I’ve been spending a lot of time out on the ice at Medicine Lake for the Art Shanty Projects!
Check out our site, the turnout has been amazing, even on a rainy day in January! There are great photos of all the swaps.
Hope you will stop by, it’s so much FUN!
Wow, this new year is off to a full start!
Full blue moon last weekend, full retreat coming up this Sunday, full-swing on Art Shanty production the next two weeks, and full-of-changes at Blooma (my other job), where we prepare for construction and expansion! Only five days into the year and so much is bubbling and simmering and underway. I usually think of January as a time to lay low after the holidays, a time when not much is going on…but not so this year (or this week anyhow). So I am considering how I will fit in my quiet yin time–we really are meant to slow down in the winter, to hibernate. I need to take full care of myself amidst all this exciting activity, too.
In case you were curious about the retreat (read an entry or two back), but couldn’t swing it this time for whatever reason, please know we are offering one each season. Of course attending all 4 would be fantastic, but you are welcome to attend any of them. The Spring retreat is tentatively set for Sunday, April 18th. I’m really looking forward to this Sunday–it’s going to be a lovely day–I can’t wait to be among the participants, sharing the gift of shiatsu, teaching some self-care techniques and–best of all, being amidst the creative energy as people are collage-ing and journaling away! It’s going to give Chakra Khan a nice dose of creative energy!
How is your year so far? Is it full? Have you had a chance to tend to yourself? Here’s a little exercise you can do anytime. I learned it from Dr. Andrew Weil’s breathing CD (which I now have available at Chakra Khan if you’d like your own copy). . . He mentions how most of the time we focus our energy on the inhale. This exercise encourages you to gently focus on your exhale. Let your inhale come back naturally, without force. Try to subtly focus on lengthening your exhale. As you do this, you ultimately start to bring more oxygen into your system, he says. Apart from that, it is very calming–it’s a great exercise while falling asleep at the end of the day.
Wishing you full round days and full nights of deep winter’s rest,
julie
Wishing you lots of fun and many blessings in two thousand ten!
–julie
join us on January 10th!
Creative Visioning Retreat Series
Sarina LaMarche, Life Coach, & Julie Kesti, artist and Shiatsu Practitioner,
Invite you to the first of four Creative Visioning Retreats!
During this nurturing, supportive, and creative workshop you’ll have the opportunity to slow down and really connect with yourself on deeper level. Using reflection, visioning, movement, meditation, journaling, and collage you will access your inner wisdom discover what you want for your life. We will explore areas of your life that are draining your energy, discover activities that fuel you, and clarify priorities. You will have the opportunity to learn about and experience shiatsu and learn to do reiki energy work on yourself. Nourishing snacks, beverages, and lunch will be provided. You will have time to connect with others and spend time on your own. Leave feeling balanced, inspired, energized, and focused as you head into the contemplative winter months.
Sunday January 10th, 2010, from 10-4 @ Chakra Khan in Minneapolis $125 price includes lunch, journal, shiatsu, and all supplies. To register email sarinalamarche@yahoo.com
Read more about Sarina at onebalancedlife.com. (read more about julie here!)
In anticipation of the reception this Saturday for my recent paintings (and more) based on the theme God’s Eye, Third Eyes, and Evil Eyes, I thought I’d share some facts/thoughts on these three subjects.
(Also, remember our Holiday Sale is happening simultaneously–10% off gift certificates and purchases of 3 or more retail items–super-fun gifts, most for under $20!)
GOD’s EYE: These I remember learning to make as a kid at camp, and I think I made them with my Grandma Irene, though this fact has not been confirmed by my mom. They are really meditative to make, winding around and around–somewhat like other forms of yarn-work, knitting or crochet, but really more like weaving. I think perhaps it is very hard to make one that is not beautiful. This wikipedia entry has some interesting notes on their possible origins. I like the idea of making a new ring for each year of one’s life. Given my recent birthday, I would have to start my own god’s eye chronicle with 32 rings! I may need something bigger than chopsticks to create my loom. . .
THIRD EYES: You’ve probably seen some sort of “third eye” image before. It’s a chakra, a point, an area of the body which denotes your intuitive sense. It’s where you connect with your own inner wisdom. The spot is between your brows. And come to think of it, it reminds me of a Shel Silverstein poem my brother once gave me as a gift:
The Voice
There is a voice inside of you
that whispers all day long,
“I feel that this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong.”
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
Or wise man can decide
what’s right for you–just listen to
the voice that speaks inside.
EVIL EYES: This is another fascinating concept. It shows up in many cultures of the world, and usually works along the lines of a curse or wish of bad luck that is cast by one person on another. I’ve read about in the book Sastun, in which a Mayan medicine man heals people with streaks of bad luck attributed to someone casting an “evil eye” upon them. I also have a lovely glass evil eye, called a Nazar, which my neighbors brought me from Turkey. These glass charms are meant to ward off the evil eye and serve as a form of protection. This is the aspect of the evil eye I was working with in these paintings. So don’t worry, the paintings won’t cast an evil eye spell on you! ;) Hopefuly only a pleasing eye spell on you.
I hope to see you Saturday! If you can’t make it, the artwork will be up at Chakra Khan through February.
Enjoy!
–julie
Well. If you have been following along my website for at least a year, you will know that a year ago my sweet nephew Matthew left this life. Of course we are all thinking of him a lot this week (every week really, but especially this week). Today I am working on some paintings I am making out of drawings he made. I was also reading through some poems he wrote and thought I’d share one with you that I think is especially sweet. He made it out of his spelling words in October 2008. I share this with you as, I don’t know, a document of part of the process that is grieving and changing with life.
thanks,
–julie
Nighttime When I put on my night gown, I can feel it. When I frown in the mirror, I can feel it. When I walk up the stairs, I can feel it. When I hug my mom, I can feel it. When I watch the sun go down, I can feel it. The couch feels like it. Everything in the dark sauce of night feels like it. Even the scrawny lamppost feels like it. What is it? It is the feeling of life. You treasure it.
Today I hung all the artwork for my show at Chakra Khan. It’s always an interesting process putting it all together.
Here’s sneak peak of parts of it–just simple up-close snapshots—you’ll have to come to Chakra Khan yourself to see the whole picture!
The reception is Saturday, December 19th from 2-5. (same time as our holiday gift sale.)
You could also stop in this Wed., the 2nd, for Walk in First Wednesday, or come for a session anytime between now and the end of February and you’ll see it!
The theme of the show is “god’s eye, third eye, evil eye.” All pieces are for sale and I’ve made them super-duper affordable–perhaps you will give one of these pieces a home. ;)
–julie
snapshot 1
snapshot2
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Wishing you a warm and wonderful day with people you love.
I am so grateful for my work and a wonderful community of clients!
Thank you.
-julie
12/2 may be the last Walk-in Wednesday ~ it may evolve to something new in 2010, so join us on the 2nd for a cozy evening mid-week and a discounted session! 4-7pm
ALSO~~~our Holiday-Sale-Slash-Julie’s-Art-Show will be Saturday, Dec. 19 from 2-5. Come buy some last minute gifts and view Julie’s God’s Eye/Evil Eyes/Third Eye paintings! FUN!
The Vine Arts Center, just down the hall from us, will be having a holiday sale that day as well–yahoo!
Also–have you read about COMMUNITY KNIT yet? So cool!
join us on January 10th!
Creative Visioning Retreat Series
Sarina LaMarche, Life Coach, & Julie Kesti, artist and Shiatsu Practitioner,
Invite you to the first of four Creative Visioning Retreats!
During this nurturing, supportive, and creative workshop you’ll have the opportunity to slow down and really connect with yourself on deeper level. Using reflection, visioning, movement, meditation, journaling, and collage you will access your inner wisdom discover what you want for your life. We will explore areas of your life that are draining your energy, discover activities that fuel you, and clarify priorities. You will have the opportunity to learn about and experience shiatsu and learn to do reiki energy work on yourself. Nourishing snacks, beverages, and lunch will be provided. You will have time to connect with others and spend time on your own. Leave feeling balanced, inspired, energized, and focused as you head into the contemplative winter months.
Sunday January 10th, 2010, from 10-4 @ Chakra Khan in Minneapolis $125 price includes lunch, journal, shiatsu, and all supplies. To register email sarinalamarche@yahoo.com
Read more about Sarina at onebalancedlife.com. (read more about julie here!)
My bodywork practice promotes compassionate, creative, and healthy relationships between people, their bodies, and the world around them.
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