Deep Inside the Bubble

"Balance"
4"x4" acrylic and stone on canvas

Just one more thought about Bubbles and I promise to move on. In the process of creating my personal bubble, I became aware that most of my aforementioned stimuli came from external sources- art venues, exhibits, books, television, paint supplies etc. I seem to have forgotten the creative process requires internal stimuli as well. Mea culpa. Where do find my internal stimuli for my creative bubble? On a yoga mat.

I recently revisited my yoga mat after taking a work and winter-related hiatus. It's so easy to do and I'm good at it . I really hate it when I miss classes for any stretch of time. So does my body, mind and ego. It can be humiliating, humbling, and sometimes the guilt is unbearable. Yet it keeps me present. I have to respect that a pose I now find myself stuck or used to be able to do with such ease takes time to rebuild after an hiatus. I could practice at home but it's just not the same.

Health, diet and preventative practices are numero uno in my life, with art a close second. I have been practicing and studying yoga for 9 years. The styles have varied -hatha, bikram, ashtanga, and mysore. Throughout this time, I was, and still am, excited to learn, be challenged and have options. Personally, I crave and need a deeper, richer practice beyond just the physical. I want to integrate philosophy, breathing, meditation, purification techniques and ayurveda into my life and practice; tools to help restore and balance the emotional ups and downs of the creative process and daily life. It also helps to Know Thyself.

Four years ago, I found what I needed. I now practice tantric-vinyasa and tantra hatha under the rich and inspiring tutelage of Jim Bennitt and most recently, James Tennant at a weekend Yoga and Ayurveda workshop. Both teach at Moksha Yoga, and other studios in the Chicago area. They also conduct workshops nationwide. If you are ever in the Chicago area, I encourage you to take their class or workshop. In an earlier blog entry, I mentioned I have artist heroes. Well, these are my yogi heroes.

"Om"
4"x4" acrylic on canvas

External stimuli is terrific. Just make some room and arrange time for the internal as well. Your creative bubble will thank you for it. Mine did.