Remembering

So it's November and tis the season to remember. I remembered something yesterday, something I can't believe I got so far away from.

Two nights ago I had a rather chilling dream, where I was in a basement, and I moved a blanket that was covering a table and there in a little basket under the table was our old cat. I was shocked and horrified that I had forgotten our cat! She was thin and emaciated and so glad to see me. Right away I rushed and made her milk and eggs and she was so happy, she bounded up the stairs and seemed to be her old self, with no hard feelings.

It was easy for me to read that dream, although I have been living my painting, and living my yoga, I have not actually been doing yoga for months, nor have I been attending my Sangha every week, and no chant or meditation has enveloped me for quite some time (read months and months).

I have been using the excuse that our schedule has changed so my Monday Sangha meeting is difficult to make, that life is so hectic with odd deadlines and new learning curves that I have no time for yoga and it all came to a head with that dream.

So yesterday I said  my intention out loud; 'I miss yoga, I really want to do that new class!'(303), and today I have just finished class 303. (*And for Melissa, it was everything I loved Mantra's and pigeons and everything I don't love Utkata Konasana and Utkata Konasana (Can I say that twice please?;-p).

And now I am putting my intention in writing because as much as painting fills me to overflowing, I needed that little reminder that I have to keep the container in good nick! No hard feelings, let's just go back upstairs to the light.

Balance

So my new year's resolution was to be good to myself. Since I haven't been able to run, I really miss being physical, so to make balance with my heavy course load at school load I started meditation, yoga, mantra chanting and now Pingshuai Gong.

Sadly I also had to start on BP meds, but apparently it's genetic and no amount of yoga or physical and emotional fitness can change that as I found out, BUT - all of this has helped and I wanted to share that because maybe one of these things can help you find some balance too.

I see so much stress out there, not just because of world events, but because many artists did not find what they were seeking over the past few years, and many feel they are 'settling' for day jobs instead of touring the world with their music.

First, I want to tell you, that just because you did not succeed to the level you expected, your music is a part of you, so by feeling disgruntled, or by judging your art or comparing it to somebody else's, you are saying and thinking negative things to your own self. So - just stop it. You are amazing.

Second - do try some of these things, being healthy in your mind and body will help you bring balance into your world, so you can practice your art for as long as you can. Even just a few hours a week will help you hold your head higher, walk taller and be the mountain I know you are!

Ok - go!

Watch Melissa here - she has all kinds of free classes. I started free in Feb. then bought a 3 month membership to see if I would stick with it - and today I switched and got a year membership because the stuff inside the site kicks butt - and I am a lifer for sure! Check out her beginner classes, even the intermediate ones are a good start, she's really awesome pie and her classes are really accessible to everybody - I loved her right away.

For mediation I did the 21 day challenge with Deepak and Oprah, it was great, and even though I won't buy the product, it taught me a lot, and there is loads of free stuff around I can use if I feel like it.

For Mantras I turned to these great people - who I was already familiar with, but they also started a 21 day challenge, which fit right into my lull in school work. I LOVE the chanting, and the cool vibrate-y feeling you get. I won't buy the product either, but there are loads of youtube videos available for when the 21 days are over. I sometimes just put on a playlist to clean the house with.

Tonight another person I love so much, posted a link to a Pingshuai Gong video she made and I tried it. It felt so great, was so simple and I found it was an amazing warm up to an hour of yoga. I will keep on this for sure, it got me in the zone right away.

Anyway, that's my wellness check in for you - ask me anything!

(Also bonus: I'm making some cunning post Van's Warped Tour plans with Billy (http://billythekidonline.com) - it's going to be so cool - stay tuned!).