Month: February 2020

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Uncategorized

All the visible signs are undeniable – Spring is Here

& this transition time from Winter to Spring, to many means time of ALLERGY SEASON. Seasonal allergies may cause stuffy or runny nose; teary eyes; coughs; sneezing; headaches and migraines; cold & flu like symptoms. As in Ayurveda and in Eastern Medicine, the theme for my yoga therapy sessions will focus especially on Respiratory & Heart Health.

It appears that some people dismiss the above symptoms as a common cold but … there’s a possibility that perhaps consulting an allergist could serve to benefit … it might be an allergy. A check on this site might be helpful. https://www.pollen.com/

What can we do to minimize the discomfort?

For one thing – yes, we need to exercise but consider exercising at a space with superior ventilation system preferably with ION air purifier or better yet, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. The ultra-fine mesh on these filters traps all sorts of irritants that would otherwise circulate through the space. Then … those sun salutations in the morning and evening practice will be enhanced with the purity of the dust/pollen/molds free air.

More to come …

Hello Spring 🙂

Categories
Beautiful Rituals Yoga

Intention for today: Honoring the New Moon Energy

as we cycle through the seasons with mindfulness to recognize and appreciate the everyday miracles, engaging in practice of Self-Care.

Q. Why is Flow & Yin practice especially potent when done with intentions ?

A. Intention setting clarifies why you are on the mat and if the practice is in alignment with the authentic you.

Some one may think of an “intention” as similar to goal setting. There’s a subtle difference from a common new year resolution:

I want to lose weight and for that goal I will lose 10 lbs this month.

vs. I am responsible for my heart health.

vs. I am the curator of my emotions and know how to manage them.

Or … I set aside the time I deserve to cultivate self-love and care so that I can reconnect with my natural flow of rhythm to shine bright to be the light for others. (then I find that, the common goals, then, is reached.)

OR I take this precious time to decompress, detox and recharge with the renewed flow.

Whatever intention you set will serve you than at times you mindlessly show up while showing up is sometimes all you need to do. Show up and Flow. Then the process will naturally unfold:

First “experience” and feel with all 5 senses; clear the energy blockages; invite your very own “FLOW”; integrate; then embody the practice over time. Notice the gradual sharpening of the senses and allow ourselves to practice with non-judgement. The only goal is to better know ourselves so that our inner wisdom may once again, shine through. If it were some hashtag, yes, it would read – Do You; Be You:) and that may not be the pretzel pose.

Q. What is my attention sharing this practice and who would it serve?

A. This practice, alone, or by complemented by others, integrated as whole, will serve those who:

  • seek
  • question
  • lighten up
  • find acceptance & grace
  • detox and … reach an ideal healthy weight
  • gain flexibility in mind and body
  • desire freedom from pain & suffering
  • desire transformation
  • desire new idea, new paths, beyond the old patterns.
  • increased self-esteem; CONFIDENCE

& ultimately be fully at ease in one’s own skin:)

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Uncategorized

Around the Corner from Starbucks, Tokyo

there is this small hole in the wall.  It’s located on an alley and you might find a line foamed out the door into the side street with a sign that reads “outrageous coffee” in English. First time I dropped in, there was such a line and after waiting for awhile I gave up as I had an appointment to get to.     This time, no line. Off-hours.

Turret Coffee is a really tiny space with just one single Barista serving one of the best coffees I’ve ever had – and I have been to Blue Bottle, Starbucks, Petes, sipped Blue Mountain, etc. – kind of reminds me of java in Tahoe/Truckee sipped in high altitude that gives you a sigh of gradual wakefulness, like a brain-fog clearing, not a jolt. The place seems to cater to the foreign visitors and expat crowd as customers were mostly non-Japanese. Foreigners in Tokyo walks in, practically staggering in, for that real espresso they probably miss so badly. Their facial expression tells all.

While Starbucks Tokyo is better than Starbucks SF (sorry Bay Area – Starbucks Tokyo is better in taste and the seasonal bakery offerings), this place is so real. Latte is so real. Delicious. Latte is even superior to Starbuck’s located just around the corner from here … the Barista knows it. Otherwise you wouldn’t last running a place like this essentially serving the same thing as Starbucks – as literally Starbucks is a one minute walk from here.

小っちゃな幸せ！　(happiness comes in small dozes:)

A side note – Starbuck Tokyo’s Matcha Latte is wonderful – matcha taste is more intense leafy – deeper, greener) I gladly got the Matcha Latte instead, when I was in a hurry and could not afford the LONG wait at Turret. After all, Japan is a refined TEA country with centuries of tea culture. We take tea seriously here in Japan:)