thoughts of the day

Today was a beautiful day, like the one before, and the one before that. There is snow falling, which seems shocking and out of place, although it is winter in Canada and it was forecasted. The cold enveloping my outer world makes me dress warm and cozy and settle down with a cup of kava root tea and while I listen to my favorite songs on shuffle as I work on my computer.

Today I was driving to a video shoot I produced/directed with my friend Bryan who shot it, and as we were catching up in my car I was talking about my weekend that just passed. My children spent the weekend with their grandparents and I was OFF MY LEASH for two full days! I have a very busy schedule and when I am not working or studying I am with my children, picking them up from school on most days and hanging out with them until they go to bed, then I go back to work.

So, naturally on my two days off I locked my doors and stayed home and spent most of Saturday meditating/doing yoga/meditating/chanting, and whatever it is that people like me do. Saturday night I spent the eve with a dear friend Sundara who did some stellar body work on me. Sunday I did more yoga, went to my meditation centre, and picked up my children. I didn’t think twice about laying low and retreating deep within, it felt natural and long over due.

It was when I was talking about my weekend with Bryan and he commented that not many people take the time to do nothing and listen to what is deep inside, making the space to connect and release. I was reminded of all the people on this planet, living our fast paced lives, we constantly are plugging in, plugging in, going from one thing to the next, bombarded by media, seeking to be entertained, never feeling satiated. Desiring more, consuming more, creating more, more, more…

Take the time to stop and do nothing. Unplug. Take a break from thinking, listen to yourself and tell me how you feel. Travel deep within. Discover emptiness.

Happy Tibetan New Year [losar tashi delek]
Year of the Earth Ox

MAY PEACEFUL HEARTS,
PEACEFUL FEELINGS,
AND PEACEFUL INTELLIGENCE
GUIDE THIS WORLD
FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT.

H H the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

 

a new year

Holiday rush coming to an end, I find myself focusing on simplicity. This time of year, no matter how organized I think I am, I am left feeling full of bliss yet completely chaotic. As I settle back into a ‘normal’ routine I am finding that doing 15 minutes of yoga every morning is keeping me from crashing, allowing me to sustain my holiday high while I push forward into a new year with a new set of goals.

I first started doing yoga 17 years ago (ok, I started young!) and although I know what postures are more essential for my body, I still love being guided. My Yoga Online has hundreds of classes in DVD quality that stream on the internet. Classes range from 12 minutes to over an hour, from beginner to advanced, from yin to vinyasa flow. My Yoga Online is also a great health and wellness resource with a collection of articles on health, nutrition, ayurveda, and wellness.

I do work with the knowledgeable people at My Yoga Online, so I would like to offer you all a chance to check out the site for free. I know for me going to a class is always fun, but not always possible to fit into a busy schedule. For those who are wanting to practice from home or for teachers wanting to gain more tips, I can offer you two weeks for free to give it a try.

Enter this promo code: RY097381 here to receive two weeks on MYO.

There is a lot going on these days on this planet, do your part and keep your mind, body and soul intact. Do a little yoga. Do a lot. Drink a little tea. Drink a lot.

namaste

 

origins

I am asked, where does the name Sumitra come from for it is not the name I was born with…  sumitra.  It is a collection of syllables and sounds, a name, and for me it has a bit of a story to it.  Sumitra is Indian in origin, so why would I choose a Sanskrit name to identify my creative projects with?  SUMITRA, it has a nice ring to it.  media does also.  Without even considering the meaning of the word, you have to admit it is a pretty sound… media.  Aside from the name SUMITRAmedia having a good flow to it, the meaning is even sweeter.

A summer tradition of mine is to go to the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga’s annual family yoga retreat, a wholesome summer ritual for the family on the beautiful Salt Spring Island, one of BC’s Gulf Islands.  The spiritual head of the center is Baba Hari Dass, a  silent yogi from India who has not spoken a word since 1952, comes up from his home at the Mt. Madonna Center in Santa Cruz, CA to guide the retreat.  It was in a private meeting with babajii during a retreat several years ago that he gave me the name Sumitra scribed on a little piece of paper with the meaning ‘a friend of everyone… also a name of a goddess of creation’.  When I first read the name he scribed on the little piece of paper I felt it resonate within, a shift in my consciousness.

To be given a name by a spiritual master is a blessing in itself.  In the case of Baba Hara Dass, or Babajii as we call him, it is a glimpse into our own spiritual evolution, a gift we may have and something we must work on.  I feel both.  Ultimately, I just like the sound of the name: sumitra.  Being a person that believes that peace on this planet is possible (with a hellova lot of work by each and everyone of us), I like the concept of being a friend to everyone. EVERYONE.  Somehow, someway…

As I explore and develop my practice with media it feels good to bring that blessing forward with my work.  Be open to all, bring out the best in everyone.  And just put words together that flow.  And video images as well…  To communicate directly to the soul, to raise the vibration of the collective subconsciousness… The greatest blessing is to be surrounded by such bright, creative, and skilled souls to work and collaborate with.

As an independent media producer I have so much gratitude to have been surrounded by skilled and talented people who I have learned so much from as well as such inspiring people, events, and organizations to film and develop materials for this past year.  I enjoy learning and expanding my capabilities to enhance the work, art, and ideas that the beautiful people or groups that I have the great fortune to cross paths with.

As a media artist I am so grateful to have found this medium.  The first project that I edited brought so much joy because I was working in the visual realm, like in painting which I love working in.  But when I started to discover and explore the dynamics of my compositions moving and having sound I was completely ecstatic!  A dynamic medium for a dynamic person.  Love at first experience.  I enjoy capturing footage that expresses the beauty inherent in every moment, in every situation.  I like to create a visual flow that inspires, uplifts, and communicates to that place deep within.  I also like to laugh, hysterically if lucky, so I integrate humor when possible.  I prefer not to cater to the current high paced and flashy protocols of modern media.  I am curious about learning the technology but if I had my way media would be long and slow and insist that we all hold a decent attention span.

My experience during the past 10 years includes working for Midwives & Naturopaths, administration & corporate training, giving birth and raising two children, exploring Asia as well as NYC, yogic and meditative explorations, research, fine art studies, embracing the contemporary art world, learning, interning, dance dance dancing, overcoming, and downright living.  Dynamic capabilities and experiences give me the edge to communicate heart and soul through video.  Some future goals include travelling to India again, the wonderful country where the name Sumitra originates from, to film a documentary on textiles, natural woven fibers are another passion of mine.  At one point I was developing a business designing fabric and as I started to work with video and fall in love with this medium, I turned that business idea into a documentary, I married two passions

I wish every person on this planet to experience peace and love and connection in this upcoming new year.  May you achieve all of your dreams… dream BIG!

Saltspring Centre of Yoga makes great chai!

Baba Hari Dass at the Family Yoga Retreat