Creativity – Page 14 – Life Unfolds Blog

Let’s Do Launch!

I’m always raving to people about Ladies Who Launch. I just love the positive, creative vibe of this vibrant group of women. Last night was the Launch Party for the Silicon Valley chapter. There was a great turnout at the Bryant Street Gallery and a buzz of excitement in the air.

Allie is our fearless Bay Area leader and she has enough energy to light up San Francisco. When she asked me last month if I was interested in leading the Oakland chapter, I was certainly intrigued! I went right away to pick up the Ladies Who Launch book to refresh myself on the Incubator experience and get an even deeper look at what the organization is taking a stand for. I devoured the book in less than a day. With every page I turned I said, “Yes! This is such good stuff! I love it!” Their message of feminine leadership and intuition so resonates with my coaching and creativity work.

According to the founders’ research:

“Women want to feel fulfilled, have fun, enjoy their femininity, and not sacrifice these desires for financial success. Women are redefining the very notion of success as they incorporate many elements, not just career or family, and want to be able to celebrate their personal creativity in whatever manifestation that means… Women are natural connectors, they derive fulfillment from relationships, and use them to move forward and execute ideas…Women tend to treat creative projects and new businesses like their children: they become emotionally attached.”

Their approach to embracing the feminine gives us permission to really go for our dreams, ask for help along the way and celebrate the process!

Allie invited the four Bay Area leaders together this afternoon for our first team meeting. I’m super excited to be collaborating with these savvy, fun gals! I know I’ll learn a lot and will have a blast along the way. And I can’t wait to get started sharing with other women the magic of the Ladies Who Launch Incubator program! I’ve been saying to my husband that I’m always having to drive into the city for cool networking events. Well, as they say a complaint is usually a request in disguise, so I’m loving the opportunity to bring this nationally acclaimed way of “launching” to women in my neck of the woods.

[tags]Ladies Who Launch, Incubator, women entrepreneurs, Oakland[/tags]

Dream Box

My third Dream Box workshop at the It’s Yoga Teacher Training was with my biggest group there yet. There were twenty five yogis from across the country, Japan, the UK and Germany. I love how each group’s energy is so different.

I also really enjoy getting to hear about all the different dreams that people have. One participant wants to create a yoga village where yoga lovers can live, practice, commune and learn with minimal impact on the planet. What a cool idea! Another student created a very unique dream box that I wish I snapped a picture of. The top of her box had a bunch of cut out eyes layered over each other to represent her vision. Then, she decorated the entire rim of the lid with those colorful “Yes!” post-it flags from Lucky magazine. They reminded me of a feather boa – so fun and fanciful! And finally she lined the sides with pictures of shoes to symbolize the success she’ll have from her art. No doubt this creative gal will reach her dreams!

Whenever I lead this workshop at the studio, I’m reminded of how it is possible to have dreams manifest! I had wanted to lead more workshops that combine coaching and creativity, I shared that during my teacher training and lo and behold, this amazing opportunity was created!

[tags]yoga, Ashtanga yoga, creativity, art, dream box, It’s Yoga, yoga teacher training, workshops, life coaching, art visioning[/tags]

Asana A-ha’s

Ever since taking my yoga teacher training, I’ve been even more fascinated by the idea of body and breath as gateways to our inner wisdom. In my quest to discover more about these concepts, this weekend I took a continuing education course called “Yoga Asanas and the Emotions: Creative Exploration of the Body Self” at JFK University. According to the instructor, Sophia Reinders:

“Through attention to the kinesthetic experience, yoga allows emotions and feelings that have taken a silent shape in muscles, posture and movement to come to conscious awareness.”

We started off Saturday by spending a couple minutes drawing where we most live in our body. My picture came in stilted scribbles and crude caricatures. (I had to get over that the drawing resembles some sort of weird chicken.) Regardless of appearances, it represented my feeling of grounding and rooting along with expansive creativity in my heart and mind and expression through my arms. Looking back after having seen all my images together, it seems like I created this one more from my head rather than my physical experience.

Next, we sketched where we least live on our body. I can’t stand doing any kind of leg extensions that require internal rotation. They just kill me. I always feel like my torso caves in because I can’t stretch very far over and that I have no energy coming out of my feet. So, I avoid poses like the Prasarita series and Upavistha Konasana. I also depicted how my shoulders get really tense when I’m stressed out and when I don’t deal with my emotions of anger and sadness. My collapsed rib cage stifles the creative and loving energy from my heart and I’m left feeling very stuck.

Sophia had us explore different poses to see where we habitually resist and how we overcompensate to avoid going where we don’t want to go. By opening up the stuck places (in Prasarita, no less!), I felt my chest and back lengthen and my fourth chakra have room to expand. I also played with getting more energy into my lower body in poses like down-dog and Prasarita. This helped me feel more grounded and stable. By the end of the day, my drawing had evolved to something much more fluid and integrated. I tapped into a feeling of unfolding and radiating from my heart center.

My yoga teacher training taught me how powerful adjustments can be, and it was cool to now add on this new layer of shifting poses from the emotional field, too. Sophia said that yoga is such a great access point to our emotions because the variety of postures gives us the opportunity to move our body in all the different ways its capable of. That way we can find and play with our edge.

This morning, we explored shoulders (where we tend to carry the weight of the world!). I doodled this image to represent the knots I hold in my shoulders and the release of tension when I allow myself to stretch.

We also did some great guided meditations on our breath and also on exploring the different sides of our body. What a great reminder that just simply lying down for even just a few minutes to tune into my breath and body, I can feel so much more refreshed.

Then finally, through authentic movement (basically making up our own dance) we expressed the polarities of our different sides in order to learn how to integrate them better. For me it was seeing how to bring together the fluid, creative left side with the action/doing right side. So instead of having the “must do all these things” energy run me, I can ease into it and let my creative intuition allow things to manifest. The final exercise was to spend a few minutes writing a poem of our experience:

Fluid strength
Rises with creativity and action
Expansion, gathering, moving through space
Horizons widen like thick brush strokes
Coloring the canvas with bold shades
And smooth textures
A powerful force of grace and authority
Blend together in beauty and brilliance

By the end of the course I felt like I embodied both sides of me and felt much more integrated and fluid. Given how stuck I felt this past week, it was good to have a place to explore and release. I also enjoyed the change of pace with this class. In Ashtanga, I’m usually in the flow, moving fairly quickly in and out of poses. With this exploration, I can slow things down and be even more mindful. And now whenever I feel like skipping out on my yoga practice, I can notice that resistance and ask myself to just get on my mat and explore what’s there. As one of my fellow students said, “What’s in the way, is the way.” So, if I’m willing to look, there are many “ah-a’s.”

[tags]yoga, asanas, emotion, art therapy, creativity, JFK University, art visioning[/tags]

Sparkling Sage

While assisting a Process coaching course at CTI this past weekend, I got some great coaching on my life purpose statement. I had created one several years back that I have since outgrown and revised, yet something was still missing.

My coach commented on how wise I seem despite my age – something I’ve heard before as well. So we played with the combination of wisdom and playfulness. After skipping across the room, we noticed the energy seemed lighter and my coach offered up the word sparkle. At first I resisted saying it didn’t feel like me, but said that I would try it on.

By the end of the afternoon I had truly stepped into my new life purpose statement, “I am the Sparkling Sage who creates space for beauty, breath and being.” Even the participants and leaders commented on how the new statement resonated with who they saw me being.

This morning, I was inspired to paint something to help me further explore the idea of Sparkling Sage. I knew I wanted it to have green and some pink and definitely an iridescent sheen. I also knew I wanted to include the mantra “Lokha samastha sukhino bhavantu” which means in Sanskrit, “May all beings everywhere be happy and free.” I hadn’t painted something in quite some time, so it felt good to have the creative juices flowing again.

And I’m happy to have a new life purpose statement to fit how I’m showing up now and where I’m moving toward. A life purpose statement serves as an internal compass to help guide me on my path. It helps me know when I’m living my life “on purpose.” What is your life purpose? What is your impact? Who are you becoming?

[tags]painting, life coaching, The Coaches Training Institute, life purpose statement, art visioning[/tags]

My One Year Anniversary of Freedom

This weekend I celebrated my one year anniversary of taking the leap from Corporate America to live my dreams! To honor the milestone, I uncharacteristically threw myself a “Freedom Party” (part of my goal to step out more and be seen!) and invited friends and family who have supported me on my journey.

My parents drove up from L.A. to help me prep which was so amazing given what a full week I had leading up to the party. We grilled yummy chicken and shrimp skewers and feasted on a wide assortment of decadent desserts.

The biggest treat of all was spending the day with so many important people from all different parts of my life. Of course there were my parents, Brian and his parents and then there were friends from school and work, coaching friends, family and even my neighbor (also a Gap girl) came over from across the street.

In this picture are friends representing my high school, college, Accenture and Gap days. I hadn’t seen my high school speech friend Cat (in the purple) in probably 10 years and am so thrilled that she’s recently moved to the Bay Area. How timely that my parents also brought up a box of my old speech trophies. The morning of my party I was reading the notes on the bottom of some of the trophies. Our speech coach Mr. Fong always encouraged us to capture our thoughts about the event on the bottom of the trophy so we could remember what the experience was like. I’m so glad we did that as I was able to reminisce on one of my major accomplishments of making it to the state championships, along with Cat, my senior year. I wrote 15 years ago, “This trophy means so much to me because it represents the hardest fight I had to face this year in speech, overcoming my doubts. It feels so great to have all the right things happen for me finally.” Those words rung true for me, too, on this new milestone as I reflected back on a year of being out on my own.

Not only did I reflect on the past year, but I also looked out toward next year and asked the guests to also answer the question “What do I want my life to look like one year from now?” We wrote our responses on “lily pads” that we placed on the “Take a Leap” pond. Even some folks who couldn’t come sent in their responses to be included in the festivities. Some highlights of my intentions for the next year include (gulp!…) writing a book, creating creativity/coaching kits, being a leader for CTI, leading workshops and retreats that make a positive difference in people’s lives, continuing to grow my coaching practice, being peaceful and fulfilled, connecting deeply with Brian and spending quality time with him and our dog Emmett.

It was cool to see the array of dreams in the “pond.” If you’re so inspired, I invite you to add your response to the question, too! I look forward to seeing how all of our visions manifest over the coming year.

I feel so grateful to be living my dreams and to have the support and love of my family and friends. Here’s to another amazing year!

[tags]entrepreneurship, life coaching, yoga, creativity, escaping Corporate America, manifestation, visualization[/tags]

Creativity Yoga

This week has been very full AND fulfilling! What a great way to lead up to my one-year anniversary tomorrow of escaping Corporate America.

Today was the Dream Box workshop for the June It’s Yoga Teacher Training group. I was so happy to be back in the studio sharing a creative look at yoga with fellow yogis. The group had such great energy and it was so evident that they were very close. And I was so thrilled when one student came up to me afterward and said that she, “hadn’t had this much fun since the 4th grade!”

A previous participant happened to stop by during the workshop and shared with the group how three of her dreams from her dream box have already come true since last month! And I had the special treat of getting a surprise visit from my classmate, Donovan, who also shared with me some amazing dreams that are coming true for him around taking yoga out to the world to make a positive difference. He’s leaving soon for Cambodia to teach yoga. Very inspiring stuff!

[tags]yoga, Ashtanga yoga, yoga teacher training, It’s Yoga, dream box, workshop, creativity, law of attraction, life coaching[/tags]

Manifesting Your Dreams, It’s Yoga Style

Today I led a dream box workshop for this month’s It’s Yoga Teacher Training students. There were almost 20 participants from all over the world – London, Taiwan, Japan and throughout the U.S. – all with a passion for practicing and teaching yoga. We did a visualization of their inner teacher and their big dream to get them grounded in what they want to bring into their lives. Next we busted out the craft supplies and started to collage unique and precious dream boxes.

At one point there was such a feeling of flow in the room – with the rustling of paper, the clicking of scissors – the creative process became a group moving meditation. Very cool! The students appreciated having a fun, tangible way to bring all of their new learnings and insights together with their dreams of what’s next. I was so grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with them. It was definitely one of my dreams come true!

[tags]yoga, Ashtanga yoga, yoga teacher training, It’s Yoga, dream box, workshop, creativity, life coaching, law of attraction, art visioning[/tags]

Unfolding Your Life Vision

Yesterday was the “Unfolding Your Life Vision” workshop in Pleasant Hill. We had a small group which made for a nice, intimate setting to share, relate and create together. It’s always amazing to me to know how we women have many dreams and challenges in common and that we can provide each other with support to move into action!

I loved witnessing each book blossom into vibrant symbols of each woman’s life, values and vision!

[tags]life coaching, creativity, workshop, accordion book, life vision, art visioning[/tags]

It’s Yoga Part 2

Graduation day was last Friday – I am now a certified Ashtanga yoga instructor! The training was an amazing journey. Intense, exhausting, exhilarating, integrating, inspiring and feeling like coming home. I had no idea going into it how much it would align with the work I do as a coach, leader and artist. So many of the concepts and the ancient yogic philosophy resonates with much of CTI‘s coaching and leadership approach. The ideas of detaching from your inner critic, getting in touch with your inner teacher, letting go of expectations, practicing compassion, etc. are so universal. It’s another language/access point/modality for me to explore the same ideas with myself and with clients. I love that I now have a deeper appreciation for and understanding of the mind, body, heart, soul connection and how yoga helps integrate all of them.The other amazing aspect of the training was the incredible synchronicity that emerged. The third week we talked about manifesting our dreams and how yoga helps to quiet the mind so we can tap into our higher selves and access our dreams. So much of this related to what I use my wish boxes for. I ended up getting the chance to share my wish box with the circle and took them through a guided visualization. They liked it so much that they invited me to do this with future teacher trainings! I couldn’t believe it! As Larry says, “It’s Yoga!”

[tags]yoga, Ashtanga yoga, yoga teacher training, It’s Yoga, coaching, creativity, wish box, art visioning[/tags]

Dream Box Fundraiser

This weekend was the first weekend of the Cheryl’s Dreaming Big – Dreaming Big Party Fundraising weekends. I hosted a Dream Party where we visualized our heart’s desires and decoupaged collaged Dream Boxes to hold our hopes and dreams. Not only did the women have fun by sharing together and supporting each other, they also made a difference in the lives of others by donating more than $250 to support Cheryl’s Dreaming Big community outreach, leadership and mentoring programs for adults with mental illness and the general community at large.Since the leadership retreats are held in the Chicago/Michigan area, it was exciting for me to bring the inspirational gift of CDB to my local community and friends. One of the participants, Antoinette, even blogged about her experience.

[tags]life coaching, creativity, Cheryl’s Dreaming Big, non-profit, fundraising, mental health, dream box, visualization, art visioning[/tags]