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finish my mid-term project for Yoga Therapy training … at the same time, homework on yoga philosophy. I need sleep.

Found a surprising striking synchronicity with Pain Management & the Artist’s perspective post from 2 days ago. As I was reading Judith’s articles on yoga philosophy to help me with the latest homework (BTW, Judith has “Office Hours” – her new online learning with her lovely daughter, Lizzie. check it out if interested on yoga beyond the mat:), this is so exactly what the artist is demonstrating in an over the top extreme way – isn’t it interesting that I come across this passage after posting that MOMA exhibit, “Artist is Present”:

I read an interesting story lately about a Zen monk who was giving his first talk to a small group of beginning American Zen students. The monk spoke very little English and the students spoke no Japanese. The monk gave his presentation simply by standing in front of each student; he would not talk, smile, move or in any way avoid deep contact with the student. Some students were moved to tears. This deep acknowledgment of the God-sense or Self within us all is at the heart of svadhyaya.

Scientists continue to discover the powerful connections of energy that exist on all levels of the Universe. And these connections are not only between cells in the body, but between widely distanced events which only a few years ago would be considered separate.

– Judith H. Lasater on “Svadhyaya”

Gentle start with Sphinx.  Smell the earthy musty leaves and grass. So grounding.  

Hovering nose over the fallen leaves on the ground  Flex your feet, on your toes, yogic push up where you are not pushing. Rather the opposite – from plank SLOWLY lower to where your upper arms are parallel to the ground with elbows not flung out but by your sides to protect the shoulder girdle; resist sagging the middle while not bumping up the buttocks – need the upper body strengths that I lack from fear of hurting my wrists again.

Ehh where’s the down dog pic? This from an earlier walk will have to fill in. 

So much for my hair band…now Seal.  

Beautiful Autumn sky beyond the persimmon tree. Kali mudra points up and up harnessing the Shakti, the energy as we tap into our inner radiant source.  

Usually a vinyasa flow style before noon but weaving in some yin so to find that nuanced stillness; soaking up the grounding energy from the earth; filling up with light from above… Between the Heaven and Earth where each of us reside.

Postponing raking the leaves as this ground covering feels good.  It’s better than magic carpet with the rustling sounds and the cool feel on your bare feet.  Natures carpet doing its magic  for this yogini Earthing on Thanksgiving day – my own practice to slip in between teaching and the gathering.  So much to be grateful for. Thank you for this day of abundance. Namaste. 

VERY VERY GENERAL rules of thumb – nothing like getting a professional to check with, so getting MD, Chiropractor, or physical therapist to consult would be best. THEN check in with a yoga therapist to work with for a long term practice to stick to:

– forward folds help with spinal stenosis
– flexion hurt? suspect herniated disc or sacroiliact joint derangement
– Twist one side OK but not the other – herniated disc suspect
– Back Bend really helps? bulging or herniated disc suspected.
– Pain with back bends? Spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis …

Again, refer to see a good physical therapist, chiropractor, those lovely professionals who specialize in that area … we do not diagnose but provide the “soft” care not available elsewhere.
* Some sample of asanas/poses helpful for “general” lower back discomforts; again, please be cautioned that this is GENERAL and not customized for anyone’s particular condition:

– child’s pose
– sphinx
– seal
– upward dog
– downward dog
– careful now – camel
– locust
– wheel
– pigeon (for sciatica provided you don’t have a knee issue)

Mostly backbends and forward bends with care — gentle and subtle to start and see, feel, and report back.

Beautiful Yantra by Chanti at www.yantrawisdom.com (time to order next year’s calendar!)

Today, as I was marking my calendar, I recieved a message from Ms. J. She just wrote “Just checking in to see how crazy your life is right now.” Thank you Thank you Friend for caring to check in. Here’s the antidote – words, words, words of beauty:

“It is a strange and wonderful fact to be here, walking around in a body, to have a whole world within you and a world at your fingertips outside you. It is an immense privilege, and it is incredible that humans manage to forget the miracle of being here. Rilke said, ‘Being here is so much,’ and it is uncanny how social reality can deaden and numb us so that the mystical wonder of our lives goes totally unnoticed. We are here. We are wildly and dangerously free.”

― John O’Donohue

“One of the reasons so many people are suffering from stress is not that they are doing stressful things but that they allow so little time for silence.”

― John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

“A friend is someone who wishes what is good for the other.”

― John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

So, in that recognition, thank you friend. Crazy indeed it is.

Celtic wisdom, Vedic, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Persian wisdom, Japanese wisdom, Chinese wisdom … wisdom is wisdom wherever it originates from, East – West, as everything crosses over. Honoring the distinct and unique origins while marveling at the common thread that ribbons around us dancing in an entropy swirling with rhythmic vibrations only to recognize that Source we share, the Oneness. The wise are the benefactors and we are all the beneficiaries of such treasure trove of wisdom. Bowing to the wise who restores the JOY in our hearts. Namaste:)

– KT in reflection & gratitude.