July 21-27

The completion of the July 23-28 Yoga Week marked the halfway point of the 2011 summer season at Indralaya. The Yoga retreat was lead for the 9th consecutive year by Melanie Whittaker. Melanie is from the Methow Valley, which is east of the North Cascade mountains. This year the teepee was filled with approximately 50 participants for the twice daily hatha yoga sessions that are grounded in the Iyengar and Ashtanga Vinyasa traditions. In the above photo, Melanie exhibits trikonasana or triangle pose.

Spencer sautés breakfast mushrooms

The fellowship and wwoofer staff continue to play an important role in helping programs and activities at Indralaya run smoothly. One of those on fellowship is Spencer Corley (pictured above). Spencer has been here since late June and has been helpful in many ways, including breakfast prep (which begins at 6:30 every morning), daily mopping of the kitchen floor and transportation of food waste to the worm bins for vermiculture composting. Thanks to Spencer and the rest of the long-term staff who are currently here: Alise Nielson, Eric and Jackie Green, Amy Stolov, Terrence Zander, Jake Doty and Petr Senkerik for all your good work.

Aaron Clemons & Peter Van Gelder

Leonie’s brother Peter Van Gelder stayed with us for several days this past week, on a visit from his home in the Netherlands, where he lives in Rotterdam with his wife Lis-Britt. Sitting with Peter in this photo is Aaron Clemons, son of Art Clemons and grandson of Margie Clemons (the sister of Phoebe Bee, Barbara Michelle Berry and Arthur Lehwalder). Aaron and his wife, Ellen Pillow, have been consistent participants in the summer Yoga week with Melanie since its beginnings in 2003.

Swallows leave the nest

This week saw the next stage of development in the nesting box that two swallows moved into back in May (see the entry for May 23-29). A few weeks ago, the chirps of the recently hatched nestlings could be heard and this week they took flight and left the nest!

Far East Beach Art

July 14-20

Saturday saw the return of Deep Singing week, which has grown to become one of Indralaya’s most popular programs. Attendance this year was near 90.

Participants gather in the teepee each morning to sing songs, chants, and rounds. Every afternoon there are opportunities to explore different styles of song and the evenings are composed of a variety of musical activities: singing around the piano, campfire songs and small group performances.

Although my cinematography could have been better, the following video provides a sense of the shared joyousness that was present throughout the week.

Siyahamba

Two of the participants in the program have ties to Indralaya that go back to its earliest days. Helen Barclay and Joan Taylor (and their sister Susan Brady), came to camp in the 1920’s with their parents, Gene and Viva Emmons. Many of the cabins and the current dining hall were built with wood that was obtained through Gene’s door and sash company. Viva contributed in many ways as well and often led singing at the evening programs with her beautiful voice.

Helen & Joan

Helen conducts Barbershop

“hi mama”

July 4 - July 13

menu board

The past 15 days have been filled with the two family weeks that traditionally begin the summer season at Indralaya. In all, more than 50 families were represented and nearly 200 people were here over the two weeks.

The family weeks are composed of centering circles, the honoring of the ages, sockhop, arts & crafts, singing, workshops, tea times, the walking of the labyrinth, work on behalf of Indralaya, and the many other memories that weave the days together.

Thanks and gratitude to everyone who plays a part, with particular appreciation for the dedicated and spirited leadership of coordinators Victoria Bennett, Ondine & Elliot Toler-Scott, Viola Marx, Hugh & Annie McManus, and Penny Sharp Sky.

family week morning circles ~ week one above, week two below

many hands

During big weeks like the those that have just finished, those on fellowship and long term staff play a crucial role in assuring that things run smoothly.

Spencer, Leonie, Minor, Jake, Laurie, Christopher, Lilly, Petr & Zach

It Was 84 Years Ago Last Week...

The Excelsior Diary ~ 1927

(click on the photo for a full size view)

These two photos are from Fritz Kunz's day book for 1927. That was the year that Fritz and Dora were married, and journeyed across the country to participate in a gathering of Theosophists on Orcas Island. The penciled note in the lower photo indicates that Dora and Fritz ‘went to Orcas’ on Tuesday, July 5. From that moment in time, much has ensued!

June 27 - July 3

After a few days for the staff to rest and complete preparations at camp, the family week one coordinators began arriving on Wednesday afternoon. Nearly everyone attending the program arrived over the next day and a half, and by Friday dinner there were 98 people in camp.

The summer season was in full swing!

Beginning next week and continuing until the end of August, new entries will be posted on Thursdays.

June 20-26

early summer campfire

The week began with the first full day of the Continuing Explorations in Therapeutic Touch program. Many of the participants in this week have been coming to Indralaya for years. Throughout the week there was a shared sense of gratitude and appreciation for the place and the presence of the subtle healing energies that have been cultivated here over time.

healing conversations

good friends meet again

The last evening of Therapeutic Touch is traditionally known as “Id Night” and one never knows what might happen when the id is unleashed!

Here are some scenes from this year's program:

Julie as a stylin’ red wiggler

Cordy shares the many ways to wear a sarong

a rousing chorus

As Lin looks on, Helen and Justin sing a mournful ‘Barbara Ann’

And so, with a short pause to appreciate the good memories ~

(pause)

~ the 2011 T. T. camps are now complete and the busy summer season lies ahead.

June 13-19

T.T. circles in the meadow

This week saw a transition between therapeutic touch programs as participants in the mentoring week departed on Friday morning and the ‘continuing explorations’ week began with dinner on Sunday.

The labyrinth has taken on a surprising new look this Spring with the explosion of tall grasses along the courses that lead to the center. Recent labyrinth walkers have been finding something quite wonderful about walking through the grasses as they brush against their legs and hands.

tall grass labyrinth

explore the mysteries that lie within

New Artworks in the Library

Two recently donated artworks are now gracing the walls of the library. The print of the madrona (titled “Grandmother Madrona”) was given to us by Peggy Woods, an artist from Montana who has also been helping with ordering clothing items for the bookshop. You can see more of her work at http://www.peggywoods.com/.


This watercolor was a gift to Indralaya from the Temple of the People, in Halcyon, CA (see Jan 31 - Feb 6 post).

With the departure of the chickens last year (see the November 15-21 entry for more on why and where), the potential opened up for new uses of the space where the coop had been. That potential has been realized with the establishment of a new garden bed, which is now filled with freshly planted basil. Staffers Lilly Falconer and Haley Nedderman planted the basil at night, under the light of the full moon.

beds of basil, planted in the moonlight

June 6-12

Buddha field 3

As the Indralaya year transitions from a successful series of Spring programs and work parties to the Therapeutic Touch camps that have gathered here in the later half of June for over 30 years, one cannot help but be aware of the continual flow of events, endeavors, personalities, and nature that are so much a part of the Indralaya experience. As this year develops, and as the years unfold, the procession from which Indralaya's rich tapestry is woven continues ever on.

Staff & friends: Wayne, Leonie, Crystal, Jake, Chelsea, Lilly, Haley & Tom

This week we said good-bye to Wayne Hunt as he completed his time on fellowship staff, and said hello to Lilly Falconer as she arrived for a stay that will continue into mid-July.

Mentors Peter Massey, Cordy Anderson, & Cheryl Larden
along with program coordinator Julie Benkofsky-Webb (2nd from left)

As the weekend arrived, so did participants in the Therapeutic Touch mentorship program. It was a real treat to welcome back Jen Edington as co-head cook for the week. This is Jen's first visit since she and her husband Mark left after serving as resident managers from mid-2006 to early 2010.

Jen and Mark have settled in Williams, OR. In addition to living with three (at the moment) English mastiffs, they are enjoying working for Resource Management, Inc., a firm owned by Elizabeth McNanny (known to many of you as a head cook at family week and other programs) that provides energy consulting to individuals, organizations and municipalities in Oregon and 7 other western States.

Jen’s beautiful rhubarb pies

Buddha field 4