MAD YOGA & HIGHWATER FARM
- Danielle Chevalier
- Nov 19, 2022
- 4 min read
This is my story:
It's also my son's story; and my mother's too, my brothers', my sister's and my daughter's.
My children grew up with a lot of fighting-like tons. My husband and I argued ALOT-sometimes to a point beyond simple disagreement of words-to a place of war, of hate, of contempt. Nashing and screaming, coercing and battling with fists or hands or force. For our freedom, our pride, beliefs, our righteousness, our right to our children. Too often blinded, not realizing how childish we were. My son was a witness. Most recently over a few words, well actually over one single letter. Really. We could fight over anything.
A blended family of two nations. Each of us, one matriarch + one patriarch of this family, born into our respective families that 'spoiled' us beyond ends. Our families had some foundational differences in life choices, religion & culture but not really many in the sense of having our needs met for food, shelter & love. Perhaps a slight difference in class.
We definitely were exposed to different ideas of what is meant to be "proper" or "right". I wouldn't say that I am even comfortable with the word proper. And maybe the "other" family was not as comfortable with being uncomfortable in the same ways as mine. That certainly was once one of my reflections or judgments. Aren't there always? Judgments? Reflections?
We learned to be patient. Forgiving. We morphed ourselves into a mesh of Love. Bending and reaching
as is necessary for all families to grow and to flourish.
We changed one into another. And as we did, try and fail, we made many mistakes, over and over.
We battled. WE battled with immigration and governing bodies beyond our control. WE battled with forces of Nature beyond our control. WE lost against the reality that is death. And we lived as it is to live. we picked up the pieces as best we could.
For 18 years we put all efforts toward building a farm. Growing food, and medicine, and seed for our family and community. We secluded ourselves into an ideal that didn't yet exist in reality. With our family and Highwater Farm we were creating a model of what we thought was better. Of what was good. Of what was righteous. For the planet , for our children and for God. AND we fought. WE fought over what was THE right way to do it. WE lost. A lot. We lost pride, $, sanity, autonomy, blood, sweat & tears. AND eventually, as my grandpa would say, some of the piss and vinegar that belongs to youth. And we gained. ALOT.
A deep connection to land. To Earth that sustains us. We gained and shared a sensitivity to the elements, to the seasons. To the subtle changes in the air, the atmosphere, the ebb and flow.
We gained hardiness and the ability of steadfastness and the patience that only those who tend the growing of food know.
We all, each and every one of us, witnessed the seed break free from its old self, its hardened protected potential, infinitely smaller than its fruitful future that so easily is unfathomable. WE witnessed the transformations from seed to bud to blossom to fruit do death and to seed again. Over and over and over again.
WE learned to communicate. We learned to move. To move in a way to attune to the body's needs for rest, sleep and optimum function for the next days' necessary tasks. We learned to move away to avoid the physical pain by doing the work, feeling the feelings and planning for action and rebound accordingly. We experienced Natures soft and hard ways. We felt God's Grace beyond our control.
Highwater Farm has shapedshifted, as we all do to meet the challenges that we are faced with. We survive, though parts of us die. Some to be transformed from decay, from shit to compost and into nourishment for others. Parts that sprout anew as the wild and varied ways that we become. From Highwater to Fields of Recovery a mission for healing planet, people and community. And from there grew Club Adventure Wellness with Community Food Warriors & Beloved Beasts and we are with MAD YOGA.
Mad Yoga grew out of the anger and frustration, the insanity and idealism of Highwater Farm. It grew from the guidance and tending of teachers so many and so grand that they are noted elsewhere.
Mad Yoga is blossoming at Kalahi Martial Arts Academy. Kalahi Martial Arts Academy changed my trajectory. Madly, Swiftly, & Deeply. Literally I walked away from a fight- a big knarly bad road kind of a fight and directly into the Kalahi dojo at my wits end. I was greeted by coach Zach who expertly shapeshifted to address my needs with the flow that only a professional could achieve. I jumped into a Capoeira session with Coach Zane. An epic teacher of epic portions with the skills and stamina you'll have to come see, experience and witness for yourself. I moved and swayed and kicked and sweat. And I returned. Over and over and over again. Today you can find someone from my family, my children, or my parents at Kalahi Martial Arts Academy on any given day of the week. Practicing there. Boxing. BJJ. Capoeira. Kids Kalahi. MMA strength and conditioning. Yoga, Mantra, Mudra & Breath.
At Kalahi they literally welcome you to their Kalahi family. If you'd like to practice MAD YOGA, join us on Wednesdays at 4:30pm
-MAD as in Lots of Yoga
MAD as in moving through Anger & Frustration
MAD as in fighting the hectic, crazy, anxious, loneliness, stress, overwhelm,
MAD YOGA is Functional Fitness Training from the ground up. It's pain-free movement training from the feet to the head. One breath, one step at a time. For beginners, intermediate and advanced. Every Wednesday at 4:30 pm and if you become a member we'll schedule in a day and time that suits your needs.
Come check out Kalahi. Try out all of our classes to see which suits you. 1 Week Free Trial. Monthly memberships are unlimited. You can mix and match from all programs. Holiday Specials & Club Adventure Wellness includes 3 months Kalahi membership
For updates and events from Highwater Farm, Fields of Recovery, Club Adventure Wellness and to find more about Beloved Beast, Epic & Community Food Warrior click box below:
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