Aikido
There is an interesting version of one of the Japanese martial arts called aikido, which I think translates roughly as “the way of harmonizing with the breath”. Not much different than Qi Gong or Chi Kung as I like to write, the Chinese practice that can be translated as “Skill of Breathing” and they all fit […]
Hellenistic Philosophy in a Nutshell
Greek philosophy after Alexander the Great is called Hellenistic and mainly consists of Stoicism, Skepticism, and Epicureanism. They all had something valuable to say about leading a good and virtuous life and I think are similar in many ways to Eastern practices and wisdom. The stoics promoted a kind of dispassion free from strong and […]
Cool Hands on a Warm Head
With the colder weather approaching here is a technique for making good us of cool hands and fingers. Lie back on a bed or recliner and relax and be comfortable. Place one hand on your forehead and the other on the back of your neck. Transfer the coolness of your hands into your head and […]
Muscles into focus
A tight diaphragm can feel like a belt around your middle or a knot in the middle to lower back. Yoga brings muscles into focus especially the ones that are tight and tied up. Tension in our principle breathing muscle compresses, tugs, and twists us out of shape and out of round. It is a […]
Mindfulness and Stillness
I like to browse through the magazine section at Barnes and Noble and today I noticed how many magazines are on the shelf with the word “mindfulness” on the cover and in the name of the magazine. There must have been half a dozen with other magazines displaying titles like “Calm” or “Breathe”. I heard on […]