Something beautiful has blossomed on the studio wall at Westcoast Duck Yoga—a hand-drawn mandala gifted by a local artist whose spirit is as generous as their brushstrokes are precise. A mandala, in Sanskrit, means “circle”—a symbol of wholeness, unity, and the infinite nature of the cosmos. In many traditions, mandalas are used as sacred maps to guide us inward, to remind us of the harmony between inner and outer worlds.
Starting with a blank wall, pencil, an amazing eye, Ash drew the Mandela. This picture is the start of the painting. What colours will they use? What inspiration will they draw from? How will it all come together?? Keep reading.…
The final version! This particular mandala is a vibrant expression of the heart chakra, Anahata. Radiating hues of crimson, rose, tangerine, and gold, it draws the gaze inward to a luminous center: the flower of life, a timeless symbol of connection and renewal. Whether I am seated in meditation, flowing through asana, or simply pausing to take in the artwork, this mandala offers a gentle anchor. It invites me to soften, to listen, and to let the breath guide me home to the heart.
Naturally My Mandela had to come with me…..Through the beauty of technology, I was able to install a blown up image on the wall of the yoga room at Evolutions Wellness Collective where everyone can enjoy its beauty during class or in one-on-one sessions. My mandala as a visual meditation, a portal of peace, and a reminder that love—like art and this amazing artist—is meant to be shared. Come sit with it. Let it meet you where you are, and perhaps reveal something new.
***For more information about Ash, their art, and their current projects, please visit https://www.splatterdashart.com/. A million heart felt thank you’s to Ash for their gift of the Mandela and the joy of watching their art unfold.
Westcoast Duck Yoga 
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