Deepa Koshaley’s Yoga & Art Transformations

By: “AJ” Amy Jo Crowell, Publisher Dallas Yoga Magazine & Founder Cosmic Yogi Festivals

Deepa Koshley & her amazing art influenced by her yoga.

Recently, I met an incredible woman, Deepa Koshaley, who is an Indian born yoga and meditation teacher. Deepa is also an artist whose natural talent caught my attention immediately. I was mesmerized by her paintings and fell in love with the fluid movement of the brightly colored elements on the canvas. Deepa’s Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture shines through in her abstract creations depicted in a variety of shapes and formations while the serenity of nature bursts forth with energy. Her love of art and yoga come together and transforms the canvas in an expression of inspired beauty.

Deepa’s art has been seen in several places throughout the metroplex including: Mary Thomas Gallery, Irving Art Center, Eisemann Center (Richardson) and the South Dallas Cultural Center. Her distinctive style of art has made her increasingly popular and she has held leadership roles with the Art of Living Foundation, Texas Visual Arts Association, Dallas Art Dealers Association, Irving Arts Association and the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco.

Deepa states, “Through art, I seek to evoke balance between the body and mind, encouraging mindful self-expression.”

Combining her abundant love for yoga, meditation and art her Yoga and Art Classes came to fruition. Joel, my partner, and I had the opportunity to attend one of these incredible workshops.  During The Other Art Show in Dallas, Deepa was an exhibiter and held one of these popular classes. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if Joel would be game and he kept saying, “…but I’m not an artist…I can’t paint well enough to do something like this.” I explained you didn’t need to be an artist (I definitely am not) and was pleasantly surprised when he agreed to attend and I’m so glad he did!

Deepa guiding Joel away from the paints.

When we arrived at the venue and found the Yoga and Art area it was carefully arranged with plastic on the floor, paint in a variety of colors, brushes, water and a canvas at each place. There was area for our yoga mats as well. As we chose our spots, we started to get excited about our adventure and, of course, Joel immediately wanted to touch the paints and Deepa carefully guided him away from making an immediate mess. 😉

The class was a diversity of people who all were there to have fun, create and enjoy the event. Deepa started the yoga class with slow deep yoga stretches to get our blood and energy flowing. She would ask us to sit in front of our canvas and then asked us to start with one color. She explained not to think about anything, go inward and paint what you are feeling. Deepa said, “focus on our own artwork and don’t look at others. Go inward. It’s your own personal journey.” (It reminded me of yoga…just focus on yourself, don’t look at others in the class. Go inward. It’s our own personal journey.) She continued by saying, “there is no judgement, no right or wrong just the beauty of self-expression.”

Deepa would then tell us to put our brushes down and come back to our mats where we would follow her in a series of postures. She guided us to be open to new possibilities and new creations. Then we would go back to our paintings. Joel later shared with me, “The more visits I made to my artwork the stronger my passion grew to paint. I felt my feelings become fluid with the brush and colors on the empty canvas. It felt so peaceful and I was energized at the same time.”

Just let the brush flow is the key.

The class did not just focus on yoga postures, Deepa lead us in pranayama breath work and silent meditations. This helped us connect with our inner self and higher power so when we started painting the brush just seem to flow without any thought.

The class was more fun than I could have possibly imagined! We laughed, smiled, giggled and felt a new abundance of positive energy. Joel and I had a fantastic time together creating our own special mindful art pieces. It was fabulous at the end of the class to see everyone’s creations. Each piece was different representing our own personal journey during the time we spent together. Some had big shapes with an art deco feeling while others were contemporary and abstract. One thing for sure…they were all beautiful in their own way.

While I was talking to one of the other students in class they shared, “Even though I enjoyed the yoga, it motivated me to be more creative and I couldn’t wait to get back to my painting.”

Another student said, “I didn’t know what this class was going to be like, but it was a BLAST! I can’t believe how much fun it was and how easy the yoga and painting flowed together.”

Joel and I brought our paintings home and have them hanging in our family room. Everyday as we look at the paintings on our wall we are reminded of the wonderful experience and can’t wait to do it again.

For more information on Deepa Koshaley’s artwork, workshops and landscape design go to:

www.deepaarts.com

AJ & Joel after class showing off their canvases.

Students mindfully painting.

Everyone’s artwork is so unique!