The NLC horses, dogs, and humans have been settling in to our new place. The horses are acclimating beautifully and seem to love their new home. This summer, we are preparing spaces for sessions, quality horse time, and reflection and assimilation after sessions. Welcome, Summer! We look forward to your many gifts.
A November morning at NLC
Dear All -
Today, I simply share my morning walk with horses and dogs and the words of a poet whose work I love.
I have such love and appreciation for all who dare to explore within themselves - at NLC and in many other ways and places. Your courage helps the world work better just as it helps you “work” better, in your unique way.
-Allison
For This, I Walk Outside
Not to escape the world,
but to be more wholly in it.
Sharp cold stings my cheeks—
not like a slap, but like the thrilling burn
of whiskey as it blazes down the throat—
the kind of wild aliveness
that brooks no choice
but to wake up to life,
to champion it, to know life
as the most wondrous thing
even as I steep in the ugliness
we humans commit.
This is what life asks of us.
I walk outside to be more wholly here,
here the way the Stellar’s jay is here.
Even on the coldest day,
its every fluffing, every peck, every head bob,
every flight is in service to life.
It’s never confused about its purpose.
I want to be in service.
Outside, everything is teacher:
the cold, the snow, the bird, the day,
this fallible, fabulous human race,
this improbable, beautiful planet in space.
To serve life, I must inhabit it wholly
and be inhabited by it, too.
As if it all could end tonight.
As if it goes on forever.
*Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
Finding our true north has led us here . . .
Midsummer moon over the new NLC barn.
After two decades in Virginia, NLC is relocating. Our new home is a horse farm in the Boston west suburb of Sudbury, Massachusetts — a beautiful, vibrant, soulful place. New England is dear to Allison’s heart and to our extended family. The north country has inspired much of what NLC is about. In many ways, we are going home.
We are closed for in person sessions during Fall 2024 as we move home, herd, and business. Allison is continuing with a limited number of clients virtually during the transition. If you would like to be added to the waiting list for a virtual slot, please contact Allison directly at allison@northlightcoaching.com.
We look forward to reopening for individual and group in-person sessions in Massachusetts in 2025 and to offering onsite retreats for individuals, couples, families, and groups at our new facility. Please stay in touch. We hope to see you at the new farm!
2022 was a very full year. When I think of all that happened, it boggles my mind. It has been one of the most challenging and impactful years of my life. It seems, from my conversations with many of you, that this is true for many. As I write, the horses and I are on vacation from arena sessions - taking time for rest, reflection, and re-charging our batteries. There is plenty on which to reflect. Usually, my end of year reflection focuses on what has happened; I remember the events that shaped my year and consider what I learned from them. This year is different. I am reflecting on who I was at this time last year, who I am right now, and who I am becoming.
How would you describe yourself, your personality, your feelings in December 2021 compared to December 2022? Who were you? Who are you becoming? Who would you like to be?
We re-open for barn sessions Monday January 9 and look forward to moving through 2023 in Gestalt with you.
To your true north -
Allison & the herd
So far, in October, Charlie and Hobbs have moved to a new boarding home where they are settling in nicely with a new herd. Allison is back to work part time, seeing a limited number of clients virtually and in person in Lovettsville, VA with some other experienced coaching horses. The energy of fall moves us forward in change. What changes are brewing for you?
If you would like to be added to the waitlist for a coaching slot, please contact Allison directly at allison@northlightcoaching.com or 703-727-2607.
To your true north,
Allison & the boys
North Light Coaching has closed the barn, temporarily, while Allison is on family medical leave to care for loved ones who have (non-COVID) health challenges. We are not able to accept new clients this winter. If you are seeking services, please contact Kim Adams, Admin Support, at admin@northlightcoaching.com to learn what is available this winter or to be referred to one of Allison’s trusted colleagues.
Charlie and Hobbs on sabbatical - and quite happy in this heavenly field.
The barn is open for in person sessions, with COVID safety protocols in place. Individuals, couples, and families from within the same household are attending.
Safety protocols are:
Allison opens the Ohana gate to let you in.
You are met in the parking lot to be screened for illness, including a temperature check. If anyone has signs of infection, you are not admitted to the barn.
We wear masks when in the barn or in session in the paddocks.
Clients/visitors wash hands before entering the barn and upon leaving.
If you develop any symptoms of respiratory infection, please let Allison know so that she may quarantine herself and take additional precautions.
NLC will hold a maximum of two sessions per day, with changeover time in between to allow cleaning of shared surfaces (chairs, door handles, hand washing station, etc.) While you are in the barn, we use very few coaching props and Allison handles the horses, gates, doors, etc. At this time, we are not conducting sessions that require a horse handler to be involved.
Charlie and Hobbs are waiting for you!
NLC is closed for summer horse and human vacation from July 11 - 22. We hope you too have some time reserved for rest, recharge, and fun this summer despite the COVID pandemic. We look forward to resuming limited hours in the barn starting July 22nd. Stay safe!
We are slowly re-opening NLC with a limited number in-person sessions and following special precautions to limit the potential spread of COVID 19. Appointments will be spaced out to accommodate time for cleaning and sanitizing common areas and equipment.
Please note the following precautions that will be taken:
Client temperatures and that of any family member present will be taken onsite. If anyone's temperature indicates fever, they will not be permitted to attend the session.
A face mask that covers both nose and mouth must be worn at all times, including during a session. Clients must supply their own mask.
Clients will wash their hands at the NLC hand washing station when they arrive and before they leave. The hand washing station will be cleaned and refreshed before each new in- person session.
Please also note that the following areas on the property will remain closed to clients, client families, and visitors:
Ohana walking paths and outdoor seating areas
The upper barn building, including the indoor waiting room
NLC continues to monitor available data on disease transmission and spread as well as guidelines from local and national authorities and that these procedures will be revisited and updated as new information is available.
As you may remember, we waived the NLC cancellation policy in March at the start of the stay-at-home order. As of today, May 27, the following policy will be in effect. once again.
Please cancel at least 24 hours in advance of an appointment to avoid being charged for a session you do not attend. Here is the language of the policy:
If NLC cancels a session for any reason, you will not be charged for the session. If you have paid in advance, your payment will be refunded in full or credited to your account, as you wish. Clients may cancel sessions up to 24 hours in advance without paying for the session. When a session is canceled less than 24 hours before the appointment time, payment may be collected.
We are also carefully planning for a phased re-opening of NLC for in-person horse sessions. In the first phase, a limited number of sessions each week will be offered as socially distanced equine sessions in the pasture. As the numbers of COVID-19 cases in Northern Virginia remains high, we are proceeding cautiously and have not offered any such sessions yet. We'll keep you posted about this opportunity in the coming weeks.
