The Satya Special Schools have trainings for their teachers often on Saturdays. So I have had this amazing opportunity to hold a couple of workshops for teachers that work at all the different schools. It has been such an incredible learning experience and I find that I want to continue this form of work because I feel the power of working within a group to bounce and learn from one another is such a powerful way. I have been moved to tears from the feedback I have received and will continue to provide weekend workshops during my time in Punducherry. 

So I have been here in Pondicherry for my internship for Art Therapy and Counseling. Here is a view into the classroom where I am working with children ages 7- 15. Out of the 8 Satya Special Schools around Pondicherry, this school is the only one that follows the government syllabus. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being in the classroom. It has been hard with the language barrier but I have interpreter in most class and the children learn English at school as well. I too am trying to learn basic Tamil, which is the native language of the state of Tamil Nadu. It has been an enriching experience thus far.  I have started off bringing in the topic of emotions, what are emotions? What do they look like? What do they feel like? How can I manage my emotions in a healthy way? I am building up to having a Gallery Art Show of the children's work at the end of my stay here. 

For the retreat I traveled down to a southern state, Kerala. The town Varkala was hip little town with Ayurvedic treatment centers and yoga all over the place. The clothes and jewelry were absolutely amazing...I had to buy another bag! The Arabian sea was accessible with a two minute walk down the cliff where the town resided. Wild to have a sea to jump into everyday not just because I wanted to it was incredibly HOT down there! The sunsets were gorgeous and many were the craziest red!!!

The geometric art form is known as Kolum I learned. Created by the women of the house. They get up before everyone in the household to create and meet the energy of the day. An art that goes back thousands of years. Made of rice and stone flower- the women crouch down bringing together their heart and head to be as one while creating it. Ko means Spirit and Lum means Matter- so its an art that brings Spirit into form. I am absolutely in love with this art and excited to bring back to the States.  

There were offerings of water and fresh flowers everywhere to give thanks. There were so many kind people that I interacted with. Varkala especially is very touristy with many Europeans. I managed to find an ecstatic dance---Ah, so much FUN! 
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This state is very successful due to the Kerala forest with thousands of rubber trees that they in turn can create rubber from, providing a great state revenue for this country. AND----there were MONKEYS!!! Ah- so fun, so fun!!! 

​Lastly, I hope you can see the HEART in the cookie. LOVE is everywhere!!

Hello beautiful people! I have been in Kerala. A beautiful southern state on the west coast in an amazing little town known as Varkala. I have been here doing an Art Therapy retreat. It has been profound on a multitude of layers. This retreat was put on by two women that are in the same Ph.D program that my supervisor is in back in Santa Fe. I have has the honor of exploring Indian and Russian expressive arts! Tracing back to the roots and ancestors of both rich cultures, delving into the divine feminine and our relationship to our own bodies and of the earth. 

 Truly an enriching experience despite I was the only student that spoke English. So many ways to connect beyond language-- so powerful. 

Meandering through these streets, I find such kindness all around. India is treating me so well and I feel full of gratitude. The ornate decorations interwoven with their religious culture is breathtaking always to me. Oh, and you know I love to take pictures of tiles.    

One of my first days visiting Satya Special School, I met the occupational therapist that took this lovely gem. He was kind to let me sit in on one of his sessions with one of his clients. Feeling pretty lucky I am here and get to learn new ways to connect and grow from people. 

Photography is hard, its like subtracting vision into rectangles, leaving out the bits beyond. Memory is a moving picture of the whole in one essence I suppose. I have to say, I don't know why, but I love me some fun tile. I am digging my bathroom with no TP! The middle image I saw on my morning walk in front of many homes. I saw women with a small cups filled with what looked like loose chalk almost (like climbing chalk) First proportionately pinpoint the design with a grid like of dots and build from there....so captivating to watch as I walked by. Lastly, the green and red long bean like tree is the GROOVIEST! I heart trees, love that they bend and grow in funky dog face style around these lovely parts.  

As many of you know, I am a big fan of cards. Here is Kim Krans amazing new archetype deck that I HAD to bring! First spread in India and the cards never cease to amaze me, provides such nourishing food for thought...

the Riddle- the puzzle, ???, the mystery...Stop searching for the right answer! It cannot be found, and ultimately not important. Shift from literal to metaphorical, from logic to mythic. Time, surrender, and humor are your allies. Jump in!

Mystic- The seeker, the lightworker, the dreamer. Described in comparison to Shiva- dedicated to the path of transformation. In order to save Earth from darkness, Shiva swallows the poison of the world and holds it in his throat, slowing transmuting the liquid into nectar. Unanswerable questions are the Mystic's lifeblood, revealing in mystery, in the great riddle of life, dancing with the forces of light and dark upon its wings.

Aletheia- The Truth, an undeniable resonance that goes beyond the rational. Often, when we hear someone speak the truth, we see the truth in ourselves. Reclaiming truth is a way to reclaim your vital energy, health, and sense of belonging in  the world. Truth has its own wings. Fly baby fly!!

2.5 days of travel, and I have made it!