It is interesting to me that these days, most associate the verb “may” with permission, or being “allowed” to do something. After researching it’s etymology and origin, I found that it actually means “have power” or “am able” conveying a state of agency and capability…

May, from the Latin Maius, is named to honor Maia, the ancient Greek goddess who was the eldest, and most beautiful of the Pleiades. “The great mother” Maia embodied growth, fertility, and nurturing. The month of Maia was historically celebrated as a time of blossoming and abundance, symbolizing nature’s return to fullness, vitality, and vibrant expression. In the true cycle of the year, May marks the deep, fulfilling breath after April’s initial emergence—a season of grounding, internal nourishment, and profound alignment with nature's life force.

Ancient cultures instinctively knew this was the time to replenish, to equally nourish roots and blossoms, and to align inner purpose with outer expression. Across many traditions, rituals during May emphasized unity, harmony, and the cultivation of inner resources. Celebrations like Beltane honored the sacredness of union—between masculine and feminine, human and nature, intention and manifestation—reinforcing May’s energy as one of profound and fertile alignment.

Yet, as civilization has distanced itself from Earth’s natural rhythms, most have been born blind to the true wisdom of May. So much of society and its imposed targets have bound and burdened our subconsciouses with the mantra “I can’t”. Our modern rush for perpetual outward achievement has displaced the quieter wisdom of inward stability and genuine nourishment. May however, invites us to remember this essential truth: genuine fulfillment arises not from external acquisition, but from aligning our actions with authentic inner purpose. I urge you this month, to not only identify any instinctive “I can’t” relating to the pursuit of true fulfillment, but to reclaim personal power and agency under the ancient mantra “I may”.

Maia

The Deep Front Line

Fulfillment from Within

The Deep front line is the last of our five primary lines, and perhaps most important to strive to understand. Not only is this line integral to the function of the other eleven lines, but in many ways, it embodies our ongoing sense of true fulfillment. The DFL teaches us that true agency—our “I may”—arises not from external validation, but from an internal sense of coherent alignment.

The Structure of Our Inner Self

The Deep Front Line (DFL), is a continuous myofascial pathway that extends from the soles of the feet, through the inner thighs, pelvis, and spine, up to the diaphragm, and finally to the tongue and jaw. This line weaves through the body's core, encompassing key structures such as the psoas major, pelvic floor, diaphragm, and deep neck flexors.​

Functionally, the DFL provides essential support for postural alignment, core stability, and efficient movement. It plays a critical role in maintaining the body's structural integrity, facilitating balanced motion, and supporting vital functions like breathing and organ support. When the DFL is functioning optimally, it allows for a sense of groundedness and centeredness, both physically and emotionally. ​

The Oneness of Our Mindbody

In my own personal experience and lifetime dedicated to understanding, and stewarding the body, I have become aware of a complex interplay between this physiological pathway, and my own genuine sense of fulfillment. We truly are literal creatures, in that our bodies enact our minds/emotional states, and the DFL is no exception to this tendency.

When properly aligned, the DFL supports our physical structure from within, allowing us to negotiate life’s external variables, pressures and instabilities. It is the DFL that unites our spectrum of capacities; poise, internal and external searching, adaptability and integrity into one complete whole—a fulfilled being.

As Without, so Within

Etymologically, the word “gymnasium” literally means " a place to train naked," from gymnos "naked”. Often when I mention this to others, I witness a visible tension response, and discomfort. It is as if the body is enacting the mind’s “I can’t”. What we feel, when stripped of our “trappings” is how our mind truly relates to our bodies. Countless external inputs may have contributed to these feelings, however we are the ones that maintain and carry them. The ancient 'gymnasium' represents a safe place to strip away external identities, allowing us to directly confront, accept, and transform inner judgments. Here, movement becomes a mirror reflecting our most honest state.

Implementing the Gymnasium

  • First, I find or create a private space, preferably with a full-length mirror, where I can be alone and free from any external influences (especially smartphones).

  • The first session is silent. Calcination requires burning everything else away to see and hear what is truly there. In later sessions I can have music, but if/when used, I opt for music without words.

  • Most importantly, I tune into breath. Breathing is the primary dialogue with the Deep Front Line, as each breath mobilizes the diaphragm—the DFL’s central structure—activating my core alignment from within. I use the action of my breathing to radiate like a wave of activation throughout the rest of my DFL.

  • I do not speak, I listen. I aim not to separate my lips for the entire practice. What internal chatter occurs? Am I asking questions, or tensing uncomfortably from assorted judgements? What is my body asking me for? In this space, my mind is here to learn, and I allow my body to teach.

  • Time parameters: I choose a timeframe I can afford, but then fully commit to it. This 30 minutes, one hour, two hours, etc. is exclusively dedicated to this practice. I cannot end the practice early, and my mind must stay in the room/space with my body.

  • Lastly, I allow improvisation—I explore movement. I can start with movements I already know, but perform them slowly enough that I can ask “where else can I move from here?”. How is my body compelling me to move?

Fulfillment; as a Practice

In a world often obsessed with outward measures of success—possessions, recognition, achievements—the deeper truth of fulfillment remains elusive for many. True fulfillment, however, has never been a destination; rather, it is an active, deliberate, and ongoing practice. It is the continual cultivation of inner coherence, alignment, and stability, regardless of life's ever-shifting circumstances.

The Deep Front Line offers us a profound analogy: Just as its stability doesn't depend on external conditions but rather upon internal integrity and alignment, true fulfillment arises when our internal world is consciously tended. It flourishes when we practice aligning our daily actions, thoughts, and emotions with our authentic purpose, independent of external validation.

This month, strive to maintain ongoing awareness of your breathing, and use it to consciously shift your focus inward.

Inhale…

Notice how quickly external conditions tempt the mind to believe fulfillment is something that lies ahead—always just out of reach; a perpetual “If only _____”.

Exhale.

Resist the pull. Instead, gently remind yourself: "Fulfillment is not achieved from without; it is cultivated within." Allow this mantra to pervade your daily behaviors and choices. Approach life with the quiet strength of the Deep Front Line—grounded, aligned, and stable from within. Nourish your internal landscape, practice gratitude for your present capacities, and observe how the external world responds when fulfillment is no longer sought from it, but brought to it.