Regenerative Storytelling: Help Sustain Barichara’s Living Narrative
By April Bartlett
I’ve published my first article on the Design School which will be shared on other platforms. I’m really thrilled to be a part of such an incredible movement and wanted to share these words with you here. I’ve embedded the first short film for you to get a taste of what we’re sharing with the world.
In the highlands of Colombia, nestled in the Andes Mountains above the Río Suárez, the town of Barichara pulses with an ancient rhythm—one rooted in the quiet resilience of its people. Here, a regenerative transformation is taking shape, not only on the land, but in the hearts and lives of those who have chosen to live in service to life itself. At the center of this movement is a collaborative storytelling initiative called Historias Regenerativas—Stories That Regenerate.
In February of this year (2025), I attended Design School Immersion where I got to see first hand the land and people being transformed. I didn’t come to Barichara expecting to stay.
But something happened during that February immersion that I still don’t fully have words for. I arrived carrying questions about how to be of service in a world unraveling at the seams. What I found were people quietly stitching something back together—thread by thread, story by story.
I remember standing in the Orígen del Agua, tracing the lines of erosion with my eyes, listening to Jessica Lisiewski speak about the land's recovery, and feeling a pull—of inspiration and responsibility. This was so much more than a landscape being healed. It was a culture, a community, a worldview being reclaimed- alchemy to say the least.
I’ve spent years walking with questions about how stories can serve life. In Barichara, I saw the answer: when stories are told with care, they become medicine. Not just for those who hear them—but for those who live them.
That’s when I knew I wanted to go deeper. So I stayed. I joined the team to document regeneration– to participate in it. To learn and live it. To help hold space for voices rising like seedlings through the cracks of a broken system, full of beauty and quiet strength.
Historias Regenerativas was born from this need to support the local regenerative initiatives within the community and bring light to a model that is scalable worldwide. On our team we have a brilliant social communicator and writer, María Cecilia Restrepo, who dedicates her time to Syntropic Agriculture and the Fundación Barichara Regenerativa, a territorial foundation weaving together environmental, educational, economic, and cultural regeneration.
The stories that emerged from this territory were too powerful to remain unseen. To answer this call, Restrepo joined with Embodic Films, a creative team devoted to crafting audiovisual content that reflects the soul of Barichara. This partnership gave rise to Historias Regenerativas, a storytelling initiative focused on documenting the lived experiences of local regenerative leaders—farmers, teachers, families, and children—through film, photography, and narrative.
From the very beginning, the team was clear: the camera is not the protagonist. It is simply a tool—one that listens, witnesses, and amplifies. Historias Regenerativas is not a foundation, nor a formal collective. It is not a structure of shared governance or decision-making. Rather, it is a bridge. A lens through which the broader world can see, feel, and connect to the work already unfolding in Barichara through the hands of its people and visionaries like Joe Brewer and Penny Heiple.
The stories shared through Historias Regenerativas reflect the essence of regenerative culture. They speak of the Orígen del Agua, a once-eroded landscape reclaimed through community crowdfunding, now used to teach ecological restoration to people of all ages. They shine light on Bioparque Móncora, where families reforest and renew their relationship with food, soil, and the Earth. And, they echo through Sueños del Bosque, a regenerative school that teaches children the art of regeneration. Each video created will eventually be added to a content library with a geospatial map allowing the community at large to learn and grow with us.
Each audiovisual piece—whether a short film, a social media reel, or an educational video—offers a window into a community rising from the ground up. These stories are being used locally to build connection and momentum, while also traveling globally to invite support, funding, and recognition for the work being done while also standing as a living example for others.
Initial donor support has enabled the team to work for three months, producing content and engaging in community outreach. Now, the team is seeking to raise $25,000 to sustain its work through the rest of the year—supporting not only content creation but the regenerative efforts themselves. This cultural commons. A living archive of knowledge, love, and restoration- where every dollar goes into action.
To support this project is to believe in the power of story to transform how we see the Earth—and our place in it. In Barichara, storytelling is more than documentation. It is regeneration.
You can support the effort by donating to the Barichara Regenerative Education Fund.
If you are moved to make a donation, drop a note with your donation that you would like the funding to go to Historia Regenerativa to ensure it gets allocated to supporting this initiative.
Backpacking to Spread the Magic 5.6.25
This experience has been incredibly supportive for the growth and healing of my soul, mind, body, being.
Right now, I live on land Penny, a founder of the Design School, purchased to be part of the educational environment and literal ecosystem they are cultivating here. It used to be a preschool-many of the local movers and shakers had their children here so it holds sentimental value to the community. It sat abandoned for a couple years before funding came through, so it's a bit overgrown, but full of potential.
I live here with Nina (lead teacher of Suenos del Bosque- Waldorf School within the ecosystem), her partner Anthony (an incredible musician & chef) , and their 4 year-old Enna. We all arrived here together after the immersion at the beginning of March. We're slowly using the invasive plants to rebuild the soil making the much more functional. Eventually, all of our little sprouts will be planted directly into the prunings and other matter we're layering onto the garden areas. Here the soil is generally really poor, damaged by logging and bad farming practices- so we plant right into the composting leaf litter. The land is mostly clay, deeply eroded, and the plants are crucial to hold the soil in place.
Colonization is so visible here in Barichara. Everywhere really but it's preserved like a story book here. Nothing flashy to distract you from it like there is in the U.S.
The churches were built directly over sacred springs blocking access from everyone and everything. When you own the water, you own the people. I highly recommend a documentary called "Blue Gold: World Water Wars".
The conquistadors forced or paid people to log the delicate ecosystems to build out the infrastructures that still define the area including the farms. From my understanding, only those working for the new government (the church) had any kind of life. Without bowing, there was no access to water or land. The irony…They're still growing the same "products" they were forced to grow for the new government-coffee, tobacco, cows, and potatoes. The same "products" they watched pillage the free lifestyles and abundance of food they had not long ago.
I’ve got to mention the rains! Barichara was once a cloud forest. Without the trees here to form clounds, Barichara has a very long 7 months of summer and when it finally rains, these barren clay mounds of the Andes transform into milky rivers that don't soak into the ground. The water just slides down to the bottom where it meets a very large and highly contaminated river due to the cities above pouring raw sewage and industrial waste into it. Once the clouds pass- and they pass quickly- everything is just as dry as before.
We're working to change that and be a model for others.
Right behind one of the main churches is BioParque Moncora, where the community is restoring the land and digging recharging wells to help the water to sink into the Earth. The sytropic agro-forest there is looking good! People come to the park daily. Some as part of their routine and others to learn the various ways to successfully reforest. Five pieces of land are currently coordinating to form a green corridor. A safe haven for all beings. These lands are part of the larger educational reforesting and water restoration program- a program for all people- all ages. We're working on bringing five more land masses into the corridor (Tierra Sagrada) as it would span a natural waterway. One we hope to bring back to life. The last of the howler monkeys in the region live on one of the plots we hope to raise money for.
Each of these sites is rare and ecologically significant on a global scale, influencing cloud formation- or the lack of it.
Check it out, this region- the biotic pump or heart of the planet -is the origin of water on Earth.
Water vapours from forest leaves, form clouds that are carried by trade winds- bringing rain to distant lands. The planet as an organism with a heart and flow of life force. And it holds each of us... A beautiful connection to all that is.
In the same vein... I'm working with a gentleman, Ricardo, whose family is from Mogotès. His uncle was a successful archeologist/anthropologist. Ricardo is picking up the research and using it to help preserve the waters and forestry of Mogotès. I'm currently supporting with a write up of the project for a round of crowdfunding that will kick off a community living laboratory- where each member of the community can add water sampling, water sources, cave paintings, activities occurring along waterways, etc. The data collected through this initiative could be used to restore damaged waterways, preserve those intact, protect the migration patterns that sustain the forestry there, give voices to the ancestors, reawaken the Gaune people, and thus restore and or preserve an ecosystem.
Alongside this work, I just finished writing my first film script- a simple introductory video for the Historia Regenerativa communications team. We'll really celebrate if it gets used.
The group formed a few weeks ago and is creating short films that uplift voices of changemakers transformed by the work of their own hands. We're weaving their stories across the network to show how the model functions as a living symbiotic system in nature.
With these living and relatable stories we hope to inform, fundraise, and energize the broader bioregional movement-800 people strong in the Design School alone. Many of them in the U.S. (thank goodness- those are the people that will hold that continent together... watch...)
On a more personal note, In July, I’m launching into a long-awaited backpacking journey—starting in the Brazilian Amazon. I’m hoping to meet with Indigenous leaders training a group of Warriors to protect the forest. I want to support them however I can. After that, I have a dream list of magical, sacred sites I’ve been visioning with a friend from Argentina for SIX years. Timing and resources finally aligned, and we’re going for it!
If all unfolds as envisioned, I’ll end the journey in the Sierra Nevada above Santa Marta. I met a woman, KelseyFaith, during the 7-day immersion who works closely with the Arhuaco people-Sun Nation. They’ve invited me to help with administrative support, geospatial mapping of sacred sites, event organizing, and fundraising. They’re identifying stolen lands and envisioning a return—not through force, but through an offering: new fertile land for the campesinos in exchange for the degraded sacred ground. It’s one of the most generous, heart-led strategies for LandBack I’ve ever encountered. I want to help however I can. The offer to trade them the new fertile land for their original land that is now degraded because they know this land is so vital to the rainfall across the planet.
My first big push is to raise enough funds to hire a local expert working in the LandBack Laws. "The main land restitution law in Colombia, known as the Victims and Land Restitution Law (Law 1448), was put into place on June 10, 2011. The law, signed by President Juan Manuel Santos, became effective in January 2012. This law provides a framework for the restitution of land to victims of forced displacement and dispossession during the armed conflict." (https://www.amnesty.org/ar/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/amr230182012en.pdf)
The indigenous should not have to buy them land to re-home the Campesinos. I'd like to see a little pressure put on local authorities to support the efforts. The irony here is that the mayor of Colombia bought land next to the Arhuaco village where he has armed guards and is clearcutting. So, yes, they are asking for help. Only two weeks ago this was a preserved and peaceful area.
That said… I’ve only received $1,000 in personal funding over the past last month and another $1000 to help this month, and well my savings are... wilting. Backpacking is partly a cost-cutting measure and partly a soul-restoring adventure. If I’m going to spend more than I make, I might as well take a spiritual sabbatical along the way. I plan to keep writing, supporting projects remotely, and planting seeds wherever I land—preferably riverside with coffee in hand. Or when I hop into town for a shower, safe place to rest, and stable internet connection.
I'll likely be nomadic like this for a while as I continue to find passion projects to midwife. Oh! Also—I’m selling my Prius. It’s a 2015, super clean, only 65k miles, second owner. Just sitting in a driveway costing me $600/month, so I had a friend slap a “for sale” sign on it. I'm the second owner.
Let me know if you or someone you know is in the market. (I’m laughing but not joking…)
Yes, if you did the math, that's nearly my monthly income. That’s just only one my bills. So yeah... that's also part of the experience.
Anyway, that’s the kaleidoscope of my current reality. A little wild, a little broke, and totally in love with what I get to be part of.
And, please, if you can send support or know someone that can, donations made directly to me literally go towards keeping my bills paid and very basic food needs while I help others make big positive changes in the world. You can also donate to the above individual causes. Or make larger donations to support my work and the work of others through the BioRegionalEarth.org If you donate through the BioRegional Earth to support me or a specific project, PLEASE make a note as to what you want it allocated to.
Until next time my friends,
From my heart to yours <3
April Bartlett
https://www.youtube.com/@4life.AprilBartlett
paypal.me/AprilBartlett648Zelle: 479.595.9050 or 4life.AprilBartlett@gmail.com
Venmo: @April4B
Astrological Poetry 4.23.25
Still, like dawn, we rise—
Aries blazing across the 9th and 10th Houses
Eyes ahead- will power and drive
Fire in the thighs, flash in the mind.
Mercury races a high‑road house, thoughts like flint on stone sparking, while Neptune drapes them in mystery and doubt.
Listen: beneath the swirl, intuition whispers true. Saturn’s steady hand clasps, carving foot‑prints you can trust.
Chiron’s embers glow in your public sky—old ache of failure, fears, and judgment. Feel it. Face it. And, let Aries’ rhythms help you rise.
Taurus joins the 10th House
Neck tall, throat clear, shoulders squared: the Bull lends iron calm to the Ram’s fiery force. Uranus cracks the earth—new methods burst through old ruts, electricity in the ankles, change quickening in the blood.
Moon in Pisces, deep in the 8th
Feet bathe in cosmic tide; lymph remembering every eb and flow of time. Emotions swell, thick with birth‑and‑death. Guard your porous heart: ground, breathe, choose safe harbors for the salty secrets that surface.
Jupiter in Gemini, wide‑eyed in the 11th
Words wing out like swallows, networks braid curiosity into currency.
Expansion living in the liver, fortune in the left arm’s reach. Trade ideas, trade hopes, and if clouds of doubt gather, summon Aries’ courage.
If overwhelm floods, anchor in Taurian patience.
If empathy blurs your edges, Pisces asks for stronger roots.
And when opportunity knocks in quicksilver tones, Gemini smiles—open the gate.
Rise steady, rise sure; the heavens trace your silhouette, and the Universe echoes reminding you: you are the pulse of necessary things.
Back In Colombia
A Letter from the Soul 4.21.25
My sweet community,
I have returned to Barichara—a town that whispers ancient wisdom through the cobbled streets, where the hills hum with memory and possibility. I’m here, again, to deepen into this soil and the spirit of the mission calling us all forward.
Since arriving, I’ve sat in circles with wise hearts and bright minds. I’ve listened, learned, and leaned into what’s blooming—and what’s being asked of us as we grow. The educational landscape here is shifting. Change—like a river swollen with rain—demands new pathways. Some of these shifts come from abundance, some from scarcity. And yet, the river flows.
What I witness here, daily, is nothing short of a miracle wrapped in real life. A circle of committed souls, each carrying a piece of the vision. No, it is not perfect. People disagree. We stumble. We grieve what doesn’t work. We stretch into patience. But still—we return to the table. With grace. With grit. With reverence for each other and the living land we serve.
Yet my heart aches.
Back in the U.S., shadows are lengthening. Decisions from on high feel like echoes of the Great Depression—fear tightening its grip around the generosity that once flowed freely. For the first time in over a decade of grant writing—after helping secure more than $40 million in funding—I received a “no.” A beautiful, bold proposal written alongside the women of the Food Bank Growers was denied.
And another letter I sent—one full of soul and vision, reaching out for support in the work I am doing here in Colombia—was met with silence.
It would be easy to grow weary. To feel forgotten.
But I was not raised by ease.
I was raised by vision.
I was raised by the knowing that where there is will, there is always a way.
So I stand, still. Open-hearted. Determined.
Thanks to the Bioregional Earth Fund, some support is coming in. But to continue this work—without needing to step away and find online jobs that pull me from the land—I need to raise $2,500 a month to cover my basic living needs.
I say this not in despair—but in devotion.
I believe in the generosity of people.
I believe in the ripple of one kind act,
One shared name,
One opened door.
If you know someone in need of a grant writer—someone who carries a vision but needs help giving it voice—please send them my way. I will honor their dreams like they were my own.
And if you’re feeling the tremble of the world, if the storm back home is shaking your spirit—come. Find refuge with us. Join the Design School for Regenerating Earth, and become part of a global community reclaiming land, healing ecosystems, and building sanctuaries for soul-led people.
We are not alone in this work.
We are the mycelium beneath the soil,
Quiet, vast, connected.
Much love to each of you,
May your heart stay soft and your spirit steady.
—April
Barichara Colombia: Earth Regeneration
Since I was in elementary school, I have felt the call to protect the rainforest.
I remember walking into an exhibit at my school, where plastic animals peeked out from artificial vines, a small attempt to recreate the lushness of a world I had never seen but somehow already understood. Growing up in the wild forests of the Midwest, I felt an unspoken kinship with those distant jungles. Their fate was entwined with my own. Every day, from third to fifth grade, I pressed my lunch money into the Save the Rainforest donation box, believing that my small offering could help shield that vast green world from destruction.
But that little girl grew up watching the forests around her disappear. Roads carved through the trees. Farmland stretched where dense woodlands once stood. And in books and magazines, she read how the Amazon was being torn down— not for survival, but for profit.
And now, here I am.
Standing on this land, my hands in the soil, I see the scars left behind. Barren clay where once a jungle breathed. Wounds in the earth, deep and raw. But unlike the helplessness I once felt as a child, I am not just watching. I am witnessing something else entirely.
I see the insects returning. I hear the rustle of creatures creeping back to what had become a wasteland. I feel the pulse of the land shifting beneath careful, loving hands. The rainforest and its surrounding terrain is not just vanishing—it is also being reborn.
Juan, from the Aquelalto Syntropic Agroforestry Project, told me a story I will never forget. For 21 months, his partner , Claira, has woke up before the sun, their hands tirelessly coaxing life back into the soil. And all this time, from the canopy above, a Colombian Chachalaca watched them work.
One morning, something changed.
From the understory, the Chachalaca or Guacharacas (as it’s known here) emerged—not alone, but with her chicks. She walked right up to Claira, her dark eyes fixed in recognition. It was as if she were saying, “Because of you, I have a safe place to raise my young.”
Monday, I sat on a woven grass mat in Joe and Penny’s backyard- the last tiny slice of jungle in this part of Barichara encircling us. Joe, Felipe, and I spoke of water restoration, of youth education programs, of a new hostel for regenerative learning—visions of what could be with a little effort.
And then, from the shadows, an Guati came bounding forward.
These creatures, so often hidden, so often wary of human presence, do not show themselves unless they feel safe. It paused, watching us, its small nose twitching, as if to say hello.
And today—oh, today.
I was pulling invasive plants from the Totumo landscape, where dry forest clings to the mountainside, when my favorite bird appeared: the Momotus.
With its long, elegant tail and turquoise crown, it swooped down and landed right in front of my face. Its deep, knowing eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, we simply existed together.
I sang softly, the words slipping from my lips:
"Put your roots down, put your feet on the ground, you can hear what she says if you listen…"
The Momotus swayed its tail from side to side, keeping rhythm with me, until I forgot the next line.
Then, tilting its head, it let out a sound I had never heard before—a soft, purring trill, meant just for me.
It was an offering. A thank you. A moment of recognition from the land itself.
The little girl who once emptied her pockets into a donation box is no longer standing outside the rainforest, wishing she could protect it.
She is here. And the jungle is singing back.
If you want to support the work being done here, please give at https://www.bioregionalearth.org/fund/donate
The gifts you give will go directly into action. This foundation also supports the efforts of other bioregional restoration works around the world. If you would like to learn how to become a leader or get involved in a community restoration project in your region sign up to the Design School of Regenerating Earth to connect with other, learn and grow within these much needed practices.
Back In Action
Shaking Off the Dust
After a season of moving and hibernating, I’m finally emerging—shaking off the dust and stepping back into the flow!
Life threw me a curveball with a sudden health crisis, which led to closing my studio. It happened right at the moment when I either needed more space or more practitioners to keep up with the momentum. Looking back, I can’t help but thank the stars for guiding me toward a more grounded existence—one with room to fully embrace all my passions.
With time to rest, my body found its balance again.
Now, I’m working with incredible organizations doing restoration work across the globe, writing grants for local farms, environmental initiatives, social justice, and cultural diversity projects—all while still making space for a few classes each week. Life is good! Even in the chaos, when it feels like navigating stormy waters, somehow, I always seem to wash up somewhere nurturing.
Yoga & Community
I’m still teaching my beloved Port Ludlow class at the Beach Club, where I’ve been since the summer of 2022—and what a journey it’s been! We started at the Totem Pole, moved to the Bridge Deck, and finally found our home in the beautiful Bay Room overlooking the inlet. It’s been a little over two years in this space, and every class feels like a gift. A huge thank you to Tom Humphries for his unwavering support—organizing emails, sending reminders, setting up, cleaning up, and patiently listening to my endless musings. He’s a true friend, and I’m beyond grateful. And to Roni, for her inspiration and guidance—this whole crew is simply wonderful!
Recently, I had the privilege of filling in for Andrea Womack at New Port Academy, a boys’ home for troubled youth. That experience has been deeply enriching and eye-opening. Andrea is an incredible leader in our community. She hosted Hypnotherapy and Sound Healing Sessions at the Astro Yoga Studio when it was operating. Since then, she and I started a Peninsula Women’s Group which she is now spearheading on her own after birthing a gorgeous baby. She’s also started an consulting service! She’s a powerhouse!
I’ve also started collaborating with Gabrielle Gribbin and Anna Mae’s Peninsula Ecstatic Dance hosted EVERY Wednesday now. I have offered a Pre-dance Movement & Embodiment Workshop that begins at 6:30 PM at Bridget’s Loft in Port Townsend. This is a rotating community offering, so stay tuned to our social media to keep up with upcoming events and who’s hosting the next workshop!
And more exciting news—I’m now hosting a Tuesday evening class (5–6 PM) at the Port Townsend Athletic Club! As many of you know, I move with the energy of the people who show up. Whether it’s sculpting, Yin, joint care, digestion support… I tune in to what our bodies need in the moment and what the cosmos is whispering to us as our guiding force behind our movement.
There’s also potential for a class out on Wayne Chimenti’s property on Marrowstone. Wayne is the director of the Community Boat Project and former skipper of the Adventuress. I’ve been working with Anna Pallotta via Global Earth Repair Foundation and Friends Of the Trees which has been an absolute JOY to my heart and soul. Anna suggested that I come teach in the beautiful Dome located on the land and is working to coordinate that for us now. That class is proposed for Sunday evenings 4-5 PM.
A Season of Change
I hope this update finds you well. I know I’ve been quiet for a while, but this seasonal reset was truly significant for me. Thank you for your patience and for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to move with you all again soon.
With gratitude,
April
Passion Is A Project
4/25/24
I've got passion burning in my bones! I have so much that I want to share and so many ideas that I want to explore. But… I can’t do it alone. I, like the rest of us, need community to bring the concepts into reality. I have two current support groups that I feel must happen ASAP…like NOW.
One is the “Wounds To Wisdom Workshop” and Support Group. In this group, I want to tackle the BIG “No Way” topic of suicide, why we don’t talk about, how not talking about it is killing people, and provide tools via our network of practitioners that will be co-host the workshop as well as the community members that have come out of the wood work to share how they’ve managed.
I’m laying out the syllabus for a Practitioners Sharing Circle where we’ll plan out the “Wounds To Wisdom Workshop” and ongoing support. I really want this to happen in the next 30 days.
The other support group is for those that have been drug through court proceedings to get one more chance to see their kid(s), one more weekend, one more summer. The pressure and stress is so real. The shame, the blame, and all that unfair court game. We have narcissistic sociopathic leaders in place that are supporting the acts of abusive partners and parents because these are their norms and they need to keep their story and systems alive. We are changing that story!
I went through it for eight years. I was & am a sober parent with all the love and support for my children. But according to my ex… I was everything I’ve never been. And, unfortunately, I know a handful of other amazing people going through the same process.
I looked for support while I was in the thick of it and didn’t find anything. That’s why it’s really important to me to provide a space for those that are suffering through these proceedings. I felt isolated and ashamed. I want you to know that whatever you feel, I can hold space for it. I can hold space for rage, sorrow, grief, joy, desperation, hope…all of it. I want to be a rock for you to come to. We can stand in solidarity and not even share a single detail of the experience. It is all so relevant.
Other passions that are unfolding:
I just became an Ordained Minister of the Universal Life Church. I made this choice for a number of reasons. I can now hold a safe and sacred space for a broader range of topics and activities including ceremonies. I can also put together a 501(c)3 and establish the healing and learning center that I’ve been dreaming of for 20 years. Having written more that 40+ million in USDA grants, Government Stipends, and other awards, I feel confident in my ability to accomplish this. I do, however, have time restraints and could use help getting the initial paperwork and research out of the way. I hope that this message has found you at the right time and in the right space. I’d love to meet you, hear your heart on these matters, and be a thread in the fabric of the reality we choose to create as dream weavers.
Be well.
With love and gratitude,
April Bartlett
Round One…Game On
4/8/2024
Yesterday was my first ever game night. I’ve never been one to sit around and play games. I did it with my young ones to teach them the basics of working together and following set rules. It was fun because they’re sooOooo cute! As an adult I haven’t had the same level of motivation. However, my kids are grown and LOVE games. They give me a hard time about not being able to play games since I can hardly sit still long enough to watch a movie or play a hand of cards. The truth is that I have always told myself that I have too much to do to play games. I tell myself that I’m busy in the real world creating the reality that I want. Then, I realized that I am simply working away all my relationships and fun time. I’ve been missing out on silly expressions that bring people closer through acts of joy.
When Ramon reached out about having this giant table for the HUB, I was so excited to host special events where a good sized group could all share a table. Upon meeting him he expressed is original intent for the table was to host D&D and the like, but never had the space to do so.
I thought… Why not…Let’s host at The HUB and see how it goes. Before setting a start date, I began calling my friends and family to get the skinny on the subject.
Me: Umm… Hey… so… I’m opening the space up for a gaming night.
My Daughter: Ah.. wait… what?
Me: Yeah! This man gifted The HUB a large table that he always wanted to host D & D or other role play games at. So… I told him that we could host at my place.
My Daughter: This is great… BABE! My mom’s gonna host a game night!!! So… when did you get into gaming?!
Me: Well… I don’t have a start date…
My Daughter: Laughing hysterically… Are you calling because you have no idea what you’re getting into?
Me: TOTALLY… (laughing)… I was hoping that you and your man could give me a 101 Gaming Class.
My Daughter: Oh this is rich! Babe, will you help me explain gaming to my mom?
She puts me on speaker and the class began.
Her Man: (he’s so incredibly kind) Oh sure! Whatcha need to know?
My Daughter and I: EVERYTHING (laughs proceeding)…
They kindly gave me the basic verbiage, time spans that games take, and structure of role-play games.
I also gained some deeper insight on character building which was the real hook for me to be a host. As it was explained to me, people who have social anxieties can create characters that are either shy to give themselves time to open up, or confident characters in order to practice being confident.
The fact that people can use these games to work out suppressed emotions and thoughts, or practice a character trait, is something I can get behind. I also learned that boundaries and rules are set as a group to ensure that all people are respected and protected from being triggered by certain words or actions. Of course, even when everyone is doing their best, someone could potentially be triggered. Emotional memory can be very strange and touchy at times. I’m certified in a form of trauma therapy and happy to hold space and help navigate the situation if it arises.
For me, it was big to hear these aspects as I want this place to feel like a safe place for everyone to enjoy. I want this to be a place of healing and connection. I want this to be a place where we can all come together and have deep heartfelt conversations and enrich our lives with a sense of belonging. I want this to be a place where we kick back in the hammock and on the couch with a cup of tea and giggle at the irony of life. And… I must say… between the Friday night Social Hours and now the Game Nights… I’m starting to see it all coming to fruition.
Healing the Inner Child Meditaion
Healing the Inner Child:
Welcome to this guided meditation for healing the inner child. Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down, and allow yourself to fully relax. Close your eyes gently and take a few deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. With each breath, feel yourself becoming more and more present in this moment.
Now, imagine yourself in a peaceful place, surrounded by nature. It might be a lush forest, a serene beach, or a tranquil garden—whatever feels most comforting to you. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and the gentle breeze brushing against your face.
As you take in the beauty of this place, imagine a younger version of yourself standing before you. This is your inner child, the part of you that holds all the memories, emotions, and experiences from your childhood. Take a moment to greet your inner child with love and compassion.
Now, imagine a soft, golden light surrounding both you and your inner child. This light is filled with unconditional love and healing energy. With each breath, feel this light penetrating every cell of your body, soothing away any pain or hurt stored within.
Visualize your inner child stepping forward, reaching out to you with open arms. Embrace them tightly, letting them know that you are here to protect and nurture them. Feel the connection between your present self and your inner child growing stronger with each passing moment.
Now, take a journey together through your past, revisiting moments of pain or trauma that have caused your inner child to suffer. As you relive these experiences, remind your inner child that they are safe now, that the past cannot hurt them anymore. Hold them close and shower them with love and reassurance.
With each step you take, feel the weight of these old wounds lifting from your shoulders, dissolving into the light. Allow yourself to forgive those who may have hurt you in the past, including yourself. Release any feelings of guilt, shame, or unworthiness that have been holding you back.
As you continue to embrace and heal your inner child, affirm to yourself:
"I am worthy of love and happiness.
I am whole and complete just as I am.
I release all that no longer serves me,
And I embrace my inner child with unconditional love."
Take a few moments to bask in this feeling of wholeness and healing. Feel the love and light filling every corner of your being, restoring you to a state of inner peace and harmony.
When you are ready, slowly begin to bring your awareness back to the present moment. Wiggle your fingers and toes, gently open your eyes, and take one final deep breath.
Know that you can return to this meditation whenever you need to reconnect with your inner child and continue the journey of healing and self-discovery. You are strong, you are resilient, and you are worthy of all the love and happiness the universe has to offer.
Poetry Night
March, Friday 29th, 2024 from 7pm-9pm will be our first Poetry Night at The HUB.
If you’re subscribed to the Newsletter, you know that Venus finds herself nestled in the innovative realm of Aquarius, alongside Neptune and Saturn, all converging in the 5th House. This alignment sets the stage for a journey of romance, creativity, and self-expression, bringing us into the depths of our creative centers.
Neptune in Aquarius, helps us embrace the uninhibited, intuitive energy, allowing your creativity to flow freely as you embark on this journey of self-discovery and expression. All the right star juju for some poetry reading! I’ve not read my poetry aloud in a long time. I’m even a bit nervous! So, I do hope that we have a great turn out and lots of sharing and supporting to keep all of us hopeful romantics inspired.
Kicking Off With Community
It all begins with an idea.
For about 15 years I’ve dreamt of having a space to build community, do Yoga, host workshops, and other classes. When I found this spot, that dream was reawakened within me. I knew it was the right time, and the right place to jump in head first. Each week I find myself amazed by the people I met and the generosity of the community. I can’t wait to get all the permits and permissions from the “authorities” to offer everything I truly have in mind. Of course, that all takes money and time that I don’t have at the moment. I’m believing for it to all come together perfectly.
AstroYoga started because one of my long time students is studying to be a professional astrologer and would come to my Sunday Port Ludlow classes full of excitement about what she just learned. I’ve always been fascinated by astrology and astronomy. In fact, one of my daughters had severe food sensitivities that seemed to change with the moon phases. I then started putting it together that the planetary shifts were impacted certain organs causing disruptions in her already sensitive body.
From there, I learned more about Ayurveda and Yoga which go hand-in-hand with astrology. One day when my student came in excited to share, my class was responding with enthusiasm about the information she brings, I asked if anyone would be interested to see how the planets might be affecting our bodies in these transits. There was a resounding “Yes!” I then began to develop classes that would support our mind, body, spirits, throughout the transitions. And, here we are today with our AstroYoga Studio based in Port Townsend!
If you’re not an astrology fan, it’s okay. Because the sessions aren’t about the astrology. Classes are about the mind, body, and soul being nourished on a deep level. I encourage you to join a class and see how you feel afterwards. Or a few classes since each session is unique and there are other teachers rising up to guide you into your blissful state of being.
Now… The HUB!
I might be more excited about the HUB than the Yoga. Hehe… Don’t get me wrong, I love my Yoga practice. I’m super excited to share what I’ve gained in the 16 years of practicing twice a day. I can’t even begin to tell you all the ways Yoga has kept me grounded, healthy, and developing. With that said, The HUB is bring the most incredible people out of the wood works. And… I don’t know about you, but since COVID, it’s been really hard to get people together for more than a music event. I love music! Let’s have Music Nights! Dinner Parties! Moon Gatherings! Women’s Circles! Men’s Circles! Crafting Events! Let’s gather, learn, and grow together!
Watch for updates on events and classes here, through the Newsletter, & Instagram.
Be well. And, come see me soon!
Remember, Social Hours are Friday’s from 7-9pm.
With Love and Appreciation,
April Bartlett
Namaste
Game Nights
It all begins with an idea.
Starting April 7th we’re hosting Game Nights every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month from 5-7pm!
Game night has been inspired by a fellow community member Ramon who gifted a large table to The Hub. He always wanted to host D & D or other role play games at the table. I had already posted that this was a great place to bring a board game, deck of cards or other games to play during our Friday Social Hours. Therefore, I extended the offer to Ramon who is now our host for a game called Pathfinder the 2E. He’s putting together some ready made characters so that people can jump right in without any experience.
I’ve never been a game person myself. I can hardly sit still for a movie let alone a game. However, I’m happy to learn something new or just hold space for those who love this sort of thing. It really does sound so fun! I’ve already leveled up my gaming knowledge in the last couple weeks while organizing this aspect of The HUB’s new activities.
Whether you’re role play pro, novice, board gamer, or card gamer, I hope you’ll bring it to the HUB from 5pm-8pm every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month.
We have several places to get cozy for your game night experience.
Feel free to bring snacks.
Filtered water & Hot Tea will be available on site.
Please treat the space gently and clean up after yourselves as much as possible as we’re running this operation on kindness & your donations are always appreciated to keep us up and running.
With much love & gratitude,
April Bartlett