Friday, January 6, 2012

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.

18 comments:

Carol said...

Hi! Welcome to Paint Party Friday! I need to dust off my yoga mat too...maybe we can encourage each other :0)

GlorV1 said...

Hi and nice to meet you. I like the idea of Yoga, but have never attempted. Maybe someday. Nice job.

carol l mckenna said...

Yep ~ me too ~ Yoga mat needs to be used again! Lovely painting of the yoga concept ~~ thanks, namaste, Carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF ^_^

Maria Ontiveros said...

I love this! I'm taking yoga (again) and this is the first teacher who really emphasizes grounding and splaying my toes. I've really noticed the difference.
Rinda

Unknown said...

You're so right.
the Moleskine page is wonderful!! You could make a poster.

Netty said...

Great concept. I know nothing about yoga and this has proved to be most interesting. Happy PPF, Annette x

wednesday said...

Wonderful illustration, and such a lovely explanation of the principle.
Welcome to PPF.

Mary C. Nasser said...

Love your word for the week...grounded. I feel so grounded when I create art. :)

What an elegant painting.

Happy New Year and
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

WrightStuff said...

That foot looks so real. Is it tickleish?

EVA said...

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! Great to have you join us.

I love your choice of word and your page you created exploring it.

deeplyrootedinbeing said...

I love your painting! I'm a Yogi and I love how you incorporated the information onto the painting! Well done!!

Daniele Valois said...

Wonderful!!!

zainah said...

this is perfect for "grounded!" I do yoga and and always have to remind myself how to plant my feet in the ground so I don't fall over :)

Geckostone said...

This is beautiful! I love doing yoga too, even though I'm not very advanced, it does help me meditate! Namaste! Deb

Kristin Dudish said...

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! It's wonderful to have you sharing your talents with us!

This is a beautiful page and a great interpretation of 'grounded'. (I agree that it would make a wonderful poster.)

xo
Kristin

SHERI COOK said...

Welcome to PPF.
Nice illustration. Well done!
Sheri Cook
HappyHorseStudio

DVArtist said...

Hi and welcome to PPF. It is so much fun and so many nice people to meet.
Nicole/Beadwright

Anne Manda said...

Lovely!<3
I'm a yogini, too, so this really talks to me. :))