In September, I presented the work of Art Soul and Horses at our annual Touched by a Horse Summit, which is a meeting of Equine Gestalt Certified Practitioners and students. The annual event is an absolute joyful celebration of our work with our Mentor Melisa Pearce, the founder of the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method and leader of the horse-human healing movement.
My presentation was titled “Horses, Art and Healing … Finding your Song.” As I stood on that stage with a background of transitioning images capturing the journey of Art Soul and Horses, my heart was filled with gratitude for this community of humans and animals. I was brought back to my own journey of healing, my awakening and my ability to connect with my childhood joy of horses and art. Most importantly, I was reminded of the power of self-love and how self-love and self-compassion are the perfect fuels for manifesting your dreams.
For years, I maintained an internal narrative of not being “enough”: to my friends, family, husband, and colleagues. However, during several years of intensive personal work during training to become a certified EGCM practitioner, I was able to heal and embrace a new narrative of self-love and compassion.
The experiential nature of the EGCM method involves the horse as an active partner with the coach in the client’s exploratory process. There are many different coaching methods out there and many different horse healing offerings, but I firmly believe that ECGM is unique in that one of the guiding principles of this method is co-active coaching. We believe that the client is naturally creative, resourceful and whole. The beauty of EGCM is that the coaching process is experiential and no matter where a client is at in their stage of healing, they have the ability to heal and change their personal trajectory in a meaningful and positive way. The horses are essential in setting the stage for this work in that they so beautifully help us move energetically from our head to our heart. I believe there inlies magic of this work..learning to reconnect with the voice of our heart.
It is truly my life’s mission to empower others by experiencing the beauty of this work. I want everyone to know that you do have the ability to heal yourself…it’s all within you. The gift of being able to wake up each morning and know that you have a beautiful purpose in this world, is priceless. For me personally, the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method and my training brought me back to the child in me that understood the power of art and self-expression and the importance of re-discovering my passions.
Art Soul and Horses was founded in 2017. Using the methods acquired through my Equine Gestaltist certification, I have created an experience where my clients end their sessions by creating mini collage pieces to represent their session. These art pieces have become beautiful snapshots of my clients’ personal work; they confirm that the creative process can also be a source of healing. Each time you express yourself authentically, you enlarge your life force a little more.
Horses are essential in helping us enter that sacred space of living in the moment. When our stories and visions are fueled by the power of self-love, the words, colors, images, and feelings that are captured in my clients’ art pieces become perfect articulations of the soul’s purpose. They set the stage for writing your new song.
Wherever you are in this moment of self-healing, know that you have an essential purpose in the world. When you learn to reconnect with the feelings of self-love and fully embrace that feeling, love will pass through you and your energy will touch others.
Art, I believe, is the voice of the heart. In this sense, art, horses, and the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method create a perfect, energetic field to begin our new journeys. The horses and I would love to work with you as you embark on your new journey.
Love Vivian, Luca and Skye Mama