To the leaders of our land…

The spirit of the 1987 Constitution is truth, honesty and transparency.  Its intent is to avoid graft and corruption that was the way of governing during the Marcos era.  If the highest magistrate of our land believes that an older law such as the Foreign Currency Deposits Law can be used by public officials like him, and overlook the intent of the SALN for full disclosure of assets and liabilities; then our country will never move forward.

nyayena margena mahim mahisah                                                                                         Let rulers rule the world with law and justice….

Om…shanti…shanti…shanti…

An inviting practice

Today, before I could start my asanas, I found myself in a fix — a flat tire! I had to make arrangements so that someone can come and replace it for me.  I was not it the mood anymore to continue my practice but insightful and experienced yoga friends egged me to go on and I’m glad I did!

I think usually, when I get on the mat I tell myself, “Yoga show me what you can do for me, give me focus, give me strength.”

Today it felt different…it was as if the practice was telling me “I can give you comfort, I can calm you, I can center you.”

Instead of me asking (or even demanding), it was the practice that was inviting me.  My practice was light and easy.  It was a shortened practice but each asana seemed effortless, undemanding and even painless!

Just like  in life, you need to have a give & take relationship with yoga.  If you nurture and care for it to grow, it will someday give back and care for you as well…

Om…

He had me at “Sarve…”

In the midst of my current busy and chaotic life, I am comforted by the memory of this man and the chants that he taught us.  My favorite and one that I chant all the time…

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramayah, sarve bhadrani pasyantu, ma kascit dukha bahgbhavet…

May we all be happy.  may we all be healthy. May all experience what is good, and let no one suffer…

Om…shanti…shanti…shanti….

Yoga, a practice that binds

A couple of people asked me how I felt and what I thought about my first “international” yoga retreat and workshop.  I think I was still not done savoring the experience and cannot answer the question well.

First, I was so amazed at how the practice of ashtanga yoga binds people from all over the world! Swiss, Germans, Americans, Brazilian, Filipinos, Japanese, Thais,  Singaporeans — all have the same practice! I cannot believe that a single man was able to influence  people around the globe to take on the discipline to practice yoga!

I was mesmerized by Tiwariji.  His presence was comforting, his words were encouraging and uplifting,  I have not really met anyone in the past that had the same effect (maybe Fr. Reuter during my high school years).  He always had a smile on his face! He looked really happy! My friend Berta says maybe that’s how enlightened people look — I might just agree with her!

It took quite some time for me to understand how four women, who were devoted to their families would leave for more than a week!  What will make them do that?! The trip wasn’t about getting or running away.  I believe it is about touching base with the teacher, being close to an “energy” source, finding ways to enrich the self so that there can be more to share.  It was an affirmation of the person you have become.  It allowed me to look back when my practice began and where it can go — how my life was before yoga, when I started yoga and yoga in my life.

Yoga is literally translated to “yoke” – a bond.  I understood myself more through the practice of yoga.  It allowed me to bind my whole being — weaknesses, strengths, potentials, unaccomplished goals.  I opened up myself to people I would never have met if not through the practice.  Yoga binds people; people close to you, people new to you, people who live far away.

Om.

 

 

Let’s talk about FOOD!

Having a vegetarian buffet was a delightful experience for me (at first)! Unlike in the past when you need to check each server and figure out what you can or cannot take.  Here, you are welcome to all the dishes!

For breakfast, I would have a bowl of fresh fruits (which I normally and regularly don’t have) with a scoop of granola, a scoop of muesli, yogurt and honey! I love it! I would like to continue having this at home. Then I would have eggs either omelet or poached (Chef cooks poached eggs really well!)  The best thing about breakfast is sitting, savoring the food while looking out at the beautiful beach!

I was exposed to certain food such as quinoa, ladoo (thank Connie!), ghee, mung bean paste and lentils. This was one of the best meals we had; the mushroom and the stir fried vegetables tasted delicious!

They served us pizza once and it was delicious!

And while others were getting into the detox program, we decided to take cooking lesssons!

We were exposed to Thai vegetables! We made Pad See Eiw, Haw Muk and Sticky rice!

Pad See Eiw

Un-steamed Haw Muk!

Sticky rice with mango! (Thank you Berta for the pics on the cooking class!)

But as the days passed, the food kinda started to look and taste the same…I am hoping they serve the mung bean paste again and the blueberry yogurt shake…They would serve raw pasta dishes and unbaked chocolate cake which I am not ready to dive into yet…

Overall, the food experience was unforgettable and generally enjoyable…

YOm….

Lessons from Paul

On uddiyana bandha and nauli…

(photo taken from http://www.indianetzone.com/photos_gallery/22/uddiyana-bandh_3326.jpg)

… about three inches below the navel

…passive abdomen, diaphragm is active

….steps:

1. Exhale, pull in the lower abdominals, 2. One-fourth of a second relax, anus is relaxed, 3. Diaphragm is actived, 4. Relax, 5. Inhale

(6. Isolate the abodminal rectus for Nauli)

**********

On Central Nauli also known as the crown hatha, helps in…

… elimination, digestion, assimilation, circulation, cleansing of the lymph nodes and has a overall positive effect on the nervous system

**********

On Agni Sara is kind of the opposite of uddiyana bandha….

…active abdomen, passive diaphragm

….steps:

1.  Exhale, pull back lower abdominals, 2. Flick forward the lower abdominals (transversus), anus is relaxed, 3. Expand abdomen, organs start to float in the positve environment, 4. Repeat flick and expand three to seven times, 5. Inhale.

…you may hear digestive abdominal sounds when doing this, and that’s ok!

Tiwariji

Too much talking is an obstacle in yoga.

We are all divine! But divinity is not to be achieved, it has to be re-discovered.  An obstacle to divinity is lack of awareness.

The cause of happiness or suffering is brought about by the function of the mind. Yoga will help channelize the function of the mind. Pranayama helps control the mind.

Practice with awareness.  Sincerity in practice. Any art or science in life needs sincerity in practice.

Om.