Eliza Lynn Tobin | Finding the sacred in life through art and yoga

Art Love: Claire Desjardins

posted on April 8, 2013 by ElizaTobin

When I see the artwork of Claire Desjardins, the word I think is Free.

The Canadian artist brings blasts of moving color to her paintings and when I look at them I think, “I want my soul to feel like these paintings; free to move, to pool, to drip, to weave, to dance.”

Desjardin recently spent time at the Vermont Studio Center, which just happens to be in the town where I grew up and I think that is pretty cool! Here are a few examples of her work that I absolutely love:

{Bright As Quiet by Claire Desjardin}

{Later Today by Claire Desjardins}

{When You Said That By Claire Desjardins}

What piece of artwork out there helps you to experience the feeling of free?

xo,

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Mud Lotus

posted on April 5, 2013 by ElizaTobin

{Mud Lotus | 6×8 Affirmation Print| Available Here}

have a great weekend!

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The Renewal of Spring {a yoga sequence + playlist}

posted on April 1, 2013 by ElizaTobin

Spring is a great time for a deep, refreshing yoga practice. It’s a time to renew our energy, refresh our desires, and reset our intentions to live out our dreams.

We can do this by nourishing our strengths, the things that come most easily to us and releasing the stuff that drags us down.

This practice invites you to explore what it is you are still clinging too and soften your grip on it. Start with the centering and enjoy with a spring-inspired playlist!

{Carole Ly Sing Lao by Nerissa Sparkman}

Centering

Inhale. Exhale. Each exhalation expels the breath, making space for a new breath on the inhalation. Clean oxygen refreshes the blood. Inhale and pull up all that you’d like to cleanse from your life (thought patterns, feelings you’ve been hold on to) and exhale and let it go. Let the breath wash over you, renew you.

Warm Up

(Repeat these poses 2 or 3x)

Standing Poses

Utkatasana (Chair Pose)
Parivrtta Utkatasana (Revolved Twist), step back to
Anjaneyasana (Revolved Lunge), twist
Plank
Chaturunga Dadasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose)
Downward Dog
Warrior I
Vinyasa (and repeat on other side)

Trikonasana (Triangle)
Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle)
Ardha Chandrasana (Half-Moon Pose)
Warrior III
Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana (Revolved Half-Moon Pose)
Utthita Hasta Padangustasana (Extended Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose)
Vinyasa (and repeat on the other side)

Hip-Openers

Malasana (Garland Pose)
Malasana Twist (Garland PoseTwist), do both sides

Twists and Forward Folds

Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-knee Pose)
Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head-to-knee Pose)
Pascimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose)

Cool down

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose) with block for 1-3 minutes

Savasana

Take a short savasana or sit in meditation for a few minutes, bringing your awareness to your breath.

xo,

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5 ideas to get green and clean for spring

posted on April 1, 2013 by ElizaTobin

I’m so happy to have April here because I love that refreshing energy of spring that inspires me to clear out my closets, dust off my diet, and clean up my life.

{image by Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle et Vanille}

Here’s five ideas for giving your life a good spring cleaning:

1. Spring Clean Feng Shui style

This article has some great tips for spring cleaning in the Feng Shui tradition.

2. Focus + Food for Spring -A cheat sheet by Cate Stillman

Cate’s suggestions for where to put your focus and what to put into your body during this season are wonderful for helping you to stay balanced and good this time of year!

3. Yogi Detox

Also by the wonderful Cate Stillman, this spring cleanse program is a fantastic way to clean out the body and mind of all the junk that accumulates over the winter. I did this cleanse few years ago and now try to do a spring cleanse every spring. It will help you to feel clear and renewed again!

4. Green up your cleaning supplies

This article (via apartment therapy) has some great DIY cleaning supply recipes to clean your home without all the chemicals. It’s my goal this April to phase out all chemical cleaners and replace them with greener, homemade solutions. Baking soda and vinegar anyone?

5. Grow the Green you eat

Have you ever tried sprouting (this post by honestfare.com shows you how to do it!) I have been intrigued by the idea of growing sprouts right in my own kitchen for a while now. I’ve started Lentil sprouts and Alfalfa sprouts and can’t wait to try them!

Do you have any ideas/plans to get green + clean for spring?

xo,

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Book Love: 1000 Artist Journal Pages

posted on March 29, 2013 by ElizaTobin

If you are thinking about starting a visual journal or are already a visual journal-er but are in need of a little inspiration, this book is chalk full of it. 1000 pages of inspiration to be exact.

1000 Artist Journal Pages pulled together by Dawn DeVries Sokol, showcases journal pages of artists from around the globe.

When I first started keeping a visual journal, I was always on the look out for new ideas and techniques to try in my pages.

This book was full of the endless possibilities that exist when it comes to personal, creative expression. It inspired me to be a little braver on the page and to try things I’d never tried before.

Another aspect that I love about this book, is the creative journaling prompts listed in the beginning. Sokol shares ideas like

Open a dictionary or a book, point at a word or phrase, and use it to launch a page.

1000 Artist Journal Pages a great go-to resource when I’m feeling a little stuck or uninspired in my journal and I’m so happy to have it on my shelf!

Do you have this book? What are some of your favorite art journalling resources?

xo,

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