Mantras have been a part of my yoga practice for the past 10 years. Mantra is a Sanskrit word that means mind protection. It is a sacred word, sound or chant repeated during meditation to promote inner peace and facilitate transformation of your consciousness. Last week, I started Deva Premal & Miten’s 21-Day Mantra Meditation Journey to continue the work I have been doing to strengthen my meditation practice. The 21-Day Mantra Journey started on May 14 and offers a free, daily guided session. Click here to learn more.
Do you use mantras in your meditation and yoga practice?
Laura Hollick, an artist and shaman, is the brainchild behind them (see photo above). She is also founder of Soul Art Studio, a business that guides people to connect with their spirit and create a life and business that expresses it. Hollick says, “Soul Art awakens your inner artist so you can create your reality.”
Photo Credit: SoulArtDay.com
International Soul Art Day is annual celebration held on May 14 that brings together Soul Artist from around the world to connect virtually and create art together for the day. Yesterday, I joined the Soul Art Day celebration by listening to recordings of two Google Hangout session and creating my own body mapping art project.
My Soul Art Day mixed media collage
The body mapping art project allowed me to trace my hands and feet, journal, and create a mixed media collage (see photo above). The collage has become a visual affirmation and celebration of what’s living in my creative heart.
Have you ever participated in an online creativity challenge, event, or project that encouraged you to explore and honor your creative process?
This week I am using my #InternetGeek skills to prepare for my “Seven Social Media Secrets of Nonprofit Digital Storytelling” workshop that will be held on May 21 at the Serve DC Program Director Institute. As a former nonprofit program officer for an AmeriCorps civic engagement program with over 18 years of digital communications experience, I have a special passion for AmeriCorps organizations and programs. That’s why I am really excited to share digital storytelling resources, strategies, tips, and tools with the Serve DC organizations. Look for an update about my workshop next week.
PS: For more information about my digital communications experience, click here. I’m available for consultation, speaking engagements, and workshops. Contact me on madelyncleeke@gmail.com and 202.607.3509.
I’m a fifth-year student of Architecture at Pratt Institute. I’m graduating this month. I live in Brooklyn, New York and was raised just outside of Philadelphia in South Jersey. To stay updated on my social media adventures, follow me on Instagram and Twitter.
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #WHSocial?
I have always been a supporter of the President and have held an interest and passion for politics my whole life. As an architect and musician, I found the Arrival Ceremony to be a fascinating confluence of diplomacy, architecture, and theater.
3) Share the key moments you experienced while participating in the #WHSocial.
My key moments included:
Arriving early and seeing the preparations for the state arrival was particularly interesting to see. Every piece of the ceremony is so choreographed and rehearsed to perfection, it was fascinating to see what it took to put it together.
It was also a great thrill to go in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and meet with administration officials. I was struck by how those individuals we met with made real the administration’s commitment to transparency.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #WHSocial?
I primarily used Instagram and Twitter, and shared some on Facebook to let family and friends in on the fun! I was impressed at how connected the #WHSocial group became after finding each other over Twitter through using the hashtag.
5) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #WHSocial?
I learned, retrospectively, the importance of editing! I was too excited when I arrived at the White House and had a bit of a case of “overshare,” to the point that my phone battery couldn’t stand the cold and died before the ceremony concluded. I realized that even with live, in-the-moment broadcasting people are most interested in a concise, conclusive photograph or tweet rather than an overload of images with little meaning on their own.
6) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship carries the duties of citizenship into an increasingly globalized world. It is a process of learning, keeping one’s self informed, but also sharing perspectives and ideas.
7) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I plan to keep expanding the breadth of information I consume with the hopes being able to share more informed perspectives.
8) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Especially in the U.S., our governments and leaders are increasingly present on social networks and are eager to engage with their constituents online. Americans can take advantage of this, and use these tools seriously to generate exciting and intelligent dialogue.
It’s National Women’s Health Week, an annual health celebration I have used to recommit to my wellness commitments over the past decade. Practicing yoga on and off the mat is one of my wellness commitments that started in 1995.
I came to yoga as a 30-year-old runner, Type A legal and finance professional, artist, and writer who needed to release stress, stretch my body, and focus my mind. Child’s pose and downward facing dog were my favorite poses. They still are as I live my life as a 49-year-old (approaching 50 in December) artist, author, creativity coach, digital communications professional, and yoga teacher.
Side twists and savasana (final relaxation) pose also became some of my favorites during my yoga teacher training at Flow Yoga Center in 2005.
When you started practicing yoga, what were your favorite poses?
Artist dates are an essential ingredient in my life as an artist, author, and creativity coach. They spark my imagination and open my creative heart and mind to new ideas.
I love to take myself on artist dates to galleries in my U Street neighborhood in Washington, DC. Today, I visited the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery to see the “Alchemical Vessels” exhibition featuring 125 unique bowls (see photo collage). Being in the midst of so much creativity was inspiring.
Are you actively participating in your local digital communities?
Listen to today’s podcast which discusses what I have gained from participating in my local digital community including the Blogger Week (see photos above). Click on the link to listen: http://soundcloud.com/ananda-leeke/listen-to-ananda-leekes-1.
Ananda Leeke 