Ojas

Tree Hotel in Sweden

Ever fantasize about living in the trees? Now you can. In northern Sweden they've done it, and done it so well. Check it out the Treehotel. Incredible!

5 Day Ashtanga Yoga Intensive at Yogayama with Laruga

August 16th - August 20th 

Yogayama - Stockholm, Sweden

18:00 - 20:00 (6pm-8pm)

Join me, for a deepening journey through the soul of Ashtanga yoga. Practical knowledge of internal alignment, focusing on the fundamental principles of vinyasa, joining movement and breath, balancing strength and flexibility, will be integral to the intensive. A perfect way to jump start your practice or simply delve deeper into an existing practice, extending a week that will challenge, inspire, and stretch not only the body, but your preconceived potential.

950 SEK

India Envy

I can't help but have a bit of India envy. When there, there are many times I throw my hands up and want to be somewhere else, you know, those crazy situations that push my western mind, but has a way of pulling me back. Time and time again. Taunting me.

Another favorite.
xoxoxo

European Nudes and American Prudes

"Regimen is superior to medicine."  (Voltaire)

In Sweden, July is vacation month, well, put it this way, it is for much of Europe.  A concept that is completely foreign to my American mind. Month long vacations are unheard of in the United States, unless you're a student or on disability, and I wouldn't really call disability a vacation.Various shops and small business owners shamelessly, and with great pride, post signs on their doors stating, "closed for the summer." Rock on. I like this European attitude (smile).

Living in Europe there are innumerable common factors in comparison to living in America. Simple fact. It's not like going to India, or other parts of Asia, where much in regards to life and culture scream contrast. On the other hand, there are subtle differences beneath the surface. In America, we celebrate our "freedom." However, why are we so uptight? I can say this because I'm American (and at times, uptight). Ok. 

After reading the following article, European Nudes and American Prudes, by travel guru Rick Steves, it got me thinking. For one, when it centers around our bodies and sex we don't stand a chance. In Europe, nudity isn't a big a deal. I've seen bare ass on regular television commercials as if common place. No, they weren't infants, but grown adults. On normal t.v. shows and movies, on regular channels, it isn't a big deal to see a woman's breasts or even full frontal nudity both male and female. It's never done distastefully or for shock value, it just is. In many ways Europeans on the whole seem to be more comfortable with their bodies. Why is that? Why is there such a disconnect with our bodies, and our sexuality in the United States?  Of course there are exceptions, but I'm talking about as a whole. We are more apt to accept inflated violence on television versus nudity. I don't get it.

When it comes to sex, I 'm not even sure I should go there. As Americans we tend to be convoluted in our thinking centered around the topic. It's no wonder people are confused. Oh well, I might as well go there. In Sweden, for instance, sex education has been in the schools since 1956. Wow. That's pretty darn progressive if you ask me. The curriculum starts at the age of 6 with basic anatomy then progresses from there at the age of 12 where topics are guided towards disease and contraception. Really, I don't see a problem with this. Especially since the percentage of teenage pregnancy is one of the lowest in Sweden compared to other developed countries. In America, we have one of the highest. Also, studies are showing that introducing sex education early doesn't equal teenagers having sex earlier. Duh. Swedish teenagers actually wait a bit longer than American teenagers. In my simple opinion, when open and not fearful over our natural biological states, what is there to worry about? I mean, really.

From a yogic perspective, sexual energy is simply a form of spiritual energy, inherent in all of us. It can be transformed into something beautiful. Through yoga and other energy practices it never has to be a scary thing or even nonspiritual, and in my eyes, how can anything which boils inside of use be that? We walk on sacred ground when connected from this place, and to suppress it does a great disservice. Honestly, suppression causes major problems, and opens a whole new can of worms.

I'm no expert on the topic, and with that being said, I find amusement in the stark differences in life and culture. It opens my perspective. Takes me out of a comfort zone and opens my eyes to something new. Then from here, I enter into a new place within myself, and just maybe release some of my uptightness.

I love this song. 
xoxoxox

"Yoga is showing where to look for the soul-that is all. Man is taking a human body-this is a very rare opportunity. Don't waste it. We are given a hundred years to live; one day you have the possibility to see God. If you think in this way, it is giving you good body, good nature, and health"


(Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, 2001)

Locust

Celebrate Guru Purnima

With honor, love and respect.

Tic Tac and Variations {Viparīta Chakrāsana}

Ashtanga Yoga, Nicki Doane

"As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live."   (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

Best wishes to all of you out there! Have a beautiful weekend!

The Body is My Temple, Asanas are My Prayers

Video of the living master, B.K.S. Iyengar. Truly magical and inspiring.

Goodbye Saturn

"The great composer does not set to work because he is inspired, but becomes inspired because he is working. Beethoven, Wagner, Bach and Mozart settled down day after day to the job in hand with as much regularity as an accountant settles down each day to his figures. They didn’t waste time waiting for inspiration."

(Ernest Newman)

Yay! Saturn has left my sign this week! Ahhh. It feels good. It feels damn good. Alright. I know what you're thinking. What in the heck is she talking about? Well, just shy of three years ago Saturn entered my sign (Virgo), making a significant impact on my life. Yes. Astrologically speaking, Saturn is the master teacher, the task master, the discipline maker. It breaks everything down so one can build everything back up again to build anew. Saturn offers the tough lessons. It feels constricting, and confining at times, as if one isn't getting anywhere. And seriously, I feel like wiping my brow and letting out a big sigh now that Ms. Thing, Saturn is gone. Gone for another 30 years.

Never completely keen on Astrology before I looked to it for entertainment purposes. Yes, I'm a Virgo. Admittedly, I do seem to outline many of the major traits of dear Virgo. In that, connecting the movement of the heavens with the energy within us makes sense. I've been a believer on some level through recent life experience. One thing I can say is, when Saturn came in at the end of summer 2007, I felt it come down on me like a sledge hammer. Hard. Real hard. Everything around me seemed to fall away, shift, and change. The time forced me to look at myself harshly, receiving an honest picture to where adjustments needed to be made. There was a mountain to work with, believe me.

It wasn't fun, by any means, but somehow I'm better for it.

Saturn. Thanks for the tough love. I can't say I'm sad to see you leave, however the learning was endless. A painful, and hopeful process of uncovering the deeper aspects of Self. With gratitude, and relief, thank you. It's been real.

Summer Reading

"Sometimes I feel like there’s a hole inside of me, an emptiness that at times seems to burn. I think if you lifted my heart to your ear, you could probably hear the ocean. The moon tonight, there’s a circle around it. Sign of trouble not far behind. I have this dream of being whole. Of not going to sleep each night, wanting. But still sometimes, when the wind is warm or the crickets sing… I dream of a love that even time will lie down and be still for. I just want someone to love me. I want to be seen."

(Practical Magic)

I've been obsessed with images of water lately. Especially ocean waves. For as long as I can remember I've had an affinity for the ocean. Living in Stockholm water is everywhere. It meanders throughout the city, and it's easy to forget Stockholm resides on over 14 islands when roaming about. The bridges and tunnelbanna (subway) connect the city in an organized fashion. For fun you can kayak throughout Stockholm's canals. Already tried it once. Talk about sore back muscles. At any rate, it's good fun.

Stockholm is a café culture. Every street corner dawns a coffee shop. Heck, I've seen four on one city block. Some better than others, however essentially the same. Comfy and cozy, with plenty of seating outside. It is almost sacrilegious to sit inside with such beautiful weather, and the bluest skies imaginable. Which reminds me ... I need to take more pictures! My camera has been collecting dust the past several months.

In the lazy days of summer I've been doing the ceremonial summer reading. You know, reading out of pure entertainment. I've been devouring the Millennium Series books. Love it. Yes, it's a bit violent. Yes, it's a bit graphic, but I can't stop reading! Haven't come across a heroine (if you dare call her that) with the likes of Lisbeth Salander in a long time. Well, let me rephrase that ... I never have.

I had to give the books a go since the author is Swedish, and been wildly popular worldwide. Only three books were published. I'm reading the last one now. There were plans for 10, however Stieg Larsson died of a heart attack in 2004 after turning in the manuscripts for the three novels to his publisher, cutting the series short. Our loss. Nonetheless, still interesting books to read.

However, after reading the nature of his books I wonder if there wasn't some foul play centered around his death. I know, my imagination is running wild after reading the novels, lol. Anyway, if in the mood for entertaining reading of the criminal thriller genre give'em a go.

Stieg Larrson (1954 - 2004)

Committment

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,
The chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation
there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas
and splendid plans.
That the moment one definitely commits oneself
then providence moves, too.
All sorts of things occur to help one,
that never would otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision.
Raising on one's favor all manner of unforeseen
incidents and meetings and material assistance
which no one could have dreamt would have come their way."

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe)

Now Is The Time

Pitta Season

(source)

"When the music changes, so does the dance"   (African Proverb)

Practices have been sweaty lately. The good kind of sweat - enough to feel fluid, open, and energized. However, I have to be careful with the heat. I generate quite a bit when practicing, and end up out of balance if I don't manage it well. I've experienced this before, and have learned tricks of the trade to regulate the body during pitta season.  Whew! The intensity of Ashtanga yoga can really go up a notch in the summertime and it's a good idea not to burn yourself out in the process.

Having the constitutional make up of vata-pitta, vata being slightly dominate, I have the two-fold experience of being sensitive to both high heat, and extreme cold. Although, if one were to win out it would be the cold. Harsh cold is not my friend. To think I live in Sweden, now. LOL. Anyway, who cares about all that, it's summertime!

So, following are a few cooling tips for you Ashtanga yogis and yoginis out there. Extracted from one of my favorite blogs on Ayurveda, Monica B.

• Eat in season. I know, it goes without saying. However, it's a good reminder. Especially when it comes to fruits of the summer season - they help cool the body down during the sizzle. Mango, coconut, blueberries, watermelon, peaches, honey dew, cantaloupe, plums, nectarines, pomegranate, are in abundance depending on where you reside. Also, fresh veggies, including spinach, bitter greens, cucumber, jicama, carrots, broccoli, beets, and cilantro are in season. Although, with that being said, limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption would be wise, along with obstaining spicy foods. Not very pitta friendly. Sorry.

• Practice Nadi Shodhanam (alternative nose breathing). Helps to calm the mind and relieve stress. 

• Indulge in aromatherapy. Sandalwood is instantly cooling, grounding, calming, and comforting. Also, mint, ylang-ylang, camphor, rose and jasmine help to cool the body, mind and spirit. 

• Wear light weight, breathable clothing when practicing Ashtanga yoga. Duh. I know, pretty self explanatory, however, with the heating nature of Ashtanga, I've had to change my practice attire through the years. This may sound crass, however wearing the least amount of clothing while still being decent is a good idea during the hot months. When practicing at home alone it doesn't really matter how little one wears. However, making changes in this area has helped me tremendously. Gosh I think back when I used to wear sweats when practicing! Even in the summer. Blah.

• Oil Bath! I feel this is an essential ritual, especially for longtime Ashtanga yoga practitioners. I love my weekly oil bath (castor oil is best). I couldn't live without it. It lubricates the joints, cools the body, and draws out toxins. Below is one of the best articles I've come across explaining the practice by teacher Kimberly Flynn. However, I will add, it isn't necessary to use the soap nut powder to rinse off the oil. What a mess it makes! Johnson & Johnson's baby wash, and Dr. Bonner's Castile soap works just as well. And, just to add, if you're into daily self-massage, coconut oil is recommended for the summer months in that it is cooling to the body.

Relieve aches, pains and stiffness with oil baths
By Kimberly Flynn

Oil bath is a traditional, weekly Ayurvedic home remedy still practiced widely in South India. Shri K. Pattabhi Jois routinely recommends oil bath to his yoga students especially for the relief of back and knee pain as well as stiffness. Weekly oil bath reduces excess internal heat (pitta in Ayurveda) particularly in the joints, liver, and skin. This heat is generated by poor lifestyle, including consumption of oily, processed, and difficult to digest foods, alcohol and tobacco, in addition to stress, air pollution and inadequate sleep. This imbalance increases with the heat generated by yoga practice and hot climate. Eating an over-sufficiency of healthy foods that are deemed "heating" in Ayurvedic terms, also adds to this imbalance.

Excess heat can be felt in the joints as pain and stiffness and in the back, often in the lower right-hand side and hip, as a nearly debilitating pain. This heat also contributes to a short temper, burning anger, red skin, pinkish acne, and redness in the eyes. When a daily ashtanga yoga practitioner still carries extra weight, especially around the middle, has difficulty with weight loss or with digestion, and has a regularly sluggish bowel, these are all signs of surplus heat.

In India, oil bath is customarily taken with castor oil that is later removed from the skin and hair with a special herbal paste made of equal parts soap nut and green powders mixed with water. Castor oil delivers the best results, but is nearly impossible to remove without these powders. Guruji suggests that, after leaving India, the yoga student can replace castor oil with almond oil, which easily washes off with bath soap.

Daily baths in India are taken by pouring water over the head from a bucket while standing in the bath, a river, or other body of water. It is in reference to this bath that oil bath is so termed. In other words, the student is not soaking in a tub of oil; rather he or she is using oil first on the head. Oil is rubbed into the scalp which draws the heat upward through the body, where it finally exits through the crown of the head.

Pattabhi Jois recommends that a student takes oil bath every Saturday (on his or her day of rest or once per week) at the start of the morning. After oil bath, one should rest for the day and avoid the following: strong sun, cold water, yoga or heavy work of any kind. For men, tradition prescribes that oil bath be taken on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday. For women, oil bath is prescribed on Tuesday or Friday; Guruji provides that his female students can take oil bath on the day off, Saturday. A woman should never take oil bath during menstruation, rather, she should take it on the fourth day (following the first three days of menses, during which time she has abstained from yoga practice). If one is not able to take oil bath on a given Saturday, he or she may take it on one of the above appropriately listed days.

Directions for Oil Bath

Note: When using castor oil, first place the bottle in warm water to thin out the oil for easier application.

1. Apply ample amount of oil to your head, rubbing into the scalp and through to the ends of your hair.

2. Leave oil on the head for the allotted time. For your first oil bath, leave the oil on your head for only five minutes. Continue increasing the time weekly by five minute increments until the oil is left on the head for a full two hours (a 6 month process); this is the maximum recommendation. At this juncture, you should practice two hours weekly, not exceeding this time.

Important: Years of accumulated heat should safely be relieved in stages. Therefore, it is essential to carefully follow the time recommendation. Inappropriately increasing the prescribed minutes may lead to a cold, vomiting, chills or diarrhea, all of which are symptoms of too much heat rising too soon.

3. Having completed your allotted time for oil on the head, generously apply oil to the whole body. As you rub oil over your body, take time to rub and massage elbow, knee and shoulder joints, along the spine and into any areas that are chronically sore. You need not apply oil to the face. This step should take an additional five to ten minutes.

4. Take a very hot shower or bucket bath. Let the hot water run over the scalp as you massage the existing oil deeper into the crown. Continue to rub the oily skin focusing on the joints and spine. This is an important step as the hot water opens pores and draws internal heat from the skin and joints. This shower may last five to fifteen minutes.

5. Apply soap and shampoo, or soap nut and green powder mixture to remove oil. After turning off the shower, lather up with soap on the skin and shampoo in the hair to remove almond oil. If castor oil is used, then apply soap nut and green powder mixture rubbing the paste over the whole body and through the hair and scalp. Be careful and avoid getting soap nut powder, dry or wet, in the eyes or nose, as it will cause a burning sensation. As you rub the paste over the skin, it will turn from dark to light green which indicates that the oil is being absorbed.

To make the paste, in a large bowl mix equal parts soap nut powder and green powder with enough water to create a paste with a honey-like consistency. Soap nut is active in absorbing the castor oil and can make the skin feel very dry. Green powder leaves the skin and hair feeling soft and smooth.

6. Take a second shower or bucket bath to remove oil and lather or special paste. Take this shower at a warm, comfortable temperature and use enough soap and shampoo to remove the almond oil. If you are washing off soap nut paste and castor oil, be sure to close your eyes when rinsing your hair; you'll probably want to follow up with shampoo. This shower lasts up to ten minutes.

You have successfully completed oil bath.

7. Wash the shower/bath area. The shower floor will be very slippery and the drain may be clogged a bit. Scrub the shower area well to avoid slipping and pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to keep it open. If you have used soap nut paste, you may be faced with a muddy mess. Clean all surfaces and be sure to pour boiling water down the drain.

8. Rest over the next few hours, avoiding hard work, strong sun and swimming in or drinking cold water. For the daily ashtanga practitioner, it is important to take a full day off, allowing the body and mind to rest and rejuvenate for the coming week of practice, study, work and family life.

If the desired results of oil bath are not felt at first, don't give up. Continue to include this time-honored treatment in your weekly schedule and be confident in the radiant health benefits it bestows.

Jois Yoga Shala

News is spreading fast! The Jois family will be opening a yoga shala in Encinitas, California! For information on the grand opening click here.

Healing

(source)

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."

 (St. Augustine)

There's been a heatwave in Stockholm, and it's been absolutely beautiful. I'm getting rather spoiled with all this lovely weather. We had a true winter and now a true summer. I couldn't ask for anything more. The beauty of Scandinavia is something I've had the pleasure of experiencing, and there is so much more to discover. I look forward to some point trekking through Norway. I've heard nothing but wonderful things. However, before I do that, I've got to make a trip through Northern Sweden.

With that aside, I've been on the road toward healing. Physical, mental and emotional. A continual process of course. My finger has mended, and I'll even have a little scar to brag about, lol. The abdominal pull has gone away. Whereas, lastly my right shoulder is feeling much better, though not 100%. What can I do? It's an old injury I may have to be aware of for some time.

In times like this I'm thankfully reminded how important it is to be gentle with myself. To soften in stead of push through. When softening, I feel receptive, open, and willing. This hasn't always been the case, however through the path, and many mistakes, the blessed bumps in the road have taught to be exposed and vulnerable is a place where I experience my humanity. A place of strength, even though it may seem counter intuitive.

Putting up walls. Been there, done that. It didn't work. The protective exterior only increased the sense of separation. Why worry about getting hurt? It's the trade off we make to simply love in the moment. Besides we are better people for it. Grace is everywhere.

As I awake into this expansive reality I have found comfort in it. A type of peace that is gently held in my heart versus feeling as if I have to reach for it. Yes. Everyday is different, and will bring new challenges. As I heal the wounds of my past, as I reconcile the resentments of my experience, I am better equipped to be in this moment and see it for what it is.

Sukha

"We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations."

(Anaïs Nin)

  

Sukha - does not die, or wither away. It is the happiness that we find in understanding the nature of things. Its the happiness that we obtain through nothing, it just exists in us. We have the capability of having this happiness at all times through nothing but ourselves. It is that in between of the two extremes.  (source)

Lately, I've been struck by the concept of sukha. Peaceful, blissful well-being never dependent on anything else. I've had to look at my own life and observe just how much my own happiness depends on circumstances outside myself. The conditions of supposed happiness. Am I crazy to go down this road? Yes. Maybe a I am. Nonetheless, I'm left feeling I no longer desire to live a life based on conditions. I desire to live a life based on connection. Sustaining, self-fulfilling, connection. Pure and simple. Come what may, centered in the truth of who I am.

Easier said than done, right?

Big leaps of trust resonate first in the connection I tend in the invisible realm. In the core. I admit, I struggle with this. I struggle in striking a balance in total acceptance while, at the same time, having the desire to attain various goals. How much do I let go? How much do I advance forward and achieve? I can say yes to both, I've determined. The challenge is detaching oneself to the result. An everyday practice, no doubt.

I've learned achieving a certain goal and/or status level has never given everlasting happiness and/or well-being. However, I feel how easy it is to become seduced by the external structures I'm inundated with on a daily basis. The conditioning of my past. The conditioning I'm not even aware I hold until thrown up against a wall.

Obviously, painful experiences happen in life. People die. Relationships end. Things change. There's no dispute there are many heart breaking moments that map out our lives. Defining moments, when all seems lost, and dark. They push us to embody a sense of compassion to all that arises.

Again, I'm forced to look at the reality.  There is a part of me that is eternal. Infinite. I can't say it's part of my daily experience all the time. However, I feel the importance of reminding myself of this Truth as a practice. It takes continual reflection and contemplation. Simple remembrance. A shift in perception.

Why is it so easy to forget? Can I still live in this world as an active participant, and at the same time, see it for what it is?

 Within Us

"Within us is the soul of the whole; the wise silence,
The universal beauty, to which every part and particle
Is equally related; the eternal One.
When it breaks through our intellect, it is Genius;
When it breathes through our will, it is Virtue;
When it flows through our affections, it is Love."


(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

World Cup Buzz

I totally got into the World Cup this year, and I have to say, I'm a bit sad it's over. What fun! The intensity. The excitement! I totally loved it, and have a new found respect for the game. I thought I'd add the above video documenting the cheers of Landon Donovan's game winning goal versus Algeria. Even though the U.S. didn't go all the way, it's nice to see fellow Americans getting into soccer (er, fotball, depending where you're from). Cheers. I'm looking forward to 2014 already!

Tittibhāsana to Vrksāsana

The Four Locks - The Four Keys

Lock 1: Happiness; Key: Friendliness

We might think it is natural to be friendly toward someone who is happy. Unfortunately, this is not always true. There are times when another's happiness (or success) reminds us of our failures or unfilled desires. Though we may not become overtly angry or depressed, our well-wishing could be mixed with envy or jealousy. For example, this might happen if a friend receives the promotion we hoped for. Our good thoughts could be diminished by regret or envy.

Sir Patanjali recommends cultivating friendliness toward the happy as the key to undisturbed calmness. We should make friends with happiness, get to know it, give it proper attention and respect. If we dwell on happiness, looking for it like a miner's eye seeks gold, we will cultivate it in our lives.

Lock 2: Unhappiness; Key: Compassion 

Sometimes the unhappiness of others feels like a burden. we may become impatient, wondering how our brother can make the same mistake over and over again. Perhaps we think that he should just get over his grief and get on with life. There are times when the suffering of others can makes us uneasy or frightened. In our discomfort, we turn away from them.

Instead, whenever we see unhappiness we should use the compassion key. To be compassionate doesn't necessarily mean that we cry when our brother cries or become angry in order to support our sister's frustration. In the name of compassion there are times when the appropriate response is to deliver a strong piece of advice that is difficult to hear. However, behind our actions, we should cherish one overriding motive; the welfare of others. All actions should proceed from a place of caring and loving.

A compassionate heart is a comfort and support to many. We develop compassion by recalling acts of kindness that have benefited us while remembering the pain, alienation, despair, and confusion caused by suffering.

Compassion requires courage and strength: the courage to move beyond our own concerns to connect to the suffering of others, and the strength to help bear their suffering.

Lock 3: Virtuous; Key: Delight

Virtues are moral traits - such as patience, courage, reliability - that bring benefit to others and harm to no one. They are signs of spiritual maturity and serve as reliable compasses with which we can navigate the uncertainties of life's choices.

Virtues can be developed through study and contemplation or, through recognizing their presence in others. In other words, we should cultivate the habit of celebrating virtues wherever we recognize them. The more we rejoice in them, the sooner they will be ours.

This practice is especially useful in encounters with people  who make us uncomfortable or whom we do not like. Everyone has at least some virtues. Are we perceptive enough to recognize any in our enemies? We might find that behavior we once understood as obnoxious might reveal perseverance. What we once regarded as pushy now gives us a glimpse into the benefits of firm convictions.

Lock 4: Nonvirtuous; Key: Equanimity

Upeksha, translated as "equanimity," comes from upa, "to go near or toward," and iksha, "to look at or on." We can understand it as the ability to clearly perceive the nature of the nonvirtuous act through close and unbiased examination.

Sad to say, we all too often witness or are victims of injustices. Not promoting aloofness or praising an uncaring attitude. Even though anger often feels justifiable and sometimes seems like the best way to correct and injustice, Sri Patanjali doesn't find it an acceptable attitude for a yogi to have. Instead, we are challenged to do something that may seem counterintuitive when we face a nonvirtuous act: keep our equanimity.



(Inside The Yoga Sutras, by reverend Jaanath Carrera)

Goddess Durga

During the Krishna Das concert the other night I was deeply moved by the mantra chanted in homage to the Goddess Durga. It came as a surprise. For whatever reason it deeply resonated within me. On a hunch, I thought I would further investigate. However, before I go on, to those who may not be familiar with the various Hindu gods and goddesses, please understand that all are representations of the one God, or whatever you choose to call it. Each embodying a colorful array of attributes and qualities we all can aspire to realize on some level. It's refreshing to have this beautiful cast of characters that make up the Divine experience.

The Goddess Durga represents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the universe. She is the energy aspect of the Lord. Without Durga, Lord Shiva has no expression and without Shiva, Durga has no existence. Lord Shiva is only the silent witness. He is motionless, absolutely changeless. He is not affected by the cosmic play. Shiva has no direct connection with the tangible elements in the universe and is obliged to emanate a manifestation, an emission of energy, shakti, through the goddess. It is Durga who is the doer of all actions. Shiva and Durga are regarded as the twofold personalization of Brahman, the primeval substance.

She is the embodiment of purity, knowledge, truth and self-realization. The highest form of truth present in any being or Jiva is known as "Aatman" or supreme consciousness. This supreme consciousness or the absolute soul is infinite, birthless, deathless, beyond time and space, and beyond the law of causation. Goddess Durga is the inherent dynamic energy through which this supreme consciousness manifests itself.

(Source)

Durga, a force to be reckoned with. A force of divine inspiration in this reality. When feeling the pull to create, dance, sing, and revel in the energy of the moment we tap into Durga, otherwise known as Shakti. There are many facets to Durga, one as the fierce, wrathful Kali, and/or as Pravati, the serene, peaceful side of the Divine Mother. Goddess Durga is a mosaic, representing the many faces of the feminine energy.

I enjoy tapping into the various attributes of the Hindu gods and goddesses, and the myths and stories around them. They give us the feeling of our bigness. Of our unearthly, boundless potential. It's fun to play with. To be inspired by.

Never underestimate the power of myth.

Krishna Das

"Chanting is a way of getting in touch with yourself. It's an opening of the heart and letting go of the mind and thoughts. It deepens the channel of grace, and it's a way of being present in the moment."

(Krishna Das)

Last night we had the incredible experience of seeing Krishna Das in concert right in the heart of Stockholm. What more can I say? It was absolutely wonderful. Finally after all this time I had the chance to see him live. He takes the audience on a incredible journey through devotional sound and song. The chants vibrated through my entire being. Moving and transformational in many ways.

Thank you, Krishna Das!

Swedish Summer

“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I love Swedish summer, but it doesn't love me back. At least for the moment it doesn't. I've had my first bout of allergies in years. Kinda frustrating to feel allergic to nature. Itchy eyes. Ticklish nose. Swollen, scratchy throat. Not the funnest feeling when all you want to do is enjoy the lovely weather. Oh well. I'm making the best of it. It's times like this when the neti pot comes in handy. Seriously, it's heaven sent. Neti is my best option for thriving in the Swedish summertime.

I used to flush twice a day, everyday, and now I'm getting back into it. Once starting up again, I've had to ask myself - why did I stop? It's incredible.





A daily neti pot cleanse leaves you feeling clear headed and alert. Below are a few of the benefits to taking up the practice. Prevention is key!

Neti removes all the dirt and bacteria-filled mucus from within the nose.

It also helps to drain the sinus cavities. This, in turn, will help to re-program the body's natural mechanisms against nasal infections such as hay fever, allergies, sinusitis and other upper respiratory complaints like sore throats and coughs, post nasal drip, inflammation of tonsils and adenoids.

It is beneficial for illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis as it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing by freeing the nostrils of mucus.

It has a cooling and soothing effect on the brain by drawing out excessive heat, and is therefore beneficial for headaches, migraine, epilepsy, temper tantrums, hysteria, depression and general mental tension.

Neti is of great benefit for problems associated with the eyes. It helps flush the tear ducts, encouraging clearer vision and gives a sparkle to the eyes.

It can be beneficial for certain types of ear disorders such as middle ear infections, glue ear, tinnitus.

Neti improves sensitivity of the olfactory nerves, helping to restore lost sense of smell, and thereby benefits the relationship with taste and digestive processes.

It has subtle effects on the pineal and pituitary glands which control the hormonal system. This has a harmonizing effect on emotional behaviors.

Neti affects the psychic center known as Ajna Chakra which helps in awakening higher states of meditation.

It helps to stimulate better powers of visualization and concentration and gives a feeling of lightness and clarity to the mind.

Neti is excellent for those trying to give up smoking. Since it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing, Neti re-sensitizes the nose to the actual pollution of ingesting smoke, thereby de-programming the brain of the physical and psychological addiction.

(Source)

Limitations

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature,
nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits
in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." 

(Helen Keller) 

Limitations. I've had my share this week. Or at the very least, my mind felt as if I was limited. You know how it is. With a sliced finger, a right shoulder issue (old injury), a strange lower abdomen pull (I blame it on the crazy platforms I wore last week), and would you believe, I stubbed my little left toe. Craziness. It's times like this when it feels absolutely wonderful to have a body, haha. 

Seriously though, at the beginning of the week I wasn't feeling great during my morning mat ritual. It's easy to slip into what's going wrong instead of what's going right. A reminder. Yoga practice is not a performance, but a dance of breath and movement. Healing synergy. When connecting breath and movement, adding nothing more, pretty cool things start to take shape. Our bodies melt like butter on bread with no added effort of our own. 

Yoga practice takes the entire body into a unified space. One reason why with injury we have no other option but to deal with the limitation. We don't work only one area of the body. Every cell, every part, come together completing the puzzle. Everything matters. Everything is connected. 

Once again, giving me the opportunity to feel my way through the practice versus just doing it. Everything opens, and all I had to do was shift my perspective.

Limitation into limitlessness.

Simply being open to the experience took me down a path of discovery - not sure what would even come of it. Forced to slow down, heightening my sensitivity. Lead into a intuitive space, no thinking, just feeling, breathing in each moment into the next. What I learned is the limitations were far from limiting, but an opportunity to expand into a broader perspective. To deepen. To unfold. To embrace whatever is here. Now.

In this space I experience the truth. I am more than this body that forever changes. I feel the greater energy that pervades every cell in the body, that pulsates through every being on the planet.  I am whole again, and anything is possible.