In response to the AAUW to speak to young girls working on self-esteem issues at the local middle school...this booklet was born. i updated some of the photos to bring in students from my classes in Tahoe

1. Earth Gym
Why is it most enlightenment is reached after a retreat in
the wilderness? What is it about encountering natural
elements that brings so much clarity about life?
What is in the symphonic rhythms of wind, water, rock
and fire that bring us back to some primal part of
ourselves, where we feel re-aligned?
The Earth Gym is about accessing the power and magic
found by playing outside. And through this play,
enlivening principles of imagination, exploration,
cultivation and integration.
Principles whose teachers are found in the natural
elements of fire, wind, stone and water. There is a direct
connection between your mind and body.
There is a connection between your body and the earth.
The teaching of fire enlivens imagination, wind –
exploration, stone - cultivation and water – integration.
The earth's body has fire, wind, stone and water.
Human bodies have fire (an internal furnace), wind
(breath), bones (like stones) and water (blood and
fluids). Each element has a special story. The magic is
found in your ability to affect and enhance your body,
mind and spirit by bringing the wisdom of these elements
and their related principals, to life within you. You can
encounter and activate their wisdom through exploration
and play.
Whenever you have a challenge to resolve, go outside
and enliven your inner magic through the outer magic
around you. Magic that connects your natural state of
being with the natural elements of our planet earth.
Magic is in you and in the natural elements.
The Earth Gym is about encountering the playground of
the earth. It is a gym whose only dues are your
participation and willingness to play with an open mind
and heart. Your ability to receive the teachings and gifts
of the elements: fire, wind, stone and water.
You have been granted a lifelong membership to this
infinite learning ground. It comes fully equipped with
everything you need, and it's right outside your door,
waiting for you to come out and play.

2. Dance with the Fire
IMAGINATION
FIRE RHYTHM PASSION
To live from your imagination
is to live from your dreams,
your passion and the motion inside you. You are born
and your heart beats. This is the first rhythm that
maintains life in your body. Rhythm is also the 'fire' that
turns your food into energy. Your heart beats and you
imagine the life you will live.
Rhythm is in the earth and in you. As the sun moves
across the sky, as the river rushes to the sea, as the
flame pulses --rhythm moves and maintains life.
Rhythm is in your walk, your talk, your body, mind, and
emotions. When you feel your rhythm, life moves at a
comfortable pace, freeing your imagination and passion
to create the life you love to live.
Dancing activates imagination by giving it form. Dancing
also builds the agility, flexibility, and self-expression
necessary to harmonize with the others.
What happens when you match another person's
rhythm?
What happens when they match you? Play with dance
on your journey of self-discovery and fulfillment.
The range of rhythm
in dance is from slow
to fast-- fluid to
chaotic. Dancing is
emotional. Feel the
range of emotions
dance through you
and be released.
Explore this range to
discover the different
ways each emotional rhythm effects you, so when you
encounter these in your world, you will know how to
'dance with them'. They won't throw you off your own
natural rhythm. You will be able to incorporate them into
the beat and keep moving.
Finding your rhythm is playing with dance. Start from the
center of your body and move out. When a beat makes
you want to move -- dance with it. Mirror another
person's rhythm and try it on for a while.
Some rhythms will throw you out of balance; others will
soothe you, inspire you, motivate you and sustain you.
Observe and explore the rhythms around you, as you
listen and feel for your rhythm. The rhythm that keeps
you going, brings your spirit to life, and makes life fuller
and sweeter.
Dance is a sacred expression of who you are from many
angles. As you grow, change and evolve, so may your
rhythm. Imagination and passion are the magic in your
rhythm that drives you to fulfill your dreams.
Feel your rhythm -- fuel your inner fire and live from your
imagination.

3. Light a candle and begin dancing from the center of your
body. Let all your extended movements come from your
center - your navel, that is your place of power and it will
help you keep your balance in any move you make.
Move from your center. Eventually you will be captivated
by the beat that matches your rhythm within.
Notice the rhythms around you, at the lake, when it rains,
as the creeks flow, the bird sings and how they move life.
Notice your rhythm as you walk, dance and breathe.
It takes commitment and focus to express who you are
and follow your path.
Run with the Wind
EXPLORATION
WIND ENDURANCE QUEST
To explore is to keep wonder alive within you and
activate the endurance you need to complete your
journey.
You are born, your heart beats and then you encounter
wind, with your first breath. You begin to breathe and
awaken your desire to quest. Questing is a primal part of
human nature that can be awakened to empower your
ability to pursue your dreams and make sure you have
the stamina to 'go the distance'.
There are 3 parts to a quest: the departure, the
encounter and they return. When you return there is a
desire to share. This sharing is on the outbreath - your
word. You breath in and on the outbreath comes your
words, your wisdom, from your wind.
Like the infusion of spirit with matter -- The wind bends
the trees, shifts the sands, and moves through us as
breath.
Endurance honors the wisdom of the wind. Our long red
muscle fibers and sweat mechanism speak to our body's
ability to 'run the distance'. Endurance allows you to stay
in the game, pursue and fulfill your dreams -- continue
your quest. Notice how you feel when you begin to build
your strength. Note any differences in how you handle
social situations.

4. When you feel you do not have the endurance to stay in
your life struggle - pursue a quest. Write your question or
struggle down on a piece of paper, put it in your pocket
and take off -- outside. Run, hike, bike or swim until you
catch your wind.
You soon begin to settle into your pace, your rhythm; this
is the time of endurance that will awaken your inner
wisdom.
The wisdom will come from the earth by the time you
return. The wind chambers of your heart reflect these
vibrations in your answer as a song, thoughts, feelings or
words.
What you build in the body, you build in the mind and
your ability to handle whatever comes your way. Training
with the wind will develop the endurance you need to go
your distance and share your wisdom.
The magic of this training is found in the earth. Go
outside and encounter the wind, use your breath to free
your mind as you pursue your dreams. This is the driving
wisdom of the Earth Gym.
Use your wind (breath) to clear your mind.
Questing and endurance training involves any activity
that promotes the expansion of wind: Running, hiking,
biking, swimming, skiing or kayaking cultivates and
develop one's endurance and stamina.
What endurance activity do you currently enjoy?
Running
Walking
Biking
Skiing
Snowboarding
Rollerblading
Skating
Swimming
Other ____________
What would you like to explore?
This journey is open to anyone who is willing to listen,
learn
and follow their heart.
Take your inner struggles on
your next endurance 'quest'.
Listen for the answers that
come from the wind to your
words. Honor the wisdom of the
wind and the wisdom within
you.

5. Lift and Release the Stone
CULTIVATION
EARTH STRENGTH POWER
You are born, your heart beats,
you encounter your wind. Next you reach out to grip.
You grip, you hold on and then you release. To grip you
call on will. To hold on you need strength. To release you
trust.
The combination gives you power. The teaching of the
stone is about cultivating power.
Being powerful is having the strength to push through
the resistance, or back off and go another way. Grip,
hold on, or release.
Lifting stone (or iron) awakens the spirit of strength by
encountering resistance. Use your will to grip and lift,
pushing through the resistance. Then hold and slowly
lower the weight and feel the pull on your strength. Feel
the power within you come alive as you stand between
these forces of attraction: the pull of the earth on the
weight.
Building strength in the body involves the cycle of grip,
hold, lift, return and release. Start with gripping a stone
you can easily hold in your hand. Play and discover
ways to grip, hold, and release. Move from the center of
your body at all times. Your greatest force is from your
center; your center is your source that keeps you
balanced.

6. Please let this booklet as a springboard to creating a
lifestyle that supports and sustains you. At the same time
you will become a greater custodian of our precious
resources and inspire all you encounter.
Learn, grow and prosper in the true wealth of the world
and the only thing you take with you - your own inner
state of peace and freedom.
Dedicated to the freedom of inner peace.
By Jacquie Chandler “Moonhair” earthgym@yahoo.com
The Earthgym practice is the shared passion of its founding
partners: Moonhair + The Barefoot Sensay / Mick Lee Dodge
Published May 2002
Is service to the “Ladies First” girls club of Incline Village Middle
School.
Profits go toward the preservation and protection of sacred grounds