Yogafly2

Los Angeles on fire

   sending so much water, earth, prayers for our California friends and family.

amazing = Mother Nature = she speaks to us in ways that we must try to understand

difficult as the heat rises and the planet warms

how we must work with the repercussions and do the best we can

to help each other out.  I pray to our Mother at Lourdes, who created water where there was not.  May you help the city of angels and calm down the fire.

thrills chills love excitement

I get super excited by business ideas.

This must be genetic.  We have a lot of business people in the Lanuza Rivera families.

So last night I was dreaming, meditating, practicing yoga, pranayama at 1:30 am.  It's really phenomenal when this body decides to practice yoga.  My parents' dog (my dog) Toby - is right there with me as I meditate at 1:30 am to 2:30 am.  Pranayama all the way. 

And then these business ideas come.  And I know that they will come true because my spine tingles.  And I just feel good.  So strange how these things come.

Thankfully, I also have a lot of very kind yoga students who don't mind that I carry the dog around me with me as I teach.  He's very good at cuddling with you all during savasana.  Thank you, darling friends.

from Floracopeia - Dr. Vasant Lad on attars

http://www.floracopeia.com/blog/1496/the-art-of-attars-dr-lad

The Art of Using Attars and a Conversation with Dr. Lad

Recently, at the annual conference for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, Floracopeia had the great pleasure of interviewing Dr. Vasant Lad, founder of the Ayurvedic Institute and probably the single most influential individual for Ayurveda in the western hemisphere.

In this soon to be released video interview, David Crow asked Dr. Lad to share some of his thoughts about the use of attars. His response put a grin on our faces and has stuck with us ever since…here’s a taste of what he said:

“Attar preparations are organic, non-chemical, and non-alcoholic. They can be used for marma therapy and aromatherapy…One drop of attar is applied to the radial artery, carotid artery, the heart center at the sternum, and one drop to the top of the head. Suddenly these molecules of attar make your entire aura become fragrant, and wherever you go you are highly welcome by the people…Apart from that, attars have a great self healing power.”

The Anti-Anxiety and Euphoric Botanical Perfumes

The effect of botanical perfumes on health and consciousness is profound and well-documented by both traditional Ayurvedic and modern scientific research. Pure, plant based perfumes are one of the most important and effective ways of accessing the calming and euphoric properties of aromatic plants. In Ayurvedic Medicine, these perfumes are known as attars and their use is an art and science that has been passed down over hundreds of years.

The word attar specifically refers to a botanical oil distilled into a base of sandalwood (and sometimes vetiver). Some of the most well known attars are the Rose Attar, Saffron Attar, Parijata Attar and others.

The Healing Properties of Attars

The health benefits of using attars are numerous. When used regularly, they are rejuvenating and increase sensual enjoyment. Mental and physical relaxation combined with heightened alertness, improved concentration, enhanced memory, regulation of the nervous system, and restoration of immunity suppressed by stress are only a few of the benefits that these aromatic treasures give. Is it any wonder that these plants, which produce a luxurious abundance of intoxicating fragrances, are associated with higher consciousness and the opening of the heart?

Use attars as you would any fine perfume. Because they are free of synthetics ingredients, their fragrances promote health, wellbeing, and happiness. Excellent for romance, meditation, mental concentration, and many other purposes.

Free Gift: Our Offering to You

As a way of encouraging you to make ‘the art of using attars‘ a part of your everyday lifestyle, everyone who purchases any product this weekend will receive the following audio piece from David Crow.

Floracopeia Exclusive Audio: The Healing Properties of Attars and Botanical Perfumes

In this piece from his lecture at the Southwest Conference of Botanical Medicines, David Crow speaks on:

• Attars as an Unbroken Lineage of Ayurvedic Alchemical Distillation
• The Profound Effect of Attars on Health and Consciousness
• The Positive Effect of Using Botanical Perfumes for Ecological Preservation
• The Revival of Traditional Botanical Perfumery
• The Public Health Hazard of the Cosmetic Industry
• The Primary Difference Between Botanical Perfumes and Synthetic Perfumes

(If you purchase this weekend, you will be sent the audio link by Monday morning, 8/31/09)

In addition, the following attar oils are on sale for this weekend only (ending 8/31/09)

Weekend Sale: 20% Off  These Attar Oils

ROSE ATTAR: The most popular of all our attars, this organically cultivated Damascus rose is harvested after the monsoon rains in the Himalayas, and distilled into sandalwood oil. BUY ROSE ATTAR HERE

SAFFRON ATTAR: This exquisite attar overflows with a fragrance that is very true to pure saffron water. Saffron is a great medicine for the heart, and its fragrance in incense has been used traditionally for its heart-opening and compassion-enhancing powers. BUY SAFFRON ATTAR HERE

SAVITRI ROSE PERFUME: A Floracopeia custom blend, “Savitri” rose perfume is blended using two unique oils: the rosa bourbonica, and ruh khus. An intoxicating and sensual perfume that stands among the finest. BUY SAVITRI ROSE PERFUME HERE

WHITE GINGER LILY-VETIVER ATTAR: This exotic and sublime attar is created by infusing a cold water membrane-filtered extract of fresh white ginger lilies into a base of vetiver oil. It is a Floracopeia favorite of which few are been able to resist after meeting it’s sweet, intoxicating fragrance. BUY WHITE GINGER LILY-VETIVER ATTAR HERE

PARIJATA ATTAR: The luscious aroma of night-blooming parijata flowers has a heavy, intense, and intoxicating sweetness, but not like jasmine or frangipani; it is more like sugar cane juice, barley malt, or a dark honey. BUY PARIJATA ATTAR HERE

BAKUL ATTAR: This attar captures the bakul flowers intoxicating aroma, giving a perfume that has notes of both the sacred sandalwood oil and the floral qualities reminiscent of orange, tuberose, and gardenia. BUY BAKUL ATTAR HERE

KEORA ATTAR: The white infloressences of this tropical tree are traditionally distilled to create an attar with a diffusive sweet, hyacinth, honey-like fragrance that is balanced by the soft warmth of sandalwood oil. BUY KEORA ATTAR HERE

BLUE LOTUS ATTAR: Mysterious, elegant, ancient, and intoxicating, this contemporary attar is blended at Floracopeia using a highest-grade absolute extract of blue lotuses infused into soft, rich, and sweet sandalwood oil produced from a sustainable plantation project in New Caledonia. BUY BLUE LOTUS ATTAR

oh the gods love to play with Sumukhi

the god of mischief especially, Hanumanji - I just posted MCYogi's version of rockin out to Hanuman on Facebook....Jai Hanuman

anyway I deleted my Web site yesterday when I was trying to update it.  It had something to do with the "write" tool being right next to the "delete this folder with all my html" in it tool.  And bam.  Everything disappeared.

It was right when I was talking about shizza happens.  And it's really about our attitude towards the shizza when it happens that marks our practice.  No blame, no shame, no attachment.  Just forgiveness, moving forward, creating more, and backing up files.

Or having a web designer who backs up files (albeit from 2007) - but hey - the site is up.  Now let's see if I can spend some time backing all this stuff up before I update the durn thing.  We may be living in 2007 for a bit......on yogafly.com

all together now.  all together now.  all the same time.  all the time.  infinite time. 

Yoga fly-boys and girls unite at Love Yoga Co-op

Join us for a weekend of gravity defying Yoga (the physical meets the subtle realm).  Quote from Babaji (Shambhavananda), Shoshoni - "Hatha Yoga prepares your body for the more subtle energies."

Indeed.  Come and understand more of how it is that we fly in Yoga --->

2 days of Yoga with Ricky Tran

www.rickytranyoga.com

A Journey into Bliss – Master Flow Friday 10/16 7pm – 9pm

For the highest level yogi, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.2 states Yoga is the cessation of the

fluctuations of the mind. This class is designed to bring the yogi closer to a state of samadhi, or

state of union in which the mind is still.

Get to know Ricky in a 2-hour Master Class. We’ll begin with a few rounds of an ancient

Sanskrit chant to set the intention. Ricky will lead us through a unique gravity-defying flow with

challenging twists, bends, arm balances and inversions. To end the class, we will sit for some

pranayama (breath control) and meditation with the intention of experiencing the bliss that we

are. This class is appropriate for the ambitious beginner and beyond. Be prepared to sweat. $15

Early Bird, $25 after October 1

The Art of Floating and Flying Saturday 10/17 2pm – 5pm

Many of us are drawn to the yoga practice because of what we see on the outside, while the real

importance lies in what happens on the inside. After long and persistent yoga practice

(yogabhyasa), the yogi will glow with prana, or life force. In this state, the yogi will experience a

feeling of lightness and will begin to float and fly.

Join us for 3 hours with Ricky as he shares his discoveries in the Art of Floating and Flying.

Defying gravity begins with an intention and continues with right action. We will warm up with

several rounds of modified sun salutations. After we ignite our internal fire, we’ll explore the

foundations of arm balancing and handstands. We’ll analyze the baffling jump-through and jump

back in a vinyasa practice and end by taking requests on specific arm balances. Be prepared to

laugh and sweat as we discover the Art of Floating and Flying. Appropriate for the ambitious

beginner and beyond. The only requirement is the burning desire to learn! $35 Early Bird, $45

after October 1

The Love Yoga Co-Op is located at:

2525 S Lamar Blvd

Austin, TX 78704

These classes will likely fill up.

Sign up for both classes before October 1 and SAVE $20

To reserve your space, please send check to:

Ricky Tran

1707 Marsh Lane

Carrollton, TX 75006

Nicholai Bachman in Austin, Texas

I just got this e-mail and will probably go to some of this workshop.  I have Nicholai Bachman's Sanskrit flash cards - and look at them everyday (I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to Sanskrit and math - just kidding on the latter, except for Vedic math which is intriguing - oh life is so endlessly entertaining, how can one ever be bored) --->

We have an exciting event coming in November that we hope you are able to take part in!
Nicolai Bachman, MA (Eastern Classics), MS (Nutrition), RYT500, who has been teaching Sanskrit, Yoga philosophy and Ayurveda nationally since 1994, is coming to Austin to present a 12 hour Level 1 workshop on the Sanskrit Language! Some of our members have taken his class before, and had wonderful experiences from it. This class is a an opportunity to profoundly deepen your understanding of the yoga sutras, and other yogic texts.

www.enlightenedaustin.org

His primary teachers are Vyaas Houston (American Sanskrit Institute), Vasant Lad (Ayurvedic Institute) and David Frawley (American Institute of Vedic Studies). He has authored several Sanskrit audio/visual learning tools including 108 Sanskrit Flash Cards, The Language of Yoga, The Language of Ayurveda and The Language of Jyotisha: Vedic Astrological Terminology.
Nicolai’s website: www.SanskritSounds.com

When?
Friday, November 13th - from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 14th - from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A vegetarian lunch will be served during our Saturday lunch break.
Sunday, November 15th - from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where?
THE SANSKRIT LANGUAGE WORKSHOP is being held at The Eternal Way, located at 1122 South Lamar, Austin, TX 78704 between the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Alien Scooters. The Eternal Way is a spiritual ministry in the Kriya Yoga tradition, as revived by Mahavatar Babaji through his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya and taught by his successors.

Tuition
PRE-REGISTRATION TUITION: $165.00 Before October 16, 2009.
$185.00 After October 16, 2009. You can register online at www.enlightenedaustin.org/register.html
Space is limited, so purchasing a seat before the pre-registration date ends will guarantee your spot. This tuition includes 12 hours of interactive instruction, all support materials needed for the class and a free vegetarian lunch on Saturday. The tuition for those who sign up after October 16, 2009 will be $185.00.

What will I learn?
SANSKRIT IS THE LANGUAGE OF YOGA. It is 100% phonetic and intelligently designed, allowing one to learn how to read and pronounce anything with only 12 hours of training. In a supportive, cooperative, playful environment using color-coding and calligraphy, Nicolai will bring you step-by-step through the sacred alphabet. We will learn the sounds through chanting and explore the esoteric aspects of this sacred language. The weekend will culminate with everyone reading several asana names and Ayurvedic terms in the original Devanagari script. Booklets will be provided which will contain everything covered in the class and more.
Deepen your yoga practice and yoga sutra study with the beautiful, perfect language of Sanskrit.

You will learn how to correctly pronounce the Sanskrit alphabet, how to read and write Sanskrit using the Devanagari script, a selection of chants in Sanskrit, and come away with a firm foundation and intuitive understanding on how to implement these skills in your yoga practice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please visit www.enlightenedaustin.org for more information on how to pre-register! If you have any questions and would like to speak with me directly about this event, please feel free to call me at 512.434.9339! We look forward to your participation in this inspired event!

"2.1 tapah svadhyaya ishvara-pranidhana kriya-yogah - Training of the senses for self-discipline, profound study and analysis of physics and metaphysics, and surrender of self-consciousness (egoism) to God are the practical means of attaining perfect concentration. This is the path of Kriya Yoga." — Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

the gift of yoga

is YOU.

I've so understood this from my own studies. 
The best Gurus - the light from the heart of my Guru - is not him.  You must understand this.  The light from the heart of my Guru to me is a total and complete understanding of myself.

And this in turn, is why I teach.  To give people the deepest understanding of themselves, both individually and universally. 

Sometimes the mirror is shocking.  The beauty inherent within us is so expanded, it can be, well, dizzying. 

Which is why we ground.  ground.  ground.

My sistahs in bliss

Jennifer Schmid - just started her blog -
I congratulate and bow -
here it is:
http://blisslikethis.typepad.com/bliss-like-this/

another sis o  bliss
as Lauran Janes says, "kisses born blisses" -
here's her blog:
http://lauranjanes.blogspot.com/

and there's really nothin' like either of these babes reading you their poetry.
Makes me feel like I'm at home with the goddesses.
We love, laugh, learn - through it all.

and offer our hearts to the world.

This one made me go whoa holy cow dung

Sheeee-it

check out St. John of the Cross - "love poems from God" - translated by Daniel Ladinsky

A Vital Truth

I look
at your body, dear;
I'm talking about a woman's,

and I question my vows deeply. For all around me
are making
love.

Beauty is exciting the tree's limbs; look how sweet they
act and sway, they pretend to be shy, then laugh and yield,
as I want to with
you.

Most yield to love when it's power awakes.
My hands could kneel upon you. An altar I see your breasts

And is not every part of me sacred too, worthy of His mouth,
worthy of the earth's homage, worthy of giving
communion.

An altar is every pore and hair on every body --
confess that, dear God,
confess.

Why make us suffer your silence any longer
about such a vital
truth?

Still, I shall maintain for reasons beyond all morals,
my blessed vow of
chastity.

- St. John of the Cross

Apostasy

Another one of those fabulous words.

I do tend to see yoga as more of a series if epiphanies. And the occasional apostasy.

Yoga is more like a series of aha moments. And mmmmmmms. Mmmmms. Yoga is full of ahas and mmmms. Anusvaras and visargas for the Sanskrit lovers out there, if you please.