GO FLAMES GO!!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Saturday, October 08, 2005
A MUSIC REVOLUTION: FORT MINOR - a dynamic between opposites
FORT MINOR - it's been a long time since I've been excited for an album to release and THIS is the SHIAT. Who better to lead the next music revolution then Mr. Mike Shinoda himself - one of the leads in LP.
Shinoda's rap roots have always had to share space with other elements-until now. Fort Minor is a wholly unique, unadulterated hip hop album, owing as much to Shinoda's polished lyricism as his musical adeptness. The variety of themes, styles, and moods he creates make this "side project" likely to do much more than simply satisfy existing LP fans; it threatens to expose Shinoda as a rap devotee who is as at home in hip-hop as he is in the cross-genre hybrid of Linkin Park.
The Rising Tied, the much-anticipated debut of Shinoda's Fort Minor, will be released by Machine Shop Recordings/Warner Bros., in Fall 2005. Executive Produced by Jay-Z (who collaborated with Linkin Park on 2004's Collision Course), The Rising Tied is produced and mixed by Shinoda, who wrote every track, played nearly every instrument and "slaved over every detail."
While Shinoda chose the name Fort Minor to reflect the dynamic between opposites - something big and strong vs. something small and slight (or musically dark) - the name of the album is also a play on words. All of the guest artists on The Rising Tied, says Shinoda, are coming up together in the music world. Among them are Machine Shop acts Styles of Beyond and Holly Brook, as well as Common, John Legend, Kenna and Black Thought (of The Roots), among others.
While remaining an essential shard in the mosaic of Linkin Park, the desire to create songs that resonated with his youth as a hip-hop producer and MC led Shinoda to write, then record, a progression of hip-hop-rooted songs. As they began to coalesce into an album bearing Shinoda's solo imprimatur, he also felt it was essential to keep it "organic," making his own samples and breakbeats with live instruments, and avoiding sequenced keyboards. The Rising Tied, channeling some of the signature dynamics and frustration of Linkin Park, reveals a more personal range of themes slagged inside a distinctly hip-hop crucible.
Not to say that it's an entirely homogenized collection. On the track "Believe Me," excerpts from a decaying relationship tremble over a seismic breakbeat, infused with Latin percussion and a cello-bass line that reflects Shinoda's love of classic rock. "High Road," bouncing to Billy Joel-like piano progressions, adopts a humorous tone even as it gives the finger to someone who once told him to "stick to keyboards, don't rap.
fortminor.com - check it out
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Other news today (besides the hockey) are these sexy new THUMP 2 form Oakley. Thump is basically the mp3 line where the mp3 player is integrated into the glasses. This time Oakley was smart enough by taking an already successful design (Gascans that Chras has) and throwing in teh same technology found in teh Ipod shuffle.... yes this adds to teh list of more things I don't need but good lord they are oh so sexy. With more agressive pricing, improved user design and larger flash capacity i can guess that this will be a holiday hit! Speaking of Ipods, besides the nano jsut releasing, Apple will be announcing something big on Oct. 12 - Speculation going around is a video capable ipod player - interesting. sorry for the lack in updates.... MAYBE I'll be better starting know though it is midterm week next week... blah... happy thanksgiving otherwise! peace - carl
Today marks another special day as teh puck dropped on seveal ice rinks today to mark the official start of the NHL season. Wahoo!!! With over 15 games running almost simultanesoulsy over about four hours, this studnet found it hard to get back to his 30 page essay that is due in a fortnight. How in the world did people do this back in April 04? Cause back then I was jsut doing the 9-5 at good ol Firto Lay nad had all the time in the world... now it jsut feels like guilty pleasure. Anywho, the Flame boys were back on the ice today away from home and against the Wild... let's just say their performance was not stellar but hopeuflly that was enough of a smack in teh ass to get their gear goin for the Blue Jackets on Friday - but seriously boys - we gotta use those power plays a little better to our advantage and kill those penalties a little better. Kipper can only stop so much but even he wasn't completely on his A game tonight... nevertheless it was amazing reviving those feelings by screaming at the TV and once again and proudly showing my beat up flames car flag and looking for other while driving to work and to school. Though with gross gas prices these days, I can't exactly display my triple attack of flags on my car cause the drag is unbelievable - maybe just once in a while. Flame on boys, Flame on. GO FLAMES GO!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Well... it's been awhile since I have blogged but I'm at work waiting for this machine to finish up this peptide so.. why not! Past few weeks have been crazy with this careers day crap and all.. I hope the team's not getting burned out.. cuase I am haha! oh well, the event is about two months away! then freedom! so the dilemma here is that stoopid MCAT... aurrrgggggghhh .. i have to write it one more time but there just hasn't been anytime... stoopid test.. I HATE it ... still deciding whether I should register late or not... I just want to ace that verbal section but I'm so laaaaazy!!! so the past month so so saw camping and Stampede and they were both awesome but very tiring... I know we all keep saying this - but yes we ARE getting old... ugh. Anyways other than that nothing else too exciting, Summer course is coming up in on Aug 3 and is up at Kananaskis until the 12th. Hopefully it will be fun.. it should be - collecting nasty insects and all... yea bio.....haha.. oh crap back to work! well that we a crap ass job... Anyways check out the Careersday site and the awesome intro Sam pulled together for us! Isn't he amazing? why.. yes he is! peace out
Sunday, June 19, 2005
It's Faja's day today! and good thing the weather cleared up too! It's been like Vancouver for the past fdew weeks and they even had to evacuate 200 people cause the Elbow and the Bow is flooding everything. It was funny cause Steve was drivin on Deerfoot after Father's Day lunch today and kept going "holy shit lok athte golf course! It's completely under water!" and then the car would start to drift between two lanes as he stares. Yes that heppened a few times cause there are a few golf courses along Deerfoot and yes a few of them were buried under the water... but shouldn't be anything to get myself killed haha. But anyways we went to Cochrane for some ice cream in ma dad's pimp mobile (the first time Caren and I have been in the benz!), let's jsut say that car is so smooth it's dangerous cause ALL of the passengers are knocked out! Even my dad was falling asleep at the wheel (pulled over and let me drive then). Let's jsut say the V8 is a little crazy... though the car is a little heavy but it's so smooth that it fells like you're going 30 km/h when travelling at 80 km/h. haha. haven't taken a family pic lately and what better time on a bright sunny day scarfin on som ice cream? peace out!
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Sunday, May 22, 2005
and the Dictionary comes out.
Good lord... maybe I should read over and edit my posts before submitting them. Lesson kids is to always edit before submitting things. So many spelling and grammar errors in my blogs.
Monday, May 09, 2005
Spring Summer : what's in store
Well last week was my first week at Eve Technologies and working with Mark has been pretty sick! I have realized how much immunology I have forgotten and I have to hone down on teh lab skills once again... by the end of this I hope to be pro at this lab stuff haha.. things are pretty coo and last week went by pretty fast. The only thing that sucks is I lost my Dartboards somewhere in Health Sciences so now I'm scouring the web for another pair. yup so that's that.
Today was mum's day and it was pretty coo.. mom attended a class I was teaching for the first time and it was nice to have that. I played the transitions CD with the sounds form teh womb and gave popel an extra long savasana so that good.. class was good and had lots of people ask me questions... which brings me to last Friday where I had one of my student's cry for the first time in my class. I was playing a track from the Gladiator soundtrack and I guess she really connected with it and started tearing up in corpse pose. sweet. but yup gigs are going good and subbing lots.. so they are a good source of income for now and i don't want to lose that aspect. just want to keep teaching and learning more. But yes, after that went to this baby party with mom and then went to market to shop.
It was wierd cause I kept runing into Bins all day today.. first at the baby place and then Market Mall... hah ait was funny going "Sabina, meet my mom, Sabina"... how often would you run into two SABINAs in one day?! Hardly ever! and got a chance to bother Theresa Ma too... haven't seen that girl in awhile and still lookin amazin.
today was also Jean's birthday and Jessica Shainks little get toegher before she moves to Melbourne! wow I envy her.. maybe she'll work at the lululemon there too... sweet.. I think I'll apply to work there soon.. they seem like an amazing company to work for and maybe I can learn a thing or two. mom keeps telling me to franchise in hong kong and sam tells me I should franchise in New York.. SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES - SO LITTLE MONEY... damn it! haha. Also ran into Jeremy Wilcox, old buddy from MGIS as works at lululemon too.. wierd. I haven't seen that guy for a year and a half and seemed to be the most unlikely place I would see him. He's one of those older sexy mofos that made the group look good haha - it was great to see him at Jess's thing too and nice to catch up.
Saw my first NEW episode of Family Guy today too. it was odd cause I was funny like hell and I expected it to be funny like hell, so I didn't i would laugh as much as I did. Does that make sense? not sure... but woohoo... I'm in love with Mrs. Lockheart now. Ha ha ha
Mrs. Lockheart: "Chris what do you see?" (as she holds up his test paper by her enormous breasts as she bends down to talk to him)
Chris: "Ummm.. two D's and an F."
hahahahahahahaha - classic
well that's ma lazy update for now
peace out
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
VAN CITY 05! Oh such a sight!
well... here's my two night getaway marking the beginning of summer before work, teaching and school that starts up again in Cow town... so my last minute trip was awesome and thanks to Rob's hospitality - the trip was smooth and flawless! Just want to say a big thanks to my beautfiul friend and she too inspires to live a lifestyle like her's one day too! The following pics jsut depict in a nutchell what hapened from the morning of April 30th to the morning of May 2, 2005. peace out! - c
Well.. Rob's friends phoned her up and wanted to go to this trashy "white" bar called wild Coyotes.. though there were more asians in there I thought.. but here's Allyn (I think that's how you spell his name.. pronounced "allen") brought his friends and supposed his friend works for the same company that is DJ-ing the event... pretty sweet.. nice guy cuase he picked us up and then drove our drunk asses home afterwards
Well... Sunday we had plans to hit one of the Yoga studios.. but we were about 10 mins late and they closed the doors on us.. boo.. Emily even had to drive super far to get to it... and having a major international marathon go on that day through the city didn't help either haha.... so Rob and I decided to head to Kitsilano beach and read and tan while Em went to get ready for a party. the day was quite nice and lots of people out on the beaches. Sweet.
This was dinner before the concert... Ooh lets beat Vera's Meat... ha ha... didn't realize I cut out some words.. rpetty sweet.. but it's a famous burger bar in van city and lcated a few blocks form Rob's. My burger had 6oz beef and a fried egg in it.. rob had a sandwich with three layers of bacon... good god...
M5 concert... this was Rob's first! so I got to de-virginize her and I thought it was apprpriate to bring her to this one. The pic shows The Thrills... haven't heard of them? .. we'll neither did I until they mentioned they were one of the bands showcased on the O.C. after that.. teh applause got louder for them and there were more cheers... ah yes.. them.... haha it was wicked.. there was this one moment where behind the curtain.. this guy who just looked like some ordinary stage curtain guy played the tamborine and the morrocos at specific parts of their songs... sort of to the effect of having your accountant be your doctor.. it was pretty funny,. good eyes Robby! This is the second half of M5's Honda Civic Tour... the first half.. the openers were Phantom Planet.. the group that plays the intro to the O.C. wow look at all the references
Maroon5 - Adam Lavine, lead singer performing, dun't know what song but the seats were pretty good considering I got them 2 days before the show. we could see tings behind the curtain and a lot of the people in our section ran down to the rails just at the bottom of our rows to give them high fives when they "left" and came back for the encore. Rob said the girl that was sitting beside us was like "omg he touched me, I am never washing my hand" kind of deal.. pretty funny actually...M5 rocked the house and are wicked live.. there were these three macho guys in front of us acting all cool for the first half and by theend of it they were standing up and bopping to the music... maybe they were convinced when they started to sing Highway to Hell... not sure... I rank this concert number two as Linkin Park still remains number one on my concerts attended list... next is The Killers and Janet due to realy shitty seats.... well Green Day in three weeks... we'll see how that one goes!
Friday, April 29, 2005
The Killers - Vancouver - Maroon 5
Well I haven't posted in awhile cause I am jsut enjoying my time off waaay too much.. My summer's has been six days in and this entire week has felt like a weekend... what the hell have I done? not sure.. but a hell o fa lot of yoga ha ha.... so last minute I decided to go To Vancouver to go visit my beautiful friend also known as Robin Ng also known as Bar Star - that and Maroon 5 is playing on Sunday and it would be nice to see them live though Phil did say they sound like the CD as he saw them in TO. Oh well... we'll see! Wednesday Anne and I saw the Killers and they were sick! though they too sounded like their CD but they've only got the one album out and this is their first tour so i'll give them that. it was funny cause Anne and I were near the front of the crowd and when we got to the merchandise table... all the good t-shirts were already sold out! Don't these people keep these things in stock.. or are they saving them for bigger cities? My goodness.. that was a disappointment... but the concert wasn't.. though mose of the time we were contemplating and finding ways to cheat the system and sneak onto the floor. i wish I had a bigger set of balls cause we could have during the transition between the opening band (tegan and sara? if you go to mtv.com these girls are very unattractive, and they said they grew up in Calgary - figures) and the Killers. Darn it! oh well the concerto was wicked nevertheless and so glad they ended with "All These Things That I Have Done".... that song's da bomb! But yes now off to Van... I was actually suppose to go out yesterday.. but the flights were all oversold and my sister couldn't understand why - then I told her must be because finals are over the same day and all the kiddies are going back home. - long and behold I was right... there was this group of girls all wearing the same thing and pink fuzzy slippers... we didn't get it... but they looked comfortable... there was this one girl that had one of those ultra soft pillows (like the ones jeannie and clara bought in vegas that have toxic beads in the them) strapped to her suitcase and made the suitcase look like it had boobies... quite hilarious during the moment.. but yeah anyways my sister ended up gettin the last seat as she ditched me cause she had to work a hong kong flight the next day. thus, being desperate, i bought a one-way to vancouver and i am now booked on the flight sat morn... though now my trip ended up being $150 more expensive than anticipated... god you would htink airlines would be happy to fill those last few seats.. no.. they like to gouge you as much as possible even if they were empty seats... and why doesn't Westjet have standby?!?!? god ... stupid airline... and why is aircanada always sold out??! their fares are so expensive.. then again westjet is $3 cheaper... so they ain't that much better... so tmrw in vancouver I have NO idea what I will be doing to entertain myself as Rob has to drive her fam around.. but I plan I doing a little Yoga tour and chekcing out the studios and maybe doing a few classes since the city is thriving with them... i'm gonna try this bikram yoga stuff.. the yoga you do in a sauna... sounds intense... well at least I'll be wicked skinny ha... anyways peace out and i'll post when I get back.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Faking It: Yoga
I decided to post this artcle from dose.ca
Ben Carrozza
Dose
Everyone’s talking about it—now you can, too. We’ll give you the basics on all the hottest topics and help you fake it until you make it.
This week we're faking on Yoga.
With everyone from MADONNA to corporate CEOs to baseball pitcher AL LEITER (?) saying how awesome it is, Yoga is everywhere it seems. And there’s you not knowing a thing about it. Read on to sound like you know what you’re talking about—maybe even throw in a British accent like MADONNA, people love it.
Looking hot is a side effect, only: Despite what that creepy STING will tell you, the original and only purpose of yoga was to experience spiritual enlightenment.
So, it doesn’t have anything to do with yogurt? In the ancient language of India, the word yoga means "yoke" or "union," describing the melding of mind and body to create a greater connection with one's own soul in its purest state.
The Other Sutra: The sage PATANJELI has been credited with writing the Yoga Sutra, a 2,000-year-old treatise on yogic philosophy. A collection of 195 statements, the Sutra provides a kind of philosophical guidebook for dealing with the challenges of being human. Keep in mind that there were obviously a lot less challenges two millennia ago.
It’s not just called yoga? Most classes you’ll find in the western world teach one of the many types of hatha yoga, a physical discipline which focuses mainly on asanas (the funky postures and stretches) and breathing in order to prepare the body for spiritual enlightenment. For the record, self-molestation is not a spiritual pursuit.
Yup, a tree: In ancient India, yoga was often compared to a tree, and the six schools of yoga its branches. Hatha yoga is one of the six branches; the others include raja (meditation), karma (humilty), bhakti (devotion), jnana (wisdom), and (everyone’s favourite) tantra (ritual).
The part you’re most likely to remember: Tantra yoga is probably the most misunderstood or misinterpreted of all the yogas—the Goth baby sister of the yoga family, if you will. Tantra is the branch (remember the big ole Yoga tree?) focusing on ritual, which includes consecrated sexuality. The word to focus on here is "consecrated," which means to sanctify or set apart as something holy. In tantra, the student is to experience the Divine in everything they do. Ironically, although tantra has become associated exclusively with sexuality (thanks, STING), most tantric schools actually recommend celibacy. Suddenly not-so interesting, huh?
What’s all the sweating about? You might think the steamiest yoga is that tantra one, but the truly “hot” yoga is Bikram. Bikram yoga is a series of asanas performed in an extremely hot environment—somewhere around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This apparently helps prevent injury from overstretching (but not the embarrassment that goes cheek-to-cheek with ass sweat). The heat is meant to replicate India's climate, and promotes sweating, which in turn (according to Bikram’s humble creator, BIKRAM CHOUDHURY) helps move the toxins out of the body.
Never have your handshake trumped by an esoteric Eastern bow again! Before you head out into the world all plump with yoga goodness, you’ll need one final thing: Namaste. Namaste isn’t some kind of Indian soda or some new way the kids are saying “nasty,” it’s a bow of greeting. The gesture Namaste is one’s acknowledgement of another’s divinity. The word breaks down as: "Nama," meaning bow, "-as-," meaning I, and "-te," meaning you. So it literally means "I bow to you." To perform Namaste, place the hands together at the heart, close your eyes, and bow your head.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
well less than one week of school and it will be ALL OVER! well for this semester that is. Haven't posted anything for a while cause the last three weeks have been GROSS. Anyways gotta bet back to the projects but saw this the other day and I jsut laughed like an idiot by myself in my room. you should try it sometime.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Some thoughts to share with my fellow yogis and yoginis,
Today was both day of sadness and celebration. Today was our Yoga Teacher Training Graduation day and the past six to seven months have completely transformed my life. Many people have seen a change in me and I hope it was for the better. I thank the congratulations from my friends and the growth of strength of my ties to my family and friends because of the practice. I thank the 20 others who have joined me on this journey and I will miss these gatherings of pure learning and enjoyment. I thank Tracy Mann and Lerrita Rubinoff, our all-inspiring and all wise gurus, for their heart warming teachings, unconditional love and laughter. I thank the joyful moments we all shared (as well as the “not so good” Five Tibetans where dinner almost came back up!) I thank those who have opened my mind by sharing their world of books, music, wisdom, spirituality, food secrets, teachings, experiences, friends, family, stories and love. I thank the clarity of where my life is and wants to be from the practice that I love and I thank the time with both myself in meditation and the time with others in class. I will miss spinning in circles and laughing until I feel like barfing, doing leg lifts when Lerrita keeps saying "half-way" when she already said it five times already, visits to Bhuddist temples and the noble silence and thinking about pain pain pain pain pain pain pain, the silly headstand/handstand workshops with Beverly, Jessica and Tracy, the yoga nidra sessions with Tanis, our karma classes on Sundays, the boys conversations in the change room, the spilling of water in my bag and drying my sweat pants in the women’s washroom hand dryer with Lindsay keeping me company, the Savasana sessions with Lerrita and the Transitions womb music, the Muladhara jokes, the readings from Phil’s son’s book, the meals we had together at the Hindu society, the being locked out of the studio desperately trying to get back to class when everyone else was in yoga nidra, the lunch we had in the park, the gatherings we had at second cup, the walks to closed sandwich places, the adventure just to go for some Starbucks, the paintings from Rob around the studio, Beverly’s circus stories and Starwars analogies, the anatomical and Sanskrit quizzes, the confident and utter recitation of the Gyatri Mantra and the mumbles and the muffles of Om sahanaa vavatu Sahanau bhunaktu because most of us didn’t know it, the 101 Sun Salutations and the winning of the free yoga mat!, the making fun of my old Nike mat, the videos during lunch time, the taking of turns reading the manual, the meditation sessions where Lerrita would catch me “fishing”, the making fun of my long arms, Tracy's adjustment demonstrations like pushing the head down in downward dog and his talk on anatomy when most of us are clueless what he is talking about, and Tanis and Shelly’s demonstrations of those adjustments and the red death grip print on Shelly’s shoulder. I will miss Lisa, Alana, and Stephanie's greetings in the mornings, Tanis's anatomical forward flexion modeling for the class, Shelly's infectious laugh that makes me laugh and makes me ask “what are we laughing about?” while laughing, AJ's inner-child and our “study sessions”, Florin's jokes and computer remedies such as throwing it against the wall, Phil & Michelle & Lerrita's stories about their kids and the reflection of that unconditional love when they talk, Chauna’s love for art, Greg’s crazy sweat and fancy toques, Cynthia's smiles and colourful clothes and her connections to wonderful teaching opportunities, Michael's soulful cooking that is oh so so good, Rose's crazy knowledge of Sanskrit, Janet's energy lines, Nikki's Nike Mat and crazy breathing exercise, Brenda's amazing energy, Sara's ER stories, Tom’s demonstrations (my long-humoroused brother), Rob's heart and gentleness and his “running your hands down as though they were running through fur - ooh yeah” sun salutations, Starla's tears of joy after the savasana with the Transitions womb music, Jan's advice as we partnered and taught the seated postures for the first time, Sabrina's crazy looks she gives me when I say things that don't make sense when I'm teaching and her parking meter incidents and Jodi's pregnancy and baby stories. I will miss the opportunities with Julie going to Macs to buy our "fancy" lunches and sharing a laziness of packing for them as well as her unconditional care and her most soothing voice when teaching; her unconditional smiles of acceptance from the first time I met her. I will miss Lindsay's stories about Dhillon and couch stuffings up her nose, getting me addicted to things like snow peas, Green's plus, and Tazo Chai with Soy and an excuse to go to Lululemon to visit her then coming out of the store with a hole in my wallet. I will miss Lerrita's motherly voice in her mantras and the sweaty hugs I'll give her after class. I'll miss waking up at 8:30 am on the weekends and head to a place full of friends and people I see as family; a place where the smell of sweet incense brings an immediate humbleness and inner balance; a place where I feel I can leave the reality of the world behind and feel an enormous security and safety; a place where time stands still; a place I can call my third home. I remember the first class of training that I attended - I came in late and Lerrita said “Namaste” and the whole class looked over in my direction. However, what stood out about that class was when Lerrita described what yoga meant to her - she said to her, yoga was preparation for death. At that time I laughed on the inside and thought, “you gotta be kidding.” After leaving today, I can at least say for myself that if death decided to knock on my doorstep, I would enjoy the best Savasana ever.
om shanti shanti shanti
Namaste
Your forever long-armed friend and brother,
Carlson
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Yoga in a Nutshell - my handout!
A Little on Philosophy
Sanskrit - from India’'s ancient religious texts, gave birth to both the literature and the technique of yoga. The word yoga has several translations and can be interpreted in many ways; one of these is “to put to active and purposeful use.”
Yoga has come to describe a means of uniting, or a method of discipline.
A male who practices this discipline is called a yogi.
A female practitioner is called a yogini.
The discipline of Hatha yoga- the physical aspect of yoga - was developed as a vehicle for meditation; Hatha yoga prepared the body (especially the nervous system, for stillness, creating the necessary physical strength and stamina that allows the mind to remain clam).
Ha - “sun” and Tha - “moon” has the common interpretation of union of the pairs of opposites.
Four Kinds of YOGA
1) Karma Yoga - one of the supreme yoga. It is selfless yoga, the path which the mind is very quickly purified. This yoga is for the active person who enjoys helping others. If we could see the importance of giving, we would never spend a day without it! (Mother Theresa of Calcutta was a Karma yogini but also a Bhakti yogini as well)
2) Jnana Yoga - intellectual, philosophical yoga. Most difficult as the mind has to be clear in order to fully understand it.
3) Bhakti Yoga - yoga of devotion and surrender. Develop compassion and right understanding about other traditions and faiths. Can be done through mantras, music, prayers, or stories about religion. There are many mantras on yoga, but the most powerful mantra is OM. OM is the symbol of all mantras.
4) Raja Yoga - the supreme yoga of scientific path and mind control - two facets. One facet of Raja yoga is Kundalini yoga - the awakening of supreme wisdom or knowledge. Under Kundalini is Hatha yoga (Asana). Ashtanga yoga (8 limbs or 8 paths) is the other facet of Raja yoga. Following the 8 limbs step by step in order to get the benefits of Raja yoga. Raja is also called the King of Yoga; raja (king)
Benefits of Yoga
- if you are new to the practice, rapid changes in the body and mind are soon experienced and benefits appreciated when all of the yoga techniques are harmoniously combined (8 steps - Ashtanga)
- IT IS COMMON for beginners to experience at different times any or all of the following: headaches, aching muscles, pain, nausea, anger, anxiety, grief, breathless, confusion, and tiredness - these are symptoms of physiological and emotional discharge and detoxification.
- Equally you can expect to gain rapidly from the following physical and psychological benefits: flexibility, strength, stamina, better respiration, better concentration, tranquility, better digestion, vitality, alertness, self-confidence, self-esteem, open heart and more happiness!
- Physical benefits: the postures (also known as asanas) help tone the nervous system, improve circulation, release tension and increase flexibility.
- Mental Benefits: improves concentration, develops internal happiness and contentment, aids in overcoming depression, develops wisdom, and guides a proper way of life.
- Spiritual benefits: since yoga is a complete system for the body, mind and spirit, it will help you see your own individual spiritual path clearer; enabling you to devote yourself to a higher degree to whichever religion you choose to practice if you do choose to do so.
“HEALTH IS WEALTH, PEACE OF MIND IS HAPPINESS, YOGA SHOWS THE WAY”
Swami Sivananda
5 principles constitute the essence of the teachings of yoga:
1)
Right exercise - Asanas: our physical body was meant to move and exercise. Lifestyles should promote the natural motion of muscles and joints.
2) Right breathing - Pranayama - controlling the breath, breath deep, slow and rhythmic.
3) Right relaxation - Savasana - “corpse pose” - TOTAL relaxation, one of the most challenging asanas. This will increase your energy level and carries away worries and fears. Usually done at the end of the series to close the practice.
4) Right diet - Satva - based on natural food - yoga advocates a vegetarian diet. The diet keeps the body light, the mind calm giving high resistance to disease. Helps practice Ahimsa -non-violence.
5) Right thoughts - Meditation - we become what we think. Should exert to entertain positive and creative thoughts. The mind will be brought under perfect control by regular practice of meditation.
Pranayama (Breathing) - Prana (life source, energy) yama (death)
UJJAYI - the VICTORIOUS BREATH
o Specialized breathing technique used throughout practice
o Create a soft sound in the back of the throat while inhaling and exhaling through the nose only.
o Allow the air to swirl around the back of the throat before continuing its journey to the lungs.
o The swirling action is what creates the unique sound which has been described as wind in the trees, a distant ocean, or the less poetic but common reference - Darth Vader.
o Technique:
§ Sit up straight
§ Take a full inhale through the nose
§ Exhale through the mouth with a soft sound of “Hhhaaa” as though you were whispering. Feel the air swirl in the back of the throat.
§ Take a few breaths like this then midway through an exhale, close your mouth and let the air continue exiting through the nose.
§ Practice it a few times
§ Once you can create the sound while exhaling, gently smile while inhaling and create the same swirling sound as the exhale.
§ With practice, you will be able to utilize ujjayi without any effort at all.
CHALLENGE 1) take 5 minutes out of your day each day of the week to meditate and focus on yourself. Sit comfortably in a cross-legged position in a quiet space and concentrate on your ujjayi breath. Calm the mind and clear all external thoughts - do this by focusing completely on the breath: listen to each inhale and exhale. After that, feel free to take another five minutes in Savasana (total relaxation, surrender yourself to calming the mind and body - but don’t fall asleep!)
CHALLENGE 2) Practice Karma yoga as much as you can! Remember this is selfless yoga. Enjoy helping others; there are many ways to give; you can give your work for the benefits of others, or you can just give a smile and make someone’s day full of joy!
Little Grasshopper....
WOW! Today was my first teaching of a registered class I can call my very own!.. I have two classes a week, one is on Wednesdays at 8 and the other is Friday at 8. in total about 25 students all together. I'm just shocked how easily Cardel hired me even though I didn't officially apply for the position, and I have no CPR, no first aid, and I'm not even done my certification course yet. It was literally, call, talk for two minutes, and then "you're hired!... can you start in two days?" Hence I immediately responded "sure!" i don't know what it was but usually i get nervous and all and go "oh i don't know.. maybe... umm...hmm... can I... get back to you later" and beat around the bush some more... so what does this mean? i'm not sure yet... but I love yoga - and very very slowly , the practice is changing the perspective my life is taking on... I'm starting to discover the path I want to take and boy am I excited! it was funny actually cause yesterday I had a meeting with my "guru" Tracy Mann who owns Yoga Passage, my third home (actual home being one, school being two, and the studio being three), but I think three will or probably, or has overtaken two... though I have been at school for FIVE freakin' years... it's hard to admit that... but I digress... anyways.. takling to Tracy.. I was like "WOW," this guy knows so so much... there are poeple that you meet in life that you know right away you would want to be around them as much as possible, and Tracy is one of them. There's just something about these king of poeople that make you want to be around them as much as you can.. to learn as much as you can about them and their experiences and to just share in their amazing energy. I have been fortunate to have met so many people in my life that emanate such an amazing aura - ESPECIALLY in the last year. People at school, work, AIESEC, Yoga and also re-discovering and appreciating those family ties I have in Calgary... I whole heartedly appreciate and respect each and everyone that brings a smile to my face (and trust me... that's A LOT of people). Again I digress.. but Tracy.. wow... i fell in love with his studio and his staff back in June.. that's when I started to do Ashtanga full time (so more than 4 days a week... now it has become a standard six)... but then I took teacher training with him... and everytime we spend time with Tracy and Lerrita... the training goes by so fast because we ALWAYS get caught up in what they have to say. I could just sit and listen to them talk all day and would seriously die a happy man. Thank goodness I have met them in my life and they truly hold a special place in my heart. I can definately say they have changed my life for the better - not that it was all that terrible before... but now I can say I am much much happier with life in general. Anyways,this supposed half hour meeting with Tracy to discuss me teaching this new course and what advice he can give.. turned out to be an hour and a half (though I'm sure it could've been longer if it weren't so late).. and we just started talking about his experiences with his past and business endeavors and talked a little about me. What I find so astonishing all the time is how easily I can see myself in Tracy's position someday... from a credential point of view.. well he has three degrees.. .and I'm completing my two... he's waaay into the physical activity back then and now.. and so am I ... and well.... I don't know .. I just can't explain it... everytime he teaches... I can definately relate... but I will say this. I know I will have the pleasure of owning and sharing a yoga studio one day with anyone and everyone... and that's how I want it...and that's where I will end up. However, it's still not clear where my devotion lies career wise.. but it will involve yoga. Well it's gettin late.. I'll update more later... Namaste!
Monday, February 21, 2005
I WON I WON I WON I WON!!!! THANK YOU IPODLOUNGE!
OH MY GOODNESS!!! I WON AN IPODSHUFFLE!!!!! THAT IS CRAZY.. I HARDLY EVER WIN ANYTHING!! First my Yoga May and now this!!! I tell you Buddy... good Karma... all those karma classes I taught and I better throw more money into that Tsunami Relief fund.... but anyways... IPODLOUNGE ROCKS!!!!! Hey check out the current contests... you can win tons of useful stuff....aights I'm out... how am I suppose to sleep now?... If oyu click on the above image.. it will direct you to ipodlounge and you'll see my username : Bigdaddyc69 - Calgary Alberta baby!!!
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Sure! I can tell you the price of...
I though tthis was pretty funny... buy we sure know how to retain the important information...
Teens know cost of Apples but not milk
Sandra Haurant
Tuesday February 15, 2005
British teenagers are experts when it comes to luxury gadgets, but know little about the cost of daily life, according to a survey published today.
A survey of more than 300 teenagers showed that while two-thirds could give the exact price of an Apple iPod mini, three-quarters had no idea how much a pint of milk costs.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Well it's another new year and another brand new slate. The traditions that my family goes through: dinner at grandma's (done), new clothes to be worn next day (where should I buy?), need flowers, must bathe in bath tub full of parsley, no washing hair, can't wear black or white, wear lots of red, and say gung hei fat choi to as many people as possible! Good Health and Good Fortunes everyone!
Gung Hei Fat Choy! Woohoo it's the year of the Cock.
The Year Of The Rooster
1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationship with others. They always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people¡¦s emotions like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox, Snake, and Dragon.
Well I saw a commericial on Chinavision today and I saw this ad for Vancouver's Shangrila, the new hotel/resort where you can purchase an apartment starting at 1.85 million. they start at floor forty and go from there.... my god.. I better run out to my bank account now and resreve a unit for me! one day...
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Well looks like today is SUPER BOWL 39. woohoo.. too bad I don't keep up on the old American Iron Grid. But what I do keep on on... is Seth Macfarlane's creations! AMERICAN DAD premieres tonight which should be pretty close to Family Guy... but new episodes whould be premiering too. Woo hoo... an't wait... and the TV watching begins again...
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