Saint on wheels

Yoga stress - is it even possible?

Yesterday evening I tried a yoga dvd class (also from the library) to get more inspiration and learn new asanas (see previous post if you don't know what that is). It was a ashtanga vinyasa class of 90 minutes. I've attended real vinyasa classes before at Ananda yoga studio in Växjö, but this one was faster and more advanced... I was experiencing... yoga stress? I was already exhausted from the work, and needed to chill out, not break out in sweat!  I kept going but the after effect wasn't worth it. Uncomfortable body and mind.

So young yogi, what did you learn?
Well, first of all, it's important to listen to your body. It's obvious, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves. What I really needed, if I would have listened, was to meditate, do a few slow asanas and just stretch out.

It's easy to get stuck in a YOGASUPERKICKAS MODE which can be activated and motivated by beautiful people standing on their heads or performing a perfect lord of the dancers. IT'S GREAT TO HAVE INSPIRATION but don't forget that it took them time to get there. Don't stress it. Yoga to prevent stress, not build it. It's like sitting down with your favorite cup of tea (or chocolate, or coffe)... relax and enjoy it the way you want it. Don't be afraid to try something new. I won't do ashtanga vinyasa session again after work as relaxation, but on a day off? Sure.
Try, try, try again!

Haha, this picture... Paint has it's limits, but the mind? You decide!

It's up to you to get yourself where you want to be.

Are you a victim of circumstance or are you the creator?

I don't have time is not an excuse not to yoga. 

You can yoga anywhere for as long as you want!

I don't have the energy is not an excuse not to yoga.

When done right, yoga will give you more energy than you "spend". 

It's time to invest in yourself.

Emelie

One of my latest experiments. "Emelie" 

a more modern interpretation of the traditional story of Sleeping Beauty.

At the bottom of this post my thoughts behind it are revealed.

 

 "Emelie"  - 3d collage and paint mix. 

Detail of the painting. The evil stepmother.

Detail. Sleeping beauty awakens.

STORY

What's different between the classic story and my piece:

In the old story the princess was saved by a prince and true loves kiss. Here this is NOT the case. She founds the strength within herserlf to wake up to  reality and realize that the external world is not always the issue.  We all have an evil stepmother within us -  The attention demanding, self-demining voice inside that can control you by putting up limits, chasing empty beauty and just dreaming away instead of living the life you are meant for. This is about stepping out of expectations of what we learned as little children and see that the evil stepmother, the princess and the knight in the shining armour are ONE. They're all different battles of the mind and we can decide who we want to be by what we let motivate our hearts and minds.

MATERIALS

The base: 

Started off with a grey and a dusty pink acrylic base. Thick layers are good for when you have a lot of the same color because it gets more depth and texture. Then I added on some black nail polish (you can paint with almost anything!) Because I am one of those recycle everything kinda gal but have to walk for a bit to get to the recycling station I decided to glue on some of the things that wouldn't go in the regular garbage bin. Which was pink silk paper, broken sunshade bows, the nailpolish brush and bottle and also a few pieces of a smashed wine glass. 

The collage: 

I picked pieces that looked like flowing fabric and had a lot of motion going on. All of them in the dusty side of the color spectre. Putting the pieces together is like a puzzle with endless possibilites. I don't glue until I get the "right" feel to it. As a finishing touch brushstrokes and clolor splashes were added for blending in the cut-outs and for sharper contrast.

Note:

SOLD! If you like it check out my other artwork OR send me a request.

Waves of space

What stormy ocean 

is not the industry in the fabric of life?

What came from our hands

has gone out of our hands

to consume us completely.

 The thread of destiny never seams to end

Still it can be broken at any moment

Öland art nights 2012

Every year the big happening on Öland is the harvest festival and that means the whole island comes to life with art, crafts, culture in one big bang! This year I decided to join and show some of my pieces at a cozy little resturant/bed & breakfast in Borgholm called Villa Lavendel. Here's a little hint of what it was like...

photos by Cecilia Sandhu

pieces

I can do tricks
with scissors
and glue sticks