Welcome one and all to the first post of The Namaste Times, a publication of Mind Body Badge Yoga and Wellness, LLC. As our new website was made public last Thursday June 9th, 2022, I pondered what I should share with my tribe. As always, the Universe provided resounding guidance that I should write about a lesson learned in love.

Less than 12 hours after the public release of the website our beloved American Eskimo dog Vino crossed the Rainbow Bridge to transition from his earthly life. Vino always had health challenges during the 13 years that he was part of our family(we rescued him at age 1), but endured with incredible grit and courage. He always seemed to bounce back (with our assistance) from what ever presented before him. However, during the day of June 9th, he suffered a rapid decline and his body told us that he was tired and ready to go to doggie heaven. A lesson learned in love.

In the early morning hours of June 10th, my wife Judy and I decided it was time to honor his wishes. We took him to the Western Carolina Regional Animal Hospital where the staff was waiting with a loving demeanor. At 0400 hours (4 a.m.), Vino released us from the responsibility of being the guardians of his earthly life. We grow as humans when we are able to carry out such a compassionate act on behalf of another being who cannot speak for themselves - in this case our Vino. A lesson learned in love.

As you will learn on my website, I am a yoga teacher among many other things. As I arrived home after parting ways with Vino, I decided to still teach my weekend community yoga classes. I fine tuned the sequence, and 6 hours after Vino crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I taught the most beautiful and heartfelt class. While honoring his memory, my students and I shed tears in an authentic and vulnerable way. I concluded the class with a reading of the Rainbow Bridge poem and played IZ’s version of Over the Rainbow. A lesson learned in love.

So, what does all this have to do with Vino’s story? It is the value statement of Mind Body Badge Yoga and Wellness to provide a safe environment for the tribe I will gather to share, love, learn, grow, and rebuild their mind, body, and spirit – one breath at a time in and authentic and vulnerable way. If what I offer resonates with your being, I invite you to join me on this healing journey. The enduring spirit of Vino will be the inspiration for the experience I create for each client. He was my yoga partner, reiki assistant, and the most healing being to have crossed paths with in my lifetime. His physical presence will be missed, but his heart will go on.

Vino’s ashes will be scattered at one of his favorite hangouts- Jump Off Rock in Laurel Park, North Carolina. I now leave you with a poem and a song.

Namaste,

Tim

Epilogue: As I published this post, other familiy members had to assist their beloved dog to cross the Rainbow Bridge where Vino will be waiting to greet him with open paws into a peaceful new life as described below.

RAINBOW BRIDGE

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. 
It is called Rainbow Bridge because of its many splendid colors. 
Just this side of Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills, 
and valleys with lush, green grass. 
When beloved pets die, they go to this place. 
There is always food and water and warm spring weather. 
The old and frail animals are young again. 
Those who are maimed are made whole again. 
They play all day with each other. 
There is only one thing missing. 
They are not with their special person who loved 
them on earth. 
So, each day they run and play. 
Until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! 

The nose twitches. 
The ears are up! 
The eyes are staring. 
And this one suddenly runs from the group. 
You have been seen! 
And when you and your special friend meet, 
you take him in your arms and embrace. 
Your face is kissed again and again and again, 
and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet. 
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together... 
Never again to be separated.