Across the millennia of mythical and scientific traditions, the moon has played a central role.
Its mysterious phases have affected human lives and our planet for as long as we've been able to imagine.
The tides, our sleep cycles, and the werewolf's howl are prominent examples. The full moon is also fabled to inspire lunacy and is believed by many to have a direct pull on human emotions. While the moon is popularly connected to the erratic, its mysterious power can be harnessed for peace, serenity, and calm.
Out on the Eastern New Mexico plains, the moon pairs well with yoga and alpacas.
You read that right. Yoga and alpacas.
“We realize there’s another avenue for people in the Clovis community to enjoy an evening out and do good at the same time”
At Windrush Alpacas, located south of Clovis, New Mexico, Ric Metcalf (BSE 07) and Rosemary Metcalf offer a unique experience that focuses on integrating mind and body to produce peace among the alpacas — all of which occur under the other-worldly light of the full moon.
It has become a popular event, requiring reservations well in advance. The event's popularity doesn't surprise Ric, who finds peace and tranquility himself when working the farm. It's a farm he and Rosemary bought while he was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base just before beginning his studies in education at Eastern New Mexico University.
"When I get to work on the farm, I enjoy it. I'm relaxed around the animals because I don't have to pretend to be anyone other than who I am," Ric said. "I get physically tired, but at the end of the day, I feel good about what I've done."
"To be honest, I don't remember how I came up with this idea," Rosemary added. "I have long been interested in the moon's phases and their effect on people and animals, and it is calming to sit out with the alpacas as they settle down for the night."
During brightly lit nights, full moon alpaca yoga allows visitors to feed and bond with the female alpacas before the sessions, led by yoga instructor Terri Golder. The alpacas are quite gentle and, as they are accustomed to this type of activity, will begin to "cush." Cushing is when they settle down among the yoga mats to create a peaceful and tranquil environment.
It makes sense that this activity is focused on a full moon. Just like the cycles of the moon affect a diversity of life on Earth and beyond, so does this event utilize the push and pull of the moon's phases to help solve real-world problems on this planet — even if in small and incremental ways.
Profits from ticket sales are donated to a designated local charity or needs-based organization each month. For its August full moon event, proceeds went to the Community of Lincoln County Shelter Fund, assisting those affected by the fires and floods in Ruidoso, New Mexico, last summer.
"We realize there's another avenue for people in the Clovis community to enjoy an evening out and do good at the same time," Ric said. "We don't raise much money each time, but we try to help a local charity. It's just a nice evening for everyone."
Thanks to an out-of-this-world Greyhound, people are inspired to affect change right here on the ground on the High Plains of Eastern New Mexico, with a little help from our mysterious celestial neighbor and a few of our "cushy" and woolly friends.