Yoga Everywhere: Revolution Inward

Join Me at the 2012 Egypt International Yoga Festival

2012-02-18T14:41:00.001+02:00

visit the website to learn more

I would like to invite you to the upcoming << 2012 Egypt International Yoga Festival. >>

It's not too late to book your journey.

This is unique opportunity to gather together in one of the most beautiful locations in Egypt for an inspirational week of yoga, music, and fun.

The Egypt International Yoga Festival has invited a host of world class teachers.

I will be teaching Kundalini Yoga at the festival.

Choose from a variety of yoga classes and different workshop experiences.

Learn. Love. Live.

Egypt Fifth International Yoga Festival  >>

Sharm el-Sheik - Red Sea - Egypt  

26 April 2012 - 01 May 2012

"Egypt Back to Freedom"

DOMINA CORAL BAY ELISIR HOTEL

Fee: $699 per person.

When you register, please let them know you heard about the festival from Darla Yoga in Egypt.

Maybe you're wondering "IS it SAFE to visit Egypt now?"

Here are My 10 Reasons Why NOW is the BEST time EVER to visit Egypt:

Reason 1. Prices are very good.
Reason 2. Tourism is noticeably down, so the touristic sites are refreshingly peaceful. Fewer crowds opens more opportunities for you to see the full splendor of beautiful temples and sites.
Reason 3. Egyptians are helpful and hospitable. English is a common language. You'll be fine.
Reason 4. Sharm el-Sheikh has some of the most beautiful resorts and beaches in Egypt. It is also a favorite spot for scuba and snorkeling.
Reason 5. If you plan to fly into Cairo, or visit Cairo, consider it no more dangerous than any other large city. In reality, it is safer than most large cities.
Reason 6. Protests and demonstrations are limited to a small area in Cairo: Tahrir Square. Most of the time, this busy traffic area is open and bustling. When there are protest gatherings in the square, you avoid the area. Enough said.
Reason 7. April is a ideal weather time. Temperatures will be warming up as we move into summer, but it will be quintessential touring weather.
Reason 8. We have so many amazing ancient monuments and sites to see. Egypt is one of the three oldest civilizations in the world. It is the seat of the Arab Spring. What you will find is a trip of a lifetime.
Reason 9. We have the Great Pyramids and they are awesome!
Reason 10. You will receive the most TRUE spiritual lessons here, unlike any place in the world, such as: "People are more alike than different" ; "surrender" ; "go with the flow and hold no expectations" ; "be present" ; "God's Will, not my own." --- This I know.

I hope to see you at the Festival! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

These are airfare estimates from the states to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Let Love Rule

2012-02-14T10:06:00.004+02:00

Do you know about the book I am holding?

Love is a creative force.
When you question, you stop the progress
And you get wrong progressions in the answer.

Putting conditions on love makes it a negative force.
And it shall destroy the doer.

Love, my friend, is good for your health.
Rejoice and show your gratitude toward God.

Be caring and kind.
It shows your divine strength.
Be compassionate and wise.
It shows your courage.

From the teachings of Yogi Bhajan.

February 2012 Kundalini Yoga Classes Egypt

2012-02-01T21:41:00.000+02:00

February 2012
Kundalini Yoga Classes in Cairo

Time: Sundays, 7:00 pm, Wednesdays, 9 am
Where: Reform Pilates Studio
15 Taha Hussein, Zamalek - 012-2207669 - http://www.reformpilatesegypt.com/

***

Time: Tuesdays, 8:00 pm
Where: the Breathing Room in Maadi
The Breathing Room is located in building #10/5, road 216 on the ground floor, next to Daniel Hechter

***

Time: Monday, Wednesday, 6:30 pm
Where: Garden City
By Appointment Only

***

"Some people think that by meditating the mind will become silent, but that's not true. What happens is that the mind becomes totally active and will let the subconscious garbage come through. But if you keep on chanting a mantra and cutting down those thoughts and not relating to them, you will release the subconscious and become pure."
Copyright 7/23/87 The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan

***

Social Workout Spotlight Features Yoga in Cairo

2012-01-19T09:47:00.000+02:00

Here is an interview that was part of

Social Workout FEATURE

Challenge Spotlight: Our Yogi in Cairo

Oliver R. posted to Yoga Journal 21 Day Yoga Challenge

When we launched the Yoga Journal 21-Day Challenge, we figured we’d allow for the creation of teams. We knew some yoga studios might want to join the challenge as groups, but we had no idea that we’d end up with 128 teams (with so many wonderful team names!) from all over. We were certainly not expecting a yoga teacher living a few minutes from Tahrir Square in Cairo to set up team Yoga Revolution. Naturally, we were curious, and we struck up an email exchange, plying our yogi with questions. What came back was the following beautiful tale of one woman’s unlikely path from pumping iron in Phoenix, AZ to teaching yoga and meditation in Cairo, Egypt. Introducing Darla H. of team Yoga Revolution...

I started practicing yoga in 1993. I was living in Phoenix, and I was a buff body builder and hot-shot extreme mountain climber. My friend told me, hey Miss Fit, I’ve got a class that will kick your ass. He took me to a kundalini yoga class taught by a skinny little man. By the end of the class, my ass was officially whooped, and so began my practice of yoga. I studied many styles, but in 2000, found myself at the feet of Yogi Bhajan in Espanola, New Mexico. I lived in the Espanola ashram from 2000 to 2007. All in all, I had ten years of the ashram life, and I am now in recovery. Smile. But that's another story.

I’ve been living in Cairo since 2007. Following yogic traditions, I rise before dawn to practice yoga and meditation. I also teach yoga across the city, holding classes in studios and private homes. Yoga is becoming very popular in Egypt. I know of four studios that have opened since I moved here. I started teaching here in 2008 at a Middle East modeling school and agency. Oddly enough, very few of the students were models.

It often seems like I have just as many men as women attending my classes, but probably the ratio is more like two to one, with more women. My husband is Egyptian, so his friends have introduced me to places that are suitable to teach yoga. Most of the students who attend my classes are Egyptian nationals, but it’s also very international. For instance, in one class, there was a young woman with punked out hair from Iraq, a man from Beirut, a 72-year-old man from Italy, two women from France, as well as several from Egypt.
As I learn Arabic, I try to instruct in Arabic. Sometimes it can be very funny if I mis-pronounce a word. Many of the women in my classes are veiled. Many of the Muslims, men or women, who attend my classes tell me that the meditation practice has intensified their prayers, as Muslims pray five times a day.

About two years ago, I began teaching at a yoga studio in an expat area of Cairo. Most of the students who attend the studio are western expats. (Shout out to the Breathing Room in Maadi and my fellow Yoga Revolution my team members!)

There are certain perceptions about life here after the revolution. My friends in the States think that when there is violence, we are all caught up in the street fighting . For sure, when we went through the Arab Spring in January, the entire country was gripped by the news. Everyone stayed home. We were all in shock and had no idea what would happen. As this year progressed, the protests continued, becoming violent at times, but the city kept moving and breathing. We carry on to our jobs and shopping. We deal with crazy traffic from rerouted streets.

In November, my friend wrote to me in panic when protests turned violent. He wanted to know if I was in Tahrir and if I was okay. “Yes. I’m just fine,” I wrote back. “I wasn’t in Tahrir because I was a few streets over buying fabric for my curtains." (Not to be flippant, but it's not like we have our twitter feeds running constantly to get posted on what's happening in the streets.)

There was no yoga in Tahrir Square. I was in Tahrir during and after the revolution, so I guess I brought the spirit of a yogi. But the environment was not conducive to any kind of yoga or meditation. Even though my husband is Egyptian, I am a westerner, so I am merely an onlooker to the revolution. I live about half kilometer from Tahrir, so we walk there.

Things have certainly changed over this last year. The one year anniversary is in 11 days. Many of my friends are the intellectuals and revolutionaries of the revolution. I’ve created yogic warrior workshops that I will be starting in Cairo and at the Red Sea. I had always wanted to do such workshops, but was very timid to start. I think going through a national political revolution, I’ve cast aside all shyness and realize the time to start is now. My message is the revolution inward. Time will tell. We’re only on the first revolution.

Go to story on Social Workout.

January 2012 Kundalini Yoga Classes Egypt

2012-01-14T10:42:00.000+02:00

January 2012
Kundalini Yoga Classes

Time: Sundays 6:30 pm & Tuesdays 8:00 pm

Where: the Breathing Room in Maadi

Please check website for the Breathing Room blogspot (website with location and directions) for a listing of other yoga courses scheduled.

The Breathing Room is located in building #10/5, road 216 on the ground floor, around the back of the building. TBR is next to Daniel Hechter

Sundays January 15, 29 and Tuesdays January 10, 17, 31
Please note: I will not be teaching on the week of January 22

---

team Yoga Revolution takes on 21 Day Yoga Challenge

2012-01-10T12:22:00.001+02:00

It's Day 2 of Yoga Journal's "21 Day Yoga Challenge." Team Yoga Revolution on SocialWorkout.com is holding at #2 spot.

It's not too late to join our team. Team Yoga Revolution: The inward revolution to balance and peace. If you're practicing yoga in Egypt and the Middle East, then join team Yoga Revolution.

What's the challenge?

21-Day daily practice of 15 minutes of meditation, 1 yoga practice and 1 vegetarian meal.

Step 1: sign up at Yoga Journal:
Beginner: http://www.yogajournal.com/21daychallenge/beginner
Intermediate: http://www.yogajournal.com/21daychallenge/intermediate
Each track includes a daily video, weekly meditations, and daily newsletters with practice tips and recipes.

Step 2: sign up at www.SocialWorkout.com and join our Middle East yoga team.
On Social workout the link to the Challenge http://socialworkout.com/challenge/showRunning/18210
Here is the link to team Yoga Revolution http://socialworkout.com/team/show/299

You can click the "Join" button and it will direct you to a sign up page. From there, enter your information and you're all done.

Step 3: Do the challenge! After you signed up at Social Workout, you log your daily activity and it gets recorded into our team efforts. It's a fun way to stay motivated, set goals and track your progress.

A short meditation break every day can make a huge difference in your life. As the wise man said, if you don't have time for 15 minutes, you need an hour. Your goal: just 15 minutes, once a day. Count it!

! yallabina !

An Anonymous Student's Surprise

2012-01-07T13:31:00.001+02:00

The other day, I received an email from Rate my Yoga Instructor dot com because someone had created a rating for me on their website here >>

The message: "You've just been added on www.ratemyyogainstructor.com. Someone has left positive feedback for you! We are currently rating 28694 instructors! See where you rank!"

I was relieved to see a positive rating so I completed the request from Bobby Thompson, the creator of Rate My Yoga Instructor. Bobby is an avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who lives in Jacksonville, FL and trains under Royce Gracie. Bobby also owns and operates Xequemate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Jacksonville as well. He's created a very fun and functional site.

I hope other yoga students and instructors will find the site useful in their search for yoga instructors.

21-Day Challenge - Yoga Journal

2012-01-04T20:28:00.000+02:00

Oh admit it, habits and routines get boring. We all need a little jump start to get us going again. I found this fun challenge from Yoga Journal online.

It is a great way to introduce yourself into a healthy routine. And on those days when your struggling to keep up, you can tap into a network of support, like me, for instance.

To make things interesting, I created team Yoga Revolution on SocialWorkout.com. I invite all yogis practicing in Egypt and the middle east to join the team and join the Yoga Journal 21-day challange. Follow the link from the Yoga Journal link and sign up! Then follow the link to www.SocialNetwork.com to link to team Yoga Revolution on the Social Workout.

Check it out. 21-Day Challenge - Yoga Journal

Kundalini Yoga Class Series in Maadi, Egypt

2011-12-08T12:01:00.001+02:00

CAIRO, EGYPT: After being away from homebase Cairo for the past year, practicing and teaching yoga in Spain, I'm back and starting a new set of Kundalini Yoga classes.

Please join us for Kundalini Yoga. No experience required.

WHEN

Sundays 8 pm to 9 pm - December 4, 11, 18 (2011)

Tuesdays 8 pm to 9 pm - December 6, 13, 20 (2011)

WHERE

the Breathing Room

Road 216, Building 10/5, next to Daniel Hechter, Maadi

60 LE class

See you there. Classes start promptly, so come a few minutes early.

Far More Spiritual than I....

2011-08-17T13:17:00.002+02:00

I unsubscribed from an "Advanced Spiritual" yahoo group. Below is their unsubscribe message. If I was unsure about leaving the group, this message sealed the deal. Not only am I a defiant student, I am also swine and ignorant:

Must Say No?

Most people are familiar with the Biblical advice given in the "Sermon on the Mount"
"Give not what is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine. Lest they trample them under their feet, and turn against and rend* you." - Bible, Matthew Chapter7, Text 6. (*rend = tear you apart violently.)

This is not only a common theme found in all great scriptures, yet even secular teachers have no interest in trying to explain something to a defiant student.

Therefore, if you prefer not to receive any further information about the Vedas, AVA events, or the process of spiritual growth honored by the great sages of ancient India, then simply request to be taken off of our mailing list. We will lament seeing you go when we do, but will gladly comply with your request.

"Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performer's lack of knowledge. "- Bhagavad Gita As It Is; Chapter 3 Karma Yoga Text 29. LINK: http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/3/29/en

Thank you for your patience and interest!

UBERfoods

2011-08-10T17:07:00.001+02:00

Fruits and vegetables are both nutrient dense and inexpensive

Bananas contain plenty of potassium as well as vitamins B6 and C.

Cabbage is loaded with vitamin C. Every cup of cooked, shredded cabbage that you eat provides 75 percent of your recommended daily allowance (RDA) of C. Cabbage is specifically known to prevent breast cancer. To get the most out of cabbage, eat it raw or very lightly cooked, like stir-fried or steamed.

Cantaloupe is high in vitamins A and C.

Carrots have more vitamin A than any other vegetable, and they're rich in vitamins C and B6. Carrots are known to be great for eyeseit and that is because they are packed with beta-carotene. The orange pigments in carrots boosts the immune system and helps fights diseases. Once cup of carrot juice a day can reduce the risk of lung cancer even among smokers.

Greens, such as spinach and turnip, mustard, and collard greens, are full of vitamin A.

Honeydew melon is high in vitamin C.

Oranges and grapefruits each supply more than 100 percent of your RDA of vitamin C. Oranges contain a wide range of antioxidants which help fight against cancer.

Plums are packed with healthy antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Potatoes are a good source of vitamins C and B6 and potassium.

Food is a beautiful part of a spiritual life. While eating food, be prayerful. Love God with every taste.

Day 1 Freedom : United Community of Egypt

2011-02-12T19:36:00.006+02:00

@sierragoddess

Saturday, 12 February 2011: The first day of victory for Egypt. The atmosphere in Cairo is electrifying.

It's a new beginning for Egypt. And, as I have witnessed this movement of enlightenment across this country, I know Egypt is opening to a prosperous future.

As of yet, I haven't set a day or time to begin teaching yoga classes.

These last weeks, I've been supporting my friends in Tahrir Square, either by being with them when I could, or respecting their wishes for me to stay home. From peaceful protests, to heart-wrenching violence, to early curfews, we all moved through these last weeks moment-by-moment, on edge, in the present. At home, I did my best to sit quietly in my prayer space, but it was incredibly challenging.

We experienced communication without earthly communications (i.e. mobile phones and internet.) We formed community watch groups within hours as violence from thieves and thugs took to the streets. We went to the streets with brooms and bins to clean up our Cairo this morning, no less than 12 hours after victory to the principal demand of ousting President Mubarak. We didn't need committees, we simply moved through the link of oneness.

Every day, I was awestruck as the protestors held their ground and demonstrated phenomenal peaceful being. Young, old, Christian, Muslim, Secular, doctors, nurses, educators, students, unemployed, everyone as one. At the same time, I listened to western media pundits use fear words in their broadcasts, baiting for confrontation and conflict. My friends translated the deception and propaganda being broadcast from state television and newspapers. Emotions swung from highs to lows, but never did we consider that we would leave. This is our home.

Peace to All - If you want to have peace, be peace. Peace is action from within, but you won't get there without practice. United we stand. Divided we fall. One. YOUR moment is now. ...now.... now...

### 30 ###

Safe

2011-02-06T14:06:00.002+02:00

Thank you to everyone that contacted me during this last week to check in on me and my family here in Cairo. I can't tell you how much I appreciated your emails of love and overall support. It was overwhelming to suddenly be connected with people that I haven't communicated with for years and discover that time is irrelevant.

Love prevails. Peace prevails. Time is an illusion.

We (my family, my friends, my neighbors) are all fine. We all appreciate your love and prayers for us and everyone here in Egypt.

At this time, we are all focused on the well-being of our communities and friends. As soon as I return to teaching yoga classes, I will post the schedule.

When the breath is controlled and regulated, the person becomes divine. If the breath is not controlled, then the person is busy in worldly activities and forgets his spiritual nature. - Paramahamsa Hariharananda

Peace begins with you

2011-01-20T15:48:00.001+02:00

Here is a small segment from an eNewletter that I received from The Peace Alliance:

Three Suggestions for Peacemaking in Your Own Life

If you have any internal judgements of anybody, politically or in your life, notice any judgments of “wrong or bad.” Then connect, “what are the deeper needs of mine behind those judgements?”

When you have disagreement with what others are saying (with politicians and media pundits, for example), see if you can empathize with the needs they are trying to meet, and see if there are ways you can relate to them.

If you are talking to someone who is expressing judgments -- that you either agree or disagree with -- try to reflect back and empathize with some of their needs.

These are paraphrased from Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

The Peace Alliance is an alliance of organizers and advocates throughout the United States taking the work of peacebuilding from the margins of society into the centers of national discourse and policy priorities. Our network includes volunteer grassroots teams in hundreds of cities, towns, colleges and high school campuses.

** *** *** **

January 2011 Schedule of Kundalini Yoga Classes

2011-01-02T13:00:00.002+02:00

The first Kundalini Yoga class of the year will be Tuesday, January 25 at 8 pm at the Breathing Room in Maadi. (please see Google calendar in right column for my class schedule)

Please check website for the Breathing Room, Maadi (website with location and directions) for a listing of their numerous yoga courses scheduled.

The Breathing Room is located in building #10/5, road 216 on the ground floor, around the back of the building. TBR is next to Daniel Hechter

## ##

"Some people think that by meditating the mind will become silent, but that's not true. What happens is that the mind becomes totally active and will let the subconscious garbage come through. But if you keep on chanting a mantra and cutting down those thoughts and not relating to them, you will release the subconscious and become pure."

Copyright 7/23/87 The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan

### ###

01-01-2011

2011-01-01T21:22:00.001+02:00

Happy new year to 2011

Last week of Kundalini Yoga Classes for 2010

2010-12-11T09:31:00.003+02:00

Greetings everyone. This is the last week of my teaching kundalini yoga classes for 2010. I will be traveling and working for the next several weeks.

Thank You * Shukran * Dêkuji * Chefs * Danke Schön * Merci * Muchas Gracias * Grazie * Tahg * Dank U Wel * Tesekkur

I want to express my gratitude to everyone who joined us over this last year for yoga classes. As I reviewed my daily diary for 2010, I discovered that more than 200 people attended a class (or more) over the year throughout the city. Thank you for your presence and willing to try kundalini yoga.

I invite you to continue visiting my blog. Best wishes to all for the upcoming new year 2011.

Winter Solstice 2010: Deep into the Darkness of Winter

2010-12-09T11:43:00.002+02:00

Reconnecting with your innermost
self can open the doors to an
entirely new and unpredictable path.

Tailoring A Personal Retreat
This winter solstice, I won't be traveling, so I intend to spend time attending to my home and creating a sacred space. I'm deep into intention to create a personal winter solstice retreat.

* Prepare my meditation space *

* Set intention for solstice celebration

as earth makes the gentle rotation from darkness to light. *

Winter Cold Fastens its Grip : Inner Retreat

Every winter solstice I find myself meditating to a different vibration than from the year before, allowing myself to listen to the quite voice within.

Make Your Own Retreat:
If you don't have the time for a retreat get-away that is organized outside of your home, you can still find retreat within your own home.

1) Find A Room, or a Spot Intended for Meditation
In our guest bedroom, I re-arranged the space so that I have quite spot in the corner of the room. I've placed a little rug and a meditation mat in front of a small table. I put a few candles and significant photographs on it. All of it can be easily tucked away when guests stay in the room.

2) Set a Time for You and No Excuses to Cancel
For the next few days, set an intention and a time to step away from routines, relationships, and environments. Sit with yourself for 15 minutes, or longer. Practice silence.

If you have difficulties getting away from others, then let your family and friends of your intentions. Set the stage and let everyone know what you want makes it easier to drop into stillness and examine the undercurrent of your life. Once you do, you can plug into a connection with your divine nature.

Full moon over the Red Sea at Wadi el Dome Marina, Egypt

SIGNIFICANT Winter Solstice 21 December 2010

A most providential time as moon energy will be very extraordinary

Start to bring your awareness to this very auspicious time and begin to prepare yourself for the winter solstice. As the daylight is shorter and the days are cooler, the space around us creates an environment for reflection, prayer, and quietness. In Cairo, the December solstice occurs at 01:38 AM on December 22, 2010 (11.38pm UTC, December 21, 2010). The next day, another second of daylight lingers to bring a little sliver more of sun into our waking hours.

The Full Cold Moon

We will also have a full moon that begins at 10:13 AM. This December full moon is called Full Cold Moon. Sometimes this moon is referred to as the Full Long Nights Moon and the term "Long Night" Moon is a very appropriate name because the nights are now indeed long and the Moon is above the horizon a long time.

This particular full moon makes its highest arc across the sky because it's diametrically opposite to the low Sun. The moment of the Winter Solstice at 1:38 a.m comes just over 15 hours after full moon .

Last, but certainly not least, this will also be the night of a Total Lunar Eclipse. Observers in Western Europe and western Africa will see the opening stages of the eclipse before the Moon sets.

Sometime give a talk to yourself, 'How I can be great'
Fifteen minutes, thirty minutes on how you can be great.
Make it a secret tape, and then listen to that electronic voice as a meditation;
it will work 100 times better."
~Yogi Bhajan

Bach Flower Remedy Consultation in Cairo

2010-12-04T19:02:00.001+02:00

I often get students asking for ways to increase their health. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Hélène. Hélène offers naturopathic therapy, shiatsu massage, chromotherapy, (also called color therapy, colorology or cromatherapy) and consultations for using Bach Flower remedies.

If you are interested in consultation with Helene, please send a request through the comment box or contact page.

**** *****

December Kundalini Yoga Classes

2010-12-01T01:04:00.002+02:00

It's December. Here are the upcoming kundalini yoga classes around town.

Shirley Shalaby's Studio, Nasr City
2 classes back-to-back on Monday evenings -December 6, 13
7 pm to 8 pm
8 pm to 9 pm

LOCATION: 12 Omar Ebn El-Khatab Street, Ramo Gardens

**** *****

The Breathing Room, Maadi
Sunday evenings - December 5, 12
8 pm to 9 pm

Tuesday afternoons - December 7, 14
5 pm to 6 pm

Building 12, Road 251, Maadi, 2nd Floor

**** ****

After December 14, I will not being teaching yoga classes.

*****

"Some people think that by meditating the mind will become silent, but that's not true. What happens is that the mind becomes totally active and will let the subconscious garbage come through. But if you keep on chanting a mantra and cutting down those thoughts and not relating to them, you will release the subconscious and become pure." ~ Yogi Bhajan

******

Pain and Peace through an Ovarian Cyst

2010-11-26T15:39:00.003+02:00

This is for any woman that might be panicking about experiencing an ovarian cyst or trying to figure out the pain down below. Take care, but don't panic.

Last Saturday, I woke up to a vexing pain in my lower abdomen. (the day before a full moon) The pain felt like I was having menstrual cramps, but I knew it couldn't be, as I just had my period 11 days ago. The pain was bold but by the day's end, the pain had become increasingly intense. Over the following days, the pain was piercing when I walked or attempted to work out at the gym.

First Alleviate the Pain

Rarely do I ever take drugs to alleviate pain, but I as was scheduled to teach yoga classes (seven of them over the course of days) I needed to alleviate this crazy pain in order to present the teachings. Since I thought it would look queer to carry my hot water bottle around town, I opted for a couple ibuprofen before class. It relieved the pain enough for me to teach. At night, I took to sleeping with my hot water bottle to ease the pain. I've always opted for a hot water bottle rather than a heat pad to ease cramps.

Having this pain in my uterus and ovaries has happened to me before (with more or less intense pain.) I've done the trips to Ob-Gyn doctors and also negotiated payment plans for a couple of sonograms. Having enough of the doctor routine, I know more about my body than a medical exam can provide. My body is either moving through ovulation or a formed a cyst. Intuitively, I know this is a cyst.

Important to know that the vast majority of ovarian cysts are not cancer

There are many different types of ovarian cysts, and they are an extremely common gynecologic problem. Because of the fear of ovarian cancer, cysts cause a lot concern to women who experience them. But, it is important to know that the vast majority of ovarian cysts are not cancer. The good news is that almost all ovarian cysts will go away by themselves without doctor's treatment. Since the vast majority of ovarian cysts are benign, the presence of an ovarian cyst should be a non-worrisome occurrence.

Here's what I did to ease this painful journey

1st identify messages from my body -- The following are a few excerpts taken from "Messages from the Body, Their Psychological Meaning" by Michael J. Lincoln, Ph.D.

Uterus Problems: "I don't dare." She feels that it is not safe for her to manifest her creativity or her generativity, and she threfore distrusts and has disgust towards undertakings. She fears rejection, abandonment and attack, along with envy, jealousy and retaliation.

Ovary Problems: "She-jection." They have a fear of and rejection of their creativity and femininity. They are systematically self-denigrating and ashamed of the feminine role and situation. "Self-undermining." They have a great desire and need to be respected that is being prevented. Their circumstances are of such a nature as to be exploitative, non-accepting, and denigrating.

2nd back off on activity -- Rather than whinging about not getting my daily walk or workout, I took luxurious time in the steam room and sauna. The heat eased the pain.

3rd take my focus off of pain and direct my focus to lofty thoughts -- The pain becomes so intense that "P A I N" is all that I can think about. My mind travels through every notion of pain. However, I completely believe the body is an extension of thoughts and one can not have pain without thought. The mind dictates, the body follows. By shifting my focus and reflecting on the messages revealed from this experience, I was able to create a space to clear accumulated emotions, fear, and pain.

4th use yoga postures to ease pain -- I tried many postures but the only one that seemed to bring peace was bow pose.

I'm holding my tailbone a bit high in this photo of bow pose
taken at an earlier date. Rather, one should burrow
the tailbone down toward the floor

At first, the pressure from being in the posture was intense, but as I breathed in, down into my torso, my breath cleared everything. In a state of bliss, I realized that I was meditating in this posture for almost five minutes at a time.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) how to do it:

1) Lie on your belly with your hands alongside your torso, palms up. (You can lie on a folded blanket to pad the front of your torso and legs.) Exhale and bend your knees, bringing your heels as close as you can to your buttocks. Reach back with your hands and take hold of your ankles (but not the tops of the feet). Make sure your knees aren't wider than the width of your hips, and keep your knees hip width for the duration of the pose.

2) Inhale and strongly lift your heels away from your buttocks and, at the same time, lift your thighs away from the floor. This will have the effect of pulling your upper torso and head off the floor. Burrow the tailbone down toward the floor, and keep your back muscles soft. As you continue lifting the heels and thighs higher, press your shoulder blades firmly against your back to open your heart. Draw the tops of the shoulders away from your ears.

5th eat and drink specific foods -- I drank plenty of fresh ginger root tea, cinnamon stick tea with milk. As it is the season, I ate fresh mango and fresh banana. Both are excellent for women. According to Yogi Bhajan, mangos are a woman's medicine that works in every area.

6th practice patience and fearlessness -- I decided that I will allow at least 14 days for pain to pass. If the pain didn't lift, then I will seek a healer to help me.

Alhamdulillah, Kulla Tamem

Today is Friday the 26th and after seven days of ferocious pain, my body is finally coming to ease. I can walk without cringing in pain. Now then, pain-free I will deeply explore this notion of manifesting my creativity and generativity without fear of rejection, abandonment and attack.

****

PLEASE READ: I am presenting MY pathway to healing. Since I do not subscribe to western medicine practice, I approach ALL of my health matters with an attitude of gratitude and self-healing using yogic principals.

Always consult your physician if pain persists. Nothing in this website or this particular post is to be construed as medical advice. The benefits attributed to the practice of these techniques presented here or the use of Kundalini Yoga will vary with individuals.

****

No boundaries between oil and spirit

2010-11-19T14:28:00.001+02:00

Development Threatens Sacred Land of Altai

In this special report from LinkTV Earth Focus, learn about a place where there are no boundaries between spirit, nature and man. This is a place where a major Russian gas pipeline threatens to destroy the ancient and sacred Siberian land of Altai and the culture of the people who live there.

Happy Eid Adha

2010-11-15T11:49:00.001+02:00

During this holiday week, I will not be teaching yoga classes. See you all next week.

*** Eid Moubarak we Kol Sana Wentom Tayyebin ***

Vision of a New Paradigm

2010-11-09T13:18:00.001+02:00

Last week, a friend sent me this link :

New Reality Transmission dot com

Despite the link leading me to an Adobe Flash web site...and that I dislike Flash web sites...I clicked through the long presentation that is essentially a call for uplifting group consciousness. It's also a good numerological date for group meditation. 11-11, kinda catchy. Here's the summary:

On 11-11, 2010, one million people across the globe will mentally project a unified vision of a new paradigm for our species... a new reality. The very real physics that connects human consciousness with molecular structure will be harnessed en masse during the largest scale simultaneous manifestation transmission in recorded history.

I do hope that you will find yourself on the 11th of November at the time of 11:11 taking 11 minutes to envision peace. And then for the next 11 days thereafter, take 11 minutes of your day to join in this group meditation. Envision the true cooperative hearts of our planetary family coming together like millions of rain drops into a serene sea of water.

May we move from fear to peace. From dis-connection to connection. We are one. There is only one.

**** November 11 2010 group meditation ******

November Kundalini Yoga classes

2010-11-06T15:23:00.002+02:00

It's November and finally we're having a few days that feel like autumn might settle in. Be sure to check out the upcoming kundalini yoga classes around town.

Shirley Shalaby's Studio, Nasr City
2 classes back-to-back on Monday evenings - November 8, 22, 29
7 pm to 8 pm
8 pm to 9 pm

The Breathing Room, Maadi
Sunday evenings - November 7, 21, 28
8 pm to 9 pm

Tuesday afternoons - November 9, 23, 30
5 pm to 6 pm

I will be not teaching during the celebration week of Eid al Adha (14th to 20th). Eid Mubarak. May you enjoy a blessed festival.

*****

Nobody gives you anything, nobody takes anything from you. This universe is in an absolute balance and harmony. Absolute . ~ Yogi Bhajan

******