Take 5-->> Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga or Hot Yoga is a series of 26 yoga poses done in a room, usually maintained at a temperature of 100-105 degrees. This temperature promotes a massive amount of sweat which rids the body of toxins. It also makes the body very warm, and more flexible.

So I am 2 classes into the Bikram 30 days for $30 challenge and well, not sure if you would call it taking 5, it's more like...I mean I don't really know what it is like but that room is hotter than July and I am doing it!
I have taking my body through a lot in a year that marked my 34th year on earth, and included a move from the west to the east coast. I have partied and socialized and eaten whatever I have wanted and am feeling the effects are not exercising or eating like I should. I am going to use this time just before the new year to detox my mind body and spirit in an effort to honor the hard work that was done, and usher in a fresh 365 days to go out and hit it a little, harder, faster, bigger and badder;-)
And yeah, I can totally do this pose!

Take 5-->> Bath Salts

I lead a busy life. Like, for real. And sometimes the only time I have to myself, especially now that I have relocated to NYC, is when I bathe myself. For this reason, and because I love to stay balanced, I love to end my days with a nice, steamy bath. Having the luxury of a bathtub is quit divine so I try to keep it luxurious with the bubbles, and scented oils and bath salts to soften the water and detox my mind, body & spirit. A great low cost way to achieve this is with Epsom Salts. Now, you can just add the salts for your sore muscles. But if you want to get all fancy here are a few quick receipes for you try. Can the church say "Om";-)

Taken from EHow.com:

The first thing you will want to do is find your self a pretty bottle with a lid or a cork, then go to your local drug store get a bag of epson salt. and your favorite oil such as mulberry,etc. or you can even use favorite perfume. pour your bottle full of the salt to get your perfect measurement, then in a mixing blow pour your salt from your bottle and using a eye dropper add 3 or 4 drops of you desired scent into the salt, mix well and re-fill your bottle. Then place the lid back on. The next time you take a bath use about 6 tbl. to a full tub of warm water sit back and relax, until all is dissolved

.

And DivaVillage.com :

EPSOM SALT SCRUB #3:
GET SOFT AND SMOOTH FEET
We all notice how smooth and soft our feet feel after a day at the beach. That's because of the combination of the exfoliating powers of sand and salt water. To get this feeling at home without walking on hot sand, simply soak your soles in a foot bath of Epsom salt. Add one cup of Epsom Salt to a tub of warm water. Soak for ten minutes. Then, mix two cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub the entire foot, concentrating on the heels and ankles to remove any dry, rough spots.

Take 5-->> Be Laid Back

A while back I logged onto MSN and read a heading "Are you depressed or a perfectionist"? I'm always irritated that shit is not what I envisioned it in my head. It had not occurred to me that I might be a perfectionist until I read the headline. I read the article and agreed with most points and gave myself permission to "chill out".
Today I came across another article based on being laid back. The tips are as follows:
Do one thing at a time. I mean, it's just that. which leads you to "slowing down".
Slow Down. I have a problem with this one. I want it all...RIGHT NOW. I have to remember to enjoy the process of the journey, not the destination.
Stop being a perfectionist. Don't stress over the details.
Step aside. Delegate tasks; you don't have to do it all yourself. Although, no one can take care of your business like you can so....work it out.
Remember that it's not the end of the world. Shit happens, deal with it.
Focus on what you have, not what you have to do.
Aiight, Namaste bitches;-)

Take 5-->> Faith

I bear witness to the presence of God in the small actions in my life. I activate the faith in me as tiny as a mustard seed and let that movement toward God grow my consciousness to a greater expression of love, peace and joy in my life.

Source


Funny. I have been here in New York going on 2 months. I still have not found steady employment yet I believe my being here is no accident. I remember some time ago, receiving a mustard seed to remind myself of how little faith is needed to see me through rough times. The above pic is a spoon of mustard seeds. Each seed is 1 mm in diameter. I have at least that much faith that this ish will pop....I mean it's just gotta!

Take 5-->> Relax

This was my horoscope today:

Just like you shouldn't get on a scale every day when you're on a diet, you can't constantly stare at the finish line if you want to win the race. You have to think about the here and now, not the there and later. Get confident about the fact that you are making progress -- even if you're not getting any outside reinforcement of that fact. You must keep on keeping on, and not make the mistake of putting your mind to anything but the task at hand.

I love this and needed to read it and I do indeed receive it;-)

Take 5-->> AMMA's Darshan

I got my hug! Her message was a reinforcement of principles and I came away feeling love, happiness and confident in the woman that I am.



Check her out at Amma.org

Take 5

Visit Return-to-health.com for a well written explanation on how tuning forks are being used as healing propertie's.
And taken from RemixMag.com, here is what Erykah Badu has to say on her use of tuning forks

“I always use tuning forks,” Badu says. “According to the message I am trying to get and studying the frequency of sound, each tuning fork has a certain vibrational energy that is conducive to a feeling or a color or a smell. They're related to different chakras in the body, too. Some may make you feel good or sexy or conscious of what you're saying. Depending on the song and the frequency I am trying to get over to the people, I use the tuning forks, and I also played talking drum.”

Take 5

I am very much into alternative medicine and yoga and chakra meditations and tha like. For a few weeks I had been waking up with a stuffy nose that would last all day. Turns out I was sick and did not know it. Ultimately rest would clear it all up.
But I also attribute a series of breathing exercises that a friend introduced me to. While surfing through the web I came across a video that demonstrated this very technique. Check it out!

More DIY videos at 5min.com

Take 5-->> Quotables

God is my true life. It cannot be otherwise. God leads me; God trails me; God holds me in the arms of spiritual love. I let my thoughts remain fluid, never static or stagnant. Indeed, I stand ready for each breaking inspiration.
Science of Mind

Take 5-->> Quotables

Taken from DivaVillage.com
TODAY'S CHINESE PROVERB: Even a hare will bite when it is cornered.
TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however. -- Richard Bach, from Illusions
TODAY'S WISDOM FROM AROUND THE WORLD: :Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand. -- Native American Proverb

Live & Learn

Love
Your

Soul
- Yogi Tea bag

So I JUST figured out how to link to another page or article! It is the one thing that has stumped me about blogging. Everywhere you see 'give credit', I have wanted to but simply did not know how. Cool.

Take 5-->> Quotables

Today I am open to greater and deeper relationships. I am a magnet for the good of God.

I am and I receive this.

Recently I became acquainted with several dope ass females by way of dinner in Brooklyn set up and brought together by two chicks in Amsterdam. (Blank stare)


Who are these dope ass females and how did they come to be; I want to know. I want to get more of that in me. In the past two days I have taken time to reach out and ask real questions in an effort to create a deeper connection.

Take 5

Daily Affirmation
February 26, 2008

Today I enjoy and savor the journey. I pay attention to my life’s process of unfolding. I embrace my own unique process and release my concerns about results. This moment is enough for me.I am on some journey right now. I was completely unemployed last year and took to temp work after unemployment ran out. The problem is that I am a creative type forced to work with corporate America for 7 1/2 hours Monday thru Friday. This shit is killing me. Now, yes I do have a plan. Yes I am moving to NYC in April, now May due to my friends passing, but, this shit is hard. These people do not have the same enthusiasm for life that I do, they don't joke in the same way that I do, they never go out for walks or to sit in the courtyard to eat lunch; and they never complain either.

I am in mourning, which I have not shared with too many at my job because the wrong attention will be given, but I am in mourning, I have a quick weekend trip to NYC this weekend that had been planned last month, I have to remember to pay my deposit on a photo shoot I have set up in March, and I have a funeral to attend once I get back home on Monday. This shit is ill. I have no one to confide in until I get back home later tonight. These fools are complaining about how the lady who waters the plants left a leaking plant on the table in the break room. Yeah that sucks but go wipe up the mess and call her on it the next time it happens. Why gather the troops to gossip and the shit still did not get wiped up. I just went in and cleaned it up. Simple. Let's get to some much bigger ish like why a lawyer can't feed herself and looks to the file clerks for sustenance.....let's gossip about that.

I am gonna keep keepin'on and I guess find the hilarity in it all so that when I am sitting in Central Park this summer at some outdoor concert series, I can look back and say "that really wasn't all that bad".

Life Happens While You Are Making Plans

There has been a death in my family over the past weekend and I will be heading out to NY at the end of this week on other matters. Suddenly, being here is much more important than being first with information. I will post hot shit as I find it and I do hope to bring you all of the Erykah Badu goings on in honor of her new CD "New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)".



For now, here are some inspiration quotes courtesy of Divavillage.com.

TODAY'S CHINESE PROVERB: Do not create in anger what you lack in reason.

TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words. -- George Eliot

TODAY'S WISDOM FROM AROUND THE WORLD: The wise man has long ears and a short tongue. -- German Proverb