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Beautiful Places Yoga

“Be what you want to be now; Don’t wait.”

Ran into Ganesha at Y-Yoga in Vancouver … Believed to be a “remover of obstacles”. Sometimes, I can be the biggest obstacle to myself; so removing of that ego helps in the process of purifying and nourishing the soul, mind and body…Just practice; get out of your own way through the physical practice first. Then everything else seems to follow with more ease.
IMG_0087_smallReach up and up and then into back bend for reverse warrior …back bend further more and more … then what happens?IMG_9896_small
There used to be no classes Sunday afternoons and evenings at a lovely suburban studio in the community … So when we took a look at the schedule that time frame appeared to be the only slot available… I had been warned by the predecessor and other yoga teachers that Sunday late afternoon is the “dead” hour and the worst slot ever, so don’t do it. It’s not prime-time; it’s an outlier zone? Sunday evenings – if we are actively engaged, there are concerts, hikes, games, social engagements like showers and birthday parties people are coming back from, perhaps there are family outings and dinner commitments … OR one may want to just sit in front of the fireplace and not leave home … Still. I do it …not heeding the well meaning advice as the studio itself was encouraging. Besides, I was passionate about sharing this. So for the last 2 years, I stuck to that schedule – rushing back from East Bay or South Bay, San Francisco or wherever I may have been – the worst for my own cortisol level was when I was in Asia …rushing back with the worst jet lag – seems I was the one needing to take the class; not lead it LOL but I was all about EMPATHY. I kept at it because I felt the warm support of the studio management and … I really loved the students who may or may not show up. Each time, there’s a hint of transformation and to witness that was an honor and a joy. We each wake up to that place of crystal clarity.

Quite ironic that because I am pursuing deeper study of yoga; and wanted to do the invitational from Judith Hanson Lasater herself at the same time trudging along on the yoga therapist training, that I am gifting the class as subbing out that class is no longer an option – iSad – but… I am letting it go. It’s the Universe and my higher self telling me to gift it as it was never mine to begin with. I can be more of a service with so much more to offer when it’s the right time and place – refreshed and regenerated. So …Letting it go. Will miss the space we created. Thank you for the opportunity to the management and thank you to anyone who took the trouble to show up so I may hold the space and impart tiny little specks of teachings learned from all my past and present teachers.

broken-heart-mended

Tomorrow, going back to last day of Judith’s invitational she only holds every few years … So I am so glad I’m doing it. NOW. One thing I have learned from past losses – don’t wait for the perfect timing that will never come. Just do it. Don’t put off. Learn from the best – She really teaches the way I learn, to borrow her phrasing. I feel fortunate to have this opportunity.

“Be what you want to be now. Don’t wait.”

Who was the one who said this?

The answer to follow…

Categories
Beautiful People Beautiful Places Healthy Activities Healthy Living Yoga

Healing Arts taught by Scientists & Artists

One of many Chanti’s works I love:
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Few from her portfolio so vast, more of her works should be published !!!
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Last thing I did for my own nourishment was … yoga? Yes, what’s known as Omni Vayu Salutation (not sun salutation but Vayu – the wind!) led by a beautiful friend AND then, what a treat!!! Yantra painting with Chanti Tacoronte-Perez (she is so talented it’s free hand intricate coloring requiring focus and ease…) visiting the Bay Area and even that, sadly only able to join for few hours for the weekend retreat that started Friday night (missed); then Saturday (missed); then Sunday? A little respite, time for self-care and recharged, off I go to recharge others. It’s all good though as I got the Yantra painted (because Chanti had done most of the hard part already for me). Looking at this yantra painting brings me back to the calm and tranquil space – reminds me of that meditative energy – of focus and clearing I can transmit to others. Engaging in art or creating anything beautiful can be so … yogic.
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And onto this weekend …Berkeley, my home away from home …Now it’s more about the science and medicinal effects of yoga:
cslewis

Categories
Beautiful People Beautiful Places Healthy Living

Self-Care & Women’s Health (men too)

Looking back on short weekday (lucky!) trip during “spring break” us adults get too sometimes …when you have a local contact, it’s not so far of a getaway – thank you Y-san!
IMG_6718Chai with view of Mt. Shasta right in front !
IMG_6717Never thought there would be Indian food in this little town … miss Vivify, the sushi restaurant though… the vegan macrobiotic bento was so… delicious. The co-owner of that lovely place, Vivify, A-san passed away with cancer some years ago but I am always reminded of her when I come to this town. If it were not for her radical change in diet (you are what you eat!) and lifestyle (relaxation!), she would not have lived as long as she lived. She used to open her seminars with the statement, had it not been for the positive changes based on self-study and explorations that included Japanese to Aryuvedic methods, she would not have been standing before us. It is said she prolonged her life by as much as 15+ years, improving her quality of life as she went about teaching macrobiotic cooking and educating others the importance of water and food we consume. She made a difference as with each contact she made, she touched that person’s heart. She was a gift and so were her teachings. We are all, and each a gift during this lifetime and we all leave behind our traces when there’s love in our hearts.
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IMG_2429_01Reminds me of the time my mother had a hip replacement surgery – and the rehabilitation she underwent, now with bionic hips, she’s all good! Doing yoga? Sure. A lovely Japanese yoga teacher with sessions blessed by PT, so caring and well-informed – impressed. Want to take her class? Sure, just go to Ginza, Tokyo. Not possible? Okay, just settle with me – it’s an integral part of my practice because it…works.
IMG_2431_02Advances in medicine is amazing for something acute and we are the beneficiaries to that great strides made in science and medicine; but something more chronic, we need a different approach. More on this … when I take a moment after I take care of others.

Precisely !

Sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves.
Us Bionic Super Women !!
Yoga practice reminds us of the value of self-care.
Refresh and Repeat, Repeat.