Flow of the Tao

June 21, 2016 by Kristy J

“The Tao is beyond words.
The Tao cannot be described with linear language.
Beginning in Asia, people sometimes poetically refer to the Tao
as the mystery, the flowing entanglement and clarity of our lives…

The core, the essence of expressive arts therapy that
makes it alive and happening –
also cannot be described with linear language.
The unnameable flowing Tao, the mystery, the creative spark of our lives,
the evolving essence of expressive arts therapy…

The Tao can be seen as the Way.
The evolving nature of expressive arts in the world is taking many forms
to find its Tao (ways) from the therapy room to the community.
This creative process of searching is mysterious,
every-changing and flowing…
in resonance to each individual, culture, and context.
The way of knowing involves lifelong practice, genuine conversation, humbled witnessing, mindful reflexivity and embracing the unknowing…”

Through this conference, we hope to:

Meet the renowned pioneers and practitioners in expressive arts from both the East and West.

Learn about what is happening in the expressive arts in Asia.

Nourish the organic development of the expressive arts fields across verbal, geographical, and cultural borders

By Jack Weller and Fiona Chang

Anicca

June 14, 2016 by Kristy J

We all understand the impermanence of nature and the world we live in yet sometimes it's hard to see the daily change we go through. This a photo project I wanted to complete last year but unfortunately put it off until it was too late to capture the blossoming of the tree outside of my bedroom window.

This is a 40 day evolution beginning April 17, 2016 - May 26, 2016.

Name Game

May 31, 2016 by Kristy J

A name is a term used for identification. Names can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context. A personal name identifies, not necessarily uniquely, a specific individual human.

Displaced

May 23, 2016 by Kristy J

I'm displaced

Please sew my soul to my body

Please sew your voice to my body

Let my tongue speak for your soul

Let your tongue speak for my mind

Let me stick to you

Let me be you

Forge Portmanteau

April 27, 2016 by Kristy J

簡介

A Dutch - Cantonese multidiscipinary performance
with solo work of Dutch flutist Mark Alban Lotz

Artist statement

Early morning
Late at night
earth wind and water collide
The New
starts to creep and crawl
To forge its way
to the surface of the earth

Naked and blind
we come into this world
Our cultures, upbringing and personal histories
make us see, what other do not see

What do you see?
"Luggage-seeing" and "new seeing".
How do strangers you meet on your journey
arouse unpacking and unpeeling?
What language does the unpacked and aroused speak?
Where is its home, its port?

Morning Mandala

February 20, 2016 by Kristy J

It all began in May 2015 when I made a prayer offering for my family grieving my late uncle. From then on until seasons changed in September, I continued to make these flower mandalas in my front yard with these beautiful flowers that fell off the tree I look at every morning. Always keeping one special flower to tuck behind my ear.

Namaskar Magazine

August 21, 2015 by Kristy J

I was featured in the April 2015 edition of Namaskar Magazine about my experience teaching yoga at Banteay Srey in Kampot, Cambodia.

The Embodied Science of Yoga

Desa Seni

January 18, 2015 by Kristy J

How do you know what you know?

Unlearning. Unknowing. Curiosity. Yielding. Jellyfish. Feeling. Sensing. Pathways. Listening. Expression. Emotion. Tone. Touch. Spacing. Merging. Meeting. Boundaries. Contemplation. Understanding. Not understanding. Confusion. Matrix. Transformation. Consciousness. Awakening. Journey.

Time to fly.

Banteay Srey Project

December 10, 2014 by Kristy J

Thank-you for everything. For more information on Banteay Srey or if you would like to make a donation, please check out their website: http://banteaysreyproject.org

Cambodia Week 4

December 10, 2014 by Kristy J

I left Banteay Srey earlier than planned to go up to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat and the other temples. It was worth it to wake at 4am to see the sunrise and walk in the early hours of the morning. I also took yoga class at the Siem Reap Hostel (www.thesiemreaphostel.com) and the Peace Cafe (www.peacecafeangkor.org). Both were lovely classes and I would recommend them if you are passing through the city.

Yoga in Cambodia Week 3

Banteay Srey Project

December 06, 2014 by Kristy J

By week 3 I was finally feeling settled into everything. I was able to find my way around. My morning meditation was done in the studio space or on the river deck. I finally learnt everyone's name. The spa bookings were full. And then it was time for me to go...

I've always wanted to do a volunteer project in Cambodia as I was inspired by the "Off the Mat, Into the World" program. After all these years living in Asia, I finally had a chunk of time in which I could do it. I had no expectations of what I would be doing, my living situation, the spa, or area. I was surprised on so many levels and so grateful that I was able to take the time out my life in Hong Kong to do this. I hope I was able to inspire those around me as much as they inspired me. So many people are doing selfless acts of service in this area of the country and the people living there touched my heart. Unfortunately it's time for me to move on but hopefully I can return someday.

Bokor Hill Station and White Elephant Cave

December 04, 2014 by Kristy J

My two days off this week were spent going up Bokor Mountain by motorbike to explore an abandoned French hotel and waterfall. The following day I rode through small villages to White Elephant Cave and on the way back to town, we saw an elephant on the street!

Yoga in Cambodia Week 2

Banteay Srey

December 04, 2014 by Kristy J

During week two, our new yoga teacher joined Banteay Srey taking over morning classes while I continued with the 5-6:30pm gentle hatha-yin class. I went to the Milk Magazine launch and met people from the community of Kampot. Tried henna for the first time as it is now offered at the spa. And tasted some new Khmer treats!

Kep

November 22, 2014 by Kristy J

With my two days off, I decided to rent a motor bike for the first time ever and drive down the coast to Kep. It's lovely beach town 25km south of Kampot and 45km from the Vietnam boarder. I spent the first day cruising around then relaxing at my hotel before going to The Sailing Club to watch the sunset. I was up early the next day to take a short boat ride over to Rabbit Island. It was a perfect day where I could just relax in a hammock, have a massage and lunch. Simple and beautiful.

Yoga in Cambodia Week 1

Banteay Srey Project

November 20, 2014 by Kristy J

My first week in Cambodia has been wonderful and welcoming! I'm so happy I made the decision to come here. I'm a volunteer yoga teacher for the Banteay Srey Project in Kampot which is a refuge for women's transformation. The trainees offer spa services such as body scrub, full massage, facials, and manicure/pedicure. Every morning we do a 30 minute morning yoga class together. Another teacher will have a stronger morning practice 9:30-11:00am while I've been teaching a more gentle flow/yin 5-6:30pm. Here's a look at the past week: