The Artist's Way

It's also the yoga way.

As children, we embrace creativity as our very nature. We love drawing and playing make-believe. We have no shame in coloring outside of the lines or getting dirty jumping in puddles.

Somewhere along the way, the spark leaves us, or maybe it just goes dormant. School turns us into rule followers. So does work.

My spark got lost for several decades. But I’m changing that.

This past week I started a beginner's watercolor class. I've always wanted to paint, but I never took the initiative. So when I sat down in my first class on Tuesday, fear gripped me. Why did I do this? What if I’m terrible?

Here I was, daring to be a beginner again, pushing watery paint across the paper. What was the worst that could happen? Could I explore how it feels to swirl a paintbrush? Or mix colors on a palette?

This year I have experienced a burst of creative energy. As of today, I've written 27,151 words in the first draft of my memoir. I'm over halfway to my goal of 50,000. I surprise myself every day when I look back at what I've accomplished.

Had I not joined the NaNoWriMo challenge, I wouldn’t have written a word.

Of course, I have yoga to thank for this. My practice connects me to myself, the Higher Self, and the Infinite Source of creativity.

It’s been so exciting that I'd like to explore my inner artist even more. I’ve been wondering-would you like to join me? I'm hosting a free book club on Zoom in December. The book is called "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. Take the poll to let me know you'd like to participate. Once I know of interest, we can pick a date.

Every time we say 'Let there be!' in any way, something happens.

Stella Terrill Mann

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Maintaining your mobility, flexibility, and balance is essential to gracefully aging. Measure how you’re doing by taking this quiz:

1. Can you stand on one foot for ten seconds?

2. Can you get down on the floor and back up easily without holding on to furniture?

3. Are you able to sit in a squat?

Here is a solution if you answered "no" to these questions: another four-week class “Yoga for Healthy Aging” series, starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night on Zoom. The classes will be gentle and accessible for everyone. We will practice building movement skills. Interested? Here is the link.