March Forth
Welcome to Pisces season. It's symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, dreamer & the mystic, representing the constant division of Pisces's attention between fantasy and reality. Pisces characters are regarded for being among the most sympathetic of the zodiac signs, and they will go to great lengths to ensure the happiness of those around them. They're also creative and imaginative. I am focusing on this Astrological sign because it's the last on the calendar, we just had a Pisces new moon and in my world of zodiac signs, truth be told - it’s my birthday month ! and as a Pisces fish whose married to another Pisces fish, with a mother whose a Pisces fish and brother in law with the same birthday – well … it deserves a spot in my monthly post.
Also, I am finishing up my curriculum for my retreat which I am I looking so forward to being on the beach and in the sea in Puerto Morelos . I will be away March 25- April 2, so remember, my online classes will be cancelled that week in order to keep my focus and awareness directed toward hosting this amazing retreat at Villa Shanti with everyone who is meant to be there to explore, connect and create new openings. We will be snorkeling and diving deep into the yogic arts from a study perspective of using the Koshas as our framework for investigation of the Self.
The Koshas are considered the energetic layers of your body that surround our soul. Sometimes, they’re referred to as “sheaths” or “casings” or “ curtains” nestled around our inner light. They were first described in the ancient yoga text the Taittiriya Upanishad. This Vedic text is thought to have been written during the sixth century B.C. and provides guidelines relating to spiritual liberation. I sometimes get the visual of the Russian stacking dolls, but in most cases I think about the different types of fabrics that could cover the light within, like thick cotton canvas and opaque nylon rip stop , semi –sheer crepe de chine and ultra sheer silk organza. In any case , that was my 35 yrs of textile design industry coming out . And here’s my painting that might be easier to understand.
Retreats and workshops give me as a teacher and as a student the available time to dive deep into the nooks and crannies like coral, in the depths of the philosophy and practices. We can use the time to slowly expand our self-discovery through yoga & art with out a rush out of the studio to get home or back to a desk. Instead there is time to be with our selves in asanas longer, practice pranayama for more than 3 mins to embody technique as a tool and carve space for reflection and integration with meditation, journaling and art making. If we are going to look deep, we need to dive slowly down and swim slowly up.
Here are some journaling or doodling prompts to help you connect to your emotions deeper now:
Where do I feel safe to let my emotions out ?
What do I need right now ?
Can I allow myself to daydream without adding the boundaries ?
Creative energy lies deep within us all. You don’t need to know how to draw to doodle. You don’t need to be limber to practice yoga. The fact is we are all artists from within because we are human, with this inanate ability to create and need to express ourselves in many ways. We all have this creative potential just waiting to be released. We might not make the time or know where to start. Kind of like the Asana – remember back to the first time you stepped on a yoga mat? What did it feel like?
March 15 at 6:00-7:30pm at Ascend Collective
Cultivate Your Creativity ---- A workshop to learn techniques to tap into your creative Self.
Yoga & art are powerful ways to connect back into your vision and voice of self- expression.
I leave you with this affirmation.
I allow more ease and flow into my life and release control.
Once we make the space and let go over control- creative energy can flow through and you can play within the waves of living.
OM SHANTI
DANI
