Yoga and Life Drawing: Getting In Sync

0 CommentsMonday • March 28, 2011 • by Imei

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I like it when things click.

Perhaps I like it when things click because I know how so many things in life just don’t. When Doug Wilcox told me about his monthly Life Drawing class, I thought, “How cool! I’ve always wanted to do that!” followed by the thought, “And I don’t draw.” But I do know how incredibly meditative drawing can be when you’re in the right head space. Recently, Doug asked me again if I’d come by class, but this time we thought about adding a yoga class just beforehand. We think movement and breath will help any artist get in sync with the meditative process of drawing.

Some of you know that I got my 200 hour Yoga teacher training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in 2007. There aren’t many Kripalu-trained teachers in Washington (there are about 20 registered teachers in the state, but only a couple of us actually teach classes), so this is an opportunity for Seattle people to get a taste of the style. Known for its gentle style and meditative quality, Kripalu Yoga encourages you to tap into your own body’s wisdom, observing and listening by practicing BRFWA. Here’s the acronym and what it stands for (in brief form):

Breath - put breath into every posture, movement, stretch, and repose.
Relax – relax into every stretch, into the process, and in relationship.
Feel - note what you are feeling, and don’t overreact. Be with your feelings.
Watch – observe what is happening, and be mindful (present without criticism).
Allow – let the body lead you into what happens next. Don’t force, and don’t run away. Allow it to happen.

Doug Wilcox has a long history of life drawing, and his home is full of his work on the walls. He will have plenty of helpful tips for you if you’re new to life drawing. You don’t need to fear being judged for your drawing ability. You can come simply to enjoy the process of drawing, the quietness of observation, and sensual pleasure of dragging a pencil around a page.

I plan to run a short video interview of Doug talking about life drawing later this week, so stay tuned for that. If our hunch is correct, we will continue to offer Yoga and Life Drawing together once a month. We think this will be an excellent way to help you get in sync, not just with your artistic pursuits, but in other areas of your life as well.

Posted in: Art, Yoga

Tagged with: classes, drawing, life drawing, Old Rainier Brewery, Yoga