Deep Rest
How long have you carried the weight
of the world on your shoulders
fueled by the adrenaline of your own resilience
How much armor have you built up around your being
inside your own beautiful body
this tightly spun tension to survive the world
How often have you pulled yourself up
by your own bootstraps
been applauded, awarded, admired for your strength
How many ways do you quiet the whispers of knowing
ignore the powerful ancient cry of deep rest
momma bear spirit within, wise grandmother
ancestors, healers, heart of creation
You do not only have to be resilient
You do not only need to survive
You do not have to be strong all of the time
You are enough just as you are
May you lay your sweet head down for a while
return to the Mother of us all
be carried on her warm, strong back
You are worthy of care
allow yourself to be held
draw from this deep well of peace.
You deserve to be
filled with this primal love
protected
your life depends on it.
This is the resistance.
This is the revolution.
— kyle leia, DEEP REST, a poem in the new
Irrevocable Wholeness project with Sarah Brokke
Poetry Collections
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Irrevocable Wholeness: Poems & Meditations to Hold it All
An upcoming collaboration between visual artist, Sarah Brokke and Kyle Leia, this project will be a beautiful book, as well as an oracle card deck.
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Grace Intoxicated
A collaborative coffee book project weaving Kyle Leia's poetry and the ethereal paintings of Kate Whittaker. Self published in 2012.
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Tiny Miraculous Moments
This body of work encourages us to receive the good, beautiful, and miraculous moments of life we sometimes miss. There are tiny miraculous moments all the time, available for us to be nourished by, a salve for the soul, if we remain open.
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Sacred Grief Song
Loss occurs in a myriad of ways throughout our lifetime. Sacred Grief Song carves out space for our grief. Holding the sacred human experience of the loss of a loved one whether through death, estrangement, or change. Honoring the love, gratitude, and pain that accompany our grief.
Upcoming Events
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May 15 - August 30, 2025
At Svälja Whole-Being
Irrevocable Wholeness on Exhibit
Painter Sarah Brokke and poet Kyle Leia Heyesen present a collaboration that forms a visual and poetic dialogue, deeply centered on themes of healing and shared humanity. On exhibit during and after Svälja Whole-Being’s Community Conference.
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Select Tuesdays
At Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park Balanced Flow
5:30 - 6:30pm
This Balanced Flow class blends gentle stretches, Yin postures, and accessible vinyasa to honor each individual’s experience, ability, and practice goals. Rooted in the yogic principle of sthira sukham—steadiness and ease—this practice supports a return to balance.
Held outdoors at Bayfront Park beside the vast, grounding presence of Lake Superior, this practice is enhanced by the lake’s powerful energy—a reminder of both strength and stillness.
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Thursdays, July 24 & August 28, 2025
At Svälja Whole-Being
Yin & Healing Cello Vibrations
7:00 - 8:15pm
Yin Yoga is a therapeutic, slow-paced form of yoga where postures are held passively with the support of props for longer periods of time (1-10 minutes) to move into our connective tissue and activate sensation to release and open more deeply. Live cello provides deep, resonate healing vibrations that gently break-up long-held tensions encouraging your physical body to soften and release.
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Friday, August 22, 2025
At Svälja Whole-Being
Irrevocable Wholeness Artist Talk
5:30 - 6:30pm
Join us on the new moon for an artist talk with Kyle Leia Heyesen and Sarah Brokke. We will gather in community, engage with the Irrevocable Wholeness exhibit, enjoy light refreshments and have an artist talk with poems and Q&A.
This event is free. Please register through Svälja Whole-Being for our planning purposes.
Trauma Conscious Teachings
Kyle Leia Founded Svälja Yoga studio in Duluth Minnesota which is home to Trauma Conscious Trainings, Certifications, Yoga Teacher Training Programs, as well as a variety of yoga classes and many yoga guides who carry this passion with her.
