A journey to connect mind, body, heart, spirit, and earth through a unique nature-based expressive arts therapy workshop. A beautiful blessing of an experience to be with my body and create a body map using these gorgeous flowers. Full circle, after we all created these, we gave them back to the earth.Goats were passing by when this was happening....I did not know goats like flowers! 

Here is a compilation of many different fun adventures...in the classroom for my last week, a marathon in Auroville (I walked a 5k) and more Kolum---because I LOVE! 

The sweet doggie Babloo I see everyday....sometimes he barks, often you see him with his tongue hanging out looking up to you like he is just saying, "what, why are you calling my name lady?"  

I am still continuing my own art conquests. Working on inner generational work through painting. My final art directive I did with the kids for preparation of their art show- we all painted on canvas board. Mine came out as Shiva. I am drawn to this God in so many ways. Interesting to always see what comes up in painting. I love practicing art therapy for myself as well. 

Where do I begin!? I will try to give a summary of this compilation of pictures...

The Kolum art of the rice/stone powder I cannot get enough of. I could make a pure album just of these gems---they are everywhere and change everyday- I am sure I will share more....

It's going so well at the school....a ritual that has cultivated is after lunch the girls at school love to re-due my hair.  Grateful they want to "fix" my hair everyday.  I get past the tears with all my tangles and love all the different creations they create with my hair.

I've loved learning more about Hindi mythology, visiting temples and seeing rituals on the streets. Often you hear loud drumming while others are pushing a statue with lights and decorations. A colorful light and musical sight to see! 

I am thankful I LOVE India food. So many different tastes that you don't find in an Indian restaurant back home. Pani puri, curd (yogurt) with pomegranates and cilantro, and saffron/cardamom ice-cream, ahhhhhhh is divine! Oh my taste buds are SO HAPPY!!!

Grateful to be meeting wonderful people and having an all around magical time! Just a couple more weeks of school/internship and then I am off to travel for the next 6 weeks! These wings are fluttering with excitement! WAAAAAAAAAAAAA_YEAAAAAAAH!

Exploration of some universal thoughts such as emotions, relationships-friendship, and self awareness. I have LOVED seeing what comes out of their art. Despite the language barrier I feel these students enjoy seeing their own creations come to life, which is absolutely priceless to witness anywhere on the globe. 

The veggie n' fruit market in Pondy is known as, Gouber Market (great name). Amazing to walk and see so many vegetables, fruits and spices that I have not seen before. Like bitter gourd and leaves that are soooo yummy! Everyone was so kind and open to having their picture taken. A true joy to meander through...

Flowers Galore! I finally made it to the flower market of Pondy! Here in Tamil Nadu- tradition is to wear flowers in the hair. I am not a fan of brushing my hair so when they put flowers in my hair it is always a worth it pain! Walking the halls of this market there was an aroma of fragrance with every step. So, so beautiful. Wish you all could smell the beauty!!!

The time spent in the classroom has been enriching to my soul, hard but insightful into depths of myself that I am grateful to see, feel, and explore. I only have three more weeks at the school. For my capstone for school and my closing project with the children we are going to create a Gallery Art Show. I am so excited that I found canvases for each student to paint! Going to be so much FUN!!!

Eating local food on traditional banana leaves, Tamil cinema movie...where the people literally scream at the "hero" actor through the entire film, plus an intermission. Quite the movie experience with red velvet walls and chandeliers in the theater.  I have found a new love: Rose milk, mmmmmmm. I found rose ice cream as well! Rose heaven!!!

I still cannot get over the beautiful rice powder art everywhere known as Kolum.  Different everyday and everywhere. Art is everywhere and I am always excited to walk the streets displaying these creations that meet the energy of the day. 

I visited the Pondy lighthouse that is just 30 years old. I ran all the way up, counting the steps along the way- 259 steps! I am surprised I am riding on vespas all the time- the common mode of transportation 

We went on a field trip! Here...they call it a picnic. We had the BEST time! These monuments were said to be built 630-668 BCE.

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.