Illustration Fri. & Paint Party Fri.

5x8 moleskine: watercolor, pen

My offering for IF's word prompt this week 'grounded' and also for Paint Party Friday -first time submitting over there for me.

Yoga has been on my mind as we started this new year. It's not because I'm one for making resolutions, I like to think of them more as personal goals - and one of them is to dust off my yoga mat and get 'grounded' by practicing it consistently this year. I stopped and started it more than a few times last year, so gonna give it my best shot to stick with it in 2012 (as well as getting more illos & paintings done!)

One of the aspects of yoga that I connect with most is the concept that what happens on the mat is much like training for life. Yoga poses ask your body to find strength, balance, and flexibility all at once - a lot of situations in life also ask for a combination of these qualities. By practicing yoga we're able to approach life with a calmer, more grounded, outlook....

A bit of info I discovered on yoga 'grounding':

Grounding allows Expansion

By simply grounding down, our ability to expand is increased. When we stretch in yoga we get a sense of liberation. Without the fundamental feeling of being grounded, none of the other qualities of the heart can unfold. The qualities of the pose – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – flow from the foundation. By focusing on the foundation we feel safer, stable, and trusting. When we feel secure we can expand.

I hope I've inspired you to give it a try....namaste.