Yoga + Painting

​A rare photo of me inside my favorite yoga studio. For me, yoga and painting are intrinsically connected: Show Up, Set Your Intention, Be Present, Heart Before Head & Go With The Flow.

Much like  caterpillar in the process of becoming a butterfly, ​there are times of chaos and darkness that occur. There is a tendency to expect the worst when signs of difficulty arise, when something is taken away, or unwanted circumstances come to challenge you to let go of old ideas about how life is supposed to be. Be mindful that you "Do Not Play The Victim To The Circumstances You Created". Temporary discomfort is part of the process before beauty is revealed. ​

Show Up - Good day, bad day, busy day, boring day. Get yourself to the studio and start moving. Inspiration finds you when you are working.

Set Your Intention - Approach the canvas the same way you approach your yoga mat. Allow your intentions to take precedence over what the painting must look like. Rather, be happy and then paint! One choice is conditional on the painting "working out". The other is choosing your internal way of being whether the painting works out or not.

Be Present - Feel your way through each movement. Don't try to stuff anything uncomfortable as it comes up. Notice it. Deal with it. Allow it to express itself. It's all part of the process. Embrace the mistakes, the surprises,  and the "happy accidents". 

Heart Before Head - Navigate from your heart space. Allow your intuition to take the helm instead of your analytical brain. Practice trusting that the intelligence of the heart is valid and crucial to navigating the canvas easily and successfully. 

Go With The Flow - You don't have to paint alone. When you shed your layers of protection, you can more easily align with Source creativity. This" life force" sustains your process and your practice.

Yoga Teacher Training changed my life. I am eternally grateful to D'ana Baptiste and Centered City Yoga for helping me to make the connection between yoga & painting.

Retreats