namastehon

namastehon

44p

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9 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Lifelong Practice: 8 C... · 1 reply · +2 points

there are also many wonderful modifications to these poses that help newbies build strength in the right areas so one day the full expression of chaturanga or urdhva mukha svanasana can be performed; but any great teacher should also recognize that these "full" poses may always be out of reach for some due to old injuries, disabilities, or whatever. We should not become yoga nazis....

9 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Is it Gluten Intoleran... · 0 replies · +2 points

Those of you who say that eating organic is expensive, how expensive is your medical care from complications due to eating pesticides, herbicides, hormones, nutrient depleted conventional/industrially raised/grown food? You can transition away from industrial food by first reducing and eliminating processed foods from your diet and eating more fresh whole minimally processed foods (as in cook it yourself). Include plenty of healthy fats like ghee (butterfat, best sources are Pure Indian Foods and Ancient Organics brands, Organic India also has it now online) which according to Ayurveda help the body pull toxins out of the body's tissues and into the digestive tract for elimination.

I used to take multiple meds for asthma, migraine, and menopausal issues; I now take NO meds unless for a serious illness my "natural remedies" aren't helping with (like the acute bronchitis I caught this pass holiday season). I eat organic as much as I can but sometimes I have to take chances, like when I eat at my relatives' or at a restaurant (but I tend to favor better ones that feature local produce). Sometimes I do have a reaction to something and at those times I make kitchari or fast on broth and perhaps take probiotics until the pain passes....

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Donald Arrant Jr. of G... · 0 replies · +1 points

thank you for this interview. I also had a comment from the Ayurvedic perspective: a vegan diet, while it can be a healthy one for some, may not be appropriate for everyone - it IS a very good short term medicinal diet for those of Kapha prakriti with or without Kapha vikruti (nature from birth vs current state) as long as that vegan diet consists of vegetables and fruit and NOT from the highly processed/refined foods that underlie many cases of Kapha imbalance (diabetes, obesity, hearth disease, etc). Those who are Vata (the beanpole types who can't gain weight no matter what they eat or how much) should NOT be vegan long term (this doesn't mean they can't go veggie on a seasonal basis) as it's just too reducing; Vatas need more nourishing and heavy foods and may NEED animal products to keep them healthy. That said, Ayurveda also recommends a natural life for the animals so used - we take on the energy of what we eat so an abused animal gives us that abusive energy back.

This would also hold true for plants; a poorly raised plant (mono cropped, doused with herbicides and pesticides, grown in poor soil) yields poor nutrition. Properly raised medicinal herbs are also sung (chanted) to and "worshipped", planted at the right moon phase and harvested at the right moon phase for maximum benefit to us and least harm to these sensitive and sentient life forms. Many tribal societies recognized the life energy of plant, animal, and mineral - calling on their spirits to guide them, recognizing their sacrifice in supporting our lives. As we work together to eliminate the "factory farming" of animals we should also work together to eliminate the "factory farming" of plants and the wholesale destruction of our remaining wildlands in search of minerals, oil, and other things we exploit for profit.

We can't change our bad habits overnight but those who have made significant changes show us ways we can reduce our negative impacts on our world. We MUST change and more quickly, as we are destroying our home and ourselves with it.

OM Namah Shivaya!

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Babies born, Tic-tocs ... · 0 replies · +1 points

who was the musician on the video? love the fusion of Indian and flamenco music (I was once a professional flamenco dancer). and the shot of you in dwi pada shirshasana among the bananas is hilarious!

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Babies born, Tic-tocs ... · 0 replies · +1 points

I studied with Pattabhi Jois several times in NYC during his tours. I've been assisted by him, and some assists might be considered questionable by members of our extremely over-sexed, hyper-victorian society. I've been molested in the past, and I NEVER felt taken advantage of by Sri Jois even when he would place his hand on my buttocks in karnipidasana. I NEVER felt manipulated by him either, unlike the workshop I took with JF when he launched his Anusara "brand" in Maryland (which was populated mainly by out of town groupies who seemed to worship the ground he walked on, I just knew that wouldn't end well and it didn't).

I don't "need" a guru to worship, but the role of a true guru is to light the way out of darkness for the seeker, not to lead the seeker by the nose. Pattabhi Jois lit a bright candle, while JF took his seekers for a grand ride but he didn't grab any noses...

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Neil Degrasse Tyson: "... · 0 replies · +1 points

guess what Neil, YOU should be that preacher! I've seen you on the Daily Show (hilarious) and Colbert Report (ditto) and your intelligence, wit, humor, and passion make YOU the perfect Preacher of Science.

say hallelujah!

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Beautiful "Pots & Pans... · 0 replies · +2 points

wonderful to see this peaceful protest - leaders should really learn how to follow their constituents....

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - "Grow a brain before y... · 0 replies · +1 points

love it!

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - "John Friend Has Clear... · 0 replies · +5 points

everything happening now has happened before - just thinking of my friends and my first real yoga teacher who were once followers of Amrit Desai. His actions destroyed an insular community but enabled the Kripalu Center to arise from the ashes stronger than ever but with an openness and passion for innovation and service that was missing before.

May John learn what he needs to learn. May those who choose to stay part of his group keep their eyes open.

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - "John Friend Has Clear... · 0 replies · +2 points

I find this quite enlightening - I'm just starting to study jyotish, amazing that everything we are to face is written but we have the choice how to relate to our destinies.