BEAR MEDICINE by Krista Katrovas

This poem came on a day I was hibernating…

For me, withdrawing into hibernation is a special time of introspection and self-realization. We all need it, as givers in the world: time for self love, to recharge, so that we may continue to do what we do best. So that we may continue to fully give, and fully receive, by keeping in harmony the dance between the two.

Bear Medicine

by Krista Katrovas

I go deep into my cave,

recharge my soul,

so that I may continue to give.

I am a giver,

love to share energy,

to serve the under-served,

but there comes a time

when I must retreat,

before I run

on empty.

When I find that my breath

has landed around my chest,

near my ears,

rather than in my belly

like a relaxed baby

asleep in a crib,

this is when

I crawl deeply within,

inside my cave.

I don’t change out of my pajamas.

I read inspirational books,

passages that inspire,

poems,

and I create poems, too,

since creativity is the presence

of the spiritual

guiding my path.

I meditate,

snuggle with the dog,

with the cats nearby

on the other side of the bed.

I light a candle,

stare at the flame,

watch its selfless dance.

I soak in a long hot bath

where I wash away

all that does not

serve my highest self.

When I resurface from my den,

from my private, “Red Tent,”

I begin singing again,

giving again, serving again,

loving every aspect of my being

in the world,

for myself,

for others,

for such giving is not easy

without my

Bear Medicine.

Artwork by Jackie Morris

Krista Katrovas (E-RYT) has dedicated herself to the practice, study and teaching of yoga since discovering it in 1999 after dancing rigorously as a dance major in college. Krista has had scores of articles on Yoga, Wellness, and Spirituality published in nationally regulated magazines. She has a regular column at Elephant Journal here. She has taught Yoga in Prague every July since 2009 and has been sought to teach in Kuwait, Canada, Virginia, California, Kentucky, and Florida. She calls Kalamazoo, Michigan home, where she teaches Yoga, Meditation, offers Spiritual guidance, and practices Shamanism. She has cats, though also loves dogs, all animals. Her power animal is the Snowy Owl. Visit her yoga website here.

~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~

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