this is my week told pictorially. if you’re new to point and shoot, you can catch up here! :)

the prettiest beet i ever did see.

lazy days.

morning.

just returned from an amazing holy yoga retreat. (more on that to come!)

love, bonnie

do you have any favorite photos from your life this week?

this post was made possible by the lovely iphone app, instagram. you can follow me here or find me by searching for @goinghometoroost. all photos by yours truly. :)

wrap up: {instagram} {iphone} {life} {photography} {yoga}

happy friday, friends! i am so excited to share with you the most beautiful yoga clothing today! i am so honored to have recently teamed up with one of my favorite yoga instructors, mary kay west, to help get her amazing yoga clothes on etsy. aren’t they beautiful? i have several pieces myself and can personally vouch for their comfort, ease of wearing and incredible tailoring.

as a long time yogi herself, mary kay west has made each of her clothing pieces to not only stay in place during your practice, but make you look great at the same time (who wouldn’t want that?). she also specializes in pieces that can take you right from the yoga studio to the market and out to dinner with ease. with simple additions like long cardigans and versatile pieces, you won’t be stuck running errands looking like you just got off your mat. tailored to fit just about any body, she has longer tunic tanks, flattering yoga pants and summer blouses that are to die for. click on over to her shop and let us know what you think!

pssst… not a yogi? don’t worry, she also make stunning blouses and dresses!

wrap up: {blouses} {clothing} {dresses} {lifestyle} {market} {practice} {tanks} {yoga}

a handmade gift from my mom- the perfect yoga bag! it’s also a free sewing pattern from amy bulter (sa-weet!).

wrap up: {bag} {free} {nigella yoga bag} {patter} {sewing} {yoga}

what’s on your list?

wrap up: {call} {chalkboard} {groceries} {to-do} {today's} {yoga}

today is the day by virginia kraljevic

today is the day… i start teaching yoga! tonight i will be starting a brand new christian yoga class here in my town of solvang at our local yoga studio, bloom yoga (remember me saying it might be my new favorite spot?).

never heard of christian yoga? you can read all about it on my flyer, but basically it’s a yoga class with the specific intention of worshiping the Lord. you can check out holy yoga’s website to read more about the general philosophy and feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments section. but more importantly, if you’re in the area make sure to come on out and join the class!! xox, bonnie

wrap up: {bloom yoga} {christian} {class} {flyer} {solvang} {teach} {yoga}

Next time you find yourself sitting for long periods of time writing a story or standing in that awkward position at the easel…try these five yoga poses and see how they will ENHANCE your creativity.

Wrist relief. As we hold our pen, type across the keys of the keyboard, or practice notes on our instruments we forget about the tiny bunch of bones that make it all possible…our wrists. The next moment…Cramp! Before you cramp up take a few moments to bend your elbow so that your forearm comes in toward your chest. Flex the wrist so that your palm faces up toward to ceiling. Using the opposite hand, press down on your extended fingertips to open the wrist…hold for 10 breaths and then bend your wrist in the opposite direction, so that your fingertips almost rest on your shoulder. Hold for 10 breaths and then do the other side.

Seated cat/cow. If you’re confined to the desk this is a great move to try out, but I recommend getting on the floor and doing regular cat/cow if you can. Artists tend to find themselves with shoulders that are hunched over so this is great to open up the heart and increase mobility in the spine. Inhale and draw the shoulder blades onto the back, spread the collarbones, look up and allow the chest to expand. Exhale, round the spine like a Halloween cat, round the shoulders, draw the navel toward your spine, and tuck your chin. This pose is just as much about the breath as it is the fluid motion of the spine. Work it and it will work you!

Hello Hamstrings! Giving the ole’ hamstrings a good stretch with a forward fold, standing or seated, is a great, restorative pose for artists. As creative people we tend to put so much pressure on ourselves to always perform and put out “perfect” work. Try this pose and as you stand there hinging at the hips let all your insecurities and fears literally roll off your back. Anatomically this pose will release your lower back, lengthen the spine, and tone the hamstrings that we all love to shorten as we sit driving or creating for hours.

Healing Hip Opener. Here is another pose that you can do in the chair or supine on a yoga mat. Releasing tension in the hips opens up more space for creative breakthroughs so try it out! Scoot to the edge of your seat…both feet firmly planted on the ground. Place your right ankle on top of your left leg just above the knee. Breathing in, lengthen your spine by rooting through the sit bones and reaching the crown of your head toward the sky. Breathing out and keeping the spine long and straight begin folding the torso gently over the legs. You’ll feel this in your hip. Be kind to your hips and only fold to your edge. Hold this pose for a minute or so and then switch sides.

Breathe. That’s right! It’s that simple. Taking a moment to walk away from your work, get out of your mind, and back into your body can do wonders for your creative energy. Try sitting in a comfortable position. Relax the jaw, let your shoulders fall away from your ears, root through your sit bones as you extend through the crown of your head and turn inward. Silently and lovingly observe your breath as you send yourself some kindness. If nothing else, Artists can always use more breathing and more kindness.

How has yoga enhanced your creative experience? How has creativity enhanced your yoga? I would love to know!

My name is Courtney Pearce! I am a yoga teacher, creative soul, Great Dane momma, Health Promotions nerd, blogger at yogag33k.com, and co-creator of “Dancing in the Fire: A 30 day journey to creativity through yoga and art” with Eliza Tobin. Join us this August to meet your creativity through art journaling, meditation, and yoga! Go to 30 days of yoga and art and receive two FREE creative affirmation prints. I look forward to connecting and meeting kindred spirits along the journey to creativity through yoga and art! Namaste.

wrap up: {artist} {courtney pearce} {creative} {health} {poses} {yoga}

hello, friends! i have to share with you my latest discovery (via tara gentile). in fact, i’m writing to you from it right now! it’s the most amazing program for writers, bloggers and those of you who just want to focus while you work. as tara puts it, omm writer turns your computer screen into a low contrast, high focus zen wonderland of creative flow.

with options for different backgrounds, texts, writing sounds, saving options and music choices, it really does create an exceptionally concentrative space. i like the zen music so much, i’ve found myself leaving it to play while i’m around the house, or even eager to practice some yoga to it! just watch the video above to see what i mean.

 
right now, i have twelve tabs and about 4 programs running on my computer. how many do you have? normally, while i’m trying to write or focus, my eyes are always jumping between my twitter and e-mail inbox bar, or i’m being notified that someone just came or went online via skype.

serisouly? it’s an overload.

how am i supposed to get anything done? i can’t believe i have accomplished anything before now (at least in a timely matter) without omm writer. i have a feeling it’s going to increase my productivity ten fold. i find that it calms me down and helps me escape from the craziness that is today’s online world. it helps me focus tremendously.

omm writer offers a free version or their latest version, in which you decide the price you want to pay for it. how yogic! i’m in love.

wrap up: {blog} {concentrate} {journal} {omm} {omm writer} {write} {yoga} {zen}

i do a lot of handstands. i’ll kick up against a wall while my coffee is brewing, or do a headstand for a few minutes as a nice break from the computer. it probably makes more sense for me, as i grew up deeply rooted in gymnastics, then went on to be a collegiate cheerleader, and have since put my skills to a more healthy and sustainable practice: yoga. to say the least, i’ve spent a lot of time upside down. but there’s more to it than that. it makes me feel good. it refreshes me, and makes me feel strong. inversions are healthy for several reasons, and today i’m going to discuss a few of them. are you with me?

 
want to set the mood? play jack johnson’s upside down!

first, there are several ways to invert, no matter what your skill level is. above, you’ll find a few of the more advanced inversions, but simply lying down with your feet up a wall will still give some of the same benefits (here’s a great beginner’s guide). find whatever is most comfortable to you, and don’t try anything you’re not confident with (that’s my disclaimer!). :)

in general, inversions cleanse as they squeeze and massage your inner organs and improve blood flow, efficiently flushing your body of toxins as they allow new blood to flow in. they leave you with a renewed sense of overall health and vitality.

10 reasons to go upside down:

- calm the brain, help relieve stress and mild depression. the increased circulation helps to increase blood circulation to the brain and deliver a higher amount of oxygen which help increase our level of concentration and mental sharpness.

- stimulate the thyroid and prostate glands and abdominal organs. inversions upset gravity and the pituitary and pineal gland become activated as they synergize to balance hormone levels in the body. the result? a revitalized and rejuvenated body.

- stretch the shoulders and neck, which is why this is such a great practice for anyone who sits while they work (like me!).

- tone the legs and booty. squeezing, kicking up and balancing will help get you toned in no time.

- improves digestion. there’s just nothing like turning everything upside to get things moving again. ;)

- relieve the symptoms of menopause, as inverting invigorates the brain, regulates hormones and helps shift and lighten your mood.

- reduce fatigue and help to alleviate insomnia. muscle tension is reported to decrease by 35% while inverting, which helps with anxiety, tension, and insomnia.

- therapeutic for asthma, infertility, sinusitis and headache.

- strengthen the shoulders, arms, and wrists.

- improve your sense of balance.

so are you ready to give it a try? you can do it! head on over to yoga journal to get step by step instructions on how to do each pose and find endless articles on the benefits of this kind of practice.

resources: photography: rory earnshaw and david martinez via yoga journal, livestrong.com, yoga for hormonal balance

wrap up: {headstand} {health} {inversion} {invert} {upside down} {yoga}