I felt myself struggling with my balance yesterday. On thinking about the word struggle I realized I was doing more of a slow dance with my balance. trying to console it back into place with my breath, Keeping it small unril you gain balance is key. Then of course when you're rooted and steadily pushing through into what you're body will allow you that day. A lovely satisfying, healing stretch (or tourniquet release).
To hold the posture honestly, in a place you can maintain that surging blood from head to toe feeling is the desired goal really. Hard to describe, so important to remember.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Gazpacho Daze
Gazpacho Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS
6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper (or green) seeded and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (omit for vegetarian option)
4 cups tomato juice Sacramento, although too much sugar...always adds a special something(?)
Prep time: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS
6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper (or green) seeded and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (omit for vegetarian option)
4 cups tomato juice Sacramento, although too much sugar...always adds a special something(?)
Monday, July 18, 2011
The Butterfly e Factor
It's mornings like this one that make me feel amazed at how hard I worked at my yoga training. I lost 30 pounds and more importantly this aging feeling of creeping cancerous death was all but gone. I was looking though old pictures and noticed one or two of myself...and I thought wow. only 4 years ago. What happened? I mean life and death difference. Sure they're only photos but still. I put together 3 shots of myself on graduation day and that made it more scientific somehow....I was so happy. Has anyone who's lost a lot of weight ever experienced having the dorr slammed in their face? Imagine being locked out f weight watchers meetings? Seriously? What would you have to do? How bad must someone have to be to make another stop them in the middle of loosing 54 pounds? Add on the 30 in training and THAT was my job. Representing how it works fo rme. Nothing superficial abpout it. btb
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Yoga MRI
Not simply "yoga" but a strong yoga practice is as thorough as any medicine. I used to make it a point to go to classes with my favorite teachers. It just seemed practical and made class easier somehow. But when I see whole classes moving together as fragile flocks of birdies, who barely go twice a month anyway, suddenly not showing up for the substitute...I realize why I have never seen any yoga class in my life ever come close to the effectiveness of Bikram. When the favorite teachers arent available it's still great. Even when it's bad it's great. As long as the bad teacher doesnt torture us for more than the alloted 90 anyway...
My body has really been hurting somewhat as of late, not sure why. I only feel good on some days practicing-as if it's my respirator. The heater my artificial life support. Ive found myself doing a lot of "mickeymouse stuff" as Bikram calls it. "Take it easy baby" therapy on my own is the cure for whatever ails you tho. Damn this stuff is good.
Friday, July 8, 2011
In Memory of Bishnu Ghosh
"The Year 2003 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bishnu Charan Ghosh, one of the greatest and most influential yoga masters of the past century, guru of Bikram Choudhury. Ghosh, born in Lahore, India in 1903, was a celebrated physical culturist and the first to scientifically document Yoga's ability to cure chronic physical ailments and heal the body. Beginning in the 1920's, he developed a school of Yoga that provides a unique blend of spiritual inspiration and a highly disciplined physical regimen.
Ghosh came from an extraordinary family. He was initiated into the field of yogic exercise and physical education by his guru and older brother, Paramahansa Yogananda, the world renowned Yogi and spiritual master. Yogananda founded the Self Realization Fellowship Center and his book, "Autobiography of a Yogi", continues to be one of the best known and influential works of our time.
Bishnu Ghosh was also a scholar and a lawyer who was very active in India's struggles for independence from Great Britain. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (India's first Prime Minister after it became an independent nation) and Bishnu Charan Ghosh in 1938.
Ghosh developed a Yoga regimen that provides a unique blend of spiritual inspiration and highly disciplined physical exercise. His view of the human body as the temple of a living God has been a major force in the renaissance of Hatha Yoga in the West. In 1923, at the young age of 20, he founded the first Ghosh College of Physical Education in Calcutta and his fame quickly spread throughout India. Other schools were opened, first in India, and then in locations around the world.
In 1939, Ghosh came to the United States to educate people on the subject of yoga by giving demonstrations of amazing yoga feats. He lectured at Columbia University in New York, generating a great deal of interest in the field, and was widely acknowledged and respected in the academic community.
In 1968 he went to Japan with his troupe and traveled all over the country giving lectures and yogic demonstrations. Ghosh's were the first yoga exhibitions to be televised outside of India, and were seen and loved by millions of Japanese. He passed away in 1970. His legacy is being continued by his son, Biswanath Ghosh, the current director of the Ghosh College in Calcutta.
His students and disciples have gained worldwide recognition as yoga teachers and have won many titles, including the 'Mr. Universe' competition. One of them, Bikram Choudhury, has carried the message of the curative powers and benefits of yoga, and the possibility of a disease-free long life, around the world. He has trained thousands of teachers and has over 500 affiliated schools."
Ghosh came from an extraordinary family. He was initiated into the field of yogic exercise and physical education by his guru and older brother, Paramahansa Yogananda, the world renowned Yogi and spiritual master. Yogananda founded the Self Realization Fellowship Center and his book, "Autobiography of a Yogi", continues to be one of the best known and influential works of our time.
Bishnu Ghosh was also a scholar and a lawyer who was very active in India's struggles for independence from Great Britain. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (India's first Prime Minister after it became an independent nation) and Bishnu Charan Ghosh in 1938.
Ghosh developed a Yoga regimen that provides a unique blend of spiritual inspiration and highly disciplined physical exercise. His view of the human body as the temple of a living God has been a major force in the renaissance of Hatha Yoga in the West. In 1923, at the young age of 20, he founded the first Ghosh College of Physical Education in Calcutta and his fame quickly spread throughout India. Other schools were opened, first in India, and then in locations around the world.
In 1939, Ghosh came to the United States to educate people on the subject of yoga by giving demonstrations of amazing yoga feats. He lectured at Columbia University in New York, generating a great deal of interest in the field, and was widely acknowledged and respected in the academic community.
In 1968 he went to Japan with his troupe and traveled all over the country giving lectures and yogic demonstrations. Ghosh's were the first yoga exhibitions to be televised outside of India, and were seen and loved by millions of Japanese. He passed away in 1970. His legacy is being continued by his son, Biswanath Ghosh, the current director of the Ghosh College in Calcutta.
His students and disciples have gained worldwide recognition as yoga teachers and have won many titles, including the 'Mr. Universe' competition. One of them, Bikram Choudhury, has carried the message of the curative powers and benefits of yoga, and the possibility of a disease-free long life, around the world. He has trained thousands of teachers and has over 500 affiliated schools."
-Tanya Halsall
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Infommercial SchmarmYness
A few years back I posted on a bulletin board a flyer that had a before and after photo. "Let me give you a reality check?" a friend or acquaintance offered "Don't post a pic of yourself looking like that man." At the time I was like 46, Jane had virtually ruined me, was I desperate? Maybe? But I still look at it based on the contrast. I guess I sound like Im selling something and that's embarrassing...
I just now turned on the TV listening to weightloss infomercials and hear so many of the same things Ive said over the years, my own words. But when I still whip out that photo to show people the miracle I still in awe by it...That's one reason Im so stuck on confronting Jane-it tortires me to think how little time I had to really hit it home...and now it looks like Ive failed myself, and naturally this affects my ability to have people's confidence when I dont seem to even be able to take care of myself in the eating dept...I dunno.....The TV ads make me feel sik that I would ever sound like that though...so I will stop whipping ut the pic...... I never meant to sound so superficial or look like a clown. Just a fact that the transformation was so magical. If only I was left alone to take it to the next (miraculous) level.....but one last time world here it is. The 3 time miracle.
I just now turned on the TV listening to weightloss infomercials and hear so many of the same things Ive said over the years, my own words. But when I still whip out that photo to show people the miracle I still in awe by it...That's one reason Im so stuck on confronting Jane-it tortires me to think how little time I had to really hit it home...and now it looks like Ive failed myself, and naturally this affects my ability to have people's confidence when I dont seem to even be able to take care of myself in the eating dept...I dunno.....The TV ads make me feel sik that I would ever sound like that though...so I will stop whipping ut the pic...... I never meant to sound so superficial or look like a clown. Just a fact that the transformation was so magical. If only I was left alone to take it to the next (miraculous) level.....but one last time world here it is. The 3 time miracle.
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