Processing Emotions: Disappointment and Frustration

I did these pieces in Swami Sivasankariananda's Processing Emotions Class at the Sivananda Los Angeles City Center.

This is about the disappointment and frustration of turning 50 although with the racism that is so visible in the world right now.

This is a closeup of the O and how I feel so frustrated and claustrophobic being locked in.

Swamiji thought it was really important that I transform it

This is me thinking of the positive aspects of all the things I have been doing and making and the peace I feel by not being in the chaos of working in film production and having time for my foot and ankle to heal.  Also how the world is healing with less pollution.

This circle shows how I am in community with my husband and not alone.  And how I have had time to work on my project about the moon.

YogArt Book

"In yoga philosophy, the universe is composed of a trinity that has both masculine and feminine aspects. " - Mukunda Stiles

Creative Force - masculine is Brahma, feminine is Sarasvati
Nurturing Force - masculine is Vishnu, feminine is Lakshmi
Transformative Force - masculine is Shiva, feminine is Kali

"The microcosm is the same as the macrocosm... When we affect a positive change within ourselves, we are also positively affecting a change in the world around us." Stiles, Mukunda

Art/Yoga Fusion: The Heart Mandala for Self Esteem

Saturday, October 18th was my first Art/Yoga Fusion Workshop.  The topic was The Heart Mandala for Self Esteem.

We started by meditating using Ahamkara Mudra. Aham in sanskrit translates to I, Ego, Self and Kara is the verb to do or make.  The word ahamkara means I-maker. Ahamkara mudra is one of the most powerful mudras for self-esteem. Holding the mudra will help you strengthen your ability to face difficulties with confidence.  This mudra reminds you to get your ego out of the way and allow your intuition to flow and trust your inner self.

We continued with Yoga Poses for Self-Esteem: Tadasana, Tree Pose, Goddess Victory Squat, Sphinx, Warrior 1 and 2, Supported Bridge, Hero, Cobra, Upward Facing Dog, Dancer, Chandra Namaskar (not in this order)

Then I gave people of number of questions to answer by writing.

The answers to these questions were used to male the individual mandalas..

People could chose a template or a blank circle.

I ended with a guided metta meditation.

That was my first workshop. Nine people attended.

It took place at The Yogi Tree in Toluca Lake.