Category: Beautiful Places

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Beautiful Places Beautiful Rituals Healthy Activities

Larry Ellison, America’s Cup & Japanese Art… connection?

Japanese Art from The Larry Ellison Collection – beautiful. Was able to catch the last day of this exhibit at Asian Art Museum last Sunday.

Was mistaken for Kyoto temple but apparently this is his house… no, not in Kyoto but in Woodside, California…According to Forbes, Ellison built  “23-acre Japanese-style estate in 2004 with 10 buildings, a man made lake, a tea house, a bath house and a koi pond. The property is currently assessed at just over $70 million.”  Actual Kyoto shrines and temples are priceless but this is ???   I am speechless and don’t know what to make of it …

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“Inspired by Japanese gardens, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison started collecting Japanese art 20 years ago. Enjoy a rare public viewing of his collection, and explore the dynamic nature of art selection and display of traditional Japanese setting.” Now inspired, will be dusting off the scrolls and unroll (why do I visualize yoga mats?) for display … arranging flowers and hope to invite a friend who knows “SADOU” – the way of ceremonial tea time… foam like light green clouds on the surface after she whips the MACCHA with fine bamboo wisk- green tea the way it should be prepared and served.  Have also made my own version of “moon cake” for the next full moon viewing.

Ellison is in the news for other reasons these days.
America’s Cup goes into a winner-takes-all final race TODAY!

America’s Cup 2013 results
Race 18: Oracle Team USA win by 54 secs
Race 17: Oracle Team USA win by 27 secs
Race 16: Oracle Team USA win by 33 secs
Race 15: Oracle Team USA win by 37 secs
Race 14: Oracle Team USA win by 23 secs
Race 13: Oracle Team USA win by 84 secs
Race 12: Oracle Team USA win by 31 secs
Race 11: Team New Zealand win by 15s
Race 10: Team New Zealand win by 17s
Race 9: Oracle Team USA win by 47 secs
Race 8: Oracle Team USA win by 52 secs
Race 7: Team New Zealand win by 66 secs
Race 6: Team New Zealand win by 47 secs
Race 5: Team New Zealand win by 65 secs
Race 4: Oracle Team USA win by 8 secs
Race 3: Team New Zealand win by 28 secs
Race 2: Team New Zealand win by 52 secs
Race 1: Team New Zealand win by 36 secs
*Oracle penalised two points pre-regatta

As with so many sports as in water polo, “seconds” determining the game, we are in the world of “seconds” determining the race.

Living in the moment, you live your life to the fullest. Athletes must live that life.  And so does yogis and they are not mutually exclusive:)

Seemingly unrelated, unconnected facets of one man – but connected in that it’s all about being “in the moment”.  What practice helps you with that?

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Beautiful Places Beautiful Rituals Yoga

“YAMA”

“Yama is a ‘moral restraint’ or rule for living virtuously. Ten yamas are codified in numerous scriptures, including the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika compiled by Yogi Swatmarama, while Patanjali lists five yamas and five niyamas (disciplines) in the Yoga Sutra.”

 

Source: Devanand, G.k. Teaching of Yoga

And in Japanese – “Yama” = 山 means “mountain”.  Mountain tops above the clouds into the heavens, mountain base rooted into the earth, existing in both worlds observing the changing weather patterns, being aware.  I use this visualization when there’s a tendency to get wrapped up in turbulence of emotions.  Try it – Down cast eyes, focusing to the drishti point 1-2 meters ahead OR completely close your eyes to find your inner mountain. Breathe – Stand or sit tall and expansive.  Then find your baseline.  BREATHE – Allow your base to root to the inner core of this earth. Let’s get grounded to this Mother Earth like a mountain through the practice of yoga:)

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Beautiful Places Healthy Activities Healthy Living

Himalayas of the American West

“Can you hear the roar of the universe?” MC Yogi

Back from Wanderlust with a yoga glow (or is it a sun burn? or both:)
all the while vibrations are still reverberating in my head almost “like billions of bees buzzing” to quote MC Yogi again.

To get the idea of the significance of the locale of Wanderlust, here’s an excerpt from Tahoe Social:

“World class athletes call Tahoe home, but so do thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who can’t wait to try something new. Here’s a question you can ask yourself in Tahoe: Mountains, meadows, lakes, beaches, rivers… where do I want to play today?

Have you seen the view from Mt. Tallac? Too steep? Then consider a beautiful walk through Kahle Meadows to the lake shore or an aerial tram ride to the top of Squaw Peak.

Is a paddle wheeler cruise your style, or do you want the adrenaline rush of water skiing? Truth is, the list of things to do in Lake Tahoe is nearly endless.”

***
The Lake is ringed by Sierra-Nevada mountains, tallest of which is Freel Peak, standing at almost 11,000 ft. in altitude. What a rush to practice in the midst of so much magnificence. You get the natural high from mother nature’s high peaks. To me, it’s the Himalayas of the American West. (The beauty is – you can still breathe up on the top unaided, with the best visibility of the Lake!)

Fun Facts:

Highest Peak in Sierra-Nevada mountains = 3,352 meters
Mount Fuji, Japan = 3,776 meters
Aconcagua, Andes = 6,961 meters
Himalayas (Mt. Everest) = 8,848 meters