Judith B Miller

Author, Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Mapusha Supporter

Yoga is Connection

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Yoga has been a dear friend in my life for over 30 years.

It has always been for me a practice of the heart—an essential posture of eyes closed, palms together at the heart. This as is how I begin my yoga practice and every class I’ve ever taught.

The very first yoga class I attended was back east in Boston, MA in the 70’s when it was still very India exotic. I figured if the Beatles liked it I should give it a try. So I donned shorts and a tee shirt and went to a class in a somewhat ragtag downtown studio.Continue Reading

There is Empty and There is Empty

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Of late I have been deep in the realms of ‘empty’ due to the death of a dear friend and the loss of a relationship with a man to whom I was wide open.

Happily, I am beginning to understand the grace of empty, the space it creates, the opportunity to dance in the unknown.

As I grieved my losses, I was also busy researching for a Tedx Talk I am preparing. It’s on the nature of hope. I’ve been writing and talking for a while about the wonders that occur when hope is merged with action. It’s a central theme in my book about my experiences in South Africa with the Mapusha Weaving Cooperative. Still, for the Ted talk, I wanted to know what others had to say on the matter.Continue Reading

When the Eyes Light Up!

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Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul—and sings the tunes without the words—and never stops at all—Emily Dickinson

Orange Crowned WarblerOver the years I have become utterly hooked on that moment when the possible begins to dance its way into the probable.

The clue lies in the eyes

When the eyes light up—something exciting is birthing. I see it often playing with my three year old niece or teaching art classes to elementary school children for they are ever ready to be delighted, intrigued, filled up with hope. I saw it in my work with the Mapusha weavers in Rooiboklaagte. And I know the feeling within myself.

It is as though suddenly, everything within is alight.
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Wonder Women Speak Up!

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It seems to me there is one great and growing result of these wild, raucous, misogeny-filled days. Women are speaking up.

I cheered when one woman after another stood to speak publicly of mistreatment by Trump and others.

I watched with awe as Michelle Obama responded so eloquently to predatory sexual behavior.

And I smiled wide when “I’m a Nasty Woman” went viral on social media.

Women are surging against the bondage of silence and it looks good. When I read that Wonder Woman was named the United Nations’ honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls it seemed timely and fitting.

as women free themselves by speaking up…they break through old walls and habits of silence
I did some research on this superhero and learned she was created in 1941 by an American psychologist who was inspired by birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger. When Wonder Woman appeared in the comics she was fighting the Axis military forces during World War II, but one description of her powers caught my attention. She could free herself from bondage thus challenging the popular scenario of damsels in distress awaiting an heroic man to free them.Continue Reading