The Yantra Gallery displays several of the yantras I’ve created over the past few years. Click on the thumbnails to get a closer look, and some of the thumbnails have dates below, indicating I have made a post about the yantra - click on the date to view the post.

Check the Gallery often, as I will continually update with more yantras!

Ganesha Yantra

In India, Ganesha is the depicted as the rotund, elephant-headed deity who is appealed to before beginning any new undertaking, including travel, building homes or other structures, a new spiritual practice, a new job, writing a book - whatever task or project one wishes to vibe up with good energy and intentions, propitiating Ganesh will help clear the path to success as he is the Remover of Obstacles.

Meditating on the green color of the bhupur will actually produce red in one’s inner vision (gaze at the green for some time, then close your eyes - the green area is now red behind your closed eyes). The color red represents the root chakra. The eight lotus petals represent the five elements - ether, air, fire, water, earth - and the three qualities of passion, inertia and purity.

The upward-pointing triangle is the color of Ganesha’s skin, and raises spiritual energy by drawing one’s attention up away from the world. The six-pointed star contained within the triangle consists of both an upward and a downward triangle, representing balance between opposing forces, or between masculine and feminine.

Located inside the six-pointed star at the very center of the yantra is the bindu - the point of origin, the source, the core around which all else revolves.

Reciting the mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha while gazing at this yantra increases its effect.

The particular yantra above was colored with dry water-soluble pencils, and I’ve taken a liking to this method of coloring yantras lately, the color gradually lightening and washing out towards the middle of each area instead of painting solid colors with gouache.

The script below the design is Ganesha in Sanskrit.

Ganesha is also an ideal ally in removing writer’s block, blogger’s block, or any number of mental obstacles. Hence, finally another post after a long dry spell! 

Below are a few suggested poses to encourage revival and maintainence of healthy feet. Concerned about making this post too lengthy and technical, I’m passing the buck to Yoga Journal for the detailed instructions concerning these poses, including how to perform the posture and additional benefits and contraindications. Click on the asana name for more info.

Often considered the starting point of any hatha yoga practice, Mountain Pose (Tadasana), like most other standing poses, is extraordinarily beneficial to the feet. Standing, feeling the feet connected to the Earth, grounded, while extending upward through the body.

Wide-Leg Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana) is another great posture to connect with your feet as your feet connect with the ground. With the legs spread apart, toes facing forward, pressing through the outside edges of the feet, you can feel the arches of the feet coming off the ground, helping to strengthen those forgotten muscles, in addition to other benefits elsewhere in the body.

Since you are on your feet in standing poses - barefoot, I might add - these postures are generally beneficial. Ground yourself through the feet, and by pressing through the feet in standing postures, you establish the base, the solid foundation, that will engage and vitalize the rest of the body. Try the following poses:

• Warrior I, II, and III (Virabhadrasana I, II, and III).
• Tree Pose (Vrksasana).
• Triangle Pose (Trikonasana).
• Chair Pose (Utkatasana).

Another of my favorite foot-friendly asanas is Hero’s Pose (Virasana). The ankles and feet are stretched int this seated pose, helping to form proper arches. Pain in the heels can also be relieved, as well as calcaneal spurs. In addition, Hero’s Pose is conducive to meditation and pranayama practice, so while breathing or meditating, you can do something nice for your feet at the same time. 

 Happy feet will make for a happy being.

Nourishment Yantra

The soft, soothing, shimmering colors in this design are inspired by the Moon, whose nurturing qualities permeate this Yantra. The profusion of silver in this yantra makes it reflective, appearing to take on other colors and qualities.

The Moon (Chandra in Sanskrit) represents compassion, receptivity, and sensitivity. Working with this yantra as a meditation practice can bring about these qualities, as well as harmonizing the natural rhythms of life. Intuition can be developed and improved, in addition to bringing to light one’s sense of purpose. Moon and Mother are synomonous, the gentle nourishing and caring aspects, unconditional love and devotion. It is the energy that creates and preserves.

This Nourishment Design is best suited for hanging on a Northwest wall or corner, or otherwise displayed in that direction of room on a table or shelf wherever its energy is most needed or appreciated.

The coinciding mantra, or sound, to this yantra is OM CHAM CHANDRAYA NAMAHA.

1. “Deep Spirit” : Adrian Ross - I bought this CD on a trip to Australia. Ross is an Aboriginal didgeridoo artist, and the droning sounds of the didgeridoo can be quite soothing and meditative. The didgeridoo is the ancient sacred instrument of the Australian Aborigines, and compliments the ancient practice of hatha yoga very well.
2. “Kali Bolo” : Jai Uttal - Kali is equated with the power of Transformation. Enough said.
3. “Breathing” : Anggun - This Indonesian singer’s voice is ethereal. And the title of the song is a reminder of the key component of Vinyasa.
4. “Durga Pahimam” : Jai Uttal - A deep, entracing chant.
5. “Three Little Birds” : Bob Marley and the Wailers - One of the better-known Bob Marley songs, this track is bright and uplifting in its melody and its message. “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing is gonna be all right…”
6. “Never Know” : Jack Johnson - The laid back, lighthearted tunes that Jack Johnson is known for are perfect for practicing asana. The beat adds a little bounce to your Down Dog, and the message in the lyrics cannot be overlooked, either.
7. “Hara Hara Mahaadeva” : Krishna Das
8. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” : Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole
9. “The Heart of Life” : John Mayer
10. “Little Wing” : Jimi Hendrix Experience - One of my absolute favorite Hendrix songs.
11. “Love is My Religion” (Acoustic) : Ziggy Marley - I first heard this song last year on the website for the Global Mala Project. This acoustic rendition is soulful and moving.
12. “Little Wonders” : Rob Thomas - The opening lyrics set the tone: “Let it go, let it roll right off your shoulder / Don’t you know the hardest part is over.” Yoga is letting go. Yoga is finding the peace within yourself to stop worrying about things that are over with and gone, and to stop fretting over that which has yet to happen. Let it go.

In a posture, you should be saying or feeling “aaahhhh….” as opposed to “owwww!” or “ouch!”

Part of the problem is trying to look exactly like the magazine photos or the experienced or flexible instructor leading the class. But the truth is that everyone is different - our bodies are not constructed the same as far as flexibility, bone structure, muscles, tissues and joints. Some people can bend in half easily because their joints are naturally more lubricated than others, and some people, no matter how long they practice poses, may never reach a so-called “perfect pose.”

First of all, there is no such thing as the perfect pose, because getting into a yoga posture is different for everyone, as I just stated. Even for the same person, from one day to the next, a pose can be different depending on a variety of factors, including mental state and physical complaints. Don’t force yourself or let anyone else force you into a position that is uncomfortable or painful. As far as you can take it is good enough, and eventually with practice you may be able to take the pose further, but don’t force it! That is how injuries occur. Have awareness of your own body and realize when something may be too much for you. 

All too often our egos override our senses, and we don’t listen to the warnings being issued by our intelligent bodies. Our egos tell us to GO GO GO even when our bodies are screaming to STOP! It is ingrained in some of us to push the limits, even at the expense of our own well-being.

Though often practiced in groups and class settings, yoga is an individual process that is continually evolving for each person at their own pace and in their own way. It is NOT a competition.

The other day, a beginning student told me before class, “Be sure to tell me if I’m doing a pose wrong.” I will never tell someone their pose is wrong - rather, I may suggest ways for them to improve the posture or make it easier. Rarely will I touch someone to make adjustments because most often verbal directions or demonstration are sufficient.

And I’ll never cinch a strap around someone’s arms to draw them closer towards each other in downward dog as I once had done to me. It was excruciating at the time, and my arms and shoulders were aching for days afterwards. Our bodies will move in the direction they need to when our bodies are ready to.

The point is: Yoga should be nourishing, not harmful.

Approach your practice in a way that benefits you most as an individual. It’s about you, where you feel most comfortable in your practice. Not where someone else thinks you should be. After all, who is more familiar with their own body and its limits than yourself?

So the old cliche does not apply here. In this case: No pain, MORE gain.

Your feet are free and unrestricted. They are not shoved in, strapped in, elevated by spikes, cushioned by air pockets, wrapped in fabric or leather or sythetic fiber blend.

Bare feet BREATHE. The reason your feet stink after an entire day of wearing shoes and socks is due to the lack of air circulating around them - you are suffocating your feet. The sweat and toxins being released through the feet become trapped and stagnate there in your shoes. Yuk.

There are many more ills afoot that can be attributed to shoes, but I won’t get too much into that now - though I do encourage you to check out Take Off Your Shoes and Walk for more info.

Personally, I try to be barefoot as much as possible. This is not a problem when spending time at the yoga center, as barefooting is pretty much the norm, especially while practicing or teaching. But outside of that and the beach or home, the norm for the majority of the population is to don footwear most of the time in most places, even if it is merely a 50 cent pair of flip-flops.

But are shoes really necessary? Aren’t feet naturally shaped they way they are for a reason?

Not only are they essentially unnecessary, but they are a detriment to healthy feet.

First of all, let’s bust a few barefoot myths. One: It is NOT illegal in any state to drive barefoot. I’ve begun the habit of taking my shoes off upon getting in the car after work and driving barefoot. Feels better to get the stinky shoes off as soon as possible. Two: There are no health regulations requiring shoes to be worn by patrons of eating establishments, or any other establishments. Really. If you ate with your feet instead of your hands, that’s a different issue.

I do, of course, understand that it is quite uncomfortable to walk on broken glass, hot asphalt or goose poop, but walking barefoot can teach you to have more awareness of your environment, and so avoiding stepping on - or in - unpleasant things.

A Case for Bare Feet is a great resource for more barefoot facts and sound reasoning in support of being barefoot.

Take a walk barefoot, just around your neighborhood, for starters. Feel connected to the ground. Feel the feet spread out. It will be quite different than wearing shoes I can assure you. And to be honest, it might even feel strange. Your feet are not used to their NATURAL state, and it might take more barefoot walks to acclimate them back to that state more fully. Only to be reversed again by tying on a pair of shoes.

Last week I went for a walk barefoot in downtown South Bend. Even walking on concrete sidewalks without shoes felt great. I did receive a couple odd looks at my shoeless feet as I strolled by shoe-wearing walkers, but I didn’t mind. If only they knew. But we’re so accustomed to believing shoes are actually more helpful to our feet than harmful - a misconception.

UPCOMING POST: Yoga postures for healthy feet.

Currently, the rotating banner images above are from photos taken last year in India. I intend to put new images in the rotation regularly.

I created this Bagla Mukhi yantra during my two-week trip to India in April 2007. I had hoped to create several during that time, but this single intense and powerful yantra was the only one that manifested. Using watercolor pencils and metallic silver and gold gel pens, I worked on this yantra when time allowed between sightseeing, temple-hopping and adjusting to a new rhythm. In fact, I actually did not finish Bagla until a few days following my return home, while re-adjusting back to the old rhythm.

After drawing the pencil outline, I colored it with water-soluble pencils, mixing shades and colors to create the unique texture that came to life once I washed over them with a wet brush, dipped in a small jar of water I had retrieved from the sacred Ganges River. 

This design is “expanded” - referring to the geometrical pattern surrounding the yantra itself. The outliying pattern was derived from the Vedic Square using the number Nine, and the colors in the expansion are varying shades of the colors found in the main yantra.

Bagla Mukhi is one of ten Mahavidyas, or Great Wisdoms, in Indian Tantric tradition. This yantra embodies the qualities of self-confidence, courage, independence and power, and meditation on its colors and shapes brings about security and harmony.  It is often emloyed to assist in overcoming rivals and removing obstacles, especially in business and law. Displaying it a room can have the effect of silencing adversaries and disruptions.

More Mahavidya Yantras at Sanatan Society.

Intellect Yantra

In May 2005, I was blessed with the opportunity to meet Sarah Tomlinson for a private yantra painting instruction while visiting New York City.

I knew little about yantras at the time, but had been quite intrigued by one of Sarah’s laminated yantra charts posted at Teji’s studio in Elkhart, and upon further investigation and visiting her website I discovered that she frequently held painting workshops as well as private sessions working with these captivating designs.

I had already chosen which design I wanted to draw and paint during my day-long session, and Sarah guided me, demonstrating the geometrical preciseness of drawing the lines and shapes and assisting the mixing of goauche paints to acheive the beautiful shades of green that distinguish the Mercury (Intellect) yantra.

It was a quiet day, and the process of focusing on the lines and the color drew me inward, such is the practice of creating a yantra - you begin by drawing/painting the two lines surrounding the entire shape of the yantra, then inward to the bhupur, outside ring, petal background, petals, seeds, inside ring, star background, six-pointed star outline, then the inner star, and finally the gold dot of paint at the very center of the design, the bindu.

Depending on the quality represented by the particular yantra being created, this inward process can have different effects on the artist. I seem to remember being talktative while painting, more than I normally would be with someone I had just recently met. Such is one of the qualities of Mercury, the Communicator. I did talk less, however, closer I painted towards the center.

Mercury (Budha in Sanskrit) represents knowledge, learning, speech and communication, as well as trade and business. Mercury is also playful, witty and humorous. Meditating on the green colors in this yantra help improve mental clarity.

At the end of the day, I had a stunning yantra to take home, to use in meditation, and eventually to place on a wall in our home to permeate that energy through the space around it.

A short time after returning home, I painted another Mercury yantra on my own, trying to remember Sarah’s instructions. Though I also used Harish Johari’s book for additional guidance, Tools for Tantra, I still struggled somewhat in laying out the design, until finally things fell into place and the yantra took shape, and since then I have continued to draw and paint yantras when the mood or circumstances call me to the practice.

For me, the creative process itself is calming, and when I begin feeling restless - like I should be doing something or going somewhere but I don’t know what or where - creating a yantra will bring me to stillness.