The Core of Balance in Succulent Plants

The extended San Diego region includes deserts and semi-deserts.  Many succulent plants come from these dry areas.

Succulents are plants having some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word "succulent" comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning juice, or sap.  High temperatures and low precipitation force plants to collect and store water to survive long dry periods.  They are very difficult to kill, and if properly potted require little maintenance to survive indoors.

Succulents are often grown as ornamental plants because of their striking and unusual appearance.

These glowing plants, like the 360 degree iris of our own eyes, are reflections and reminders of the structure and design of our existence and consciousness.
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They are living mandalas, symbolic of the universe, according to ancient Indian religions. The sanskrit word mandala means 'circle.'
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In visual art, radial balance is any form of representation that achieves a visual balance through circles. This is achieved where parts of an object or picture are regularly arranged and radiate from the central point.

According to David Bayles and Ted Orland in the book, Art & Fear, “Making art depends upon noticing things- things about yourself, your methods, your subject matter…In making art, you declare what is important.

Making art has to do with overcoming things, giving us a clear opportunity for doing things in ways we have always known we should do them.

You learn how to make your work by making your work.

Naïve passion, which promotes work done in ignorance of obstacles, becomes with courage informed passion, which promotes work done in full acceptance of those obstacles.”

You have a choice between giving your work your best shot and risking that it will not make you happy, or not giving your best shot and thereby guaranteeing that it will not make you happy (certainty and uncertainty).
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Through painting radial designs, we allow ourselves to really notice and see this central balance in nature.  We can pull our energy and courage into manifesting this design through our own movement.

In yoga asanas, or poses, a strong core stabilizes your entire body, both in yoga and outside of the studio in your daily life.  A strong core adds grace and stability during simple transitions. 

When you hear the cues to “Hug your energy to your mid-line” this includes both the vertical and horizontal axis, landing in your center.

When you have a strong core, it helps protect your body from the wear and tear of sitting all day.  When you neglect to work your core, you increase risk of injury, most predominantly in the lower back.
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Core strength needed for arm balances and inversions like crow pose, headstand or forearm stand; these poses would be virtually impossible without engaging the core.

In Yoga Philosophy, the third Chakra, Solar Plexis, is the center of willpower.  It resides in the central core of our bodies.

The gift of this chakra is sensing your personal power, being confident, responsible, and reliable.

The third chakra is the center of your self-esteem, self-discipline, as well as warmth in your personality.

The energy of this chakra allows you to transform inertia into action and movement.
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A strong third chakra reflects the ability to move forward in life with confidence and power. Therefore, we must keep this core in balance by making conscious choices to choose and to act.

According to Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, Being in Balance:

“You become what you think about all day long.  You become how you think all day long.
You have the power to create a new alignment in your thoughts.

Choose thoughts that focus on well-being.

Give your personal dreams a place to hang out on the balance scale so that you can see them in your imagination and they can soak up in your imagination.

You can begin equalizing your material and spiritual life by making a conscious decision to look for the spiritual in everything and everyone that you encounter.

With your new lens, you’ll see the energy vibrating from the tree or flower or creature.  Appreciate the miracle that is your environment.
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Peace is what you’re capable of being and bringing to every encounter and event in the waking moments of your life.”

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Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations
I love and accept myself.
I stand up for myself.
I am strong and courageous.
I am worthy of love, kindness, and respect.
I choose the best for myself.
I express myself in a powerful way.
I am proud of my achievements.
I honor my self.
I choose healthy relationships.
I am authentic.
I direct my own life.
I appreciate my strengths.
I feel my own power.
I am free to choose in any situation.
I seek opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.
I am at peace with myself.