KonaYoga.com

The best is always yet to come...

Whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come.

-Lucy Larcom

I scored another birthday a few Sundays ago and I'd have to call it the best one yet. The songs and happy wishes began at midnight and continued all day so I decided to end the day by making some very special wishes as I blew out the cake-less candles. At this point in my life, many things that I lightly considered "nice to have", have been gift wrapped and presented to me in such profusion that I wondered what effect a ritual, huff-and-puff-and-blow birthday wish would have.

 

I brought all the candle holders I have into my living room and lit them, as you see in the photo. One candle held the wish for each person who has ever come into contact with Kona Yoga: may you find the most ideal replacement to suit your needs. It would be nice if everyone held the space open for a new yoga teacher or studio and found their next, best thing. That was my wish. That is my wish and I would love to hear from you when you settle in with a new teacher, a new class, and a new perspective. Namaste.

 

Happy Father's Day 2011

There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained.

- Winston Churchill

 

This is one of my favorite photographs from my family gathering in San Francisco during the Memorial Day weekend. It's a picture of my dad and me, sitting in the window seat of my parents' hotel room, with jackets and bags strewn on the bed. The lighting washes out evidence of the time of day and I was unaware of it being taken, so it feels like a snapshot of a memory.

Just a short time ago, at least in my mind, my dad was the one who went out into the world and brought back information and experiences to teach and entertain his children. Now that we are grown and scattered across the country, and dad no longer ventures too far from home, we bring bits and pieces of our world back to him. Although our roles have been exchanged in that sense, he is the original. We, his children, are the variant years and models. Never is it more apparent, than when we are all together. Line us up and the brand speaks louder than any of the ....enhancements.

It is my wish, that the gleam in his eye is partly due to a reflection of his own image; that he sees a bit of himself in each of his four children and that we bring bits and pieces of his world back to him.

To Fred and all you dads out there, Happy Father's Day

(June 19, 2011)

~~~~~~~~~~

Note: I love the above photo for its "my daddy and me" commentary but truth be told, I was actually showing Fred a series of adult cartoons. :D Priceless!

Have a Heart That Never Hardens...

Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.

-Charles Dickens

Valentine's Day is coming up this Sunday and all of the print and TV ads made me wonder what people would give themselves as a display of their affection. Well, out of a group of ten women there were no wishes for material objects or confections. Each person chose an activity that would make them happy and it ranged from baking sugar cookies to surfing all day. My guess is that each person's sense of satisfaction and joy, although arising from different actions, will spread to those around them.

What about you? While you're thinking of something special for that certain someone, put yourself in line there too.What would you do or obtain, to show some self-appreciation? You're the only one who knows what you really want. In fact, why wait for a special holiday?
~~~~~


10 Suggestions on How to Love Yourself
How to Love Yourself, Louise Hay (You Tube 03:03)
~~~~~

Photo: zik "Tay"

"Thank You", from my Heart.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

Thanksgiving is almost here and I'm anticipating the smell of poultry seasoning and the warmth radiating from my oven. The scent of Thanksgiving is an annual sense of pleasure for me, and a quick survey of friends affirms that this is THE holiday of the year for most of us. It warms our bellies and our hearts.

In the next few days, as you sit back and think about all that you have to be grateful for, you may want to consider writing Thank You notes. It could lower your cholesterol. Two separate studies examined the difference between those who wrote down affectionate thoughts about friends and family against those who just described their daily activities.   Results showed significant lowering of cholesterol levels for the first group after only 25 days.

So why am I suggesting that you write Thank You notes? Because those who wrote their words of affection directly to someone, showed greater reductions in cholesterol than those who just wrote about someone.

One of the strengths of this study was that it specifically examined the benefits of expressing affection. Other studies have found evidence for the benefits of expressing affection but have had difficulties separating the expressing from the receiving. This is because when you express affection towards someone else, they are likely to reciprocate. Expressing is, therefore, tightly bound up with receiving.(1)

I have your attention, I can tell. But you're probably having second thoughts about handwritten notes in this day of cell phones, e-mail and text messages. Let's see if I can guess what you're thinking and offer more suggestions:

1. Can I just buy some pre-printed Thank You cards and sign my name? Nyet. I think it should come from the heart if you want your heart to benefit, right? Read The Simple Dollar's "How To Write an Effective Thank You Note for Any Occasion".

2. No one can read my handwriting! The importance of legible handwriting is perhaps underrated but some have found ways around it, such as writing all in caps: "How to Write Legibly..."

3. Write a letter to my boss, are you serious? Remember, it's good for your health! How-to do just that and more, from Buzzle.com.

4. Pfft, I can turn my handwriting into my own font, I don't have time to write on paper note cards! Ah, well, some very busy people do and recommend it too.

Ready to give it a try? If you'd like some practice, go ahead and write me a note. I'll send you a note back since I need a little practice too. It's good for our health!

Barbara Uechi

77-6425 Kuakini Hwy., C2, PMB#121

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Source: (1) Affectionate Writing Can Reduce Cholesterol, Psyblog

             (2) Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)

Photo: delongrj

Submitted to: Prevention Not Prescriptions for Tuesday, November 24, 2009.

What do you say, on Martin Luther King Day?

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

I hope you're enjoying the holiday in honor of Martin Luther King. Someone asked this morning, "What's the proper greeting for this day?"

'Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to you', is quite a mouthful and implacable. What's most memorable to me, are his words "I have a dream..." so I would offer something in that line:

• What is your dream?
• May your dreams come true.
• Dream a little dream.
• Dream!
• Dream Big.

A Gift, for Me?

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.-Lao Tzu

Like a comet, every so many years I find my orbit a bit out of sync with the rest of the world and I'm inclined and off on another tangent during the Christmas season. This is one of those years. It's Monday, December 22 and so far I only have one gift taken care of and that's only because my daughter-in-law helped me find a present for my son.

I'm not emoting Bah! humbug either, Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. But something feels different this year, almost as though Christmas has already gone by and the presents exchanged and hurriedly unwrapped, are waiting to be toyed with, worn or consumed.

It may be that all the wishes I made during the year pushed me into the Season of Gifting a little ahead of time. I found myself asking for many, many things this year and by my last count, I think I got them all. Everyone on my list is happy and well, on a new adventure or recovering from one. As the year comes to a close, it feels like a happy ending.

I have gotten so much better this year at envisioning successful surgeries, mended bones, resolved conflicts and safe journeys (around the world and/or passing beyond). In the coming year, I want more. I'm holding the vision of people everywhere, extending their arms to either give or receive whatever comfort is needed in these ambiguous times. My gift list has grown and I have only begun to shop.

Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukah. Happy New Year.

Photo: Magda Indigo

"Thanks, for the Memories"

Today equals the sum of yesterday's dreams and tomorrow's memories. ~William Shubin
 

At a yoga workshop one year, we focused on releasing spots of tightly bound muscle tissue in our abdomens by applying long, deep and sustained pressure to the belly knots. Some people had amazing revelations. Long forgotten struggles and issues arose, often in tearful recognition. I, in contrast, encountered the most intense taste and smell of...turkey, stuffing and gravy!

The taste and smell were so lusciously enjoyable that it made up for the embarrassment I felt in sharing my "revelation". My teacher, in all his loving compassion, suggested that my experience might have had something to do with cravings or my feelings associated with cravings. After a few questions, he offered that my sense of amusement and joy indicated a release.

That occurred in 2006 and now when I think of turkey, stuffing and gravy I associate it more with the sounds and feelings of Thanksgiving. Pots and pans clanging, the oven door opening and closing, "watch out, it's hot", "here, taste this", "look who's here!", "mmmm, that looks good" are all sound bites that replay. I don't crave the food, although I can smell and taste it.

I pressed some wheatgrass for my daughter-in- law yesterday and she loved it, saying that it reminded her of rolling in the grass! Pleasing connections. That's what we all need. Not just with food but with everything that moves us forward.

If we want pleasant memories, what we do now is vital. In my yoga practice, I try to make each breath and its coordinating movement bring me joy and pleasure. I want my body to name each pose Happy. One day, I want joy to be my natural response when I inhale, but for now, I think of turkey, stuffing and gravy.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Week!

Illustration: Julie Paschkis

Birthday Yoga

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
-Audrey Hepburn

At the beginning and end of every class, we put our hands together in Namaste, close our eyes and think of things that we appreciate. When I open my eyes and release my hands, I do so with the thought of spreading good fortune out into the world.

At least once a week, my parents sit in front of me in a morning class and at the end of class when I unfold my hands it is my wish that everyone be blessed with the love and support that I receive from them. This week I can do more than wish. My mom's seventy-ninth birthday is on Saturday, October 25, and I'd like to celebrate it by holding a FREE YOGA CLASS at 10:00am. It will be open to all-levels of yoga and not for women only (as is our regular Saturday 10am class). Donations to the Food Bank will be accepted in lieu of a class fee.

Hawaii's food banks are struggling to keep their shelves stocked these days. Food donations to the banks have lessened while more food has been going out the door. Hawaii wholesalers and retailers account for over 75% of the foods donated to the Food Bank, but as the Maui Food Bank Executive Director put it, "Stores don't have as much back stock inventory", which means that stores have less to donate.(1) Community food drives bring in some 12% of the total but with thousands moving to the receiving end of the line, Food Bank warehouses are low on supply.

Listed as the Top 5 Most Wanted food items are:

1. Canned Meats & Tuna
2. Canned Meals (spaghetti, chili, hash, etc.)
3. Canned Soups
4. Canned Vegetables
5. Canned Fruits

A representative from our local food bank said they also take produce, peanut butter and packaged meals such as macaroni & cheese and cereals. Since they are not open on the weekend, please limit your contributions on Saturday to non-produce items. My mom spent her work-life in food service and though retired now, continues to volunteer her time in the community. What better way to celebrate her birthday than to help others put food on the table?

We'll be giving away prizes (yoga class passes, acupuncture, massage, Amazon.com gift certificate, etc.) instead of birthday sweets. Come see how I deftly manage to incorporate drawing for prizes in a yoga class! If you're not able to make it to Birthday Yoga this Saturday, please consider donating to your local Food Bank with a Happy Birthday, Clara wish. She'll feel it!

Sources:
(1) Maui Food Bank shelves going bare. Honolulu Advertiser.

Photo: Inner Still

My Son is Watching

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.
~Joyce Maynard

Happy 57th Anniversary to, Fred and Clara Uechi, a couple of my most diligent and most improved yoga students, who also happen to be my parents.

Fred was born in Kohala and Clara was born in Kona. They met, wed and bred two children in Honolulu before returning to the Big Island where two more were born. They've been parents for a very long time!

I've written about a few of the lasting gifts my mother and my father have given me and seriously wonder if I would be able to lay claim to the happy life I now have, had I been born to any other couple. As the mother of an adult child, I've begun to observe my own parents through my non-dominant eye, the one that's controlled by my right brain.

Yesterday, when my son, his wife and their dog left after an overnight stay, I began to anticipate their next visit even before they reached the main road. Then I thought about my folks and the miles between them and my three younger brothers. Spread out over the continent, one lives in San Francisco, one in Las Vegas, and the youngest in New Jersey. Is it easier to say "goodbye" when you have four children rather than just one? Do you get used to it, the older you get? Probably not.

I can see the strong ties that my parents have erected, they insure connection but are never used to pull or drag. As I observe, I learn, and I think my son is watching.

This Valentine's Day - Love Yourself

"In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart."
-Mahatma Gandhi

Ah yes, it's Valentine's Day this Thursday, and time to speak of matters of the heart. Far removed from its pagan and religious origins, February 14 may well be brought to you by card makers, florists, chocolatiers, jewelers and assorted eating establishments but they're all promoting Love! So I give it a thumbs up.

I'm willing to bet the little ruby ring on my pinkie that as a regular reader, you don't need much coaching in the "how to be more loving" department. We all have learned to say "I love you" in a multitude of ways. But I will propose that we steer our affections inward and speed it up a little. Show yourself some love. It's a lot like driving in reverse while looking in the mirror, the brain has to interpret just one more reflection of light. The more you practice, the better you get and you realize that it's not as dangerous as they say, this bit about loving yourself.

I remember a fairy tale about a woman making porridge and no matter how many bowls she served up, it kept overflowing with more. It flowed out the door and into the streets and people everywhere could pick up as much as they wanted. The supply was endless.

I imagine that loving yourself, truly and with no conditions, is a lot like being the cook in charge of nurturing yourself. If your heart overflowed with love, like that pot of porridge, you wouldn't worry about the supply running out or whether you were giving it to the most deserving. You could stand back in joy and let others come with either pots of their own, their entire village in tow, or with a small slotted spoon. When you give that much, you don't feel offended by those who take too little.

But first, feed yourself and have a Happy Valentine's Day.

"How to Love Yourself" - Louise Hay

Photo: Tommy Gunn Photography