By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews
At any time during the year drivers along U.S. Highway 101 can suddenly find themselves turning their cars to see what is going on at low tide on the beach at Little Creek Cove Scenic Point, just south of Seal Rock State Park.
From the roadside vantage point, they can look down to see a woman in a bright, flowing dress raking a large mandala in the sand, twirling beautifully when she is finished, her full-size poodle dancing with her.
Karen Chalmers creates her sand art as Spinning Sands. She grew up in Pittsford, N.Y., but has lived in Oregon for 36 years. Talking fast, as people from the East Coast are prone to do, she describes her childhood as chaotic and traumatic and one of the big factors that contributed to her PTSD, which is one of her multiple medical problems. She was hit with rapidly declining health 10 years ago, and since then has endured intense pain and innumerable doctor and hospital visits.
In the face of this she has been determined to be bold and intense about focusing on healing in a positive way, even when it seems elusive.
A little over two years ago, on a day she had a bit of energy, she decided to create a design in the sand with a walking stick. She had just ended an abusive relationship. The initial creation was exhilarating, even euphoric and she quickly moved on to creating mandalas.
She visited Denny Dyke, creator of the Circles in the Sand labyrinths in Bandon and came away having learned that small rakes are much more efficient tools than walking sticks. She’s been raking and twirling regularly at low tide ever since.
What has helped you the most in your pursuit of regaining your health?
I have had to advocate for myself constantly, even when I was at my sickest. My health issues are complex, puzzling, and so unusual that most doctors have no experience with them. I have become an expert in meditative and breathing techniques, and am very, very strict about my diet. And creating the mandalas has been a key factor.
How do you decide what the mandala will look like?
I don’t decide what the mandala will look like. The mandala seems to flow out of me each time I rake. I might know I want to create in the center, but all the designs around the circle create themselves. I have always been a very kinesthetic person … I love movement, especially in response to music. I am always listening to music as I create the mandala, and each stroke that I make is in response to the music. Sometimes I feel sure the people who are watching me rake would be surprised by what I am listening to that day.
I sometimes create labyrinths. I can do those much more quickly than mandalas. The mandalas take 2-3 hours if I am doing them alone; the labyrinths just take about 30 minutes. I have tried to recreate the labyrinth from the Chartres Cathedral in France three times. Haven’t got it yet.
How did you decide to incorporate a spinning dance at the end of each rake?
I love to dance. I have danced at concerts all my life, sometimes getting a nod from the musicians when I get my movements perfectly aligned with the beat. I was inspired to learn spinning after seeing a dervish perform in Istanbul. Getting the right music is essential to spinning. I try to find music that builds and builds, coming to a dramatic conclusion so my dance can come to a dramatic conclusion. The skirts are a colorful addition that add drama to the dance. If I wear two the people watching will see a flower effect, which just makes it more fun.
What has the community response been to your mandalas?
I have been so moved by the response from local people and visitors. Somehow my joy, my ecstasy really, in creating the mandalas and performing the dance is transmitted and captured by many of the people who watch, and they tell me so after the dance, and in later Facebook posts or text messages. The connections seem almost ephemeral. To be an instrument of something that is so positive for most people is such a blessing. It has contributed to my own healing hugely.
People on the beach connect easily with my poodle, Beau Beau, too. He will dance for anyone who kicks up sand for him. He’s smart, he’s good with people, and he’s been a perfect therapy dog for me.
I’ve been doing quite a few targeted events. A small group of people will join me to rake, usually to celebrate something … a birthday or wedding, for example. It’s been great to watch each person surrender to the raking process, being entirely in the moment, connecting to the design.
Tell us a secret.
When I am able to hike I always dance along the trail. Sometimes I’m dancing to music. Sometimes I’m just dancing. I’ve been “caught” dancing on trails by other hikers … it makes us both laugh which is always a good thing. I’d love to be able to lead dancing hikes.
- Kathleen O’Connor is a Waldport freelance writer who can be reached via email at kmoc8916@gmail.com
- “5 Questions and a Secret” appears every other week on YachatsNews. Have a suggestion for a subject? Send your ideas to YachatsNews@gmail.com
As one O’Connor to another, thank you for this uplifting article.
It is wonderful to see people finding alternative ways to heal themselves.
Laughter is one of my favorite medicines!
Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to write this note, June!
Thank you, Karen, for sharing a most personal process for Special You. I often stop and observe your creations as you reveal them. You & Beaux Beaux are Very Fortunate to be together.