Oct 1, 2009

Are they real?

Click image to enlarge
These flowers are made of clay in a form of craft art called Deco Clay Craft. This craft is the product of Kazuko Miyai from Japan. She began working with a chemist to create the perfect clay for these masterpieces. Thanks to DECO Clay Craft Academy which was founded by Kazuko in 1981 there are well trained students of this craft art. I have featured the work of one of these artist below. DK Designs Hawaii on Etsy is a great shop! I can just see purchasing one of these bouquets for my hopeful wedding :) I just had to share this beautiful work.

Sep 27, 2009

Thank you Yoga!

Kapotasana (King Pigeon Pose)

In the past year I have become a firm believer in the power of yoga! I am by no means an expert or even close, however the limited amount of poses I am able to do thus far have helped my lower back pain, my right hip contusion and the foot spasms that I get. In addition to this and of even more importance to me is the mental peace it gives me when I practice yoga and the mental center it provides when I have to deal with the struggle life can be. I feel as though I have gained a greater appreciation for life and a better understanding of how temporary anger and stress can be if you focus on the positive. I am not by nature a "glass half full" type of person but yoga has given me a tool to cope with and grow from the moments that weigh heavily on me. Another thing I have gained which is priceless to me is an acceptance, a slow acceptance, of who I am. It isn't easy to accept who you are when you spend your time breaking down everything you do and say and think. I read an article in a yoga magazine a few weeks ago of a women who had been going through difficult times in her life and coming in and out of yoga practice. She said "I have learned how to look at myself with kinder more forgiving eyes." Yoga along with God, my loving family, and my patient boyfriend have shown me how blessed life can be if you open up to yourself with gentler eyes. Namaste.