Showing posts with label art/yoga fusion workshops. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art/yoga fusion workshops. Show all posts

Saturday, January 7, 2017

VISION BOARDS FOR MANISFESTATION

What do you want to manifest in your life?  Vision Boarding is a visual way to explore the heart and soul’s desires.  By vision boarding, we gain new insight and energy to manifest our dreams.

There are 3 main styles of learning: Auditory, Visual and Kinesthetic. To harness the power of manifestation, we need a combination these three. When setting intentions, we often only say them in our minds -- only thinking about what we want. Manifestation often begins here in the mind space, but in order to make our intention more real, we need to engage other senses. Joel Barker says, “Vision without action is a dream.  Action without vision is simply passing the time.  Action with vision is making a positive difference.”

In order to manifest: (1) journal about intentions; (2) pledge them aloud to others; and (3) see them with your own eyes.  Vision boards triggers our visual learning style.  They serve to funnel and focus our 60,000 daily thoughts into clear intentions for ourselves.

A vision board is a sacred space where we display what we want. When we create a vision board and place it in a space where we see it often, we essentially end up doing short visualization exercise each time we see the board.

Visualization is one of the most powerful mind exercises you can do. According to the popular book The Secret, “The law of attraction is forming your entire life experience and it is doing that through your thoughts. When you are visualizing, you are emitting a powerful frequency out into the Universe.”

Visualization works!  Olympic athletes have used it for decades to improve performance, and Psychology Today reported that the brain patterns activated when a weightlifter lifts heavy weights are also similarly activated when the lifter just imagined (visualized) lifting weights.
To create a vision board that really works, focus on how you want to feel not just on things that you want. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to include the material stuff too. However, the more your board focuses on how you want to feel, the more it will come to life. There aren’t any real rules in vision boarding. Use your intuition and create your vision board on your own terms.

Basic “How To’s” In Making Your Own Vision Board

1. Collect magazines, scissors, glue, poster board, stickers, and markers.

2. Decide what kind of Vision Board this will be. Here are three key board themes:
 (a) Past, Present, Future Board - Paste pictures of where you’ve been on the outside rim.  Next, put where you are now.  In the center of the board, put where you want to go.
 (b) Single Focus Board - Decide on one key area of your life -- like Career or Relationships -- and choose pictures that support the vision you have for yourself.
(c) I Don’t Know Board - Go through magazines and simply start choosing anything that is calling to you.  Don’t edit, just allow things to happen organically.

3. Sit and meditate on the purpose of your board. Visualize it in the quiet workshop of your mind. Visioning requires concentration.

4. Go through magazines and cut out words, pictures, anything that might be a good fit for your theme.

5. Find a balance between being creative but not cluttered. If you end up with too much, it will only dilute the powerful experience of visioning.

6. Keep your Vision Board where you can see it every day, ideally first thing in the morning.

7. Bring your Vision Board on the road wherever you go by taking a photo of it and using it as your screen saver on your laptop and smartphone.

8. Show a trusted friend your Vision Board and explain what it means to you. By saying it out loud, you further reinforce the stickiness of your thoughts to keep them from being distracted.

9. Celebrate as you manifest your intentions one by one!

10. Finally, when necessary, don’t forget to make time to create another board for yourself.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Yoga Nidra Script - Dream Exploration

DREAM EXPLORATION YOGA NIDRA



Internalization: Gross to Subtle – Stage 1 – 3 minutes
a) Remove wrist watches, glasses and anything tight on the body
b) Get a blanket, pillow under head, support for knees, get as comfortable as possible
c) “It is best to stay still during the practice ..but if you have to move, move mindfully and quietly and come back to stillness as soon as possible.”
d) Awareness of body and breath
e) Say to yourself mentally “I am practicing Yoga Nidra . . . I will stay awake for Yoga Nidra.”
f) Body preparation – alignment of the body
g) Release for Gross tensions – 3 deep breaths – say to yourself “letting go”
h) Awareness of the body – body floor contact points, body parts supported
i) Sounds around you – far to near
j) Awareness of breath – sound of breath in the nostrils
k) Awareness of the heartbeat




Sankalpa
a) Short positive statement in present or future tense
b) If you do not have a Sankalpa /Resolve or intention or today’s practice say “I will stay awake for Yoga Nidra”
c) Repeat 3 x with the exact same wording



Body Rotation – Stage 2 – 6 minutes
a) Same rotation each time
b) Good pacing
c) Right side, Left Side, Front, Back, Major Parts.  Whole Body



Breath  Awareness – Stage 3 – 4 minutes
a) 2 minutes Noticing the rise and the fall of the breath at the navel
b) Counting backwards from 9 to 0
c) If the count is lost start again at 9
d) If the count reaches 0 begin again at 9
e) Stay with the counting minutes at the navel
f) Stay with the breath at the navel
g) 2 minutes noticing rise and fall of the breath at the chest
h) Noticing the rise and the fall of the breath at the navel
i) Counting backwards from 9 to 0
j) If the count is lost start again at 9
k) If the count reaches 0 begin again at 9
l) Let go of the counting
m) Let go of the awareness of the breath at the chest



Opposites
a) Heavy
b) Light
c) Heavy
d) Light




Visualizations
It is time to re-enter your dream you are working with today. The dream you are painting is this workshop.



Enter the dream as if you were entering a familiar place
- Go to any location within the dream
- Maybe where the dream began
- Maybe another place in the dream
- Walk through the dream
- What do you see?
- What does it look like?
- Are the colors vibrant or dull?
- Is it crowded or spacious?
- Is it dark or light?
- Do you see anything that you did not see before
- What does it smell like?
- What does it taste like?
- What do you hear?
- Who else is there
- Who do you meet?
- Approach anything and anyone who can offer information about the questions you have and ask them about your dream
- Ask them questions like: who are you?  Why are you here? What are you wearing?
- Ask them about anything that you don’t understand



2nd Sankalpa
a) Time to repeat your Sankalpa
b) If you do not have a Sankalpa or intention for today’s practice  use again the Sankalpa “I will stay awake for Yoga Nidra”
c) 3 x with the exact same wording and the belief that it will come true



Externalization – Stage 4 – approximately 3 minutes
a) Awareness of Breath
b) External Environmental  Awareness – Sounds – near to far
c) Remember . . room, ceiling, walls, floor
d) Awareness of the Body – Body floor contact
e) Repeat the Practice is over
f) Begin to move – wiggle toes and fingertips, roll wrists and ankles,
g) Make movements larger but be mindful of what is around you
h) Roll over to fetal position and take 3 deep breaths
i) Push up to seated and join me in the chanting of Om


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Gratitude Yantras for Thanksgiving

I led an Art/Yoga Fusion Workshop last weekend titled "Gratitude Yantra for Thanksgiving."

We began with a yoga practice for gratitude. Lots of forward Bends. Poses with hands in prayer/anjali mudra/namaste. Poses like modified Sun Salutations, Pyramid, Warrior 2, Humble Warrior, Revolved Side Angle, Prayer Twist, Forward Fold with Arms in Reverse Prayer, etc...



I then led a guided meditation based on one from the Chopra Center.
 http://www.chopra.com/community/online-library/guided-meditations/gratitude-meditation

I set up the meditation with tools I learned in Yoga Nidra training like Internalization and Breathing and then moved to this Chopra Center meditation.  I had people say mentally "I am grateful"

Positions for Gratitude Meditation: Shavasana – if this is not comfortable pillow under head or or back hurts bend knees or put pillow or blanket under knees, lying on side if you are pregnant, Sitting in a chair, on the floor back to the wall. You might want a blanket because the body temperature tends to drop in Yoga Nidra. Also put a blanket under any area that is sensitive. Try to be aligned, symmetrical from feet to head. Feel your spine aligned. In shavansasana, arms away from sides palm up or down.  If anything is on you tight like glasses or a wrist watch you can take it off.  Eyes should be closed to avoid visual distraction. .  Say to yourself mentally “I am grateful”

(Relaxation): Take a full breath in with the exhalation think "thank you". Do this 2 more times…. Become aware of your body lying on the floor, on the chair or against the wall. Feel supported across the whole body. Feel the feet supported, Feel arms and hands supported, feel the legs supported, feel the shoulders and head supported. Feel every place where your body is supported to allow yourself to release more deeply into Gratitude.  Let go of all effort of holding the body.  

For a short time notice the rhythm of the breath. Now, extend the awareness outward listening for sounds in all directions.

Be aware of distant sounds.  . . sounds outside the room . . . sounds inside the room . .. sounds of the body… Become aware of the sound of your breath. In this meditation, it is best if the body remains still.  If you become uncomfortable you may move but come back to stillness as soon as you can.  Say to yourself mentally “I am practicing Gratitude."

Think about something in your life you are very grateful for, think about where you can feel that in your body

Bring awareness to things in your life that you are worthy of Gratitude.

Let thankfulness flow through the whole body.

And as it does sink into the feeling of Gratitude.

Surrender to it.

Notice how gratitude feels in the body.

Invite the sensation of Thanksgiving throughout the entire body.

Scan through all the aspects of life and feel appreciation.


Firstly bring your awareness to the breath, inhale and exhale and the fact that each of these breaths gives you life.

Be aware of the heart beating.  The pulsing.

The heart is filled with love and compassion.

Bring awareness to the eyes.

Eyes that see colors, faces, smiles, nature, the sunrise, the sunset, the rainbow, the moon and the stars, yourself in the mirror.

Bring awareness to the ears,
Ears that beam in sound, music, laughter, the voices of those you love, the silence, the beautiful sounds of life.

Bring awareness to the nose,
The Nose that smells the ocean breeze, the aroma of sweet perfume, the
flowers, the trees, newly cut grass, the wafting smells that come from the kitchen, like a turkey baking or cranberries on the stove.

Bring awareness to the lips and mouth, that tastes and savours and nourishes, kisses and speaks, that whispers, and sings.

Bring  awareness to the hands that hold and touch, and caress, and open and close, and applaud, and squeeze, the arms and shoulders that carry and hug and lift and stretch.

Bring awareness to the feet, the toes, the gift to wiggle them, transport you, walk, run, dangle, dance, kick, fold, leap and point.

Remember the tears, and the sorrows,

Remember the strength that you seem to be able to muster, to make it through each day.

Bring awareness to  abundance,  expansion, evolution, perspective shifts, affluence and flow and empathy and love and light, and the ability to see growth, and potential in every moment.

Breathe and feel more grace, and ease

Experience the warmth, love and compassion that gratitude brings into your heart.

Bring awareness to nurturing relationships in the life, the new ones and the older ones.

Material things that came unexpectedly, things that flow to with great effort and commitment, hard work.

Think of love in life, and the connection to those things that are sweet, and loving and honorable, and just feel right.

Let go of the ego.

No longer take anything in life for granted, become grateful for everything!!!

Breathe and feel this flow.

Externalization: Become aware of your own breathing. Be grateful how the breath sustains us.

Listen for sounds in this room, sounds outside this room. Find the furthest sound that you can hear. Start to remember this room: the walls… the ceiling… the floor.  Remember your place in this room.  Remember what’s in this room with you…  Become aware of your body lying on the floor, (or sitting on the chair, or against the wall)… Notice the weight of your body and all the points where your body is supported…. Extend your attention through your entire body…  Become aware of your entire body from you head to your finger tips…. Become aware of your body extending from your head to your toes…  Be aware of your breath… Become aware of the entire physically body and the breath inside your body…. Consciously make your breath deeper and full… Make your breath deeper. 
… Inhaling and Exhaling deeply… Make your breath very full…. Keep your eyes closed. 

Ask yourself the following questions.

What do I take for granted?
  
What relationships do I have that I cherish (person, pet, etc.)?
  
Is there a relationship that fills me that I feel lucky to have?
  
What freedoms, unique gifts, opportunities do I have that are truly unique to me?
  
What divine talents have been bestowed on me by the universe?
  
What advantages have I been given in life?
  

Who are my backers in life? Who is routing for me? Who are my champions, defenders, supporters, comrades in arms?


Say to yourself "This Gratitude Meditation is Now Complete."

Start moving your body and stretching. Making your movements larger and larger. Inhale your arms over your head. Remembering to be mindful of what’s near you.  Stretch (3) Yawn. Gently roll to a side. (long pause) Open your eyes. Slowly push up to a seated position fully alert and ready to go on with the rest of the workshop.

After we came out of meditation I gave the participants a paper with the same questions on it and asked them to write down the answers.  After they finished I ask them to use the questions in creating their own personal yantra around the issues of gratitude.

Here are some of the Yantras that were made. Some people didn't want me to take pictures.
Linda's Yantra

Danielle's Yantra
Danielle finished her Yantra at home






Angel's Yantra


Ludmila's Yantra

Ninna's Yantra

Rachel's Yantra

Vincelle's Yantra

Bernie's Yantra

I did this at home on Thanksgiving.  I didn't have time at the workshop.

I closed with this meditation, I didn't script it so it went something like but not exactly:

Be grateful for the breath - that breathes us without asking for anything,  Inhaling and Exhaling.

Be thankful for this body that got you up the stairs and into this room for this workshop.

Be appreciative of this community, this sangha that you have practiced gratitude with today.

Be glad for this city, the city of Angels, with its beaches and palms trees, valleys, winding freeways that sometimes don't move.

Thank this country, the United States and this continent North America with its diverse peoples, languages and cultures.

Be in awe of this planet we live on, the big blue marble, the third rock of from the sun.  With its perfect balance of hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen to support life.

Practice an internal Thanksgiving for this solar system and this galaxy filled with twinkling stars,

Be humbled by this universe that contracts and expands like the breath.

Mentally say thank you, thank you, thank you.

NAMASTE!!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Why should I spend my Sunday Taking a workshop on Gratitude?


Here are some proven benefits of having a Gratitude Practice:

Physical Benefits
• Stronger immune systems
• Less bothered by aches and pains
• Lower blood pressure
• Exercise more and take better care of their health
• Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking

Psychological Benefits
• Higher levels of positive emotions
• More alert, alive, and awake
• More joy and pleasure
• More optimism and happiness

Social Benefits
• More helpful, generous, and compassionate
• More forgiving
• More outgoing
• Feel less lonely and isolated.


Read for yourself

http://www.umassd.edu/counseling/forparents/reccomendedreadings/theimportanceofgratitude/

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_gratitude_is_good





You may also be asking - Why are we making a yantra?

A yantra is a sacred geometric structure that we will use as a framework for an individual vision board on gratitude. Ancient teachings attribute healing properties to yantras that are manifested through their creation. During the act of yantra making, you will concentrate deeply on visualizing your gratitude list.  The visualization process will deeply plant the images in the subconscious mind. In addition, when you leave the workshop you will have a beautiful visual representation of all the things that you have to be grateful for. Your personal yantra will be a powerful daily reminder to continue your gratitude practice.



And finally, are you asking - How does yoga fit into all this?

Kundalini Yoga teacher Hari Kirin Khalsa, a painter who wrote Art & Yoga, says: “When you’re under stress, you’re contracted and fearful. Everything is black and white. You’re not intuitive; you’re instinctive. You can’t think outside the box.” But by practicing asana, Pranayama, . . . she says, you can shift out of that stressful state and connect with your imaginative, spacious Self. “Yoga opens up the flow of creativity, the unfurling of the creator within.”

I begin my Art/Yoga fusion workshops with a yoga practice to open us up to deeper intuitive self. We begin the art making in a highly sensitized and relaxed state because we have already practiced yoga.


I hope you will join me on Sunday, November 16th, from 12:30 to 3:30pm at The Yogi Tree on 4475 Vineland, Toluca Lake, CA 91602.  You can sign up on the meetup or at www.theyogitree.com under events.








Friday, October 31, 2014

Yoga Poses for a Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice

Mountain Pose/Extended Mountain Pose
Sun Salutations
Moon Salutations
Downward Dog
All poses with hands in prayer/Anjali Mudra
Low Lunge
Monkey Pose
Garland Pose
Fish Pose
Wide Legged Forward Bend
Warrior 1
Warrior 2
Humble Warrior
Pigeon
Cat/Cow
Any Forward type of Forward Bend/Forward Fold
Heart Opening Poses
Wheel or Bridge
Prayer Twist
Revolved Side Angle
Reverse prayer (legs in butterfly or in easy pose)
Toppling Tree
Pyramid


I am offering an Art/Yoga Fusion on Gratitude on Sunday, November 16th from 12:30 to 3:30pm at The Yogi Tree called Art/Yoga Fusion: Gratitude Yantra for Thanksgiving.

Sign up under events at www.theyogitree.com






Sunday, October 19, 2014

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.