Yoga-think your life into balance

Sometimes it is just overwhelming to even think about one more thing to juggle, even if it is balancing out your life. Believe me, I know how it feels. So that is the time to stop thinking. And start consciously moving…into yoga!

• Move mindfully.
• Walk with intention.
• Breathe slowly and deeply, into your abdomen.

I find that one of the most important parts of doing yoga, is making the space and intention to do it. Once  I am in the studio, I know I will not leave until after shavasana. That is the part where you lie down and totally relax for 10 minutes. It is my favorite part! So I tend to be in the now moment for the entire practice, because I know I cannot leave for that hour.. Even if the going gets tough, I’m there. Shavasana and feeling balanced is my reward.

Oh dear, you are probably wondering what that has to do with life balance.

When you physically create a practice, when you practice breathing and moving mindfully, it begins to crossover to your creative, intellectual and spiritual habits. I find myself resorting to yoga breathing when I am in a stressful situation. For that I use the long deep in and out through the nose breathing. It is very calming. I find that I am more likely to do things mindfully and calmly.

What if you want to accomplish something, like writing, but are working two jobs and just can’t find the time?

• Be in the now moment.
• Breathe in and out slowly.
• Ask yourself to give yourself a half hour, 2 days a week.
• Treat yourself afterwards; perhaps a nap? a cup of tea?
• If you aren’t inspired, write anyway.
• Don’t judge yourself.
• Be regular and without pressure.

It is the intent and regular practice in yoga that takes you where you want to go. Many times in yoga, your ability to do a posture will change from day to day. You listen to your body.

As Madeleine L’Engle said in her book called “Walking on Water”,

To work on a book is for me very much the sane thing as to pray. Both involve discipline. If the artist works only when he feels like it, he’s not apt to build up much of a body of work. Inspiration far more often comes during the work than before it. because the largest part of the job of the artist is to listen to the work, and to go where it tells him to go…To pray is to listen also.

How do you ge ytourself gently back on track?

For more great ideas about focusing creative energy, absolutely visit the blog Write to Done. Also try Unwrap your Mind for another dynamic yet gentle approach to finding your way to reach your potential.

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Art exhibit-finally up and running!!

Seeing the watercolors all together in the space was inspiring!                                                                                                                           Below are a few photos of the art crowd at Michael Peter Hayes‘ Art Salon in  Locust Valley last night.It was so wonderful to share my work and hear responses to the work!!

It has been inspiring to carry on a dialogue with others about working with the effects of light as it changes over the day. I have utilized the structure of  the “liturgy of the hours” used by so many religious orders for daily prayer. This helps me to organize my vision and  awareness and document the effects of light and shadow on my perception. I reckon that a tradition of discipline that has encouraged heightened awareness and mindfulness in prayer would help me to attain that in my visual meditation of painting.

Any thoughts on that?

fresh watercolors of light & time!

I’m back!  The  show is going up today!  Check out my website to see more work! 

It is so exciting to see the work pulling together in this show! My current work investigates how light (and shadow, of course) informs our perspective throughout the day. Check out the portfolio of work in the show for more! here is one of my “vigils” or early morning observations of light and presence.

Painting the hours of the day…

I am continuing my exploration of daily hours, by observing the light on objects and places that I inhabit.

I find patterns in the images themselves and then again in my repeated actions and routines. I document the hours, based on the times of the day remembered with prayers in monasteries, to find meaning and express gratefulness for the richness of my life. 

The more I observe the moment that I am currently in, the richer and multi- layered my painting sketches become.

I see things I never took the time to notice before. Does this occur in your life and if so, how do you create the space to see more?

Because of this attention to the sacredness of each moment, I love to visit the site Gratefulness.

lauds

vigils

Inspiring interiors, rejuvenating everyday routine!

Have you ever been caught unawares by the sunlight falling over an ordinary corner of the room?  In its path of revelation, colors and shadows that you never noticed become apparent.  The air is electric with expectation and time slows down so you can drink it in. 

                 Then you wonder , which is the real place and time?   What has allowed you to notice the lively energy and vivid colors? How can you save this memory? How can you see past your daily routines, allowing light, time and space to open another view of the ordinary?

Pierre Bonnard, in the current exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “The Late Still Lives and Interiors”, shows us the results of his attention to daily routine.  A breathtaking exhibition that brought tears to my eyes in its simplicity  and grace!  A show not to be missed! it will help you to see beyond the mundane!

interior dining room by Bonnard

dining room on the garden

Taking time…

So it seems in my life that the raw material that I need to be most cognizant of  for creating my work, is time. I need to ask myself:

When is the best time to work? How much time do I need? Can I break time down into small segments that will  allow me room to create? How can I keep a schedule without watching the clock? How do I arrange time to balance art, spiritual, physical, intellectual relationships, environment & riches?

folding laundry with light

Check out Merlin Mann’s blog, 43 folders! He is in the process of dealing with the same issue, yet having to do with is creative work, which happens to be writing.

What work have you been trying carve out the time for?

Each person has the capacity to create. The materials and tools vary from technology to teaching to caring for the sick to working in politics, as well as making music, images, dance and theater. To approach each day with the attitude of an artist is to accept that each of us has the capacity to transform.

Taking notice of flowers…

watercolor sketch

Today, I noticed these sunflowers, the way they catch the light and how they embrace the space on my table. I made a little watercolor, 7″ x 5″. Sometimes the most ordinary elements in my life say al lot to me about light, space and time. In fact, they change every day, and how i see them changes, too. I will keep track of them as they react to the light, space and time.

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Time…and time again…

Clocks slay time…time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life.
William Faulkner •

Since I mentioned kairos time, I have heightened my awareness of  dialogue about the importance of taking time. In two entirely different arenas, art and politics,  time is  given the importance it needs.!

In his blog ”The Painter’s Keys”, Robert Genn discusses the importance of taking time focus on creating art.

“It’s the march of time. It’s amazing what you can get done in fifteen minutes. It’s amazing how time slips through your fingers. 
The true nature of time may forever remain a mystery. Apart from the clang of it, it’s by getting things done that we measure it. The job of art is to turn time into things. “

In addition, today, on 43 Folders, I came across a quote from a private conversation between Barack Obama and David Cameron, Member of British Parliament. Barack stated, and David Cameron agreed on the importance of taking time to think and process, as addressed this passage;

“…actually the most important thing you need to do is to have big chunks of time during the day when all you’re doing is thinking…”

Both quotes are talking about focused, yet unscheduled time.

It is my understanding from personal experience, as well as reading about the creative process, that granting yourself this focused, yet unstructured time allows new connections and ideas to bubble up from the unconscious.

When do you allow this to happen? Some days, I can’t manage it at all, except for maybe pausing to look out a window! Other days I can totally ignore clock time! ( Much to the consternation of whomever I am to meet!)

Person David Cameron

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