Sunday, April 17, 2011

Breathe Beauty

breathe beauty in
breathe beauty out

create something new
for you
forever

breathe beauty out
breathe beauty in

and again

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I Would Like This Guy as My Neighbor!


Pay attention to the fluidity of the knee joints.

Joint health is vital - it's in the Tai Chi warm up that I give you!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Kind of Kind

A friend from childhood recently went to a week-long silent retreat. She wrote to me:



Biggest take-home message: 

Be kind to yourself, no matter what.
And stay aware of, and relaxed in, your body.


Pastel: Wellfleet Farm Deb Dwyer

Monday, April 11, 2011

Worth the Time to Listen to this "Medicine"


3 items listed - take note


Stay Hungry - Stay Foolish

Keep your appetite for Life

Play

Play Workshops - coming soon

Friday, April 8, 2011

Meditation is Such a Funny Thing

More so than when I was growing up, there are now many "flavors" of meditation from which to choose, quite a variety from which to become confused.

The Basics are the Basics
As you deal with franchised templates, expert advice, iconic labeling, shoulds and daren'ts, remember this: Basics are Basics.

Regarding Meditation
I strongly believe in working with a person's temperament. Some people are much more energetic than others. Take into account interests, needs at that particular moment in life and desires. Yes, desires - for they will guide as a compass to your personal expressions.

Life Changes - We Change
What worked then, may not work now.

Different times in life require different tools. You don't carry all your tools around with you all the time - you use tools as required.

For people who are more active, meditation is completely different than for people less physically active.

Strongly intellectual people enter meditation differently than others.

Julia Roberts said of the book/film Eat, Pray, Love that it is important for people to take the time to find these things where you are for, not everyone can afford to travel, or take extended breaks.

Julia Cameron writes of taking Artist Dates, identify things near to your heart and chase them on a regular basis, scheduling the time.

My Tai Chi teacher used to call the practice of Tai Chi, Meditation in Action, and Yoga, Meditation in Repose. The idea is, with whichever practice/s you play with - take it into daily life.

The book Chop Wood, Carry Water: A Guide to Finding Spiritual Fulfillment in Every Day Life brought this to people's attention in the mid-1970's and we now have a vast library available to dip into for inspiration.

My yoga teacher insisted, you already know. We each have within us the guidance, the knowing, the teaching. A challenging pill to swallow at any age, but especially when young!

Dream teachers help us unravel our own living and dreaming symbols.
You Be the Guide

Shop around. Feel what is right for you, at the particular time. Commit. Show up. Enjoy.


In my teaching, I synthesize and integrate the various tools to meet individual and group needs.


Photo: Hand of Life Lura Astor

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

* Pina Bausch * Wim Wenders *


PINA (3D) : BANDE-ANNONCE by baryla

Saturday, April 2, 2011

A Century - in Earth Years - not on the Bike!

When my namesake turned 100 I was fortunate to have time to spend with her beyond the family reunion. While her present day memory gave her hiccups, she was lucid clear in memories of long ago, shared as stories.

Ever since I was a kid, elders fascinate me. As a young healer I sought them out.

When 17, the film maker in our dance/theater troupe brought back black and white photographs of the elders on Greek islands and the folds on face and hands revealed so much.

No matter the nationality or practice, the truth in healing remains the same.

Here Susun Weed mentions meeting with elders when in her 20's to gain from their wisdom. In this segment, she states that they universally mention the Live-r. Listen here.

I love how interviewee Thea Summer Deer mentions how all is in Relationship when dealing with healing; micro- and macro-. Human longing for connection, includes connection with Nature. By reconnecting with our bodies, we reconnect with Nature.

Our Vision is clouded when our livers are stagnant, affecting eyes, hormones, allergies, headaches, and much more.

Recipe
One yogi friend drinks a daily liver drink, blending water, olive oil, lemon juice and green = parsley and/or arugula.

Those familiar with my Stretch classes know the Tai Chi Chuan movement for massaging the internal organs in the early warm-up. The interview connects Chi with liver function.