July 23-30

This was Yoga Week at Indralaya. Approximately 40 participants were on hand for the blend of Ashtanga and Iyengar teaching offered by instructor Melanie Whittaker. The program offered two yoga sessions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with an open afternoon on Sunday.

For several years, one of the annual highlights of the week is an evening devoted to practicing international folk dances led by Arthur Clemons. Arthur was introduced to the folk dancing tradition during long ago summers at Indralaya. This early introduction (provided by Michael Chimney, a Portland area theosophist who was at camp for many summers in the 1950’s and 60’s) gradually developed into a lifelong avocation.

Arthur describing the next dance

happy folk dancers

new look dining hall

First it was the solar installation on the roof in June. And last week, for the first time since the 1980’s, a new set of chairs for the dining tables. The new chairs have stronger frames and thicker padding than those they replaced and in the couple of weeks that they have been in use, several people have commented on a qualitative richness that they seem to lend to the character of the dining hall.

 

July 16-22

 Helen & Barbara

This was Deep Singing Week at Indralaya, with 80 participants joining program leaders Helen Bee and Barbara Bellamy for a celebration of singing together in joyous harmony. Singing week has become a summer institution in recent years and many who attend feel a deep connection with both the program and the place.

Excerpts from the program evaluations:

“I am super satisfied! I love Barbara and Helen more each year. The music transported me to a deep place inside myself that will be an inspiration for the next year.”

“I so appreciate what you have created here - an embodiment of living in harmony from a place of loving kindness. I go home nourished and at peace with myself.”

first morning anticipation

“I love the pace. I get to slow down and just be. I now have special spots to visit and be with the trees, the water, the other beings. This place is one of my greatest blessings.”

“I struggle every year to narrow the experience down into words. 

How does a butterfly sing the air?”

 Kelly & Leonie with matching labyrinth t-shirts

“I very much enjoy the atmosphere of Indralaya - the opportunities to enjoy so much of nature; the luxury of being cooked for; the community of sharing chores; the wonderful personalities of those responsible for how Indralaya runs/functions; the programs. I love Indralaya.”

singing the soup to the table

“Thank you. I am renewed and now my cup can run over to all those in need at home.”

“I’m going home smiling!!!”

July 8-15

With over 100 participants, this summer’s second family week stretched Indralaya’s systems to their limits.  And the systems held! It was a harmonious and successful week. The kitchen produced great food (props to kitchen manager and headcook Jacob Doty & his mostly teenaged crew). Coordinators Hugh O’Neill, Annie McManus and Ingrid Dankmeyer held the space gracefully. The theme of resilience wove its way into the fabric of the week in meaningful and significant ways.

Around the horn at morning circle:

celebrate good times, c’mon!

July 1-7

This early July week saw the first of our two annual family camps. Nearly 80 participants gathered, ranging in age from two to somewhere in the mid-70’s. Roughly half of those attending were age 11 and under and there was a lot of youthful energy in and around the meadow.

 Morning circle I

 Morning circle II

Morning circle III

There was a full range of activity throughout the week: morning centering circles, arts and crafts, afternoon discussions, knitting circles, visits to Cascade Lake, evening campfire, the sock hop, honoring of the ages and field games. Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the week enjoyable all.

 sock hoppers

wild dance floor

the swing set was a busy place all week long

By mid-morning on Sunday, most people had departed and preparations began for family week two.

June 25-30

For years, the last week of June has coincided with week two of Therapeutic Touch camp at Indralaya.  This year practitioners explored the themes of transformation and transcendence in the healing process. Participants conversed, practiced t.t., offered presentations and shared personal reminisces, and reflected on the past, present and future of the therapeutic touch tradition.

It was an exciting week for our recently completed solar project (see previous posts for May 27 - June 2 and June 10-17), as over $1,900 was donated by t.t. program participants in support of the projects. That brings the total raised in support of the project to over $10,300 from over 50 donors, enough to purchase nearly 16 of the 34 panels that were installed.

TT participants & staff 2013

ready for what summer may bring

During the week, Leonie and I recalled our arrival as residents at Indralaya in mid-June 1995. We had been married one week before, and arrived just as that year’s t.t. weeks were getting underway. And we’re still at it 18 years later. How fortunate we are!