Sunday, July 29, 2012

I am so many things:

"Physical Theatre training (basic - maybe intermediate) Professional Artist (accomplished) Yoga Teacher (qualified) Thai Massage Practitioner (qualified) vegetarian/vegan cook (applauded)"


and that's not all: "German teacher (experienced), photographer (experienced), workshop leader & assistant (experienced), Art teacher (very experienced), Art Handling Technician, bookshop employee, Art invigilator, Theatre Lighting Technician, Theatre front of House staff, Volunteer Coordinator, Drama Workshop leader (experienced in them all - except the lighting is so long ago I wouldn't like to call myself proficient now),  dog sitter (yes, I've done that, too), snail hunting (yes)"

Message from the universe,

 via Birgit: A special gift this week for You or your friend


If you come to my house and bring just £20,  90 minutes and your lovely self, THEN I would like to invite you for a footmassage (+ lower leg) this week that will make you feel like you are floating. I will use oils mixed with cream, you will sit back in silence, enjoying the green trees outside of my window and sips of endless herbal tea. 
You would not have a big meal before, but rather eat a little than come hungry. You would have washed your feet that day (small dust and a day's-use-traces no problem at all, that's what they are there for) 
You would smile, cry, breathe, mostly breathe and enjoy your treat. 
Which day is suitable for you?  
Your friend the universe via Birgit. xxx
location: Liverpool UK
+44 (0)7415 188 944

(Normal price for this massage £45-£50, normal low income concession limited to 2 clients per week (on application): £25)

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

new items in my etsy shop

and it's the project:
'A wild sheep chase' 
the photo isn't listed, but the drawing is.
CLICK on the sheep to be taken to my shop
to see more drawings. 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

my birthday is sneaking upon me

I know I'm not meant to ask, but it would make me extra happy..: 
It's my Birthday on Monday the 23rd.. If you send messages via letter pigeon..

Thursday, July 12, 2012

interview with Richard Freeman

I wish I could embed the whole video, here is a link to it,
https://projectrestoration.com/richardfreeman
below is a snack sized section of the 20 minute interview
(for full interview follow the link above).


I seem to have taken a very long time to find my way to Richard Freeman, from
what I have seen of his talks and practice demonstrations he resonates with me
so much. I am for the first time in years considering to spend real money on a yoga
publication. Perhaps his dvd, perhaps the cd of chants.. Both expensive for me at
the moment, but I think the sooner the better...

I found Sounds True in America (through which Richard Freeman runs an interactive
pranayama talks series) - they have a special offer on his cds and dvds at the moment -
in case the hyperlink doesn't work use the next link and navigate the site:
http://www.soundstrue.com/

making truffles

celebrating feeling better


with homemade: organic cocoa, date and nut truffles. no sugar, no butter, no eggs, no dairy, no flour.. delicious !

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

daily miracles we forget to notice



People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child — our own two eyes. All is a miracle.
(I found this quote on www.sheof108names.wordpress.com)

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

BKS Iyengar / The Wealth of Health versus Appearances




There is something so awe inspiring about watching this 45 year old film footage of BKS Iyengar demonstrating asana. Who was the audience? Did they have any understanding or was this a form of outlandish gymnastics to them? After all these years of practicing yoga even I still find it strange to watch a yoga asana practice. It definitely is an experience to be had within, rather than observed externally.
In my parallel life I am a professional Artist, from this perspective I really should promote my work, chase the career, socialize strategically.. The more I practice Yoga Asana, the more my life changes, and it becomes increasingly impossible to abuse my body with 16 hour work days for the sake of appearing ‘successful’. In reality my name gains credential, it does indeed, and at the same time my body gains internal wounds from exhaustion, from one too many times rushed to meet a deadline..
In the past year I have spent significantly more time thinking about the Wealth of Health than about which gallery to attempt to impress into exhibiting and selling my work. I am still finding my way, but while it scares me I also feel that it was the only sensible decision to take a full 18 months out from even considering to make any Art work or engage in the Art crowd. My feet feel like they landed on the ground a little. My health is improving, and still I am fragile. The healthiest years in my life were those when I practiced yoga 3-4 times a week without fail. 6 days a week seems to deplete me.
I believe it is possible that this has to do with my approach to the practice and my approach to the days following. I strongly believe that Ashtanga practice can be restorative, in my experience it was depleting, but I have a feeling that was my way of practicing and living that could have been responsible.
What do you think?

Monday, July 09, 2012

life essentials; in the words of a friend of mine

"Passionate about healthy conscious living in the full spectrum of life: work, relationships and the rest." Julian Giacomelli chief at: http://www.crudessence.com

Thursday, July 05, 2012

question: am I extra terrestrial or am I not?

I feel just a little bit like an incomprehensible alien at the moment. Nobody I know well enough leads an alternative life, with long distance relationship spells, and far away travel, and exhibitions at galleries, some of which damage or not return art work for months or longer; and not a plan that is very similar to the plans other people make when they feel they are making a sensible, standard type plan. I think I am incredibly sensible, but certainly not standard. Of the people I know who are not standard, I don't know (m)any who are sensible and plan for the future. My friends, even the ones who on paper aren't actually so standard at all, appear to despair at my lack of standard.. I may after all be an alien. 
------------
standard = average = normal = predictable = steady = having the illusion of being plan-able ≠ actually life isn't plan-able, I understand it may appear so, and I also try and emulate the pattern, the plan-ability but... is life plan-able?

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Andrei Ram Om teaching Handstand


lovely insights into how to work towards handstand. I love this.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - Ritual in Motion


A nice introduction to aspects of Ashtanga Yoga Asana practice.
There is just one thing that David Robson says that I disagree with. He says that Asana is difficult, and that it should be difficult. I am not sure I agree. I think it can be gentle and easy, too. Asana being difficult, the way he seems to mean it, seems focused on achievement of a kind that actually I don't support. The implication seems to be that one ought to achieve certain 'goals' that are too attached to the physical 'look' for my understanding. I think Asana can be easy. 

open hearts

In the last days I have been thinking about meeting the world with an open heart. Or rather, I have been thinking about how difficult that can be. I see some other people, their blogs and websites just overflow with open-ness and love for life and the world. 

Monday, July 02, 2012

What every young cow needs..

..a Z300i mobile telephone with digital clock pretending to be an analog one. A discarded doll, 2 combs, some bottles and containers of medicine, various junk and empty coke and pop drinks...


............

(image DSC_5703)