RockStarYoga
  • perspective: why
  • musings
  • teaching: where, when + which
  • private yoga
  • rasayana: bodywork
  • mentoring + mental arts
  • ceremony + ritual
  • bio: who + what
  • education: what + how
  • connect: talk to me
  • snapshots
    • Yoga Advance - Isla Mujeres 2014
    • Rockstarring
    • Planet K
    • Play-asana
    • Students, Teachers, Friends, Inspirations
    • Easter Island, Patagonia, Chile
    • Turkey, Anatolia, Cappadocia
    • Isla Mujeres
    • Tulum, Yucatan, Coba
  • videos
  • offerings

Spark a Simply Smashing Samhain!

30/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Yay, it's that time again!

Oh, don't misunderstand me,
I really don't like Halloween, won't be dressing up, and yes, believe it or not, I will leave the lights off and the curtains drawn on Halloween (well, I do live on a 'visited' street, so it's mostly self-preservation)!


I'm already ready to drop offline for the next couple days because I don't need to see anymore zombie makeup and slutty 'fill-in-the-blanks' costumes!

However, I do love the solar and lunar cycles - I celebrate the 'eight-spokes' of the wheel year, where the solar equinoxes and solstices, as well as the quarter days are to be celebrated. Time to set aside experience from daily observance, and to mark moments as ritual. Timeless observances, cross-cultural relevance, ancient yearnings that still exist within us.

And, this resonates for someone who follows the "eight-limbed path," who seeks the cakra (wheel) to move with both sthira (steadiness) and sukha (ease), out of the dukha (unease, bumpy path, wheel not spinning cleanly). So, it takes eight-limbs to follow Patanjali - no coincidence that it takes eight-spokes to spin the wheel, to make the year.


Picture
This week brings one of these eighth times, one of these observances - Samhain.

Samhain is one of these spoke days, a quarter day (not a Solstice nor an Equinox). It is a Celtic and Pagan festival marking the end of the harvest season and the transition to the onset of winter, or the "darker half" of the year. It is typically observed from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st, and celebrated in contemporary society as Halloween.

In actuality, if one follows the solar/lunar cycles, the true observance this year would be midday, November 7th, but as with all modern holidays, we simply moved Holy Days to convenient days, and aligned the 'lesser' festivals with the 'majority' culture.

Samhain honors that point in time which is nearly halfway between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. Along with Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh it makes up the four Celtic seasonal festivals, as well as completing the eight-spoked wheel of the year.

Picture
Samhain is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and is known to have pre-Christian roots. As a ritual, its importance was one of timing and transition... typically, the freeze had come, and free-foraging was over for the season. It was the time when cattle were brought back down from the summer pastures and when livestock were slaughtered for the winter.

As at Beltane, special bonfires were lit. These were deemed to have protective and cleansing powers and there were rituals involving them. The simplicity of burning away the chaff and the over-burden from the crop harvest, the protective element of making sacrifice via fire; the fat of the meat, the best of the crops.

Samhain (like Beltane) was seen as a liminal time, when the spirits or fairies could move between the worlds - when the veil was at its least dense. It was believed that the spirits needed to be propitiated to ensure that the people and their livestock survived the winter, so, offerings of food and drink were left for them. The souls of the dead were also thought to revisit their homes.

Feasts were had, at which the souls of dead kin were beckoned to attend and a place set at the table for them. It's supposed that the act of leaving treats and tasty bites for the spirits, and the expectation of the spirits from the other side, led to tricksters dressing up as spirits or the dead in order to come and take the treats through their tricks... hmmm.


Picture
What shall we do then, in this time and space, in this season?

Purify, light a fire and pass yourself before it. Make ritual, create purpose, imbue meaning. The old ways are new again, and we renew ourselves through tradition, owning it and creating it.

Allow things to pass - harvest what is due, what is ripe; separate the grain from the chaff... burn that which binds, release the energy. Prepare for what will come, cleanse, purify, clarify and discern.

Observe... isn't that what we are called to do. And, if we are to escape the habitual, we must create ritual. Try it - let me know!

And, give thanks and praise!


0 Comments

We Only Want to be Loved...

25/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Nothing original to say on this; not in the defeatist 'it's already all been said', but rather in the spirit of this is universal and many have written this poem or sang this song...

Today, as I was reading, I found this same sentiment in many people's words, from different spheres, but from the same spirit. It made me think on my own realm, where i feel it, when i don't; and, how that's been emotiona

Here's one of my favorite ponderings on it - and, sub-titled, so read it like a poem, follow along if you don't get lyrics, or just close your eyes and enjoy!

Give thanks and praise!


0 Comments

Worthy Work

22/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Inside
Where I have been before
Where I will be again
Where I am not now




Inside
There is a temple
And this was my holy sanctuary
This was my cloister
This was where I would dwell


Picture
When I was only a novice,
Not a sage, never a saint
I lost my religion
Wandered from the holy of holies
And I was no longer
Holy in my holiness


Holy relics
Remind me of the cloister
Where ecstasy dwells
Where wafting incense makes heady air
Where cooling shade draws long shadow
Where simmering selflessness makes holy
All that has passed the threshold

Picture
And I would come again
Into the cloister
Into the temple
Into the holy of holies


The alter is not lost
Merely untended
I would make it new
I would re-consecrate
Rededicate, re-devote
This would be my worthy work


My prostration, my supplication
My oblation, my ecstasy
I would bring holy
I would make holy
I would be holy


Inside
In the temple
Re-consecrated
Renewed, Rediscovered

Inside...

0 Comments

Every Stumbling Stone in My Path is Yet Another Block For My Cathedral!

16/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sometimes it happens, that season of ease, that period of time where it's all in the flow... you might be merrily tripping down a path that seems smooth and to be headed right at the destination of choice, directly towards what you are seeking. All sweet, all sukha.

We love it on the path, we find our stride, we are actively enjoying the scenery. Then, lo and behold, right there in the middle of that lovely, smooth and engaging pathway, a huge stumbling block appears. Perhaps we simply trip, perhaps we have to change course, or sometimes, it's just a straight up obstacle and we simply sit there, nonplussed and not moving.

This maybe one of those times; a time of choice and perspective. Choice in terms of how we react to the situation, the obstacles, the stumbling blocks: perspective in terms of how we choose to view what lies before us, and how we see incidents within the 'bigger picture'. When we combine a non-reactive mind, with a larger scope of perspective, along with some healthy optimism, perhaps it's not a stumbling block in our path.


Picture
Instead, is there opportunity for you to look at this impediment, this block, this obstacle, and see the moment for what it is?

Not a negation of the path you were on, but perhaps more of a course correction that we didn't know or perceive was needed?

Can you trust in events playing themselves out in a way that is not conspiring against you, but rather building something greater with you, in supportive yet subtle guidance?


Picture
What if we looked at each of these metaphoric stumbling blocks as raw material for the experience we are seeking to build, to create and to manifest?

What if rather than cursing the loss of momentum on the path, we examine the intentions and make the subtle changes needed to keep progressing?

Perhaps our short-term thinking is leading us directly towards something we believe to be of benefit, or perhaps there is something even greater or more specific to come, and we wouldn't be available to it when it presented later, if we cleave to what we think we need.

Things happen - why? - we don't know. Sometimes the things that happen don't seem to be what we want; yet I can clearly see in retrospect how little forethought and planning went into some of the greatest events of my life - how I surrendered to the moments and made the 'course-correction' and found even greater tides.

I've made some big mistakes in the past; I'm sorry for the detriment that those caused to others and myself. And, I've endeavored to learn from those mistakes. To take those heavy blocks and fashion stepping stones. To create solid foundation to move forward and to carve a path, to make my way, but also to accept that the path will meander or vary. What seems direct today may never lead me to my next lesson.

And, I truly believe that Life, or Spirit, or Faith or whathaveyou has a role for us each to play, and play it out we must. So, even when we feel really directed and on that path and fully engaged, we'll stumble and we'll fall and we'll falter and question. I say, discern, use perspective and practice non-reactivity, surrender and acceptance. Listen, the lesson is not transparent, but it's clear.

Picture
Then, begin to change your relationship with the path and the stumbling blocks! Become the Grand Mason, the Lead Builder. Mine that path of experience for excellent hard strong pieces of rock and stone.

Bedrock and stepping stones. Cornerstone and Stairs. Sometimes 'rock bottom' might be your most solid foundation!

Monastery, Cloister, Cave, Prison; as it's been expressed - build it, one stone at a time, one experience in each moment, and celebrate your own construction. Honor the foundation and aspire - set your bedrock and build your cathedral. Each requires finding some stones on the path. 

And, of course, give thanks and praise!!

0 Comments

Fluid Fire - A Natural in ATX!

12/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Here's a fun and funny video - thanks and praise to my collaborator, Malia Scott. Malia and I will be co-leading a great class - Fluid Fire - at the upcoming Austin Wanderlust Festival! Our class will be on the first day of the Festival, Friday, November 8th - at 2pm! We'd love to see y'all there, for some wet, wild, hot and hazy craziness!

I'm very excited to collaborate with Malia again - she and I share so many perspectives, yet have a great time sharing other 'lenses' of perception... so, we garden together, just in different rows of the same fields!

We were riffing on Fluid Fire, and this was what I came up with; not much prep, not going to say it's earth-shattering, but it was fun, so I thought I'd share!


Still some tickets available for WLATX - come on out, support our local yogis and yoginis as we host the National Crew! Besides Fluid Fire, I'm also teaching three different Meditation Classes, so I'd love to see you there, meet up or reconnect and share as we give thanks and praise!!

Enjoy!

0 Comments

After Yoga, After Dark - What are You After?

2/10/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
First, deep thanks and praise for all of those lovely Flowing Glowers and Fine Shines that came out and got deep in the dark with us.

Also, gratitude and appreciations on Zoe,  for inviting me into the maelstrom; to Sumukhi, who has such a powerful positivity, and yet a deep grounded spirit - oh, and let's not forget, DJ Manny, who knew just the vibes to throw, exactly what groove to pursue, and when to pop it out!!

I really love the art and action of collaboration - getting together and seeing what happens. Well, that sounds way too passive! What I mean is taking differing perspectives with a common respect and allowing what we can co-create to lead the way. Teaching is incredibly organic, it's about getting out of THE way, getting into what is happening, what isn't, what is needed, what can be pushed, what should be held. So, when you agree to collaborate, it's a great step into the unknown!

Again, that's the edge I love - on more than a few occasions in the past few months, I've collaborated or been in a collective of teachers where we didn't spend time planning and plotting - it's lovely for me, some folks can't dig it, I respect that we each have a process. I suppose I'm the improv kinda guy; I did go to States for Extemporaneous Speaking in High School!

So, no planning is more exciting and fresh for me, and I believe in that authenticity and truly being in the moment - not reviewing what you were supposed to be doing or forecasting how to get back to page 2 of your flow - but really seeing what's happening; that's where I love to be.

We got there last night - all I knew was the overall intent, the heart of my co-presenters, the playful, pumping nature of the DJ, and what a Tuesday, October 1st in Austin felt like. We came, we flowed, we conquered and we surrendered. I think we did a lovely job, I heard folks feeling good.


“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

― William Arthur Ward
Picture
That brings me to the salt of the post - each of the folks I worked with last night was in their comfort zone. We had a destination, and a landscape, but no map or route. We taught our yoga, not in contrast, or against, but as one, together, in unity, for fun and with intention.

It works, but only if you are teaching YOUR yoga. YOUR yoga, the yoga you've flowed in and failed in. The yoga you've walked away from as well as devoted yourself to. Yoga you've been given, and guided through, and instructed in, and learned to didactically dissect... that's YOUR yoga.

I'm just on that thought because this morning I saw three things that all triggered that in me... one person promising to teach you her 'teacher's flow' just like you'd like it; another person arguing the dogmatic and fundamental approach to this yoga 'as it is, unquestioned, honored through the lineage', and yet another who was ruing the fact that they weren't 'physiologically able to do Bikram, but I love it so!'.

I'm not picking a fight, I'm stating an opinion. I'm trained in two lineages that are considered to be 'infallible' and need to be taught 'as-is' without change or question. I choose, in honor of what they have asked, to not teach in those lineages. I draw from them, I'm informed and inspired by them, but  I honor the fact they must be taught as they are, I don't adhere to that, so I don't go there!

That is to say, I'm still finding my way,

I'm a mutt and while I'm a stray!


That's a poem!

I'm a mutt, and a stray, like I'm just incorporating what makes sense, what provides clarity and discernment, what is sustainable, and what I see in my own practice working. I offer it as perspective, not as dogma. I offer it humbly.

And, I  give thanks and praise!


1 Comment
    Picture

    Chrispy - Bhagat Singh

    Random thoughts I've had, while teaching, about the teachings, about my teaching, and while talking about teaching.

    Connect with me:
    Facebook: 
    chrispy bhagat singh
     Facebook:
    RockStarYoga
    Facebook:
    RaSaYana
    YouTube:

    chrispy bhagat singh
    Instagram:
    petrastella
    Twitter: 
    petrastella

    Email: 
    rockstar@rockstaryoga.us

    Picture

    Archives

    July 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Anusara
    Asana
    Asana Practice
    Brain
    Calendar
    Chakras
    Challenge
    Collaboration
    Community
    Compassion
    Discernment
    Experience
    Happiness
    Holy Days
    Lent
    Love
    Magic
    Mindfulness
    Nyt
    Observance
    Patanjali
    Practice
    Resources
    Shadow
    Shine
    Sutras
    Teachers
    Teaching
    Yoga

    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.