Continuing on with our feature for Accessing Creative Flow, I asked Zen Yoga Instructor Ellen Brakel, artist, healer and co-founder of Soaring Heart Welleness to share with us her experiences of accessing creative flow through her practice…..
“This past year was a year of exploration for me in combining Zen Yoga and Art in my personal and teaching practise. I found it takes my yoga practise to a new and deeper level and fits very well with the creative process.
Zen Yoga renders a wonderful relationship with my body, mind and spirit, which opens me up to new insight and inspirations to feed my creative practise.
.After practsing yoga, I am able to go into a deeper meditation with painting and the energy in my body flows with my breath and brush which I find very relaxing. I open myself up to the moment and paint what is there. I find I am co-creating with nature and the universe and I am able to transform any negativity or difficult feelings into something greater and healing.
My painting is not goal oriented, it is experience oriented, taking any pressure off for it to be a “perfect masterpiece” that may block many people from doing art. I also find many wonderful surprises along the way when I am not trying to control my experience. 
It has also helped some of my students to let go of some of their creative inhibitions and learn that we all have a creative spirit inside waiting to come out. I am excited to keep working with Zen Yoga and the creative process and enjoy sharing the journey along the way.” 
Thank you Ellen for sharing your insights, your journey and your art.
You have a special talent for reflecting the beauty and uniqueness of the natural world onto canvas – revealing it’s grace, colours, flowing movements and on a deeper level, stimulating appreciation and memory of our ancient kinship with the Earth.
All inquiries regarding the purchase of Ellen Brakel’s artwork can be made by visiting Soaring Heart Wellness.
Peace,
Faye Raftos
