She lived aboard a sailboat for 20 years on a healing journey

The celebration of Women’s History Month aims to recognize achievement and passion for life and learning.

Carole Fontaine, known to some as The Sailing Yogi, shares her growth journey in a new book “SAIL Above the Clouds – How to Simplify your Life,” the first in a four-part series.

SAIL stands for Simplify, Align, Integrate and Let Go. By helping herself, she has discovered that her greatest mission in life is to help others, especially women.

“Never underestimate the women sailors you meet. Like the ocean, they are more than they seem. They’ve mastered the skills, faced Mother Nature in her worst condition, embraced the simple life, all to claim a unique connection to the ocean, life and navigate to their heart’s goal, ”she said.

It was while working in the fast-paced world of graphic design that her health deteriorated and she made the decision to change her life.

In 1997, she and her husband Eric Fontaine, whom she met thanks to the motorbike, sold everything to live on a sailboat. And Carole Fontaine began her search for a meaningful life goal, forgiveness and strength through 20 years of experience on board.

She has studied holistic and yogic philosophies to manage her chronic health issues. Along the way, she discovered a love for teaching. She is a Certified Life Coach, Meditative Writing, Shakti Dance® Yoga and Reiki Master Teacher.

In 2011, she started her freelance graphic design business while living aboard the Windsong. Eric Fontaine has always found management work at various ports of call.

About five years ago she started writing and her book was published in November. Readers will recognize familiar landmarks and navigate places like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Dania, Miami, and the Keys.

“They will cringe and experience what it was like to be on a sailboat when Hurricane Wilma swept through our state in 2005 with catastrophic damage and death. They’ll enjoy the picture-postcard view of Miami pictured from a sailboat, laughed when we got our butt kicked in our first storm in Stiltsville, make an overnight crossing to Bimini, and pluck up the courage to sail Biscayne Bay with bottlenose dolphins, ”said Fontaine.

“I also share inspiring ideas as this is about getting back to good health after a debilitating illness and finding my voice,” she said.

She received an Inspirational Leadership Fellowship from Female About Business, a division of the Florida DeLand Chamber of Commerce. During the pandemic, she taught storytelling, mindfulness education, and meditative writing through online classes.

In 2018, she and Eric finally traveled up the east coast to Maine and moved to earth.

“Drying my gills after 20 years on board has been the hardest thing I have ever done,” she said.

With strong ties to South Florida, where most of her friends, online students and subscribers live, she plans to return after the pandemic.

“It reminds me of a long sea voyage. We are isolated in our ships, quarantine flags raised, avoiding each other except through communication devices,” she said.

“It’s uncharted territory, so we have to adapt, develop adaptive skills and learn to change course with grace. Confronting our fears and accepting uncertainty is our only option. Have confidence that the sun is always shining if you choose to sail above the clouds.

More than www.sailabovetheclouds.com, where you can read the first two chapters for free.

Grove Woman’s Club celebrates 130 years

In 1890, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs was established as an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement.

Hard-working members have formed clubs in their towns and villages to support the arts, conserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic engagement, and work for peace and understanding. in the world.

The Woman’s Club in Coconut Grove was one of the first, and its members have made a big difference in our community, especially through environmental conservation and artistic programming.

In 2001, the club launched its Young Artists’ Gallery, an annual event that returns this year after being canceled in 2020. The free art exhibit features artwork from public high school students in Miami-Dade County. It will be held outdoors from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on March 13 and from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on March 14 at 2985 S. Bayshore Dr.

The 2020 and 2021 winners will be included and recognized at the exhibition and awards ceremony. The prizes include six scholarships totaling $ 20,000.

The Club celebrated its 130th anniversary with a drive-thru gala for members on February 20th.

“I am truly amazed at what our founding sisters have achieved,” said 76th and current President Virginia Yermoli. “Their foresight and pioneering work has led to the incredible legacy we have inherited. Let’s learn from them as we move the club forward into the future. “

More than www.womansclubofcoconutgrove.org

Experts Help Fight COVID Stress

We have all spent a year meeting the challenges of the pandemic. But for some, the increase in negative relationship problems during this time made everyday life especially difficult. There is help.

“Immune Your Relationships Against COVID-Related Stress” is the topic of an upcoming free virtual event hosted by the University of Albizu. This “Ask the Experts” webinar features a panel of three psychology experts who will meet via Zoom on March 10 at 2:00 pm It is open to the public and will be streamed live via the University of Albbizu Facebook page.

The webinar will explore “the process of relationship conflict, from what happens to our bodies physiologically during an argument to differences between age groups and psychological influences on how we relate to each other.”

“In our heads, we know there is a better way to deal with conflict, but without the right guidance on how to do it, our hearts often lead us down the path of estrangement,” said Isaac Tourgeman, clinical psychologist. and AU professor who will moderate the event. Register on bit.ly/3ujrRP0

Historical hunting will be a virtual pleasure

Step into the Roaring Twenties and the Miami of 100 years ago on a virtual historical villager hunt, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on March 20. This annual adventure is fun for all ages, and especially for teams of family and friends.

You can play virtually anywhere. All you need is your wits, a sense of adventure, and a device connected to the Internet.

The entrance fee of $ 20 per person is your ticket to clues, an intriguing story, and a chance to win a $ 300 cash prize. Details and registration on thevillagersinc.org/the-hunt/

Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.

This story was originally published March 5, 2021 3:00 p.m.