It’s no surprise that many yoga teachers and practitioners are also artists. Yoga and the arts are wonderfully complementary, intuitive disciples rich in creativity and rooted in self-expression. Each pose often tells a story; asana sequences and kriyas can be perceived as choreographed flows; and the deep experiences many have on the mat can be as evocative of feeling as witnessing a wondrous piece of art.

Head rubs during Savasana. Final resting pose, closing out our yoga session of the day with the University of Utah Burn Camp Nah Nah Mah.

The core benefits of burn camp for participants are the natural growth of friendships and the deepening of one’s authentic self.

Many young burn survivors feel they are allowed to make friends and grow self-confidence in a positive and uplifting atmosphere at burn camp. The key to this growth is the immersion in a supportive community of other burn survivors and persons who understand burns. The opportunity to try new activities and face challenges is also important for campers’ growth.

Over the weekend, Abigail and I participated in a Fearless Metallics class with Samantha DaSilva. This was a 10 hour workshop taken over two days allowing us the opportunity to slowly adjust to the challenges and process of designing and releasing our emotions into our creation.

As expected, and through gentle guidance, the first day seemed to take longer but the second day flew! Although the exact same time was offered in each day, the second day appeared fleeting, lighter; there was a familiar levity in the room opening up opportunities for conversation and a new found confidence making us comfortable enough to share our artwork with one another.his was a welcomed exchange.

“My experience with the recent Yoga and Art Day Retreat was memorable. The instructors were phenomenal in combining the embodying practice of yoga with the earthiness of painting from our inner selves. It was transformative and I will never view yoga or painting in the same way. I highly recommend the retreat and these intuitive and engaging instructors.”

- Kayden McInnis

26 years ago, I was pregnant with my son and my first child. A friend who would later become a godparent to our daughter, who would arrive two years later, announced that she had melanoma. This frightened her, and what would later be the beginning of a series of challenges she would face, she somehow continued to be strong with a clear intention of her desire. She still had plans.

Did you know … when your hands get activated by physical touch, endorphins and serotonin (pleasure chemicals) get released in your brain, and levels of cortisol (stress hormone) decrease. So, as you work with your hands, you provide activities to stimulate the brain by increasing pleasure while decreasing stress.

Two weeks ago, a Yoga for Wellness reader who enjoyed June 20th’s blog on “Midwestern Sensibilities” and the varied geographic cultural influences, wrote back to me commenting that I should write about varied yoga cultural influences as well.This got me thinking about the studio that I belong to: Mosaic Yoga

My family and I have just returned from two back-to-back family reunion events. Although these events celebrated my heart, my garden beds appear to have celebrated in their own way! (A weed party) There were sections where I struggled to discover which plants were the vegetables and which ones were the weeds. Granted, I anticipated this, but observing how rapid weeds grow, this never ceases to amaze me.

“Porch Time

is never wasted time

It’s taking the time to commune with nature and your loved ones.

It’s listening to my daughter play air guitar to Little Feat on volume 11 at midnight with her Aunt and Dad.”

-Amy Conn