YogaGlamGirl's Weblog

Love affair with Japan...and talk of toilets

I recently returned from a trip to Japan and I am in love.
Here's why:

This really made me giggle.
Only in Japan....
--they take the time to inform us "gaijin" (outside people) how to use the "old school" type of toilets. The above instruction was found above the public "squatty potty" outside the Imperial Palace.

Also only in Japan....
--a local person immediately notices me as a confused tourist in a crowded train station and stop and ask if I needed help.
--trains, planes and automobiles are on time
--cab doors open automatically and drivers wear suits and white gloves
--crowded city streets are CLEAN and free of graffiti (If you haven't already read it, I highly recommend Malcolm Gladwell's book: The Tipping Point)
--food is prepared seasonally...so I only ate things that were fresh
--the most perfect (insert fruit or veggie name here) can be found (even though it is expensive!).
--everyone bows to say hello, to say goodbye, to show respect (I even watched as cleaners bowed before entering the train)
--if you ask for directions in a large department store you will probably be politely escorted to the place you need to go. (rather than just told where to find it yourself)

Japan also seemed to have some of the cleanest bathrooms I've seen and the most incredible, technologically advanced toilets complete with seat warmers, fancy bidet features and sometimes, even a clock!

Having noticed this, along with countless other technological wonders (like the bullet train) I must confess, I began to feel a twinge of frustration with my home country (good ol' Us of A). I wish it was engrained in our culture to be on time, be clean and be deeply respectful in every-day actions. Why don't we have those speedy trains and fancy toilets and taxi drivers dressed in suits?
I am sure that Japan is far from perfect, but damn, it left a good impression.

Daily Practices and Tips for Travel

I spoke with one of my teachers today asking for tools or practices that could help me stay centered amidst my hectic travel schedule. One of her suggestions was to get up early, say 4:30am or so every day. That way I can always be prepared for an 8am meeting. It is true, I get frustrated when I don't have time for my daily practices of sitting zazen, doing feldenkrais or practicing yoga each day. Being up at 4:30am also means that a 6am flight to the east coast won't effect me as much; nor will I need to sleep til 9 or 10am once I get there.

I have been wondering about my fatigue too. I asked if it was true that with Zazen I would be able to manage with less sleep. Yes, she replied. The more one practices zazen the less sleep is needed.

To me, that sounds good. really good.

Finding my inner carp

In case you haven't noticed...I've been extremely MIA of late...

Last week was Zazen (sitting meditation) training as well as Sound Healing workshop at Daihonzan Chozen-ji Zen Temple in Honolulu.
This week is family visits and a wedding.
Next week is a week in nature and learning more about animal tracking in California. and then straight to the California coast to celebrate my 31st bday (Happy Bday to all my fellow Aries friends...and to all dragons too).

I got back from one trip on a red-eye yesterday and leave for the next 7am tomorrow. wheeeeeee

In short, I am growing, learning and continuing my path.
My training experience at Chozen-ji was life changing. Here is a quote from their website that explains a little about Zen training there:

Chozen-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple where the martial and cultural arts are integrated with traditional Zen training. Here, entering Zen through the body is emphasized. The student must refine breath, posture, and awareness to cultivate samadhi, a state of complete concentration and relaxation. In samadhi a person transcends dualism, lives fully moment by moment, and is most effective and creative.

While we were there, we focused on developing our Hara...the center of our beings...right below the belly button. We learned how to use our breath to develop a strong hara or stable being. Your kiai or vital force becomes stronger the more you develop your hara. You develop your hara using many different exercises, all of which emphasize posture and breath.

At Chozen-ji there are 3 powerful ceramic pieces in one of the large rooms. All pieces were done by the same person. There is an inscription in front of the 3 that reads: A Carp, Leaps over a Waterfall, Becomes a Dragon. It is based off the Chinese Legend (this from Wikipedia):

In Chinese Mythology, there is said to be a place called Dragon's Gate. Dragon's Gate resides at the top of a waterfall. It is said if a carp can jump over the waterfall from the waters below, it will become a beautiful dragon.

The first piece was done before the woman reached enlightenment. It is labeled "Carp". The second very tall piece is the gate or waterfall. For her, it was during the creation of that piece that she reached enlightenment or samadhi. When looking at the piece you can actually feel the change in her kiai or chi as the change in her self occurred. The final piece is considered the dragon. To some, it may appear quite similar to the first Carp piece. But in truth, the feeling or kiai is so much stronger that you can actually feel a big difference between the 2.

My honey teased me (since I'm a dragon) that as I pursue Zen training I'm looking for my own essence and therefore my "inner carp". I think I'm really just hoping to become more of my self.

Zen: Moon Over Water

I've been absent the past few days, many thanks for your comments even while I've been away.

Here's a quote from an "enlightened" friend of mine.


Don't confuse
the reflection of the moon over water
for the moon itself

I had been getting caught up with movies playing in my mind rather than the truth of what is..right here...right now.

In a word...Patience

I felt like screaming yesterday.
Felt like everywhere I turned I was smacking up against a wall.
Wanting to run full speed ahead.
Frustrated when other people, events, situations
That aren't keeping up with my pace.
AAAAAAHHHHHH.

By evening, I finally talked about my frustations with my beloved.
He said that he was noticing that this seemed to be a recurring pattern for me right now.

Funny.
I am good about creating situations in my life
that teach me lessons
give me an opportunity to grow

(I hate them usually at first)

My lesson for this week is patience.
Letting go
of things I cannot control.

so here I sit
Taking a deep breath
and letting the art of patience
gently seep in.

Yogaglamgirl on Zen in the Grocery Store Checkout Line

Delightful post about a mother, child, and Finding Center.

And a tip from Lee Wells on transforming your time waiting in line into moments of gratitude:

Amassing gratitude while standing in line can turn your mood around 180 degrees. Pick one thing that you can see that you are thankful for. For example, "Wow! Look at my cart! So full of food, I'm very lucky to never, ever be hungry." Now add another thing. "My shoes are very stylish; I remember how excited I was when I bought them." Add another thing, "It is amazing to have such easy access to fruits and vegetables all year. Our farmers and food chain are doing very well." If you keep the inner conversation to only things you can have gratitude for, I promise you will feel a difference in your body.

Yogaglamgirl's Giving FREE Bodytherapy® Sessions

Drumroll, please.... ;)

If you are a female who lives in the Bay Area (anywhere near San Francisco, CA) and you have any kind of physical or emotional pain...I welcome you to come see me for a FREE Zen Bodytherapy® Session. I am offering free sessions to those who contact me between now and 2/22.

Here's some more info about Zentherapy® from one of my FAQs:
Zen Bodytherapy® is a system of Bodytherapy® and somatic education whose goals are to align and balance the structure, function and energy of the body. There are ten sessions of Zen Bodytherapy. In the sessions, the body’s segments are systematically realigned, organized and balanced in relation to themselves and the earth’s field of gravity. Gravity acts upon us every moment of the day, and according to how our bodies are aligned it either assists us or weighs us down. A body that is well vertically aligned within its field has to exert far less effort of its postural muscles and reflexes. Not having to fight gravity to stand vertically helps free us to be just what we are.

History of Zentherapy®
Zentherapy® stems from the teachings of Ida Rolf, Moshe Feldenkrais, Lauren Berry and Raymond Nimmo. The founder of Zentherapy®, William “Dub” Leigh, was a student of these masters as well as Zen Master Tanouye Roshi. Dub created Zentherapy® as a fusion of Rolfing, Feldenkrais, Berry Work, and Zen.

Who Should Receive Zentherapy® Bodywork?
Zentherapy® is an ideal modality for anyone who has a strong interest in creating positive change and vast improvement in phsysical, emotional and spiritual well-being.* People have used Zentherapy® to: heal from physical injury, eliminate pain, remove emotional trauma, reduce depression, improve flexibility and range of motion, improve posture, feel and look younger, lose weight, improve sex life, improve in yoga, and find solutions to chronic problems that no one else seems to be able to help them with. If you are pregnant, you should not receive the work. However, Zentherapy® bodywork can be especially beneficial to women post-childbirth.
*As a practitioner, Rebecca focuses her work with women. If you are a male who is interested in receiving the work please contact Rebecca for referrals to other practitioners in the Bay Area.

Is Zentherapy® a Type of Massage?
No. Work is received on a massage table, but it is not a massage.

How Many Sessions are There?
There are 10 sessions that address each part of the body.

Do I have to do all Ten Sessions?
It is suggested but not required that clients receive all 10 sessions. However, a person can greatly benefit from between 1 and 3 sessions.

How Much Does it Cost?
$130 per session. FREE first session. Each session lasts 1hour (maybe a few minutes more). 10% discount for pre-payment on all 10 sessions.

To Schedule a Session or Inquire Further
Contact me by email.

More On Zentherapy®
To learn more about Zentherapy® or to find out about upcoming trainings, please visit the Zentherapy® website: www.zentherapy.org

I would be delighted to share my skills and work in the spirit of service and healing. Please take me up on this valuable offer.

Namaste,
Rebecca

Yogaglamgirl Becomes a Witness Rather than a Raging Lunatic

Ever have a weekend where you are more worn out afterward then before it started?
I had visitors in town and the weekend just was not my own.
On top of it...watching some of my old emotional obstacles surfacing.
Noticing how easy it is to slip from place of confidence, security, and relative calm into an abyss of chaos. Spending time trying to observe. Watching my reactions...

A zen priest once explained to me the most important moment is the instant after a thought or emotion arises right before any reaction that needs careful attention. He said I needed to become an observer in that moment and practice taking my time, making careful choices rather than just reacting to life's happenings.

I am fiery by nature. I react quickly and with anger...sometimes rage.
The calm driver who returned from Bali seems to have disappeared this morning.
I am learning to become a witness. It is not an easy task.
I feel disappointed in myself. I am still learning to accept myself when practice is difficult and old habits seem so difficult to break.

I am open to thoughts you might have on becoming a better witness...
Namaste.