That is the title of a hilarious movie directed by Woody Allen. I have yet figured out why it's titled that... but it's a gem, so go rent the video.
And drink water.
Yes, "drink water", I would always remind all of you after practice. Not coffee, not tea (except herbal teas) and definitely not soft drinks.
Carbonated soft drinks tend to contain high amounts of both sugars and acids - the worst possible combination for dental health, obesity and diabetes. In fact, soft drink consumption contributes to osteoporosis as well.
Research from a British university has suggested that a common preservative found in soft drinks can lead to liver problems and even degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.
Now, the Centre for Science and Environment in India has confirmed that consumption of such drinks is highly dangerous to human beings (much appreciate the link, Krishna!).
For those of you who needs the facts and figures, Mark even took the effort to compare soft drinks to water. Read it here.
And drink water.
~ Love & Flow from Yoga Gypsy ~
27 January 2008
Don't Drink The Water
25 January 2008
Canción De La Flor
By the voice of Nature;
I am a star fallen from the
Blue tent upon the green carpet.
I am the daughter of the elements
With whom Winter conceived;
To whom Spring gave birth; I was
Reared in the lap of Summer and I
Slept in the bed of Autumn.
At dawn I unite with the breeze
To announce the coming of light;
At eventide I join the birds
In bidding the light farewell.
The plains are decorated with
My beautiful colors, and the air
Is scented with my fragrance.
As I embrace Slumber the eyes of
Night watch over me, and as I
Awaken I stare at the sun, which is
The only eye of the day.
I drink dew for wine, and hearken to
The voices of the birds, and dance
To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.
I am the lover's gift; I am the wedding wreath;
I am the memory of a moment of happiness;
I am the last gift of the living to the dead;
I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.
But I look up high to see only the light,
And never look down to see my shadow.
This is wisdom which man must learn.
{"Song Of The Flower" by Khalil Gibran}
Por Tamara...
~ Love & Flower from Yoga Gypsy ~
23 January 2008
Happily Humble
I received this from a fellow Yogini (thanks, Sandra).
The perspective presented is humbling indeed.
Have a look.
At the Universe.
Should have paid more attention during Science classes.
It gets clearer...
Especially when you reach here. The Earth is too tiny to be visible at this point. And you can just about spot the Sun (on the far left).
I'm not into astronomy, but apparently Amazing Antares is the 15th brightest star in the night-time sky and approximately 600 light years from the solar system. (You can mouse over, and click on, the image to view the Sun at only 1 pixel!)
So keep things in perspective. Look at the big picture.
~ Love & Look from Yoga Gypsy ~
18 January 2008
Hand Yoga
Feel like Yoga but you’re stuck at your desk?
Enter the very useful Hand Yoga. Also known to the Yogis as mudras or hand postures.
These hand postures encourage the flow of specific energy channels in your body. They are very subtle and allow the body to re-balance itself. No Yoga mat required.
All you need is THREE MINUTES.
And, of course - your hands.
1. Sit comfortably.
Yes, even right here in front of your computer.
(Or you can print this out and lock yourself up in the toilet. But, really... let’s try to save the trees.)
2. Keep your back straight and long. Gently, place both your palms directly on your ears (yes, hear no evil).
3. Inhale deeply. Exhale completely. Gently move your hands to massage your ears in a smooth circular motion.
Repeat this circular motion in the opposite direction.
Do this for at least 3 minutes.
During these 3 minutes, indulge in the sounds of the ocean which you can hear naturally in your ears. You can also close your eyes if that helps you relax.
In your mind, tell yourself:
"I am relaxed and rejuvenated..."~ Love & Relax from Yoga Gypsy ~
15 January 2008
Are You The Hundredth Monkey?
In 1952, on the island of Koshima scientists were providing monkeys with sweet potatoes dropped in the sand. The monkeys liked the taste of the raw sweet potatoes, but they found the dirt unpleasant.
An 18-month-old female named Imo found she could solve the problem in a nearby stream. She taught this trick to her mother. Her playmates also learned this new way and they taught their mothers too.
This cultural innovation was gradually picked up by various monkeys before the eyes of the scientists. Between 1952 and 1958, all the young monkeys learned to wash the sandy sweet potatoes to make them more palatable. Only the adults who imitated their children learned this social improvement. Other adults kept eating the dirty sweet potatoes.
Then something startling took place.
In the autumn of 1958, a certain number of Koshima monkeys were washing sweet potatoes - the exact number is not known.
Let us suppose that when the sun rose one morning there were 99 monkeys on Koshima Island who had learned to wash their sweet potatoes.
Let's further suppose that later that morning, the hundredth monkey learned to wash potatoes.
THEN IT HAPPENED!
By that evening almost everyone in the tribe was washing sweet potatoes before eating them. The added energy of this hundredth monkey somehow created an ideological breakthrough!
But notice: A most surprising thing observed by these scientists was that the habit of washing sweet potatoes then jumped over the sea. Colonies of monkeys on other islands and the mainland troop of monkeys at Takasakiyama began washing their sweet potatoes!
Thus, when a certain critical number achieves an awareness, this new awareness may be communicated from mind to mind.
Although the exact number may very, the Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon means that when only a limited number of people know of a new way, it may remain the consciousness property of these people.
But there is a point at which if only one more person tunes-in to a new awareness, a field is strengthened so that this awareness is picked up by almost everyone!
Your awareness is needed in saving the world . . .
You may be The Hundredth Monkey.
{From Ken Keyes Jr's "The Hundredth Monkey"}
~ Love & Aware from Yoga Gypsy ~
13 January 2008
Why Yoga? (Part I)
A simple answer = “Yoga makes you feel better”. Indeed, regular practice makes you healthier. You get to shape up, relax down, tune in and chill out. And one of my students once quipped, it’s like “getting away without going away.” Yes, a mini vacation! Personally, I've witnessed Yoga helping my students to: Don't be too quick to judge. Make a sincere commitment to give it a fair trial. Only with regular practice will you begin to experience its true beauty.
Scientific research has also shown Yoga to:
The last benefit has been highlighted by Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda:
"The essence of Yoga… is about a very simple thing… Your happiness.
Yoga is not just physical fitness training… its aim is for you to achieve your fullest potential in life.
It’s not essential to be young and supple to practise Yoga… all that is needed, is a desire to be happy.”
Most importantly, Yoga is accessible to all. Regardless of age, shape or size! And it's not a religion. You don’t have to adopt any beliefs, gurus or deities. No conflict with any faith you believe in.
Try Yoga.
Give it some time. Going for one or two classes is like taking one or two piano lessons – there is not much point to it.
~ Love & Unite from Yoga Gypsy ~