will see that same elephant, massive and fully grown still tied to this chain.  What the elephant doesn't realize it at any moment he can take one big step forward and brake that chain.  But he never does.. Or does he??  I like to visualize myself as the elephant in this story and I call it " my comfort zone"  As you can see in the picture bellow the elephant looks pretty happy just "kippin"out with his sunglasses enjoying the day, totally oblivious of what lies beyond the patchy of grass. The shoes are a tool I use to remind myself how important it is to step out of my comfort zone and put worry and fear aside to help spread a message about building a stronger connections with the animals in our lives.
I have to Thank all those who participated in the group exercises and everyone who had the courage to share their  experiences with us. It was an amazing  to facilitate this  Energy Evening. But like Serena said"" the evening  will run itself"" and it did.  Blessing Kristy McGale

_Have you tried alternative healing methods for your animal behavior difficulties, illness or injury? Consider Animal Reiki using traditional Japanese techniques, classes and  treatment series available for animals, humans and self.

Level 1 Reiki and Reiki for Animals
Grande Prairie Alberta Class Info:
DATE: JAN.14,15 2012  VENUE: Partners Natural respond to this add or visit my webpage
sign up today !! Limited Space Available

This class is a foundation for self-care and working with Animals. We will discuss the history of Reiki, Reiki precepts, the Japanese energy system, meditations and protocol for animals. The student will learn basic hand positions for self-care and for treating friends and family; however the focus will be on treating animals. There will be plenty of practice time with the animals. The student will gain the basic knowledge for working with any animal. A manual and certificate will be given. Follow up support and practice nights will be scheduled.

Investment:
Public $130
Animal Shelter Staff $ 40 (Material Costs)
Animal Shelter Volunteers $100
Portions of the proceeds go to Grande Prairie SPCA and SARA

SARA stands for Shelter Animal Reiki Association. SARA is a non-profit corporation, whose mission is to provide volunteer Reiki for the healing and support of the shelter and sanctuary animals and educate the community about the benefits of Reiki for animals. SARA members are located all over United States, England and Canada. Visit www.shelteranimalreikiassociation.org
For information on course sign up dates contact
Kristy McGale
Animal Reiki Practitioner Teacher
780-533-5020 or  or visit www.theleadingleash.ca

I find humour in the stresses of humans and believes, If only you would meditate more!

I would like to share with you this amazing picture that captured Logan my animal companion in one of her many meditation states.  Yes, Logan meditates.  It is true, she almost makes it look effortless, propped up on the bow of the boat her eyes are closed and there is a stillness in her.  Questions within me start to arise when I studied this photo. What is it that she mediates about? Is there something I can learn from her? 

I am blessed with the gift of an Animal teacher that whispers the words “you are loved” in my ear as we walked this path together. 

At the time I wasn’t even aware that I had been meditating. You see Logan and I use to spend our spring and summers planting tree’s all over Alberta and British Columbia. Basically I was given boxes of seedlings (small trees) and was in charge of planting an area that had recently been logged. After you plant 10,000 trees the job becomes a little monotonous, muscle memory kicks in and your mind is free to wonder. And my mind did wonder!  At one point I started to realize my mind was wondering a little too much and it was affecting the quality of the tree’s I had planted. So I started to focus more in the present moment and I would count in my head the steps I was taking before I planted a tree. 1..(step) 2 (step) 3 ( tree) 1..2...3 tree, 1...2..3..tree, 1 ...2..3..tree.  Looking back now I realize this was a form of mediation. Nine hours a day sometimes 6 months out of the year the tree’s would go in the ground.. 1..2..3..tree, 1...2...3..tree... Gradually I connected to a place of expanded awareness where I was still counting, still focused in the present moment but also able to expand my awareness in a much wider scale.

Logan whispers

“I was there with you as you counted 1..2..3.. tree, 1..2..3..tree. I heard every step you took, I felt the focus and the expanded awareness and our connection to it all.  It was like home for me and I continue to wait in that space for you to rejoin me.  When you  notice  me sucking that special teddy bear and pushing my paws forward, I am counting ....1..2..3..( paw) 1...2...3..paw..  I am holding that expanded space. Remember? Meditate with me today and everyday”

Mediation is one of the 5 elements in the system of Reiki. Would you like to connect on a deeper level with your Animal companion? How about learning a few wonderful meditations that you and your animal can share together?

Sign up for an Animal Reiki workshop well supporting your local Shelter for more information on classes near you visit.

Kristy McGale
Shelter Animal Reiki Association
Animal Reiki Practitioner Teacher

www.theleadingleash.ca

780-533-5020