Tesa Celdran

En Route to Mysore

2012-02-04T21:38:00.000+08:00

How fitting that my journey to Mysore began as the Dragon rears its head for 2012, at the Manila Hotel.

Old Man Buddha decorates my appetizer plate at the Mabuhay Palace.

With friends Eves, Sen, Gela and Soraya.

Capped the evening with old school piano bar in Ermita.

Of course I clocked in the love at Silverlens. Am honored to be part of their staff party. Yes, still part of my Dragon send off.

After all the Dragon revelry, here is my real despedida (the night before I flew). Thank you Anita for the Paella!

Julia eating!

We can consider this a send off and a proper housewarming, yes, that's a new place!

And here are images of my first days in Mysore. Below is Soraya and Angie as we await a Kirtan.

Nature, Angie, and yes, ME.

Random shots below, after a feast at Nagaratna's.

We hit the market to walk off the lavish lunch.

Oh the colours of India.

Meet Adil, a Scentsational man, really!

Oops, vanity shot with all the oils you can imagine. Below, how does one choose?!

Thus, the journey so far.

Christopher Hitchens 1949-2011

2011-12-16T21:53:00.000+08:00

Christopher Hitchens is one of the reasons why I subscribe to Vanity Fair. I've always looked forward to receiving the magazine in my hands, month after month, because I cannot wait to read what irreverent yet brilliant words he has to say.

Today, I am inconsolable to read that he has passed. Still, one of his most moving articles was when he announced his illness, Topic of Cancer.

Yet, he had more to say, and was even more moving in the 2nd installment, when he spoke about his voice in Unspoken Truths.

He also had a sense of humor, although dark, yet quite illuminating in Miss Manners and the Big C.

Christopher Hitchens is one of those rare, even rough, gems that left me both inspired and unnerved. There will be another like him. He will be missed.

Photos from 1, 2, and 3. Number 3 source is a particularly good read with exceptional photos.

2012

2011-12-10T17:25:00.001+08:00

Inspire is a word we hear constantly, and probably one we take for granted. But when one is suddenly inspired, the word falls short. What one feels can be invigorated, fortified, animated, strengthened, even provoked or stimulated.

All of the above came crashing in when I viewed Mario Sorrenti's images for the 2012 Pirelli Calendar.

I had no idea who he was but a friend of mine did. In fact, she wrote a short profile of him and has given me permission to reprint it here.

Artist's Biography

Martell Artists of the Year 2008

MARIO SORRENTI

Photographer of his time

Sifting through the vast and varied portfolio of Mario Sorrenti reveals many things about the artist and his subjects, yes, undoubtedly; but upon closer inspection Sorrenti's photographs take one to a wider state of consciousness, a world encompassing many worlds, and there you see that he is truly a documentarist of his time, a sponge of the values and exaltations of the last couple of decades, and if history is written by the victor, then Sorrenti is one such writer where his milieu was the victor.

But what is this time and milieu that we speak of?

Born in 1971, a childhood spent in Italy and the rest of his life in New York City, Sorrenti's time is a bridge across the Old World and the New World, it is the crossing of the Atlantic, a leap from the Classic to the Modern. Sorrenti's portraits are at once painterly and sculptural - the Italian renaissance comes to mind - yet also energetic and ghostly - so very New York. He came into success at the age of 21, in the 1990s, when New York City was still the center of the universe, and the aesthetic sensibilities of the entire planet had the New York style as its highest reference point. Mario Sorrenti IS this sensibility, to a certain extent - he cannot help but be artistic; he cannot help but be pop. He cannot help but photograph fashion and celebrity; he cannot help but photograph his own brother in the final days of the latter's life. Sorrenti's signature, really, is that it points to a certain school of taste that has influenced and inspired popular photography in the 1990s through the 2000s; Sorrenti's talent, on the other hand, is that he is able to refine that taste, that sensibility, into something sublimely universal, universally sublime.

But: Sorrenti's art, ultimately, is a relentless, intuitive, unmistakable mastery of Form - glaringly apparent, persistent, even after the fashion silhouette, the celebrity profile, the curve of the nude, have faded, and his own subconscious pursuit of truth is laid bare. It is a quest for meaning in Form.

"I grew up in a family of artists and my first dream was to become a painter," says Sorrenti. "I went to school to study painting and at that time I discovered photography and very quickly it became my main passion. At first I was captivated by the process of seeing an image in the light; like what painting was to me, and then developing film and printing it to fix it onto a piece of paper. As time went on I discovered that through taking pictures I became intimate with my subject regardless of what it was; a still life, a landscape or a portrait. I realized that my passion had shifted from the process to the subject. It made me think about the meaning and substance of the world around me. As I grew in the medium, so it became more complex and exciting. It became a teacher."

And what Sorrenti himself teaches us, through his work, is about the last glory days of art and culture before everything turned digital, when photographs were called "pictures" rather than "images" or "visuals", when photography was still grappling with the question "Is photography art?" before it was commodified as "content". Perhaps Sorrenti himself could not have imagined that barely 15 years after he first made waves with his Calvin Klein imagery, his work, today, could actually evoke a time forever gone, a time made obsolete by technology, information, the Internet.

"I am constantly changing, experimenting and learning new things so the aesthetic is constantly changing. But I do think that there is an essence in all of them, the same essence there is in me that makes me who I am," Sorrenti has said. Is this the secret behind Sorrenti's timeliness ... and timelessness? For as a photographer of his time, master of Form, artist of a generation, Sorrenti brings us to a wonderful, modern paradox: his work makes us feel nostalgic for the future.

-Paula Nocon

Beijing, China

July 2008

Above is an iconic photograph of Kate Moss, before she was "Kate Moss."

Even if Mario Sorrenti celebrates the female form, he also photographs the male.

Above is an image from the calendar.

I was wondering why Scarlett Johansson looked quite softer in this months VF cover. To my surprise, guess who photographed her?

To close, I will, once again, quote Paula, "this year's Pirelli calendar is just so NOW, so perfect, so amazing. I think it embodies the aesthetic of 2012."

If that isn't inspiring, I don't know what is.

Happiness

2011-11-05T15:25:00.006+08:00

Being under the weather isn't half as bad when you surround yourself with what makes you happy.

Today, for me, its soup and salad. But not just any soup and salad. A soup and a salad made from fresh, organic ingredients. Here they are.

Below is my loot from Echo Market. They just opened today, at 11 am! And if you noticed the receipt on the left, I included that as I was customer #1.

Below is my lunch today. A steamed salad and gazpacho. All ingredients from Echo Market. Yes, now you can shop not just at the weekend organic markets, but DAILY, even at night. You'll find this small but lovely shop in Serendra.

Enjoy!

Govinda Kai Returns Next Week!

2011-07-17T10:02:00.010+08:00

Mysore style practice will be on July 26-29 and August 1-4, 2011 at 7-9 am at Bliss Yoga Manila. Cost is PhP1,500 per practice, PhP 10,000 for all 8 sessions.

Yoga retreat will be on July 29-31, 2011 at Tali Beach Resort, Nasugbu. This retreat will include daily Mysore style practices, chants and discussions, vegetarian meals by Edgy Veggy, and use of the resort facilities. There are beaches around, a pool, we have a boat to take you out for the afternoon, and an authentic brick oven where our food is cooked. Our food will be coming from our farm nearby, we'll have an afternoon to take you there as well.

Retreat rates per person for 3 days are double occupancy at Php 14,000, triple at Php 12,000, and quadruple at Php 11,000.

We also have a day pass at Php4,000.

To know more about Govinda.

He is also on FB.

Guru Purnima 2011

2011-07-14T11:37:00.005+08:00

Gururbrahmaa gururvishnuh gururdevo Maheswarah
Guruh-saakshaat parambrahma tasmai shrigurave namah

“Guru is creator Brahma; Guru is preserver Vishnu; Guru is also the destroyer Siva and he is the source of the Absolute. I offer all my salutations to the Guru”.

Guruji

Govinda's Back

2011-05-02T13:36:00.003+08:00

Govinda Kai will be back for a workshop AND a retreat. Come, it will be awesome.

Yoga For Life

2011-05-01T10:02:00.005+08:00

Please come! Click here for details.

My video for this click here.

March Born

2011-03-16T15:26:00.004+08:00

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

Pisces Horoscope for March 2011

By Susan Miller

The universe has planned an amazing birthday month for you, one that brims with opportunity, action, and even a few sweet surprises. The flurry of activity starts with the new moon in Pisces, March 4, when the new moon will appear with a powerful entourage that includes the Sun, Mercury, Mars, and Uranus all in your sign. You will be the star of the zodiac this month, and all eyes will be on you. Rarely have you seen such an exciting month, so rest up and get ready - this is your month to create waves and change your life forever for the better.

Events will move very fast from the very first week onward. Others will be listening to your opinions and desires, and you must not be shy about voicing them. This is the time to present your most edgy, breakthrough ideas, for rarely have you been in such a good position to get them approved. There'll be no need to "fit in" or to try to anticipate what others want - they don't know what they want anyway, not until they hear from you! You can be as individual as you want to be!

The new moon that arrives at birthday time each year is a very important one, for it reveals how your birthday year ahead will go. It is critical that you make important initiations that are dear to you almost the moment the new moon appears. Any new moon is more powerful on the date it shows up, and it will gradually lose potency until it reaches a two-week mark - in this case, March 19, the full moon.

In this birthday month, it's time to think about what's next for you and act on those dreams. You don't have to actually fulfill the desire, but you do have to take at last one definitive step toward reaching it now, with no excuse that you aren't ready or don't really know. Use your instinct, which will be right on target now. The new moon will appear while Uranus is still in his final days of Pisces, so the ideas you contribute now may not be what others are anticipating - they will likely be far better! Others will shake their heads and say to themselves, "Now why didn't I think of that?"

You will be in a wildly advantageous position with Mars in your sign all month, for Mars will bring you energy, optimism, and an attractive daring-do attitude. Energy attracts energy and others will be drawn to your leadership style. You will be given the right-of-way and more control than you are used to seeing, so you need to have your priorities sorted early on. VIPs will be asking you how they can help further your goals and you will need to have an answer ready.

Part of Mars' mission will be to help you start a whole new two-year cycle beginning now, so your actions will have potency. The fact that Mars is conjunct this new moon means events will move VERY rapidly forward from the start of the month - you won't have to wonder if things are starting up for you yet or not - you will KNOW.

Pluto will be watching the party of planets forming in Pisces at the new moon March 4 from his perch in Capricorn in your eleventh house of friendship and hopes and wishes. He actually will be the other big player (other than Mars) at this new moon, and Pluto will see to it that a powerful friend of yours comes to your aid in ways that will take your breath away. Your participation in groups and communities, both online and off, will also work to your advantage.

On March 3, the day before the new moon arrives, Mars will send a beam to Pluto and start heating up the action. That's due to be a powerful day too, for Pluto will instantly come alive - you will feel lots of warmth and favor surrounding you.

If your birthday falls on March 4, or within five days of this date, you will notice the profound opportunities that will spring up around you that you can take full advantage of this month. Be ready!

If you were NOT born near the date of the new moon March 4, you should still be excited, as it will still have a powerful effect on you. There will be FIVE heavenly bodies in Pisces at the new moon, and that's half the solar system favoring YOU!

You certainly have walked the gauntlet, dear Pisces. Even though 2010 was to be "your" year due to Jupiter in Pisces in 2010, I feel you still had the rough time due to the fact that for part of that year you had Saturn in Virgo hitting you. Saturn had entered Virgo, a hard placement for you, on September 2007 and exited last July. You finally began to feel relief in regard to one relationship and also may have seen your health improve.

Still, Jupiter's presence in Pisces certainly did help, more than you know, for he limited the severity of what you would go through and may have felt in 2009. Jupiter in Pisces also helped you make powerful new initiations that you will only start to enjoy now, as your seedlings will start to come up in your garden.

You still have been hosting Uranus in Pisces, however, a position Uranus has been occupying since 2003. Uranus in Pisces can be quite an advantage. In the intervening years, you may have become quite famous in your field, and for that attention, you may be grateful. Your reputation for being innovative, original, and imaginative - all qualities that Uranus stimulated - earned you the adulation and respect you are enjoying now. Your reputation will remain intact - nothing will change in that regard.

The difficulty with Uranus in Pisces was that this planet was opposed to Saturn for about two-and-a-half years, an exceedingly rare configuration that happens every 40 years. As luck would have it, Pisces-Virgo were the two signs that these planets zeroed in on, and that was almost too much handle. You were becoming exhausted by the demands of both planets. Aside from that, Uranus in Pisces was also causing continual, unpredictable upheaval and too much stimulation. When you have the planet of alternating electrical current in your sign (Uranus in Pisces), you were capable of coming up with genius ideas, but it sure was hard to relax.

Your whole emotional spectrum of experience widened over the past seven years, so while many of the surprises you experienced were at times truly exhilarating, you had your share of sudden, devastating reversals, too. Some of those sudden shifts probably affected your health or had to do with a relationship, but because I can't see your unique chart, it is hard to pinpoint the precise area that jangled your nerves the most. As a mutable sign, you deal well with change - it's just that lately you've had too much of it. Further, change was foisted on you, rather than created deliberately by you, and that can be challenging, too.

Now, the horoscope wheel turns, and on March 11, will move to places that will soothe you and assist you, not stress you. Uranus moves on to Aries, never to return to your sign again in your lifetime. Uranus takes 84 years to circle the zodiac, spending seven years in each sign. In Aries, you get to consolidate your gains and look forward to a more stable future.

Uranus will move into Aries and join Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, already in Aries, and both will light your second house of income. Soon - as soon as next month or in May - you will start to see generous financial compensation, the kind you knew you always deserved, but until now have not been able to get. If you are self-employed, business will be brisk, with prestigious, well-paying clients lining up for your goods or services.

Speaking about money, Mercury will go retrograde from March 30 to April 23 in your house of income. You will begin to feel the slowdown earlier however, from the time of the full moon March 19 onward. Knowing this, do not allow clients to fall too far behind without a reminder note. This will help you avoid the response, "Did you send a statement? You are not in our system." That's the last thing you want to hear! This is also another reason you have to schedule meetings and plant seeds early in the month, when your aspects are stronger and better.

The full moon in Virgo on March 19 (operative plus or minus four days) may bring a problem with a relationship out in the open. Uranus, on his way out of Pisces, will directly confront the full moon, adding some stress, particularly to those born March 19 or the four days surrounding this date. It's like Uranus couldn't restrain himself from kicking the swinging kitchen door as he exits, just so it kind of hits you on the way out.

Even so, this is a full moon in Virgo, and Mercury rules Virgo. By the time this full moon appears, Mercury will have moved into Aries too, and will be, by some miracle, orbiting close to Jupiter, planet of good fortune. All this means you can find ways toward a good outcome, even if initially you feel jitters at the full moon. Don't let Uranus rattle you, dear Pisces. You are up to his tricks, and by now you've become an expert at diffusing them. You can turn this full moon around and let it work to your favor!

Jupiter will argue with Saturn on March 28, and because Jupiter is your ancient ruler (prior to when Neptune was discovered), we always keep an eye on what Jupiter is doing. This will be the last confrontation these two planets will have until they spin off and go their separate ways, not to confront one another again until 2029.

These two planets are quite opposite in style, for Jupiter brings expansion and Saturn brings limits and constriction. If you are in talks, you will probably have to get beyond March 28 to get your best financial deal. While this will be true for everyone, it will be especially true for you, because both planets are visiting your two financial houses of the horoscope. Near March 28, you will have to be very realistic and practical if you are forced to make a financial decision - there will be no room for over-optimism.

Financials will be held down until these two planets are finished with this opposition, so talks should improve after this date, March 28. If you are not ready to sign a contract in early March, it would be better to wait until late April to sign, or better yet, to wait a few days until early May, my favorite month of the year for just about any action.

In early March, the dates of March 14 and 15 should be excellent for financial talks, thanks to the meeting of Mercury and Jupiter, both in your house of earned income. Use it to schedule a presentation or performance review, or to have exploratory talks before signing a contract. Mercury rules negotiation, and the fact that he will be conjoining Jupiter suggests that you will find a meeting of the minds. Normally, I would say sign papers on this day, but it's so close to that unpredictable full moon of March 19 discussed earlier, so I will say wait until late April to sign at the earliest.

Romantically, you will be fussed over all month, for you will have Mars in your sign. Mars is known to make you more attractive and sexy, so you'll have to deal with the extra attention you will get, dear modest Pisces. I think you can deal with that!

Further, you will have both Venus AND Mars in your sign once you get to March 27. (Venus will remain in Pisces until April 19.) This is great news in birthday month, for Venus will give you a subtle allure - Venus feels it's best to sit back and not try too hard. Venus says, "Let others come to you!" As you see, early in the month, your stars favor a more assertive approach, and as you get to the end of the month and into April, you can sit back, confident others will notice you and want to get to know you better.

March 1 could turn out to be a sparkling day, for Venus, still in your friendship / people / events sector, will send a beam to Uranus in Pisces. It's a day of unexpected fun and love, and sure to make you smile.

I also love March 15 for attached couples, when communication will be exciting and plans you discuss for the future could set your spirits soaring.

A highly romantic day will be Saturday, March 26 - Venus will conjoin Neptune and together spin a dream of an evening. Enjoy it!

Your most romantic evenings will be: March 1, 3-6, 8-10, 22-23, 26 (gold star, three stars), and 30-31.

Summary

What a wildly happy first half of the month this will be! With Mars, Mercury, Uranus, the Sun, and new moon all in Pisces at the new moon March 4, you will begin to see exciting developments that you'll say are just perfect for you. For many years, rogue planets have done things to mar birthday month, but those days began to disappear in mid-2010, and will continue to improve in coming months. In short, this may well turn out to be the best birthday month that you've seen in years.

Since February 22, Mars in Pisces is allowing you to launch a new venture that will be in place for at least two years, possibly much longer. This is no time to be timid, for March will be a month that offers you exceptional favor and control. Dust off your wish list and state your desires! The universe is listening, dear Pisces!

Several days deserve a star on your calendar: March 1 (for a blind date), 10 (perfect for travel), March 15 (great to sign a contract or make a deal that makes you money), and finally March 26, when Venus will signal Neptune and create a scene worthy of the silver screen.

A relationship will be your main concern at the full moon March 19, but, as the exception to an otherwise near-ideal month, things aren't likely to go well. A grievance (yours or your partner's) is about to arise for discussion when you least expect it. Full moons clear the air, so let it, dear Pisces. With Uranus orbiting near the Sun in Pisces, your need for independence and to exert your opinions will be very strong, so you won't feel overwhelmed. Just the opposite, you'll be ready to stand up for yourself. With Mercury so close to healing Jupiter, the outcome is likely to please you. Although Uranus will try to stir the pot at this full moon March 19, his ability to do so is waning. You can fix this, so do, just your way.

Financially, with Jupiter in your second house, money will roll in at a steady, generous clip. You are in a high-level reward period, and March 10 and 15 are superb days to talk to anyone about money. Watch the day the Sun and Uranus align - more surprises, but they seem positive when it comes to money. You won't win money but rather find ways to earn it. You will find that payments are late in April - or that others make financial errors that pertain to you - so try to get all checks in to you by March.

In matters of the heart, Mars will give you high-level visibility and have you feeling ultra attractive all month. Mars will leave March 31, but to pick up the slack, his lover, Venus, will grace Pisces from March 27 to April 19. This is a sign that you will enjoy a highly popular social phase.

With Mercury retrograde March 30-April 23, someone you once deeply cared for may be about to re-enter your life and try to get your heart beating double time. See how you feel - it might or might not work.

It would be hard to find a day more "you" than March 26, when Venus in Pisces will curl up with Neptune.

Dates to Note for Pisces

Your best new moon of the year will arrive on March 4. A highly positive year lies ahead for you. Choose how you want it to look and feel, then take a step to make it happen. The difficulties of the past are gone, dear Pisces.

Make all your biggest initiations at the new moon, March 4.

A friend may go out of his or her way to help you, March 3.

Wrap up talks quickly. Mercury will be retrograde from March 30 to April 23. You can't sign contracts or begin new ventures during that phase. Try to stay as far away from March 30 as possible as you begin to feel the havoc start up two weeks prior.

Mercury retrograde, March 30 to April 23, could bring an old love back in your life.

Check for errors in bank statements or credit cards, or other mistakes or delays in getting checks at month's end, in the last week into most of April, also due to Mercury retrograde.

The full moon March 19 could be problematic for a relationship. Still, nothing will challenge you in the way you have seen over the past three years. Discuss differences - you may be able to work out differences quickly.

Ideas will tumble from your brain like diamonds: March 9

Financially, you are about to do very, very well in coming weeks. This month watch March 1, 10, and 15 for good news. March 21 will be a wild card day, but should be very positive.

Mars will make you extra attractive and sexy from March 1 to 30.

Venus will be in Pisces from March 27 to April 19 and will be quite effective in furthering your love life in an enchanting way.

Your most romantic evenings will be: March 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8-10, 22, 23, 26 (gold star, three stars), 30, and 31.

For photo credit, click here.

For more March forecasts by Susan Miller, click here.

Introduction to Ashtanga Workshop

2011-02-28T13:25:00.002+08:00

Designed for beginners as well practitioners to deepen their practice, the INTRODUCTION TO ASHTANGA YOGA workshop will give you a brief background of the tradition as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Characteristics of Ashtanga begin with the practice of the synchronized breath and movement; the opening sequence, primary series, and closing sequence; transitioning between poses; and using gaze points, muscular locks, and breathing audibly. Ashtanga is known for Mysore style classes where students practice at their own pace while an instructor assists. A Led class is where the students all practice together as led by the instructor.

The workshop will begin with an explanation of the above followed by a soft Led class. Day 2 of the workshop will open with a Mysore style practice and a discussion after.

Honolulu, Hawaii

2010-10-14T08:01:00.012+08:00

All above photos are from the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Lovely.

Above were from Doris Duke's Shangri La. Love it.

Honolulu is full of Banyan trees, but they're no scary.

Sunset picnic, below, Honolulu night sky.

Beach day below.

More of Bali

2010-10-13T08:50:00.016+08:00

A conversation in the Monkey Forest.

An over the top offering, really, OA.

Funny how the roof tops are traditional and the balcony, well ... enough said.

Love these teeny tiny images.

Feefifofum .....

Didn't think empty offering vessels looked nice too.

And that's how they keep things nicely kept in Bali.

A funeral preparation.

More forest shots below ...

More interesting glimpses into daily life.

Bali ... so far ...

2010-09-28T14:09:00.012+08:00

Walking to breakfast, well, lunch, I'm greeted by a man carving wood. He's working on three monkeys. He puts one down, and begins to work on another one. All the while, we're talking.

These are probably going to be made into offerings for the next day.

Outdoor, full on beds are pretty popular here in Ubud.

This monkey, he seemed older, couldn't care less who walked by. He owned the road, turned his back to everyone, but he did give me a peek later on.

Offerings to start out the day. This, I love.

Right after, the monkeys descend to eat the offerings.

They even sneaked up behind me and took one of my slices of bread for breakfast.

My morning ended with an older woman handing me these offerings for my place. And that's just my morning in Ubud, so far.

The Practice of Ashtanga

2010-07-14T17:18:00.011+08:00

The Practice of Ashtanga
A 6-Day Workshop and 4-Day Retreat with
Ashtanga Yoga Certified Teacher
Govinda Kai
August 21-26 Workshop at Bliss Yoga, Manila
August 28-31 Retreat at Tali Beach, Nasugbu

WORKSHOP

August 21 Saturday Day 1
7-9 AM Mysore Style Practice
9-10 AM Break
10-12 NN Technical and Philosophical Elements of Forward Bending.

The forward bend is the most common element in yoga practice, particularly in the primary series of the Ashtanga system. In this session we will explore the more technical and subtle aspects that make forward bends deep and transformative. We will also explore the symbolic and emotional implications of the forward bending position. Understanding the forward bend is one of the main keys to creating a truly powerful practice and is also a way to ground an understanding of how to live a more fulfilling life.

August 22 Sunday Day 2
7-9 AM Mysore Style Practice
9-10 AM Break
10-12 NN Emotions: The Hidden Door To The Human Soul

Most people are confused by the emotions that they feel and are left to deal with in their lives. Emotions feel to be so mysterious and so uncontrollable. We often feel helpless to navigate through all the consequences that result from the emotions that we and those close to us feel. In this session, we will explore a way to understand your emotions so that they serve to enhance the quality of your life and not the other way around. A deeper and clearer understanding of the area of emotions is a major key to creating a powerful spiritual life and is absolutely necessary for the achievement of any kind of lasting happiness.

August 23 Monday Day 3
7-9 AM Mysore Style Practice
9-10 AM Break
10-12 NN The Art Of Back Bending

The back is the most mysterious and complicated area of the body. More nerve ending exist along the spinal column than in any other area of the body. Even the most knowledgeable experts in the area of back medicine have declared that they still don't truly understand the subtleties of the back. In this session, we will explore the more detailed elements of the bending of the back and all the aspects that go into a deep and powerful back bend. Back bending also holds the key to many of the emotional and psychic obstacles that we encounter in our personal lives. By understanding back bending, we can begin to seriously overcome that which holds us back in life.

August 24 Tuesday Day 4
7-9 AM Mysore Style Practice
9-10 AM Break
10-12 NN Sex: A Deeper Perspective

Sex is certainly one of the most essential of human activities. Sexual activity, whether with others or by ourselves and the thoughts that accompany our feelings about sex dominate much of our time. Yet, for the most part, we are confused and befuddled by this area of life, perhaps more than any other. Many people have experienced some form of trauma in this area of their lives and very few people have the courage to talk openly about this area of life. In this session, we will begin with a yogic perspective on sex and begin to explore just what sex is and how we can begin to understand it in a way that it actually becomes an empowering part of life and not one that only causes us frustration and trouble.

August 25 Wednesday Day 5
7-9 AM Mysore Style Practice
9-10 AM Break
10-12 NN The Secrets Of Arm Balances

In the Ashtanga Yoga sequence, we perform arm balances in every single vinyasa or transition. Every time we jump back or jump forward, we perform an arm balance. For many practitioners, at best, arm balances are something we "try hard" to do. Most people do not have the understanding of the details that go into creating a powerful arm balance. The secrets to arm balances are not as mysterious and as difficult as most people think. In this session, we will cover the most basic elements of an arm balance which will give you a whole new perspective on a part of practice that is often misunderstood.

August 26 Thursday Day 6
7-9 AM Led Class
9-10 AM Break
10-12 NN Love And Friendship (Closing of Workshop)

The quality of our friendships and love relationships is truly what defines the difference between a life well lived and a life that is dominated by boredom and desperation The quality of our relationships also is reflective of the quality and depth of our spiritual practice. The keys to understanding our own selves are also the same keys that lead to fulfilling and lasting relationships in our lives. Let us dive deep into a discussion in which we can better understand what is the difference between a human relationship that is filled with deep love, trust, honesty and loyalty and a relationship that is merely superficial or even downright destructive.

To Register:
Fee is Php 24,000.00 for 6 days
Early Bird Discount (Register by August 5) is Php 21,600.00
Sign Up for Asana Practice is Php 1,5000/day
Sign Up for Workshop is Php 2,500/day
Required Reservation Fee is Php 7,200.00 for the 6 days, non-refundable

Workshop Venue is Bliss Yoga Manila, 28/F Trident Tower Penthouse, 312 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue (back entrance to parking on HV Dela Costa St) Makati, Manila

For inquiries and details please email tesa.celdran@gmail.com or call/sms to +63917.8300293.

Ilocos in June

2010-06-20T11:47:00.012+08:00

A very overdue post on Ilocos. Ah well, enjoy the images!

My feet, before the dislocated toe.

Our dinner setting in Sito Remedios.

May Endings

2010-06-05T20:08:00.039+08:00

Who was it that said, "A little madness in the spring is wholesome even for a king?" Doesn't matter. My point being, here is a little bit of lunacy that only Hong Kong can bring. Capped the month of May by going to the 2010 Art Fair.

All above photos are of The Peninsula Hong Kong. She may be an aging lady, but she still is regal. And yes, Spring Moon does serve up good vegetarian dishes. My particular favorite is their vegetable rice as it had pumpkin and pine nuts.

Hong Kong by day.

Had to put in this photo as these are the most darling, even delectable girls that I saw. They had quite an attitude too, didn't back off as I shot them.

More Hong Kong by day.

Above shots are upon entering the fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

And this is why we go to art shows. Bill Viola. Everytime I passed by his work, I HAD to stop and watch it again, and again, and again.

Again, another reason why we go to BIG art fairs. Yayoi Kusama. Enough said.

Blue and whites, redux.

Cloisonne or is it Champleve?

The above scupltures were the most riveting for me. So sorry to forget the artist, but she (I think) makes an outstanding conversation between what is natural, and what we see as real, and what we manipulate our environment and technology to be. Crazy but like Viola, I couldn't stop looking.

Oh, just a Warhol.

Oh, just a Richard Prince.

Damien Hirst pieces, wala lang.

Just because I'm really liking color these days.

Another work I found arresting. This was video projection upon a sculpture.

Of course, Andreas Gursky, idol.

And oh, the most adorable dimsum. Probably the only way I'll eat meat these days.

The Bay, of course.

A friend suggested I start a shoe blog. My response was that none of my shoes carry "brands," of course that wasn't his point. My shoes do tell a story. Taking his advice, here is what I wore on the Aqua Luna. A seriously enjoyable day, so much so that I napped for the most part. Realized that I don't get sea sick, instead, I get sleepy. Probably the most touristy activity we did.

And there's Carlos, vanity photographing.

Deep Love and Gratitiude

2010-05-23T16:27:00.026+08:00

Here are a few photographs from a Led class by Govinda Kai just this May. Enjoy!

Marichyasana A.

Navasana, think we did it six times!

Bhujapidasana.

Garbha Pindasana.

Supta Padangusthasana.

Paschimottanasana.

Uttanapadasana.

Salamba Sirsasana.

Padmasana.

To all those who participated, deep love and gratitude from me. And thank you to Isa Lorenzo (Silverlens) for the lovely photos.

Remembering Guruji

2010-05-18T15:27:00.007+08:00

I am still in deep gratitude that I was able to catch Guruji in 2008. Click here for the blog post on that, or you can go to all of my July 2008 posts.

Was at Echo Yoga this morning to remember Guruji with 108 sun salutations. Lovely.

Missing India immensely, I shall see her again, and soon!

Govinda's Back for a Summer Workshop

2010-04-21T10:47:00.008+08:00

Govinda Kai is one of only 35 Certified Ashtanga teachers worldwide. Born in San Francisco to an Aikido Sensei, he is deeply spiritual and has devoted his life to the practice of yoga. Throughout his journey, he has had the privilege to learn from Swami Muktananda (Siddha Yoga guru), Sogyal Rimpoche (great Tibetan teacher), Tim Miller, Richard Freeman, John Smith, Eddie Modestini as well as Guruji himself, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Govinda's passion is to teach Ashtanga Yoga in the tradition of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. Through his travels, he has touched the lives of celebrities such as Christy Turlington, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sting and Trudy, and Tobey Macquire.

Govinda has been in traveling back and forth to Manila to hold workshops with Pulse Yoga. He feels a mutual love for the practice amongst Filipinos. He believes that if Ashtanga Yoga is practiced and taught properly, the benefits and blessings can change our lives in extraordinary and powerful ways.

To date, Govinda is based in Japan. We are very fortunate to have him back in Manila for another 2-week workshop at Pulse Yoga. This Monday, April 26 through May 9, he will be holding morning Mysore style classes from Mondays to Thursdays, and Led classes on Fridays and Saturdays from 730 to 930 in the morning. A chant and discussion session will follow until 1130 in the morning.

Please call +6391783pulse and +6391784pulse to reserve your place or email info@pulse-yoga.com.

Govinda Kai Summer 2010

2010-04-14T21:06:00.003+08:00

To Retreat and Reflect

2010-04-06T09:24:00.011+08:00

Coming out of a retreat has left me ... unraveled. The experience is so deeply personal that I am profoundly at a loss for words. Yes, I know, me, at a loss for words. I am silenced .... for now.

Therefore, I am quite lucky to have taken the image above. It probably relays my experience so much better than words can (I know, figure it out and comment, cool huh?).

And when I am at a loss for words, I always return to the Sutras. And no matter how I try, I still remain on the first four of the first chapter:

Atha yoga anushasanam
Yogash chitta vritti nirodhah
Tada drashtuh svarupe avasthanam
Vritti sarupyam itaratra

Ah well, on to lighter things. The image above is my eye view in chetuari, this was our Boracay retreat in Villa Kaloo.

And above is what greets us every morning, sunrise.

Two photos above are our sunset chants and some quiet reflection time.

Three photos above are our getaways to the Shangri-La Boracay.

Above is beautiful Soraya, well, her feet. And below, is lovely Gela among others getting ready for a photo op.

Below is some of us retreat participants on the last full day with our teacher, Govinda Kai.

March 2010 Forecast

2010-03-12T12:05:00.003+08:00

Pisces Horoscope for March 2010

By Susan Miller

With March you have reached a milestone month where you will walk though a threshold toward one of the most beneficial and exciting periods of your life. Admittedly, most of the time you will be too busy doing things to be aware of just how potent a period March and the months to come truly are for you.

Last year, the tide washed away many elements of your life, and you likely saw many endeavors and relationships end. That always happens at the end of a major cycle, but it could have alarmed you to see so many familiar elements of your life disappear. In March, your birthday month, you are now about to initiate a whole new cycle, one that will carry you forward for years to come.

Jupiter is now in Pisces and moving swiftly through all degrees of your sign by early June. A fast moving planet can help you in a far more effective way than a slow moving planet. (I will admit a little turtle of a planet inching his way along is still somewhat more helpful than a retrograde one.)

You are fortunate that Jupiter is in such fine shape. After a brief stay in Aries in June through early September, Jupiter will be back to Pisces on September 9 through January 22, 2011. Don't worry - you will have plenty of time with this superb planet of happiness, health, financial expansion, good fortune, and even miracles!

Pisces who were born in February just had Jupiter aligned with their natal Sun. If you were born in February, you made a number of initiations that will later prove to be quite beneficial.

March will benefit most those Pisces born February 26 to March 8. April will be terrific for Pisces born March 8 to13. The month of May will benefit those Pisces born March 14 to 18, and the first week of June will benefit Pisces born March 19 and 20.

I am splitting hairs here. Keep in the forefront of your mind that in 2010 you are the celestial favorite and that all year will be special.

Also, keep in mind that you may have other planets in Pisces, Scorpio, or Cancer that will be receiving beams from Jupiter too, so you will have more to look forward to than just Jupiter conjunct the Sun. (Planets in earth signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn would benefit, too, in a secondary way.)

Truly, this year should be spectacular for you. You need to be proactive, though, by scheduling meetings, presentations, first dates, and so forth during this period. You only get seven or eight of this magnitude in a lifetime, as Jupiter only comes by every 12 years. It's that special! Think back to 1998-early 1999, for that was your last Jupiter in Pisces year.

In order to feel the advantages that the universe has in store for you, you need a new moon in Pisces to set off all these aspects, and that is what you will have. Your new moon will only come by once a year and we always hope it's a favorable one - this one will be that, and more! This new moon will open the palace gates and allow you access to some very influential people who can help you succeed. It will bring you a number of lucky breaks.

This new moon will be 25 degrees Pisces, and transiting Uranus is positioned at 26 degrees Pisces - that's a conjunction. Because Uranus is the planet of surprise, creativity, and independence, you will see an explosion of opportunity come to you! Even love can be part of the mix, something I will discuss with you later. A new moon sets up two weeks of shimmering energy, and the seeds you plant, the endeavors you begin, and the relationships you form could prove to be very important to you in your year ahead, or forever!

Since this new moon is in Pisces, it will help the one (or more) parts of your life that you want most to change. Those goals are so personal to you that I can't see them here, but you know what they are - go after them!

Dear Pisces, this particular month will just brim with surprise. Whatever you think is about to happen won't happen, but something else will! Fortunately - and this is VERY fortunate - Uranus and Mars will be perfectly angled, and that is why I feel surprises will please you, not horrify you. Last year you did not have a good new moon, but this year you do.

Your health should do exceptionally well under this new moon too, especially since Mars, the energy planet, will be so helpful to this new moon. If you have been troubled by a chronic condition, a very new discovery, procedure, or medicine that has just been approved may prove very helpful. Last year, with Saturn opposite your Sun, was very tough for health, but this year will prove just the opposite - excellent - even against all odds!

In your career, a thrilling new assignment or client will show up sometime in the second half of the month. You will also have a platform to show off your blossoming creativity in a big way, and that's always music to Pisces ears.

Mars has been retrograde since December 20 but will turn direct just prior to the new moon (again, that is fortunate that it happens BEFORE and not after the new moon). You will see your health, work assignments, and ability to drive new business increase from this point on. Mars will not go retrograde again this year. This all means that even if you feel 2010 has started with a bolt (very possible), events will accelerate even more. You may have found that assignments were arduous in past months, or that they took longer to complete than you had anticipated. Now all that changes, and the snappier pace will gratify you.

Also on the same day as the new moon, March 15, Mercury, planet of news, will combine energies with Uranus, On this particular day your mind will crackle with innovative, original ideas, so be sure to spend time working on a creative project.

Two days later, March 17, the Sun and Uranus will combine energies in Pisces. This aspect is all about breaking the bonds that held you down in the past. You are about to become liberated from some sort of situation that contained or limited you. If your birthday falls near March 17, this aspect will speak directly to you.

Earlier in the month we have an excellent day that you may want to circle on your calendar - March 7. On this day, Mercury will conjoin Jupiter, both in Pisces, and will help you hone your powers of communication. The written and spoken word will become very important to your progress at this time, and if you are born on March 7, or within five days of this date, this will be true for your whole year to come because this is happening on your "solar return" or return of the Sun to your time of birth. (The closer your birthday falls to March 7, the more dramatically you will see this trend.) Travel taken near March 7 should go really well, and all news, including news about home and family, could make you want to sing!

Your finances may need some attention this month, for on March 21, Saturn will oppose the Sun. This will be a day you may become a bit concerned about credit, debt, taxes, or other financial obligations. Mars will come to the rescue by sending a golden beam to the Sun. This suggests that you will find ways to generate freelance work to earn more money. As long as you manage your money well, you should be able to meet obligations.

The full moon in Libra on March 29 will emphasize the same part of your chart, so you may have to write a large check at this time. I am happy to see that Saturn won't be overly close to that moon, for there will be a spread of 9 degrees. This may be enough to keep you focused, but not overly tense. With Jupiter in your sign, you won't lack opportunity, and your outlook for finances in June through September is simply spectacular. Keep working toward lowering your debt as best you can for now.

If you have any important dealings or decisions to make, make them in March. Next month, Mercury will retrograde from April 18 to May 11, but you will feel the slowdowns as soon as April 2. This month will be a much better month to plant your seeds - you will have the ability to create the most favorable endeavor or relationship possible now, and will again in May.

April will not be a complete wash, for you will have Jupiter to protect you. You can stage talks, but not seal any decisions at that time. So make decisions in March, and if you can't quite yet, then wait until the second half of May, just after the glorious new moon, May 13.

In love and relationships, your outlook is perhaps the best you have ever seen. Jupiter conjunct the Sun is considered the very best aspect you could have to find true love. Nothing will happen, however, if you lock yourself inside. You must circulate and be open to all sorts of new people. If you are not in a happy relationship, you need to find the courage to leave so that you can meet others. It would be a shame to cage yourself in during such a glorious year.

When you meet that new person, you might not immediately recognize that person as the one who has the capability of changing your life forever. Take your time and be open and playful - lots of things are about to change this year, including you and your perspective!

Venus will tour Pisces in the first week, from March 1 to 6. One of your most dazzling days for romance will be March 3, when Venus will align with Uranus. What a wonderful night that will be for single Pisces to be out and about! Uranus could bring on a highly electric meeting, so try your chances on this enchanting day.

Venus in Pisces from March 1 to 6 would also be the time to see about scheduling salon or barbershop visits, and to stock up on some new things for the coming season. You'd reap plenty of compliments with the changes you make!

If you are attached, you may be thrilled with developments over the weekend of March 6-7, thanks to the pairing of Mercury and Jupiter. Some Pisces may get engaged for their birthday on this date (or married!) and if that happens to you, you will have such a happy outlook for happiness together! It's a five-star day for you! If you are already married, you will still have lots of fun together on this weekend, and you may decide to travel.

Cancer and the moon rule your solar fifth house of true love, so the new moon March 15 could also give a big boost to your social life. If your birthday falls on or within four days of this new moon, then you will be doubly favored. Still, there will be a plethora of planets in Pisces, giving you center stage - Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, the Sun, new moon, and at times, Venus, will all be working hard for you.

This would be a perfect year to plan a pregnancy or to adopt a baby. If this is a wish, keep in mind that in 2010, wishes comes true for Pisces.

Here are all your outstanding dates for romance this month: March 3, 4, 6-7, 13-14, 15, 17, 23, 24, and 31.

Summary

Life can be very mysterious. For a long time, you've come through very challenging conditions on so many fronts that you began to think this is the way your life would be from now on, possibly forever. Who would blame you? In February, you began to see things change in exciting ways, but you held your breath, hoping the other shoe wouldn't drop. You have nothing to fear. What will make March so remarkable is that it proves a new day is dawning and that the cold dark days on the frozen tundra that you journeyed through for so long have come to an end.

With many planets in Pisces now, you won't need anyone to help you open doors or find opportunity. You can do that for yourself, and your personality will create your destiny. You will make your own choices and they will accurately reflect your innermost needs and desires. It is truly a joyous time when at least one heartfelt dream will be within your grasp. You are almost there, so redouble your efforts, dear Pisces.

The disappointments of late 2007 through 2009 are gone - you are looking at a completely new and improved picture! The month comes brimming with many surprises too - March 3, 7, 15, and 17 will have you speechless. Plan your biggest initiations for after the new moon March 15, for then you will launch your plan at the very best time. Keep in mind that next month, in April, Mercury will go retrograde, so you do have to act now without delay.

At work, with Mars in Leo, it's clear you are working too hard. It seems you may have become a victim of your own success. You are in demand, and the more you do, the more you'll be needed to do. Its can be flattering, but at times feel exhausting, too. With Mars going direct on March 10, the heavy workload will intensify even more and this pace will continue until June 7. Dot your schedule with little indulgences like dinners with friends and soothing massages to keep you serene and sane. You can be a bit of a Spartan about pampering yourself, but this year, you must, if only to keep fresh! You are succeeding beyond your expectations, and others' too, but you must take good care of yourself to do that!

The month ends on a financial note. You seem to have to send a large check, and you will do it over the full moon March 29. It won't be an easy check to write, but you will feel forced to do so, so you will, and it will be a relief when it is finally done. Fortunately Saturn is not too close, keeping the tension tolerable. Your finances will pick up this coming summer (for those "down under" I mean mid-year), so you can expect to gain control of your finances if you are determined to improve them.

Romantically, you are in a fabulously strong month. Venus will remain in Pisces from March 1-6, a terrific week, with March 3 your best day. The rest of the month will be pretty special too, all the way until March 20. Spontaneous events, surprise calls, and gifts - dear Pisces, you may blush with all the attention you are about to receive.

If you are dating, you may become engaged or married now, or if single, experience a very memorable, enchanting first meeting. This, dear Pisces, will be an extraordinary month, and it only sets the tone for much, much more to come as the year unfolds.

Dates to Note

This month brims with surprising events, some you could have never imagined happening, not in a million years. The new moon in Pisces, March 15 will change the way you see yourself and the world. It's a very important moment in your timeline - keep your schedule open so that you can mobilize when opportunity arises. You may have waited your whole life for this!

You seem to have settled a relationship question or made a major decision about a romantic or business alliance at the full moon at end of February. As March begins, you will still be thinking about all that occurred - it seems big! Whatever you decided, it will benefit you.

You have been working at a brutal pace since mid-October and there's been no letup. This has been due to the position of Mars, for Mars has increased your workload. With Mars going direct on March 10, must find time to give yourself occasional breathers or you'll exhaust yourself.

Money will start to become easier for you to earn from mid-month on, a theme that will be enlarged and encouraged next month and in months to come.

If you have a health problem that has not been easy to diagnose, or if treatment seems to have stalled or not worked, Mars' move direct should help you see progress after March 10. Mars won't retrograde again for two years. Jupiter in Pisces will be a boon to your health too.

A home or family concern will bring good news on or very near the weekend of March 6-7, thanks to the blessings Mercury will receive from Jupiter.

The month ends on a full moon March 29, in your tax and credit sector. You may fulfill a big obligation or borrow money - or both. You may get a mortgage, refinance one, or settle a venture capital investment.

Romantically, Venus in Pisces will conjoin Uranus in Pisces March 3, so when it comes to love, expect the unexpected. It could be a highly romantic evening!

You have a dazzling day due March 7, when Mercury will align perfectly with Jupiter, both in Pisces, for the first time in 12 years.

On March 17, you will be a virtual idea factory. Set aside time to think! Self-expression and your creativity will reach full flower.

Romantically, your best date nights: March 3, 4, 6-7, 13-14, 15, 17, 23, 24, and 31.

For other zodiac forecasts, click here. Thank you Susan Miller.

For the image used, click here.

March 2010

2010-03-07T17:10:00.004+08:00

March is a special month for me. Today reminded me to be thankful. Went to the Lung Center market with an old friend, we cooked our lunch and seriously caught up.

The flowers on my altar is part of my market loot.

Batanes, 1st trip of 2010!

2010-02-28T10:17:00.014+08:00

Batanes should be on everyone's to do before dying list, seriously. It is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. I must admit, had my reservations of going due to many horror stories of getting stuck on the island. But hey, once there, do get stuck and enjoy.

Photo above was at 5 am, en route to the pier for Sabtang.

2 photos above are views of the road by the pier, a very small pier.

Little boy above runs to give us our life vests.

Some young girls waiting for the school bell. If my school had this view, I'd probably have had happier school days.

Going around Sabtang, these are what you see.

This old man was so into his gardening. People here live way past 100.

Very old but sturdy wood from an old house.

Old house on the left, old church on the right.

A reason why Batanes is so beautiful is probably because its conditions are so harsh. Strong winds and water, and very rocky.

Gorgeous morning light.

Two-pole fishing.

The most photographed woman of Batanes just because she lives in the oldest house on the block.

Jackstones on the pier.

The only game in town to stay, really.

The day we left, Carlos and I woke to these clouds. We didn't think we could leave, which I was secretly hoping, but just as weather is weather, wait 5 minutes, all sunny later.

Visit Batanes, we all should.

2009-12-21T12:42:00.000+08:00

Mercury will transit backwards from December 26, 2009-January 16, 2010. Click here for more information. Another nice site, here.

Click here for December forecasts. Click on Pisces forecast, me, if you're interested.

Thank you to this site for the image above.

Treading the Wire

2009-11-05T11:38:00.008+08:00

This month's full moon has been a constant struggle in terms of my practice. Unlike last month's where I was flying and every pose came with ease, this time, it has been with great difficulty.

Therefore, I do what I do, and that is to just hit the mat. And hit the mat I did. Usually, after a bit, my practice tends to regulate and the struggle dissolves. Not this time though. I found myself more than half way done and still, dis-ease. Not the usual difficulty, but more on like walking a tightrope.

As I've never experienced this before, again, I do what I do, and that is go back to Patanjali and the Sutras. Here's what I found:

"Thus, there is this conflict going on inside when we start yoga practice. And nobody will know what is happening; only we ourselves will know it. It is practically impossible for an ordinary mind to prevent the entry of external impressions in respect of objects because years and years have been lived in a way which is in harmony with the objects of sense; therefore, the impressions created by the past experiences in respect of objects repeat themselves again and again, and seek entry into the mind. In yoga, we try to do the opposite of it. The concentration aspect of the mind, which is sattvic, tries to gain an upper hand over the rajasic and tamasicvrittis. What feelings arise at that time, in the mind, are the contents of the experience of the yogi himself. There is oftentimes a feeling of pleasure or joy; at other times there is a feeling of depression and falling down. It depends upon which vritti is strong. If there is a duel between two wrestlers, we cannot say at the very beginning itself who is going to win because the duel will go on for a long time, for hours together - one falling down and then getting up, and so on - so that we will be witnessing the duel without being able to make a judgement as to what is going to happen finally. Though it may look that someone is gaining, suddenly that one which appeared to be gaining will fall down, and that one which fell down will rise up, etc. This kind of thing will happen in the mind.

Likewise, we must be in a mood for yoga, always. At the very first opportunity provided to us, we should be in a mood of concentration, just as if we have a very delightful hobby or something which we like very much, we will resort to it immediately when the impediments to it are lifted. There are people who knit clothes - sweaters, etc. Wherever they go - whether it is a temple or it is a kitchen, it doesn’t matter - they will be knitting. They will be knitting everywhere because that is the mood of the mind, and they like to do it. It is a hobby, and it gives satisfaction. We are not able to do it only when there is an impediment or obstacle. The moment the impediment is lifted, we go to the natural mood. What the yoga requires of us is that our natural mood should be of yoga. We should not bring the mood of yoga with great effort and compulsion; that is not yoga. Yoga is spontaneous. A yogi is one who is spontaneously a yogi, not compulsively a yogi. We are not forced to practise yoga by anybody; that will not be successful.

We should not go on changing the ways of thinking. We should not experiment with different types of concentration. Then, the little bit of concentration that we have gained yesterday, in respect of a particular type of concentration, will not come today, because we are trying a new method. It is something like trying to hit a nail on different place, instead of hitting it on the same place. The caution that is usually expected to be exercised for the purpose of success in yoga, to bring about a mood of yoga in one’s mind always, perpetually, is to maintain regularity of practice, continuity of practice with intensity of will and ardour of feeling, maintaining the same mood for an equal length of time - not diminishing it or even extending it beyond certain limits - at the same place, and at the same hour, so that it becomes our regular profession and we have no other work. Even if we have some other profession, some other duty or work, it becomes secondary to our practice. This becomes primary; all that we do throughout our life, throughout the day, from morning to evening, becomes a contributory factor to bring about this mood of yoga so that there is nothing impeding our progress. We can adjust and arrange our activities and the vocational habits of the day in such a manner that they will not seriously obstruct the mood of yoga that we are trying to generate, which is nirodha parinama. This is one of the important transformations that the mind deliberately undergoes in the practice of samyama."

For the complete text, click here.

How did my struggle end? Unexpectedly. For those who practice like I do, you know that when coming close to a pose on which one is working, there tends to be a build up of apprehension, insecurity, doubt, even fear. You can imagine how I felt.

So I do what I do and just came into my pose and et viola, it came, unexpectedly, with much ease. Thinking this was a fluke, I came into it again. And AGAIN, with even greater ease. Thinking third time's a charm, I tried again, and I was flying.

I still don't understand it, but what I hold in my heart today is gratitude.

For more of George Underwood's artwork, as that above, click here.

Carlos' World

2009-11-02T12:24:00.007+08:00

Silverlens, together with the Goethe Institute, recently held its annual workshop. This year, it was all about portraits.

As you can tell, my subject was Carlos.

These are some of the out takes.

To see the full series, click here.

Camiguin! Woot!

2009-10-29T10:38:00.019+08:00

Hello! I know, its been a WHILE but hey, we all get lazy. Anyhoo, Camiguin's my latest update. Above is boat we're taking from Cagayan de Oro. And below is the colorful condition in which its in.

Lovely the way they sanitize the boat, above.

First day, as the sun sets, above.

White Island on a stormy day.

Jerome, our host, in The Yacht Inn, where they play live piano music.

Street scene at night.

Our chanteuse for the evening, who only sang 1 song then began to chat up the men at the bar.

Out piano player, Rick, who's a dead ringer for Louis Armstrong.

A very drunk regular who was having his fun.

Camiguin received grants from the Australian government for restoration of old Gabaldon schools. Click here for Street Wise Asia Fund. If that doesn't work, here's the web address www.icomos.org/.../Gabaldon%20School%20,%20Camiguin,%20Philippines.pdf

They also advertise accomplishments and titles, below.

Passing time in Camiguin, below. Tennis, how genteel.

Gorgeous bulding, below.

Lovely house, with details, below.

Hanging, below.

Lanzones Festival!

Of course, nature nature everywhere.

More hanging by the falls.

Monkey see monkey do.

Jerome, walking Maxie at the end of the day.

Driftwood Series.

Seascape.

Cloud Series.

Another lovely spot by a river.

And yet more hanging on a Sunday.

How is it said, Camiguinenos?

Enjoy!

Bohol! Woot!

2009-07-07T09:02:00.010+08:00

This is my second time to Bohol, and still happy with the vacation so far.

Of course, the river cruise.

Whole clan in full attendance.

Quiet time.

Man made forest.
Very very relaxed today, all I have are luxury problems. Sigh ....

Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

2009-06-26T08:46:00.001+08:00

THE Michael Jackson with whom I fell in love.

Jackson 5 Home Video on Soul Train

2009-06-26T08:43:00.001+08:00

Found this, sad day.

1 Day in Hong Kong

2009-06-19T17:22:00.015+08:00

With the one day I had to roam around Honk Kong, decided to check out the Louis Vuitton show at the Hong Kong Museum Of Art.

Started out the Star Ferry.

Below is an image from Zhou Tao's 1,2,3,4.

A favorite is Andreas Gurshky's work. Couldn't find an image so the one below is a substitute.

The show opened with Gilbert & George's work. Again no image so the one above will have to suffice.

The Museum Of Art was also a piece, above.

Another fave is Bernard Lavier. Neon lights, anybody?

Stephen Sprouse was a personal favorite, above.

Had a great dimsum lunch at the Kee Club after thanks to Marc David, fabulous day!

Evolution: Asia Yoga Conference 2009

2009-06-19T15:41:00.006+08:00

Hello there! Thought I'd open my post with some images of Hong Kong while on the bus to my hotel. Above is the typical taxi cab one gets everywhere BUT mind you, Hong Kong side drivers are so much more savvy than their Kowloon counterparts.

Above is the tunnel, where lights are like you see everywhere, sometimes too much.

Above is my first meal, dinner of fruits from my roadside grocer. Yum! I took a chance on some that I've never had before, they're the ones beside the cherries. They're a little fuzzy, with a seed in the center, and they taste like a cross between a cherry and macopa. Nice, I liked them.

Oh, this is a little kitchenette in my hotel, The Lanson Place, a LOVELY boutique hotel in Causeway Bay. sadly, I forgot to take photos of the hotel as I would leave early in the morning and crawl into bed after 4 classes a day!

Here's day 1 of the Evolution: Asia Yoga Conference 2009. Below is the crowd, only seconds after I registered, whew!

The mid-lobby of the Convention and Exhibition center, nice wall.

One of my classes was an adjustment one with Rusty Wells. I liked his class, he was funny but taught many important lessons. We opened with a KILLER flow though, haven't been worked like that in a while.

Thought I'd post what one of the bigger convention halls looks like.

Here's David Life before our Hot, Hip, and Holy class. This is where I learned, what I've come to call, the dog shuffle. If you take my class, I can show you how it goes, fun!

Thought I'd post an "I was here" photo below.

Here's another teacher, Patrick Creelman. He teaches at Pure. Nice guy, spoke during lunch. He just may come over.

Of course, David Swenson! Took 3 classes with him, one adjustment, one Primary Series, and one on inversions. All wonderful, I left all happy and refreshed despite the hard work. His was the only class, really, that I left feeling better than when I entered.

Thought I'd give you the view of the convention center. Nice!

And um, me on the last day, walking around Causeway's expensive shops. Maybe the only time in my life I can wear Chanel, hee.

Next post will be the shots I took around Kowloon, the Museum of Art. These are ordinary postcard shots from my camera phone or phone camera. Will give you nicer ones from my Nikon.

All in all, had a grand time and learned so much, not only from the asana classes but also from the lectures of Carlos Pomeda and Helen Liu to name a few.

Bacolod! Woot!

2009-06-03T08:18:00.014+08:00

Here's a long overdue post of my trip to Bacolod for a weekend. Gave a yoga workshop, for the very first time.

Below is the lovely little place of my host, Kit Cooper. This, I suspect is her favorite corner.

Below is her dining area, yes, its around 4 am here.

Another shot of Kit's favorite nook.

The living area.

Driving to Mandala Centering Place, where the workshop was.

Entrance to Kit's place guarded by St. Michael.

Krishna guarding the stairwell to the 2nd floor.

The mandala, hand painted on the dome.

The front office leading to the main practice hall, that also leads to the treatment rooms.

Outdoor shots of the garden at the back.

Another shot of the practice hall.

Main entrance.

My feet, I was here!

The day after, we headed for Balay Alibangbang, Kit's family resort. Saw below on the way.

Early morning, heading to the garden.

Indoor shot of the house in Balay Alibangbang.

There's a little museum that houses miniature art. I forget the artist's name. Will get back to you on that one.

The butterfly sanctuary.

Here are the shots I took as I was headed to the airport (sniff).

A shoutout of thanks to Kit Cooper of Mandala Centering Place (Burgos Extension, Villa Angela, Bacolod City, 63.34.7091775, +63.919.4556746, bowentechnique.bacolod@gmail.com).

Mandala offers yoga classes, pilates and bowen.

I had a grand time!

In Memoriam

2009-05-18T21:18:00.005+08:00

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009)

Checking my phone as usual after class this evening had me break into tears, "Guruji left his body about two hours ago. He was home in the shala from hospital."

I had heard he was in the I.C.U. and that he was not well, in fact, he's been ill for a while. So his passing wasn't really a surprise. I didn't expect to break down the way I did, I haven't shed tears like that in a while.

I am thankful, though, for having attended his birthday last year, and touched his feet.

Sri Gurum Gananatham cha
Vanim shanmathuram tatha
Yogeshwaram Sri Harim cha
Pranat'omsi moohoormuhu

ॐ

Ilocos! Woot!

2009-04-21T18:17:00.008+08:00

Ilocos has always seemed so FAR away and well, it is. It is a 10-hour drive, BUT, it is well worth it. Carlos and I, along with a couple of dear friends, decided on a whim to do so. We packed the car and headed out in the evening. We arrived around 7 in the morning, quite shaky (as really, this old crone CANNOT pull all-nighters any longer). But, the photo below is what greeted us.

Along with some charming scenery below of some children welcoming the morning as well.

Later that day, after a nap, we headed into the nearest town and shopped for some blankets. Below is a shot of the house, with some very interesting chachka, where weaves are sold.

Paoay church, OF COURSE.

A charming family also on an outing.

All that glitters .....

Typical Ilocos scenery ...

Very old world charm ...

Crisologo street, always charming and alluring ...

Just add kalesa to complete the look ...

Gratitude

2009-03-17T19:08:00.004+08:00

Hello. Before anything else, deep thanks to those who remembered me today, very sweet of you.

Above is an image of my orchid in bloom, been watching it since it sprouted and felt very proud when the first opened.Thought I'd share.

Also, just finished reading Arena (hooked on this mag now) and they featured an article called Mr. Bright Side. The author, Laurence Shorter spent two years searching for the secrets of optimism. Those who are had 3 things in common, "...find a reality larger than your own small self, accept things as they are-not as you think they should be, and take command of your own reactions. (Shorter, 72-73, 2009)."

Easier said than done. But, yes, turning a year older has made me think that's its not all about me, there is a larger divinity with all of us in it. Accepting things as they are, yes, but please, don't pretend bad times don't happen. And reaction control? VERY KEY. As we all know reactions elicit behavior, so if we don't want vicious cycles ...

Last, the article spoke of a simple exercise that helps in optimism. Be grateful for 3 things before going to bed. So here I am, grateful for more than 3 things in my life, especially today. And if you're reading this, you're one of them.

Liberation

2009-03-08T10:06:00.002+08:00

Hello! Went to Carlos' Transitio last night and it was lovely. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday night.

Highlight for the evening was the releasing of the spirit lanterns. We're hoping that the spirits of the Liberation will find some ease now that they've been remembered, and that Intramuros can move forward from its very painful past.

Inspiration

2009-01-25T16:18:00.009+08:00

With the Chinese New Year coming in a few hours, thought it would be nice to look at things beautiful. Now that I'm teaching in Pulse Makati, Silverlens and Slab are a hop, skip, and a jump away. Yay!

Silverlens and Slab are running simultaneous shows. The colored shots are from Family Spaces by Stella Kalaw.

And they are lovely. I'm looking at everyday things around me in, literally, a new light.

These black and white images are from Renato Orara's Library Bookworks.

Now, his works aren't lovely, that would be a wrong description. Stunning would be good, but that also comes up short. You'll really have to look for yourself and find your own words. One thing's for sure though, you'll have to pick your jaw up off the floor.

新年快乐!!!

2009

2009-01-02T09:50:00.007+08:00

2008 has been, all in all, a good year. Not the best, but good. Carlos and I tried to be a bit festive by having dinner with a few friends at the Manila Pavilion's (old Manila Hilton) Rotisserie. They gave us hats and horns, a nice hoot.

The interiors still hold the old world charm, and the paintings are lovely. The food, quite good although they have very few vegetarian dishes. They will, though, make you something should you request it.

As it is the first month of the year, I usually pay close attention to my astrology predictions. Before I give you what it says, I came across an article about the Pisces woman, click here. Another hoot.

And oh, Mercury goes into retrograde from January 11 to February 1, 2009. Be prepared.

Anyhoo, Pisces ...

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

Your January Horoscope by Susan Miller

Pisces Forecast for January 2009

By Susan Miller

Last month - December - a lot of last minute things came up to distract you, so you hardly had a moment to breathe. Career was very busy too, and you made a great deal of progress. When the holidays finally arrived at December's end, you did have a chance to relax a little, but everything seemed to happen so quickly. It was as though December became compressed into a tiny packet of time, and now it seems like a blur.

Rather than keep up a hard driving pace, January seems to bring a softer, easier speed. In the first three weeks, you will have time for family and friends, and you will find their presence to be warm and comforting. While the holidays may be over, the season's messages of peace, love, and joy will continue to fill you.

Indeed, you will be happier in January than you were last month, mainly because the pressure will be off you. You will have a little extra quiet time for yourself and to spend with the people who mean the most to you.

You'll be able to kick back and catch up with pals, and unlike mid-December when you were very stressed because of news that may have rocked you, in January you'll find yourself in a much more optimistic frame of mind.

There will be plenty going on in January! In the first week, Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, will move into Aquarius for the first time since 1997. The luckiest days of the year - for you and everyone else - will arrive on January 23-24. The month will end with a major solar eclipse that seems friendly on January 26. In addition to those dates will be a sprinkling of happy surprises well.

Let's take a look at January from the top, for the landscape should begin to shift dramatically and add a special tone for the whole year to come. Along with new aspects come new opportunities, and you'll have plenty of ways to benefit from those.

The first big day will be January 5 when Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, will move into Aquarius for a one-year stay. This planet of bounty will now settle into your twelfth house, ruling your subconscious mind, dreams, and intuition.

This house is considered a rich source of creativity. It symbolizes the primordial waters of creation as well as the waters that surrounded you as an embryo in the placenta. Indeed, the twelfth house, which will be so lit up for you, is considered the repository of imagination, emotion, dreams, and hopes, and this is where your biggest personal growth will occur this year. You will begin to notice this in January and even more so in February.

I love thinking about the twelfth house because it holds so much possibility! It rules unconscious bits and pieces of random thoughts that go on in you that so often come together to suddenly to produce a big idea. This can happen while you're working and concentrating intently, or even when you're not. You could be taking a shower or doing dishes, and then bingo! The one idea you've been looking for suddenly shows up, and it's perfect!

In 2009, the most important changes that will occur for you won't come from the outside world, but rather from deep within. And those, the ones that stem from deep inside us, are the most important changes one encounters, wouldn't you say, dear Pisces? You will get a chance to design your own world this year, for your inner thoughts and creativity will help you shape your life. You won't have to wait on others to present you opportunities for success - you will practically "will" them into being, all by yourself!

Each of the 12 houses of the horoscope is naturally ruled by one of the signs, and the circle of the zodiac echoes the rhythm of life. For instance, Aries rules the first house, symbolizing spring, the egg, and the newborn baby. Taurus rules the second house, where the toddler experiences the world through touch, sound, sight, and taste. Pisces is the very last sign, symbolizing the twelfth house, as the old wise soul who is philosophical and who carries much insight that he imparts to others.

The twelfth house describes the essence of Pisces, so you are very comfortable with the subjects that are covered by this house, namely creative thinking, dreams, intuition, and visual right brain thinking, to name a few. Jupiter, the great good fortune planet, will be visiting Pisces' twelfth house throughout 2009, the house that contains all your talents - chances are that you will be able to make superb use of Jupiter's gifts.

As a Pisces, you often go into a zone while working on a creative project and become completely unaware of time. Sometimes your new ideas seem almost "channeled" to you from another source. You are often as surprised as others when you see the superb quality of your output. In the year ahead, 2009, you will have many of these kinds of almost mystical experiences. You will love that!

Your instinct will be high this year, and you can rely on it. We live in tough times, where facts will be hard to come by. Those who feel comfort with ambiguity and who can rely on their instinct to fill in the blanks will do very well indeed, and this describes you, dear Pisces. Your inner antenna is always up, but this year it will prove to be so sharp as to be uncanny. Your friends and business associates will say you're positively scary in your accuracy. Don't let anyone second guess you this year - you will zero in on the right answer with stunning accuracy.

Jupiter rules your solar tenth house of professional success and advancement, so in the coming year, with Jupiter locked away in your twelfth house, you will do your very best work in solitude while working alone behind closed doors. In 2009, you need time to think, experiment, and strategize your plans in a place where you feel safe and enjoy being and where you will be free of others' distractions. Rather than think "teamwork" in 2009, think "solitude" because that is where your luck lies.

When you look back over 2009, you will be glad that you spent time puttering alone. It is only when you are working alone that you will be able to let your imagination fully take flight and express all that is uniquely you, undiluted by others' comments. Capture those ideas, dear Pisces. Don't let them fly away. More importantly, use them. If you don't, it will be as though those jewel-like ideas were never born, and that would be a shame!

This coming year, with such a brilliantly lit twelfth house, you will have one or more secret angels - not the fuzzy blue kind found in new age articles - but rather real, life and blood influential people who will help you in powerfully effective ways.

Because this is the house of secrets and confidential matters, your staunch supporters will help you in a low profile way. The individuals won't want to attract attention, so they will do their work for you out of the spotlight and off stage. Their advice will be dead-on and the actions they take on your behalf will, at times, touch your heart.

You've not had help like this in over a decade, so it's a new trend that you will soon start to notice. You may be aware of some of your high level supporters, but some may prefer to be anonymous, so you may not know about their help at all.

Confidential meetings of all kinds will be fortunate for you. It will be critically important that you not talk about your plans to anyone until you are ready to announce them publicly to the world. You won't want to tempt a copycat! Your ideas are precious and valuable, so treat them as such.

You will also discover that you have no secret enemies in 2009. Any competitors or detractors that you discover in the year ahead - should you find any - will be out in the open, quick to detect and easier to combat. That's one of the benefits of having Jupiter in the twelfth house.

Health-wise, if you have had a habit or health concern over the past years that you would like to rid yourself of, this would be the year and the month to tackle it. The twelfth house is the house of cleansing and healing, so here is your chance. Hospitals come under this area of the chart, as do other areas of "confinement" including rehab centers, physical therapy facilities, and nursing homes.

If you need to go to a hospital, the one you'd choose will be equipped with the most modern technological apparatus and the medical staff would be very up to date on all new techniques and helpful to you. Jupiter would see to that. Of course, you will need to do your homework when choosing where to have your treatment, and after you do, commit fully to it. Assuming you do, you should feel confident that you'd see a successful outcome. I am not saying you will be in the hospital - don't become worried! If you know you need to go to a medical facility, you should feel secure in knowing you would be in good hands.

If a family member needs a doctor or nursing home, you should be the person to make the final decision about it (not your siblings or others), for you would be the one with the most insight into what is needed and have the best wherewithal this year to find it.

Next year, you will enter your golden epoch when Jupiter enters Pisces on January 17, 2010. By then you will need to be free of old obligations that no longer interest you so that you can pursue new, bigger opportunities next year. That should be part of your plan moving forward, dear Pisces. Perfect your strategy!

Now let's turn to other things that are due to happen in January.

A love relationship or a stunningly happy social event seems to be your complete focus at the full moon, January 10, plus or minus four days. If you have been dating someone seriously, you may come to an important decision about your partner. As said earlier, Uranus will be full of happy surprises, so I feel the outcome will be VERY positive.

Alternatively, if you are single and not dating, you may meet someone new over this full moon. If so, it would occur quite suddenly and unexpectedly! Chemistry would be wonderful!!

If you are attached, you will not be left out. You can expect lots of fun over the full moon weekend, January 10-11 - and fun is something you sorely need!

A discussion about a new baby or a surprise pregnancy may come up, or you may make preparations for a child you have now as well. If you are awaiting a child, and you or your partner is pregnant, the baby is likely to come at the full moon period, January 10. As said, Uranus will be in perfect angle to that moon, so surprises that come by should be ones that warm your heart.

If you were born on March 10, plus or minus five days, you will feel the lyrical effects of this full moon more strongly than most.

There is one more area that would surely make you glad at this full moon January 10, and that's a creative project that you will likely bring to a conclusion. Be proud! How it turns out seems to please you very much.

If you've been awaiting approvals from a client about the start of a new assignment, that full moon January 10, plus or minus four days, should bring final word for the go-ahead. You may have to make changes to the plan before it's fully signed off, but your outlook is good.

You need to keep in mind that Mercury will go retrograde from January 11 to February 1. All month, well before January 11, you will feel a slowdown to the everyday pace. Mercury retrograde periods are always associated with delays, for these periods are times to rethink, redo, revisit, reassess, or redesign projects and goals.

Mercury will start to retrograde in Aquarius. In the first part of the retrograde, January 11-20, if any of your appliances or computers are wearing down, you will know about that, for you will need to take your computer or appliance to the repair shop to have fixed. Back up your computer and cell phone, and make sure you do not lose any electronic devices in your daily rounds.

Later, from January 21 to 31, when Mercury retrogrades backward into Capricorn, you will see a positive side to this trend. Mercury will occupy your friendship sector at that time, so you will have a chance to connect with old friends you haven't seen in a long time. You'll have lots of fun catching up.

On your luckiest days of the year, January 23-24, you may be discussing a new project or assignment behind closed doors. This comes as a result of Jupiter conjunct the Sun, a very beautiful and rare event that happens once a year in a different part of everyone's chart. On this day your strategy is simply perfect - write it all down!

On January 23, it's also very likely a massive new creative project or assignment will show up. Keep alert!

Because Jupiter is considered the Great Healer too, you may also go for a health consultation and get superb advice on January 23 or 24. If money is a concern (perhaps to pay the doctor), the funds will show up. January 23 will be your stronger of the two days, so use that one if you can. If you cannot use either day, consider scheduling meetings and appointments for January 22.

Because you will be the celestial favorite of 2010, the universe will ask you to make specific preparations for your golden year, and in the best possible shape. It is a time to draw up new goals because next year you will begin a new twelve-year chapter. The new goals you draw up will be very important, for those will carry you forward through the next decade or longer.

The solar eclipse in Aquarius on January 26 will light this same twelfth house you and I have been discussing in your forecast this month. The January 26 eclipse should be friendly because it will fall very close to Jupiter.

There are several different ways this eclipse may send a message to you.

This eclipse is a new moon, and as a solar eclipse, it has the strength of three new moons all rolled into one. The one this month, January 26, will fall in your subconscious sector, close to Jupiter. If there were any psychological reasons you've avoided ending a bad habit, you will now be able to get to the root of it after this eclipse appears. Once you know what has stopped you from succeeding, you can redouble your efforts and finally be done with it once and for all. If you feel that having a coach, therapist, or psychoanalyst would help you, you would find the right one now.

It is alternatively possible that you will know someone who will be taken to the hospital just after the solar eclipse on January 26. This would be someone you would want to visit often. You may also want to help by making a number of decisions for that friend or relative, for it looks like you would be in the best position to make those choices, more so than others around you.

A different way you may be affected by the eclipse on January 26 is that you may hear a secret, one that completely surprises you and that someone has tried to keep from you. If you do, finding out will help you protect yourself, even if hearing this secret initially jars or disappoints you. Remember, Jupiter will be a close protector, dear Pisces. Whatever it is, you will need to know about it.

Conversely, YOU may be working on a secret project that you cannot tell anyone about until you are ready to show others. See how this works out!

Romantically, you seem to be in a very strong position. Venus will be in Pisces all month, and most of the planets in the sky will be lighting your house of groups and friendship. You seem to be out and about much more than usual in January, and you'll enjoy your socializing very much.

Watch January 2 when an event may turn out to be cozy and comforting, thanks to the fine interaction of Saturn and the Sun.

Next, you already know about the tender full moon in Cancer that is due January 10, operative plus or minus three days. That lovely full moon will light your house of true love and could bring a new love interest or a confession of love from someone you've been seeing. If you were born on or near March 10, you will feel the effects of this full moon.

You may make a decision about your relationship, advancing it forward, or gently discuss a concern together. Talk of children or an impending pregnancy may come up. Your friends again will be helpful, and they appear to be very affirming and loving at this time.

Over the weekend of January 17-18, when Mercury conjoins Jupiter, you may get invited to a party or get-together. If so, be sure to accept because this weekend looks extra special. You may see friends from your past and meet many new vibrant people, too. Conversation would surely sparkle! The event would have a touch of luxury about it as well - the food, music, and flowers would be divine. If you are attached, your partner will be very thoughtful at this time, and you would benefit from him or her in some way.

Your home will be the source of much happiness over the weekend of January 17-18, too - you may decide to give a party there at that time with excellent results. (As an aside, Mercury will still be retrograde, so I will ask you not buy anything new and expensive for your home, not until next month near February 24.)

Finally, another zinger of a romantic day - my favorite one for you - will be January 22 when Mars in Capricorn will send a happy missive to Uranus in Pisces. This day will be filled with 100,000 watts of light and bring lots of serendipity. Your friends will have a central role in all that goes on and will only make things more delicious.

On the very same day, January 22, you'll have Venus conjoin Uranus in Pisces, a true firecracker of an aspect with your name written all over it. If you met someone now, you would likely have an instant attraction! You'd have to slow things down, dear Pisces, and it would not be easy! Your new alliance may heat up so fast that the relationship would be in danger of puffing out. I will admit it all could be quite exciting! Just keep things at a slow boil.

Finally, for single Pisces, if you have a blind date on January 23 or 24, your luckiest days of the year, you may really like the person you meet that day. It would be worth scheduling time for a coffee if you truly feel the person you met online (or through other means) sounds interesting.

As you see, January is filled with surprises!

Your best days this month for fun and love: January 2, 9, 10, 17-18, 22, 23-24, and 28-29.

Summary

This month begins a very important new trend with the move of Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, into Aquarius. Jupiter will remain in your house of subconscious and strategic thinking all year, a place it has not been since 1997. Jupiter happens to be very comfortable in that house for you, so that means you will absorb Jupiter's gifts of wisdom, imagination, and creativity more easily.

In this coming year, rather than having the outside world create your experiences, you will create your own world, and many of your opportunities will come because you dearly want them and will find a way to get them. Your intuition will be unusually sharp, and your creativity will be unusually rich.

In the year ahead, you would do well to work alone on your creative projects and other assignments. Working in solitude will create your biggest professional successes, for that is clear in your chart. This is not a year for you to work in teams but rather work alone, reflecting, thinking, tinkering, and creating your own vision. You need to set forth a pure vision that YOU see, untainted by the opinions of others.

All year, you will have considerable support from VIPs behind the scenes, some you'll know about and some you won't. With many important people pulling for you and believing in you, you will do well, for clearly you are being groomed for a new, big role that will materialize by next year.

On the luckiest days of the year and happening this month (this time spanning two days - January 23 and 24) you may have a confidential meeting or hear of a very interesting secret someone has tried to keep from you. Even if the secret is not something you'd want to know because it directly affects you and disappoints or even horrifies you, knowing about it will help to protect you.

These days, especially January 23, would be great for scheduling a blind date, or alternatively, for consulting a doctor or therapist for a diagnosis or help. All kinds of strategic decisions made on these days will also turn out to be right on the money. An assignment of massive scope could easily surface on Friday, January 23, too.

The eclipse of January 26 could allow you to rid yourself of a bad habit. Astrologically, we are urged to cleanse our mind, body, and spirit before entering one's golden year. Yours will arrive on January 17, 2010, when Jupiter enters Pisces.

The twelve months leading to such an important year are said to be best used reviewing one's goals, drawing up new plans, and ridding oneself of old bad habits - as well as outworn obligations, alliances, and responsibilities that are no longer hold value to you. You should try to make room for all the new opportunities that will come your way next year, and to be clear about what precisely you will want to achieve in the future.

The solar eclipse of January 26 should, by all counts, be very friendly because it falls so close to good fortune Jupiter. Having said that, I should also add that I cannot see everything in your chart, dear Pisces, so we all need to be ready for a dramatic surprise that can go either way. Generally, solar eclipses bring big opportunities, either immediately (the week that they appear), or one month to the day later, which would be February 26 plus or minus four days.

It will also be important to watch the moment when Mars moves over the precise degrees of the eclipse as you would get news - that would be February 12 plus or minus two days.

You may hear of someone in the hospital, or you may decide to go in for a procedure yourself. Or, you may go to a coach or therapist for training on how to give up a substance or food that has hurt you. In that case, even if the incident that triggers your determination to end this habit may seem serious, the fact that you ARE ready to give it up could bode so well for your future.

Mercury will be retrograde from January 11-February 1, so go slowly on spending. You'd be best to spend your holiday cash in February, not January. (Electronics are the worst things to buy when Mercury is retrograde!)

During the first three weeks, your friends will be gems. The holiday spirit will be very much alive in your heart in January, so while others are buckling down to do their work projects, the universe has prepared an easier, more social month of January for you. You will run into many old friends, and you will want to see them - you'll quickly arrange lunches and dinners to catch up.

Go to any party you are invited to over the weekend of January 17 and 18 - it would be quite glamorous or bring you extra fun. If you are attached, this is also due to be a highly romantic time of the month.

Your BEST romantic day of the month if you are single is sure to be January 22, when Mars and Uranus link up and Venus will smack a kiss on Uranus, for both will be in Pisces. That's a four-star day for love! Just try not to get swept away in the sea of love, because you might - it may be THAT exciting!

All month Venus will be in Pisces, so it's a good time to think about how to perk up your appearance for your New Year.

Dates to note:

Other days for fun and love: January 2, 9, 10, 17-18, 22 (4-star), 23-24, and 28-29.

Your luckiest day of the year will be great for a blind date or confidential meeting: January 23-24.

News about a family member is upbeat: January 17-18.

The solar eclipse can help you give up a bad habit: January 26-31, continuing over months to come.

Perfect your strategy, keep things under wraps: All month.

Mercury will be retrograde: January 11-February 1. Expect to see some old friends come into the picture again.

More Istanbul

2008-12-26T16:12:00.004+08:00

Oops, just remembered the piece also had some of my black and white photos.

So here are more out takes.

My Istanbul

2008-12-26T15:51:00.005+08:00

Carlos and I have been spending these last days very quietly, mostly remembering Joel. Carlos is back to work today and I'm on break until January. I'd almost forgotten that I had an article on Istanbul coming out.

Well, it is out, details are Homestyle magazine, the one with the Babao (spelling?) family on the cover.

The article is about the palaces in Istanbul I visited on my recent trip.

As the photos in the magazine are graded for printing, thought I'd post some of the out takes here. This way you can see them in original color.

The one above is one of my favorites.

Enjoy!

Jose Manuel Carlos Pamintuan Tesoro (4 November 1972-19 December 2008)

2008-12-24T11:37:00.011+08:00

I first saw Joel when I had just come home from work and he and Carlos had their backs turned to me. They were both looking up at a tall shelf in our room and, if I remember right, they were discussing how to get something off the top. I was quite taken aback on how alike they looked from behind. I asked if they needed anything, and they both turned and pointed to what it was. I stepped forward, took it off the high shelf and handed it to them. We all had a good chuckle about it and Carlos formally introduced his dear cousin to me.

Through the years, he and Joel would go off and take trips together. They were very close. In fact, when Carlos and I had moved into out first apartment together, I was irked that he had scheduled to see Joel in Indonesia, leaving me to finish up the construction. Of course, Carlos came home with many house gifts and I was soothed. Moreover, he came home with many wonderful stories of their (mis)adventures.

Above is a picture of Carlos and Joel at our wedding, Joel was best man. That was a happy day. Today is Christmas Eve, and it is a very sad day. Carlos and I will be spending it quietly, we will be remembering Joel. Carlos has a beautiful tribute on his site.

We thank you for your kind words and prayers during this difficult time.

Gratitude

2008-12-12T16:17:00.004+08:00

To celebrate the full moon, thought I'd post a photo of how my altar's looking lately. Thankful for so much this year.

And with a crisis well on its way around the world, I'm also thankful for blessings. Like this yummy (I'm not kidding, this was the BEST vegetable burger I've ever made) veggie burger, pasta with yes, again home made pesto, and lovely greens (dressing home made as well). Yes, had time on my hands so was in the kitchen whipping up a storm.

I usually end my classes with breaths of thanks, offering a lot here. Very very thankful for what I have.

Mosque On My Mind

2008-11-26T17:36:00.007+08:00

Was going through some backlog email (LOTS) and read one from a dear friend I met in Mysore. When she learned I was headed to Turkey after India, she told me the most wonderful stories of her trip there. Which made me remember that I haven't posted my mosque photos yet. So here they are.

The one above is not a mosque but a church. Carlos and I found it as we walked. Love the bones so here it is for you too.

Above is the interior of the church landing.

Above is the interior of Sultanahmet, also known as the Blue Mosque. It was actually built to rival the Aya Sophia.

Speaking of which, below are photos of the Ayasofya, former church, mosque and now a museum.

You can see the constant restoration work below.

The walls used to be mosaic until they kept getting stolen. These days, the patterns are reproduced by paint. I know, ngek.

Happy Birthday

2008-11-09T08:46:00.004+08:00

This is late in coming as it took so long to upload the photo. Wonder why?

My point being, happy happy birthday to Carlos (November 10) and Bogart too!

Good Food, Good News

2008-11-08T19:51:00.008+08:00

Carlos and had a meeting in Quezon City the other day and since it was to be held in a restaurant I hadn't heard of before, I decided to tag along. Now, QC is always a trek for me but I'm glad I did as the place was a lovely restaurant called Adarna. It serves Filipino food BUT as the chef is a vegetarian, most dishes come with not only a vegetarian option, but vegan as well. Wow, right?

Below are some images of the place. This one is of a vinyl collection by one of the walls.

Below is their coffee service. They use these lovely floral ones for female diners, Carlos got a nice blue and white for his.

One wall has a collection of carnival queen photos.

Another wall has photos such like the one below. No need to comment except, where is Didith Reyes now?

Below is the service setting as we sat to lunch.

There's Carlos preparing for the meeting.

Views of the place below.

Bar side.

Entrance.

Click here for a guide to the place. On their card card, Giney Villar is the chef, Adarna decribes itself as, "Adarna Food and Culture is a restaurant that celebrates Filipino culture by showcasing historical, regional, and heirloom cuisine. It is also the perfect setting for functions and intimate occasions for up to 200 people."

Adarna is on 119 Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Q.C., telefax (+632) 926.8712, mobile (+63917) 9618113, email adarnafoodandculture@yahoo.com.

Adarna is open from Monday-Saturday, lunch from 11.30-2 pm, merienda from 2-6 pm, dinner from 6-10.30 pm.

Enjoy!

Turkish Delights

2008-10-30T17:08:00.014+08:00

Not only does Turkey delight you with its baklava, halva, and of course, the famous Turkish delights, but also with its palaces. For the duration of our trip, we visited three, Topkapi, Beylerbeyi, and Dolmabahce.

Below is a roof detail of Topkapi. It is the biggest site to visit as it holds collections of porcelain, armor, murals, treasury, and jewelry. Sadly, no photos allowed inside.

Some lovely marble ruins displayed outside, below.

The harem. Pictures allowed here.

Below are shots of Beylerbeyi.

Below is Dolmabahce.

Below is Beylerbeyi.

Dolmabahce exterior below.

Next stop, mosques.

Hamam's the Word

2008-10-28T09:48:00.013+08:00

The trip to Istanbul was quite the experience (yes, it has become one of my favorite cities), therefore, let me give it to you post by post. First, a Turkish bath experience. In the Lonely Planet's Istanbul Encounter guidebook, the entry on hamams opens like this:

"We run the risk of sounding like you mum here but, frankly, we just don't think its advisable for you to leave Istanbul without having a bath. A Turkish bath that is (Campbell, 2007, page 132)."

There are a variety of hamams from which to choose from the traditional, to the touristy, to the ultra luxe that includes spa services. As a newbie, guidebooks refer two, Cemberlitas and Cagaloglu. I chose Cagaloglu as it is listed in 1,000 Places To See Before You Die.

The entrance is a walk down from the street where you're greeted by lovely marble and stained glass. After deciding what service you want (they range from just a bath with a self scrub to a full service bath with an oil massage, I opted for a full service bath minus the oil massage), you are led to the camekan (dressing room). Circling the main camekan are smaller ones with a small bed and dresser where you are to undress, and put on the pestemal (cloth). Below is an image of the main camekan, the wooden glass doors are the smaller changing rooms.

While in my small dressing room, a knock sounded and opening the door, I was greeted by al elderly lady who put wooden clogs on my feet. She took me by the hand, much like a mother to daughter, and walked me through sogukluk (cold room, but it wasn't cold) and to the sicaklik (steam room, but there was no steam). Instead, it was just the main room where it was warm enough to perspire as the marble was hot.

My attendant told me to sit, removed my pestemal, turned on two taps, one hot and one cold) and said, "water, water, water, then I come back." Fifteen minutes later, my attendant returns in a one-piece bathing suit, leads my by the hand once again and tells me to lie down on the raised center marble slab where she proceeds to douse me with water, and scrubs me with a kese (coarse cloth mitten). After, I am lathered and massaged, rinsed off, and then shampooed. My attendant then said, "service finished," and then kissed me on both cheeks.

Above is me after my bath, after so much dirt was sloughed of my skin. Slough is a good word, sluff, grate, even grind, yes, the scrub wasn't gentle (and it goes to all your in between places, not privates though), but it was nicely bearable. When my attendant tapped me to open my eyes and look at my skin, I was in a bit of a shock to see how much dead skin (and black at that! yuck) I had.

As the main room is hot and wet (and I am no Kate Moss), I didn't bring my camera inside. Therefore, I was happy to find out (from a clipping the hamam posted, image below) that Kate Moss was shot for W in Cagaloglu.

Below are some shots from W. The first below shows the raised marble slab where one is scrubbed and lathered. And yes, those tin bowls are used to douse water.

Below is not only a gorgeous shot, but more importantly, shows architectural details of the interior bath.

More architectural detail in the shot below.

And last, below are the taps beside which one sits to perspire and "water, water, water."

Coincidences

2008-10-27T16:53:00.006+08:00

A dear friend gave me "Flapper," (image below). "For no occasion really, it just reminded me of you," was her answer when asked the reason for such a gift. I didn't pick it up until my recent trip to the holy lands. Started a bit slow as was getting used to the tone, later on, it kept me in good company, especially during the 29-hour journey back home.

As everybody is keeping track of the U.S Presidential race (and economic crisis), so was I, especially as was traveling through lands that usually make the news. It is probably no coincidence that I was reading the book, for it contained this:

"The simple truth was that America's most prosperous decade had been built on a deck of cards. There was a price to pay for so lopsided a concentration of the nation's riches. Good times relied on good sales, after all. The same farmers and workers who fueled the economic growth early in the decade by purchasing shiny new cars and electric washing machines had reached their limit. By the lat twenties, when advertisers told them that cars and washing machines were outdated and needed to be replaced, the working class simply couldn't afford to but new ones. Unbought goods languished on the shelves. Factories cut their production. Workers were laid off by the millions. With consumer demand hitting new lows, America's economy simply stopped functioning (Zeitz, 2006, page 277)."

Hmmm, it reads familiar. The same book also contained this:

"In 1939, the House of Chanel turned out an evening dress in ivory cotton organdy, with red, white, and blue embriodery--partof her "tricolor" collection celebrating French nationalism. The piece was uncharacteristically mawkish, but with Western Europe besieged by the Axis threat, the times seemed to call for such a design (Zeitz 2006, page 284)."

Was it another coincidence that the Elle Decor magazine (October 2008), bought from Cairo airport to while away the time, reported the same Chanel dress in their "What's Hot" page (image above)?

Probably not.

Egypt 2008

2008-10-15T22:58:00.014+08:00

Here are some images of Egypt. Above is a groovy building right by the Nile. Below is a Club Car of the sleeper train to Cairo.

Below is a close up of some hieroglyphics.

A shot of a very proper afternoon tea served on the cruise. No scones though.

An image from a temple. I do like this one.

My favorite meal so far, Nubian fare made in a Tagine oven. And I really enjoyed Fayrouz!

And here is where they brew their coffee with spices. No milk in coffee allowed! Anyhoo, the spices are the same as chai, they just use coffee.

The full moon in Luxor.

Two men praying (I think) or reading scripture in a small side road by the bazaar.

Below are bazaar snapshots. MUCH has to be said about Egyptian shopping!

Chachka anyone?!

An entry way into an Egyptian home.

Need I say anything else about below?

Egypt from the air.

Our quaint Nile cruise boat, and yes, I did feel like I stepped out of Death on the Nile.

My everyday buffet fare (of course minus the ham in the foreground), although they did have a la carte evenings where, one night, I was served a lovely eggplant lasagna.

Oh more lovely ruins.

West Side Story-I Feel Pretty

2008-10-04T08:07:00.002+08:00

Today isn't really a good morning as I woke up tired. I blame it on the traffic jams around the city last night AND the Manila production of West Side Story.

Although this production wasn't the worst I've seen, it wasn't the best.

I left the Meralco theatre tired as the production was looooong, the micing was bad (volume would swell, sometimes we couldn't hear, or we could hear the backstage), the actors playing Maria and Tony hit the wrong notes, and some scenes fell flat (especially the opening one).

As I felt the I Feel Pretty scene was another flat one, here's a clip from YouTube for you to enjoy.

On the upside, the actor playing Anita was really good., what a voice!

My attention was kept more by the beauty of the Meralco theatre, the zigzag patterns on the ceiling, the hard wood carved panelling on the walls, some carpeted as well.

Having said that, I really enjoyed the lighting of the show EXCEPT the dream sequence with the clouds behind (with weird white outfits that didn't go with the costume theme at all).

Again, having said that, this is MY opinion so please no violent reactions. There are many positive reviews to read here .

Could be also that it was just my luck to watch on an off night, as it is Mercury in Retrograde.

But then again, shows shouldn't have off nights.

The Moro Negatives

2008-10-02T11:36:00.002+08:00

Isa Lorenzo does it again, she surprises us with images that are both familiar and new. Here are 2 of my favorite images from her show, Isa Lorenzo 003: The Moro Negatives. Go and see it at the Silverlens gallery, show runs until November 15.

Took these photos with Isa's permission, just for my blog. Yes, that's me above taking the shot, no, I'm not in that photograph. Really, been a WHILE since I've seen something good, and this is definitely worth your time and effort. Go! Enjoy!

New Moon on Monday

2008-09-29T10:29:00.004+08:00

As was posting my latest one, read on my moon phase bar that today is the new moon (thus the image above called O Lady Moon). So decided to share my most recent openings (most of us just call this pain) in my practice. You see, my Intercostals have been in pain these last weeks. Could have been from a strong daily practice, or from adjusting while conducting classes (more dominant on my right side), or both, who knows?

I only remember feeling pain in my right side and of course, like anyone who practices, ignored it and chalked it up to the experience of yoga. Whoa! The pain became worse as the days went by. And again, like any other practitioner, I refused to stop my practice. Until, one day, the pain was almost unbearable, so much so that I practiced variations to keep the pain at bay.

And here is where my light bulb moment happened (I know, not the one where I should have stopped practicing altogether, but bear with me, read on); I realized I was practicing as I did when I was starting out on my yoga journey. In my sun salutations, I was bending my knees coming to Chaturanga Dandansa as the pain limited my right side from bearing weight. Marichasanas were excruciating, especially the C and D versions.

A first realization is how my Intercostals work. My pain drove me to read up on such a complex network of muscles and nerves that are at the very heart of the breath (also learned about these muscles from my Mayovasotherapist). You see from the image below, the Intercostals hold the ribs, which in turn hold the heart and lungs. Therefore, if one injures the Intercostals, it takes a while to heal because these muscles NEVER stop working as long as one is breathing. This was why the pain increased as the days went by.

A very VERY humbling week for me as have become so used to and probably taken for granted the strong practice I have. The first moments were in anger at myself for needing to variate like a beginner. Then moving to anger again at myself for being bull headed to continue practicing despite the pain.

BUT after the anger subsided, and reason and acceptance kicked in, there happened a softening. An opening, a realization that after all, growth only happens after some pain is felt. Breaths came with more acceptance of what was happening at that moment, that there was a need to practice with variation. That had I stopped my practice, I would have never been humbled to feel, once again, what it was like to practice as one who wasn't yet strong enough to bear one's weight.

There you have it, my journey from pain to anger to humility to growth. I forget how this a never-ending cycle in the practice of yoga.

Parks and Wildlife Center, Wild!

2008-09-29T09:47:00.004+08:00

Good morning! Just got back from a television interview on She Ka (yes, broadcast live and their make-up artist didn't show up, but that's another story). My point being, it was shot at the Visitor's Center of the Parks and Wildlife Center, Quezon City. All I found out about it on the Web (WOW Philippines) is, "Parks and Wildlife Bureau: Quezon City's very own zoological and botanical garden, situated near the Quezon Memorial Circle, is a haven for young and old nature lovers. The 80-hectare complex of wooden areas is replete with wildlife conducive for picnicking and promenading. The park is also equipped with a children's playground and a man-made lagoon for boating. Specimens of the country's various flora and fauna, including the famous monkey-eating eagle, are found here."

I've never been there, or at least, I don't remember therefore I was nicely surprised at the lovely, lush greenery. Here are two shots I took, the one above I like because of the blooming lotus. The one below is just, well, pretty.

Reproductive Health Bill

2008-09-24T14:00:00.004+08:00

The image above is called Last Supper with Street Children (I think). I remember seeing it as a gift to the department of an American school where I used to teach. I always found it disturbing. My point being, this is probably what most of our undernourished street children get, a last supper.

I don't post anything political or religious really, but my husband and I feel strongly about the Reproductive Health Bill. Please lend your support by signing the petition here.

Of Gayatri and Brahmins

2008-09-20T07:37:00.006+08:00

As today is a celebration of Global Mala at Pulse, thought the above image is fitting and would like to share it with you. Captured these two brahmins on their way to a lovely pooja in Belur.

My day started at 5 am, cleaned my altar, made some chai for Carlos and I and we sat (well, I sat, he moved around) and chanted the Gayatri. Thought I'd share that with you as well on this auspicious day.

AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA

TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM

BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI

DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT

To understand what the mantra means, please click here.

Have a lovely day!

Greens

2008-09-16T17:23:00.006+08:00

Carlos and I checked out this vegetarian restaurant called Greens. Above is the entrance, isn't it lovely? Below is their rellenong bangus and beef with cashews, all meat substitutes.

Below is their tofu kebab with brown rice,

And here is a great green salad.

Interiors, below, are warm and comfortable.

Food feels like good carenderia fare, although a tad on the salty side. I suggest you ask for sauce on the side. To get to Greens, go down Morato from E Rodriguez until Roces, left on the next street parallel to Roces, you'll see a green sign. Telephone number 4154796.

Last Days

2008-09-11T16:45:00.005+08:00

Hello! Yes, I'm alive. So sorry for the silence. Hit the ground running returning from Mysore, plus my computer settings were haywire for a while. Maybe also I've been in denial about being back. Nevertheless, I've just finished transferring my digital images and here are some of my last days in India. Below is one of the Lalith Mahal. a gorgeous palace turned hotel.

Here is an everyday image on the corner from where I stayed.

Here is one of the monsoon looming as I walked to a corner Ayurvedic drugstore.

Here is one of Sharath's son, held by Kiran, a family helper. This was taken on my last morning of practice.

Here is one of my farewell brunch my new friends threw for me the day I was leaving.

Here is an image of the Lakshmi temple in the Mysore palace complex. There was a wonderful pooja taking place.

Here is the exterior of the Mysore palace.

This was taken while I was waiting to enter the Mysore palace complex, this boy kept jumping in front of my lens. I finally gave in.

Yahoo!

2008-08-05T13:20:00.002+08:00

Focus

BY ADIE VILLONGCO

Discovering yoga and yourself

A sudden immersion in the ancient practice

I was invited to the Yoga Discovery Weekend by Tesa Celdran, studio manager, full-time teacher at Pulse Yoga and, overall, a very lovely person who lives and breathes yoga.

Being a yoga newbie (and a totally sedentary person), I was feeling a bit apprehensive about the whole experience because I had no self-confidence in my present skills. I had it in my mind that yoga required a person to have strength, flexibility and balance to do all the postures or asanas; that it was a discipline that needed a lot of dedication and time by the practitioner — I had about a week.

To finish reading, click here.

Shout out to Adie and Lali, thanks for this!