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I have three vision boards on my wall, one of which focuses on lifestyle desires I have. There are images of aqua-blue lap pools, vineyards and women in varying degrees of joy. There are also a few pictures of women assuming yoga postures, like the one above.
Yoga has always been on my list of things I should do. I like the way yoginis carry themselves. They have beautiful posture and long, slim torsos. There’s an assuredness that seems to emanate from people who have formed the union of body and soul that I want to have. So I cut out this image that called to me and have been staring at it for a number of years now. I’ve dabbled in classes at Symmetry Yoga and The Edge, but didn’t really commit. More recently, I’ve been doing a 15-minute A.M. practice to a Rodney Yee DVD. I’m feeling the benefits and noticing that my body wants to do it, even though unrolling a cold yoga mat at 6A.M. isn’t always the most inviting activity on my list.
A funny thing happened, as it does with vision boards. I’ve been seeing a new shiatsu practitioner since my beloved Pauline Sasaki became ill and passed away. David Sergel–his tag line is People Follow Earth, which I love–has become my healer. He noticed a particular tightness in my back and suggested I do a specific yoga posture, the plow. “What’s that?” I asked.
“Here, I’ll show you.” See photo below. I’ve now added this posture to my morning practice. Have you noticed me standing any taller yet?
Portrait of Pauline by Kate Eisemann
How shocking to receive the news of a dear friend’s death on the screen of one’s BlackBerry, but that’s what happened this afternoon as I was retrieving messages after a haircut. I knew Pauline had been ill and had recently spoken to her sister Lucie. But I thought that trying new treatments was an optimistic move and that there was still hope. The message explained how shocked they all were at the suddenness of her death, so I was not alone.
I had been planning to write a letter to Pauline for her to read as she was going through her treatments. I wanted to let her know how much she had meant to me over the years. I’ll share some of it to let you know what an extraordinary woman Pauline was, but also to encourage you (and, note to self here) not to wait until it’s too late to share gratitude and love.
I started seeing Pauline for shiatsu treatments over 20 years ago when I was in tremendous physical pain and nothing else seemed to be working. She came highly recommended and I soon began to see improvements after experiencing her touch.
“At my second or third session I had overbooked my day and asked you if you could do the session in a compressed amount of time. Of course, this was way before I knew what an influence you would come to have on me. You simply and politely informed me that you did not vary your treatments, and I would need to schedule accordingly. I never asked for that special consideration again and began to be more mindful in my own planning behavior.
“When I first came to you I was in intolerable pain. Those early sessions were excruciating because you were working to get energy to flow in meridians that were blocked by years of stress, poor nutrition, willfulness and lack of self-care. Slowly, deliberately and with your special skill and sensitivity, you released the blockages and restored me not only to full health, but to a better state of being than I had ever experienced.”
Pauline and I became friends over the years. The last half dozen or so we would enjoy an annual December dinner together at a restaurant. Pauline gave her long-time clients a complimentary session as a gift each holiday season. For years I’d give her a piece of my handmade jewelry, but once I let go of my art form, I began to take her out for an annual celebration instead. I loved being in her company and received more than I gave.
I cherished each appointment I ever had with Pauline. When I would pull into her driveway I could feel my body relax and begin the process of her healing. It was an hour I knew I’d be fully taken care of, and I was.
I love Pauline. Always will. It’s a huge loss for all of us.
I’ve had the good fortune to be in the capable hands of Pauline Sasaki for over 20 years. She is a healing practitioner. Initially I went to her for shiatsu treatments for my aching back. Her technique has grown and changed over the decades we’ve been working together. I don’t even pretend to understand the modalities she brings into our sessions. What I do know is that I feel terrific.
Pauline and I have established our own special ritual for our December session. (I see her once a month for maintenance.) I have my 5pm healing appointment, then we go out for dinner and catch up eyeball-to-eyeball on the past year. Our date was last night, and I am filled with the magic of being in the presence of Pauline’s wisdom.
We were reflecting on the world situation and what’s happening on an energetic level. Our conversation encompassed everything from politics, to Oprah to technology. Pauline has a galactic view, a planetary outlook on what our species is evolving to. She said at this point we are at choice–”Either jump into the spaceship or live in the museum.”
Every Thanksgiving Friday I visit my old neighborhood where family friends still live. Mrs. Munder, now nearly 90, is a role model for how I’d like to age. She just renovated her downstairs, but what stayed with me most during our last conversation was when she said, “I want to stay relevant.”
It could be very easy to fall off the map during this whirlwind era we’re living in. What are you doing to board the spaceship?
