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

MANIPURA- Solar Plexus Chakra

The third chakra is where our inner power resides. We are all responsible for our feelings of empowerment. This is where we take ownership of our feelings and our actions. If we blame others for our feelings or our situations then we have given our power away. Most of us have heard that in life it is not what happens to us, it is what we do with what happens to us that makes all the difference. This is the place where we make choices, where we discharge our energy out into the world, where we discern when impulses are appropriate or inappropriate. We become proactive, we can say yes or no when we want to. If we have a deficiency in this chakra, we may feel like victims of our circumstances and blame others. We have poor self discipline, weak will and may be easily manipulated. We comply and play it safe. If we have an excess, we may become angry, aggressive, inflated, with a need to control others. We are ego-centered and accomplishment-driven.

A strong ego is important to grow authenticity and autonomy. It is when our ego is healthy that we can begin to transcend the ego and see that our inner strength is fed by a higher power.

"Lack of autonomy is often characterized by blaming. If we still blame others for our problems, we have not yet individuated. Blaming places both will and responsibility outside ourselves."
-Anodea Judith

Shame is the demon of the third chakra.
Fire is the element.

SVADISTHANA- Sacral chakra

From the rootedness of the first chakra we make our way to the second chakra. Here we experience movement, feelings, sexuality, sensuality, playfulness and creativity. When we awaken to our senses, we feel more alive and stimulated. We are drawn towards pleasure. Think of the things you love... often they have to do with how they make you feel. You feel happy, free and open. You are curious and energized.
When we take in healthy pleasures, we are satiated and content.

"You are what your deep driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny. -Upanishad IV .4.5

Guilt is the demon of the 2nd chakra because it curtails the free flow of movement.
Water is the element of this chakra.