Yoga Art and Self Growth
I have updated My Shoes. Please do go have a read if you’d like.
If you don’t know already, My Shoes is a page I started, where I share my journey of supporting a loved one who has a terminal illness. No matter how far along your loved one’s illness has progressed I am sure there is something relatable in my posts over on My Shoes.
Thank you all for reading and being here.
Sending you all good vibes. Stay safe out there!
Until next time,
Namaste.
How have you guys been? I know it’s been a while. Life has been a bit difficult, I will post an update on My Shoes today too, my mother hasn’t been great. Therefore I have been away from my computer and I just haven’t been motivated to write but I’m trying to pull myself together now.
I have been getting nothing done. I guess that’s a lie but I feel like I’ve been getting nothing done. I have been making an effort to be outside. I sit in the sun everyday for a few minutes (get your Vitamin D!) I have been organizing all the clutter and I’ve been unpacking some boxes that were still sitting in the garage. That’s been pretty fun, since I’ve been especially nostalgic lately. I think one of my favorite things to do is decorate and make my house a home. There is nothing like a cozy home. Dogs running around, my childhood everywhere I look, familiar paintings and colors. My mom has always loved orange, and I must say, now that I have been unpacking all the warm colored decor, I feel so much better.
So what have you guys been doing? I hope you have all been staying healthy and safe. I know that this is just another season, it’s a time that will pass and we will all get through it. Times might be tough, but so are you! Whoever you are, where ever you are… I know you can find the strength and the courage to keep on living, to find your happiness and to be kind to yourself and others.
As always, I am sending you all good vibes.
Until next time,
Namaste.
It’s good to stay clean and organized, an organized space helps to create an organized mind. So, today I have some free time and I think I will be spending it organizing. I have three rooms that need a complete turn around. I need to find spaces for everything and I want to deep clean the storage spaces in those rooms. One of the rooms is the library/ my studio, I need to move all the shelves and repack them. I have too many books and not enough shelves, so I need to get creative. Maybe I’ll post some pics of my finished shelves at some point. I just want to get it looking pretty first.
I have so many boxes to break down that have just been accumulating and accumulating over the past few months. It will open up so much floor space. Lets see how much I can get done today. I also need to vacuum… who here can relate? I love the smell of vacuuming… or is that just me?
So I look forward to more of an organized mind at the end of today, lets hope it all goes to plan.
I hope you guys are all having a beautiful productive day!
Until next time,
Namaste.
I don’t know about you and people usually think I’m crazy but I love winter! Here, the cold has arrived. We have said goodbye to our very long summer and the trees are losing their leaves. It is fresh and crisp, I wake up in the early mornings and take deep breathes, I smell the air outside… winter is in the air and it smells glorious.
Winter is a time of fluffy blankets, warm drinks and cuddles. I prefer winter clothes, the layers, the wool… Winter may be harsh and difficult but I am blessed to find comfort indoors, wrapped in blankets, cuddling with my dogs.
Winter inspires me to ask myself difficult questions, find ways that I may grow and improve, going into the new spring months. I use the cold months to get to know myself again. I allow myself extra time and slow movement. I find winter the best time to write. To sit in a corner all warm and protected, going on grand adventures with characters in my book.
Then there’s reading, who doesn’t love curling up with a good book? The cold air coming in through the window, hot coffee in your hand while you read.
You may not agree but you have to admit there is something charming and intriguing about winter, the circle of life, death and rebirth. There is much to learn from winter.
Which season is your favorite?
Sending you all good vibes.
Until next time,
Namaste.
During this time we are all hermits, unless you have gone back to work. I have been home for goodness knows how long and the other day I spoiled myself and my mom to a meal from our favorite local coffee shop. The owner came out to deliver and we got to have a two minute chat outside my gate. Yes, we were both wearing masks and kept our distance but boy! It was strange talking to someone. Another human that doesn’t live in my house. Speaking to someone in the flesh is a whole other thing. I couldn’t believe my reaction, I was nervous and shaky! I have the known the woman for years! I had to giggle at myself.
I find it fascinating how our bodies and minds get used to being alone, away from other peoples energies. The minute I felt her energy I started shaking and I got tongue tied. It sure is going to be interesting when I can start leaving the house again. I’ll have to take it super slow or I’ll get really overwhelmed.
Do you guys have the same thing?
I hope you are all well and staying healthy. Sending out good vibes to everyone!
Until next time,
Namaste.
The sun coming in through a window.
A sweet breeze hitting your face.
Raindrops on the window.
The smell of freshly baked bread.
The first sip of your morning coffee.
Flowers enjoying the sun.
The uninterrupted blue sky.
The birds chirping and singing to the morning sun.
Cuddles from your pets.
Cuddles.
Stretching in the sun.
The feel of the earth beneath your bare feet.
Cool water quenching your thirst.
Bird watching.
Listening to the trees singing in the wind.
A clean kitchen.
The smell of dinner cooking.
Looking at the stars shining bright at night.
The moon.
I think it is very important to take note of all the small things that bring a smile to our faces, or make us feel peaceful. So I wrote down a few things that give me those good feelings. Once we become aware of the good things in our life, no matter how small, we invite more good. We deserve good things, things to make us happy and warm inside. Find those things. Write them down, become very aware of them while you experience them and be thankful!
I hope you are all keeping well and I wish you all a beautiful day!
Until next time,
Namaste.
I’m sure I have spoken about this before but it keeps popping up today. There is beauty everywhere. There is beauty in peace and in chaos.
I have been in slight chaos lately, it may not seem like chaos to others but if they had to live in it I’m sure they would be able to see the chaos too. Though, this morning I could see the beauty in the chaos. In my chaos. Once I could see it, see the worth in it, it started to feel better. It got less chaotic. Isn’t it amazing how just a change of interpretation can turn into a change of heart?What once was ugly, is now beautiful. What was hard, became easy. What was a chore became something I do with a smile on my face.
So I challenge you to see the beauty in your chaos, in your ugly, in your chores…. it will make a world of difference. it wont seem so harsh anymore. It will become better, easier and you will grow. We are here to see beauty, to experience the good things…. lets make more good things! Turn the bad into good.
I hope you are all having a beautiful day!
Until next time,
Namaste.
So, yesterday I spoke of intuitive movement, today I would like to talk about intuitive painting. I find this a freeing activity. Once again, this is just for you, no ego is allowed in this activity. Still mind and intuitive movement.
What I do first is meditate, I will lay out my tools and paints in front of me. I will close my eyes and meditate, not for long, just a few minutes of deep breathing and calming of the mind. I allow my body to relax. I will then open my eyes and start painting. I will allow myself free movement with as little thought as possible. This is an activity of feeling not thinking. I use the colors that call out to me, I start painting. There isn’t a plan, just movement.
Whatever wants to come out, can then come out, in a healthy colorful way. Perhaps I will paint my tears or shapes representing how my tears make me feel. I may paint what happiness feels like, or love, loss, guilt…. there are no rules. What needs to happen on the page will happen. I find this is a good way of letting the overflowing emotions go. A way of moving away from the emotions to feel some peace. I lay it out on the page to better understand them, to accept them and then to let them go.
Besides it being a good way to make peace with yourself and your emotions, it’s also fun! Letting yourself run free with paint! It’s a wonderful feeling.
Do you guys have a special way that you like to let go of emotions?
As always I hope you are all well and safe, I am sending you all good vibes!
Until next time,
Namaste.
I think it is so important to keep movement going. Your body needs movement, it helps with mental health. The mind needs to stay still and the body needs to move. Let us find that sweet spot where the two meet. Start moving around while keeping your mind still, like a walking meditation. What I like to do is intuitive movement. I like to get out into the sun, so I will take my mat outside, (I am blessed with a beautiful garden.) I will find a good spot and I will stand there on my mat for a couple of minutes. I will find my silence. I will calm my mind and slowly, gently, in my own time…I will start to move. I will let the breeze guide me, or the birds song move me. Find what wills you to move and just, move. Don’t worry about how you look, remember the mind must be still, so no ego is allowed to barge into this special time. Do whatever comes natural to you, lift your arms, spin around, sway your hips… just move.
I often do the same with my yoga practice, I move intuitively. The positions I need will find me and I will melt into my mat. It doesn’t matter how long you do these practices for, it could be five minutes or an hour. That is up to you and what your body needs, obviously if your schedule doesn’t allow for an hour, at least try to give yourself five minutes everyday of intuitive movement with a still mind. I of course encourage you to try this outside, but I do understand that not all of us has outside space to escape to in these trying times, so perhaps do this close to a window where you can hear, see and feel the outside nature floating in around you.
Remember, no judgement. This is all part of self care.
I am, as always sending you all loads of love and good vibes.
Until next time,
Namaste.
I always find it so amazing how I feel when I look up. It doesn’t matter where I am, but when I look up I always seem to find something interesting to look at. Say I look up at a ceiling, perhaps the ceiling is cracked. I can create art out of the cracks. Or I could be outside, the sky above me, there could be clouds to create shapes and stories out of…. maybe the sky is a deep blue and the longer I stare at it, the closer and farther away it seems to be. It could be night and there may be stars to stare at. Or I could be standing under a great tree, the leaves and branches above me move slightly and I start swaying with them.
I find this a fun exercise and I remind myself to do it often. It calms my nerves when I have anxiety. I just need to look up.
So I encourage you all to Look Up, you might enjoy it. 🙂
I hope you are all well and safe, sending loads of good vibes!
Until next time,
Namaste.
Paint and My Mat