OK this trip to India has been on my bucket list for awhile. It just so happens that Golden Bridge, the Kundalini yoga community I've been going to for over 10 years in Los Angeles and New York, will host a yoga/music festival in Rishikesh, India for 11/11/11. What is 11/11/11? Can I say it again?
11/11/11 is a bit of a phenomenon. It is the dawning of the Aquarian Age. I myself have been seeing the combination of the 11/11 numbers since 1999. I was a bit freaked out about it and kept it to myself for a long time. Then I noticed lots of other people see the 11/11 combination. In all honesty you can make it what ever you want it to mean. I did begin to notice when I came across seeing the 11/11 number combination I would feel a calmness inside me that said everything was going to be OK. I don't mind being a nut job about this 11/11/11 thingy, just wanted to share my upcoming journey to India to celebrate.
Below is a video about the 11/11 combination.
So with the combination of the 11/11/11 celebration and my love for the Kundalini practice I just knew I had to go to India. I did not necessarily enjoy Kundalini yoga at first until I was introduced to the gong. One day, Gurmukh, my first Kundalini teacher had us sit in easy pose, our hands held up high above our heads, waving in the air while a song played in the background. She said for all of us to sing Happy Happy Happy. I was like WTF? I'm a native New Yorker in Los Angeles waving my hands in the air, bitchin and moaning inside, singing happy happy happy. I was with my dear friend Haywood owner hair stylist extraordinaire of Trust Salon, West Hollywood, who kept looking at me from the corner of his eye without words screaming across my way, "Guuuurl. This is some crazy shit. Trust!" I whispered to Haywood, "Wait for the gong. It's all about the gong." It's actually not all about the gong, yet I am willing to do the work, the exercises and mantras to get to the gong. So worth it. A natural high. I always came home refreshed and willing to tackle life's challenges head on. It also helped me when I quit smoking. I did go to Nicotine Anonymous for support to quite smoking, yet in addition practiced Kundalini to help regulate my nervous system.
What is Kundalini?
"Kundalini is the creative energy within. The whole cosmos of energy in the individual and beyond the individual. It is the energy of consciousness. Without the constant flow of energy you could not live. With a large flow your mind begins to awaken. You stop living in imaginary realities and you become to feel the real joy of this life. According to yogis Kundalini is coiled up like a snake at the base of the spine. When Kundalini is awakened through the practice of yoga, it rises. This is called the Kundalini Rising."Happyyogi.net
I'm heading out to the plane now. I will share what happens along the way.
Below is a lovely song by my brother in law, Adam Cruz. He too was inspired by the 11/11 combination. Enjoy. Sat Nam!!
Adam Cruz - 11:11 by mixtapesessions
Showing posts with label awareness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label awareness. Show all posts
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Warriess is Goddess, Warrior and Healer - sign up for upcoming workshop in Brooklyn, NY
Sign up @ http://warriesshealherworkshop.eventbrite.com/
A warriess is goddess, warrior and healer. A warriess is aware of the connection between one's self and the cosmos and makes a conscious effort to heal the physical, emotional and spiritual body and cultivate physical and spiritual power for the benefit of family, community and humanity. A warriess heal-her is fit in body, radiant in spirit and integrated in mind. If your spiritual or physical power is suppressed or needs to be cultivated consider attending this intensive and informative workshop.
Space is limited to only 8 ladies.
In this 5 hour workshop, we will work on techniques to cultivate our power (physical, spiritual and emotional) as women and matriarchs. We will learn exercises to increase body strength to improve body image, learn techniques to heal our emotional and spiritual bodies and empower our selves by releasing our past and manifesting our future.
The modalities that will be explored in the workshop are:
• Pilates- learn core strengthening exercises and exercises to target problem areas of the body (upper and lowerabs, outer and inner thighs, butt and arms)
• Kundalini Yoga Set-Asanas (exercises) and Pranayam (breath work) to Transform and balance sexual energy and create muscular balance
• Kundalini Yoga Meditation for Prosperity, Fullfillment and Success • Martial Arts-Practical self-defense techniques in real life situations and spatial awareness for protection and empowerment
• Creative Arts Therapy-A group exploration of issues facing women today, a group exercise to release "that which binds you" and discuss concrete solutions to empower ourselves and create our reality Light beverages and snacks will be served.
Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan uses:
Asana (yoga postures)
Pranayam (breathing techniques)
Mantra (use of sound to alter thought patterns and brain chemistry)
Mudra (hand positions to channel energy flow)
Meditation (quieting the mind to promote mental clarity and self-awareness).
With this yoga, we break through the blockages in our charkas (energy vortices along the spine), alter our life condition and heal lifetimes of karma. This leads to a more fulfilled, integrated, and prosperous life.
Pilates is a series of conditioning, strengthening and stretching exercises that focus on core strength and the use of one’s own body weight. These exercises rehabilitate and prevent injuries. Creative Arts Therapy uses of creative expression (movement, music, drama, poetry, and art) to illicit suppressed thoughts, feelings and emotions which are then processed and integrated into consciousness.
Creative Arts Therapy uses of creative expression (movement, music, drama, poetry, and art) to illicit suppressed thoughts, feelings and emotions which are then processed and integrated into consciousness
Luz Emma Cañas M.A., Soma-Psychotherapist/Healer/Author, graduated with highest honors from the Chicano Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She was a Graduate Fellow in the Department of World Arts and Cultures, U.C.L.A., while attaining her master's degree in Dance Movement Therapy and Rehabilitative Exercise. Extensively trained in classical ballet and modern dance, she has taught Pilates for over fourteen years. She was certified at Golden Bridge by the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) in Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. She has studied Sufi Mysticism and Healing in the Shadhiliyya Sufi Path under the guidance of Sidi Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i as-Shadhuli. Most recently, Luz is researching the healing aspects of Capoeira Angola, a Brazilian martial art with African origins. Luz has worked with a wide variety of clientele ranging from pre-verbal children to recording artists and super models. She has led workshops on the mind-body interface at Columbia University, Harlem Hospital and for American Airlines. Currently, Luz is the founder and director of Rhythm and Breath, on-line donation based Kundalini Yoga & Meditation, and spiritual counseling. She is the author of two books, a parenting book, “Kinnecting: Healing the Difficult Child with the Creative Arts” and a book of Sufi Poetry, “Impregnated with Desire.” She is currently working on her third book, a collection of poems dedicated to her recently deceased beloved husband and Capoeira master Jorge Luiz de Souza Jesus (may his soul find a peace), “Divan of the Infidel.”
For more information: rhythmandbreath@gmail.com
Space is limited to only 8 ladies.
In this 5 hour workshop, we will work on techniques to cultivate our power (physical, spiritual and emotional) as women and matriarchs. We will learn exercises to increase body strength to improve body image, learn techniques to heal our emotional and spiritual bodies and empower our selves by releasing our past and manifesting our future.
The modalities that will be explored in the workshop are:
• Pilates- learn core strengthening exercises and exercises to target problem areas of the body (upper and lowerabs, outer and inner thighs, butt and arms)
• Kundalini Yoga Set-Asanas (exercises) and Pranayam (breath work) to Transform and balance sexual energy and create muscular balance
• Kundalini Yoga Meditation for Prosperity, Fullfillment and Success • Martial Arts-Practical self-defense techniques in real life situations and spatial awareness for protection and empowerment
• Creative Arts Therapy-A group exploration of issues facing women today, a group exercise to release "that which binds you" and discuss concrete solutions to empower ourselves and create our reality Light beverages and snacks will be served.
Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan uses:
Asana (yoga postures)
Pranayam (breathing techniques)
Mantra (use of sound to alter thought patterns and brain chemistry)
Mudra (hand positions to channel energy flow)
Meditation (quieting the mind to promote mental clarity and self-awareness).
With this yoga, we break through the blockages in our charkas (energy vortices along the spine), alter our life condition and heal lifetimes of karma. This leads to a more fulfilled, integrated, and prosperous life.
Pilates is a series of conditioning, strengthening and stretching exercises that focus on core strength and the use of one’s own body weight. These exercises rehabilitate and prevent injuries. Creative Arts Therapy uses of creative expression (movement, music, drama, poetry, and art) to illicit suppressed thoughts, feelings and emotions which are then processed and integrated into consciousness.
Creative Arts Therapy uses of creative expression (movement, music, drama, poetry, and art) to illicit suppressed thoughts, feelings and emotions which are then processed and integrated into consciousness
Luz Emma Cañas M.A., Soma-Psychotherapist/Healer/Author, graduated with highest honors from the Chicano Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She was a Graduate Fellow in the Department of World Arts and Cultures, U.C.L.A., while attaining her master's degree in Dance Movement Therapy and Rehabilitative Exercise. Extensively trained in classical ballet and modern dance, she has taught Pilates for over fourteen years. She was certified at Golden Bridge by the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) in Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. She has studied Sufi Mysticism and Healing in the Shadhiliyya Sufi Path under the guidance of Sidi Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i as-Shadhuli. Most recently, Luz is researching the healing aspects of Capoeira Angola, a Brazilian martial art with African origins. Luz has worked with a wide variety of clientele ranging from pre-verbal children to recording artists and super models. She has led workshops on the mind-body interface at Columbia University, Harlem Hospital and for American Airlines. Currently, Luz is the founder and director of Rhythm and Breath, on-line donation based Kundalini Yoga & Meditation, and spiritual counseling. She is the author of two books, a parenting book, “Kinnecting: Healing the Difficult Child with the Creative Arts” and a book of Sufi Poetry, “Impregnated with Desire.” She is currently working on her third book, a collection of poems dedicated to her recently deceased beloved husband and Capoeira master Jorge Luiz de Souza Jesus (may his soul find a peace), “Divan of the Infidel.”
For more information: rhythmandbreath@gmail.com
Friday, May 6, 2011
How to stop late Night Nibbling
Sometimes wanting to eat at night is only a reaction to an emotional discomfort. Pause before eating giving yourself enough time to consider what may be bubbling up inside you. To hold off a midnight snack attack, try this move.
Difficulty:Moderately Easy
Instructions
things you'll need:
•comfortable place to lay down
•bed
1
Sit up in your bed and extend your left leg. Bend your right knee.
2
Place your right hand at your side to balance and touch your left elbow to the outside of your right knee.
3
Hold for three breaths and switch sides. Continue to do this for at least a couple of minutes.
4
The twisting motion of this yoga posture is called Marichyasana. The movement functions as an internal abdominal massage that triggers the release of appetite-suppressing brain chemicals. Check out my other articles on more techniques.
5
You can also modify the position by doing it standing up and putting you right knee on a bench or high standing stool.
Tips & Warnings
•You don't have to completely touch your elbow or knee. The point is to twist the body to get the massage effect.
Difficulty:Moderately Easy
Instructions
things you'll need:
•comfortable place to lay down
•bed
1
Sit up in your bed and extend your left leg. Bend your right knee.
2
Place your right hand at your side to balance and touch your left elbow to the outside of your right knee.
3
Hold for three breaths and switch sides. Continue to do this for at least a couple of minutes.
4
The twisting motion of this yoga posture is called Marichyasana. The movement functions as an internal abdominal massage that triggers the release of appetite-suppressing brain chemicals. Check out my other articles on more techniques.
5
You can also modify the position by doing it standing up and putting you right knee on a bench or high standing stool.
Tips & Warnings
•You don't have to completely touch your elbow or knee. The point is to twist the body to get the massage effect.
How to make a lasting Impression
Make a lasting Impression Going to a job interview, first date or a meeting. Make your first impression during introductions go your way. Try the following to help you make a win win situation every time.
Difficulty:Moderately Easy
Instructions
things you'll need:
•confidence or at least act as if
1
Stand up straight. I have even used a support device which is made for men and women to help maintain posture
2
If you are sitting down still be conscious to sit up straight
3
Clasp your hands loosely behind your back.
4
Make direct eye contact. This shows that you are not afraid of the other person and want to engage.
5
Tilt your head to one side while listening.
6
Maintain a pleasant happy Smile on your face. Nothing forced. Remember you are being of service just by listening to the other person. This could be a thought that makes you happy as well.
7
Body language experts say the combination of strength (puffed out chest) and a subtle (inclined head) conveys interest, making you appear calm and competent.
Tips & Warnings
•Some people may find this engaging and some people may be overwhelmed that you are really listening to them or at least seem to be.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
11/11
Today is 11/11/10...one of my favorite number combinations. 11/11...What does it mean? Only what you make it. I've made it to mean for me awareness. When ever I see the number combination, I do view it as an alarm, a wake up call for something. I am aware of my reality. I am aware of my truth. I am aware of my purpose in the moment. I might catch it on the clock several times a day and night, because not all clocks are set precise so that's fun for me to have pockets of moments of awareness. I'm not aware every single second which is the goal...yet I am when I see 11/11. Here is some diddly to check out.
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