Category: Healthy Activities

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Anything Cute Beautiful People Healthy Activities

Fox or a WOLF!?

Today, while walking Mitsu, a guy stops his bicycle mid-tracks and asks, “is it a wolf?”
“no, (as a joke) she’s a fox.”
oddly, he believed me. he: “a fox? not a wolf?”
me: “no, not a wolf (silly!of course it’s a dog) she’s a fox.”
He looked rather surprised but believed me… (bad me), excitedly reciting back to self – a fox? A FOX? for real?
me: yes. (she who spoke not the truth – if only Mitsu’s tail was straight as a brush…)

I did tell bunch of little kids the other day that she’s a fox and a boy squealed with joy in meeting a … fox.
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Might as well have people believe (okay, by misinforming them might not be good but … so funny to see the reaction) – isn’t it more fun to think there’s a fox around? Seriously.

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Vignette from summer 2015 again – I told you it’s not a vacation when I visit Tokyo…
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IMG_9772_smallThanks to Adachi-sensei, the physical therapist, and my mother’s efforts, she is now able to walk after a hip replacement surgery. Ask me about hip sockets, I know them… hahaha. A lesson learned might be – use them or you lose them; and when I say use them, I don’t mean to torment them or “over”use them. Best to of course walk a lot, avoid contortionist poses, and (without wear and tear) stretch, stretch, in an effort to increase flexibility and range of motion. Did teach some yoga to my mother during my stay – the kind that she can do while sitting so hope she keeps it up!

My aunt I visited at a hospice this summer in Tokyo has passed away. Luckily my mother and my sister and the rest of the family was at her bedside and sang her favorite song – I had no idea – Que Sera Sera!??? Not very Japanese, is it? My aunt was a very interesting person …tri-lingual (Japanese, English and Spanish), so full of intellect and more importantly, with a BIG generous kind HEART, brimming with love. Just this year, I had a delicious bowl of tempura udon at a soba-shop and then a cup of coffee at a Hawaii themed cafe with her in Azabu-Jyuban. Just this year – I will cherish the memory of her kindness always. The time before when she told me nonchalantly that she has cancer was at an elevator to a fitness club she took me to in Roppongi. It was a fitness club where she swam for over 20 years… she let me take yoga classes there as her guest… then we went wine shopping. Another kind, precious loving soul moving onto another plane; another world. I am going to miss her – now all the memories are coming back … anyone who has ever lost anyone knows that flashbacks of memory that stays with you…RIP.

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother what will I be?
Will I be pretty, will I be rich?
That’s what she said to me:

Que sera, sera. What ever will be will be
the future’s not ours to see.
Que sera, sera. What will be, will be.

When I was just I child in school
I asked me teacher, what should I try?
Should I paint pictures, should I sing songs?
This was her wise reply:

Que sera, sera. What ever will be will be
the future’s not ours to see.
Que sera, sera. What will be, will be.

When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart, what lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows, day after day?
That’s what my sweetheart said:

Que sera, sera. What ever will be will be
the future’s not ours to see.
Que sera, sera. What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own,
They ask their mother, what will I be?
Will I be handsome, will I be rich?
I tell them tenderly:

Que sera, sera. What ever will be will be
the future’s not ours to see.
Que sera, sera. What will be, will be.

Categories
Beautiful People Healthy Activities Healthy Living Yoga

No fixed style … Adapted to Student:)

This summer I was fortunate enough to take a week long intensive with … the living legend … Ramaswami Srivatsa.

So happy to find this on Utube! There’s part 1, 2 and 3 … from a learned authentic yoga teacher who humbly says “I am an old man.” at age 78. I garnered some laughter from the class and him, when he looked at me smiling wide eyed – and answered, that’s why I am the teacher:) when questioned, HOW does he keep track of the rather complex pranayama breath count – How does he do it? (obviously with great deal of concentration and years and years of … practice.) That is, he has this incredible “one-pointed focus”, probably much more than those much younger than him, that comes from years of training. The fact that all those sutras and mantra chants are in his head, readily shared is … amazing. I cannot believe he’s also 500 hrs. Yoga Alliance as he’s in his own league – Shouldn’t he be more like million hours educator? I mean who can actually certify him – he stands alone as a master. So so so blessed to have had the opportunity to have the health (thanks yoga!) to go through his intensive although that just touched the surface of what this yogi knows. Luckily he shares knowing he must leave behind as much as possible what was passed down to him…

A different teacher for every student, adapting to become a teacher a student needs … Vinyasa Krama.
Really love the way he stops after speaking very fast – he literally just gushes – and then stops when he feels that some may not be following, and then checks in.

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“In the olden days, they believed that life span was predetermined” by the number of breaths … In Japan, there’s the similar belief about one’s “fate”. Can one change that through actions and practice? Yes, you can. I sincerely believe that if anything, change is easier than not changing – because “change” is the natural law… it’s …inevitable.

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Healthy Activities Healthy Living

Shin-Mon Method

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Last week, I had the opportunity to experience Kenichi Iijima’s Shin-Mon method at a workshop prior to a lovely vegan luncheon prepared by Y-san. Will cover a bit more in the Japanese blog perhaps… when I find the time.

He, among other notable Japanese healers will be presenting at the Body Conference this weekend in San Francisco … if it were not for the 2 classes I am teaching Sunday, I would love to attend. Luckily, there are few Japanese Bay Area students who I am sure will be happy to share their teachings.

Sometimes, in Western yoga perhaps, students forget that they are a student, not a client. You are not there for a facial or a massage therapy – you are there to learn to find ways to unite body, mind and spirit – and the aura you emit tells a story of … various conditions of imbalance. When a student becomes a client more than a student, what then occurs, is a great loss to the student as the teacher will only do what’s popular but not necessarily good for that student. I know this method does not work with many Western students who value “personal space” or “boundaries” … “touching” is sensitive and a cause for an alarm especially for those dealing with anxieties …trying to find security and peace of mind. I know how it feels too. But it may be exactly what’s needed – the touch to ease, comfort or undo, unblock. It is unfortunate that teachers are too scared to touch for fear of being seen as being too “aggressive” – The way Rendo sensei goes about getting this student to reach her goal may appear “aggressive” and may get slapped with a lawsuit in America but … there’s mutual trust where that student entrusts the teacher to know what’s needed; and then there’s teacher reading the student’s body to know what she needs and is capable of – he knows where she’s stuck and how to unblock the blockages and untie the knots… he can see the workings of the body and the unseen energy. He shows that there are blockages and obstructions within that can be aided with proper touch – at least, that is what I learned from my teacher. Like in all relationships, it’s about trust and … communication.

I guess that’s why group classes can be challenging at times. Everyone is different. What one student seeks and appreciates is not another student’s cup of tea. We are each unique and more complex. Playing it safe and conservative …for a one size fits all kind of class. sigh.