The Ice Melted - then....

I'm preparing to teach an 8-week Yoga History and Philosophy class I do every year for our Advanced Yoga Studies Program at Downtown Yoga in Pleasanton. 

I tend to start the "history" part a little further back each year. 

The last glacial epoch started about 110,000 years ago and ended about 15,000 years ago.

If you believe the fossil record, then during this time it appears there were three (3) different species of "Man."  Neanderthal, Cro-magnon and what we now call "Modern Man" - or Homo sapien sapien all show fossil remains which overlap at concurrent periods (40,000-50,000 years BCE)

Yes, they all existed at the same time!  I think if you were able to transport yourself back in time, then you'd place your money on Neanderthal to be the survivor of the three.  He certainly seemed more "robust", bigger jaw to chew food, that sort of thing. 

But alas, the "Ogre" of the lineage - Neanderthal - dies out in Gibraltar around 24,000 years ago and Cro-magnon doesn't seem to go much farther than the caves of France where he painted stories on the cave walls and ceilings of great hunts.  

So around 12,000 years ago the ice starts melting and we come out of the Pleistocene epoch and into the Holocene period - the age of man.  We are the survivors of the lineage.  The theory goes that just prior to all the ice melting completely over the Bering Sea - an industrious bunch of hunters and gatherers march into the Western Hemisphere.  It's hard to image today, but much of North America was under a sheet of ice 2-miles thick.  There's still some controversy as a new find in Monte Verde, Chile show carbon-dated remains of a village that dates to 14,500 b.c.  How did those people get there before the ice melted?

Regardless - back in the "Old World" three major river valleys are formed from the flow of glacial melt.  They are - The Nile in Egypt.  The confluence of the Tigris & Euphrates in present day Iraq, and the Indus & Saraswati rivers in present day Pakistan. 

The river of life.  These river valleys were lush, and everything living went there.   Fertile soil as a result of the river sediments were perfect for growing and early farming starts.  

Since people didn't have to "run after" food anymore, groups of people start forming early settlements, cities.  One of the earliest neolithic sites in the Indus River valley is Mehrgarh - which conservatively dates to 9,000 BCE.  This site was recently discovered (1973) and is located just  a few miles from the Pakistan city of Quetta - near the Bolan Pass into Afghanistan. It appears that Mehrgarh may be as old a Jericho.  

Mehrgarh is the first and earliest city of what would become a the great Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)  - which spanned several thousand years.  Harappa is a city further north - near present day Lahore, Pakistan - becomes one of the larger cities of the IVC in 3,000 BCE.  

The IVC left a script of sorts and "seals" - yet there is no "Rosetta Stone" to decipher the language.  The IVC are not the ancestors of the present day people in the region.  There is still debate over how the "Aryan" peoples populated the Indian Subcontinent.   Yet, the IVC civilization does die out after quite a long run.  However, they leave us an interesting clue as to when this practice of "YOGA" actually begins.  A seal in a rock - an image - is it a man?  a god?  a beast of sorts.  The seal is known as the "Pashupati Seal" - a lord of the animals.  The seal seems to depict a person sitting in a yogic position - there is still some debate over this.  The image has three faces - some speculate a "pro-shiva" - the first Shiva lord.  

Soon after the IVC disappears - we get some poems, songs, stories - they are what we now know as the Rig Veda (2,000 BCE?) - the first and earliest Sanskrit scripts of a spiritual, religious nature.  They tell of the "gods" - Indra , Agni, Vayu - and of the "long-hair' ascetic (yogi) who"... holds fire, holds the sky and reveals everything so everyone can see the sun, long-hair declares the light."   This "long-hair" (Kesin) is described in verse - 10.135 of the Rig.  He seems to be the pre-curser to the Upanishadic Yogi's.  

From here we get quite an abundance of literature which tell us of the practice of Yoga - the practice of inquiry, the practice of meditation, the practice of selfless-service.  The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad-Gita all begin to "clarify" the practice - and the practice is one of meditation. 

563 BCE - the Buddha is born and at 35 years of age decides to sit under a tree until he "gets it" - that's determination.  Luckily for him and us, he discovers the middle-path and becomes enlightened.  He teaches the Four Noble truths and the Eightfold Path for 45 years.  Yes, the Buddha was a yogi.  

More to come....

Why Retreats are Vital!

There's something to be said about removing yourself from man-made electromagnetic radiation. I'm talking about getting away from cell phones, radios, televisions, computers and all electronic gadgetry.

You could even go one step further and stop reading the newspapers for a week.

Last December I spent a week in Sayulita, Mexico at the Haramara Retreat Center with 20 other yogi's and did just that. The result changed my life. Once all the distractions were removed I was left with myself and my surroundings. The plants, the animals, the ocean the sky. I practiced asanas twice a day and the remainder of the day became a blissful and wakeful meditation. I realized that this was my life - now - and I could chose the quality of living I wanted for myself.

Kate and I will be returning to Sayulita in 2010 for two weeks - April 10-17, 2010 and November 27-December 4, 2010.

We have space for 18 other people each week. We'd love to share this life-changing experience with those adventurous souls who can book the time. Here's the website for Haramara http://www.haramararetreat.com/


Namaste -

Finding a Job - the YOGIC way

I've been a recruiter since 1979 - since before there were FAX machines - since Gerald Ford was President - a LONG time no doubt!

In 30 years of recruiting one thing has NEVER changed - PEOPLE hire PEOPLE - Period!

Even with all the technology, facebooks, twitters, IM's, chats and blogs (like this one) it all boils down to you getting FACE TO FACE with someone that has the power and authority to say "Yes - you are my person!"

So - with all the scary crap going on in the news about layoffs and end of the world economic crashes - I've put together my 12 steps for successful job hunting in 2009.

And what does all this have to do with YOGA? Everything - yoga is about selfless-service. So here you go. Pass this onto your friends looking for work.

All the best.

Jim's 12 steps to succesful job hunting -

#1 - First of all -remember that you only need ONE Job - so you just have to generate a lot of activity to get the ONE job.

#2 - Tell EVERYONE YOU KNOW you're looking to get back as a taxpaying member of society. Tell the butcher, the baker the candlestick maker. Swallow your pride - send the emails and make the phone calls - AND - make them POSITIVE! No doom and gloom. People don't like gloom and doom. Tell people you're willing to do whatever needs to get done to get a new job.

#3 - File for unemployment today if you were laid off or fired. You'll need every nickel you can get.

#4 - Register with the EDD's job training program - those "upward mobility" programs they have for the white collar job seekers. They're good networking opportunities, you'll see job leads come through. You'll learn tips on working with job search engines, etc. You'll make friends and get support.

#5 - Update your LinkedIN and Facebook profiles. Update your Resume too. Get advice on your resume from friends, family and contacts. Be willing to modify and change your resume based on the feedback you receive. Listen to what people say and suggest. THANK THEM. Don't criticize when people give help.

#6 - Make it a point to TALK to AT LEAST 10 people a day. This means TALK to them - not IM, not Email, not chat - but pick up the phone - or go see them. 10 people a day.

#7 - Look at, and apply for all the jobs that make sense on LinkedIN, Career builder, Dice, Craigslist, Monster. You never know which one will be the pay-off

#8 - Activate Career Builder "search agents" which will generate job listings that fit you and your profile.

#9 - Stay active - when in doubt - call someone else - re-circulate your call lists so that you follow back up on people every few days/weeks.

#10 - Make yourself a personal business card that you can hand to people with your Name, phone number and web address to your resume.

#11 - Stay active by getting exercise (yoga) , proper diet, proper balance of family life, proper sleep - ease off on the boozing and drugs if you do that sort of thing.

#12 - Pray your ass off.

There you go - call me and let me know how it's going.

Jim
925-819-0326

India and the U.S. - kindred spirits

So Indian and the U.S. have something in comon. We both kicked the British out of our respective countries. Only India was able to do it without firing a single shot.

On August 15, 1947 Lord Mountbatten handed over the Indian Subcontinent to the new Prime Minister - J Nehru. Tomorrow marks India's 60 year celebration of Independence.

Now remember, they didn't fire a single shot to achieve their independence - so they don't shoot off fireworks like we do on the 4th of July. Instead they have flag raising ceremonies and hand out sweets (because the victory was so sweet).

In 1947 - 400 million people recognized their freedom. 60 years later the population in India has tripled to 1.2 billion souls. That makes India the LARGEST DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD!!!

More than 1/4 of the population - over 300 million people - are considered middle class. That's larger than the ENTIRE population of the United States of America.

It's hard to believe until you see it and live with it and interact with it on a daily basis.

India is free and they love it.

Namaste - Jim

India and Yoga

I'm well into my second week here now. I realize why Yoga and India have so much in common. Because once you're just about fed up with both - they find their way back into your heart. Last week I was fed up with India - with it's population problems, pollution and poverty, etc. Yet, yesterday I fell back in love with the colors and the people and the vibrancy of the place. There's really nothing like it. It makes the U.S. look like a black and white movie in comparision (Pleasantville?)

The practice of Yoga is like that too. Just when you think you can't do another down-dog or triangle pose again something changes and it becomes brand new again. You find undiscovered country within your own body and psyche.

I took 3 classes over the last two days with Arun's wife Srimatha. Lots of twists, headstands with variations, forward folds (janusirsasana), handstands and backbends (not all in the same class of course). Too much to write about so you'll just have to wait until I come home on the 27th and I'll teach you some.

I broke through a few fears for myself in handstand today. We were practicing backbends in handstands - working towards "scorpion" pose - where your feet are on your head while standing on your hands. Needless to say I'm no where near expressing the full extent of that pose - yet - I could feel the dynamic nature of the pose and how to move towards it.

I trust you're all practicing. It's what will keep you young, healthy, vibrant, new and sane.

Namaste -
Jim
Bangalore 08/12/07 - 10:50 a.m.

Tapas - the power of heat

Tapas - burning zeal, heat, is one of the 5 niyamas of yoga.

The yamas (ahimsa, satya, asteya, bramacharya and aparigraha) teach us how to relate harmoniously in society.

The Niyamas (saucha, santosa, tapas, svadyaya and Ishvara Pranidana) teach us how to grow in a balanced and harmonious way as individuals.

I have first hand experience of the power of tapas -burning heat - fire.

The two early gods in Hindu mythology are the god of fire (Agni) and the god of wind (Vayu). Fire and Wind.

I couldn't breathe a few days back. Vayu - the god of wind - was weak in me. I needed fire (Agni) - heat - expresed in the act of tapas - sweat - to burn the bug out of my system to be able to breathe again. The transforming power of heat can heal and destroy - that is why it must be respected.

Balancing the pairs of opposites is what yoga is all about. Fire and Wind may or may not be considered opposites - but they do have a relation to one another. Fire cannot burn without wind (air). And if a person can't breathe - the heat leaves their body.

How strongly does the fire burn in you?

Namaste -

Jim

Srimatha's class - Sirsasana - Sarvangasana

Monday - 8/6 - Srimatha - Arun's wife - is back in town. Class with her this morning was challenging and wonderful. You can read about her background here -

http://www.yogashraya.org/faculty.html

Class was basically 5 poses.

Adho Muka Svanasana (downward facing dog) - hanging from the hips on ropes - hold 15 minutes. Finish with Uttanasana (forward fold)- 5 minutes

Sirsasana (headstand) - 10 minutes - then Sirsasana variations including: badhakonasana, upavistakonasana and padmasana - all in headstand - 20 minutes total.

Paddotadasana (wide-leg forward fold) - 5 minutes with head on the ground

Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) - 10 minutes in chair - then variations including: nirlamba sarvangasana, padmasana (or swastikasana) in sarvangasana - then, with legs folded - bringing knees to the forehead - hold - then back up in padmasana sarvangasana (several times). 20 minutes total

Setubandasana (bridge pose)- sacrum on the chair - shoulders and head on the bolster (the long way). 15 minutes.

Then Savasana -for 5-10 minutes

She's a tough teacher - but a very good teacher. She demands "honesty" in your poses. She really asks you to work and extend and stretch and to do everything you can to get into your best possible pose - then - when you think you're done - she says "ok - now that you're in it - hold it." And thus, that's where the work starts.

All the best

Namaste - Jim

Pavritta Janu Sirsasana

I arrived at the yoga studio at 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning (8/4). I was the first student to arrive. I knocked on the door of Arun's house and his mother-in-law greeted me with great warmth. I gave her Arun's bag which he sent with me, and she handed me the key to the studio. I walked up the stairs to the third floor and unlocked the door.

One by one Arun's "regular's" - his students - came walking in. They all recognized me, but this time it was a sincere acknowlegement that we (the Downtown Yoga Community) had been a generous host to their beloved master. People came up to me and thanked me for taking care of Arun. They asked how his teaching was received. They all loved the fact that the United States was getting a real experience of the teacher they call "Sri Arunji"

Most of class was seated twists - starting with twisting in swastikasana. Then we stayed in swastikasana and placed our head on a chair in front and slowly moved the chair away (thus extending the spine). Next was several variations of Janu Sirsasana using the chair as support (head on chair). Then, we began twisting (or more accurately revolving - pavritta) the pose.

Pavritta Janu Sirsasna (2-3 times - several variations)
Pavritta Upavista Konasana (2-3 times - with variations)
Trikonasana & Pavitta Trikonasana (standing of course)

Ending with:

Supta Baddhakonasana
Adho Muka Baddakonasna (downward facing with legs tied in strap)
Setu Bandhasana

After class as I went to pay my 300 Rupees for classes for the month (equivalent of $7.50 for the MONTH!) I was whisked down to the house again and invited in to have tea with Arun's son. He's 21 years of age and finishing his senior year in college -studying Computer Science. The living room is adorned with statues of Ganesha, pictures of the Hindu trinity (Brahama, Vishnu, Shiva), Pictures of Arun and Srimatha (his wife).

When we finished tea I excused myself and hopped in my cab back to my apartment. I had been up since arriving in Bangalore the night before. When I arrived back I had breakfast, showered and slept the entire day and half the night (16 hours). No class on Sunday as Srimatha (Arun's wife) usually teaches then and she's on her way back from the north of India. Next class - Monday morning.

All the best.

Namaste -

Jim