Georgia O'Keeffe Country

More pictures of Georgia O'Keeffe country...

Black and White Beauty, Black and White Mood

I recently took a client to White Sands, NM. This is one of my favorite places in NM.
It's simply a pure marvel and the largest desert of gypsum in the world.
Eun Joo is from South Korea and visiting this site was a long time dream of hers. She was about 10 years old when she saw pictures of White Sands for the very first time. Since then, she has held on to her dream and has always believed that she, one day, would visit it. She did everything she could to make her dream come true, and this day had come!

I was so happy to help

her make it true. She was such an inspiration for me!
No matter how big or far your dream seems to be, go for it!
Along with this stunning White desert we also went to the Valley of Fire...Another

amazing site...And that's this week's article: Black and white beauty, Black and White mood...Read the article to understand what I mean.
As soon as we arrived in the White Sands area, the excitement began...
The magnificent beauty immediately uplifted our spirits. When I looked around, everyone was in a blissful mood, playing with the glistening sands, talking and sharing each o

ther's feelings.

Even though the plants are ra

re, as it is a desert, they look glorious. Especially at dusk and dawn, the color gradient is so delicate; I felt like I was immersed in a world of grace and nothing seemed to be able to take away this cheerful mood. White Sand's unique formations are the result of water's work. A million years ago heavy rains poured on the mountain made of gypsum and literally dissolved

it. This gypsum run off created Lake Lucero. The wind continued to break the lake down until it would become a fine sea of gypsum particles, which finally evolved into the smooth round dunes ever moving and creating these amazing sands patterns.

Valley of Fire, as its name indicates is the result of fire's work. The lava formed this dark site, it's flow would run up to 44 miles south from this little peak. A m

illion years after this event, the soil has become a 'paradise' for the plants and offers a very fertile ground for them to thrive.



Surprisingly they found their way into crevasses and lava cracks. Given the amount of lava still visible I was very surprised to see the diversity and quantity of plant species.


Valley of fire is a beautiful site, but I couldn't help but notice that all this black color certainly brought a different mood than White Sands. W e arrived with an uplifted and positive mind. After being around this surreal landscape and dark colors for a while, I realized that sadness and quietness were the emotions and state of mind that took over our mood.

This confirmed the importance of our environment, and how nature influences us. If you don't like the environment, you are living in, be sure to take some time to think on how you can change it. Add some lighter or brighter colors to your world, or simply colors you like. Add some plants. Give smiles to others, as you will receive them back!
This week I challenge you to be creative and make a pos

itive and lasting change in your life, your environment, maybe by changing a habit, maybe by changing some décor... Do something that make YOU feel good! And please let me know how it changes your everyday life:

The power of the Stone

I have been blessed to come to Sedona again, a sacred place; not just because of it's beauty, powerful rocks, the earth's energy and famous vortex; but also because of the wonderful people who live there or visit.
A couple of weeks ago, I helped my friend Lilou to interview a few of them.
A true journey of the heart, from the heart, in the heart of the Southwest!
Speaking about energy and rocks, I'd like to introduce to you a new teachings' series: the properties and power of gemstones.

Last year I told you about the Animal totems, how to use them and what they are teaching us. This year, I'll share with you in this newsletter the power and energies the stones, crystals and gems can give us. This is called: Lithotherapy.

The very first stone of this series is the Beautiful Turquoise.
It is a very typical stone of the Southwest. It was mined here, traded, and made into amazing jewelry.

I love this stone for its color and properties.

Navajo Turquoise, is a mixture of the turquoise stone and sard which forms the beautiful lines you see in the stones.

The combination of turquoise and sard, give you the love and connection energies from turquoise mixed with the attachments to family, home, and your roots which come from the sard. It is to help you stay in a place of love and connectedness with others so you can feel at "home" no matter where you are.

One of the main compounds of the turquoise stone is copper which gives it that amazing blue and green color. Turquoise itself is also wonderful for drawing out negative vibrations from a person. Placed by the feet, worn in a sock or shoe, turquoise draws the negativity out of the person and as it dissipates, allows the negativity to go back into the ground.
This beautiful stone can also be helpful in uplifting, bonding with your spiritual nature, and opening us up to giving and receiving.
One of the main compounds of the turquoise stone is copper which gives it that amazing blue and green color. Turquoise itself is also wonderful for drawing out negative vibrations from a person. Placed by the feet, worn in a sock or shoe, turquoise draws the negativity out of the person and as it dissipates, allows the negativity to go back into the ground.

About.com Holistic Healing
Spiritual and Healing Properties of Turquoise

The pure joy of one of the most beautiful world's wonders: White Sands

White Sands is the largest desert of gypsum in the world, but above all it is one of the world's great wonders! All this white gives you a sense of pure joy, euphoria (a mental and emotional state defined as a profound sense of well being).

This is such a fascinating area, it seems that everyone entering this amazing place, leave any sadness at the entrance. Just like the snow often bring excitement, white sands give you joy and excitement, without the cold. You can play for hours in this immense 'sandbox' until sunset....then it turn itself as such a beauty, you'll be in awe! What was blue and white so far turn multicolored, with pink, orange, red colors, it is simply fascinating to watch and hard to turn away from it.

Early morning and late afternoon are definitely the best time to witness this pure beauty and immerse yourself into this inspiring desert. The shadows of the dunes gives you more relief.

If you go with your kids, (or just want to retrieve your inner child...) bring or purchase a luge (a small one- or two-person sled) and enjoy the play area...

Chaco Canyon, a sacred place!

We went to Chaco Canyon, in June, our visit was extraordinary. First because the site is exceptional! It is a sacred place. I think anybody can feel the energy which is there, but also the connection with the ancient and their wisdom. And then because we accomplish few things we didn't know it was possible!

For some it was getting up at 5:30AM to witness the beauty of the sunrise and experience the peace of this moment, and enjoying it!

For others it was climbing vertical rocks to go from the bottom of the canyon to the top of the Mesa, which was widely rewarded with stunning views and encounter!

For some it was hiking under very hot temperatures, and with no shade whatsoever.

Whatever the challenge was Chaco Canyon is an experience by itself, that continues long after you left the canyon (yes it's that powerful).

Chaco was also a center of cosmology, and a place of ceremonies, if you take the time to 'sink' into this sacred place, the place will 'sink' into you...

Watch the video and let me know how it makes you feel? Can you see the animals "hiding" in the rocks? What inspired you the most?

The Gila Wilderness

Pristine mountains, forest, rangeland and protected desert; this is the Gila National Forest.

This area is fascinating for its changing landscape; you pass through steep mountains and luscious forests of Spruce, Douglas fir, Aspens, Oaks and Cactus. And suddenly you are in a rich plain where pronghorn are grazing. The hot Springs are extremely pleasant and so welcome after a long day of hiking and discovery!

Gila was the first US wilderness area, established in 1924.

The Gila Mountains and forest were home to the Chiricahua Apache people. Legendary leader Geronimo was born in the 1820's by the Gila River, and with other Apache leaders, the Chiricahua Apaches joined forces to drive all intruders out of their lands.

Gila forest is also well known for the Cliff dwellings built by the Mogollon people during the 13th century (see did you know?)

Mogollon people were hunters and farmers. Many rooms of the cliff dwellings were used for food storage, and are found at the deeper end of the cliff dwellings.

Gila National Forest, is a paradise for horseback riding, with its thousands of unspoiled mountains and forest. And I strongly suggest that you experience it from an Apache perspective, with a Native American guide extensively experienced in horseback riding and backpacking expeditions.

If you want to visit off the beaten path and be surrounded by stunning landscapes, history, and have an opportunity to learn about Native American culture, come to this beautiful area. Gila National Forest is located in the Southwest of New Mexico, and is one of the wonders of this "land of enchantment!"

Relax in Santa Fe!

After a beautiful day hiking, or experiencing the City different; wonderful spa, fabulous massage and facial, hot springs, where you will rejuvenate. You need to treat yourself like you deserve it!

Buffalo - A symbol of abundance and manifestation.

Such a wonderful day today, cold and snow on the ground, blue sky, great client, and the buffalo came really close from us again. I called it the sacred tour, and indeed it was!
A symbol of abundance and manifestation.
The buffalo reminds us to give thanks for what we have, to respect all life forms and to honor the integrity of our own divine essence. It is a symbol of equality, sacrifice and service and can show us how to live in a state of understanding, acceptance and joy.
Buffalo is a powerful medicine to have and serves as a stepping stone towards healing our imperfections and reconnection with mother earth and father sky.
Photos
Buffalo are really curious, and just as I thought, after spotting one, I stopped the car, went out, and here they are coming. It is very impressive to see them so close, they look so powerful and so nice, their small eyes reflect so much kindness

Tribute to the ancient...

Tribute to the ancient: http://bit.ly/dPTLA
Discover the culture of the ancient & their great knowledge and wisdom.
Join me for 3 days in the Anasazi culture in Chaco Canyon, Bitsi Badland, Aztec ruins and Mesa Verde



Chaco Canyon is a major center of ancestral Puebloan culture. When visiting Chaco Canyon you are facing a major culture, knowledge and wisdom. Structured have been oriented to sola lunar and cardinal directions. Which reveal the level of high knowledge and culture of its inhabitants.
Kivas are serene place probably dedicate mostly to ceremonies.
Rediscover your inner wisdom through the Indian wisdom.

Bandelier National Monument

Here's another beautiful inspiring site to come visit in Santa Fe. Bandelier is a prehistoric site, origninaly created by a major Volcano, la Calderas, which is responsible for the majority of New Mexico Shape & Landscape. But mainly Bandelier is a major site about the Anasazi Indian, ancestors of Indian Pueblo.
Very inspiring, by it's landscape as well as by it's history.