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Flames of the fire are so beautiful, but … untamed fire can also be so destructive. Very sorry to hear of this tragedy while not personally affected, I feel that I could have been there if I were in the area. I mean, it could happen to any of us and our friends. While exercising fire safety, really drawn to fireplaces lately … precisely because the temperatures have dropped. It can get chilly like chattering teeth – COLD outside. Fireplaces, the heath draws us to find the quiet nearby as you feel the flickering …we find the kindling of fire within – so warm. There’s outpouring of love amidst the ashes. Prayers to the victims and their families.

To give, visit https://www.youcaring.com/oaklandfirevictimsfrom130531staveinoakland-70668

The yogi offers his labyrinthine human longings to a monotheistic bonfire dedicated to the unparalleled. This is indeed the true yogic fire ceremony, in which all past and present desires are fuel consumed by love divine.
– Paramahansa Yogananda

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.