Do WHat You Love

I am settling back into life again, after the amazing experience of DWYL.  I want to write a blog post about it.  Like a proper one.  OR one that explains it a bit to those who didn't go.  My experience of it.

my room at Devi's  -even had my own bathroom!

It was certainly an adventure.  I even set off on my adventure the day before.  I went by train to Etchingham (very small station deep in the Sussex countryside) to stay overnight chez Devi KK.  She was going to be the (very early) morning yoga teacher at the retreat and was giving me a lift up to Yorkshire. We had friends in common and had been emailing, and we were doing the same class with Flora Bowley.  But we had never met.  I was a bit apprehensive setting out.  About all of it.  About me meeting folk I didn't already know, and whether it would live up to my (very high) expectations.  I had read the blurb.  Magic Happens when you DO WHAT YOU LOVE.  I was up for MAGIC, no less!!

Devi was lovely, as was where she lived! It was in a retreat centre, a proper beautiful one.  Way off the main roads, down a private road, with an amazing view.  I even got a whole dorm to myself, with my own bathroom!

a cool mug to start the adventure

The next day, Devi brought me tea in this mug.  A portent I thought.  And took a photo.  Yes this is what I am off away from hearth and home for.













The drive up was leisurely and easy, no nasty traffic, and even some utterly amazing dairy and sugar free raw chocolate (which reminds me I must pester Devi to get me some, it totally rocked) And Devi introduced me to some new yogic tunes Elephant Power.  Also rocking! (another reminder she said she would burn me the CD....)

Beth and the sky

Arrival at the retreat, 6 hours later, I was struck by how exactly alike to the promotional photos it looked.  Bearing in mind this is England and also the North, the likelihood of scuttling cotton wool clouds and a bright blue sky and dales bathed in sunshine, this was impressive.  And gave me the uncanny feeling that I truly had stepped into the dreams I had of the place.  Also meeting Beth, whose image I had seen before... And the first other retreatee (bar Devi) being Lisa, who looked decidedly familiar.... stepping out of the car after a long journey into cups of tea and scones and OMIGOD we are really here, this is it this is really happening, was quite disconcerting at first.... after a period of not knowing quite what to do with myself, and being torn between seeing the lodges and having a rest and staying at reception to check out who else was arriving... eventually we were lead down to see our lodges. .....down being the operative word..... a very steep, rather rugged, path.  No wonder they said to bring torches.....

no street lights here

The eco lodges were, as described, luxurious....

There was also a hamper, some wine (I added to the collection!) some bread, jam, biscuits.  Milk and cheese in the fridge, and a little welcome goody bag with handwritten notes, and presents and a little notebook (I love notebooks) ooooh this was lovely already...

I can't actually remember what happened after that... well until dinner anyway.  i think I had a hot bath and a headache tablet, and a wee lie down...

Dinner was in the tipi.  A most impressive one.  In fact it could seat 60 for dinner.  How about that! And it had a fire in the middle.  I think there was actually an issue with not opening the 'chimney flaps' the first night, but I really liked that we all wandered back down the hill to the wine and bonfire reception smelling of woodsmoke.  WE had sparklers. And wine. And a bonfire.  It was all lovely.

inside the tipi,  queueing for dinner (waiting in line as the American's say)

The next day I actually woke up at 6.30am.  I think I was so excited! I had told Devi that I was going to miss the first yoga session as I was so tired.  But I woke up, thought. May as well go!  THe sun was shining, bunnies were hopping everywhere and the trump up the rocky path amidst the amazing smell of the abundant gorse flowers was invigorating.

Devi teaches Kundalini Yoga, which I have never tried.  It was outside too, which was a little breezy, but just fantastic.  Hearing the birds and feeling the sunshine, made it very special.  Kundalini yoga is not like other yoga and focuses on the energy centres and raising up your energy, in a spiritual way.  Its also set to music which I loved.  I felt pretty good afterwards.  especially that I had managed to do it!!  Breakfast in the tipi - yummy.  And then - OK I am missing bits here, possibly the group photo shoot?? ach anyway... onto the CLASS.  Which in a term used by Flora, Definately ROCKED MY WORLD.

We began by yoga moves and stretches, outisde.  And we listened to music.  And we all got rid of the white canvas - dramatically - dripping and swirling and finger painting with our eyes closed to music....

Oh how can I describe the class? It was just such fun! mark making, using colour, using foam brushes and fingers and every now and again getting instructions to 'do something drastic' or 'OK lets stop and do some stretches now' or 'we are going to dance with our eyes closed now'  or some such.  I just got IMMERSED in it.  I made a beautiful mess! I dabbed and swirled and scrawled and made etchings in the paint.. ... a whole load of techniques to get paint and variation.  And all in a keep it loose, don;t think, feel it sort of way.... I just had the best time.

And even things like at lunch, we had prompts to talk about our creative journey, which was  - great. And everyone at the table was so interesting.  everyone!!

That evening before dinner was a creative enterprise session with Beth and Louise Gale, about blogging - at least I think this was the one.  OR maybe it was the one that was about progressing your creative journey.... or perhaps it was both!! phew! I told  you it was a LOT!  after dinner (new people to speak to, ALL interesting!!  - in fact made a connection with a lady which might be a whole other new chapter to my life and secret desire to be a social entrepreneur / someone who does some good in the world / charitable me.... watch this space...
 
And then there was Matt Stinchcombe from Etsy and Hannah Nunn who makes beautiful lamps and sells them in her shop.  Talking about creative business - and a lot more besides.  SO interesting to me, and so fascinating.....

At the end of the first day I realised I had been doing things I loved from 6.45am to 11pm NON STOP.   Being creative, talking about life, creativity, the universe, entrepreneurship, blogging, connecting, eating, drinking tea, painting (new love!), dancing, making friends.................

see its all going to be a looooooong post.

I am going to start summarising.  Day 2 and Day 3were much the same, but different and more.  I did get a bit of an early night one of those nights.  And one night we got to go in an sneak a peak at the other workshops.....and on the last night we had a gallery night where all the work was displayed.  And some of us (most of the tutors and a few other brave souls!!) had our wares out to show and sell.  I sold a few art cards and a lavender bag.  I gave away a portrait of Beth to Beth and a lavender heard to FLora.  And then I spent all the money I had taken on buying others stuff!

I can't write any more. 

the amazing gorse

It was so packed full.  And at the end of it I had painted 3 paintings that I wasn't expecting to paint.   That was the emotional and amazing thing for me.  ONe of the amazing things.  there are more, truly it was a lot... I haven't even told you about How I had already met Lisa (via Experimental ARt meet up) or How Louise is going to coach me. OR the whole charity go to Amsterdam thing...

But the painting, the painting.  I am left most of all by the painting.  FLora's teaching is kind of intuitive, you paint intuitively, like seeing shapes in clouds, you draw out a painting so it kind of comes from deep within you.  And everyone's was so unique and personal.

Now more than ever I want a studio space. To paint.  OH and the kit list, was a little on the large side... which means I have a LOT of paint left over..... see, its a sign!

am going to just post this and come back and put the links and the photos in soon.  ha ha! I promise!! I will!!

Love you.  And go.   next year.  Its on!!