Today's Best Buys: Tibetan Bowls and Books

I got my Tibetan Singing Bowls today. Four of them etched with Om Mani Padme Hum either on the side or inside. They are blackened, bronzed and beautiful. And they sing. The biggest one, 7.5 inches in diameter, chants like Tibetan monks in a hall. The smallest, 3.5 in diameter, sounds like an aria in an opera sitting on the palm of my hand.

They are temporarily tucked in a tacky magenta Japanese box that could have contained cheap lingerie and disguised in a brown starbucks paperbag. From where I sit, I see the strikers, freshly bleached wood and virginal, four of them in various phallic sizes are held tightly in bubble wrap. They will make the bowls vibrate later.

There’s an irony here.

But, anyway…

Beside me are three books by three of my favorite authors.

1) Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson. Now a Vintage Classic. I remember when the book was not considered classic. I remember The Passion.

2) I have the Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. I bought a mint condition pre-owned book of hers for P75 the other day (The Unknown Error of Our Lives). I remember The Mistress of Spices.

3) I also have Infinite Riches by Ben Okri. Last copy in the bookstore. It looks old. The story is. This is the third book of Azaro. I remember The Famished Road.

I remember these books because I loved them most (Okri in second year highschool, Winterson in my third year, Divakaruni, maybe seven years ago) – the first words taste like the first seconds of the first kiss. So I come back to these authors, again and again, every so often.

Except today, I just found them near me. Like the Tibetan Singing Bowls that I found serendipitously.

I always trust to find or to be found. I will find you if you do not find me first.

iYoga

We belong to our times. It is where we are. Even as we connect with ancient teachings and respect the age-old wisdom we may not have conceived today, we are here now, virtually connected now.

As a modern yogi, we guard against being "vata-deranged" (we try). At our fingertips, we have the information made visual and tactile and portable. Billions of servers containing information made available in mobile devices, billions of apps downloadable in seconds...

I have my own favorite yogic apps for the iPhone/iTouch, for instance. Here are my Top 7.

1 Patanjali Yog Sutra ($4.99) - the sutras in english and sanskrit (I also have Bon Giovanni's version in English). It's another way to start Ataha yoganushasanam
2 Bowls (Tibetan Singing Bowls)($1.99) - I mentioned this in my earlier post. 7 bowls, a bell, gong, chimes at your fingertips, the vibrations all beautifully rendered.
3 Pranayama ($2.99)- I use this for audio cues for inhaling, retaining and breathing. Settings can be easily configured (how many breaths, ratios, animation and ambient sounds...). I was initially just looking for the tick tock sounds but chanced upon this one. Pretty useful and non-intrusive.
4 Gita (FREE) - the whole Bhagavad Gita, chapter by chapter (in sanskrit and english) so we always have a copy.
5 Autobiography of a Yogi (FREE) - The entire book and all the photos for your reading and re-reading pleasure
6 iMantra Lite (FREE) - your virtual mala (choose how many beads you want and the types of mantras you want recited (buddhist, kundalini, hindu, hindu with kabir, universal, planetary) and there are mantras under each of these categories.
7 iEphemeris Lite (FREE) - to know your moon phases

I also have two Reiki Apps
1 iReiki ($1.99) - Explanation of Reiki, different treatments, Reiki hand positions...
2 21 Power Tools of Reiki ($2.99)- Tools for maximizing reiki (attitude, meditation, verbal, physical, intentions...)

More apps are created everyday and certainly there are apps for "coaching" yoga practices, good for free flowing hatha yogis.

We have so much. Sometimes, maybe too much. One word for us, though - aparigraha. Especially as we google or make our way through the app store. This is just for the small "i" afterall. :)


Photo Source: http://www.mohammedibraheem.co.uk/vis_comwebsite/Assets/ipodcult.jpg

Tibetan Singing Bowls

I am so excited. I will get my set of Tibetan Singing Bowls tomorrow. Four bowls in various sizes. It's for my yoga classes and my studio later on. I loved the vibrations of these bowls during my magical month in Yoga Thailand. They sang to every cell of my being. I will now have my own set to sing for others.

I looked for these in Lamai and Cha Weng but I think I may have been looking in the wrong places. Today, while I was looking for downloadable mp3 of Tibetan bowls, I chanced upon a supplier here in the Metro. I will get my bowls tomorrow.

Meanwhile, while I waited, I did have a wonderful application on my iPhone.



Swirl your finger slowly around the edges of the bowls to create and control beautiful meditative harmonic tones. Tap the bowls, gongs, bells, and tingsha cymbals to add depth and variety to your music.

Easily swipe between the 7 included bowls to explore their unique sounds and the effects on your body, mind and soul.





For the real thing, though, here's how
(http://www.silverskyimports.com/Shop/Control/fp/SFV/32655/view_page/How_to_Play_Tibetan_Singing_Bowl)

How to Play Bowls
1. Hold the bowl in the palm of either hand with a firm grip on the bottom of the bowl. Be careful not to touch the sides of the bowl as that is where the vibration comes from.

2. With the striker, rub the outside rim in a circular motion. Keep an even pressure. Sometimes it is easier to strike the bowl first to get the vibrations going.

3. Gently increase the speed as the bowl begins to vibrate, and as the sound grows. Sometimes this method can take practice.

Another method is "gonging" or "striking" the bowls. This is a simple method that involves striking the bowl with a wood or padded striker.

My Yoga Thailand Family

Going Green in 2010

So I've turned vegetarian (again). I'm drinking wheatgrass, taking my supplements, practicing pranayama daily and asana six times a week except on moon days and cycle days.

I want to go back to Yoga Thailand for a two week advance course this year and start teaching too.

There's a lot to do in 2010.... :)

Of Leaves of Grass and Wheatgrass

As I ponder on Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass (I Sing the Body Electric), I am reminded to drink another glass of wheatgrass.

I will be taking this every morning, after pranayama. Just another addition to the happy little changes I want to make. In January, my entire team (at work) will go through a detoxification program. They will also be doing yoga. :)

Before I go and make myself a fresh glass, I leave you with Walt's Full of Life, Now.

FULL of life, now, compact, visible,
I, forty years old the Eighty-third Year of The States,
To one a century hence, or any number of centuries hence,
To you, yet unborn, these, seeking you.

When you read these, I, that was visible, am become invisible; 5
Now it is you, compact, visible, realizing my poems, seeking me;
Fancying how happy you were, if I could be with you, and become your comrade;
Be it as if I were with you. (Be not too certain but I am now with you.)

Healing over the Holidays

My wounds are healing slowly. Or maybe quickly. It gets a dose of Reiki everyday. The scabs will make for some interesting Christmas portraits.

I have printed out the schedules for Mysore and will practice 6 times a week starting 2010. I need to practice with Yoga Manila to be in their apprenticeship program. Maybe I can try out in other studios as well...just to get started on the teaching. I will start a corporate program as well. I will work out the details over the holidays.

Sunday, December 20, 2009
Walking wounded.

I have a scrape on my face that looks like Australia.

This was because I fell on the left side of my face on carpet as abrasive as steel wool as I was getting out of Bhujapidasana. I also have scrapes below my nose and the left side of my upper lip is swollen and bruised inside.

It is 5 days before Christmas.

Letter of Intent

I loved my Mysore practice yesterday.

After my practice, I approached Jon to ask if I can help assist in the Saturday Mysore sessions. Today, he sent me a message to write my letter of intent. So I did.

Please, please, please...

5 Days Since...

It's been five days since I left Koh Samui. I attended my led ashtanga class this week and struggled a bit because I was told to keep my hips facing forward in Virabhadrasana and I was placed lower than 90 degrees in janusirsasana and was told to keep my sit bones down in marichyasana. I miss Paul. I miss Neil.

I'm still trying to see how to fit my entire routine in my work days without having to wake up at 3 am though. I miss Yoga Thailand.

The next two weeks will be a series of Christmas parties. Last night was the first one for me. Still not eating meat. Still a vegetarian. I have been having strange sensual dreams (even if I have not done Tratak). It's the energy reaching out to me, I guess. So strange...

Paul and Neil

When the student is ready, they appear.

Day 30 (Dec 5)

I am in the Koh Samui airport thinking of the Shala. I could not help but shed tears to Ganesh who removed all obstacles in my way to get here.

Playfully, I think he manifested in my suitcase and my two bags.

I have with me my books, 2 triangles and a meditation cushion. L, Bily and I were going to meet up at the baggage counter in BKK so we could camp together at Suk 11.

Day 29 (Dec 4)

The energy has shifted with some people already on their journey back home. We sit together and drink in the last drops of the month that has been so many things to each of us.

We practiced Pranayama and Mysore together one last time this morning. No one mentions this. My mental state was hanging precariously in the standing poses and I may have overworked my knee in Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana (Sorry, Neil). It was not the dancing from the night before. Just my mind thinking of Raga. Now I know the meaning of being painfully human (or at least my knee does). And it's not so much pain but more a sensation. Oh, to be sensationally human.

One word can make all the difference. A fraction of a lifetime can make all the difference. Like this month.

Already I feel the hours slipping away. I am ready to be home but I want to take the moments with me. I've packed two triangles and a cushion and so many memories.

It was a night of tratak and beautiful chanting. Just by ourselves. We said our favorites of course (first three, Gurur Brahma, and last two), said thank you in our languages, closed beautifully.

We did not say goodbye.

Day 28 (Dec 3)

Our session this morning was led by the voice of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. It was a good practice, intense. Paul had a nagging thought to play this and share the experience of having Guruji lead a class.

Today is our Graduation Day. We have completed the 200 hours required, passed the oral, written and teaching exams for Yoga. I have also completed Reiki level 1. My month-long journey is about to end. The quest to fulfill my lifelong dream, though, has barely begun.



My studies will need to continue, as with my practice. The Eight Limbs continue moving.

Happy Anniversary, Yoga Thailand! (Part 8)

Blessed on this Auspicious Day!

Happy Anniversary, Yoga Thailand! (Part 7)

Blessed from every corner

Happy Anniversary, Yoga Thailand! (Part 6)

Offering

Happy Anniversary, Yoga Thailand! (Part 5)

What is Beauty? Hands in Prayer and Luna's Eyes.

Happy Anniversary, Yoga Thailand! (Part 4)

Happy Anniversary, Yoga Thailand! (Part 3)

Happy Anniversary, Yoga Thailand! (Part 2)

From my corner

Happy Anniversary, Yoga Thailand! (Part 1)

Paul lights the candle...

Paul and The Sea

Photo of the Day (Dec 2)

Hmmmm.
I am thinking of the caption for this photo. What shall I call you?
a) Name this asana
b) The not-so-subtle anatomy
c) Dancing Neil-taraja

Day 27 (Dec 2)

Oh, my beloved full moon.

Today was unbelievable. It started normal. We started with Pranayama, Day 2 of Bastrika. We had a led session in the morning (practical exam of Group 5) and then had the oral exams. I think did fairly well (the lower I, that is...), almost stumbled over two asanas but I did remember all of them. We practice everyday and I slept with Paul's practice card afterall...

Then the monks came. It's Yoga Thailand's anniversary and they came from the far end of the beach to bless the place. There was chanting and familiar food. I love being Southeast Asian, no matter what anyone says. I took photos and I will post my favorite ones here after this.

I could barely eat lunch from crazy nerves and fatigue but I had a cup of cappuccino, just to sizzle them a bit more. Just for today. God made coffee beans for days like these.

We had another led session (Group 6). Heimo did a great job. Prana powers work! He believes my pranic energy is super strong. Hehe. Well, why not?

We then had our written exam. I think I was able to get more than 50% correct. We will know tomorrow. My asana practice did not end though. Anna did a re-take of the teaching exam from the morning and she asked me to join her. Gladly. My heart broke to see her crying but she took it well. Session 3 of the day. She made it so I am happy.

I finally took a shower after all my jumping around, called A., and stayed in the dining hall with Elea and the gang, just silently drinking in the day and taking solace among ourselves.

Then the dancing began. Dancing, glorious dancing.
Then the pool throwing happened. Of course.

Well hello, my beloved full moon, I missed you.

Day 26 (Dec 1)

It's the first of December, one day before a full moon.

I woke up at 4 am and I am at the open air dining hall listening to the great surround sound of waves and crickets and lizards. They bring me back to my breath because my mind is thinking of the electric bill that needs to be paid and the work mail that I have not opened in over a week. The sounds reassuringly take me back here because this is where I belong right now.

The sky is changing and so am I.

I feel the spaces of my body emptying and opening. The buzzing in my hands and feet have been more intense. I am writing again. I am in a state of love and thankfulness again.

Bewitched, bothered and bewildered is playing in my head but I'm not any of those things. Not anymore. I am just...grateful. Sthira Sukham.

***

I had my teaching assessment today and I got good remarks. All Successful! I think I started on the right foot with the chanting (Why chant? To offer thanks, to open the heart, to focus the mind...for this though, I stick to this reason - To help us realize it is not "me" who does). It's not. It was never.

Steve, my assessor, liked my chanting and the pace. I also was able to move around a lot, adjusting as much as I can, going through the asanas step by step. The hours I locked myself in the bathroom paid off. Still, I almost lost it before Janu A and Shalabasana. Thank goodness for vinyasas. (Why Vinyasa? To clean the slate, improve circulation, create heat...and buy time for nervous teacher trainees to think about the next pose). Asanas complete!

Despite the many butterflies in my stomach, I apparently still had a calm demeanor (maya?) and would like to thank dear Ganesh for allowing correct breaths.

My "students" were also sending such great vibes (Sharon and Robert, wonder couple, were just amazing!)Vince sneezed while we were doing the yoga mudra after I mentioned that we were sealing the energy and so I managed to make a quip about it. We had a bit of laughter yoga there.

I did what I could although I need to do something about these frayed nerves. I ran through the sequence over and over this morning after doing my Mysore assist. Almost dancing it to the music Paul put on. I must remember to ask him about it tomorrow.

After dinner, I studied with Becky and got through half of the manual. I will sleep with Paul's practice card and not with John's edited book tonight. Oral and written exams tomorrow.

It's 11 p.m. here. Time to rest...

Day 25 (Nov 30)

We had three asana sessions today, Mysore practice and two led classes care of my fellow teacher trainees. It's my turn tomorrow and I am nervous and excited at the same time.

I just finished locking myself in the bathroom so I can go over the video again and run through my notes.

It might be best to rest from full practice tomorrow and just go through the teaching postures. I will be assisting in the morning. Then again, I should just practice. :)

Day 24 (Nov 29)

I had my Reiki Level 1 session today with Claudia.

In the midst of the intense studying, I spent my afternoon working on another tool to harness energy. I believe this will help when I begin to teach. I have always been fascinated with natural healing (herbs when I was looking to earth religion, crystals before that...) and I have decided to go for this opportunity while I am here, after a series of fortuitous incidents.

The session was very mellow. Discussion, attunement and self-healing sessions. I need to go deeper into this but maybe not in the next two days. I am happy enough to self-heal as I prepare myself for the exams.

What is Reiki?
The International Center
for Reiki Training
A Brief Overview (http://www.reiki.org/faq/WhatIsReiki.html)

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.

Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

During a meditation several years after developing Reiki, Dr. Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals came in part from the five prinicples of the Meiji emperor of Japan whom Dr. Usui admired. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki is more than the use of the Reiki energy. It must also include an active commitment to improve oneself in order for it to be a complete system. The ideals are both guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.

The secret art of inviting happiness
The miraculous medicine of all diseases
Just for today, do not anger
Do not worry and be filled with gratitude
Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.
Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer.
Pray these words to your heart
and chant these words with your mouth
Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind
The founder , Usui Mikao