In this course, you will be exploring your chakras, and engaging in a slow-living, mindful projects that will lead you towards releasing unresolved traumas, unlearning limiting thoughts and uncertainties, and (re)kindling your creative fire.

Despite what some people may say or think, creativity is for everyone. Every single person is creative in one way or another. Maybe you journal, or have a unique sense of style with your clothes, maybe you are the master of retro hairstyles, or singing, or put on amazing make-up, or doodle, or arrange food for fancy Instagram pictures, it could be anything. But all of us have hidden nuggets of art within. And we're going to help you embrace them!

This is a course for amateur artists, crafters, yoga practitioners, dreamers, story-tellers, spiritualists, adventurers, doodlers, and/or persons just looking to get a better understanding of themselves (spiritually, emotionally, and physically)... really, anyone who is ready to let go of judgment, create with joyful abandon, and be extraordinary.

By the end of our 8 weeks, you'll feel confident and inspired to take on creative projects. And you'll have some fun, imaginative, and sustainable ideas to help you continue to ease on down the creative road.

Top Four Benefits of Creating

• Being creative helps you become a better problem solver in all areas of your life. Studies show that creative people are better able to live with uncertainty because they can adapt their thinking to allow for the flow of the unknown. And, it gives you the ability to look at situations from unique perspectives.

• Making something from nothing is a great confidence builder, because you discover that failure is part of the process. Once we see failure as something that is survivable, and something that helps us grow and that it makes our work better, we can release the fear and try new things even at the risk of failing.

• Being creative can help you live longer! In Scientific American article, “researchers found that only creativity—not intelligence or overall openness—decreased mortality risk. One possible reason creativity is protective of health is because it draws on a variety of neural networks within the brain”

• Last but not least, in 2010, the American Journal of Public Health published a review showing that creating art decreases negative emotions, reduces stress and anxiety, and improved medical outcomes. In other words, the process of creating art doesn't just make you feel better, it also creates real, physical changes inside your body. Not only can being creative help you to live longer, but it can improve your quality of health and life too.

In this course you will experience:

How each chakra works on a physical, emotional, psychological and physiological level and how that connects to our creativity

Detailed methods for identifying your energy system imbalances and blockages - specific practices to balance each chakra

Gentle Yoga and other body-based practices to activate the chakras and release tension

Guided meditations for aligning your chakras, self-acceptance, and healing

Mindful creative projects that will allow you to express your own creative self:

• constructing a journal/sketch book
• nature mandalas (ephemeral art) and flower/botanical pressing
• free flow embroidery and hand stitching
• blind contour drawing
• botanical ink-making, painting, and dying on paper and fabric
• create your own end project based on work from previous weeks

Daily rituals, rhythms & noticing:

• journaling 
• mindful moments
• finding your visual voice
• enjoying the journey
• breathing practices
• noticing & appreciating
• delighting in happy accidents and joyful mistakes
• combination of practical work, self discovery, and mindful magic

The practical aspect:

• live video tutorials
• video yoga classes
• audio meditations
• downloadable PDFs of chakra assessment tool, journal pages, and inspirational patterns for making the projects
• connection, conversation and further creativity in a private Facebook community space

What supplies do I need?

Creative and art supplies are minimal. We will be embracing the slow movement for this course and avoiding mindless consumerism. We will be working in a sustainable manner and shouldn't rush out and buy a ton of new things.

Fabric:

• Fabric - a combination of scraps or clothes that no longer serve you. We will be making a small pouch-bag, so you only need a small amount of fabric
• hand sewing needles - I like tapestry needles, but use what you have that suits your thread
• thread - a mix of regular sewing thread, embroidery thread/floss, or even fine crochet cotton
• scissors - sharp enough to cut fabric and thread
• small embroidery hoop (optional)
• buttons, beads, or tokens with holes (optional)

Paper & paint:

• paper for writing / journaling
• art paper - I prefer watercolor paper that has a % of cotton or bamboo in it (find the cheapest one possible)
• Paint, ink and fabric paint (fabric paint isn't necessary, but a lovely addition). Regular kids craft paint is fine.
• paint brushes
• pens (ones that you enjoy using. I love Preppy brand fountain pens with nibs) & pencils
• glue
• there may be other supplies dictated by your choice of end project but try to use what you have, and nature provides, whenever possible

Other things:

• computer with internet access
• a camera (your phone camera is perfect)
• most other items will be found in your local environment