In the Body-centered Expressive Art Therapy work I use with clients, I often refer to the Mental, Emotional and Physical Bodies. I then share with them that these three bodies are upheld by the Spiritual Body. This corroborates with the Ayurvedic and Vedic Science understandings as well, and this explanation is often used in many of the Indigenous healing arts and energetic healing realms as well.

Within our Westerncentric culture, however, the Mental Body is king and we are asked to rely on its function predominantly. Unfortunately, many of us have other defaults that help us function in a more life-supporting way, but we may not get to use them as often as the Mental Body. We may have even learned to suppress the others as a way to cope with life and "manage" our existence. These different "default" settings within us are a reminder that we each learn differently and express ourselves differently as a result.

It's important to create a relationship with all three bodies in our daily lives so that we can become more aware of what is "ruling" us, what predominates within our behaviors, and where we might need to create more conscious awareness. For example, many people have little to no connection with their emotional bodies and often confuse the messages coming from the emotional body with what the mental body is saying. This can result in not getting our basic emotional needs met. 

In order for us to get our needs met (either by ourselves or others) we must be aware of what our needs are to begin with! Having a conscious relationship, a habit, of checking in with our three bodies or "three levels of awareness" as they are referred to in the Tamalpa Life Art Process (TLAP) is step number one. When we have a more conscious connection to our inner realms, we can then take more effective actions and create a more nourishing and supportive life for ourselves. Often this will come from a realization of "what isn't working" and then changes can start from there.

Our emotional, mental and physical bodies have much to tell us and many insights to offer us about what is and isn't working in our lives. Take this quiz to see what your "default" mode is and then let me help you take the next step towards deepening your awareness with them.


5 – Always True
4 – Frequently True
3 – Sometimes True
2 – Rarely True
1 - Never True
 
Category #1

____I thrive on using my body whether its walking, running, riding my bike or doing yoga.
____My body insists on three healthy, well balanced meals per day + at least one snack.
____Drinking ample water is as necessary as breath for me.
____Caffeine and alcohol are best in low doses or not at all.
____I can feel smoke and drugs instantly.
____Massage and other such treatments are my go-to self care treatment.
____Somatic presence is vital for my well being.
____I am present to all my physical sensations.
____I can not hold bodily functions and must take care of my physical needs immediately.
____Sleeping is a nonnegotiable tool for my total functioning.
­____Using my body daily is a primary focus of mine.
 
____/55
 
Category #2

____Making time for friends who matter and make me feel connected and happy is vital to me.
____I give myself permission to not be perfect and I remind my self to do the same for others.
____Accepting my feelings, including sadness, anger, frustration, and shame are my primary concern.
____When I'm feeling down, functioning is almost impossible.
____Taking weekends away, vacations or even mini bouts of seclusion are the only way I can stay sane.
____I seek or desire support from a friend when I am struggling.
____I am apt to tell others what I truly feel and need, but I am often fearful of the outcome.
____Emotional impulses get me motivated to take action- for better or worse.
____People describe me as "passionate".
____Moods are part of my personality.
____Life is highly dependent on "how I am feeling."

____/55
 
Category #3

____Learning new things keeps me going.
____When I'm mentally stimulated, I feel a sense of thriving.
____I prefer to read as a relaxation tool.
____My preferred creative outlet is writing.
____I make lists- for everything!
____Doing work or tasks I find mentally challenging is exhilarating.
____I thrive on active conversation, debate, facts and statistics.
____The most important thing to me is how much I "know."
____Others see me as a thinker, always learning and growing.
____I'd rather "feel" less and be clearer about what I think.
____I think emotions can be overcome by a rational mind.

____/55
 
Category #4

____Spending time in nature is as vital to me as breath.
____I attend religious services or meetings at least once a week.
____Meditation is my primary self care tool and it takes care of all my other issues.
____Physical movement helps me "feel connected" to something greater than me.
____Gratitude often is all I need to "feel better".
____Reflecting time and making meaning of my experiences keeps me sane each day.
____I can let go of my worries and fears, because I trust god/universe/source to take care of it for me.
____My main practice is being in the moment- savoring and reflecting upon my experiences in the "now".
____I often feel as though it's not up to me to take action, that only something "beyond" me will take care        of it for me.
____Most of my life I've felt "different" from others and not aligned with the "worldly" ways of this life.
____Material pursuits feel pointless and unnecessary most of the time.
 
____/55

Tally your numbers and notice what category has the highest number for you. What is the second strongest category for you?

Category #1: Physical Body
Category #2: Emotional Body
Category #3: Mental Body
Category #4: Spiritual Body

Your highest numbers will reflect your "default" mode. These modes may change from day to day, week to week, year to year and so on. Ideally, we are creating an ongoing dialogue with these four bodies that helps us maintain a sense of balance and thriving.

To connect with the "three levels of awareness" more consciously and start your practice of being aware of your needs more directly, check out my article on doing a Three Level Check-In, for easy step-by-step instructions.

Still need help? Confused by all these bodies and your default mode? Connect with me to find out more about my work and scheduling a session. Or join me for one of my workshops and get embodied and grow in your creativity! See workshops.
 
 

Here's what many people don't understand about art and creativity.

We need it. We need it like breath. Like water. Like sleep. It gives us life.

Art is a life saving tool that can provide us with the ability to move forward with our lives in a more conscious, life affirming way; a life that has more possibilities and more awareness.

Before you disregard these grandiose ideas about art, I invite you to meet Expressive Art Therapy, particularly the type of Art Therapy that I work with, which is a body-centered approach. These tools have been life saving for me; above and beyond my meditation and yoga and healthy eating, the arts have allowed me to move with my darkness and misery, and this work has helped me create something different for my Self. Again and again and again. Life changing and life saving, indeed.

Art therapists understand the power of art and our innate creative abilities as humans. It's also understood in the Art Therapy realms that art has the potential to heal, to re-create us, to allow ourselves to be open to re-creating ourselves. We understand innately that art helps us work with the unseen, hidden parts of ourselves, and to develop a different relationship with our personal mythologies.

Let me take these realities a few steps further.

We, as humans, are in a body. This is a tool. A tool of perception, of felt sense, of growth and awareness- if used as such. I say, let's use it! We as humans, are each unique, vast and complex, just as the cosmos are. We are each essentially a microcosmic imprint of the macroscopic universe. The planets and their movements effect us, influence our experiences, and can provide us with a map for our lives. Incredibly useful and very helpful for our journey! This is why I use Jyotish, or Vedic Astrology in conjunction with the arts; these are both fabulous tools of guidance and can provoke self-inquiry and personal growth.

This powerful trio of art, body and astrology is a unique combination I've been working with and growing with personally and using with my clients. All three growth tools together, art, the body, and Vedic Astrology (Jyotish) offer an exciting experience of body-centered Expressive Art Therapy or Jyoti Art Therapy as I am calling it. It offers a unique blend of awareness enhancing tools that provide profound results.

But here's the catch.

Art for arts sake doesn't inherently heal us. It's intention that guarantees a shift; a possible transformation. Art is a by-product of our innate creativity (as humans the creation process is literally how we came into being, why we are here, and how we continue to exist). Artists have "open channels" that allow them to tap into this flow of creativity that courses within each one of us. And the channels that are open for each artist are unique and vary. But these channels aren't just a part of an Artist's existence, we all have creative channels. Most people have closed channels, dry channels, small channels, rigid and brittle channels of creativity. Cultural, familial and personal paradigms keep the creative channels from opening, flowing and thriving. These creative channels are like rivers and provide us with the life giving nourishment that flowing water gives us. Water brings forth life, wealth, purification, abundance and joy. Art and water are very much the same. Not surprisingly, the planet Venus is linked to both these life giving tools; art and water.

We need more flow in our lives.

We need the channels of our creativity to stay open and fluid. Art (in all its forms) helps us do that, but in order to reap the vast rewards that art has to offer us, we must harvest the richness, the fruits of our labor. We must listen to the hidden messages that our art is offering us. The medium we use will have a direct effect on the benefits we receive, the parts of ourselves that are effected, and the healing properties that can be attained (for this reason an intermodal art process is recommended).

When we create a piece of art, a harvesting process can bring a sense of meaning and purpose to our work and help us go beyond the surface, excavate the deeper meanings of our work, the "why" behind it. Art is a messenger from our depths, from the most hidden parts of ourselves. It never ceases to astonish me, fill me with awe, and renew my trust in the magic of creativity.

Here's a simple "harvesting" process to use with your next art creation, using the Tamalpa Life Art Process (TLAP) Baseline Statements. These simple questions can help you uncover the hidden messages wrapped up in your artwork. Explore and unravel.

Step 1. Move your body, open the channels, get the breath involved, and pay attention to the body's subtle messages. Get embodied.

Step 2. Paint, draw, use craypas or pencil. Move and explore, open your senses through an artistic medium. Surrender to the creative process. Don't hold back.

Step 3. Answer these Baseline Statements after finishing your art piece:

I am___
I want___
I need___
I feel___

Return to this process regularly. Commit to it. Let it help you create more fluidity and listening in your life. Look for themes and symbols, messages and stories that continue to arrive. These patterns are vital messengers.

Sometimes, the support and outer influence of a trained witness is necessary and can be profound for your process. When you get to that point, when you feel stuck or at a crossroads, confused or uncertain, it is time to ask for support.

I am happy to support you or give you further references for your journey.

Contact me for a session.

Get creative resources and jyotish insights in my weekly newsletter.

Does the word power make you cringe? Or celebrate?

Now is a good time to ask your Self: What is my relationship with power?

If you follow my planetary transit reports, then you are well aware of the themes I've been discussing for weeks and months that involve "letting go" and finding a "less is more" approach to life while re-evaluating all of our relationships. The lunar eclipse in Libra on April 15th, marked a poignant two week period of intensity, which will culminate with the solar eclipse on April 29th. Get the details on all of that here.

All of this attention on Aries and Libra has been a theme for well over a year due to the Saturn, Rahu and Ketu transits. These planets and their movements have been activating our issues with power, ego, relationships, self care, boundaries, finding new ways of being, and a new sense of balance. 

So as we come to the end of Rahu and Ketu's 18 month transit through Libra and Aries respectively (in July), the eclipses mark a moment in time where we get to "propel forward" with these themes by doing a conscious audit of our head space. Here to help us with these themes, is the newly exalted Sun in Aries. The cosmos are always timely!

Sun moved to its sign of exaltation on 4.13 joining Ketu there. This transit lasts until Sun moves to Taurus on 5.14. Both Sun and Ketu in Aries receive drishti (gaze) from a retrograde and compromised Saturn, as well as Rahu in Libra. Mars gives his drishti to Sun and Ketu from Virgo eight houses away, bringing an extra level of heat and pressure to the Sun and Aries right now.

Despite the challenging combinations at play, there is clearly moksha (a sense of liberation) in the works from this configuration and the nakshatras (lunar constellations) involved. The coming weeks of Sun in Aries, bring surprises, pressures and awakenings that insure liberation on multiple levels of life as we navigate the theme of "personal power". Exalted Sun is a time when the Sun is the "fullest" in his experience of life; his energy is maximized and feeling its own power. This translates as each of us working with our own relationship to power- for better or worse.

With power comes great responsibility, a need for purpose and a request for intention, in order for maximum alignment with one's dharma and greater life harmony. Sun's cohabitation with Ketu at this time indicates cleansing, restructuring and purification of our soul, our sense of dharma, purpose and power. Ketu's extraction process is usually not fun and often comes quickly. Prepare to feel naked and vulnerable at times during this transit, stripped and uncertain of who and what to trust.

The flip side of great confidence and power is vulnerability. Finding balance with our own innate strength is part of what this exalted Sun transit can offer us, even if our power feels uncertain. This is a time that encourages us to work on themes of power and personal power- within us and within our relationships.

Don't miss my planetary articles and offerings. Sign up for my newsletter.

Dance with your power!

Exalted Sun:
The Head and Our Relationship with Power

{Part of my virtual workshop series}

::: Sunday May 4th 12:00 to 1:30 pm CDT

Sun is our energy, power and dynamism, which connects to our innate masculine/father energy.

Sun transits Aries (its sign of exaltation) from April 13th to May 15th.

Aries and Sun are both connected to our Head (the 1st house) as well as the 5th house of creativity and passion.
We need to be fully dynamic beings, taking charge of our life power and our inner/outer passion in order to move forward effectively in life.

This workshop will explore the dynamics at play between head, Aries, Sun, inner power, energy levels, and finding an embodied experience with these pieces.

This work will help us navigate burnout, overwhelm,
motivation and our actions more consciously.

We will use somatic exploration, creative ritual and the arts, as well
as journaling and a unique harvesting process for the workshop.

Come prepared to move, create, inquire and share.

Don't miss out!
Enrollment ends Sunday April 27th
for the first Exalted Sun workshop +
Early Bird discount!


Complete details about my new
Cosmic & Creative Self Workshop series.

*The workshop will be presented via conference call, but available as a recording for those who are not able to attend live.

Moon is waxing (Shukla Paksha) and transits Pisces, Aries, Taurus and into Gemini this week. Moon is exalted on 2.07 and transits its Mulitrikona sign (Taurus) on 2.08 and part of the day on 2.09.

For a jyotish Moon-centered approach to your day, follow my daily Moon Mind posts via Face Book.

This week kicks off a fascinating waltz of the signs. As I've written about in quite a few of my posts and articles recently, there will be an intricate dance of the planets this year with multiple unusual retrograde cycles happening simultaneously. Lots of overlapping changes happening all at once. This cosmic dance of planets really brings to life the interwoven web of this existence and the intricate network of movements, changes, stops and starts that life presents us with. To me, the metaphor of a "dance" is really the most descriptive way to explain the fancy footwork of the planets at this time.

Mars moves to Libra on 2.04 and will join Rahu and Saturn there. He will be sandhi this week (in weak degrees transiting the gap between signs). This will bring experiences on the inner and outer levels of stops and starts- with a bit of chaos and shadow mixed in. Think: lurches. Lurches feel frustrating so I've created a special Creative Engagement activity with this in mind. He won't be in Libra for long before he retrogrades back into Virgo. You can read all about his unusual transits back and forth between Virgo and Libra for the coming year in my current Elephant Journal article Mars as the Karma Yogi and His Unusual Transits This Year.

Saturn is also sandhi right now, inching towards the edge of Libra, but will soon do a retrograde of his own. Suffice it to say, Saturn is requesting us to mind his manners right now as he "weakens". This usually results in his brut force and an insistence that we attend to our lives in a more harmonious Saturn way. We may feel more fatigued at this time, some depression could set in; in general a desire and need to draw our focus inward and slow down will present it self. He likes meditation, yoga, structure and to be in tune with the rhythms of Nature. Use these tools to listen to Saturn's messages and he will grant you more stability and grounding. It is actually good timing with the rest of the retrograde motions which require and request we pause, re-evaluate, re-adjust and retrace our steps more consciously and intentionally. As per usual, Saturn has our best interest in mind.

If you are curious about his movements through Libra, you can read my articles on his transits here:

Part 1: Rahu and Saturn in Libra
Part 2: Saturn Retrograde + the Influence of the Nakshatras

In keeping with the theme of flux and change with retrograde and forward momentum- very much alive in the planets in the coming weeks and months- Mercury begins his retrograde movement on 2.06 and will be moving backwards for the greater part of February. Despite the common dire predictions associated with Mercury retrograde, I am rather looking forward to his backward dance. I offer a different perspective in my latest article Mercury Retrograde, It's Not What You Think.

Jupiter is still retrograde as well and moving back through Gemini- currently in Ardra nakshatra. Here is an article I wrote months ago on his transit through Gemini and how his retrograde movements will impact each sign. Jupiter in Gemini: Expanding Our Creativity

Plenty of Mercurial delights and introspection offered above through my articles! Enjoy the information and may it be of benefit for your mental body, emotional body, physical body and spiritual body.

For increased awareness, utilize my jyotish inspired Body-centered Expressive Art Therapy articles. Each week I post a new Creative Engagement Activity to help inspire your own unique creative process, Self-tracking, and to enrich your cultivation of presence. This week's activity has to do with "stopping and starting".

If you have been uncertain about seeking guidance and support for the coming year, I urge you to reach out and get help refining your vision for 2014. Intention is potent! It is a big year with multiple {major} planetary changes. We will experience the changes of Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu, Saturn and unusual movements of Mars all in the next eleven months. Big changes are in store for each of us! Feeling uncertain about your action steps? What needs to change in order for growth? What kind of support you need? Schedule a yearly progression with me in order to make your New Year a truly transformational year.

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your “Western Sign” as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart.

Aries: Start looking for gains in unusual places; this may be connected to returning friendships and relationships. Father and early childhood could inform these insights. Both work and personal relationships are re-presenting themselves. Career is super charged at this time; use thoughtful action steps and courage to close the deal. Watch your mouth and try not to get overheated. Avoid rushing into relationships right now in order to avoid getting burned. Learn from past gains and losses.

Taurus: Creative offerings are presenting themselves from your depths. Teaching, sharing and offering your Self in new and different ways can be helpful. Father, emotions, heart, home and mother may lend some insights. Work on digestion, assimilation, processing bad habits. Being in service is your best resource right now.

Gemini: Your expansion in reverse continues. Do you know where you are going or has confusion set in? You may be doubting your Self and feeling uncertain about direction. Clearing and cleaning your gut will help with intuitive (gut) responses. You're in a rest phase. Stand still. Get the most out of your recharge with yoga, meditation and the creative arts.

Cancer: Your mind has some intuitive strengths right now, but slowing down to hear these messages is important. Passions are high, desire is strong, emotions are somewhat tempestuous and charged. Seek stability, comfort and support in your relationships, home life and with family matters. Regardless let these details inform your needs. Learn from the past and what hasn't worked in your favor in this regard.

Leo: Cleanse and cleanup some old habits, share and offer these findings through service. Creativity, intuition and the gut can help you with your findings and are a resource at this time. Create, connect, share and take bold action in new ways. But look before you leap.

Virgo: Say what needs to be said. Go ahead, blurt it out. You may end up sparing your Self some headaches in the long run. This vocalization is about boundaries and feeling like you can express your needs and wants effectively. Singing can help open the throat chakra. Go ahead, sing your desires and comfort your own soul.

Libra: The storms rage on for you Libra. Carefully navigate anger and rage, passion and drive or you will burn your Self out quickly. This is a good time to use these pieces for growth and learning, rather than letting them rule you. Use anger and passion in your creative processes and let them invoke and stoke your fire of life. Stay out of blame and victim-hood. Learn from your cravings, wants and desires. What are your greatest needs? Who and what needs to be cut free and let go of for different results?

Scorpio: Transitions, releases, and letting go are effective strategies for you right now. You may feel a sense of urgency to act- especially with career. Some frustrations may arise and things may go slower than you like, but act anyway. Make sure the cart is not before the horse. Romance and passion are stoked. Tend your heart fire- even if it's only mental right now. Remember to ask for what you really want and don't settle for the old ways and old days.

Sagittarius: Watch what goes in and out of your mouth. Don't over indulge on sweet and alcohol. Relationship and heart matters may be more soothing now, but you are still working on these pieces: giving/receiving, gains/losses, attraction/repulsion, keeping/letting go. Listen carefully: What's working well? What is not? Take an action step. Just pick a direction and let the arrow go.

Capricorn: You are gaining momentum and drive towards goals. You are learning to offer and share your Self in new ways which assists your career. Your light is shining from your depths and others are noticing. Continue to speak your mind and find new ways to do so. Teach, create, inspire. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Aquarius: Re-learn, revise, re-listen. Stop, slow down and integrate the messages fully. This is a powerful time of learning, growth and awareness. Did you get all of that? As you power down the drive and the rushing forward, power up your senses and sensibilities. Teach, advise, share. Learn as you go, but trust your instincts.

Pisces: Clean up continues for you in all corners of your life. Remember to look under the furniture for dust bunnies as well as vacuuming cracks and crevices. Digest, purge, rummage, release, transform and transcend. It is good for your heart and home; tangibly and metaphorically.