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To celebrate a friend’s birthday… we each had a drink to share – remotely – while an unexpected FaceTime call joined with a greeting. It’s tough times for all, hardest part being the unknowns. We can feel the underlying tones of anxieties in each of us. In midst of the unknowns, all we have control over is our actions in how respond – to not be in despair but each doing our part to protect Self and those who you care about, the best you can.

Let’s call a friend or family members every day to check on them.

Please stay safe. Please stay well.

“unhurried postures unstained by striving”.

-Norman Blair

Power yoga is not quite that above intention for most, but sometimes people need that ultra strong practice – maybe to get things off their chest; blow off steam; compensate for something that’s amiss, before being able to relax so … it’s about knowing yourself better. Why is there that need? What’s your intention?

I’ve evolved over the years from a more agitated achievement-oriented ego to … one who follows her heart to find another path. That path has brought about immense joy to me:

Referring to the Goldilocks principle .. “neither too hard nor too soft: that middle way with an ability to sustain stillness. The optimum for health is neither too much nor too little. The quality of yang might be defined as fierce, faster, flowing; in contrast the quality of yin could be softer, slower, stilling .. In coming to practice Yin, we could let these five qualities guide us: softening, patience, kindness, effort, dedication .. these four points could ground us: pause and soften, connect, allow, listen.. Sometimes I call this practice ‘the middle way’, between comfort and challenge.” Bernie Clark

Brightening Our Inner Skies
a beautiful and inspiring book on Yin and yoga by Norman Blair

How do we define “optimal health”? For each his/her own but for me?

Daily strengthening the immune system by practicing peaceful Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation (If in South Bay or Mid-Peninsula,try Brad’s class in San Carlos:) or BK Bose and Rosalind with Niroga if in in East Bay.) Managing stress; Getting enough quality rest and nourishing the body & mind with wholesome unprocessed foods.

Get good supplies of Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, green veggies);

Vitamin B6 in green veggies, beans, salmon, tuna …

Vitamin E found in nuts, seeds, green veggies …

Get fresh clean refreshing air … clear stale air; open windows in the evenings (unless of course you suffer from … allergies. ) Be with GOD – the Great Out-Doors !

Human connections are still vital – the hugs & the togetherness -the VIBE- BUT – just rub auras not shoulders – with those you know and if not in control of that gathering, keeping one meter (3.5 feet ish) social distance. Wash hands before and after being with others.

So what do you do to strengthen yourself ?

I am a bit worried about aspects of mental health during this troubled times. It’s one thing to be well prepared but another to go over-board and be constantly vigilant and nervous. Keep up doing what gives you joy but just take a little more precautions by knowing your level of immunity based on your health history, age, current condition …and what your role may be vis-a-vis your family members and people you come in contact with at large. If you are a health worker or caring for children and/or the elderly, use common sense practices that’s more important than ever.

This POST of mine from way back … because I love this practice. I’ve been in love with this yogi forever. We can flow through fluidly with no words. Just chants. Love everything about this … the sounds … the vibe … the image … the chants … its meaning … the resonance that plucks the chords of our soul. So Centering to not be self-centered … lifts our spirits at troubled times. Let the feminine goddess/mom/sister energy give us the boost we need, saluting that light within.

Chandra Namaskāra Mantras

1. ॐ कामेश्वर्यै नमः om kāmeśvaryai namaḥ

Salutations to the Goddess who fulfills desires.

2. ॐ भगमालिन्यै नमः om bhagamālinyai namaḥ

Salutations to the one who bestows well-being and protects from evil.

3. ॐ नित्यक्लिन्नायै नमः om nityaklinnāyai namaḥ

Salutations to the gentle one who bestows eternal grace.

4. ॐ भेरुण्डायै नमः om bheruṇḍāyai namaḥ

Salutations to the ferocious one that destroys evil.

5. ॐ वह्निवासिन्यै नमः om vahnivāsinyai namaḥ

Salutations to the one who resides in us and connects with the divine world

6. ॐ वज्रेश्वर्यै नमः om vajreśvaryai namaḥ

Salutations to Vajreshvari, the Goddess of the weapon that destroys evil, who bestows great Force.

7. ॐ दूत्यै नमः om dūtyai namaḥ

Salutations to the herald of the divine message and the messenger of God

8. ॐ त्वरितायै नमः om tvaritāyai namaḥ

Salutations to the one who reveals herself swiftly and bestows grace.

9. ॐ कुलसुन्दर्यै नमः om kulasundaryai namaḥ

Salutations to the most charming one of the whole divine Family.

10. ॐ नित्यायै नमः om nityāyai namaḥ

Salutations to the eternal one.

11. ॐ नीलपताकिन्यै नमः om nīlapatākinyai namaḥ

Salutations to the one who has been known in the depth of eternity.

12. ॐ विजयायै नमः om vijayāyai namaḥ

Salutations to the victorious one.

13. ॐ सर्वमङ्गलायै नमः om sarvamaṅgalāyai namaḥ

Salutations to the auspicious one who bestows prosperity, wealth, fertility and joy.

14. ॐ ज्वलमालिन्यै नमः om jvalamālinyai namaḥ

Salutations to the one who is garlanded with ames and annihilates anger and rage.

15. ॐ चित्रायै नमः om citrāyai namaḥ

Salutations to the one who sparkles with the clarity of Consciousness.

16. ॐ त्रिपुरसुन्दर्यै नमः om tripurasundaryai namaḥ

Salutations to most beautiful in the three worlds.