partner yoga

children, originally uploaded by AcroYogi.

The most exciting part of partner yoga is sharing.
At friday night's Mandala Yoga and Acro Jam I learned a Therapeutic sequence with Flying Whale.
{ http://www.yogabhoga.com/class-descriptions/ }

I extremely excited for a new Sunday night Acro Yoga class, focusing on Thai Massage and Therapeutic Flying. Perhaps the Friday night class is amping up for more acrobatic variations! I love a powerful challenge, and Acro Yoga is definitely something that challenges my focus and endurance.

Circus Yoga is coming to Portland for a Street Yoga & Circus Project volunteer workshop in February. I also registered for their Seattle workshop the weekend before. They spread such a wonderful message of:

Inclusion
Diversity
Courage
Trust
Appropriate Risk
Expansion
•
Collaboration
Cooperation
Democracy
Community-Building
Celebration
Gratitude

We just ordered 2 Flip Cameras for Street Yoga through a non-profit foundation so perhaps there will be video to share soon!

life archives

just because. i would probably wear a tutu everyday. if i had one.

Culture of Distraction

Last month, my bookclub discussed Brave New World. most of us didn't get to the Revisited, where Huxley discusses his book vs Orwells, and takes note of the rapid path towards his dismal vision. 

See the whole cartoon here:

"Amusing Ourselves to Death: Aldous Huxley vs George Orwell"

Speaking of distractions... 

I loved watching Ponyo at school's movie day.

Finished watching the end on Netflix it at home.

Diet is a four letter word

*show of dualism on Ganga-ji’s ghats*

Last night as I wasted some time on facebook between freelance projects, I was amazed at the number of people talking about starting their diets, and discussing what they were gorging on at the moment before D-Day. Day of Diet Restrictions for the Brand New Year! I know, I shouldn't be amazed, its all part and parcel of the new year celebrations.

I don't resolve to change. I pledge to act like a clown, eat when my body is hungry, indulge when appropriate, restrict with moderation and in general treat my body like the divine vehicle it is!

When you set yourself up to live a certain way for a limited amount of time you aren't truly honoring your potential. Why not pay more attention to the rhythms of your body? There are definite rhythyms that influence the human physical body, considering it is composed of 70% water... if you have seen a tide move in and out, you can see the power the moon's gravity projects on a massive scale.

There is something between us and Truth, the Absolute Reality, and that is called the mind. Training the mind is the starting point for Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras. For example, one of the first things he talks about is observing which of our thoughts are useful or not useful, positive or negative. Then he directs us to learn to make choices in life on the basis of what is positive and helpful in our growth, choosing to do that which we know leads towards a stable, inner state of tranquility. Such self-observation, self-examination, and self-training are necessary in preparation for the deeper practices. 

The Dualism of the Yoga Sutra gives us detailed instructions on how to clear away the clutter so we can find the door. Non-Dualistic Vedanta philosophy gives us a sound contemplative base for deeper understanding of the nature of the door and that which is beyond. Tantra shows us how to open the door, as well as how and where to knock.
-- SwamiJ.com

I try to be very clear in my vocabulary when I pledge something. If I feel like my digestion is sluggish, I do a mono-food cleanse. If I am agitated, dehydrated and sleepless in the winter, I cook a hearty stew and cozy up by the fire and some warm bodies.

Making the rhythms of life a natural part of your routine will outlast any diet, resolution, or quick fix. This is your body for life, and it needs to know you love and cherish it, just like an old friend who is always there for you.

*image found here

My Man

Trav shot these two summers ago, for his dragon boat races! I finally put them together for sharing.
Happy New Year!

he's so tough.