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

Earth Throbs

The word sidereal hit the news this week.

The word derives from Latin:
a star, a constellation.

Here, from a chapter from Lyall Watson's 1939-2008 wonderful book, The Dreams of Dragons: Riddles of Natural History 1987







The Arteries of Earth

Precisely every 12 sidereal hours - that is, hours set relative to the earth's movement through the galaxy, and not about its own axis - the earth throbs.

The cause remains mysterious - it may be something to do with lunar and solar tides - but the effect is clear. The pulse of our planet beats regularly, once every 11 hours, 57 minutes, and 57.3 seconds, earth time. And its effect can be felt more strongly in Rome than in Geneva.

Is this ch'i, bubbling up through cracks in the planet? Probably not. But it is evidence at least of the existence of a global rhythm that has local peculiarities.
....Gravitational anomalies produced by the variable thickness of earth’s crust mean that there are differences of as much as 100 meters in the mean level at various places. There is a trough, almost a hole, south of India and another great dent in the area that has come to be known as the Bermuda Triangle. And there are equally permanent hills around Iceland and Hawaii, and in the Sea of Japan.



An awareness of natural rhythm is .... part of our birthright. A gift from Mother. With one ear to the ground, you can almost hear her great heart beating. It is a very comforting sound.


photos: Lura Astor helping bring Tai Chi Chuan to Las Vegas 1980s one breath at a time

courtesy of: Tai Chi Chuan Club

Dynamic Flexibility - Class Description

With a deep concern for helping people move through daily life with more energy, less pain, greater ease, and better focus, I developed classes using techniques that release excess tension while strengthening postures that hold a body in balance.

This work corrects pain-causing habits, such as slouching and pain-adaptation, aids recovery from injury, and sharpens recreational and work performance.

I've worked throughout the country in schools, universities, fitness centers, theaters and corporations, instructing students from ages 3 to 93.

My years as a licensed massage therapist aided my kinaesthetic understanding of anatomy.

Bringing over 30 years experience with Tai Chi Chuan, yoga, sports performance, dance, body rehabilitation and body re-education to this health and teaching work.


Water & Dancing People: lastor

Tai Chi Chuan - Over the Years

My students in a Workshop 1985 Las Vegas, Nevada

September 1981 Las Vegas Review Journal














Pasadena, California 2000















Tai Chi Alumni Reunion
San Francisco, California
1983-ish
Among the smell of eucalyptus
Hubert Lui 3rd from left
author 4th from left

Many of us had started together in Chicago, Illinois in the mid-1970's






Pull down, San Francisco mid-1980s










Pull down, Pasadena City Hall 2000








Tai Chi Chuan, Las Vegas, NV mid-1980s
My students attending Guest Workshop
with H.H. Lui


























Bringing Tai Chi
to
Las Vegas, Nevada
Lura Astor
Albert Phillips
Master Hubert Lui




















Some of my students 1980s

























Hubert in his gorgeous Snake Creeps Down
Las Vegas and San Francisco