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Come Retreat with ME!
Remember these famous Calgon commercials?
“Calgon, take me away!!!”
As dated as this seems today, the need to get away from the stressors of life is just as relevant.
If you ever feel like you need something to “take you away,” well, I think I have something JUST FOR YOU!
Growing Pumpkins
I would like to write about something this year that brings me joy …
Pumpkins.
You see, I have The Most Sincerest Pumpkin Patch growing in my front yard. You must understand this one thing, I seek no presents from the Great Pumpkin - I just seek joy in watching my vines grow and spread their leaves across my yard attaching their tendrils around the garden boxes integrating with the rose bushes; one of them even embedded itself within the rose bush and is producing a decent sized pumpkin!
Even a Riot Couldn't Stop Us!
I was in my 2nd year of teaching when the L.A. Riots occurred. I was teaching a Learning Disabled class at Lindbergh Middle School in Long Beach Unified School District; although this was the class title, there was nothing disabling about what our class learned that year - for what the world threw at us that year, we could do nothing but consume.
Mercury Strikes Again!(and yet, she brought us MAGIC)
Because Mercury is the planet said to rule communication, those who are astrologically inclined expect frequent misunderstandings, scheduling problems and disagreements with friends during this period.
‘Twas the night before school
‘Twas the night before school and all through the house,
The teachers were scurrying and the students shared some doubts.
The backpacks were ready and hanging on hooks
All carefully packed with pencils and books.
Spaces LEFT (You should be one of them!)
It’s no surprise that many yoga teachers and practitioners are also artists. Yoga and the arts are wonderfully complementary, intuitive disciples rich in creativity and rooted in self-expression. Each pose often tells a story; asana sequences and kriyas can be perceived as choreographed flows; and the deep experiences many have on the mat can be as evocative of feeling as witnessing a wondrous piece of art.
Seeking Love and Community
Head rubs during Savasana. Final resting pose, closing out our yoga session of the day with the University of Utah Burn Camp Nah Nah Mah.
The core benefits of burn camp for participants are the natural growth of friendships and the deepening of one’s authentic self.
Many young burn survivors feel they are allowed to make friends and grow self-confidence in a positive and uplifting atmosphere at burn camp. The key to this growth is the immersion in a supportive community of other burn survivors and persons who understand burns. The opportunity to try new activities and face challenges is also important for campers’ growth.
Art Allows Pathways of Expression to Flow
Over the weekend, Abigail and I participated in a Fearless Metallics class with Samantha DaSilva. This was a 10 hour workshop taken over two days allowing us the opportunity to slowly adjust to the challenges and process of designing and releasing our emotions into our creation.
As expected, and through gentle guidance, the first day seemed to take longer but the second day flew! Although the exact same time was offered in each day, the second day appeared fleeting, lighter; there was a familiar levity in the room opening up opportunities for conversation and a new found confidence making us comfortable enough to share our artwork with one another.his was a welcomed exchange.
Trading Fears for Fun!
“My experience with the recent Yoga and Art Day Retreat was memorable. The instructors were phenomenal in combining the embodying practice of yoga with the earthiness of painting from our inner selves. It was transformative and I will never view yoga or painting in the same way. I highly recommend the retreat and these intuitive and engaging instructors.”
- Kayden McInnis
Where Do You Place Your Intention?
26 years ago, I was pregnant with my son and my first child. A friend who would later become a godparent to our daughter, who would arrive two years later, announced that she had melanoma. This frightened her, and what would later be the beginning of a series of challenges she would face, she somehow continued to be strong with a clear intention of her desire. She still had plans.
Working With Hands
Did you know … when your hands get activated by physical touch, endorphins and serotonin (pleasure chemicals) get released in your brain, and levels of cortisol (stress hormone) decrease. So, as you work with your hands, you provide activities to stimulate the brain by increasing pleasure while decreasing stress.
Yoga Smorgasbord
Two weeks ago, a Yoga for Wellness reader who enjoyed June 20th’s blog on “Midwestern Sensibilities” and the varied geographic cultural influences, wrote back to me commenting that I should write about varied yoga cultural influences as well.This got me thinking about the studio that I belong to: Mosaic Yoga
Pulling Weeds
My family and I have just returned from two back-to-back family reunion events. Although these events celebrated my heart, my garden beds appear to have celebrated in their own way! (A weed party) There were sections where I struggled to discover which plants were the vegetables and which ones were the weeds. Granted, I anticipated this, but observing how rapid weeds grow, this never ceases to amaze me.
Midwestern Sensibilities
“Porch Time
is never wasted time
It’s taking the time to commune with nature and your loved ones.
It’s listening to my daughter play air guitar to Little Feat on volume 11 at midnight with her Aunt and Dad.”
-Amy Conn
Transitions
I’m sitting on my porch for a spell in between two very busy times in my life. Taking a moment to observe the stillness I am suddenly reminded of the busyness that surrounds me.
Much like this song “ Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley - I am reminded of the simplicity and amazement of nature. You see, residing within a homemade birdhouse that my children made a dozen years ago at their middle school, live a small family of birds with very busy parents.
Writers and Riders
Writers and Riders Have A Lot in Common
Natalie Juteau
September 14, 2014 I realized yesterday that writing books and riding horses have a lot in common. Both can be a bit scary. There have been times when my hands shake and my heart races right before I get on a horse that intimidates me. There have been lessons where I’ve had to give my students a pep talk and then coax them into the saddle.
Yoga And Art
Why do Yoga and Art go together … NATURALLY
There is not much difference between art and yoga. Art is transforming a plain white paper or canvas or cloth into an amazingly beautiful portrait while yoga is a transformation of a human who functions to someone who can move beyond their habitual way in the form they think, breath, move, and talk.
Endings And Beginnings
I started preschool when I was 4 years old. On the 6th of May, I turned 62—my entire life has encircled around the agrarian needs of a school calendar with its beginnings and endings differing from the traditional 12-month calendar.
