Deliberate Intention

I had a revelation during yoga on New Year's Day... I was lucky enough to be practicing next to Mark Reis, one of the wonderful teachers at our studio. I noticed his very deliberate, INTENTIONAL movements throughout class. He embodies strength AND grace. After class this came to my mind as I considered what word would be my inspiration for the year. I had considered "cultivate," but NOW I had a stronger, more deliberate word... INTENTION. I know that if I approach everything I do with INTENTION I will be able to complete anything I do in a more focused and mindful way.

Soooo.... it looks like Mark is inspiring me two days in a row! He taught class the next morning and during the savasanas read us part of a story. The book was titled, "Hope for the Flowers," about the adventures and life realizations of two caterpillars. He only read to chapter 4 during the brief savasanas, but wow, what an impact! Class seemed to fly by as he seamlessly read and guided us though practice. I left class imaging my practice as a metamorphosis of postures slowly progressing in the safe cocoon of the studio. How wonderful to think of that slow progress towards one day being a butterfly/better version of yourself. I sure hope Mark includes "story time" again in class one day. Beautiful!

The lovely story of the caterpillars reminded me of a tile I created a little while back... I pulled it out and worked on the finishing touches of shading. I had so much fun creating this organic tile that didn't have a fixed orientation... in true Zentangle fashion you can turn it and admire from any angle! (I created this tile at Sharla Hick's wonderful Dance of the Flowers, Zentangle Retreat in Big Bear.)

"Cornered Mooka"

The last couple of days we have had LOTS of rain! It has been several years (way too long!) since we have had a storm this size. It was wonderful to hear the rain falling... I had missed it! This morning the storm was moving out and the sky was  blue crystal... all freshly scrubbed with puffy cotton balls floating by. 

I took advantage of the nice rainy day to get my studio back into creating order! It had become a little messy during the last several weeks between preparation for the large workshop and then Christmas.  It is nice to have the new year ahead... and it feels wonderful to have all my paraphernalia back in it's place. This means it's time to get creating again! YAYYY!

I love my bright, cheery, ORGANIZED studio! 

The 60 day Bikram Challenge at the studio began this week! What an awesome way to start the new year! 

I hope that your start of the year has been inspiring and happy!