Tibetan Healing 4

Ok, this really will be the last post about Tibetan healing as I'm sure people are sick of it.

I just need to mention a few things about it before I bury it in cyberspace.

Two weeks ago, I discovered something about my partner which I wasn't fully aware of. In short, it was a credit card debt that I didn't know about. Being a financially savvy person, it was pretty stupid of me to not know about this way before and not demand that I know of it before we became involved.

Anyway, it was way worse than I thought and being a results-orientated person that I am, we sat down to figure out a way to pay this all off. I thought I was handling the whole incident ok despite being in shock. But a couple of days after listening to the chanting cd, I became uncontrollably angry and upset. I also cried a lot which I rarely do and managed to have a deeper conversation with my partner after all this emotional roller-coaster ride.

I'm not saying it was due to the chanting cd because I'm still skeptical about the whole thing but I must say it was pretty coincidental. Also, I've been listening to it whilst scanning through my charts but I haven't picked a stock that's given me a spectacular return as yet! I know I know, it isn't supposed to do that type of thing anyway...

My last advice to people: I know financial advisers tell you to know your partner's finances inside out before getting involved, and I can tell you, as unromantic as that is, you won't find better advice anywhere. It certainly will save you a lot of heartache and empower you in many ways!

Lastly, this is EXACTLY how I feel.

Tibetan Healing 3

Yesterday being the last day of the MBS festival, I made my way there again one last time. Turns out the venerable Lobsang Tendar was fully booked again!! Do that many people out there need tantric healing?!

Somewhat disappointed, I got the next best thing! A cd of Tibetan tantric chants, prayers and meditation by Tendar himself!

My Bose has been playing nothing but Armin van Buuren's "A state of trance" for the past few weeks. Going from that to now chantings by a Tibetan monk... The neighbours must think I'm a complete weirdo.

Anyway, I don't entirely know what I'm looking from this chanting CD but all proceeds from the sale of any of the items that are sold through their website or the festivals go to educating and providing healthcare for the Tibetan children. Good deed done for the week! Now where is my positive karmic energy?! (Just kidding of course)

For anyone interested in purchasing the CD, here is the website:
Tendar's Tibetan tantric chant

Ahimsa

At times after a session, we will all have our hands in prayer position and listen to our yoga instructor say "Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu" which translates to "May all beings everywhere be happy and free".

It always seemed a good way to end a class when we were all spaced out and "at another place".

But upon research, I found more to this mantra than just consideration of others who may be less fortunate than ourselves. 

The mantra speaks of Ahimsa (literal translation being non-violence), one of the ideals of Hinduism. It refers to respecting all living things and an acceptance that all living things are connected. Although one might think of non-violence as an act, it also refers to verbal and emotional non-violence. Because violence of any type bears its own karmic consequences.

Gandhi, the strongest proponent of ahimsa, said: "Ahimsa, non-violence, comes from strength, and the strength is from God, not man. Ahimsa always comes from within."

LOKAH SAMASTA SUKHINO BHAVANTU
May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute to happiness and freedom for all.

Tibetan Healing 2

Curiosity got the better of me today!
Nursing a sore throat, fever and body ache I pulled myself out of bed to make my way to the Mind Body Spirit festival.


I knew that the venerable Tendar was scheduled to be on stage to chant at 10:30am. Assuming that everyone was as intrigued as I was, I got the front seat 15 minutes early just so I could get a good view and receive most of the energy he may send out! What I failed to realise was that today is a Friday and most people work! Anyway, so he came on and spoke about what we can expect after his chant. Calmness, serenity, centredness, peace and so on. He says if there is an imbalance within ourselves, we are always running here and there (maybe mentally) but not really anywhere in particular.

As he started chanting (sounding as deep as a didgeridoo) I stared at this person thinking how cold he must be in nothing but an orange robe and wondering what I was supposed to feel. After much deliberation I finally closed my eyes hoping to get maximum benefit from this chanting!
And here's what I started thinking:
1. Soy Cappuccino
2. Noise coming from the psychic reading area
3. Australian share market
4. Myself as a monk wearing an orange robe
5. Freaked out by the previous thought, replacing it with an Audi S5
6. Lunch
7. "Why aren't I feeling anything?"

The venerable Tendar paused and spoke of having peace within ourselves so that the calm energy we send out help those who have been struck by natural disasters such as Japan. Whether it works or not, I'm all for being compassionate and having positive thoughts of those who are less fortunate. As he continued chanting, I wondered what the benefits of chanting is and whether it would help me pick better stocks!!

After the chanting, I went looking for their stall. $50 for Tibetan tantric healing.. I was tempted until I asked one of the monks what Tibetan tantric healing actually is.
"It's healing" said she.
Err ok.. I should hope so since that's what it says it is... The female monk explained further that the method is only passed onto a chosen few and that she was not one of them. She said that he (venerable Tendar) would know what type of healing I would need. I was tempted but sessions were booked out until later in the afternoon. Maybe I'll be back on the weekend to get some tantric healing.

Good quote

For the life of me, I cannot recall where I read this quote but it struck a chord with me. Maybe because I grew tired of trying to help friends with their issues but seeing no real action on their part.
The thing I don't understand about most people is that they have issues that they think about, talk about, complain about, become angry and frustrated about but these same people don't action anything.
Is life really that long that one can ponder and be action-less for god-knows-how-long? Isn't time (and life) too precious to be wasted on non-events? If you're not happy, aren't you ultimately responsible for creating your own happiness?
Whether I just have a really strong character, I'm emotionless or I'm a go-getting fire sign, it's inconceivable for me when people don't take matters into their own hands.

Anyway, the quote is: "When you meet someone, show a little kindness. For they probably are going through their own struggles in life too". It's not verbatim but you get the idea!

PS: Still deciding whether I should check out this Tibetan healing business! MBS festival is until this coming Sunday....

Tibetan Healing

I don't know if anyone has heard of this but it's got me intrigued. My yoga instructor, Vicky, spoke about it excitedly after our session today. It is a part of the Mind, Body, Spirit festival held bi-annually in Sydney. This is where all things weird and wonderful are showcased in the exhibition centre.

We were told to visit this "Tibetan tent" if we go to the festival saying that last time she went, she was crying for 30 minutes after the chanting. Apparently, she is very intuitive (and maybe even psychic) and therefore there is a lot of energy on the crown chakra but that her heart chakra was blocked. After this tibetan healing, apparently it was all released.

Whether the instructor was exaggerating or telling fibs, only she knows that. But it got me thinking: "Is this stuff for real? And if people need healing, how do they know they need healing? Do you just know after you are spiritually enlightened that you require more healing elsewhere? Can one really feel a blocked energy? Is this stuff for real (yes, I am repeating myself)?"

So I looked up on trusty old google and found this! The only Tibetan healer who will be present at the MBS festival!
Venerable Lobsang Tendar

I wonder if I have to pay?! And if so, will I just get turned off that everything there just seems to be some scam! Are the ones who attend just people who need some fulfillment of a void within themselves?! If we are truly content and happy and at ease with our situation and environment, do we really need to search for enlightenment?

So many questions and not one solid answer. No wonder I get headaches! (It's actually caffeine withdrawal symptoms)

For those of you who are interested in attending MBS festival:
Mind Body Spirit Festival

Let us all have unblocked chakras! ohmm

Body sculpting yoga poses

Here is a site to inspire all those who want to sculpt their bods with yoga. There are only 7 slides with photos of fit ladies to inspire the laziest of people.

My body has certainly changed through regular practice. I have basically no fat on my back and is rock hard, my arms are leaner and toned etc etc..

I'd encourage anyone to try yoga if they want to see physical changes. But like any types of exercise, if you don't enjoy it, you won't keep up with it.

My advice? If physical changes are the only thing you're after but you don't like slow paced movements, look elsewhere.

Body sculpting yoga poses

Little me vs Big me

Val, our lovely Russian yoga instructor, took us through a tough beginner's session today. The reason why a beginner's session is tough is because she spends a lot of time re-aligning the students during this class. And as she should. Bad yoga postures can easily result in injury. So, as she walked around adjusting students' postures, I was left there holding onto the asanas. It is good to build strength this way but can be torturous for students like myself who prefer short bursts of energetic asanas.

After our recovery pose (savasana) we sat cross legged to re-enegize ourselves. This is usually the time where the instructors will share some insight or philosophies of yoga. With our hands in prayer infront of our hearts, Val spoke of two sides of each person. "A little me and a big me". The little me, she said, is the part of us who is angery, jealous, bitter and frustrated whereas the "big me" is happiness, calm, purity and light. As she so wisely put it: "Let us all achieve the big me every day".

two month hiatus

For those who have known me for a long time will know that I have been a lover of alcohol since I turned 18. Not to sound like a person who desperately needs an intervention or AA meetings but I think alcohol can be enormous help in many ways. Controlled consumption leads to stress reduction, decreased shyness, joy and the list goes on.

However, when one loses control all hell can break loose. When things in your life is stable, control is easy. When life isn't so stable, alcohol becomes an escape for many tortured souls. Perhaps the key in knowing how your life is going is understanding your emotional state.

Things were going fine in my life and having my friend and her son stay with me was fine too (or so I thought). It was not until I went over to a friend's house one night that I realised perhaps I wasn't as "at ease" as I thought. After downing about 6 apple martinis in less than 3 hours I woke up then next morning with the worst hangover of my life. I had a flight to catch at 7pm so the whole day was spent literally crawling to the toilet then crawling back to bed to shake off the nastiness. The poor godson was concerned and asked why I had a headache. How do you answer such things to a five year old without the explanation becoming constant 'why's'?

The disappointment in myself was utterly heartbreaking. I had made plans to spend the day with my godson before my flight to Hawaii to ensure he wasn't left feeling abandoned. The poor boy was already going through a hard time with the parents' separation. So, having let him down made me feel as though I, the godparent, was another passing phase in his life. That incident took place on the 16th of March and hence it is coming up to two months. It is the longest I have gone without alcohol and although I do miss it occasionally, I cannot bring myself to have alcohol without the resurgence of the disappointment and regret I feel within myself.

Why does this justify a blog entry?
After many yoga sessions, I still haven't mastered accepting things for what they are. And I have not felt any more healthier than when I was drinking.

Where is a miracle when you need one!

meaning of yoga

Came across Deepak Chopra's website when a friend sent me a youtube vid today.

I can't say I'm moved by the website (I still have doubts about whether all this new age stuff is mumbo jumbo) but I discovered the meaning of yoga!

"The Sanskrit word yoga means union - union of environment, the senses, body, mind, and soul. This union is described in an ancient text known as the Yoga Sutras, written by the sage Patanjali who explains that yoga is the progressive settling down of the mind in the field of pure silence, which is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind."

Deepak Chopra's yoga page 

Whether we (you, me or anyone) believe in yoga or the benefits of regular practice, it's still pretty awesome to think that the environment, senses, body, mind and soul can unite. Oohhmm

I'll bid adieu here so I can go back to the real world to check on my portfolio and see what the Australian share market did today and down a cup of coffee before I go off to CutCopy concert tonight! Woohoo! I know... not very spiritual, is it??

Weekend away

Last weekend some friends and I went away for a quick getaway to the beautiful city of Melbourne.
As we only booked a budget flight (Virgin Blue) we could only take a carry-on luggage. Therefore, I couldn't take my trusty yoga mat.

"No matter. I'll just use a towel. It's only for three days anyway."
And matter, it did!! I was slipping as I posed warrior and tried to downward dog! So let this be a warning to all of you. Don't bother trying to yoga on a towel unless you're thinking of sitting to meditate only.

So three days without yoga, I'm stiff! Neck is stiff, back feels stiff, and I feel shorter!!

Yes, it's all in the mind probably but where the thoughts go, energy goes! I will be going to an afternoon basic flow class today and will be thinking of the beautiful shots I took whilst there..

Yoga injuries

After pushing myself really hard the other day in class I slept until 10am today and woke up with a stiff neck. These things resulted in a migraine all day and even a cup of long black didn't help.

It's not unusual for me to get a stiff neck after a yoga class. I must be doing something wrong but I still haven't been able to pinpoint the cause of it. So I got to doing some research on common yoga injuries and how to prevent them.

Some of the most common injuries are:
1. Pulled hamstring
2. Neck and lower back injuries
3. Inflammation of a tendon

So what should you do to prevent yourself from injury?
1. Warm up (do some milder version of an asana before plunging into an advanced asana. eg: Warrior 1 before doing a Cobra)
2. Check alignment
3. Keep the weight evenly distributed among the four corners of the feet
4. Avoid hyper-extension (downward dog is a strong pose if you are not used to it. Retreat to child's pose if you feel it is getting too much)
5. Use props

Remember: you are not competing with anybody but yourself! Listen to your body before you start getting competitive with others!

Below is a good website I found on preventing injuries:
Preventing yoga injuries

A day of reflection

For the past few days I have been reflecting on a certain part of my life. It has always been a delicate issue and whenever I think of it, my usual positive demeanor takes a step back and I become saddened. Saddened by what was, what is, what will be and what could have been..

So today I ditched my usual vinyasa yoga and attended a Mind & Body class instead. Unlike a vinyasa class (short, strong moves) Mind & Body clears your mind by focusing on deep stretchy movements, alignment and a lengthy meditation (15mins) at the end.

As we wrapped up the physical part of the class, we were then told to focus on the candle placed infront of each one of us. As we concentrated on the flickering light, we were told to imagine being on a cliff and then on a mountain top. Then told to let go of three things that is 'emotional baggage' to us. The stuff that serves no purpose anymore, the stuff that holds us back. I was thinking about my emotional baggage (luckily I don't have three!) and thought about how I could get rid of it.

That's when I realised I actually don't want to let it go because it was one of the few experiences in my life that made me feel so deeply. An emotional rollercoaster ride that I didn't want to let go because it defined (and still does) me. So however much it is baggage, I decided to just let it be.

Because our memories are what makes us..