Sail Away, Sail Away, Sail Away.....

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."

—J. A. Shedd.

(photo credit Jocelyn Cook)

Ships, a harbor, and being out on the water are essential parts of my life, without question. But I don't own a boat, I am not a member of a yacht club, and I depend on good friends who welcome me on the water, and on their boats. I couldn't exist without the ocean, the sea breeze, and the constant noise of seagulls, buoys, and waves. I literally have gained strength from the sailors who have greeted me and made me feel welcome on their voyages. For me, saying to someone, "Sure, I would love to come sailing with you," is a full-on commitment to the waves, the storms, the wind, and so much else. I fully admit that "Hey, Sailor!" is part of my vocabulary, and I'm not sorry for it.

Recently I had the chance to sail with James Ashton, proprietor of Sail Satori.com (https://www.sailsatori.com/) James is accomplished on the water, as well as in the corporate world. In addition to being a Captain and sailing instructor, James is also a life coach and executive coach/trainer.

 He invited me on the Satori, a Catalina Capri 22, which, in my own opinion, is the bomb. James was so helpful because I'm often unsteady, even on dry land. The ocean is part of my very soul, but I could fall on my face on flat dry pavement, during daylight hours. Seriously, I barely get across my living room some days without kissing the floor; being on a boat, with waves, lines, and the pitching sea, is a whole other kettle of fish. While I love the sound of metal lines against the mast, the clanging halyards, and the scent of the sea, I am, with no argument, a noob. A "plebe" as my mother, a Navy veteran, would say. While I love the sea, I am not a sailor.

(courtesy photo via James Ashton)

Despite all of that, James took me on. Sailing is his bailiwick, and he nails it. He is committed to teaching, to passing on his love of the ocean, its spiritual presence, and the gift of waves and wonder. While he spent a good amount of time in the corporate world of media, marketing, and corporate communications, his love of sailing and open water has been part of his heart for decades. He told me that looking at a Styrofoam boat in a catalog when he was a boy, was his first indication that he wanted to be on the water. He carried around a picture of this basic boat, knowing that he would sail, someday. Eventually, he made it, from Appleton, Wisconsin and Long Island Sound, to Boston and finally Marblehead Harbor.

 When I stepped aboard the S/V Satori, I knew it was going to be quite something. The day was idyllic, with fair winds and following seas, blue skies, and a beautiful boat. What could be better? It's entirely possible I am biased because if I just get to be near an ocean, my day is made, but it was more than that. It was a chance to connect with the sea. James can make it happen, and it's because sailing and being on the water matters to him. There is real science to it as well; multiple studies show that being near an ocean impacts the brain. Negative ions, saltwater, and lots of other stuff combine to make the sea air restorative. Satori is a Japanese Buddhist term for awakening, comprehension, and understanding, so it's a perfect name for what happens on this boat.

 Guests aboard Satori can learn basic sailing terms, how to tack, catch the wind and hoist the jib, but they can also take in a sunset and just be. Plans include workshops in the fall, in conjunction with Creative Spirit, a local center for creativity and personal training that his partner, Peyton Pugmire, owns. Satori has hosted people on silent sails (something I would fail miserably at), and in addition to caring for the boat and her passengers, James is passionate about sustainability. He hopes to work with local yacht clubs and sailors in efforts to keep plastics and other pollutants from impacting the ocean.

There simply are not enough words to describe how healing being on the water is for me, and it was a joy to meet someone who gets that. Sailing is a lot of work, but it's so worth it. As we cruised through the harbor, with the sun going pink as the gloaming hour approached, it was clear that Satori is almost magical. We are so very fortunate to live where it's possible to take to the sea and be held, as Cousteau said, in its "net of wonder."

James can be reached via the website https://www.sailsatori.com. 

Baaaah--maste!

“When we are aligned, everything can flow and life and yoga become effortless”

---Rebecca Hall

Goat yoga? Ya, It’s a Thing.

Ok, if this quote is correct, then sign me up for the chronically misaligned club. OK, who are we kidding, if there is such a thing, I need to be President. There is no way my life would ever be effortless, and, would I even want it to be? Also, if yoga is effortless then why can’t I do it at home, in my sweats, eating pizza and binge watching old episodes of Dynasty on YouTube? OK, that’s an impossible question, so, let’s leave it be.

 

I’ve tried yoga before and really, I swear to Ganesha, I wanted to like it. I do, actually, really like the concept, it’s just my basic Irish temper and twitchiness that keeps me from getting there. Also, the fact that no matter how Zen I become, my right foot is never going to touch my left ear. If G-d wanted me to do that, he’d have made me a German pretzel. However, I have this one very special friend and it was her birthday. She is considerably younger and more flexible than I am (or ever will be) and she’s an animal lover. So, what to plan for the perfect girls’ day out? Goat yoga, of course.

It should be noted, right up front, that I am not a fan of nature or wildlife. Wildlife meaning anything besides a dog or a cat. Rural, to me, is the organic fruit aisle at Market Basket. So of course, a country road, a field of goats, and the prospect of falling on my face during a downward dog had me jumping at the chance to defy the laws of gravity whilst communing with a heard of cloven-hooved farm animals. Oh, pro tip: fainting goats really do faint. It’s scary for yoga girls, but the goats are totally fine with it, so don’t run about shrieking for someone to dial 911.

Once we were all set up on mats and conscious, the yoga instructor started to lead us through some basic instructions. Mostly about the goats. Yoga isn’t that specific; it’s about flexibility, and the moves can be modified based on your ability. Goats, however, are pretty stubborn, in a cute way, and faced with a lawn full of sweaty city slickers in designer sweats, they do what they want. 

They will eat the grass, they will hop on your back and sniff your hair, and oh, all that grass they eat? You’ll see it again, wherever they feel like dropping it.  The farm my friend and I were at has a wonderful staff who are there to help the goats navigate safely, take cute pictures and brush away any small droppings. They are amazing.

So, while the yoga is ongoing, I’m looking at my friend who is really good at this. Not only can she do all the moves, but the goats really liked her! None of the goats wanted a piggy back from me, except that kind of big one, and I’m sorry, he was a little too nosy for me, I mean, come on, buy a girl a drink or something, right? Ha, I kid. And, yes, these goats were just kids too, babies basically, and really very sweet. As it happens, goats are tagged on the right ear if they are girls, and the left if they are boys. Because girls are always right…hey, don’t write angry letters, I’m not the goat queen, I don’t make the rules.

As the class came to an end, there was time to cuddle the goats and get to know them. At least one of them knew me pretty well at that point, but who knows if he’ll call? All jokes aside, it was really the best time I’ve ever had with animals, and like, grass and dirt. Probably because I had a good friend with me. There is literally no one else on the planet I would want with me while attempting to meditate with furry cheese makers. It’s important to get out of your bubble and do something different. Drive to a farm, play with goats, get bendy. I guarantee it’s like nothing you’ve ever done…well, most of you anyway. And bring a friend. You’ll love it. I’m definitely going back, who want to come? As a friend said, it’s all about honoring the light within us all….bahhhhhh maste!

Great Rock Farm on Pond Street in Georgetown MA has several goat yoga classes available. Check them out at www.goatstogo.farm