I write a lot on my blog about wellbeing, creativity, gratitude and love. This has a lot to do with my practise of yoga which I took up on a serious level about 5 years. I have always dabbled in yoga but never quite found the right fit for it into my life. Over the last few years I have a better understanding of how yoga can support my life, it is a gateway to  all these things that are important to me, wellbeing, creativity, gratitude and love. 

Here is an article I recently wrote for Power Yoga in Manly, it's a little insight into how yoga has enhanced mine and my husbands lives. Enjoy!

Today in my workshop we explored collage and stencilling with canvas and acrylics. The room was the quietest I have ever heard, with 5 little creative souls concentrating very hard on their works of art. Thank you to everyone who came today, I am so lucky to get to share this with you.

I found this quote today and it got me thinking (how, on so many different levels) of it's truth. Not only of the people in our lives (as well as those that are not present in our lives anymore) but in my case with my paintings. Creativity is such a vulnerable and personal road, one that can leave you very attached (with love) to the end result. Each one of my paintings is like a little birth of something within me and over the last few months I have had to learn this lesson of letting them go, quicker than what is my usual practice (gratitude to Late September, as she has a clever ability in selling them).  My blessing with this quote is that if I know how to love, I will never run out! 

I had a successful workshop today, it got me thinking, what makes a successful art workshop? I guess it starts with, what is your definition of success? I realised that today my definition of success involves a lot more than recognition and wealth. Success to me, sounds like the squeal of delight as a young student stamps her art work with a beautiful palm tree, or the kindness of the students sharing and helping each other and saying what they like about each others art work. Success is a Mum (who has brought 4 little girls to the art workshop) tell me how "relaxing" it is as she sits painting & gluing away encircled by her troops. Success, is being surrounded by happy and creative individuals who are in complete joy, living in the moment. 

Today I got to share the process of making collage hearts with a fabulous group. I have to say all the creativity going on around my table was so great to watch and everyone's hearts were so individual. I am most grateful that I get to share the properties of art making! I think everyone left feeling, satisfied, relaxed and happy.

Good morning, I did a yoga class yesterday that touched on the concept that the grass isn't greener on the other side if we just water our own grass. Watering our own grass means nurturing and growing our souls. It's important to not just show gratitude for what we have but to also give back to ourselves, wether that be a yoga class, time reading a book or maybe being creative..........what gift will you give yourself today?

When the New Year approaches, I often feel like I just roll with it and into it. But the start of 2015 has found me kind of giddy with the prospect of 12 new months ahead! I will continue on my path of encouraging creativeness, making affordable art, hopefully inspiring those that think they lack creativity, teaching and most importantly learning. I wish everyone a wonderful 12 months ahead and look forward to hearing from you all, on the blog, or FB and Instagram! 

I wanted to use this platform to say a big "Thank you" to all of my followers, students and supporters & also to my teachers. I have had a lovely year teaching, painting and creating and I am so grateful for the support. Without you I would not know where my inspiration or desire to create would come from. I am leaving with you some of my favourite images from Bec Schopen ART 2014. Merry Christmas, Big Love and Namaste.