MahaMondo

Vytas B. : Yogic Inspiration & Self-practice

Dr. Geoff Rutledge of Wellsphere.com had originally asked me to submit a video on being an everyday HERO. I thought it more appropriate to ask a primary teacher to talk about the inspiration behind the practice.The world needs teachers more than ever to shed their light & guide those who are experiencing difficulty during these unstable climes. And I think of my teachers' dedication,energy and Sri Dharma's usage of the word "OPPORTUNITY" whenever I practice on my own while traveling. The asanas & sadhana that have been my companions on the road include Kapalabhati , Upavishta Konasana , Uttkatasana against the hotel room wall, Hanumanasana Prep, Pincha Mayurasana , Sirsasana & then dropping into a meditation sit. They help clear all the residuals of the day -

Wellsphere : Everyday Hero

Thanks to Dr. Geoff Rutledge of Wellsphere for recognizing : "This week, it’s all about YOU. We’re honoring you, our “Everyday Hero” with the new Yes We Care! Campaign and a new Hero badge for your blog; recognizing you on the world premiere Map of Caring; and featuring many of you in a touching video that stirred our hearts and shows the world just how much we all care. Yes We Care! Campaign I’m delighted to announce the official launch of the Yes, We Care! Campaign to publicly express our deep appreciation for the extraordinary efforts YOU and others like you are making to help, support and care for others. Thank you for opening your heart and mind to help others by sharing your expertise and personal experiences!"

Tuhaye :Deer Valley UT

 It is a rare event to make it to a "luxury destination get-away" prior to its "blow up " phase. Park City , home of the Sundance Film Festival , has always been seen as the more boho sibling of blinged out Aspen, CO. This will soon change as several high end hotels and attendant high end residential communities will debut in a couple of  years.  Talisker's 

( www.talisker.com) development  in  Tuhaye  ,  Deer Valley is described as :

" Tuhaye is an all-season community close to Deer Valley ski mountains, the Jordanelle Reservoir & historic Park City. Within the 10,000 acre embrace of the all inclusive Talisker Club. Tuhaye is creating a  rich & fulfilling way   of life that offers each generation adventure, new experiences & TRANSCENDENT beauty. "

The bit about transcendent beauty is real as the setting does inspire with its eco-friendly & low-impact /  density design. The other factor going for the  area is its 30 minute accessibility from Salt Lake City International. And there are YOGA classes available  @ the  Tower Club . And for a groovier stay in Park City , check out the SkyLodge -

Joe's Stone Crab Chicago : Conscious Meal Options

 One of the yogic tests ( or opportunities ) while I am traveling  is  dining  out  with  clients  &  colleagues.  My French associates  hold  champagne  &  pastries  sacred.  So , case in point , was our dinner @ the Chicago location of the legendary Joe's Stone Crab, founded in  1916 , Miami. It was not stone crab season when I was in South Beach several years back , and they had them in Chicago that week. Did not fall off the  veg wagon , but it was difficult to ignore the aromas wafting from the platters of crab & bone in rib eye on the table.
Thanks to my associate from NY who was part of the OG opening crew of Lever House, we were able to cobble together a meal of   lightly dressed salad & penne arrabiata for me. The penne was a challenge to even work through halfway. Teachers like Sri Dharma suggest the  benefits  of raw, unprocessed foods such as fruits & vegetables. From an eco-standpoint / carbon footprint, unprocessed foods do not come in boxes, film wraps, bottles, etc. that all  end up as non-biodegradable landfill. Starbucks &  Whole Foods : Next issue to resolve ! (The painful sight of plastic water bottles forming a mini-reef in Padang Padang Point, Bali is embedded in my brain ).
You can also glean more info.on these dietary options along with corresponding Ayurvedic applications via www.yogicameron.com.
I am in Park City, UT  ( breathing mountain air ) next week and will resume posting shortly-

My Karma to Meet Sri Dharma

"Everything is an act of adoration to the Lord " Sri Dharma Mittra I had always thought that it would necessitate a trip to India to meet GURU ,to experience transcendence & bask in the light of coming home. All it took was a visit last week to a shala on 3rd & 23rd NYC ,the Dharma Yoga Center. "When the student is ready,the teacher appears." WriteSpirit.net best describes the "meeting GURU experience" as follows : "When you are crying for peace, light & joy and when life seems meaningless without the spiritual life, your teacher will not be far away . Your own sincerity like an inner magnet will draw you to your teacher. All of the great teachers seem to agree that you will know if your teacher is the right one for you when you see them ; if their face ,their presence gives you an inexplicable peace , inspiration & joy."

Brad Keimach :Symphonic & Beach Yoga

 

I attended Brad Keimach's noon class last Sunday Exhale Venice. It flowed just like the Crown Fountain in Chicago. Here's Brad's invite to Symphonic Yoga on Saturday,the 18th , featuring tracks from his "crew", Mozart , Beethoven & more.

10:30-12  BEACH YOGA

Walk straight down Rose Avenue, onto the beach, all the way to the water, and we will be there!  The yogis who have come to practice on the beach can't believe how wonderful it is!  Bring sunscreen, your mat, water---and a good sense of wonder!  This is a donation class.  

2-4  SYMPHONIC YOGA 

This 2 hour practice is a vinyasa flow practice, set to classical music.  Even if you don't know classical music, practicing to this music is a very different experience from new age/rock/alternative music.  You get deeper into yoga than you normally do, in a way that may be totally brand new.  This is the last scheduled Symphonic Yoga at Exhale, so if you have ever thought of trying it, this may be the last time.

Crown Fountain : Millenium Park Chicago

I did not get to practice at a studio in Chicago last week. However , walking through the pristine & amazing Millenium Park on a crisp fall evening was totally yogic in experience. Anish Kapoor & Frank Gehry have contributed several worthy installations to the exterior space,but it is Jaume Plensa's mind blowing experience of an LED lit Crown Fountain featuring 1000 faces of Chicago residents that literally FLOWS & SHINES. VDO via Underground House.

Dharma Yoga Center NYC : Sadhana

" May we never leave home again " Sri Dharma Mittra - I was finally able to attend Sri Dharma's Sadhana last Monday evening in NYC. The class is geared towards intermediate through advanced students based on DMV Shiva Namaskara Level 2 & 3 practices. Meeting & learning from DM was all that & more ,an experience that resonated with the authentic & pure teachings of yoga, meditation,pranayama & purification. And even though I had positioned my mat away from the most advanced yogis & closer to the view from the windows of the Gramercy Park skyline, DM would head over to me in order to adjust & provide asana guidance. Sadhana starts with meditation, pranayama ,then segues into asanas like bakasana , parsva bakasana ,pincha m., handstands, hanumanasana & sirsasana with bhajans continuously playing in the background. Sri Dharma is totally hands on;demoing & guiding in a gentle & funny vein, emanating light & love.Thank you for welcoming me home. VDO via lucas17sd. ** And this from Agustin A.'s email today : "I am glad you had the KARMA to meet Dharma"

Navaratri @ Exhale Venice:Lakshmi

Last night was the special Shivaratri celebration @ Exhale Venice  , with a puja led by Vedic priest Sri Shiva Kumar from Chennai. The Divine Mother (Jai Ma ! ) is worshipped primarily as 3 energies or cosmic forces : Durga/Kali as strength & courage , Shri Lakshmi as abundance & grace, Saraswati as wisdom & knowledge.

An amazing yantra was created , while Shiva Rea & Saul David Raye rocked the Surya room with ANANDA KIRTAN. The power of Sri Shiva's mantras in Sanskrit & the detailed mudras he used during the puja were transporting. Everyone was uplifted & vibrating @ a higher frequency.

Shiva & Saul truly inspire with their dedication , knowledge & passion  for spirituality , love & peace.

I had to sneak  in a pic of Padma Lakshmi as she is probably the closest  physical manifestation of abundance & grace in this Kali Yuga...

Posting will resume in a week once I am back from NYC & Chicago -

M Cafe' de Chaya : Culver City

" M Cafe' de Chaya introduces a cuisine derived from the ancient wisdom of Macrobiotics in a lively Cafe & Deli style setting that caters to INSPIRED individuals with vibrant lifestyles. The M Cafe' kitchen prepares each and every item daily with technique, integrity and attention to great taste."

I had tried the Melrose location of M Cafe' several times last year but have been to the new Culver City location twice this week. Big thanks to the Tsunoda family behind the 300 + year old Chaya brand in Japan for opening up there.. Their food is incredibly delicious, textural & flavorful.

The "Big Macro Burger" with whole grain , brown  rice & vegetables is fantastic, taken to the next level of RASA with their version of beet Catsup & Fries. I had Portobello Mushroom Inari with a Seitan Katsu Bowl last night which were both equally outstanding , topped off with a Carrot Cake. The best part about the meals @ M Cafe'  is the quick & good humored service  .  I'll  be  back  -

Image via the LA  Times.