Gayatri Mantra

Posted on February 27, 2009 by carolyn

I was sooo excited about the poetry collection I began organizing Wednesday that I entirely forgot about posting a Thursday video. So sorry to those of you who have been enjoying the Thursday visual infusions.

I’ve been receiving questions from students regarding mantra, which I’ll try to field in more detail in later posts.In the meanwhile, here is a lovely video of mantra with one of my fav chanters, Deva Premal.

This is a beautiful rendition of the Gayatri Mantra — Though I’d be hard pressed to find ANYTHING by Deva Premal that was NOT beautiful. Here she explains a bit about her unusual growing up experiences to a group of girls at the cusp of womanhood.

Parents, you may find this supportive and inspiring because if you are reading this, you probably are already a bit out of the mainstream in your child-rearing practices.

If you would like to learn more about the Gayatri Mantra, wahidudden provides several other versions as well as several more translations. Here is a translation by Krishnamurti that he cites:

We meditate upon the radiant Divine Light

of that adorable Sun of Spiritual Consciousness;

May it awaken our intuitional consciousness.

May you find blessings in this powerful and sacred prayer!

Yoga Ethics 3, Non-Stealing, Asteya

Posted on February 24, 2009 by carolyn

Door from Malbork castle, Poland (RKG photo)

Even one life lived according to the third yogic principle, asteya, contains the seed of global transformation. Contrary to what contemporary culture would have us believe, greed is not written into our DNA.

Nonviolence remains at the core of the wheel of Yoga Ethics as codified by the Indian sage, Patanjali. Honesty, Non-stealing, Moderation and Non-Covetousness form the spokes of individual restraint. Practiced with whole-hearted effort, this wheel can turn humanity into a compassionate machine.

It is said that once the student is grounded in ahimsa, (nonviolence), the other practices fall into place naturally.

Nevertheless, contemplating the ways we can put the universal principles into practice in our twenty-first century lives, will afford us a deeper, happier, and in this case, a more just existence.

Sutra 2.37 says (trans. by Feuerstein, THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI):

When grounded in non-stealing, all kinds of jewels appear for him.

One fortunate aspect of the economic downturn is that folks are cutting back. It’s a necessary frugality that our parents had and it’s a benefit to the spiritual life of the society as well as our pocketbooks.

There are myriad opportunities to practice Non-stealing, and I’m including Over-Consumption here, in our rich world. One of the fortunate benefits of the global economic and environmental crisis is the burgeoning of a frugal mindset, once possessed by those who came of age during the Great Depression in the US. Simplicity is starting to go viral in the younger generations. As individual after individual begins to examine and then alter their consumptive habits, it won’t be long before this way of life is taken for granted. It is the only JUST way to live.

It would be beneficial if, TODAY, we each walked through the door leading to a simpler lifestyle and thought up at least one way we could lessen our carbon footprint, whether it be by delaying another trip to the store, walking to a friend’s house, or growing some summer vegetables in the backyard or on the rooftop. I’m going to place my canvas bags in the car so I will have them available when I go to the supermarket.

Recently my book group tackled Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s the story of how her family lived for one year as localvores. WHY did they do this? Several reasons, but a big one was to reduce the dependence upon petroleum products due to shipping.

I’ll never eat another meal or whip through a grocery store without thinking of the ramifications of where my food has come from. Living in a farm-rich area, I vow to make a bigger effort to find and procure food and other cottage products from local sources.

Asteya includes mentally coveting to the usual physically taking another’s goods — very Catholic from my perspective — since I was taught that I can sin in the mind. I never got off the hook! How often do I act unconsciously striving for GOODS GOODS GOODS. In this culture, contentment—the polar opposite of covetousness—is a tough garden to cultivate—asking myself the question, how much is enough? Because whenever I cross the border beyond my needs — I stray into using what another could have used—I steal.

The MEDIA does not advocate for asteya. For me, it is a continuous challenge to develop a “non-wanting” mentality. My parents definitely mastered this much more deeply than me or my generation.

Lake Erie stone (carolyn photo)

Swinging the discussion around to yoga practice and life in the typical yoga class, here are some questions that help deepen my thinking regarding asteya:

* When I am not paying attention in class, from whom am I stealing?

*When I arrive late for class, from whom am I stealing?

*When I miss practicing, from whom am I stealing?

*If I push beyond my safe edge, from whom am I stealing?

*If I don’t work at my edge in practice or in class,from whom am I stealing?

Carnival of HEALING

Posted on February 22, 2009 by carolyn

Elephant near Mysore, India (MGrady photo)

The well-respected 177th CARNIVAL OF HEALING was posted today by Pamir from Reiki Help Blog.

Intriguing work from a variety of blogs is showcased in several categories: Health, Healing-Transformation, Communication, Nonviolence, and Healing Energy Charged Art.

Pour yourself a cup of jasmine tea and head to the carnival to join in delicious, healing conversations. Who knows where you’ll end up?

You’ll find my piece on The first Yoga Ethical Principle: AHIMSA is there, as well as some tips for frozen shoulder, a provocative discussion on taking vows and much more to whet your reading appetite. Join the carnival atmosphere by chiming in with your own beautiful voice.

The world CAN be healed, don’t you agree?

Manifesting

Posted on February 19, 2009 by carolyn

Steven’s video is a little hokey, but I love the homemade quality. And I love watching him outside snowshoeing, since the weather here in Fredonia is conducive to a long white walk today. About the content though — what do you think? How much do we believe that we can effect events in our lives due to how and what we think?

I have a bumper sticker that quotes the Buddha: WHAT WE THINK WE BECOME.

bumper-sticker

Is there evidence in your life of thoughts actualizing? When does this NOT happen? Or do you think it’s 100% fool-proof?

How does yoga effect daily thought patterns? Does what you eat have any repercussions in your actual daily life or on what you think about? Are there other habits you can foster to improve your thinking, such as getting enough sleep, meditating regularly, speaking positively?

truth and beauty, are they all I need to know?

Posted on February 17, 2009 by carolyn

Dariel Woltz in Niralamba Sarvangasana

Thinking about how beauty and truth intersect. . . . .It’s a classic. Yoga poses are inherently visually striking when performed well. One of the rewards of teaching yoga is to catch a student in a pose that is BEAUTIFUL for him or her. Sometimes I must just stand back and clap in appreciation.

I’ll inevitably say “Now, THAT’S your pose!”

We all have this capacity for holding truth within us. Yoga teaches us to have a BEAUTIFUL life as well as a TRUTHFUL life.

Please spend some time WATCHING your teachers and your classmates as they practice/perform their poses. Let the BEAUTY and the TRUTH of the asana invade you and imprint upon you like your fav song lyrics. You know — the ones you hear and then can’t get out of your head! Asana can imprint upon you in just that way, if you invite it.

A few years ago, I was creating and conducting workshops on poems influenced by artwork, trying to inspire folks to marry the two fields in unusual and insightful ways. There are many poems now that use artwork as inspiration or that include their words in visual representations. There are entire collections wherein poets have used the visual arts for their MUSE just as there have been art shows focusing on WORD ART.

Here’s a poem I wrote a couple of years ago on the subject of truth and beauty. Thinking about Keat, of course — and please do listen to his poem read out loud using the link below my poem.

Beauty/truth

The sun rises

Every breath breathes

The heart drums

Legs lengthen

Eyes shudder

Truth is a bed in crumpled linen

A pillow limp from cranial weight

An open book flat upon the floor—

another page unread

Light flicks through dust motes and glistens

A cloud undulates in the bathroom

The towel damp on the rack

A night of nothingness dissolves

On the floor forgotten pajamas

Naked the day opens

Beauty is a bowl spoon and cup

ready on the wooden table

A coffeepot humming its routine

The mouth moistens

while sunshine pours

its sweet sauce through the shades

Do spend a meditative moment or two listening to a Fabulous rendition of Keat’s classic, Ode on a Grecian Urn. You won’t be sorry, promise!

award_art1

I’m still trying to figure out ways to make these blog awards meaningful to you, my readers. I will gladly entertain your thoughts on the subject. In the meanwhile, I’m following BlissChick’s lead – using them as a chance to highlight some of the blogs I’ve been reading and enjoying lately. These particular blogs have a BEAUTIFUL look to them as well as content-rich posts.

CULINARY BAZAAR – makes food look so good, my belly starts to growl just reading the recipes

YOGA, the MIND and CULTURE – a sister on the yoga journey with artwork that really highlights her posts and makes them even more arresting

CHANGETHERAPY - a blogger who covers a lot of territory on her blog and I find her posts enriching as well as beautiful beyond the surface. Hint: Take a peek at some of her Wordless Wednesday posts; I love them.

YOGA for CYNICS – an outrageous attitude that is uplifting without trying, or even wanting to be – has a knack for beautiful images too though I think he collects them from around the web

BUDDAOFHOLLYWOOD – a tender one with a flair for creating zen stories just when you need them!

Do you think that Truth is beauty and Beauty is Truth…do you think that THAT is all you need to know?

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

Posted on February 13, 2009 by carolyn

Laughing Yogini has been linked to a couple blog awards by the fabulous BLISSCHICK, my neighbor on the web. Just in time for Valentine’s Day XOXOXOXO What a perfect way to begin my warm and fuzzy journal!

The big blank book was sitting on my desk, waiting to be filled up with good stuff because some of us — and I won’t mention any names here, but you know who you are — need ways of reminding ourselves that we are as multi-faceted as any shimmering jewel. Now how YOGIC is this??? The point being that when we feel like crap — we also feel divine — somewhere.

The creation of the warm & fuzzy (or a COMFORT JOURNAL as virtual lifecoach diva, Jen Louden calls them) collection can then become a physical reminder that there always exists places, happenings,thoughts of beauty in our lives. These don’t go away just because we woke up feeling like a MACK truck and ran through the day like a MACK truck filled with cayenne-laced diesel!

In bloggy spirit, I am passing on these awards.

triple_awards-300x225 Here are the Rules for the recipients:

1. Put the logo on your Blog.
2. Nominate at least 10 Blogs that show great Attitude and/or Gratitude.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this Award by commenting on their Blog.
5. Share the love, link to this post and to the person from whom you received your Award.

SVASTI, A Journey from Assault to Wholeness

I’ll post on the art award tomorrow (gotta go teach now!). In the meanwhile, check out these cool sites by sisters journeying alongside you. And be sure to tell us what you find.

Shake, Shimmy and say Thank You, the Gratitude Dance

Posted on February 12, 2009 by carolyn

Today I am grateful for this wonderful globe of people I can connect with online —

Friends I am meeting and getting to know from earlier in my life as well as newbies from all over our green and blue planet

The worlds I am coming in contact with that are so far away and previously inaccessible to me

My totally awesome family — near and far — who can connect thanks to evolving technology

The gift of this website/blog in my life and the ability to connect with you, my beloved readers!

My little tiny home studio and my incredible students who class after class uplift me and teach me more than I ever thought possible

My teachers playing the stroke/ challenge balancing act when I need it

The piece of the universe I have been given in this life: my body,heart, and mind

And the spring – just being able to smell the warming earth yesterday made my life all warm and fuzzy. Thank you earth momma.

What are you grateful for today?

YOGA Ethics 2, Satya, Honesty

Posted on February 11, 2009 by carolyn

dandelion

Yoga Sutra 2:36: For one established in truth, the result fits the action.

Yoga Sutra 2:37: All the jewels appear for one who is firmly set in honesty.

Asteya includes intention behind all actions, speech and thought—not just truthfulness.

Most of the time I exist, unaware of my intentions. Yoga, however reinforces just how powerful intentions can be. Practice on the mat becomes a strong lesson in mindfulness that has begun to weave into my life off the mat. To become aware, truthfully aware of intentions is one of the most difficult lessons of my life. This means I have to deal with my blasted ego identity—yuk! who wants to deconstruct? Who wants to really admit that even when I think I’m being altruistic, I am simply feeding my ego!

Cormorants in Galveston Harbor 2008 (NateGrady photo)

TRUTHFULNESS: It’s a matter of communication — to myself and to others. It’s a way of looking at life from the perspective of “the real me” unadulterated by a lifetime accumulation of others’ voices, pressures, and agendas.

Am I truthful in my self-talk?

How can I change what I say to myself?

Do I honestly believe that what I say to myself will effect change in my perspective or actions?

What would help me speak more honestly in group situations?

What would give me courage to speak up about perceived injustice?

How often have I been silently dishonest?

Whose truth am I reflecting when I speak to myself or when I chat with my friends and coworkers?

How much does pride or previous damage inflicted shape my present speech?

Are there habits I’ve acquired which keep me in a state of dishonesty with myself or with others?

Have I noticed a deepening of a self-inquiry regarding the embodiment of satya?

Where and how do I support this practice?

Other than nonviolence to myself or others, is there anything more important for me to devote my life to at this very moment? How does dishonesty affect the eightfold path? What ties Satya to Astheya (generosity), Brahmacharya (energy moderation), or Aparigraha (abundance)?

25 Random thoughts about Laughing Yogini

Posted on February 8, 2009 by carolyn

dicentra in Fredonia NY (devin photo)

Since I’ve been tagged repeatedly by FaceBook friends, I’ve gotten the message that I should provide a little more “personal” type info. for my beloved readers! So here goes, round two of 25 random thoughts….

25 Random Thoughts about LaughingYogini

1. Practices asana as a form of prayer.

2. Tore her Achilles doing the “Energy” Yoga tape with Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden ….which she did every morning after the kids left for school and M. went to work….for a solid year…still remembers the “zing” in the back of her heel (1998 or so)

3. She and Mike spent their 25^th wedding anniversary at the London Iyengar Institute in an all-day workshop on standing poses.

4. Loves teaching college students (and younger!) because of their energy and willingness to go where they’ve never gone before!

5. Wishes her tummy was smaller so she could go deeper in several poses.

6. Is still waiting to get into full splits on the floor, lift into a complete backbend, do a headstand away from the wall, clasp her hands behind her back in gomukhasana…..hmmmm, the list goes on….but who really cares since she is alive and well and feels like a goddess in ardha chandrasana?

7. Worked intensely for 2 years with a meditation teacher with whom she no longer studies. She did however, ramp up her sitting practice AND learned a lot about herself in the process.

8. No longer publishes her e-zine CIRCLE YOGA. Laughing Yogini blog and website launched in May 2008.

9. Practiced a half hour of ujjayi breath every day for six solid months while grieving a family member’s illness and credits THAT to her own life.

10. While in legs up the wall pose, listened to Pema Chodron cds every afternoon for many many months.

11. Teaches seniors because they ROCK and they don’t hold back!

12.Will probably never become a complete and utter vegetarian, though she really does love her veggies.

13. Has always believed in a higher power…god, the goddess, the Self. The Great Spirit, energy, collective unconscious….you know what I mean. Believes that higher is within.

14. After returning from living in Mumbai, the entire family — parents and kids: 12, 11, 8 years old — practiced yoga on the living room floor following the suggestions of Richard Hittleman’s YOGA…for about a year.

15. Her back went “electrical” when F. tried to straighten her up in sarvangasana on the last day of her first teacher training! Not to worry, sometimes body parts need adjustments.

16. Gave each other yoga ropes for their 30^th wedding anniversary (2 years ago). These are now in the basement studio and add a lot of zing to their personal practice as well as the classes.

17. Researched in Light on Yoga by B.K.S.Iyengar how to help heel spurs after being told by therapist that she’d never be able to walk barefoot…she’d already tried most of traditional medicine’s treatments at that time….after practicing Supta Virasana regularly those pesky heel spurs softened!

18. Graduated from 2 separate teacher trainings. Really LOVED BOTH of them even though they were quite different from each other. Sometimes it’s not the “advanced certificate” that’s as important as much as the knowledge that can be absorbed.

19. Is not happy with what the x-rays said about her lower back (spurs, eburnation, bone on bone) BUT is determined to continue honoring the “sacred space in the lumbar spine” as Vanda Scaravelli says.

20. Wishes she would find time to read and reread all of the yoga and meditation books she has on her shelf.

21. Was born bow-legged. Once found a pair of her baby shoes with boards connecting them at the arches which were supposed to straighten out her legs, according to Mom Kieber. She’s still working on straightening those bones!

22. Wishes she were more photogenic so she could create yoga videos just the way she thinks they’d be instructive for her students…ahhh well, they’ll have to make do with podcasts….the oral tradition.

23. While she’s broadcasting wishes: she wishes she had a full and complete studio built over the garage! And …..she’d like to get some training with Tibetans!

24. Was first introduced to YOGA nearly 40 years ago in Mater Dei High School Yoga Club. Blessings on that sweet teacher, whoever and wherever you are today!

25. Has found a deep connection to her yoga kula: students, friends, teachers, online acquaintances. She’s grateful for the wellspring of support and love that she has found there and hopes to return the sweetness with every breath.

Video Thursday: stand by me

Posted on February 5, 2009 by carolyn

What is yoga, but a process of befriending your SELF? Can you sing this song….for yourself? Who is more honorable or worthy of your love and loyalty? I invite to sing along, connecting with all that you are as well as all that we are — and know that we are singing with you, supporting your path to wholeness.

BarefootAndUpsideDown

Yoga as coming home to the Self.

Monthly Archives: February 2009