EmPowered Yoga Living with Twee

finding so much pleasure in taking out your trash

2011-05-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

EmPowered Yoga Living with Twee
May 2011

i'm writing this on the plane from croatia to nyc via zurich and reflecting on yet another amazing teacher training weekend in zagreb, croatia! during our last class i mentioned how i really enjoyed taking out the garbage that morning before i arrived. i was staying at my friend nina's (sangha studio co-owner) and before i leave a host's house i do my best to clean up and leave it the way i came as i'm so grateful they offered me their space. so the day before i was to leave zagreb to return home, i took out the garbage from the apartment and was beaming with smiles. now let me tell you why this was such a pleasure for me.

i never take out the garbage. ha! ever since i was a child i remember my father and mother had different "duties" that were delegated to the man and the woman. mom cooked, cleaned, did laundry...and dad's job was to take out the garbage and discipline us with "the belt" when needed (as they did back then, old school, dad's almost 85 now). sure sometimes they took on each other's household chores, and eventually my brothers and sister and i took them on as we grew into them. the boys did what dad did. the girls did what mom did. but i really never remember mom taking out the garbage and "certainly" the girls were never asked to when the boys were around. that was a "man's job." so when i moved out of the house in my early 20's and started sharing living space with room mates, i clearly requested upon moving in, that the man in the house takes out the garbage. it always worked out well and even to this day, jason takes out the garbage. of course, he was happy to agree when i explained why it was important for me. well not important...more of a preference instilled in me from childhood.

so here i am taking out the garbage in croatia, opening the lid, and really enjoying, and actually smiling as i was going down the lift to the garbage bins on the street level. me. taking out the trash. huh! it was super! cleansing. purifying. clearing space. getting rid of those things that i just couldn't use anymore, right? it was quite pleasurable! ha! i know it might sound silly for you but really...it is a cleansing experience when you think about it right? and we do it every day...or a couple times a week perhaps.

so i thought....it's that time again. to check in and commit to taking out the trash that's in my life and to do some spring cleaning again before summer approaches around the corner. empty some space to keep it clear or allow something more positive to enter when it's meant.

and once you've taken out the garbage, and cleared some space, you might enjoy some suggestions from our contributing writers and friends on how to connect more personally towards your joy.....with scott rodwin's 3 minute phone call as a quick but potent re~connection; selina gullery's yoga and horses article, offering an intimate approach to connecting with animals and their intuitive instincts reflecting the rider's thoughts and emotions; and rachel hughe's art studio miami (and world) helping miami's "little haiti" children meet after school to enjoy art, yoga, meditation, and nutrition instead of running home to the tv or mind numbing video games.

and click here to read my new favorite way to "take out the trash" and some other ideas for you to collect YOUR trash and either empty it out, or purify it or transform something that no longer serves you into something that can fertilize your evolution (like compost fertilizes a garden).

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for YEARS i have said i want a daily meditation practice. i have heard from my yoga + meditation teachers who have a daily practice of the amazing benefits, even seen the physical changes in faces and heard accounts of one of my teachers, jill satterfield of vajra yoga based in nyc, of meditating herself from a critical intestinal disease back to health and wellness. i often reflect on testaments from friends (a fashion photographer, a musician, an LA account exec, and a nyc yoga teacher) who recount their times during and after a vipassana retreat and how it changed their lives forever and was one of the most peaceful times of their lives. but alas, i still was not able to stick to a daily meditation practice. somehow it wasn't my time back then, so instead of fighting it, i accepted my daily living as my meditative flow of being, and thought...the right time will come...one day.

one day has come. it has aligned for me now. and WOW! meditation, to me, is like taking a shower for my mind! every day!

let's back track. it wasn't until end january, when i learned that i was pregnant. it was then that i decided to (finally) attend a 10-day vipassana silent meditation retreat that i had heard so much about from my friends. i had attended a 3 day retreat almost 10 years ago with my teacher at the time (jill satterfield, photo left)and that changed my life forever...but now i was ready for what i considered the marathon of meditation retreats! 10 days! after some online research, i was dismayed to find out that there were none in the nyc area with dates that worked...or they did work, they were all sold out months in advance. good to hear for the planet and our human race...yay!...but not so good for me and my timing. so i decided that's not a good enough reason to give up.

now its' march. it was a promise i made to myself in bali during the tending the sacred fire teacher training retreat i offered. at the end of the week's events we each created a very specific and individualized sadhana (sacred ritual or practice) for one full moon cycle (28 days) that would begin upon returning home and upon the next full or new moon. we were committed to igniting the flame that we sparked that week and we told each other (and each retreater in the tt program told me in our one-on-one talks on the last day) of our intentions, our commitments, and our timelines. it helped to speak it publically to help us commite. my personal commitment was simply to meditate every day. and i asked two of my student friends to check in with me after 30 days.

as of today, i have been meditating on a daily basis for 8 weeks now.
(celebrate good times! come one! let's celebrate! it's alright! there's a party going on right here! a celebration to last throughout the year! ~kool+the gang :)

i started with 8 minutes a day, then every week i've added on another minute, hoping...no....knowing that by the 52nd week of the year i'll be up to one hour a day of meditation. (thank goodness for the part-time nanny that we are planning on hiring so i can continue this practice when radiant glitter baby is born!) meditation, to me, is a showering of my mind. and when my thoughts dissolve and purify it affects my heart's emotions and my body's health, for sure! everyday most of us take a shower and brush our teeth + clean our gums right? so what about our minds? just because we can't see it...or others cannot see it....how about cleansing our minds?

meditation. start. okay....when you're ready...but when you do, i'm telling you folks it's proven scientifically to work! no pill needed folks! and no fancy additives either :)

for those of you who have been saying you'll start. how about today? or okay...the next new moon JUNE 1st or next full moon JUNE 15th and start with as little as one minute a day. set an alarm. sit in a chair on on a pillow on the floor. (i like my free chair that i have at home, photo right). add another minute each week, or when you are ready to add on, and commit and stick to the plan. tell someone of your plan. or post it on face book. the more people you tell the more likely you will do it right? (wink) let's journey together to clean our minds for the sake of your own true sanity and the sanity of all beings. take out the garbage of negative belief patterns, abusive thoughts towards ourselves and others, shockingly creative excuses and self-reflection (or condemnation) and begin on a journey to think positive thoughts with powerful intentions behind it.

wait. before you ask how or what happens if. may i suggest a simple technique for these thoughts that will appear....especially if they are negative thoughts? first you sit. you're meditating. even if your mind is spinning with thoughts. before you think "i'm not good at this," or "i'm not doing it right," or "i can't do it." guess what? there is no award for best meditator. no right or wrong way to do it. and once you sat, you are already "doing it." so stay there. so you've started. YES! next you'll most likely realize that you have the same seven or so "stories" running through your mind. now you have a pattern of thoughts you become aware of. once you witness those patterns and if you realize there are a few patterns that do not serve your happiness, then you ask yourself one of my favorite mantras that i live by, "now that you know what are you going to do about it?"

if it's something you don't want to keep living by (or thinking of) then "throw out the trash." literally visualize that thought being put in a dumpster (or a huge garbage truck or a small recycled plastic bag that you throw away yourself) and watch it get carried down the street and fade away. and there's more. just in case it comes back or sticks around somehow...in our next meditation then keep dumping.

how? i call it "positive mirror languaging." (yes, languaging, notice how i make up words for fun :) imagine you have a thought like "i think i'm getting in people's way" or "one day i'll have enough money to get out of debt so i can......" or "i always attract losers into my life." okay. when you sit down and you listen and watch your mind play out the same thoughts or stories over and over again...you recognize them and now you turn it around. you mirror it. you invert it with a positive vibration.

for example. if you say "i think i'm getting in people's way all the time" flip it over and add a positive spin. say instead "people are waiting for me to be present with them (or to meet me) and are inviting (or wishing for) me to come into their lives right now." turn it around and create new thought patterns, shift your paradigm, and create change...even radical change through this process. okay you might not believe this right away but you know what? try it. start speaking in terms of the reality you desire to manifest, instead of wasting so much time and energy into thinking, speaking, and living the reality that you don't want. throw out the garbage of that reality. make some space. for what? well, it's up to you. it could be more garbage...or, over time as you change the language of your intentions, mind, and words... they create actions (or your reality) that become purified into your desired reality. huh. sounds good right? sure!

let's try another one. you might notice thoughts that represent (or you might often verbally articulate) that "one day i'll have enough money to get out of debt, maybe quit my job here in the city, move out into the country and pursue my dream as a wood worker." this one only needs to be purified. not necessarily flipped over and inverted. the purified (or "composted" statement now becomes, "money is (or the means and resources are) coming to me right now...as we speak...and i'm listening and watching for the signs to make a move...from my job, from the city, and towards wood working...and in fact it's right around the corner! i feel it! yes!" maybe even write that down on a piece of recycled scrap paper and stick on your mirror every day so you can read it while brushing your teeth or checking out your dashing good looks after you're fresh and clean from the shower. take it a step further, and as one of my favorite authors, mike dooley (photo left) suggests, dance at least once a day in front of the mirror in a happy jig and sing this statement out loud!

and final example... if you notice that your thoughts reflect statements like, "i always attract losers into my life," flip that one. throw that out and add in this positive thought and statement instead. "i only attract the winners in my life that reflect the winner in me." and on this one, take note....i truly feel you magnetize and attract those who are very similar to you in your current state of being. if you have not done the work to clear your body, mind, and heart...then most likely you will attract(and have attracted) someone who is living in a similar dimension. so check in and enjoy dumping your trash. manifest a new reality with positive intentions, thoughts, words and actions. if not now, then when?

now that you know...what are you going to do about it?

here are some other suggestions to empty your trash

relationships with others

~ filter negative people out of your life. its' hard sometimes to come to terms with but some of those people include family and dear friends from the past, ex-lovers you still hold onto that keep you from evolving, co-workers, employers, employees

~ make more room for face in time and less face book time. get more one on one and personal whether that is less texting and emailing towards face-to-face skype talks or making more tea dates or bike rides together with those that lift you and support your happiness.

food
~ throw away toxic food. if there's anything in your cupboards with ingredients that you cannot pronounce, throw it out or give it away. i loved this when i first read it in chapter one of
dr. andrew weil's, 8 weeks to optimal health book.

~ eat more organic foods (less "conventional" produce which means non-organic, might contain pesticides and harmful chemicals in it's production)

~ start composting to fertilize your garden or lawn

~ meatless mondays

~ consume less animal products whether that is once a week becoming a flexitarian or even going for it and living a vegan lifestyle for a day, week, or full moon cycle.

yoga and fitness

~ ask your yoga teacher to take a look at a yoga posture that you are challenged with or struggle with...no let's say that another way...that offers potential for you to grow into greater strength and flexibility and is just about to blossom (or be harvested). ask them to watch you in it and give a little additional guidance. and then once your teacher gives you a tip then it's up to you to change or hold onto those comfortable patterns. if you choose to throw out the old patterns that actually bind you versus liberates you, then get humble, back it up a bit, and begin again on that journey. this of course applies to chanting, meditation, pranayama or any other yogic practice that is meant to help you find your joy.

~ start spending some more time in nature so you can appreciate the abundance of Her gifts...and maybe then you might begin (or be reminded to) consume less when it comes to paper, water, chemicals in every day products you purchase regularly which will eventually end up in nature and are harmful to it's preservation

computer | mobile phones | tv | technology in general

~ join shiva rea's YEA| Yoga Energy Activism | from Earth Day to Fall Equinox
April 22nd - Sept 21st, 2011, join a grassroots activation of the yoga community to inspire mindful use of our natural resources by creating Energy Regeneration Days | manduka tv video of shiva rea speaking of her project

~ set a new auto signature on your emails saying when you will reply to them if they are not urgent. for example i started this immediately when i ended my tour and had a lot more time at home living in the suburbs during the winter while jason was gone most of the day during work. less time on tour and traveling created more time at home, which then became more time on the computer. within weeks i threw out that potentially toxic habit. my auto signature says i'll respond on tuesdays and thursdays. those seem like the best days for me as i get the emails the day after people are back on their computers mondays, and by thursdays i can take care of any needs by the week's end. see what your flow is. of course, try to give another option to get in touch if it's urgent without posting your phone numbers as those who are supposed to have the number already, do. that's for my business and personal email accounts. set some personal boundaries from technology's harmful vibrations. stick to it. and say what you mean, mean what you say. you can only take out the garbage on certain days right? so maybe you can only look at your emails on certain days. | email me at twee@tweeyoga.com for the auto-reply | in-joy, twee

~ create auto~filters (or smart mailboxes for mac users) so you can see the important emails separate from your inbox, straight away

~ send the emails you don't wait into the junk or spam folder immediately so you don't even see them come back again

~ set a voice mail as to when you will respond to calls that are not urgent, see auto signature suggestions above

~ turn off the television and pick up a book or magazine or newspaper more often. or make a phone call, see face time in face book time out above. or sit down and meditate. tee hee. had to sneak that in again.

~ news fasting. even take a break from daily news on tv and newspapers. you'll be surprised how the important news will find it's way to you. and besides look at how the stories can change every day...like the osama bin laden story that changed every day. how can facts change so swiftly when reported from such "dependable" sources. with all due respect as i witnessed the towers collapsing in nyc, i'm still dumb-founded that they buried the body without giving proof that it was him...after all this time. if you read past the title "osama bin laden is either dead, alive, or with tupac." you will read some other theories on his death as well. and when obama and high level "sources" updated us each day with the accounts of what "really" happened...the stories contradicted each other and changed too often for me. what was "truth" one day changed radically within the following few days...who to believe? (but that's another topic for another newsletter in the near future ;)

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well, there's a start. some say it takes 40 days to make a new pattern become a lifestyle choice. others say it takes 8 weeks. i can truly say that meditation has become a part of my life...not just something i feel i have to do. it's me "taking out the garbage," for sure. and you know what happens if you don't take out the garbage. who wants to deal with that collection in the future? someone will have to. as it will collect somewhere as a dis-ease of the heart, mind, and|or body. let's take care of that sooner or later, don't you think?
now that you know, what are you going to do about it?

a new moon start | wednesday, june 1st
a full moon start | wednesday june 15th

please email additional suggestions or comments to info@tweeyoga.com so we can include in future postings and newsletters. blessings to you on your "garbage dumping" adventures! or shall we say...your purification adventures!

blessings from the air along my magic carpet ride!
see you soon!
love,
twee

....and jason, if you're reading....maybe i'll take out the garbage this week. what do you think? love you han!

speaking + living our truth | meet the tribe that inspires me to live and be in truth

2010-10-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

"words have the power to both destroy and heal.

when words are both true and kind,
they can change our world."
~ buddha

last week i started writing about the many many many people in my life who have inspired me to follow my inner voice, speak the truth and therefore live in that truth in as many moments throughout the day as presently possibly. then i realised, wow! this is a book in the making! so that's for later....and for now i'd love to highlight the tribe that continues to help me to just keep it real!

this newsletter highlights our vishuddha chakra (throat center) which to me, is all about truth. please in-joy my top 10 list that came to mind immediately, including our two featured writers on this e~newsletter, shauna slingsby, our twee yoga collective (tyc) managing goddess who writes about "loving communication," and my dear friend, gaby aschwanden, founder of theyogapage.com, yoga teacher + swiss banker.

please continue below to read more about how my tribe of friends, teachers, family, + guides continue to inspire me along my journey and how they might complement your living in truth too as well.....

sending love and joy from the waves in hawaii,
twee

photo above | spending my 40th birthday surfing + yoga'ing in hawaii, morocco (oct 26th actual day) + bali for an entire birthday month

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1~ benjamin taylor, a brilliant lyricist + passionate musician | he inspired me to pay more attention to the lyrics and music i choose to listen to

2~ stephan scholten, a nlp + business leadership trainer | it's not just the words, it's the tone + body language

3~ sabine weiser, a gorgeous gospel singer + yoga teacher from munich | voice training exercises to speak from our center

4~ andre buhlmann, manager of airyoga zurich | put the emotionally charged emails in the draft folder first

5~ joan uemura shure | founder om butterfly jewelry | crystal devi necklace for clarity + communication + confident self-expression

6~ gurmukh khalsa | founder of golden bridge yoga + kundalini teacher | "say what you mean, mean what you say"

7~ shiva rea | my role model, teacher, mentor, + mitra (friend) | "there is no time to be other than authentic"

8~ my father leo merrigan | he's losing his voice from living with parkinson's but still knows how to make us laugh when he does speak

9~ my god-brother alan mathieson | the quiet one who observes, but when he speaks it's so profound the entire room stops talking and we all become uber present

10~ peter hudson | my exboyfriend who i moved to australia to be with before this tour | a surfer, environmental consultant, and one who always spoke the truth even if it hurt to hear it

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1~ benjamin taylor, a brilliant lyricist + passionate musician | he inspired me to pay more attention to the lyrics and the music i choose to listen to

have you ever heard ben's lyrics for "wicked way?" it is one song that always brings a smirk to my face every time i listen to it. i remember the first time i viewed the video on youtube and then a year later it had the same effect on me when i experienced it live in l.a. this past august. the lyrics are arousing and entertaining for both the female and male audience. i remember how frank, sergio + i turned to each other after ben played it acoustic style, and his guitar and the microphone hummed to a dead a silence in a blackened theater. we had huge grins on our faces and just nodded in agreement...as if to say "well done, ben, that's good stuff."

ben's a "cool cat." it's fun to be in his presence when he gets so jazzed about great lyrics and even recites them by heart before the artists even sings it. he inspired me to really pay more attention again to the lyrics of the music i choose to listen to. isn't a large part of communication....listening? so here are a few artists i love to listen to and songs that come to mind immediately for their lyrics that definitely strike a few chords in my heart......michael franti (stay human, all the freaky people), sarah mclaughlin (hold on), pink (dear mr. president), michael jackson (man in the mirror), the beatles (let it be), bob marley (where do i start?), and ben taylor (after it's over)..oh and of course bob dylan ;) of course bob dylan!

who inspires you? please send us an email at info@tweeyoga.com so we can share them with you in a later e-newsletter....

*** benjamin taylor | www.benjamintaylor.com | free downloads + tour schedule available on his website
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2~ stephan scholten has been a guest teacher in holland complementing two of our teacher trainings. in our embodying the flow foundations of prana flow yoga, he shared how tone + body language, in addition to word choices, can enhance the exchange and connection between teachers and their students. as we all know, these principles apply to the yoga of living as well....for instance when you read an email, you might interpret it from one tone. let's say you read it interpreting a tone of judgment or condescension. before you come to that conclusion....try this.....ask a friend or co-worker to also read, out loudly, the same email without giving them your "story" behind it. have fun with it, and ask them to read it out loudly with a very friendly tone, another with a very bitchy tone, another with a grumpy tone, a tired tone..so on and so on and so on. you might get a chuckle from this and realise that there might be a chance that your first interpretation could have been misinterpreted, yes? see where i'm going with this? why fill in the tone when you are working with words on a screen. when in doubt, check it out. pick up the phone, call the person who wrote the email and get some tone behind it. or even better, get some tone and body language...if you can't see them in person, go to skype and get the real deal. try to get more real by going beyond just the words on screen. according to nlp research words only make up 7% of effective communication. the rest is , 38% tone, and 55% physiology. wow!

as a follow-up to our trainings, stephan offered additional resources...

.....for more specs/info, take a look at the following links: (albert mehrabian)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/albert_mehrabian
http://www.businessballs.com/mehrabiancommunications.htm

....and maybe this is also interesting: (study of human body motion by ray birdwhistell)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/kinesics

....ps. in nlp, the 3v's are mostly used to be more conscious of the impact of voice and expression, in general many people think that words are the most important. and in nlp (coming from anthropology) it is important to know and see the interaction of the human body and how you feel and think.
photo above | stephan is sitting in middle with white tshirt with big smile, of course!
*** stephan scholten | greenhart | personal leadership in business |
e info@greenhart.nl | w http://www.greenhart.nl

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3~ sabine weiser, a gorgeous gospel singer + yoga teacher from munich | she gave me a spontaneous voice training exercise to help me to project my voice from my center...down lower below my throat...into the pit of my belly.

f, s, sh! f, s, sh! f, s, sh! f, s, sh!

try it. it's like kapalabhatti breathing but instead of just voluntarily pushing out the exhales, instead you sound out f, s, and sh as quickly as you can with as many repetitions as possible...and most importantly from the navel area. it has helped me a lot not only with projecting my voice, but also by continuing to speak from my core when i teach in classes and teacher training discussions.

*** sabine weiser | ishta yoga teacher, prana flow inspired | airyoga munich | www.airyoga.de
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4~ andre buhlmann, manager of airyoga zurich | delaying emotionally charged emails in the draft folder first

and what about those emails that have bits of daggers attached to them? oh no, we yogis never send those out, right? let's take a hint from my friend and a tyc tour host, andre buhlmann, manager of airyoga zurich, who reminded me to go ahead and write the email, get it out, but to first put it in my draft folder, and send it the next day or days later. "let it sit," he says, "and most likely the next day or two, you probably won't send it at all." (or maybe you'll change it just a bit, or a lot). the emotions will settle and release, and it's done. you'll just pick up the phone to talk or meet in person, or just write a different email that more closely reflects your more pure intentions.

*** andre buhlmann, manager airyoga zurich | www.airyoga.ch
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5~ joan uemura shure | founder om butterfly jewelry | accessories for the goddess | clear crystal devi necklace for clarity + communication

i cannot say enough how the this om butterfly necklace around my neck has helped me with my own self expression over the years since i first met joan at exhale in l.a.! i am often reminded when i look in the mirror and see it reflecting back at me right at the base of my throat chakra, my communication center, that the clear crystal is a representation of how i want to communicate with absolute steadfast resolve and clarity. thank you joan, for creating such a beautiful necklace that i can wear (and almost never take off) that reminds me of this durga quality from within.

*** joan uemara shure | www.ombutterfly.com | founder, jeweller, + yoga teacher goddess
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6~ gurmukh khalsa | founder of golden bridge yoga + kundalini teacher | "say what you mean, mean what you say"

"say what you mean. mean what you say." when i heard her say those words at a yoga journal conference in estes park over (maybe) seven years ago, i knew this would become my mantra too. thank you gurmukh!

*** gurmukh khalsa | founder golden bridge yoga, hollywood, los angeles, california, usa | www.goldenbridgeyoga.com
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7~ shiva rea | my role model, teacher, mentor, mitra, + surf soul sister | "there is no time to be other than authentic"

need i say more on this? clearly another mantra i live by as well. shiva is one of the most authentic people in my life. i am so blessed to have been inspired by her truth in revealing and sharing so much of herself to her students, friends, and tribe. may we all continue to be inspired by what i call shiva-isms to live by. i know this is another collaborative and collective project in the making....a book on shiva~isms!

photo above | shiva + i in kerala, india | march 2009

*** shiva rea | teacher, mentor, friend, mom, tantrika, surfer, adventurer, + catalyst of energetic activism | www.shivarea.com
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8~ my father leo merrigan | he's losing his voice from living with parkinson's, but he still has us hovering on his every word

my father has always been the quiet one in our family and especially at the dinner table. with a very vocal mom always sharing the gossip of the day that she brought home from the blue-haired customers from the beauty shop she owned, to my older brother talking about his high school sports, or my younger brother and i sharing our mischievious adventures on our bmx bikes, or my sister sharing her stories of abundance from her newspaper route...it always seemed that dad was quite satisfied with just listening and not adding in too much. he probably couldn't as we hardly gave him any room between all the interruptions we gave to each other. but let me tell you, when dad spoke....we all stopped. not in fear. heck no. because we knew...like all the other times...when dad spoke he had something really cool to tell us. something profound. something for us to ponder on for days or years to come. he had that magic. he could "command" a room. he spoke slowly. decisively. kindly. sometimes softly. and what he had to say...let me just say...every holiday meal...when he lifted his glass to make a toast...wow....i know my heart blew open in so much adoration and gratitude that i had "the smartest dad in the world."

now that his parkinson's is starting to show up more, dad's still the best man in the world (to me) and we make sure we even stop eating so that not even a fork clinking the dinner plates can disturb his now even softer voice that whispers from deep back in his throat. there's a lot more swallowing and coughing and clearing going on for dad now...he even has to rest to take in more oxygen...but we wait. for sure we wait. hovering on every word. that's just how it's always going to be when dad speaks.

photo above | my dad, nephew, + brother | 3 main men in my life who help me keep it real
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9~ my god-brother alan mathieson | the quiet one who observes from the corner, but when he speaks it's so profound the entire room stops talking and we all become uber present

i remember the first time i met alan. he was the shy one with the soft blue eyes and the shaved head in the corner of the room. we met at a teacher training i had offered in the sunshine coast of australia. there was a lot of excited energy in the room as not a lot of presenters came to this part of australia..the suburbs of brisbane. they went to sydney

*** alan mathieson, owner harvey world travel, mt. isa, australia | http://mountisa.harveyworld.com.au | mtisa@harveyworld.com.au
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10~ peter hudson | my exboyfriend who i moved to australia to be with before this tour | a surfer, environmental consultant, and one who always spoke the truth even if it hurt to hear it

i remember calling peter selfish so many times when the two of us would get into our heated "discussions." both of us are scorpios so i had definitely met my match on so many levels when i shared a home with him in perth, australia during one of the most transformational years of my life. what was really going on when i looked back soon after i left perth, and peter and went on tour was that what i called selfish was often his ability to be selfishlessly selfish. okay sometimes he was just being selfish. let's keep it real. but come on. i'm sure i was guilty of being a bit selfish too :0) so, by stepping back and reflecting on what it was within me that i was more upset with than his "selfishness," i realised that i was coming from a place where i very very often gave my own voice away. meaning, i would often answer for the "other."

so when asked what i wanted to do for dinner, for the weekend, small things like that (and maybe some big things too)...i realised i was answering to please others. now, i thought i was done with that, but i realise there was still some residue left over from those other past relationships....saying things to please others. saying yes when i really meant no. what was that? oh my goddess, so "old school." what is that about? how does living for others and not for yourself serve anyone? while on the other hand would peter ever do that? no way! he spoke for himself and stood up for himself, and sure sometimes it seemed insensitive or the timing was a little off...but hey....you always knew where peter stood. you didn't have to agree but he was very clear and had his opinions for sure. he still does. goddess bless him. love that man. he taught me so much!

we are great friends, peter and i now. and i'm getting ready to finish the tour and settle into new york city again after traveling for three years and have been in the most intimate relationship of my life...with myself and with goddess. i have had to compromise very little and i love love love speaking my truth and saying "no" more than "yes." well, it's easy between goddess and i. it's been a great practice. and sometimes painful at time to say. but it's been life changing and so inspiring to look back at my teachers, including peter hudson, my ex from australia, the surfer i met in costa rica and fell madly in love with and moved to australia for....he taught me to be selfishlessly selfish by speaking my truth. sure i try to be sensitive to others feelings and to get the timing right (maybe a little softer than peter did for me at times :) but we are both scorpios let's remember and we both had good stings on our tails. but regardless, i can say with no doubt at all...one reason we were together is so that he could teach me to speak and stand in my truth. i look forward to bringing that into my next intimate relationship not only with my future beloved (who might be able to catch me better when i land in one place ;) but to my family, friends, students, peers...all that i'm lucky enough to share my truth.

*** peter hudson, freelance environmental consultant + landscape designer | currently traveling thru indonesia + thailand | please email info@tweeyoga.com to connect with peter about environmental projects for world-wide luxury resorts
_______________________________________________

om aim saraswati~aye namaha!
i bow to the divine goddess of communication, creativity, self expression, music, academia, and the arts!

saraswati meditation
imagine her sitting on your tongue when you speak. she is the divine goddess, who when in her presence, or embodying her strength, you only want to express very clear words that reflect your purest intentions, otherwise you are inspired to just stay silence.

_______________________________________________

feeding your throat chakra

liquids in general: water, fruit juices, herbal teas tart or tangy

fruits: lemons, limes, grapefruit, kiwi

other tree growing fruits: apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots

spices: salt, lemon grass
_______________________________________________

"if you don't have something nice to say,
then don't say it at all."
~ momma

namaste

My Collective of Heart Friends + Families Helping Me Feel At Home, Even When Home is Nowhere and Everywhere on the Planet

2010-09-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

How does one start writing about the heart chakra? There is so much to write and at the same time when you are connected in this sacred place there is nothing that needs to be read, written or spoken about, at all. In fact sometimes those things just get in the way.

One thing I want to say about my heart, is that I feel....so grateful! Grateful for my Collective of Heart Friends and Families around the Planet!

I know you have heard me say that so many times before....and I've written it probably a few hundred times more than that. It's so true. I am so grateful especially for the hundreds of families who have hosted me, I have so many "homes away from home" now after living and traveling on the road for these past 2 years and 7 months on Tour. And I am especially grateful for the Collective that I now call my family of friends all around the world. It's getting harder and harder to say "see you soon" as I know that means a much longer "soon" than the past years.

As of February 2011 I will be settling down...finishing the Spiritual Globalisation Tour. Well, what that really means is that I'll be living on the road only 50% (not 100%) of the year and the other 50% living between New York City and Bali!

So excited to finally have a place (or two) to hang my yoga mat for a while. And I'm looking forward to spending some more time with my elderly parents, my brothers + sister and their families, my 7 month old nephew Kingston, and my friends in the States that I've been living away from. It's been over 3.5 years since I moved from New York City to Perth, Australia.

I didn't realize how much I missed my Stateside tribe until I reconnected with them this past summer on the Butterfly Effect Tour (which raised vibration, consciousness, and also resources to clean up the BP oil spill in the Gulf...more on that in our next newsletter next week). It took some of us only 10.8 minutes to defrost the distance in time and space that came between us over these past years...and we were back on track...our hearts and laughter tuned into the same frequencies! No time or distance changed that original connection.

Another realisation that came from this amazing mini tour was adding the word "Collective" at the end of Twee Yoga. It's certainly not about just me. It's about us. We are now the Twee Yoga Collective....and as I said to my friends and my support tribe, and I'll say it to you...Something big is happening here, and I'm taking you with me! I feel it. I have been traveling around the world and I am seeing and feeling changes happening everywhere on so many levels. We are awakening from a slumber of serving ourselves to serving others and now I know it...we are serving the Collective! The Collective Consciousness of our entire human race, the planet, the ocean, the animals, the plants, the trees, the insects, the birds, the bees (you know we've been talking a lot about the bees!)...it's all happening! And it's exciting!

As we each continue to rise, we all rise. I know this! I can feel the rising of my own heart being lifted by so many with whom I meet along this Tour. We continue to inspire each other with our smiles, with our open hearts, with our genuine attention towards each other, when we need someone to just listen to our stories and try to understand and even relate. We are taking it to another level for sure!

And that's why it's not about me. It never was. It's about us!....and how we can all make a difference. Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys, Yoginis and Yogins, I introduce to you...our Collective.

Who are we? We are the tribe that will continue to inspire, help us all to stay wide awake and to love ourselves first in order to love and serve each other and our communities and our planet. I'm bringing us, to you, to them...one newsletter at a time, one blog at a time, one newly launched website to feature our tribe. Oh...by the way, tweeyoga.com will be relaunching by Dec 1st. Send me some positive vibes to help me complete this project so we can share more of the Collective with you sooner than later. (Thanks Susana, Boris, Jed, Christina, and Harlan for your help so far! ;-)

So I start by introducing the Stateside friends of the Collective and this month's contributing writers who I have gathered from the Butterfly Effect Tour this past July + August. They are among the first of hundreds thousands of inspirational friends of the Collective with whom I will share with you throughout the years to come as I continue to travel and feature their voices as a symbol of "the change that is already happening in the world!" (I told you, something big is happening....I feel it. It's a ripple effect...you feel it too, don't you?)

Carole Westerman of Om-aha, our newsletter editor who shares her Hanuman leap of faith story; Amanda Thompson with whom I (and a sold out class at Daphne + Tom Larkin's, Sanctuary for Yoga Studio) had the pleasure of celebrating her 50th birthday, in Nashville in August. She's sharing her inner and outer beauty tips related to the heart. See her photo below...it's ridiculously amazing!...the body and smile and radiance of a 26 year old! Monica Mesa of Crested Butte...it was her house where I first perused the book Tantric Orgasm for Women, and I knew I had to share it with you. After just a few pages, it shifted some major paradigms on love~making for sure!

So enjoy and I hope to see you along this Tour sometime soon.

Oh!! One more thing....You are invited to my 40th! Of course! There will be three different celebrations for you to join me..us! I'll be co-teaching a yoga + surfing retreat again with Lauren Hanna of Sonic Yoga NYC in Morocco for my 40th birthday celebration on Oct 26th. An intimate retreat with only a few 6 spots left. Who else would I want to be with than you! My Collective of friends and family around the world! Oh! and if you can't make Morocco then maybe the Hawaii Spirit Festival in Oahu, the week before.... or in Bali the week after celebrating at Desa Seni Resort, one of my favorite homes away from home! I said I was grateful yes? See why? Because I know dreams come true...especially if they come from deep within your heart!

See you soon!
Love, Twee

Norway Fjord Inspires Ripples of Change

2010-06-15T16:05:00.001-07:00

Photo Above | with Julia + Anette Tingulstad of Tempel Yoga, Drobak, Norway | www.tempelyoga.com

Water. New Moon. Moon cycle. Creativity. Flexibility. Rejuvenation. Restoring. Replenishing. Emotional. Fluidity. Waves. Rippling. Flowing. Movement. Rain. Yearning for Surf. Inspiration. Birth. Ocean. The Cove.

These are just some of the words that come to mind when I think WATER.

It was only last week that I was in Drobak, Norway with the Tingulstad's who hosted me for 2 weeks in their guest house (also called The Tempel). It was here, on the Oslo Fjord, that I had one of the best rests of the Tour.

Julia + her mom, Anette (photo above) are the goddesses of a gorgeous studio called Tempel Yoga, only a 30 minute drive from Oslo, where I taught a chakra weekend intensive. I stayed on for another week of daily meditations, journaling, reading, doing nothing at all, re-aligning sessions with Jens Tingulstad (, an amazing chiropractor and neurologist), and I often compared how "tall" I am to the two sons, Emil + Emmet (pictured on left). It's been 2 years since I've been here and I have to say Emmet has definitely grown up just a bit! With all that stillness and week of re~aligning so much creativity and intention was birthed. I spent an entire day just writing writing writing what my "mission" was for the remaining time on Tour, and into 2012! (…more to come on that next month's newsletter about honoring Fire Activation Courage + Risk Taking )

It was so gorgeous to be living on the water, on the fjord, cooking for myself, being totally alone for hours upon hours on end with an occasional visit from one of the family members including their fluffy white dog, Promad.

I caught up on so much reading (my newest book is Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine about healing trauma) and stayed updated on the Gulf Coast oil spills.

Night after night I still could not get over the gorgeous sunsets (photo of blog at top) that arrived no sooner than 10.30p at night. And I was lucky to stay up until 2.30 or 3am to welcome the the full moon reflecting off the fjord's surface!

I even found time to just sit on the couch with the Tingulstad's to watch Eurovision (a major celebration of a song competition of different European countries) the first weekend and then the next weekend to see Sex + The City 2 (so fun)!

So much joy and creativity birthed from being still and living on the water. I am forever grateful for the Tingulstad's for taking me in as a special guest and sharing their home and themselves with me. So blessed. And after this visit I now know for sure that I must land after the Tour and make a home for myself at the sea.

Not just because I am a surfer, but because it is the element that inspires creativity...rejuvenation...and just a sense of home….afer all, we are made up of 70% water...remember?

...And it was there in Drobak, that I was still long enough to watch The Cove, which was quite an emotonal movie, and one that reminded of how precious our ocean is to all life on the planet, and how the ocean reflects the health of it's inhabitants. If we don't stop this then none of us are really free.

This was one of the most important experiences that came from my resting at the Tingulstad's Tempel Guest House....The Cove.

PLEASE SEE THE COVE BLOG POST BELOW FOR DETAILS ON HOW YOU CAN BECOME AN AGENT OF CHANGE AND HELP THE SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF DOLPHINS IN JAPAN....

Thank you to Carole Westerman, our new Empowered Prana Flow Living with Twee Newsletter Editor for preparing this newsletter, for your article on the Oceans, and helping us to understand how our actions affect our oceans and what we can do about it.

If you are considering a Seaside Retreats we have featured some with Twee and others with our Teacher Friends of the Tribe | in Norway, Greece, Montauk, and Morocco!

...And please make a commitment today to eat less animals, including fish so we can preserve the ecological balance of our planet and our great oceans. Let's do our part to maintain the balance within (our own body temples) and and with out (the temple of our earth and oceans).

Blessings from the Spiritual Globalisation Europe Tour | Holland,
Love, Twee

Photo Above | Julia + I at the park in Oslo

Thank you again to the Tingulstad's for hosting me!

The Cove | My Japanese Friends Give Some Feedback

2010-06-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

After watching The Cove, I went to their site, clicked on “What Can You Do” which lead me to their sister site which gave “5 Thing You Can Do Now.” I went down the list and did them all and then created a 6^th action. I emailed all my Japanese friends, students, and teacher friends I knew and I could find in my address book to ask questions and try to understand their perspective. After all they are living, working, and|or ARE Japanese. I asked their permission to share their replies, so we can each make up our own minds on what to do next, now that we know. (All responses will remain anonymous. I thank them for their honesty and truth.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More about The Cove:

"Off the coast of Japan dolphins and porpoises are driven to a horrible fate. The most attractive are chosen for a life in captivity, the others are brutally killed. Their meat which contains toxic levels of mercury is sold as food. The majority people of Japan don't even know this is happening. Please help us end this senseless slaughter. Please help us in getting the word out. Please join us in getting the word out. Help us get the word out. To find out more got to www.takepart.com/thecove. We are their biggest threat and their only hope." [~ My Friend is...]

Click here for the video My Friend is….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The email I sent:

Subject:

I trust you and value your opinion so I come to you about this | The Cove

Hello,

I finally saw The Cove yesterday. And I thought of my Japanese friends and expats living in Japan….what is your perspective on this?

I just asked a few friends the same question and was a little disheartened by the reply. What are your thoughts. And I ask so I can help to understand. Never to point fingers. To really understand. Because one thing I take from this tour and traveling around the world is that there are many truths, many perspectives, and as Michael Franti sings…"the more places I go the less I know." so I ask you my friend, what do you say about The Cove?

Thank you in advance for helping me to understand from someone I value having met, who can make a difference...you.

Love, Twee

Http://www.thecovemovie.com/

Http://www.thecovemovie.com/Japanesefiles/the-cove-store-files-final/cove-home-page-absolute-url.html

Hey Twee,

Thank you your honesty. Yes, there are many perspectives.

1. A Japanese conservative says" I read the interview of the director, he insists that the problem resembles Auschwitz. That is ridiculous

And crazy. "

2. The other hand, my yogi friend says "Japan is wrong and I do have to say that we are all one energy and even if we are born in one country that does not mean that country needs our protection if they are acting against human or animal rights. "

And more and more.....

I am vegetarian and also proud of Japanese cultures and people.

So, i understand both aspects, and there is nothing good or bad, everything is perfect as you know.

It is really valued to listen humbly to a broad range of opinions for me.

Thank you very much again for giving an opportunity to think about it.

Much love,

(my Japanese friend)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Twee,

Good to hear from you. I feel privileged that you are seeking my opinion. I have not seen The Cove but I have read quite a bit about it.

I’m still struggling to make an opinion about the whole thing. I have been working more a

nd more in Japan (up to 2 weeks every month this year). The more time I spend there the more I understand we (with our western backgrounds) are wired in such a different way.

Our societies have evolved in different directions. Bizarrely I’ve been making a parallel between the Japanese society and the evolution of the animal kingdom in Australia. Both have evolved in total seclusion for centuries: Japan was closed to the outside world from the early 1600s until the second part of the 1800s during the Edo Era, which moved to a m

uch stricter society. The oddity of kangaroos, koalas and venomous everything else is quite easy to observe. The same trends in the intricacies of the organization and norms of society in Japan took place. I guess my point, is that during that time our societies evolved in a very different directions.

This difference in mindset also baffled the American generals at the end of WWII. When the U.S. started invading Japan, in Saipan, only very few Japanese soldiers were taken prisoner, most fought until they were killed or committed suicide. In the last, desperate months of the war, this image was also applied to Japanese civilians. To the horror of

American troops advancing on Saipan, they saw mothers clutching their babies hurling themselves over the cliffs rather than be taken prisoner. Not only were there virtually no survivors of the 30,000 strong Japanese garrison on Saipan, two out of every three civilians - some 22,000 in all - also died.

I’ve read that this observation was a deciding factor in dropping the A bombs in Japan. The idea of invading Japan and being faced with this behaviour across the entire country was barely conceivable. It would come at a great cost of life and finance for a very painful and draining process that would take years. I’m not justifying the use of the A bomb, this is more of a statement. [I have not had a chance to go to Hiroshima yet. I want to visit the peace memorial park and understand more the decision process and the ethi

cal aspect of the decisions that changed the world.]

That attachment to traditions and the way things are done are still very present today. We are taught to challenge, argument, plead, defend ideas and points of views from a very early age. That seed is not cultivated in Japanese education. My Japanese colleagues make a clear distinction between Japanese people educated abroad and those who were brought up in Japan. Those with western influence are looked down on, if you have a proactive (which usually comes across as provocative) you will be set aside. That attachment to traditions is very clear when you visit Kyoto. Tokyo is very modern because it has been destroyed by natural disasters and the Second World War, not because that is what society wants.

Mr. Kan was appointed last week as the new PM of Japan, as the previous PM Mr. Hatoyama resigned after just 8 months in office. He had been elected on the election promise of ge

tting rid of the American army base in Okinawa. A legally binding contract had been signed a few years prior between the countries. In addition the strategically relationship between the 2 countries made it clear to the rest of the world, that it would be impossible to revert the obligation the government had already entered into.

Pragmatism as we see it does not seem to be perceived in the same way by Japan. On the other hand by electing the a new party of 50 years of ruling by the conservative party, the voters are timidly saying they want a change at least from a 12 yr economic downturn and embedded corruption and a system plagued by political pressures from a selected few corporations.

I guess where I am going with this is the implied change from The Cove documentary go

es against every single instinct of their natural way of thinking. On the other hand, schools have stopped serving dolphin meat to children. So maybe change is coming, let’s hope.

Are our expectations that matters will change overnight? If that was the case, why is the rest of the world still eating meat (why am I occasionally)? Why are we still sustaining and encouraging our economies to be so dependent on oil and gas? I read over the weekend that the only 2 countries that have not ratified the UN convention on the rights of the child are Somalia and the U.S. Don’t get me started on the shortfall of France, because that is going to lead to a really very long email.

It’s easy to point fingers at a problem that we don’t have and say you should change. So after having gone on for quite a while, I don’t what to think nor what we should do about it, or if we even have a right to point a finger and judge these horrors (that’s me judging).

What are your views and thoughts?

All the best,

(my expat friend working in Japan)

Hi Twee,

I watched The Cove clip you sent...I was quite disgusted by what I saw (but I was not surprised)....I'm not sure what your question is...if your question is does this really happen in Japan - the answer is yes...I have read enough about this general topic....tuna is going on the endangered species list however it is still easily available in sushi sho

ps...whale meat can be purchased in food

stores etc. despite the hunting ban.... When it comes to fish, Japanese seem to have their own perspective -they believe they are different than other people in the world and can do what they want...they have little connectivity to a global community concept.

Love,

(my expat friend working in Japan)

I conclude by asking each of you to consider your relationship to animals, including these gorgeous dolphins (as featured in The Cove).

If you are currently eating animals, would you please considering eating animals only once a week. If you are currently only eating fish and no other animals, would you please consider eating fish only once a week. You will soon feel the difference that we, who have chosen a life of non-harming of animals have experienced, which includes increased health, vitality, compassion (for strangers, family, friends, ourselves + of course animals), and a greater clarity of inner vision and intuition.

And before considering any of this…can you please first ask yourself “What is my intention for doing so,” and “How will this conscious action add to my own happiness, the happiness of others, and the happiness of all beings on the planet?”

May we all continue to be change agents in our own unique way, to be open to change, and be open to others changing in their own unique way and at their own unique pace. May we give space for change to happen. May we continue to ask questions for the sake of peace, rather than go into battle with judgments. May we want to understand by asking questions and really listening to the answers. And may we all live freely with the animals on our planet who are also living freely as a reflection of our own embodied choices.

Om Lokah Samasthah Sukhino Bhavanthu

(May Peace + Happiness Prevail for All Beings)

Love, Twee

"The ocean is an altar of interconnectedness. Worship there often."
~ Eoin Finn, yoga teacher friend + surfer

I was lucky to get really sick last month, it was then that I found Earth!

2010-05-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Last month, I walked through the Taipei airport waiting to board the last leg of my journey to Bali; I came across an art gallery dedicated to the Year of the Tiger. The exhibit was called, "Year of Abundance + The Renewal of the Earth."

It became so obvious to me what I was to write about this month after landing from 3 weeks teaching and surfing in Bali last month…The Earth.

The month of May is when the northern hemisphere is fertile for Spring rebirth and the southern hemisphere is preparing for the abundant harvest of Autumn…and it all starts where? With the Earth.

During my recent travels I have connected with so many our global tribes to hear of stories of jobs lost, month-long battles with chest infections of new viral strains, separations from long-term relationships, and even a student in his 30's who found he had cancer, that if metastasized, he only has 4 weeks to live!

I’ve been lucky to have viewed the Tribeca Film Festival screening of The Western Front documentary that offers a very painful reality of so many Iraqi refugees who lost their homes in this insane war and heard a woman say from her temporary home in Jordan…”we have lost our country, but you (Americans), you have lost your picture.” Our picture!

That really hurt. Because the truth can hurt.

As a country it seems that too many of us are so consumed by our own survival, comforts of home, health, jobs, income, sense of little self that we forget about each other, our communities, smiling at strangers, picking up bits of garbage or straws or plastics on the sidewalk or beaches or lakes….and we forget about our own views not just for each other but for all beings on the planet. “We have forgotten our picture,” she said…but I don’t think so. I won’t surrender to that thought. There are too many of us out there…Americans, and human beings who won’t let that continue.

So whether it’s suffering from allergies, bronchitis, or more extreme life situations of losing your country as a refugee of war, all of these, no matter how slight or extreme, rock our foundation, our Muladhara chakra, our root chakra which represents our foundation, security, family relationships, job, income, and health. It's element is the Earth.

I was lucky to get sick last month, I got bronchitis the week before I boarded the plane for a 28 hour journey from NYC to Bali. Sounds strange right? Okay, I sure don't wish bronchitis on "my worst enemy" but the up side of it, is that I stayed home the Saturday before I boarded the plane, in my girlfriend's apartment in NYC and watched Earth, the documentary on YouTube. (Okay, so Earth has been out for a while, but this nomadic yogini does not get too many moments to sit at home (wherever that is) and just watch anything past 20 minutes in stillness with a good wireless connection.) But I was lucky that weekend. The bronchitis forced me to be still and I was drawn to EARTH.

After viewing Earth, I believe so strongly, more than ever, that we cannot wait any longer to empower + remind ourselves with this information and then to take immediate action to heal our planet, our Mother, ourSelves. If she is a direct reflection of what is happening to us all, her children, our human race, then let’s keep moving onward and upward! If the volcano eruption in Iceland, the earthquake in California, the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana…all these rumblings of our planet are cries for help from our planet….or even if it’s just the planet doing it’s stretching…we sure are all waking up! Now let’s stay awake and respond!

Just as we always desire our mother's stroking of our hair or her vegetable soup to nurture and heal us when we are sick….now it's our turn to help heal OUR MOTHER. She has given so much abundance to us…it's time we give back. And generously.

How can you help?

Focus your energy on what you DO want to happen.
”Where awareness goes, energy flows.”
• Speak with empowering words. Instead of focusing energy and words on what you don’t want to happen, choose to focus on what you DO want to happen. So instead of saying, "our planet is sick,” instead say "Our Planet is Healing." That positive vibration will get us started. Think + speak healing. Energy will move towards healing (vs. sickness).
• The world spends 12 more times on military expenditures than on aid to developing countries. So, Contact your legislatures. Get involved with politics. You voted them in? or did you vote? And in countries like China, where you cannot vote (yet)…Pray. Read about what is going on in the world so you can have a historical frame of reference from which to make a change. I like the NYTimes international daily | International Tribune and also of course bbc.com. All this read on my Kindle. (save paper right?)

Consume less.
• 20% of the world's population consumes 80% of its resources.
• 1 human in 6 lives in precarious unhealthy, overpopulated environment without access to daily necessities such as water, sanitation, electricity.
• There may be at least 200 million climate refugees by 2050.

Become a vegetarian…at least once a week.
That includes no fish.
Support your local farmers. Especially organic farmers.
• The more a country develops, the more meat it's inhabitants consume.
• Over 50% of grain traded around the world is used for animal feed or biofuels.
• Three quarters of fishing grounds are exhausted, depleted or in dangerous decline
• Megalopolises are growing at a rapidly unsustainable rate! New arrivals are mostly farmers forced off the land for economic or demographic reasons, or because of diminishing resources. This is a radically new type of urban growth, driven by the urge to survive rather than to prosper.

“Our Earth relies on a balance, in which every being has a role to play and exists only through the existence of another being.”

“A subtle, fragile harmony that is easily shattered.”

“Humanity has no more than 10 years to reverse the trend and avoid crossing into this territory”

“Life on Earth as we have never known it. We have created phenomena we cannot control.”

“It’s up to us to write what happens next.”

Don't wait until you get sick to watch Earth, the documentary.
It's about 1hour 40 minutes. And it's free.

Empower yourself.
Empower the Healing of the Planet, our Mother Earth.

Now is the Time.

Pssst! There's Still Room To Join our After Festival Bali Yoga Retreat with Twee & Duncan Wong

2010-03-09T17:35:00.000-08:00

After Festival Bali Yoga Retreat with Twee & Duncan Wong

5th-10th April 2010,

USD 150 Referral Fee per booking

Bali is an island of it's own magic. The culture still so alive and pure, the nature so radiant and vibrant, the spirit fully awake. It is a unique experience to enjoy this magic in combination with the Bali Spirit Festival and the Yoga Retreat with Twee&Duncan in April 2010.

Come and join us and/or help us promote our retreat and receive USD

150 per booking.

Begin the unforgettable journey with the Bali Spirit Festival. Four days of yoga, m

usic and dance, more than 95 workshops to join with international and renewed teachers such as Shiva Rea, Twee Merrigan, Duncan Wong, Eoin Finn, Danny Paradise, Katy Appleton and and and... The program of the Bali Spirit Festi

val is packed with amazing teachers and performers and will be an experience of a life time.

Right after Festival, Twee and Duncan offer their amazing Yoga Retreat in the sacred environment of the Bagus Jati Resort. Dive into your own sacred space by the teachings of Twee and Duncan, spoil yourself with massages, swim in the refreshing pool surrounded by lush tropical vegetation!

Experience holy ceremonies, Balinese dances, sunrise at the volcano, visit a local healer and play with the children in the local orphanage, as optional activities ! Delicious vegetarian food, freshly picked from the garden and Music & Kirtan with the healing voice of Daphne are included in the retreat. These days will be a rejuvenation experience for your body and soul !

Maybe you also know other yogi’s or yogini’s, which would love to be part of these amazing days with Twee and Duncan. Promote our retreat in your studio, in your newsletter or among your friends and receive USD 150 per booking.

Please find more information on our website www.yogabaliretreat.com

For any questions or further information please do not hesitate to contact gaby, the retreat coordinator, on gaby@theyogapage.com.

We would love to share the beauty of Bali with you and celebrate days of joy! Come and join us, we can not wait seeing you on the island of the gods!

Twee & Duncan & Daphne & Gaby

"I'm starting with Man in the Mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways"

2010-02-25T23:49:00.000-08:00

I arrived on February 1st to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a small village in the German Alps, just about an hour's drive outside of Munich, where the Winter Olympics were held in 1936 under Hitler's rule. Postcard picture perfect…snow blanketing the village, fresh crisp mountain air, glacial clean water running from the faucets direct from the Alps, globes of Christmas lights still lining the streets and shop windows, and sleds propped up along houses ready to serve the children tucked safely and warmly in their beds when they wake through the fields of snow to their next adventure.

As my friend Jordan Bloom said when we taught in Austria at the Yoga Conference together a week later, "I feel like I'm living in a snow globe." It was exactly like that.

After a long night counting sheep from my red eye flight and inevitable jet lag, I awoke to Maxim's laughter. Maxim is Nora + Wolfgang's son. I fell hopelessly in love! His crystal blue eyes, soft white blonde hair, rosy cheeks, round face, and his smile that beamed up the entire house and everyone in it! He is just about 2 years old.

I'd heard so much about him from Nora for years now. Nora is my student, friend, and was my host that week. She invited me to her Bavarian village, away from the bustle of the city to teach her students and to enjoy the simple life in the village at the foot of the Alps…and to snowboard! A perfect landing to settle in before the start of a 5 day teacher training intensive the following weekend in Munich.

…so back to Maxim. My new love!

Did I tell you about his tiny little feet running, or rather sliding on the marble floors, as I chased him around the house? We found a way to communicate beyond our language barrier. So easy when laughter is involved! All we did was play that first morning.

Later that night when Maxim was fast asleep, dreaming about his day filled with his kinder care activities in the forest playing in the snow for 4 hours as he does every day…Nora told me it was not always that way for them.

It was only 18 months ago that they brought him back from an orphanage in Gorky Park, Russia. It had been a long, hard, relentless process. To learn more about where Maxim's family was from, they visited many homes near the orphanage in the dead of winter where they also learned about the poverty in that local community.

There, so many families have to drop their children off at an orphanage because they cannot afford to take care of them. The orphanages are government assisted and the care is better for the children's health + well-being rather than at home where many parents cannot afford to provide for them. It's not like in America and other countries where there is a set amount of money for food stamps per child or family, or a welfare check for the family to collect monthly or weekly.

I understood Nora to explain that they have a different system. The families who are in poverty are not supported by society to take care of their children at home, but instead the orphanages are given the money so they know the children will be cared for with those government funds.

So in order to provide their children a safe and warm house with guaranteed food on the table, they must give them up to the orphanage. A much better fate than the meager meals and cold existence of their too often empty stove ovens absent of coal, that when is actually lit causes condensation to form on the inner walls which soon after freeze into sheets of ice! Nora was horrified to see so many homes with inner walls with sheets of ice on them.

Maxim is a lucky boy. Many of his friends who I saw photos of while they were in the orphanage together, will not receive the same luck. They will stay in the orphanage until they are in their mid teens and be sent out into society with a warped sense of love, touch, a limited education, and absolutely no money to fend for themselves….leading too often to a life of teenage prostitution, drug addiction and crime. But for them this is not abnormal….it is all they will know.
Not too different to what is already happening for the so many children of Haiti.

The relief efforts continue, but there are no more live television reports. Newspaper reports continue to update us not only of the continued relief (the Scientologists have landed in John Travolta's jet plane with supplies alongside the other religious charity groups) but also of the after-shocks of the darkness that also exists.

Children are getting picked up at overcrowded orphanages by official-looking members carrying fraudulent documents from other relief organizations, who in actuality sell these children as prostitutes and child servants for Haitian's rich.

Everyday I read from my Kindle changes that are happening all over the world, but even more cries for help, not only in Haiti, but in the Middle East, Africa, China...it's everywhere.

And then I get excited for action. And I teach in our Fluid Power trainings how every action can cause a small or gi-normous response...but it's up to each and every one of us to start. Today. To make a change...and we sing...yep! We sing "Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah" after Michael Jackson's song finishes playing during savasana. And the song continues to echo in our hearts. And now we share it with you..

Man In The Mirror | Michael Jackson

"I'm Gonna Make A Change, For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good, Gonna Make A Difference Gonna Make It Right . . .

As I, Turn Up The Collar On My Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street, With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind? Pretending Not To See Their Needs

A Summer's Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go

That's Why I Want You To Know
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change A Change
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah"

Make a Change |
Here are some ways to make a change TODAY

1. TALK ABOUT IT. TELL EVERYONE.

Spread awareness so change can grow from it. I learned this from a list of what to do about my disgust after reading this New York Times and Amazon Best seller | Confessions of an Economic Hit Man | by John Perkin.

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man reveals a game that, according to John Perkins, is "as old as Empire" but has taken on new and terrifying dimensions in an era of globalization. And Perkins should know. For many years he worked for an international consulting firm where his main job was to convince LDCs (less developed countries) around the world to accept multibillion-dollar loans for infrastructure projects and to see to it that most of this money ended up at Halliburton, Bechtel, Brown and Root, and other United States engineering and construction companies. This book, which many people warned Perkins not to write, is a blistering attack on a little-known phenomenon that has had dire consequences on both the victimized countries and the U.S.

2. WATCH DOCUMENTARIES ON WHAT MATTERS TO YOU. AND TALK ABOUT THEM WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. PUT THEM ON YOUR FACEBOOK + TWITTER.

Empower yourself with knowledge instead of living in denial, "Don't Ask. Don't Tell."

Other documentaries to empower + awaken yourself to the "other" Truths.
Sign up for the Newsletters + Take action when called upon....

Checkpoints | Filmmaker Zachary Iscol

A combat decorated Marine Infantry Officer, Zach fought in the November 2004 battle to retake Fallujah. At the time, he believed strongly in America’s mission to export democracy. But during his service, he had the opportunity to live and work alongside foreign soldiers in Iraq and throughout Africa, the Middle East, and into Central Asia. These relationship, coupled with tragic wartime experiences abroad, caused him to ask whether there is a better way for America to interact with the world. He is now writing and directing a film to explore alternative approaches to American Foreign Policy. Zach is also Founder of the Editorial Project, a filmmaker, and a friend.

This is a timely documentary raising questions as to why and was it necessary, especially as we near August 2010, President Obama's pledge in Feb '09 to begin the withdraw of combat forces from Iraq and all remaining troops by December 2011, ending one of the longest and most divisive wars in American history. Zach is a dear friend of mine from NYC, who as the filmmaker and founder of the Editorial Project interrupted the time-sensitive post production editing of Checkpoints to accompany marine forces to Haiti to film, photograph, and blog of the devastation, so we could receive an additional perspective on how we could help from afar.

Prayers go out to Zach and his team for continued success in receiving many film festivals' acceptance + screenings worldwide so we can all continue to stay wide awake by learning of yet another truth.

The Cove | Director Louie Psihoyos

Winner of multiple documentary awards including Audience Award at Sundance 2009. Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.

Food Inc. | Filmmaker Rober Kenner

How much do we really know about the food we by at our local supermarkets and serve to our families? In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

I Know I'm Not Alone | Filmmaker Michael Franti
[Photo on right taken in Byron Bay at his concert]

In 2004 Michael Franti decided to ‘walk his talk’ and traveled to the war zones of Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This wasn’t a USO green zone sponsored visit – Franti and his team organized a trip that would take him to the core of the red-zoned, war torn neighborhoods of Baghdad, the West Bank and Gaza Strip armed with only a guitar, video cameras and the intent to experience first hand the human cost of war. Throughout his journey he shares his music with families, doctors, musicians, soldiers and everyday people who in turn reveal to him the often overlooked human cost of war.

Out of this expedition, Franti has produced and directed a compelling documentary film titled I Know I’m Not Alone. With its guerrilla style footage captured in active war zones, the documentary is unlike the many academic and politically driven pieces in the marketplace, instead offering the audience a sense of intimate travel and the opportunity to hear the voices of everyday people living, creating and surviving under the harsh conditions of war and occupation.

Money As Debt | Filmmaker Paul Grignon

Paul Grignon's video production, M oney as Debt, is the best presentation I've yet seen that explains in simple and straight forward language (with supporting animated visuals) the true nature of money and the dysfunctional and undemocratic nature of the global banking system. |Thomas H. Greco, Reinventing Money.com

3. CHOOSE A CAUSE AND TAKE ACTION. OR READ OF OTHERS WHO HAVE TAKEN ACTION.

Tell everyone about it. Take action. Make a commitment towards conscious ACTION. Right now, choose a cause and start now, today, and tell someone because if you keep it a secret, the secret may never get revealed or set into action. NEED SOME INSPIRATION?

Read The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World by Jacqueline Novogratz.

How a lifelong philanthropist aided some of the world's poverty-stricken populations with a shrewd economic plan. Her inspiring story, a former banker who founded Acumen Fund in 2001 to build businesses that serve the poor. In 2001, Jacqueline founded a nonprofit venture-capital firm aimed at reinvesting charitable funding via focused entrepreneurial endeavors. The Acumen Fund's successes include the development of clean water and irrigation systems in India and a bedding-net manufacturer in Africa. She's aspired to change the world since she was young, writes Novogratz, who assembles engaging and insightful stories about her journey toward effective philanthropy.

4. DONATE. CONTINUE TO DONATE MONTHLY.

Once you've chosen a cause THEN Choose a % to donate each month and electronically donate every month…send it to an organization in Haiti, Russia, within your own community, ASPCA, Unicef, Australian Conservation Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, Kenya Education Fund, Partners in Health, Amnesty International, Parkinson's Foundation…there are soo many to choose from. Just choose one and donate even one dollar or one euro per month. Every bit counts.

5. JOIN A SOUP KITCHEN OR JOIN AN ORGANISATION THAT PROVIDES FOOD FOR THE HOMELESS.

Meet my friend Edo's mum, Ronni Kahn, was named Australian of t he Year last month for taking the Angel Harvest model in Los Angeles and implementing it in Sydney and Canberra, creating OzHarvest. OzHarvest is a non-denominational charity that rescues excess food which would otherwise be discarded. This excess food is distributed to charities supporting the vulnerable. To date they have rescued over 5 million meals. delivering 100, 000 meals per month with a fleet of six vans.

OzHarvest believes that good food should not go to waste. In fact, by distributing it to those in need, they turn excess food into a resource and save thousands of kilograms of food from being dumped as landfill each year. She is now empowering others to create business models to do the same with their cause. Photo | Edo (her son), Ronni, Twee, Jo

6. THINK OF THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF YOUR OWN EATING OUT ACTIONS.

If the raping of the sacred earth and trees of the Amazon, or the climate change that is decreasing the amount of fog that the Redwoods in California rely on each year during the warmer months is not okay with you then STOP USING PAPER TOWELS + NAPKINS unconsciously. Please start CARRYING A ORGANIC COTTON LINEN NAPKIN when you eat out, USE REAL ORGANIC COTTON TOWELS in your kitchen instead of paper towels, and RAGS FROM OLD CLOTHES to pick up spills + to clean your homes, and AFTER WASHING YOUR HANDS IN PUBLIC BATHROOMS AIR DRY or shake your hands in the air or run them through your hair or on your clothes (your hands are clean + your clothes will dry).

Purchase To-Go Ware.com BAMBOO UTENSILS with recycled plastic travel cases + BAMBOO DRINKING STRAWS. Buy them as gifts and give to your friends to REDUCE YOUR FORK PRINT + YOUR STRAW PRINT.

7. LOCAL TO GLOBAL CONSCIOUS ACTION THROUGH PRAYER CIRCLES.

What happens when you hear or read something in the news about a Palestinian family calling for help to their local government for their 12 year old daughter who returned from her employer's home beaten and battered to death. Her employer said she fell down the stairs. FOLLOW THROUGH. PRAY FOR THEM. JOIN A PRAYER CIRCLE. OR EMAIL SOMEONE ABOUT IT WHO CAN MAKE A CHANGE. EMAIL AMNESTY or find a local organization that you can donate time, energy, resources to protect children from being beaten for ANY reason and educate families on how to ease the stresses that cause that intolerable action.

8. OFF THE MAT + INTO THE WORLD.

Empowering yogis with resources and tools to create this change. OTM uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and ignite grassroots social change. They do this by facilitating personal empowerment through leadership trainings, fostering community collaboration, and initiating local and global service projects.

9. HEAL WITHIN YOUR OWN SELF.

Body. Mind. Heart. You can't go taking care of anyone else if you are not coming from a healing or healed place as well. Eventually your Source will deplete and you won't be able to help as you'd like. See a therapist, healer, practice yoga, meditate, keep filling your cup.

10. PRAY IN GRATITUDE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN.

Pray in gratitude for what you do have…start with every time you begin a meal. Take a breath or put your hands in namaste (even if it is under the table at first and eventually anytime anywhere with anyone around) and take a moment of gratitude. MULTIFAITH MEALTIME PRAYER (Jewish, Muslim, Native American Christian, Earth-based, Buddhist)…If food is for the nourishment of our bodies, then prayer must be for the nourishment of our souls. And what better appetizer to a delicious meal could there be than a prayer of gratitude?

And not only that your food is on the table, but your lights go on, your toilet flushes, you can turn a knob in your home and heat your food, your home, lock your doors and feel safe, be safe, and to open a closet full of clothing that is appropriate for the weather outside (and maybe decide to donate some of that clothing you want to shed and share to the Salvation Army USA or Australia ).

Earth-based Prayer | Magdalen 6

Blessed be the Earth for giving birth to this food
Blessed be the Sun for nourishing it
Blessed be the Wind for carrying its seed
Blessed be the Rain for quenching its thirst.

Blessed be the hands that helped to grow this food,
To bring it to our tables
To nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Blessed be our friends, our families, and our loved ones.
Blessed Be.

11. LOOK IN THE MIRROR EVERY DAY TWICE A DAY AND ASK YOURSELF...

In the morning ask | "How will I making a difference today?

Before you go to bed ask | "How did I make a difference today?"

In fact write it across your mirror eye-level with whiteboard marker. Read it out loud.

…and ask for help. You are not alone. You are never alone when you are on a path of service.

As H.H. Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji told me in an intimate meeting immediately following the Yoga Aid Melbourne event this past December, "There are three types of people in this world, 'One. It's all about me. Two. It's all about you. Three. It's all about serving, I am just a channel that it is being done through."

I ask you now….WHICH TYPE OF PERSON ARE YOU? OR DO YOU WANT TO BE??

Then start now….This is the time.
Now.
That's all we really have.

May Goddess Continue to Bless You, to Bless Us All
Love,
Twee

"Just Accept and You'll be Guided to the Destination" ~ Swamiji

2009-12-18T04:22:00.000-08:00

It was only yesterday that I drove my rental car into a ditch! Yep! My first thought...so glad I got total coverage..the walk away damage waiver. My second thought...I wish I opted for the GPS!

So it was at the end of Summit Road on my way to Akaroa, a gorgeous peninsula about a 90 minute drive from Christchurch where I have landed myself for the last 3 nights after teaching the last classes of the year in Wellington. I am on holiday now. 9 days on my own to just explore before heading to Costa Rica to be with Shiva Rea on her New Year's retreat and lots of surfing to come!

So back to the driving into a ditch. So I left the gorgeous home where I am staying just only 20 minutes away from where this all went down with the MapQuest directions clutched in my hands while trying to maneuver through the hills and the hairpin super narrow turns way up high with only death off the edge. And as soon as I got to the end of the road I looked at signs that seemed to be guiding me to turn left. I did. Immediately after I made the turn I checked the map in my hand, looked down for a split second, and Ga-Dunk! I drove into the ditch. Sh~*&t! I only started driving just 20 minutes ago now I have to call the car rental place to get me out? Jeese Louise!

After assessing the situation I thought...I can get out of this. I took a few grounded inhales (my yoga teacher friend Vincent Bolletta from Auckland who joined, assisted, and taught a bit with me in Wellington for our Chakra Vinyasa TT. With his viniyoga studies, he started me on focusing on my breath by starting my inhale from the bottom of my nostrils and to visualise the inhale going down down down. So helpful in staying grounded with all this traveling...almost 2 years now on the road. Try it...you might like it during this holiday time of constant activity. Thanks Vincenzo!) So after a few breaths I asked for help from Grace, God, Universe...I call her Goddess and I reversed. That didn't work. Few more breaths and then I slowly crept forward to find the car bottom was scraping it's way along to the bottom of the hill where the ditch was less steep and I got out! Phew!

From there I referred to a teaching that I learned about with animals in trauma. When they get attacked and are stressed and in trauma they INSTINCTUALLY go off into a quiet spot and SHAKE FOR 24 HRS until they get it out of their system. That teaching came from my yoga teacher friend and physio Caroline Evans in Melbourne who joined me in Sydney for Fluid Power last month. Thanks gorgeous hottie mom Caroline! Check out Peter Levine's book 'Waking the Tiger' the innate capacity to transform overwhelming experiences by asking and answering an intriguing question.-- why are animals in the wild, though threatened routinely, rarely traumatized? By understanding the dynamics that make wild animals virtually immune to traumatic symptoms, the mystery of human trauma is revealed.

So I thought, maybe cars have a consciousness as well. That after a bit of shaking they will re~align back to balance with some faith from the outside....my prayers to be exact. So I was right...I saw the little red light with the exclamation point on the dashboard go off after about 30 minutes of driving and shaking and purring back to normal. The rental car made it up and down these really steep hills around Akaroa and the ditch was part of that experience.

OH. The ditch. Back to the Ditch. So what did I make of that experience. Let go. Let G.P.S.
Yep. A final teaching I'd love to share with you came from a private meeting with H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji in Melbourne after I taught with 8 other teachers for Yoga Aid (an event of 108 salutations to raise funds for local charities world wide). Swamiji was the closing speaker and teacher. He spoke of many things which included the 3 types of people in this world.
1. It's all about me
2. How do I serve others
3. I am an instrument of the Divine

When I heard him speak of that I just warmed up inside. So right to the heart of this (going on) 3 year tour. It's what I reflect on for each year of this Tour. But more to come on that in next month's newsletter and an introduction to the new Tour name of Spiritual Globalisation, the website re-launch, the growing team, and also the new Editor of this newsletter starting in Feb 2010!

So let's go back....G.P.S. Driving in the ditch. Clutching onto the Mapquest directions. Not trusting. I remembered Swamiji's teachings from one of his books, "Peace."

"These days in the West all the new cars have a 'GPS' navigation system where the computer in the car gives directions on how to reach your destination. As you sit in the car you just enter the address of where you are going, and through the journey a pleasant woman's voice guides you...However, after you've entered the destination address, before her guided instructions begin, you must press the "Accept" button on the screen. If the button is not pushed, the guided route will not begin and you will be left to your own device to reach the destination."

In our lives, it is the same. There is a divine Source, a Power, a Super-computer ready to guide us every step of the way. We must simply push the 'Accept' button! GPS stands for 'Global Positioning System,' but I also think it stand's for 'God's Perfect System.' He knows the way to the destination of our life, to the fulfillment of our unique, special and divine mission. He has designed the map. He has laid the roads. He has created mountains, rivers, highways, and train crossings. He knows every turn, every corner, every one-way street. He never loses His way. If we don't push the 'Accept' on the GPS system in the car, our journey will be filled with tension and worry.....Alternatively, if we simply press the 'Accept,' we will be guided gently and correctly at every step. We will know where to turn, where to continue straight and where to stop. Our minds will be free to contemplate God, to think pleasant and peaceful thoughts, to converse with others in the car. The journey will be peaceful, smooth, and enjoyable.

Similarly in our lives....if we accept God's will, if we allow Him to guide us along the path, our lives will be filled with inspiration rather than perspiration, and we will certainly reach the destination in the shortest amount of time. Frequently however, we doubt God's path. 'Is this really the way?' We wonder. We become skeptical of the Divine plan. We lose heart and faith."

So today I went back to the car rental office and got a GPS.
Phew!

~~

Enjoy your holidays and once in a while or more often than not....
~ breathe from the bottom of your nostrils downward on the inhale
~ shake off your tension dance shake dance shake + shake some more!
~ push the "Accept" button on your GPS

~~

Sending you love from the South Island of New Zealand...about to leave Christchurch for a 6 day adventure with my friend in a camper van. Gosh I hope he has a GPS! Well I know I do. Thanks Goddess!

Happy Winter|Summer Solstice! Peace on Earth to ALL!

See you in 2010!!

The Turmoil of September's Mercury Retrograde as Ego + Soul Battle It Out!

2009-10-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been in one of those situations when your Soul knows what is right for you but your Ego is struggling against it? 1008 times perhaps? Soul knows what is in the Flow and alignment of your happiness…BUT…your Ego does not want to hear it? No matter how many times you want to ask that same tough question to yourself…and you keep getting the same answer from the Friend or Soul within, your Ego wants to hear a different answer? Suffering! Turmoil! Aggravation! What is that all about? Ego-fixation perhaps?

Well that was my situation last month when Mercury was retrograde for about 20 days in September which caused difficulties with my relationships, communications, computer problems and travel plans! [ See "What is Mercury Retrograde" below] Let's just say Mercury retrograde kicked my *SS all over the grid last month! I was warned by both astrologers about this time…Paul Margolin in Byron Bay, Australia [www.templebyron.com] and Frank Don of California [www.frankdon.com] as they both told me that September would be a tumultuous month for me. I even compared notes with a friend of mine here in NYC who has the same birthday and she said her month was total turmoil too! Wow! Was it ever!

So did I learn anything after the sun came out of the clouds? and the monkey mind settled down? and the Ego put down her boxing gloves after trying to pick a fight with the Soul for the past 20 days? Thank Goddess YES!

Lesson learned | My Soul knew better, she was right on track, she was telling me that this particular relationship that I was questioning was not in alignment with my intentions that I had set for myself and my future and happiness…especially along this Soul Connections Tour.

The great challenge | my Ego would not accept or budge.

So I went through about 4 weeks of turmoil as my Ego and Soul battled it out. But in reality my Soul was not involved in the battle at all. It was my Ego that would not put down the boxing gloves, and it felt like the monkeys in my mind were also joining the battle as they laced up their huge boxing gloves, trying to tempt my Soul to "put up her fists and fight." My Soul would have nothing to do with it. She just sat back and smiled with a huge open heart and arms wide open and wings expanded.

What turmoil you might ask? Long story short…when I returned to the States and met up with my friend who I was having this internal struggle over…would the relationship be the same as it was when I left 5 weeks ago. A question I asked myself over and over while in Canada + Europe. Crazy. My Soul knew better to let go, but my Ego was fixated on holding on. So I decided…give the Ego the recognition she needs. When I get back to the States it would take only one minute of being back with my friend and the internal war would be over. Funny though. There was no war as only one party was fighting….Ego fighting herself…Ego trying to hold on to her claims and desires…although the misalignment was clear. And that is exactly what happened.

As soon as I saw my friend, the boxing gloves dissolved into the ether, Ego dropped to her knees and prostrated in front of my Soul in total surrender. Ego did not say sorry for the troubles she had caused, but instead said thank you for giving me the time to work it out for myself and the space needed to experience the proof I wanted. The Soul didn't budge as she was and always will be aligned to my complete and total happiness and true freedom.

So that to me was the greatest lesson of
"The Turmoil of September's Mercury Retrograde"

The Soul just knows what is right and good and in alignment for you…but don't try to just tell the Ego what to do. Ego is strong and often like a small child just trying to get your attention over and over again until you recognize her, No need to be delusional and ignore the internal battle, you cannot, just recognize Ego's innate nature and acknowledge, and Flow and let her work out her own struggles. "Let Go Let Goddess." And in the end, most likely when one is aligned with their Intention and following their Intuition [last month's Formula to Happiness] then the two can play together in total respect for each other. Ego + Soul bowing to the other. Dancing with each other. Laughing at each other. Riding the waves together. Like good friends. Sometimes they can just be in peace by agreeing to disagree…no need to fight….it usually works itself out….or Goddess or Universe will work it out…and most likely towards the path of the Soul's happiness…but Shhhh! Don't say that too loudly, Ego is happy now. Let's just keep stroking her ego now that Mercury retrograde is over and we are in the clear again.

And for all of you out there who also felt the turmoil…I pray to Goddess that you are taking some time to know what lesson came from that time and that you are embracing October with a renewed respect for the Dance of Soul + Ego.

May we continue to enjoy the Wave Ridings whether those waves are calm or fierce.
Remember so are we!

Kysses! from NYC
Twee

---
So what is Mercury retrograde?
"The purpose of Mercury retrograde is to review and revise our life and our connection with reality. The timing of this universe is geared toward the Sun as it moves through the zodiac. Mercury has an orbit that at times gets ahead of the Sun allowing us to look into the future toward new and innovative ideas. However, we cannot continue in that vein until we come back to the present designated by the Sun and put our new ideas into manifestation. During the time that Mercury jumps ahead, we ultimately have to bring the ideas back into the present to test and evaluate to see how they fit into our life. As Mercury retrogrades back into the present, the connection with the Sun happens as we test drive our ideas and re-align with reality and the natural timing of the universe." ~ www.alphalifetrends.com

A Formula for Happiness | H = (I+I+CA)/M

2009-09-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading a book called Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Although I am not to crazy about the rest of the title: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss, (think the publisher had anything to do with that?), it was highly recommended to me by my father's neurologist Dr. Enescue, when I asked him for any suggestions on how to transition from vegetarian to vegan....

Eat to Live! he said, "buy it."
I did.

I have been enjoying Dr. Fuhrman's formula for Health.
H=N/C
Health = Nutrition Density / Caloric Intake

Your health is dependent on the nutritional density or amount of nutrition available in food that you choose to eat divided by the calories of that food. Simply put...if you choose to eat french fries, with very little nutrition in relation to the obscene amount of calories going into your body temple, your health is not great...versus eating spinach or kale, which both have very high nutritional value in relation to very low caloric intake, therefore your health will be fantastic! Your health is directly related to the food choices you make.

Ok. This we already know.
So how does that relate to our everyday happiness?
Here is my formula...

H=(I+I+CA)/M

I know it looks crazy! Can you tell I can be a little bit of a numbers nerd? ....it comes from my dad...he was an accountant for over 20 years in his last position. Stay with me....

Happiness = (Intention + Intuition + Conscious Action)/Moment

Happiness is directly related to living as many Moments based on following your heart's Intentions + your gut's Intuition + choosing Conscious Actions based on the union of the two.

Do you like my formula for Happiness?
~ know your Intention before you act upon a thought or emotion
~ listen for your Intuition, your gut response before you act upon a thought or emotion
~ live as many moments as you can from Conscious Action honoring those two

Enjoy the formula and the "experiment" of your life!

Namaste + Much Love!
Twee

Honoring Shiva Rea| Her Astanga Roots | and Sri P. Jois's Death This Week

2009-05-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

"Come to the edge, He said. They said: We are afraid. Come to the edge, He said. They came. He pushed them…and they flew." ~ Guillaume Apollinaire

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the beloved Guruji of Ashtanga Yoga, died this week at the age of 93 in Mysore, India. He can be credited with carrying along the lineage of T. Krishnamacharya, who is largely regarded as the founder of modern yoga practice. He is one of the most prominent figures in yoga, having taught thousands of students over decades with many of his students among the most well-respected teachers in the West today.

My teacher Shiva Rea also studied with him as an Astanga student for 10 years before evolving into her own true essence as the founder of Prana Flow Yoga.

As we remember and honor Sri P. Jois may we also remember and honor all of our great teachers, of yoga, of life, and of love who have helped us go to the edge and jump give them gratitude for their patience and their true wisdom and foresight as they guided us to the edge, pushed us, and watched our wings expand!

Thank you Shiva for being my teacher. Thank you Sri P. Jois for inspiring Shiva's teachings. And thank you to all my students who hold space for me to share my own true essence of Prana Flow Yoga with you now and for years to come.

I will continue to see you along this magical journey of the Soul Connections Tour

.....Blessings from Amsterdam!

.....Blessings to the students of Munich, Germany + Sofia Bulgaria! What an honor to be a part of your lives...your hearts!

In Love As Love With Love,
Twee

Photo by Bill Tipper | Yoga Photographer | billtipper.com

Break on Through to the Other Side! | From the April 09 Empowered Living Newsletter

2009-04-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Today I laid on the grass during savasana and gazed at the sunny sky and tree branches over head and I couldn't help but to hear the Doors ringing in my ears "Break on through to the other Side!" When I see these little spring buds trying to enter into the world while the rest of us are still clutching onto our winter coats here in NYC, Toronto, Kripalu, + Beijing where I just journeyed from only weeks ago....I think " No. It's time now!"

These buds know their duty, their truth. Regardless if it's winter weather outside, it's actually spring and they are determined to say what they need to say and live what they are meant to live and keep growing toward the sun. Like us. Yes YOU. and Yes ME.

We are also growing towards the sun....towards the light. In a world that choses to speak in language of Global Warming + Economic Crisis....I SAY NO. Not my language. I turn off the TV. Instead, I break on through to the other side! Instead I say Global Balancing + Economic Realignment. I get to the other side, standing firmly on my own two feet and not only believing but LIVING on that side. How else can we continue to break through together?

Bring your own linen napkins with you wherever you go. Bring your To-Go-Ware, bamboo fork, knife, spoon right inside your Envirosax. Bring your own crazy straw. Your own chopsticks. And YES carry it everywhere and teach others about these alternatives over paper napkins and plastic utensils and throw-away straws. Only this weekend at the Toronto Yoga+Pilates Conference I was introduced Palm Leaf Bio Plates|see photo above | because the vendor serving India fare took it another step and served on these gorgeous plates instead of the styrofoam plates! Why wouldn't you?

So it's already happening. We see this. We are this! We are living on that side. Or are we? That side where the buds are already growing. Where a full moon glows but also knows it will fade away to only return again. A warmer spring season. An abundant summer where we peel off our old winter coats, clean our closets, shed our old skins and know that there is always a new beginning on the other side of an ending.

This past weekend I was in Toronto and student was pulled out of class to find out that an extended family member was killed by a drunk driver. I returned to read an email that my last employer and mentor has been in a NYC hospital since Feb 18th recovering from a malignant brain tumor removal that resulted in a stroke and neural damage that will affect her 3 children and husband's lives forever. I returned home to hear of my 46 yr old girlfriends 48 hours of pushing to give birth to her first born when the doctors years ago told her it was not likely. I returned home and arranged for at-home massages for my mom, her first time ever, and father, a 82 yr old retiree with Parkinson's and it took about 3 days and 20 times of pleading to my father that 15 minutes in a chair would benefit him and show us that he is willing to help himself to be comfortable even when his body is not. That he is willing to push on through to the other side while he is still here with us. Being here now. When he finally said yes! Wow. I broke on through to the other side of my beliefs that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. YOU CAN!

So I say to you now...what is keeping you from breaking on through to the other side? YOU. YOU. and YOU perhaps? So get out of your own way.

Try this....Get outside. Practice yoga outdoors. Today. Yes today! Experience all the obstacles that are in your way...that you think knocks you off balance because you are used to the perfect wood floor, and the perfect eKo friendly Manduka mat under your feet, and the perfect bamboo yoga clothing on your skin from Be Present or Vyana....and get over yourself. Get past yourself. Get out of your own way. Breathe. Be there. Where is there? Who are you with all these obstacles? What's on the other side my friend?

Are you the one still clinging onto your winter coats? the ones from high school? or the ones of past lovers? or of broken dreams and dried tears? isn't today the time to break on through all that and be right here right now....lying under the sun and appreciating the signs of Spring and the buds blooming "no matter what?" And that you too are the same as those buds?

And for those of you who are already on the other side....please help remind us all of what it's like over there on that side. Smile at us. Help to lift us. Hold doors open for us. Give us a call. Offer to share a ride with us. Send us a short email exulting us of our hidden sparks. And show us the way by being the way and shining the full moon's light our way if we get off track. Remember you were on this side once too.

See you on the other side....Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. And Harvesting in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy both sides my friends. And I'll meet you there soon!

Oh...and just as much as you push on through...remember there is an art to being pulled through to the other side too right? Perhaps that is the next blog! Kiss!

Blessings,
Twee

Blessings to my friends Ginny in Toronto | Monica Walsh in Westchester NY USA | + Lauren, JJ, + Jaya in Montauk NY USA.

Photo Above, L to R: Frank of Toronto | buying a SIGG bottle to replace that plastic water bottle soon. Me. Melissa B. who hosted me in Toronto. Jennifer Findlay. Owner of 889 Yoga Studio, Toronto.

2009-03-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

From EmPowered Living with Twee Yoga | March 09 Newsletter:

Since January of this year I have traveled to teach in Bali | Vietnam | New Zealand | Malaysia | retreated with Shiva in India | and now I am here in China again at the Commune by the Great Wall. My life is bursting with abundance and also with appreciation for all the doors that closed behind me.

Yep! Because without those doors closing, I would not have seen all the open doors ahead that I have since walked through courageously and fiercely!

It was only 13 months ago that i left my last partner in Perth because he told me he knew he didn't want children. After only a few days of discussion I knew that that was not a door I was willing to close for a relationship. I have always known that I want to be with a partner that wants children. So after many tears and doubts and fears between us, I moved into action and organized | with Shauna's help | one full year of traveling and teaching | the Soul Connections Tour. I looked in my email inbox to all the invitations that had been there waiting for at least a year and remembered my dreams from my teen years of traveling the world and I stepped through the threshold.

A year later I've added a second year to this tour and most likely will add a third and final year of living on the road, following my heart, and continuing to manifest my dreams come true.

If you are in the States at the end of March, I will be teaching at Kripalu | Lennox Massachusetts USA | for the first time and I will share with you all the tools and techniques | teachers and guides | fears overcome and dreams manifested | to live a life of dreams manifested | and new dreams still to come alive!

Even during a time of economic re-alignment + global balancing when it's too easy to look back at only the closed doors | YOU HAVE A CHOICE AND ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE FOR YOUR OWN LIFE.

Global Balancing | not Global Warming. Economic Re-alignment | not Economic Crisis. Dream Books with photos and written affirmations checked off | not words + thoughts of Poverty Consciousness.

Join me along this journey and let's remind each other of what it is that we DO want within our lives rather than what we don't want. And fasten your seat belts on this magic carpet ride my friends! Watch how the power, the supreme force, and the magic of the Universe provides YOU with the greatest abundance | true abundance of JOY | come alive within you | around you | as you! But we must stop staring at the closed doors.

As Alexander Graham Bell said, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

I'll see you on the other side of those open doors....wherever we are on this amazing planet! Hopefully we will land in the same country | city | heart space on this planet soon! Very soon!

Blessings along your magical journey,
Twee