Learn & Share The Power Of Creativity & Expression
Harmonise your external world with your internal…
Join us at Sow & Root with TJ Maher from YUJMU (Yin Yoga, Training & Immersions) and immerse yourself into a 3-day Mindful Art Training.
Picture a tranquil weekend where every moment is dedicated to deepening your understanding of art, mindfulness and expressing your inner world in a supportive, patient & encouraging environment. Over three immersive days, this training invites you to explore the power of creativity and our ability to express through various accessible art practices.
You'll immerse yourself in student-centered learning with daily lectures, guided art practices, and ‘show & tell’ labs, each designed to gain confidence to teach or refine your mind with precision and care.
This weekend is open to all, with no prerequisite skills or experience with art necessary at all. Similarly, you can also attend and learn this even if you have no previous experience teaching but want to teach or even if you don’t want to teach and are just curious.
Whether you're new to art or looking to augment your art or other practices this journey isn't simply about learning techniques—it's about cultivating the ability to be present with this moment and honoring each human’s unique expression of it.
“Encouraged to be myself and learn in my own way!”
LEARN TO -
Creativity Skills - Unlock the overlooked power of creativity, a teachable skill that does not require inherent ability. Learn its unique applications & benefits while cultivating mindfulness.
Zen Haiku - A Japanese format of poetry that is quick to learn yet continues to enlighten and ripen to fruition over a lifetime. Find the present moment quickly & clearly through short poems.
Sacred Geometry - A drawing practice that can be itself meditation while also producing mesmerizing mandalas on a small or large scale. Cultivate deep patience and attention to detail with infinite ways to customize.
Enso Painting - This Zen art of drawing a circle with ink provides no escape from “mistakes”. You are expressed in your entirety, in that creation moment, learn to rest in it. Merge with brush & paper in a moment of action and contemplate the results.
Wabi Sabi Photography - Learn the Japanese aesthetic principles of Wabi Sabi and the perfection of imperfection. Explore through photography how an image moves the eye and the mind. Make more intentional choices while also learning to let go of results.
Teaching + More - Gain insights & tips for nurturing students creativity and guiding a class as a teacher of Mindful Art. Additional concepts and practices will also be introduced such as; Kintsugi, minimalism, blind-contour-drawing and more.
ABOUT YUJMU -
YUJMU and TJ Maher are a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) registered with Yoga Alliance. TJ has trained under a multitude of world renowned masters and teachers, his root Yin Yoga teacher, Bernie Clark, author of The Complete Guide To Yin Yoga, has reviewed the training and given it his blessing.
OUR APPROACH -
At YUJMU, we believe that true teaching stems from deep personal experience.
Our 30-hour Mindful Art Teacher Training is designed to cultivate not just knowledge, but wisdom through direct practice and reflection.
We prioritize the subtleties of creativity and expression—exploring how each technique, practice and intention creates profound shifts in both artist and viewer.
With a strong emphasis on grounded, pragmatic understanding and balance, our training guides you to connect more deeply with yourself, as the present moment allowing you to express and (if you wish) teach with clarity, compassion, and purpose.
MEET YOUR GUIDE -
Imagine yourself stepping into a learning environment that is both playful and profound all with the aim of making ancient, esoteric content real and useful to you.
Your guide, TJ, isn’t just another instructor; he’s a former public school teacher and yoga studio manager with over two decades of experience in education and practices associated with Buddhism & Taoism. He also specializes in art and teaching art for over 30 years with both Masters & Bachelor’s Degrees in Fine Arts.
You will find in his programs a rare blend of Eastern philosophy with a splash of pop-culture geekiness.
Enjoy an experience where every element feels like it was crafted with attention to your unique needs; this is how TJ likes to learn and so it is how he teaches. Supported by years of developing and refining methods & materials, you will find his student-centered approach to be one-of-a-kind, just like you.
Explore a grounded, pragmatic delivery of content mixed with an awe, enthusiasm and love for the magic of life. Alongside TJ, every course becomes a journey—one where you’ll uncover deep relaxation, self-discovery, and inner transformation. This is what he has spent his life exploring in these traditions within himself and so it is what he loves sharing with and bringing to others.
If you are ready to be inspired and encouraged to look deeper and feel more connected? If you are yearning for a learning environment that’s both playful and profound? Then you’ll always find an outreached hand and an open heart studying with TJ.
Whether you're new to these practices or serious about deepening your existing practice, TJ’s rare approach offers the opportunity for you to walk away changed, empowered, and more connected to your vast potential.
Take a look at further credentials, experience and in-depth testimonials: HERE
“The training has changed my life”
CONTENT -
Guided Technical Art Sessions
Learn a specially curated array of Art practices for creation processes that bring you into the present moment. Then experience how to observe, understand and interpret those expressions afterwards through guided, empathic and encouraging instruction.
Slideshow Lectures
Geek out while relaxing and absorbing the academic knowledge essential to understanding the nuance of these practices and Art as a whole. All lectures are projected with engaging visuals and an enthusiastic presentation style.
Show & Tell Lab
Switching into our analytic minds as we workshop, in detail, a spectrum of ways to look at and interpret or experience Art. Trainees share their creations (accommodating for feelings of shyness or introversion) in a format where they can ask questions, refine their observation skills and hear how their creations instill feelings and experiences in others. Possible areas for future exploration, unique to you, are also presented by the instructor based on decades of experience.
“I now have direction, the training has given me a new mindset and skills”
THIS IS FOR YOU IF -
You Aspire To Teach Art - If you ever wanted to teach Art but didn’t think you could because you didn’t know how to make Art, now is your chance. We not only cover accessible ways to make Art but the keys to teaching effectively.
You Wish To Augment Your Spiritual Practices - Art is an ideal bridge between Spiritual practices and inner wisdom. If you are into spirituality, Art can enrich & refine that. If you are not into spirituality but feel your Yoga or meditation practices plateauing, Art can show you paths to suit your personal beliefs.
You Want To Niche-Out & Diversify Your Offerings - If you are a teacher looking for unique offerings and skills to help you stand uniquely apart from all the yoga teachers out there, this is it.
You Are Seeking Deeper Harmony - Sometimes life can feel flat or difficult to connect to. We are given so many quick fixes, so many things to consume. Take back control and explore the array of meaning to be found within you and around you by embracing creation practices, Art practices.
You Need A Change Or Shift - Routines are great and often essential for daily life but sometimes the healthiest choice is to switch things up and explore other dimension & new ideas. Art is the vehicle for this and we have created this program as the ideal entry into that mindset.
You Are Curious About Mindfulness Or Art - There is a reason this program is shining a light onto both Mindfulness and Art. You can be into one or the other but the pairing is both sublime and transcendent. That is not hyperbole, Art and Mindfulness are both liminal experiences where inner and outer merge. If that piques your curiosity, we made this for you.
“One of the best investments I’ve made in a long time”
What’s included in your training? -
YUJMU CERTIFICATION
YUJMU FAMILY MEMBERSHIP
Art supplies are not included. Please see the materials list for what you will need to participate in the training. Both budget and fine art grade options are suitable. Ultimately we will help you utilize whatever materials you have - this is about mindfulness after all, not specific materials.
“Student-centered, playful & zen”
TYPICAL TIMETABLE -
Day 1 -
Orientation & Introductions
Practice #1 | Guided Art Session
Lecture | Creativity & Mindfulness Essentials
Practice #2 | Guided Art Session
Show & Tell Lab | + Q&A
Day 2 -
Practice #3 | Guided Art Session
Lecture | Practices & Techniques Deep Dive
Practice #4 | Guided Art Session
Show & Tell Lab | + Q&A
Day 3 -
Practice #5 | Meditation
Lecture | How To Teach Mindful Art
Practice #6 | Guided Art Session
Show & Tell Lab | + Q&A
Post Training -
For Those Who Wish To Teach:
Assigned Reading | TBD
Record 2 sessions teaching Mindful Art (guidance & support will be provided)
Complete a brief online form
INVESTMENT IN YOU -
Early Bird Training Investment - £500 (ends 31/12/24)
Training Investment - £550
ARTMates Training Investment - £475 (when students book with a buddy)
Instalment Training Investment - £600 (we offer the option to spread payments over several months - please contact us via email)