8 Folded Limbs

We don't like to talk about poop. It stinks and it just isn't table conversation.  Because of that-- we don't usually educate ourselves on what healthy poop looks like. What you eat inevitably comes out in some form or another and that little package can tell you most of the things you need to know about your health. When you eat -- do you have bathroom issues?  Do you usually have discomfort in your abdominal cavity? Here is a great explanation of what to look for: http://voices.yahoo.com/what-poop-might-saying-health-580236.html?cat=5 Be aware and take action.  You are responsible for your health.  

I think most people might check blood pressure once a year or maybe twice.  I think it's a really good idea to check much more often than that.  If you check it more often, you can have a better idea of how foods you eat affect your body system. If you can afford a cuff, or you can get to the supermarket-- try checking it once a week from now on.   Some people ignore it because they believe they are too young to have a problem. Be an adult.  Be responsible for yourself.  Check your vitals regularly.  Especially if there are people that love you. Thank you.

ॐ त्र्यम्बकम् यजामहे सुगन्धिम् पुष्टिवर्धनम् । उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माम्रतात् ।। Om tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt I am trying to reach my 108,000 in this mantra. The Ganesha mantra was so much easier.   I suppose I feel honored that my teacher believes I can do it. I will take that feeling into my recitations today. Yoga schedules are  Being made for the next week.

In addition to teaching private sessions, I am now going to begin teaching a series of classes on Yoga beyond asana.  Currently, I am taking requests on the scope of the first series.  What would everyone like to learn? Also, if you would like to schedule a private, sliding-scale session-- please send me an email @ Cinnimin7@gmail.com. However, I accept payments in my mistressin@live.com account.

Well, I am back for another weekend of learning.  This module is on senior and otherwise adaptive yoga styles and it is very informative.  Last week, on my way to the greyhound station, I decided to walk through quite a long tunnel to see if I could manage it.  It's not really set up for pedestrians, but I thought I would try to save a few bucks.  All was going well as I huffed up the hill to the tunnel and I noticed that my heart rate was claiming at a steady-but not alarming-rate.  Upon entering the tunnel, I decided to focus on the steps in front of me and not the obscene smells and incredible lack of distance between me and whizzing, oncoming traffic.  About mid-point through, my breath got shallow and the vertigo started.  There was a tingle on my occipital ridge and my vision went fuzzy.  I knew what was next.  I had to decide if I was going to turn back, sit down or run like a crazy bag lady to the end. I kept my hand on my belly and...

On my way home from the Ayurveda workshop yesterday, I had an odd experience.  The lady who sat on the other side of the aisle way was about 80 years old or older and was traveling alone.  I noticed almost immediately that she had a shaking to her head and her upper body.  I tried really hard not to stare, but it was like a train wreck.  I kept wanting to touch her-to hold her hand or speak to her so that she would feel better.  Then, I realized the longing was much more selfish.  I wanted to feel better, and my mind was playing through all these scenarios to make me feel better.   I wish that I had some healing touch that would have helped her.  I don't rightly know if it bothers her as much as other people.  Sometimes, the good we desire for others is really alleviating our own pain and frustration.  I didn't speak to her nor did I touch her--but she touched me.

I am on the road again tomorrow.  Back to my next step on the road to becoming an RYT 500. I refuse to allow my medical hurdles to keep me from that lofty goal.  This module is Ayurveda, one of the oldest forms of disease prevention and curative practice.  There are not very many Ayurvedic doctors in the west, but I have a feeling that will change over time.  Since we are becoming such an Ama-filled nation,-- there will have to be subtle awareness brought to the nourishment we invest as it pertains to our natures. Watch that food go into your mouth.  Be grateful.

Are you working In a field that suits you?  Are you working just for money? Do you feel like you have to compromise your ethics to carry out your job? Are there many things that you are paying for--keeping you a slave to your job?   If you could down-size your life and work less--would you? Maybe time at work shelters your mind from your thoughts? Maybe you do not enjoy your home life and wish to escape. The less you carry with you(physical and mental)--the less you have to work to bear. Get rid of things that are not good for you.  Do not keep many monuments to the past or you will find yourself wanting to be there.  Do not hold many visions of the future, or the same will be said of it. Thoughts are things, and can be hoarded, too. Lighten your load.

Once you realize that this life is really finite and you have to make the most of every day you have -- there is an odd sense of peace involved.  Every second seems to slow down and the colors are more vibrant than they ever have been. The most simple tasks become a ritual and every day holds new meaning.  There is an added urgency to be kind to everyone -- including those you do not like.  The things you thought you wanted pale in comparison to the mundane joy in the familiar. अ॒सतो मा स॒द्गमय। त॒मसो मा ज्यो॒तिर्गमय। मृत्यो॒र्माऽमृ॒तं गमय॥ — बृहदारण्यकोपनिषत् १-३-२८ a̱sato mā sa̱dgamaya ta̱maso mā jyo̱tirgamaya mṛtyo̱rmā’mṛ̱taṁ gamaya — bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣat 1-3-28 “From delusion lead me to truth From darkness lead me to light From death lead me to immortality.”

Nice site for beginners

Now the waiting game begins.  My blood work is in, but they have made me an appointment in October to come and discuss the results of that panel.  ( the 10 vials of blood from 2 weeks ago.) The MRI has been sent to my neurologist and they have yet to set up a follow-up appointment with me.  I am assuming that it will be after the holiday.  Follow-ups used to be a courtesy of the doctor--and they used to be free--but not anymore.   I am focusing on my practice and my students at this time and trying not to worry about the tests or the money to pay for them.  My students are wonderful and they really are part of a larger scheme in the Path. I have found that balancing postures are a great help, because they seem to accentuate the moments of life where we are waiting for the next thing to happen.   In all things, the ability to sit with pain and make friends with it is hard-won, but make a difference. May all beings be happy an...

The test is scheduled and the anxiety is raising.  I have had several generous donors  to my findrazr so far and I am humbled and appreciative of the anonymous support. The Fundrazr Page I want to make a pledge to pay this forward in anyway that I can.  My plan is to teach yoga on a sliding scale and also to practice acupuncture in the same way.  I love people and I want to help them. The silver lining of all of this is that I can relate to those who have major tests on the wing and also those who have dealt with undiagnosed issues.  Compassion seems to be a trait that is earned through our own tears ... that we can appreciate the tears of another. One of my greatest fears is leaving this world with unsaid love in my heart.   Know this:  You mattered and you were loved-- fiercely.

I am reaching a new appreciation of people who have to get medical tests on a regular basis. I am going next week to have my brain scanned, along with my eye sockets. I have never had anything like this before, and I am a little nervous. The test is highly over-priced, and my deducible has not been met, so I have to pay for it out-of-pocket. The imaging center does not have a sliding scale for anything like I do, so I am going to place the bill on my credit card and hope for the best. I would appreciate all prayers, meditations and good thoughts you can send my way.  Who knows what is lurking inside my head? If you can donate, please do.  If not, please share the link.  All help will be remembered and appreciated. Donation Fund for my MRI I will try to post an image of the scan to this blog when I get it. My Yoga sessions will not stop during my treatment.  I hope that this experience gives me more depth to help all of my students. Namaste and Lo...

I have many students who are plagued with melancholia.  I think it has always affected many people, but has recently been marginalized into a small subset of 'Bipolar' disorder.  I am fairly certain that the new and possibly even heavier volume of the DSM is changing the title -- again. Many people (regardless of alphabet soup after the surname),  have postulated the possible reasons behind the disease.  Some range from genetics to parenting -- and now -- chemical changes within the brain.  It amazes me that not so many years ago, people would blame depression and mania and a score of other 'maladies' on the Supernatural.  It is possible.  Anything really is.  It could also be that a depression or melancholy is natural.  Humans cannot have happiness all the time.  There are several chemical reactions happening in the body at all times and we cannot control them all. Accepting that chain of events has helped me to deal with the tides ...

I want to have several options for my students, so I have devised a plan to incorporate regular classes, donation classes and trades.  I offer 5 donation classes per week, on a first-scheduled basis(according to individual need).  Once a month, I will trade a class for another service. (One total trade per month.). The donation classes are all after noon classes, i.e. 2-4pm on weekdays only.  Regular classes are scheduled starting as early as 8 am and as late as 8pm all week long.  For all classes I charge a 25 dollar missed appointment fee if I am not given 48 hours notice.  If there are emergencies, I will handle them on a case-by-case basis.  If you are a regular (non-donation) client, we can talk about package pricing to save money and reward you for being a consistent client.

I have been accepted and all I need to do now is raise the money for tuition.  I am teaching as much as possible and will be applying for a scholarship my second year.  There are no options for Freshmen, sadly. If you can donate to my school fund; I would be eternally grateful.  There is a donation button to the Right.  Whatever you can give is well appreciated.

Om tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt   New Mantra for me.  I have had a great deal of issues with it, but my last Mantra was elementary comparatively.  It means: "Three-eyed one, I meditate on you, who increase fragrance and nourishment. From powerful disease, bondage and death free us into immortality."  Sounds great to me.   

I am the proud recipient of my very own Mantra: ॐ गम गणपतये नमः Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha is the English 'transliteration', 'pronunciation' -- way to utter it. The meaning is more difficult to explain, however.  Ganesha is the 'remover of obstacles' in the Hindu religion, usually called on to help oversee any important undertaking.  Ganesha also is regarded as the entity who removes obstacles from our path.  Sometimes that obstacle can be a part of ourselves that is keeping us from growing further toward our goal. I am beginning to notice that other things, people and events have nothing to do with my progress.  I seem to keep putting my self in my own way.  I am also wondering if it is the same for others.

After getting my RYT-200, I decided to take a trip to DC/NYC to visit college friends that I had not seen in a very long time.  The hurricane (Irene) blazed up the coast while I was in NYC, so my stay was elongated while I waited on some mode of transport to get me home.  I finally paid more than I want to comment on a series of puddle-jumpers to get back home.  I have been home now for 13 days, and  have not secured a regular private client, nor have I found a Yoga studio that needs a teacher for the foreseeable future. I would love to be able to teach for free at this time, but my husband and I need a second income and I don not know if I have made a good choice in career changes.  I was working for a computer company -- selling computers-- and I truly was not happy doing that.  The money was good, but I felt like there was something missing from my life.  also, I was working so many hours that I neglected myself and all of thos...