Covid Updates May 3rd: Art from the Heart

This week in lockdown, I have been reflecting on the art of being… messy: that this is the perfect time to let go of our judgement of ourselves and let go of those voices of authority internalised… and instead unleashing our inner superhero (which became the theme of my Saturday live stream meditation with the www tribe)!In the olden days (Before Lockdown), I have been someone who has been reluctant to shout about what I am doing because it is not perfect yet… what this time helped me realise… in the words of Beyonce’s BIGGER, is “I am part of something way bigger”, and to let go of that judgement of myself, because just maybe… the art I make will reach and touch someone else’s heart… or inspire them too to create: and what better gift is there than seeing another human express their truth.In Kundalini yoga (which I used to teach at Ookushana, but now teach online on Tuesdays), we always chant the teachers mantra before we start “I am not a womxn, I am not a man, I am not myself, I am not a humxn, I am a teacher.” I love that mantra because it helps me let go of that perfection that used to have me obsessing whilst teaching on what I did wrong and just serve: to just be: and also to recognise when I am doing that and come back to the present moment and have compassion for myself and others.As each of the 33 womxn involved in “I am all womxn” sent in their lockdown interpretation of the powerful words of Bridget Gray, many pointed out what was not perfect about their video: oh I laughed at the end, the room is too small, the light is not right… what I realised as each pointed out their flaws was that, like the kintsukuroi pots in Japan: repaired with gold: the piece is more beautiful having been broken. Each video, was so beautiful, unique and complete, and that together they made a whole piece that showed strength, passion, vulnerability, humanity, and the many sides to a super hero.So this week, like Charlie Mackesey, I am invite you to join me in being messy, in letting go of that unhelpful judgement and perfectionism and just have a go… because the earth without art is just eh!Big loves everyone: you are super(s)heros!Stay strong, find the silver linings, and when life gives you lemons: add them to your tea!I love you,Ella xxxPs. Here are some offerings which we hope might be helpful in these difficult times:THE GETTING BETTER BOXThis week many of us got our Arts Council applications in just in time… fortunately many will be able to relax knowing they have their funds sorted… and sadly many more will not… it is important I feel that this award does not reflect our worth as artists… and that we come together as a community to uplift one another in this difficult time. This week we added to the funding section of the Getting Better Box in date order: there are a lot of other funding opportunities out there! This is also an online collection of all of all the tips, classes, facts, shared resources, poems, moments of hope we have come across over the past 5 weeks in lockdown.I AM ALL WOMXNI Am All Womxn is a response to spoken word piece “I am a woman” by Bridget Gray in our homes all over the world, and the facebook video has now had over 4K views… but we are trying to match that with the YouTube video… and with a goal that Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey share it!Watch (and share) the video hereRead more about the project and the 33 women who took part in its creation hereSLATE WORLD
Slate World have some beautiful online events: this week is all about mental health and wellbeing.
Slate World – UK: Social with Naomi Mwasambili, Wed 6 May
Book a place >CLASSESI was teaching most of these sessions before lockdown in Leeds… but by taking them online, I have had visitors from classes I held ten years ago, from different cities, even some from across the world, and I have had visitors who may normally find getting out of the house a barrier. I have decided that somehow I will keep these classes online even after lockdown ends: through this time in lockdown I have really connected in a much deeper way to the importance of community and my purpose in being of service with these offerings. I would love for you to join us my EMC, EAC, BY and MG families! It has broken my heart a little that my beloved Dance On family are not able to attend class in these difficult times: I hope to see them again in person soon!Embodied Alchemy | Path For Movement, Meditation, Mantra and Mudra with Ella Mesma:Ella Mesma Company Monday Morning Movement Mantra (Online): Mondays at 11.11-12.12 BST “As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…”Maya Gandaia is about Moving from Illusion to Joy, and this session is designed to move through the archetypes to release the emotions and stories no longer serving us through motion and into our highest self.https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ella-mesma-company-monday-morning-movement-mantra-50-minute-class-tickets-101367661404Maya Gandaia Kundalini Yoga Class: Tuesdays at 18:30 – 19:45 BST “To boost your immunity, release fear and raise your vibration” Kundalini classes increase our physical vitality and expand our consciousness. The practice is in itself meditative, whilst simultaneously strengthening the physical body.https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kundalini-to-boost-your-immunity-release-fear-and-raise-your-vibration-tickets-101452609486Business Yoga Desk Yoga 15:15 Session: Wednesdays at 15:15 – 15:30 BST“Fifteen Moves to make you feel better at the desk” This simple and quick session is an energy boost: to rejuvinate body, mind and soul for all.https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/take-a-break-15-moves-to-make-you-feel-better-reduce-stress-and-boost-your-immune-system-tickets-101371222054Element Arts Latin Dance Classes: Saturdays at 11:00-12:00 BST I will be teaching Samba No Pe every Saturday, but the whole family have united to offer classes in Tango, Latin Hip Hop, and more…https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/element-arts-online-dance-classes-ticketsMaya Gandaia Live Stream with the www tribe: Saturdays at 12:15 – 12.30 BST Uniting with a beautiful global tribe of dancers, musicians and healers, the www tribe offer sessions free of charge on facebookTo find out more about the classes: or the many other classes listed on our site click here