Art, like meditation, allows us to create space between our sometimes negative, anxious thoughts and connect with our true selves. Art can help us access a deeper and more quiet part of ourselves; help us enter into a state of flow and present moment awareness; dive deeply into a cocoon of concentration.

“All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness”. Eckhart Tolle

This workshop places the inner state of the yogi / artist as the main focus, witnessing the creative process as it takes place – the creator is both an artist and a witness. Begin to connect with your inherent creativity, letting go of expectation, judgement and unhelpful conditioning.

Create sculptural forms using a combination of found objects and art materials using simple weaving and binding techniques. You will be guided through the processes of creating and assembling sculpture/collage. We will collect natural materials from the lake foreshore (practising the principles of Shinrin Yoku); you are also most welcome to bring materials from your own collections (string, beads, feathers, stone, seed pods, fabrics etc).

“Before the thought that you aren’t creative arises, vanquish it from the mind. Before the thought that you are creative but are in a slump arises, vanquish it. Yes you/we, may not be Picasso or Beethoven, but creativity is not limited to the way society or we have pigeon-holed it. Creating a clean mind, a clean house, creating an environment in which someone can be themselves around you are all artworks. Every time we co-create with the divine it is art and beauty. Creativity means taking what our dharma is, and the skills we are endowed with, and acting.” Hanuman Das

This workshop includes:

* Mindfulness and Polarity Meditations to get you in the mood to create
* Pranayama techniques to quiet the mind so creativity can flow
* Shinrin Yoku (Japanese Forest Bathing)
* Assemblage, collage and sculpture techniques

Facilitator: Vicki Laverick (Gitaji) is a 2016 graduate of the Living Peace Yoga Teacher Training, Gitaji is a registered Level 1 Yoga teacher, whose path to Yoga began with meditation over 10 years ago. Her focus is living a peaceful, easeful and useful yogic lifestyle using the practices and techniques of meditation, mindfulness and pranayama. During the past 5 years, Gitaji has been studying yogic philosophy and practices at LPY’s Mind Body Energy clinic with Hanuman Das, developing the skills and nurturing the joy to teach, lead and share meditation.

Gitaji’s art practice: “I relish the challenge of taking disparate objects and combining them harmoniously or sharply. My sculptures are mostly created from everyday materials both natural and man-made. I love the feel of working with wood, metal, stone, paper and wire.
And I enjoy the meditative space I’m in when creating, collecting, playing, combining. As a creator, I am both an artist and witness, attentively observing the process as it unfolds.”