Author Archives: Paula Josa-Jones

Jun19

the soft animal

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Recently an animal communicator said that my horse Amadeo no longer wanted the pressure of performance.  He wants to just be a horse.  I was surprised because he has not been able to perform and there has been no particular pressure on him to perform.  But when I looked more deeply at my own emotional messages to him, the pressure, the expectation is there.  For his whole life, he has been seen as that:  a horse with a job and expectations.  Because of his allergies, his injuries and his volatility, he has also been like a boy in a bubble.  Small turn outs, no way to get in trouble.

Last week the barn manager, Melvin, started to put him in a big field across the street.  We thought let’s see what happens.  Since then, we have noticed that he is calmer, more balanced.  Soon, we are hoping that he will move up to Little Brook Farm and be able to be ridden by the wonderful Summer Brennan.  Relationships and connection without the old pressures.

ps.  If you have not seen Summer’s work with the Mustang Amado, check it out on the Little Brook Facebook page.

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Jun18

summer movement class

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Authentic Movement is a contemplative movement practice that nourishes creativity and imagination through a practice of intuitive and spontaneous movement. Movers allow themselves “to be moved” following whatever impulses (for both movement and stillness) arise from the body. The teacher acts as a compassionate witness, affirming and giving meaning to the experience of the mover.

The class also include SourceWork – guided somatic meditations for deepening awareness and discovering new movement possibilities – as well as embodied writing and drawing practice.

This class is perfect for those who are seeking to deepen their creativity and connect to the body in a way that encourages both profound listening and improvisational ways of living more fully in the body. It is also appropriate for therapists and coaches who wish to bring a more embodied consciousness to their practice.

Series of four classes Wednesday evenings at my studio in Sharon, CT, 

July 11, 18, 25, August 1, from 6:30-8 pm

Class size limited to 6, so register NOW.

To register, please email HERE.

or sign up here. (Directions provided upon sign up)

Movement Class

Jun16

aim for the chopping block

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There is another way of saying this.  Aim for the chopping block.  If you aim for the wood, you will have nothing.  Aim past the wood, aim through the wood; aim for the chopping block.

Annie Dillard, The Writer’s Life

 

What is this chopping block?

Is it love?

Yes it is.

Is it patience, kindness?

Yes it is.

is it the willingness to begin again

when you have been unkind, impatient?

Yes it is.

Is it the desire to make something

beautiful of your life?

Yes, it is.

Yes, it is.

 

Jun15

act now

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Amado, the Mustang being trained by Summer Brennan at  Little Brook Farm in Old Chatham, NY.

Amado is one of the lucky Mustangs who was not shipped to Mexico or Canada for a brutal and inhumane slaughter. 

 There is a new urgency to the horse slaughter issue.  Please read this and make the calls to your representative.  And please share this with friends and through your social media.  Thank you!

Dear Humanitarian,

The House Appropriations Committee is poised to decide whether or not to block and unnecessary expansion of the federal government, save taxpayer dollars and – or particular interest to humanitarians – protect horses from being cruelly slaughtered for human consumption.  As soon as next week, the House Appropriations Committee may consider the Fy13 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  Last year the Committee approved an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jim Moran (D -VA) that prevented tax dollars from being used to fund inspections of horse slaughter facilities.  This bipartisan language had been included in every Agriculture Appropriations bill since 2005, until three legislators quietly removed it behind closed doors late last year.  Without this important provision, foreign-owed companies will be able to re-establish horse slaughter in the United States at the expense of taxpayers, food safety and the welfare of horses.  In fact, representatives of such companies are already making rounds in the Midwest looking for a plant location.

At a time when Congress is dramatically cutting back federal spending and eliminating federal programs, it is disappointing that some in Congress want to revive an unpopular taxpayer-subsidized program that existed solely to support foreign-owned slaughter facilities that inflict tremendous suffering on American horses.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
The full House Appropriations Committee will vote on the FY13 Agriculture Appropriations bill soon. An amendment will be offered by Rep. Moran to restore language prohibiting the USDA from spending your tax dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities. This language de-funding USDA inspections of horse slaughter facilities is vital to protecting American horses.  The majority of the Committee supported this amendment last year. If your legislator is on the House Appropriations Committee (see list below), it is critical that you email or call TODAY and urge them to strongly SUPPORT the Moran amendment to de-fund horse slaughter inspections.
You can contact the main Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the office of your legislator, or use AWI’s Compassion Index to quickly send an email, locate the direct office number, and view your legislator’s voting record on the issue. The majority of legislators have supported previous efforts to end horse slaughter. Your Representative has been among the ban’s supporters, so be sure to mention that when you call and urge continued strong opposition to any effort to restore horse slaughter.
For more information on horse slaughter and other important issues, please visit Slaughter | Animal Welfare Institute.  Please share this eAlert and ask friends, family, and coworkers to do the same. Be sure to post it on Facebook and share it on Twitter.  As always, thank you for your continued and critical support on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Chris Heyde
Deputy Director
Government and Legal Affairs