Blog

From the MacBook of the Yogini

Curacao, July 2007

Baker Wedding

Carnival Victory, Feb, 2007

RCCL Explorer of the Seas, Dec, 2007

RCCL Adventure of the Seas, June, 2008

RCCL

Sovereign of the Seas, Sept, 2008

NCL

Sky

March, 2009

RCCL

Oasis

May, 2009

Easter Seals: Yoga for Mentally & Physically Challenged individuals

Unitarian Universalist of Newark: Beginner’s Yoga for all Ages / Abilities

NCC Public Schools - Yoga for Kids

Monday, March 2, 2009

Keep Moving Forward

When you are overwhelmed by the trials of every day life (as I am right now), remember what Lewis Robinson always said in the Disney animated movie, “Meet the Robinsons”: KEEP MOVING FORWARD. It has become, most recently my new mantra in life.

Life is too short to dwell in the past. And because we are beings of finite resources, I find I also don’t have the energy to relive past challenges over and over again. (They were draining enough the first time around.

To keep this short and sweet, and because I’m utterly exhausted (work, kids and WINTER, ugh..) I’m relying on others’ great quotes to keep me motivated through our remaining cold days of the season.

We need to stay focused on the positive, as well as keep our minds and hearts open to the universe’s selfless yet random and albeit rare opportunities. And as my dear and very wise father always encouraged, “Don’t focus on the problem, focus on the solution.”

Find what motivates you, search for continued knowledge and

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Hot Yoga for Cold Days

Yoga philosophy teaches us to be situationally non-judgmental and circumstantially non-attached; however, I can say without hesitation, “I profoundly hate cold weather.” Although I do indeed, diligently cultivate Santosha in my life, the aversion to feeling the discomfort of cold is an obstacle I have yet to overcome.

My phenomenon is not singular. A wide spectrum of negative experiences afflicts the general population during the winter months: depression, fatigue, weight gain, irritability or even Seasonal Affective Disorder. The good news is, yoga can help. Not only by applying the Santosha Niyama to your lifestyle, but also by practicing specific yoga principles, you can combat those winter blues.

In the winter, we need to build heat and fight fatigue in order to maintain balance and avoid seasonal depression. A few minutes of fast paced yoga poses will build heat. Follow those with restorative poses which will recharge your energy stores. The practice of specific

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Bucket List

I recently viewed the movie with Jack Nicholson (Edward) & Morgan Freedman (Carter) called the Bucket List. The movie chronicled the shared last months of two men terminally diagnosed with cancer. Although faced with their own impending mortality, they decided to embrace their remaining days and follow their dreams. Life experiences meant to portend meaning and fulfillment were logged on a “Bucket List”, and the two began a journey, the sole purpose being the attainment of each item on the list.

Edward’s list consisted of exciting and expensive achievements: skydiving, big game hunting, and penthouse suites. Whereas, Carter’s aspirations were more sentimental: “See something miraculous” and “Help someone for no reason”.

The Bucket List concept is not a new one for me. I’ve been using goal assessment, prioritization and task management for years. You can see this in my Post Holiday Blues blog from January. So, I will not detail the process that I use again here.

But

Friday, May 23, 2008

Escape for the Vata

For someone with a vata personality like myself, infusing one’s life with routine is a necessity. If left unchecked, individuals with vata tendencies will exaggerate their imbalances even further if they nurture their instinctual desires. By insisting on constant change, excessively multi-tasking, over-exertion or avoiding regular habits, vata imbalances will manifest in a variety of physical, mental & emotional disturbances, such as fatigue, anxiety or the inability to relax. More on Dosha Imbalances HERE.

If any type of life balance is expected to be achieved, those flighty and impulsive vata tendencies must be countered by dull monotony. But although bland foods, rigid routines and suppression of impulses will tame the raging vata beast, a dark cloud of ennui will also manifest in tandem.

This plight, my friends, is where my life currently finds itself. Too much same old, same old..... not enough stimulation.

So, after many, MANY months of succumbing to the self-

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Is Terrorism Ever Justified?

Terrorism, as defined by Webster’s, is the unlawful use or threat of violence especially against the state or the public as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion. Terrorists use violent tactics in an effort to create political change, threaten or induce fear in the public and/or government, raise media attention or further their political cause. Unfortunately, many times, terrorist attacks fall upon innocent victims.

One may argue as to the degree of innocence each individual may have. Terrorist attacks in current history most always end in the killing of children. There can be no argument as to a baby’s innocence.

Terrorism when inflicted on innocent civilians can never be justified. Killing others for any reason other than self-defense is morally reprehensible. Kant believes in a universal law. Morally, we must “treat humanity…never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end.” In other words, terrorists cannot morally justify innocent deaths