in this issue
Tap into your Creativity
Writing on a technical or professional level comes fairly
easily, but when I sit to write a short story or finish that
novel, the process is sometimes excruciating. My laundry gets
done, my house is sparkling, my closets are organized, but the
page remains blank. I hate writing.
Then there are days when the words flow like a river and I
love writing again. They say the key to creativity is working at
it every day.
In Julia Cameron's The Sound of Paper she recommends
three creative tools. The first are "Morning Pages," which are
longhand, free-form, morning writings. These prioritize the day
and remind us to stay present. The second are "Artist Dates,"
which are once- a-week festive solo outings, or
"self-romancing," where we become intimate with ourselves, our
dreams and aspirations. The third are simply 20-minute "Walks"
to get us out of our habitual thinking.
So whether you are a writer or artist, these tools are a
great way to kick off Spring when we celebrate and germinate our
potential.
More resources...
Quick Links...
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Dear Monica,
This monthly newsletter is created to provide you
with resources to nourish your practice and inspire your
spirit. Please send an e-mail if there is anything you
would like to see featured for our yoga community. -
Namaste, Monica Paredes
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Deepen Your Practice In Italy
A few spaces have opened up for our Yoga Retreat in
Italy!
Imagine sitting in Easy Pose, overlooking undulating
hills of fruit trees, breathing in the fresh air of the
serene Italian landscape. After your yoga class and a
fresh breakfast, you join your fellow yogis for a tour
of architecture in Orvieto or the highlights of Umbria.
Others choose to journal or swim by the pool or take
a bicycle ride to explore the nearby medieval town. The
evenings magically end with a sunset meditation.
From June 12-19, 2004, experience daily yoga and
meditation in a transformational place. Daily tours to
the surrounding sites are available. The deadline is
fast approaching. We hope you will join us.
More details here... »
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Heart and Soul Spaces
The other morning I drove through the beautiful green
landscape of Texas hill country to get to Cecelia
Norman's yoga studio in Comal. When I entered I was
greeted by smiling faces, big bright windows and the
smooth wooden floor. There's something about doing yoga
in a sacred space looking out at the trees. The journey
there was part of the practice.
Amidst our busy lives, it is important to find a
special place for spirit. Back in Connecticut it was the
reservoir in Collinsville, watching the sunset before
heading off to class at The Yoga Center. These places
bring us back to our essence, letting us just be instead
of having to do.
Rohna York reminded me that "prayer is when we talk
to God; meditation is when God talks to us." It is in
these places of stillness that we can connect to our
higher selves, the Divine.
Establish a place where your soul can rest and make
an appointment to go there once a day.
Cecelia's place... »
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Yoga & Art Series II
On April 10, 2004 from 9 a.m. to noon, Jane Goldstein
and I will be co-hosting the next series entitled: "In
Harmony with Nature" at the McNay Art Museum. After a
soothing yoga practice and walking meditation on the
museum grounds, we will be treated to a private
45-minute tour of the galleries, witnessing nature and
all its splendid colors captured by Impressionist and
more contemporary artists.
For more information or to register, call
210-381-2389.
More details here... »
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The Art of the Yamas and Niyamas
I am pleased to announce that our Yama and Niyama cards
are on their way to the printer, and should be ready for
distribution at the end of the month!
Nearly a year in the making, these 10 cards
artistically depict the Yamas and Niyamas and include
prose that teachers can read to set a theme for class,
or practitioners can use as a daily practice. They were
designed so that you will see something new each time in
the art, in the text, and in yourself.
These cards were inspired by Robyn Nola's Flower
Color Therapy cards. Special thank you to Angie Santucci
for her beautiful poses.
More details... »
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