Willow Glen Yoga

09/08/2024

“When I first began to do inner work it was a mob scene in there.”

~Ram Dass

09/06/2024

Holistic attention is attending to both the body and mind as interconnected aspects of the whole self, fostering a state of overall well-being and presence.

09/03/2024

“Our bodies are not just machines we inhabit; they are the living, breathing expression of who we are."

Mark Matouse

09/01/2024

After a long hiatus from traditional yoga classes, yesterday I unrolled my mat beneath the intertwining branches of two magnificent trees, their silhouettes etched against the vivid blue sky I felt a sense of peace and tranquility.

The sweet melodies of birdsong mingled with the soothing live music, enveloping us in a symphony of love and life. The surroundings provided a serene backdrop for our practice, offering moments of joy and wonder amidst the challenges.

As I moved through the initial poses, I felt a deep connection to the earth beneath me, its solidity and grounding presence a reminder of our shared roots. The sun's warm embrace enveloped my skin, its rays a gentle reminder of life's ever-present radiance. A soft breeze danced around us, its touch a whispered invitation to fully inhabit our bodies and savor the present moment.

Suddenly I found myself navigating the familiar challenge of reconciling the poses with my body's innate wisdom. As someone who prefers the bottom-up approach of somatic movement, I noticed my tendency to disconnect from my body's intelligence in favor of the more top-down, goal-oriented nature of yoga.
This became particularly evident as we transitioned from downward-facing dog into a low lunge….
Continued on Substack:

After a long hiatus from traditional yoga classes, yesterday I unrolled my mat beneath the intertwining branches of two magnificent trees, their silhouettes etched against the vivid blue sky I felt a sense of peace and tranquility.

08/21/2024

Your breathing indicates very clearly the
state you are in.
~Charlotte Selver

07/19/2024

Free Audio Somatic Movement Meditation! And 3 Questions to ask yourself to discover a fresh sense of purpose.
https://conta.cc/3ShalZn

Kickstart Your Weekend! Our Lady of Luchadors 8 x 9 ½ " Water Color on Rag Cotton Paper by Kent Bond interested in purchasing? email Kentbond@me.com Engage in Present in Motion (PiM) throughout your d

06/27/2024

I've been reflecting on the idea that "Art is not an accessory to pleasure but a means of our connection to the cosmos." This thought resonated with me as I watched Antonio-Tony Gonzalez-Walker’s video of the sun flickering behind trees and listened to the gentle rippling of a river—a beautiful reminder of how art transcends our everyday experiences and unites us with something greater.

Then reminiscing about that joyful moment when friends sat by the ocean, the crashing of tumbling rocks and the roaring waves hushed us, invoking a profound connection to the fluid presence of our foundations: blood, rivers, oceans, cerebrospinal fluid—a fluid state of unity.

Yesterday, as we, Kent Bond, Michelle Martin and Bernard Coll and I viewed the Portraits in Red exhibit at the Warm Springs Museum, we encountered a powerful display that challenges our collective moral landscape. Experiences like these confirm that art is more than just for pleasure—it moves us, provokes us, and reminds us that we are capable of so much more than fear.

I love exploring the transformative power of art in all its forms and treasure the memories that come from experiencing it together. Here's to many more shared artistic poignant adventures in the future!

~Mary Ellen

And about fear:

“I believe that the world was created and approved by love, that it subsists, coheres, and endures by love, and that, insofar as it is redeemable, it can be redeemed only by love.”

~ Wendell Berry