Corporalitá: the cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise as an approach to health and mind/body connection.   "If anyone wishes to see how the soul dwells in its body, let him observe how this body uses its daily habitation..." ~ Leonardo daVinci   "Corporalitá" is the 6th da Vincian principle, and offers us the opportunity of a comprehensive approach towards health. We can do this through the assessment of our mind-body connection. In this 3-part, 16 week challenge, we can practice the many ways in which we can have a sound mind in a sound body.   Week 1: In this first week of "Corporalitá", notice how often you engage in a physical activity (walking, gardening, hiking, etc.) Tune into how you feel before, during and after this activity.   Week 2: Take time to recognize areas of strength (physically, mentally, emotionally) and any areas you wish to build strength.   Week 3: In week 3, notice areas of physical and mental rigidity. In what ways [...]

    Arte/Scienza: developing the balance between art and science, imagination and logic. "Whole brain" thinking.   Our practice of the 5th daVincian Principle,  "Arte/Scienza," continues as the process of unlocking our potential for "whole-brain" thinking continues to unfold...     Week 7: Are thoughts, choices and decisions based more on facts or beliefs? Can there be equanimity between what has been proven AND on faith?   Week 8: Throughout the week, observe how you perceive and express yourself in the world. Is it more through words and language or images and symbols? Endeavor to find the balance.   Week 9: Throughout the week, observe whether activities, conversations and dreams are based more in reality or in fantasy. Are you able to equalize the actuality with the imagination?   Week 10: During the week, notice if the tendencies of the mind and thought processes are predominately present/past or present/future. Try to balance what has happened with what is to come and  make the shift to the present moment. [...]

  Arte/Scienza: developing the balance between art and science, imagination and logic. "Whole brain" thinking.   "Study the science of art and the art of science." ~ Leonardo daVinci   Leonardo daVinci's scientific studies and expressive works of art demonstrated his ability as a "whole-brain" thinker. For Leonardo, art and science were indivisible - he was both a great scientist and a great artist.   With the 5th daVincian Principle of  "Arte/Scienza," we begin the process of unlocking our potential for "whole-brain" thinking.   Week 1: In this first week of Arte/Scienza, notice how often you rely on left brain functions (logic, reasoning, analysis) when making choices and decisions.   Week 2: Throughout the week, observe how often you rely on right brain functions (feelings, faith, intuition) when making choices and decisions.   Week 3: How often you are making plans in life and how often you are spontaneous? This week, try to balance preparation with impulsiveness.   Week 4: Throughout the week, pay attention to how often [...]

    Sfumato: embracing ambiguity & uncertainty   "I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but those whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” ~Leonardo da Vinci Our practice and exploration of our willingness or resistance to embrace change and uncertainty continues with Part 2 of “Sfumato.”   Week 1: In week 1, Part 2 of "Sfumato," note the number of times in a day you use an absolute like always, certainly, never or absolutely. What are your reasons for doing so?   Week 2: This week, note the number of times in a day when your language is ambiguous or open-ended. What are the reasons or thought processes behind it?   Week 3: Throughout the week, pay attention to how you end sentences and close conversations. Do you conclude with a statement or a question?   Week 4: [...]

Sfumato: embracing ambiguity & uncertainty   “In time and with water, everything changes." ~Leonardo da Vinci "Sfumato" is the 4th da Vincian principle, and an opportunity to explore our willingness or resistance to embrace change and uncertainty. Literally, Sfumato means "going up in smoke" or "turned into mist." From a yogic perspective, we can ask ourselves:  "Can I keep poise in the face of paradox?" Here are some ways to develop a level of ease in times of uncertainty...   Week 1: This week, consider your tolerance or intolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty. On a 1-10 scale where  1 is complete intolerance and 10 is full acceptance, where do you rate?   Week 2: Based on your scale rating from week 1, consider what thought pattern or behavior you could change or slightly alter to be a little more accepting of "Sfumato."   Week 3: This week, reflect and consider: What or who causes the greatest sense of uncertainty or ambivalence in your life?   Week 4: List [...]

  Sensazione: refinement of the senses for present moment awareness and to enliven experience   “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” ~Leonardo da Vinci Our sense of hearing allows us to communicate, learn and experience the world around us. Our ears never stop hearing, even when we're asleep! Use this ability to your advantage as our "Sensazione" practice completes with the sense of hearing...   Week 1: This week, pause for a few moments each day and practice layered listening. Notice the obvious as well as the subtle sounds around you.   Week 2: This week, practice "active listening." Listen for patterns of sound in nature, in music, in the environment. Notice the tension and release, the rhythm and harmony. Tune into the complimentary contrasts of sound.   Week 3: This week, pause for a few moments each day and tune into your body’s internal sounds... your breath, heart beat, digestion.  What is your body communicating to you through sound?   Week 4: This week, listen for silence. [...]

    Sensazione: refinement of the senses for present moment awareness and to enliven experience.     “Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” ~Leonardo da Vinci     Week 1: Your eyes will process 24 million images in your lifetime and contribute to 85% of your knowledge. Your eyes set up how we react to the environments in which we live. This week, scan the environment for color clashes and color harmonies. What is your response to the visual compatibility or visual discord?   Week 2: Did you know your eyes are capable of processing 36,000 pieces of information per hour? How much of this information do you notice? This week observe the environment for a few moments, then close your eyes and recreate an after image in the screen of the closed eyes. How well does the created image reflect reality?   Week 3: A positive visualization intention can offer us the opportunity to connect to our higher potential. This week, formulate a [...]

  Sensazione: refinement of the senses for present moment awareness and to enliven experience “The senses are the earth, the reason stands apart from them in contemplation." ~Leonardo da Vinci   Our practice of Sensazione continues with the sense of touch.     Week 1: Did you know there is an estimated 100,000-200,000 exteroceptors (sensory receptors that receive external stimuli) in the sole of each foot? Take a few moments each day and experience the sense of touch through both feet (temperature, texture, pressure) Fully connect to “Sensazione” in your feet.   Week 2: There are about 100 touch receptors in each fingertip. During week 2, take a few moments each day and be aware of the sense of touch through the hands (temperature, texture, pressure) and experience the present moment through tactility.   Week 3: This week, be aware if any sensations of touch cause an emotional response or reaction. Be aware of which sensations have a strong influence and which have little or no influence at all. [...]

  Sensazione: refinement of the senses for present moment awareness and to enliven experience “The five senses are the ministers of the soul.” ~Leonardo da Vinci   There are 5 main basic kinds of taste: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami (savory). In Part 2 of “Sensazione,” our focus is on the sense of taste. Mmm...   Take one week to consider each question based on your life experiences.   Week 1: The sense of taste is strongly presented during each meal. Pause for a few moments before eating, reflect on the origins of your meal and aim to be 100% present with your first bite.   Week 2: Take time to be present with the sense of taste during different times of day. Tune in and identify all of the flavors you experience during a meal and the more subtle flavors between meals.   In the next blog post: the sense of touch.   Hari Om Tat Sat   © Copyright 2016 – All Elements Yoga – Gail [...]

  Sensazione: refinement of the senses for present moment awareness and to enliven experience "All knowledge has its foundations in the senses." ~Leonardo da Vinci This blog post was inspired while reading the book, “How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci” by Michael J. Gelb. The third da Vincian principle, “Sensazione” is an invitation to improve our senses and bring the mind to fully experience the present moment while enlivening life's experiences along the way. Leonardo  da Vinci believed that the secrets of Dimostrazione, as explained in previous blog posts, are revealed through the senses.   In this first part of Sensazione, we bring our attention to the sense of smell. Each day, we take in about 440 cubic feet of scent laden air using over 5 million olfactory cells. Below are ways to refine your awareness and influence of the sense of smell.   Take one week to consider each point below, based on your life experiences. Week 1: Bring your awareness to the sense of smell and [...]