Yoga Bear Cares

Watercolor Calendar 2011

Yoga Watercolor Calendar 2011 is almost ready to go to the printers, just 3 more paintings.
This year's calendar is going to be the best yet I think. It is very whimsical and fun. Orders are coming in so be sure to let me know if you are wanting one or more. Price is the same as last year if you order from me.
A big thanks to the wonderful models I have had this year. Can't do this without my models!!!

Wednesday Morning Yoga

I have a small group of students for 4 consecutive weeks Wed morning in my home studio. ( 2 weeks in Aug, 2 weeks in September).
There is still a space available for anyone who wants to join us for all or just one class. Give me a call or email me or just leave a comment... I will get back to you.

VISSUDHA: The Throat Chakra

This week I offered a quote by Martha Graham that seemed to speak of 5th chakra energy. It is here we express ourselves creatively. We are true to ourselves, we listen deeply, we are aware of resonance, we communicate clearly and we find our "own voice".

Martha Graham said this," There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action.
And because there is only one you in all time, this expression is unique.
And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium... the world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable , not how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open."

Space or sound is the element of this chakra.
Lies is the demon.

ANAHATA - the heart chakra

From the solar plexus we now move up to the heart. The heart chakra is the place where we orient to acceptance of ourselves and others. We express love and compassion, empathy and altruism.
At the same time we engage in self-reflective consciousness. If we are not aware of our conditioning, physically, mentally and emotionally, we cannot evolve. We become caught in repetitive cycles and unhealthy patterns that we repeat over and over.
Our mind-body connection is part of the balance we discover here. What is the body telling us?

The heart chakra involves reaching out and taking in. It is important to reach out, yet also important to receive. If we cannot receive, the chakra is deficient.

Grief is the demon of the 4th chakra. Grief can block the heart as can fear. When our heart is heavy or broken we may feel a huge weight on our chest. If we deny our grief we may become hard, cold and rigid. When grief is given voice and acknowledged, there is a place for hope and the heart lightens.
Grief can come from loss, but also from denial of parts of ourselves. If we have denied our authenticity, our personal power or our own authority, we may experience a deep unexpressed or unconscious grief. In order to love fully we must develop ego strength (3rd chakra).

Air is the element of the 3rd chakra. The respiratory system pumps the heart.

"Give sorrow words: the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break." -Shakespeare