There’s nothing quite like sitting back and watching a glorious sunset with your partner when you’re on holiday – it’s certainly one of the most romantic ways to spend an evening, especially if you can combine the experience with good food and drink. If you’re looking for somewhere to watch a marvelous sunset, check out […]
“The way you accept Asthanga yoga is the way you will accept other outside challenges in life.” ~Rory Trollen
Growing Organic Kale for Beginngers Growing organic kale and spinach is easy once you know the basics. This post is about how to grow and care for your kale once it is in the growing stage (having already been planted). If you’re interested in the initial planting of kale, see our post on “Should I […]
Yes, you read that correctly. My yoga practice was something that used to cause me stress. I worried about my form from the first sun salutation right through to savasana. I wanted to please my teachers. I wanted to show my fellow yogis that I deserved to practice alongside them. If I had a “bad” […]
Margie Smith, a pleasant looking women who gave birth in the 1950’s, approaches a travel agent. “I must get to the Himalayas for my vacation.” Mrs. Smith says. “I’ve got to talk to a guru.” “The Himalayas, Mrs. Smith! Are you sure? The travel agent asks. “It’s a long trip, different language, funny food, smelly […]
What Are the Yamas and Niyamas? When Brian and I first studied yoga extensively, we were fascinated by the origins and composition of the yamas and niyamas. There are books on the topic and one could study this for a lifetime. Here is a brief overview of what I learned from Rory Trollen combined with […]
“We sit in the shade under trees others have planted.” ~Walter Lippmann Note: I heard this quote yesterday listening to Warren Buffet speak in a Learning by Giving Foundation online course. To hear a man with $50+ billion in the bank speak with the humility and awareness that he exudes gives me an awesome feeling. […]
From Tyler Cowen: I can think of three reasons. First, there is a placebo effect. For the Westerner/outsider, eating with your fingers seems exotic. For (many, not all) South Asians, eating with your fingers brings back memories of family and comfort foods. Second, your fingers are highly versatile and they are often the best implements […]
In today’s selection — the first great unifier of large parts of the Indian subcontinent was Ashoka the Great (304-232 BCE), who converted to Buddhism after witnessing the bloody horrors of his own wars, and used the moderating influence of Buddhism to help unify the widely different peoples within in his realm. He sent missionaries […]
“None but ourselves can free our minds.”
Best Ways to Hydrate It’s no secret that hydration is essential to optimal health. Although drinking water is a great way to hydrate, did you know that on average, humans get 20% of their water from food? Often times, eating fruit is the best way of hydrating — even better than drinking water. The nutrients […]
“Admit it. You aren’t like them. You’re not even close. You may occasionally dress yourself up as one of them, watch the same mindless television shows as they do, maybe even eat the same fast food sometimes. But it seems that the more you try to fit in, the more you feel like an outsider, […]
Two and half years ago, I wrote my first article for HighExistence. My fast life was turned upside down and I found myself far removed from home. Looking back, I can see this period changed my life. Drastically. And I am very happy I made the choices I did. From that moment on, I learned how to […]
David Butow spent 2012 traveling the world to photograph Buddhism. Butow used a variety of strategies — and camera formats — to try to capture the heart of Buddhism. He layered reflections, employed camera motion and made metaphoric images that suggested stillness. He included double exposures, used diptychs and even physically altered negatives with a […]
Is Yoga Spiritual? Is Yoga Religious? Is yoga spiritual? Is yoga religious? It depends on who’s practicing and who’s teaching. Everyone’s practice is different. One person’s practice might be deeply spiritual or religious while another person’a practice is the opposite. In the West, we’re so quick to put titles and labels on things as if […]
“You’ll never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul. Why? Because you can’t take it with you.” ~Anonymous
Posture refers to the body’s alignment and positioning with respect to the ever-present force of gravity. Whether we are standing, sitting or lying down gravity exerts a force on our joints, ligaments and muscles. Good posture entails distributing the force of gravity through our body so no one structure is over stressed. Here are some […]
The Guardian ran a article advertising “10 of the World’s Best Yoga Retreats in 2012.” You can check it out — here. Blurb on the article: “From a beautiful Georgian house in Sussex to a Goan beach hideaway, we select 10 inspirational, and affordable, yoga retreats, all of which feature leading instructors.” We haven’t attended […]
When Fear Meets the Line from MaxDreamCreator on Vimeo.
Phil Mickelson defeated a loaded field to win his first Open Championship this past weekend at Muirfield, but that is not what makes him such an extraordinary individual. No athlete comes to mind with such a perfect work-life balance. One might argue that being a professional golfer makes this a lot easier, and that argument […]
Why A Change Gonnna Come is one of my favorite songs Beyonce took time this weekend to give the city of Detroit this powerful tribute. Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come is an amazing, soulful song. It is incredibly powerful when you listen to it and think of the 60’s Civil Rights Movement. It […]
Honoring those who have taken us to levels unimaginable.
“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” ~Albert Einstein
In order to learn and become the best versions of ourselves, we can study extraordinary men and women that have come before us. Sleep is a wellness topic that Brian and I have studied extensively. We’ll talk about the amazing benefits of napping in the future but for now, let’s examine the following men who were […]
We change our priorities as we are confronted with the end of something; time with a loved one before they travel or are shipped out to time in the Service; time with our friends before we all graduate; time with our kids before they move away to college and move on with their lives. Each of […]
To my great regret, I no longer know how to be lazy, and summer is no fun without sloth. Indolence requires patience—to lie in the sun, for instance, day after day—and I have none left. When I could, it was bliss. I lived liked the old Greeks, who knew nothing of hours, minutes, and seconds. […]
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want. Don’t go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the doorsill where the two worlds touch. The door is round and open. Don’t go back to sleep. ~Rumi
One of our first garden learning experiences was growing spinach. We planted organic spinach seedlings in early May. Nick Mancini’s patented “seaweed and compost in the bottom of each hole” method was employed and we were excited for the growing experience. Growth was slow and steady. One week went by and we fed our spinach […]
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life is meant to be loved. Happiness is attainable. Living a life of truth can be a reality. In daily life, if you happen to tell a lie, ask yourself, “Why did I really lie?” Did you lie for social gain or ego purposes? Did you lie to create a false reality to make yourself […]
Sirsasana or headstand is one of my favorite postures, and has been for many years. There was a time when I would request a headstand on every class I went to whenever the instructor asked us what we wanted to work on. To this day, I practice headstand for at least 10 minutes, 6 days […]
“The Jewish obligation known as tzedakah is translated as ‘charity,’ but it is really much more than that. Tzedakah is derived from a root meaning righteousness, justice, or fairness, indicating that giving is not some extraordinary action, but of the essence of our duty as humans. Giving brings us most in line with God, whose most […]