Author Archives: blevine32
12 Jun
2013
Behind Kanye’s Mask
“great art comes from pain”
“In a conversation that spanned several hours over three days, and is excerpted here, the Chicago-raised Mr. West, 36, was similarly forthright, both elliptical and lucid, even as long workdays led to evident fatigue.”
“I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means. I am undoubtedly, you know, Steve of Internet, downtown, fashion, culture. Period. By a long jump. I honestly feel that because Steve has passed, you know, it’s like when Biggie passed and Jay-Z was allowed to become Jay-Z.”
12 Jun
2013
Ujjayi Pranayama
What is Ujjayi Pranayama? (also referred to as Ujjayi breath)
Many beginner students often ask, “What is this strange Ujjayi Pranayama breathing technique?” As a beginning yoga practitioner, it might seem odd that some of your fellow students sound like Darth Vader while they’re practicing. Here’s the explanation:
In Sanskirt, the word ujjayi means victory. Ujjayi or victory breath is a type of pranayama (controlled breathing) in which you breathe in a constant, even rhythm through both nostrils, holding your glottis partially closed.
Yes, when done “correctly,” it can sound like Darth Vader although some advanced practitioners are able to silently utilize the Ujjayi breath.
This method of breathing can be easily learned within just a few practices.
You can practice Ujjayi breath throughout the entire Ashtanga yoga series and other yoga practices if you want to increase the lucidity of your practice.
As a great teacher once taught me, there’s really no reason to open the mouth during a yoga practice. The nose is for breathing, the mouth is for eating & drinking. (Intuitively, this makes sense as our noses have the ability to filter air whereas our mouths do not)
Here is a video of Kino McGregor teaching Ujjayi Pranayama:
Benefits of Ujjayi Pranayama include:
- increased concentration during practice
- more inward focus
- less distractions
- released tension
What benefits have you felt while practicing Ujjayi Pranyama?
12 Jun
2013
6/12 Quote:
“Yoga is learning to never say I can’t.”
12 Jun
2013
Code in 8 Weeks
http://lifehacker.com/how-i-taught-myself-to-code-in-eight-weeks-511615189
“To a lot of non-developers, learning to code seems like an impossibly daunting task. However, thanks to a number of great resources that have recently been put online for free— teaching yourself to code has never been easier. I started learning to code earlier this year and can say from experience that learning enough to build your own prototype is not as hard as it seems. In fact, if you want to have a functioning prototype within two months without taking a day off work, it’s completely doable.
Below, I’ve outlined a simple path from knowing nothing about software development to having a working prototype in eight weekends that roughly mirrors the steps I took.”
12 Jun
2013
Nutritional Yeast
http://www.delightedmomma.com/2013/01/the-benefits-of-nutritional-yeast-10.html Paz and his girlfriend, Danielle, introduced me to a natural cheese and dairy replacement, nutritional yeast. It’s awesome. You can find it at Whole Foods. Here are some of the facts and benefits: So what exactly is nutritional yeast? Nutritional Yeast is deactivated yeast (not to be confused with Brewer’s yeast, which has a completely different taste and purpose). Nutritional yeast is a living microorganism grown on sugarcane and beet molasses. When the yeast is ready, it is killed (deactivated) with heat and then harvested, washed, dried and packaged. Nutritional yeast benefits:
- Has 6 grams of protein in just 2 tbs
- Great source of minerals
- Great cheesy taste
- Gluten free
- Salt free
- A great source of Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid
10 ways to use it:
1) Sprinkle it on top of vegetables or cauliflower poppers before you pop them in the oven
2) Sprinkle it on top of popcorn. 3) Skip the cheese and use this on top of low carb pizza. 4) Add it to baked thyme onion rings. 5) Use it in skinny mashed potatoes. 6) Sprinkle it on top of kale chips. 7) Add it to skinny spaghetti. 8) Use it in a creamed spinach recipe. 9) Add it to soups. 10) Use it to make cheesy crispy green bean fries.
11 Jun
2013
Meditation is a Lucid Practice
One of the better feelings one can come across is “pure meditation.” The closest I get to “pure meditation” is during savasana at the end of a yoga practice. Letting go of everything and being one with world is an awesome feeling.
Over time, I know meditation will aid in destroying ignorance, hate, and greed. From the practice, a great path emerges.
Many including myself at times have been led to believe that happiness can come from worldly fulfillments. When you are one with yourself, what job or material possession really matters?
When I get up from meditation, I see what really matters: the eternal gift of life. Nature starts to speak to me. Little things that I take for granted fill themselves up with beauty. I begin to see God in a lot of different places. I begin to see Love and Truth.
Do you have similar realizations during meditation and/or savasana?
-BL
11 Jun
2013
6/11 Quote:
“Body is not stiff, mind is stiff.”- Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
11 Jun
2013
Your Definitive Guide To Fiber
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9396/your-definitive-guide-to-fiber.html
“Quite simply, fiber is plant roughage — the part of veggies, fruits, beans, grains, nuts and seeds that resists digestion.”
“Fiber helps clean out your digestive system and get rid of things (namely extra hormones, cholesterol, toxins and waste) that shouldn’t be there.”
“The recommended intake for disease prevention is 14 grams of fiber for every 1000 calories consumed, which averages to at least 38 grams per day for men and 25 grams per day for women. “
11 Jun
2013
Investing and Yoga
“Everything is impermanent, especially the market’s level,” says Mr. Kessel
“He is one of a breed of financial advisers who are taking yoga and meditation out of the ashram and putting them into Excel spreadsheets. The values and teachings of these Eastern-inspired traditions, proponents say, impart a special kind of financial wisdom that, among other benefits, allows them to stay calm in crises and make holistic financial plans for clients.”