Meditation and Yoga Fine Art Shop Design Contact

Carina Chikyo Nickerson

My meditation practice started 12 years ago as part of my search to find inner ease. Since then I have been working closely with Dr. Andrew Shugyo Bonnici in Applied Meditation Therapy and have recently received certification as an Applied Meditation Teacher. I am also a certified yoga teacher through Cloud Nine Yoga School and have been engaging in psychospiritual work with Sasha Papovich for the last 3 years. I have loved leading meditation groups in the Long Beach area for patients of Dr. Aleksandra Wirga, and look forward to expanding my schedule to include more groups and yoga classes.

I am currently available for private and group work in Applied Meditation Therapy and yoga. Please contact me via email for more information.

I've loved making things for as long as I can remember. When I was little I loved knitting with my Nana and making holiday trees with old Reader's Digest magazines.

When I was pregnant with my son I decided to take an online art and writing class. Through it I uncovered a way of painting that aligned my inner world with a richly layered painting process. I fell in love with color and bought a sewing machine so I could work with beautiful fabrics I couldn't find in stores. I began painting with magenta and turquoise. I took to making my own bread. And I found a refuge in making art; what I like to call domestic bliss; after I put my kids to bed.

My practice and my art are linked profoundly, delicately, and sincerely. I owe my meditation practice for opening my heart to the richness and depth of my own life and the longing to express it.

May you find real soul nourishment on these pages. Love to you all....Carina

Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Call to Pray....Taking Refuge in Unconditional Love

As a child growing up in a household that was inconsistent, unstable, and confusing prayer was one of my true refuges.  I can remember going to church with my grandparents and kneeling on the pew praying to god to HELP ME.  It always worked.  Somehow I would be relieved of the weight of my pain.

God for me was always this supportive and wise energy that I could surrender to.  Now when I take refuge in prayer, I often turn to the archetypal energy of the divine mother.  I have her image on my alter and when I sit, I sit in her arms.

For those of us who have experienced trauma, to just simply be with the painful feelings without a sense of support can be re-traumatizing.  It is necessary to experience the pain of trauma WITH the support of unconditional loving presence.  Having our experience held in this way is what serves in healing.  The support of others who can REALLY hear us and hold space for the difficulty we are experiencing WHILE we are experiencing pain.

What supports you?  Is there a person, archetype, or animal who you feel loves you unconditionally?  In your daily practice, experiment with inviting this supportive presence in with you as you are experiencing something difficult.  Allow yourself to be held and heard.  Seek support from those who you feel can support you (therapist, friend, partner, etc).  Relational wounds often need to be healed in RELATIONSHIP.  How can you let in unconditional love?







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