February 28, 2010
Food for Thought
"Joy doesn't exist in the world, it exists in us." ~ Benjamin Franklin
February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day
January 18, 2010
Muddling through Marriage
I've got another book to recommend. It's Committed, by Elizabeth Gilbert, the continuation of her story that began in Eat, Pray, Love.
Even if I were not particularly interested in the topic of this book ~marriage~ I think I would still be entranced by Gilbert's captivating style of writing and her willingness to bare her inner feelings, while telling an interesting personal story. But I am interested in the topic of marriage, having enjoyed and endured one for over 42 years, and having observed the unions of close family members come and go, some with great heartache and trauma involved.
Though not a sociologist, psychologist, or even a qualified expert on marriage, Gilbert has explored the subject thoroughly enough to settle her own issues with it. I found much enlightening information on the history of the marriage institution that challenged my beliefs and made me think about where they came from. I found insights into my own relationship and those I have been privy to.
I appreciate anything that challenges me to look at my assumptions and beliefs so that I may discard those that are based on fallacy. This book sheds a light on that. It will be added to the library at the Yoga Loft.
January 10, 2010
A Fascinating Journey
I've just finished reading Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea. I couldn't put this book down. Greg Mortenson's journey in life has taken him to Pakistan and Afghanistan to help the most remote, impoverished communities to build schools for their daughters. The book was just released December 1, 2009 and it tells of events as recent as October 2009.
I found this true-life story compelling. I avoid listening to reports of events in this war-torn part of the world on the nightly news because of the emphasis on the political and military approach to problems there. For me, reading both of these books has been a way to learn about life in central Asia from a simply human view point. So much more can be accomplished when we learn the customs of other cultures and treat each other with respect.
The book has been added to the Yoga Loft library and is available to be borrowed. I highly recommend it and am curious to hear others' thoughts about it.
December 16, 2009
A message about perception:
Happy Holidays!
November 15, 2009
Chinese-German-Mexican-American Yoga
For me, the best texts I've found on Yoga are not the traditional ones, such as The Vedas, The Upanishads, The Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, The Yoga Sutra, etc. I had trouble with the foreign names and cultural basis of these texts.
About the same time that I decided to become a Yoga teacher Caroline Myss wrote Anatomy of the Spirit, a brilliant book that included information about the seven major chakras, written in a language and context that I could easily understand.
I mentioned several months ago a favorite of mine, The Four Agreements, in my writings below. It is the wisdom of the Toltecs, translated into plain English, adapted for current application, and a good example of yogic teachings.
Last weekend I drove to Seattle to spend three days with Carol Anthony and Hanna Moog, authors of I Ching, Oracle of the Cosmic Way.
I Ching is an ancient text from China which forms the basis of all Chinese wisdom, the Martial Arts and Feng Shui included. I was introduced to this book in 1970 and toyed with it for years. Then Carol Anthony and Hanna Moog came along and exposed the truths of I Ching like no one before them had done. Their explanation of the Cosmic Way is harmonious with anything I've read in the Vedas, The Upanishads, and the Yoga Sutra, yet much clearer.
What Carol and Hanna have brought forth for us is a way to de-program our minds from the illusions and misconceptions that create "the collective ego." The methods they teach are meditation in action.
For more information, here is their Web site: ichingbooks.com.
November 3, 2009
Always something new
After a three day weekend of TriYoga classes with Kali Ray I have renewed enthusiasm for the TriYoga system. Although I refer to the style of Yoga that I teach as "eclectic", it is at least 80% TriYoga sequences. Kali Ray is a unique, American master of Yoga Asana, having experienced Kriyavati almost 30 years ago. Kriyavati is a spontaneous awakening of Kundalini energy. To read Kaliji's own words about her experience of Kriyavati click here.
Every time I study with her there are refinements to the practice, minor changes in the way she flows seamlessly from one posture to the next. I always learn something new. Sometimes it is something that's been presented many times before, but finally it clicks and it's finally mine to share with you. So there will be some small changes that you might notice in our practice.
Not All Bad
One of the first awakenings I had about nutrition many decades ago, was that there was a huge amount of refined sugar found in foods that I ate without questioning their value. That was long before the required labeling system we have today which lists how many grams of sugar are found in the packaged foods we buy. Since then I have done my best to avoid foods with added, refined sugars.
Recently I have learned about some very beneficial natural sugars that are helpful in preventing and treating bacterial infections. Yes that's right. I was so surprised. Xylitol, a natural sugar from birch trees, can be used to treat sinus problems. Another sugar call d-mannose is helpful in treating urinary tract infections. If you'd like more information, do what I did ~ Google.
October 15, 2009
Volunteers Found
I've found my subjects for the Feng Shui assignment. Several people have mentioned an interest in being evaluated, but for my assignment I am not allowed to use friends as clients. But I still could use the practice with friends, just for fun. So please do let me know if you want to be part of my learning process.
Save Money on Food and Prevent Cancer
Hyla is setting up a wholesale account with Bob's Red Mill. The minimum order for wholesale is 500 lbs. Bob's Red Mill sells a wide variety of whole grains, whole grain flours, legumes and baking mixes, some organic, some conventional. If you read The China Study, mentioned below, you would probably want to replace a good portion of the high protein animal foods in your diet with lower protein plant foods.
October 4, 2009
Good Science
I'm reading a startling book that's been out for a few years called The China Study, written by T. Colin Campbell, PhD. and Thomas M. Campbell II. It's called the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted. It shatters many misconceptions we have about diet, disease and nutrition. I would consider it a must-read for anyone with cancer.
September 29, 2009
Volunteers Wanted
I've been studying Feng Shui for a year now. I'm working on the practicum part of my training to become a consultant and am looking for volunteers to be my next guinea pigs.
My latest assignment is to evaluate the home and lives of a couple, both of whom are willing to be interviewed about their personal lives and to be present during the consultation. This consultation will include the use of crystals to improve the flow of energy in the home. This is free of charge. All I need in return is a willingness to implement at least some of the suggestions I make to see if any effect is noticed, and to write a feedback letter a few weeks after the consultation that will be sent to my teacher.
If you or anyone you know is interested in participating with me in this exercise, please email me.
June 10, 2009
Simple Truths
Just in case you've never read The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, I'd like to mention this book. It's a small book, easy to read and understand, and its teachings are important tools for living an enlightened life. Here is a link to a summary of the four agreements.
May 17, 2009
