Jules Febre

Korea...

2011-12-11T04:32:00.001-08:00

I spent the last week I spent teaching in South Korea. I think this is about my 8th trip to Korea. One of my favorite things about being in Korea is the food...here are some fun pictures of it. The first two are made from acorn and the last is a bibimbop...

Break Dancing

2011-11-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

My brother just finished a video with his friends...not only is it shot very well but all edited incredibly.

Om Shanti South America

2011-11-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

Incredible classes and people on this trip. A few places that you should check out if you are planning a trip to South America

In Bogota, Colombia please visit Yoga Studio Colombia. It is a great spot with Jivamukti and Anusara classes and many more. Food was a bit difficult when we ate out but did find one fun place Quinua y Amaranto. Although not all the way vegan it was easy enough to order and they have a preset lunch menu which made it easy to choose.

Sao Paulo was next on the list and I had so much fun walking around and looking at all the graffiti. Although it was expensive in general I found some great food. My favorite was a tie between a place called Maha Mantra and Vegacy. Maha Mantra was buffet style (which is very popular in Sao Paulo) which had Indian style food for the most part and again although not totally vegan the options were great not too mention the fact that the most friendly people in all of Sao Paulo work there...not kidding. Vegacy as the name implies was a total vegan spot and had many traditional food items with a vegan twist. It was so good I went back twice and even got some food to take on the plane. I taught at a yoga studio called Yoga Flow which had a beautiful space.

Stop number three was Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eating out did not happen as I stayed with an incredible family and they cooked a decent amount and I did as well. Days I spent teaching at a lovely studio called Kaladanda. Owned by a Jivamukti teacher the feeling of the space is great. The students (although few) were so inspirational and excited about Jivamukti Yoga. The nights were late, there is nothing like a party in Buenos Aires...

Finally Lima, Peru. I am not done with my trip in Lima yet still have one more class to go. But so far its great. This whole trip would not be possible without Ximena Savitch. A Peruvian Jivamukti teacher based in NY. She set everything up including the place we are staying at now...her parents house. Never had so much fun with someone else's parents. Been eating so much, the food is cheap and there are so many veggy spots I dont know what to do with myself. The ones I really enjoyed do not have websites, they are a little bit ghetto but some of thebest food I have ever had. All of them in Mira Flores. Class tomorrow at Lima Yoga. Come by if you are around...

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Hip Hop Asana at the Yoga Journal Conference NYC 2012

2011-11-14T14:49:00.000-08:00

Hip Hop Asana is making an appearance for the first time ever at a Yoga Journal Conference and needs your support. Sat April 14th, all proceeds will be donated to the Andrew Glover Youth Program which provides legal services to youth from the Lower East Side and Harlem. Please come ou and support.

Walking in Sao Paulo

2011-11-06T13:23:00.001-08:00

Spent the day walking around Sao Paulo and saw so amazing graffiti. Looks like NY is slipping. Not only was there art all over the street but we ran into some fellow vegans out on the street giving out information. That was great as I needed some for my class tomorrow. So of the pictures might be a bit blurry. But still pretty amazing.

YouTube Video

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Driving Through Bogota

2011-11-05T15:00:00.001-07:00

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Morning Walk

2011-11-02T13:27:00.001-07:00

Just behind the the apartment we I am staying in is the top of a mountain. Bogota is built about 2625 meters or 8612 feet above sea level. It took a bit of time to adjust to the altitude but once I did it was great. Below are some pictures from my morning walk.

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Bogota Streets

2011-11-01T18:00:00.001-07:00

Below are some pics from walking around Bogota today.

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Colombia and beyond...

2011-11-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I started a tour of South America, 5 countries in about 3 1/2 weeks. It is a fun time to be teaching Jivamukti...the focus of the month is Brahmacharya and Veganism. When I travel I try not to teach too many workshops. I can only take so many backbending or inversion or standing workshops and I am sure others feel the same. I prefer to teach Open and Basic classes when I am on the road which means I have to teach the focus of the month. This can make it more accessible for different ages and levels. However it can be challenging. The focus of the month is usually a bit more intense then most people are use to. Especially when the focus is similar to this months. One of the benefits for myself, teaching an open class with a challenging focus in an area I have never been to and may only know a few people, is that I must find creative ways to grow and be comfortable in what may not be a very comfortable situation. Everywhere I go people seem to think their community or culture is very different from the rest of the world. In some obvious ways they are correct but for the most part we live in a world culture. "Jules you dont understand my family going back many generations has been eating meat, we barbecue we have large family dinners with a roast, my mom always made me chicken soup." Guess what? that is pretty much the same everywhere especially in affluent countries. According to the USDA, America is the largest beef producer and the second largest beef exporter (although wikipedia says it is Brazil, then Argentina both countries I will be teaching in). Americans are no stranger to a meat based culture, and being an American with Latin roots I am definitely no stranger. People always assume I have been vegan forever, since birth, that somehow I have it easy. Not true. I became vegetarian when I was 18 and vegan when I was 19. I have an aunt and uncle who have been vegan for many years. They were never shy about the issue and it always made me a bit uncomfortable. I resisted it for many years and it was not until I was in my last year of high school that I met someone who really motivated me to become vegetarian. He was incredible smart, a graffiti artist and very much loved being a counter culture type of person. I was drawn to the fact that his food choices did not make him a "not cool" person. That he was able to hang out, go to parties and not feel like he had to convert or argue the food issue. It allowed me to drop my psychic barriers and go a bit deeper and investigate vegetarianism on my own. I needed someone who was not going to hit me in the face with the message. Some people need that but I did not. What I needed was someone who was willing to be an example, have the info and hold the space for me to ask questions and explore. Of course my aunt and uncle had been doing it the whole time but I was not able to see them as cool until a bit later. I try to infuse that feeling of holding a safe space, whenever I am teaching. Bringing a sense of where I have come from, what my community and culture is like and how it is the same as the one I am in. Find some common ground and from there gain the trust that is necessary to broach the sensitive subjects in a short period of time. That comes from strong and intelligent sequencing (some humor always helps). The practices of asana, meditation and chanting all help to build that strong bind that will allow us to be a spokes person for the animal without being ashamed or afraid or feeling like our story is too different from other stories. Let our lights shine so that others have the confidence to do the same...brahmacharya-pratishthayam virya-labhah (PYS II.38)
When one does not misuse sexual energy, one obtains enduring vitality resulting in good health.

Hip Hop Asana at the Yoga Journal Conference NYC 2012

2011-10-27T12:42:00.001-07:00

I am very excited to be leading two classes during the main part of the conference in April 2012. One of the classes I will be teaching is of course Hip Hop Asana. The class will also double as a fundraiser for The Andrew Glover Youth Program (AGYP) in the Lower East Side. It is a probation program that I use to attend and played a fundamental role in who I am today by keeping me out of jail. All the money that I make for the class will be donated directly to AGYP and there will also be a chance for people to donate at the conference or through Yoga Journals website. The money will be used to provide legal counsel for young adults unable to pay for it themselves. All the music for the class will be played by an incredible DJ Derek Beres of EarthRise Sound System. The warm up of the class will be a Hip Hop dance led by Alex Febre my brother...it is going to be crazy... In order to get people excited about this class I will be shooting a video Saturday on what is HHA. Please check in over the next few weeks to see what going on...

Celebrate Living Retreat

2011-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

20th Year that this amazing event is happening at Ananda Ashram in Monroe NY. Teaching it with Julies Kirpatrick who is also my mom...awwww....daily sanskrit, asana delicious vegan meals and nightly vedic fire ceremonies. For more information please call Jivamukti at 212.353.0214 or visit www.jivamuktiyoga.com or check it out on

FB http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=278983798780962

Jivamukti Global Satsang

2011-10-22T19:15:00.001-07:00

Tonight is the last night here at the Jivamukti Global Satsang / World Peace Conference. It has been such a great time. Today I had the joy of listening to two incredible beings Gabriel Cousens and Will Tuttle. After a tasty vegan feast for dinner Chloe Jo Davis and Alexandra Jamieson gave a beautiful talk on finding love in our communities. They were followed up by the one and only Julia Butterfly Hill. Author, activist and world changer if you are not sure who she is please visit www.circleoflife.org The evening would not be complete without some chanting and we had some of the best. First up was a group called The Jais. Started by Rama himself Jeffrey Cohen. Next up was Donna Delory who's voice is so crystal clear. This is a one of a kind conference.

YouTube Video

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Global Satsang Day 2

2011-10-21T19:51:00.001-07:00

Days keep on getting better here in Loveland, Ohio. Took a morning practice with Jeffrey Cohen and then a class with Doug Swenson. In the evening was the incredible Trevor Hall signing in the video. Tomorrow early morning shakti-pat with Shanti and Gabriel Cousens before a plenary with Chloe Jo Davis and Alexandra Jamieson two of the hottest vegans I know. Please check out their blog girliegirlarmy.com

YouTube Video

Jivamukti Global Satsang Day 1

2011-10-20T19:48:00.001-07:00

Flew in this evening just in time to see David Newman. And another great thing is that Jeffrey Cohen sings at night.

YouTube Video

Giving Thanks

2011-10-11T05:24:00.001-07:00

On my way back from Japan a few weeks ago i had a very rough trip. I was awake for the better part of the 60 hours it took to get home after having missed two trains and two flights. I found myself getting more and more frustrated, tired and sick of travelling. The plane i was on could not land at Newark and so we circled for so long we ran out of fuel. The pilot announced we would have to stop in Toronto to re-fuel. As we were on the tarmac I felt the frustration slowly subside. What did I really have to be upset about. I spend the majority of my time flying around the world meeting the most incredible people. Being part of the Jivamukti Global Satsang, helping communities to grow and growing myself. Although it took me a long time to get home it was much faster than it would have been just 50 years ago or 100 years ago. At least I did not have to take a boat...I was upset as I flew hundreds of miles per hour through the sky as I sat on my butt. We all have so much to be thankful for but we forget as so many extraordinary things have become common place. It is a strong and powerful not to mention humbling practice to give thanks every day...what are you thankful for today?

Peace, Love and Vegetables

With That Moon Language

2011-10-08T05:38:00.001-07:00

Admit something:

Everyone you see, you say to them, "Love me."

Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops.

Still, though, think about this, this great pull in us to connect.

Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye

that is always saying,

with that sweet moon language,

what every other eye in this world is dying to hear?

-Hafiz

Translated by Daniel Landinsky from the book Love Poems From God.

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Yoga Means You Do It

2011-09-13T18:57:00.001-07:00

I have been in the beautiful Philippines for the past few days. Comprised of over 7,000 islands and home to many different ethnic groups and non-human animal species, the Philippines is a beautiful place. I am currently on an small island called Boracay south of Manila. I flew in via a small plane into another island called Caticlan. From there you take what is called a pump boat another 10 minutes to Boracay. The sight of approaching an island is incredible but this one especially. Sheer cliffs on one side and a huge palm tree lined beach on the other. On the ride over i noticed many signs that said please keep Boracay clean.
I did not grow up with much access to the beach so i was excited to spend some time there. The water so blue and warm it was as if from a movie. As i walked down the beach i began to notice small pieces of trash, just a few at first but the more i started to look the more i saw it. Everywhere there was steyrafoam, plactic cups, candy wrappers and empty tissue packages. As I was noticing this i was chanting something you may have heard in a Jivamukti class before, Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu and planning out my class for later in the day. I started to think that I would speak to my host about how he should organize a day trip of students to the beach to do some karma yoga and clean for an hour or so. I was thinking about how it would be beautiful to host a retreat here focused on environmental accountability and each day some time would go to, hiking, plant identification and cleaning up the beach.
All these things were going through my mind, how some other people at some other time should go come to where I already was to make a difference; all the while i was chanting. It took a little a while but i finally understood that there were no others and no other time just me and now. How rediculous was it that i would project this onto someone else. I started immediately to pick uo the garbage that i walked by. I was carrying my back-pack which had two pockets on either side for water bottles. I started filling them up. It did not take long, a few steps and they were already full. I would also need to empty my bag so that i cpuld it fill again. Emptying the contents of my pack was the strangest part. People saw me throwing away the strangest and most decrepit things.
I first i felt very self conscious. What were the people thinking when they saw me, did they think i was collecting garbage? Did they think i was crazy or poor or both? It did not take long for that to turn into judgement. Philippinos walked by me asking to take me on a sail boat or a jet ski or zip line as they watched me picking up the garbage that littered the beach on the island they called home. Then of course were the tourist, most of them westerners sprinkled with people from other asian countries many koreans and japanese. Lying on their backs drinking cocktails and smoking cigarettes. I saw them watch me or try not to watch me as perhaps i was picking up something they had walked by or just thrown down themselves.
I was not picking it up for them but for mother nature, for the fish in the sea and the small amount of life left on the beach in the form of crabs or birds. All i could think about was how many fish die from eating plastic. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a mass of plastic and toxic sludge in the Pacific Gyre that is about twice the size of Texas (that is huge) and ranging from a few inches to a few feet deep. The Pacific Gyres (please look it up) western most side is very close to the Philippines. I would look from the signs not to litter and then back to the shore with all the garbage and was perplexed. We do need to stop littering but what we also need is to find ways to deal with the devastation we have already caused.
After a while of feeling frustrated and ashamed to be a human being I realzied i was still chanting. I realized that of course if people really knew how much harm they were doing they would at least think twice before polluting the earth. I thought about what the chant really meant, that all beings regardless of what they do are trying to find happiness, but that their view is focused on the happiness of an individual seperate from the rest of the world. The more i contemplated this the more i saw that i needed to be patient with myself and those around me. We are all doing the best that we can. May my thoughts words and actions contribute in some small and humble way to happiness and wellbeing for all.
I was not able to collect all the garbage (although i am going back today) nor did anyone really seem inspired by what i did; but i was. The beach and the world as a whole is in a state of decline but not because of me, i choose to let my actions come from a place of wanting happiness but not just for me but for as many as possible, even if that means i have spend my two days off picking up trash. Who knows maybe those that saw me or will see me will think about all the garbage they are walking by and choose not to ignore it but instead to take an active part in the world for the happiness of all.

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Yoga in Tompkins Square

2011-08-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

This tuesday marked another day of Jivamukti in the Park. This months focus at Jivamukti is Living Wild...hard to find many wild places as we think of them...trees, animals (not just squirrels and pigeons) and some varied plant life. Sharon Gannon's essay starts of with the following passage.." Tompkins Square Park is near where I live on 7th Street in the Lower East Side of NYC. In the middle of the park there is the famous tree where, in the 1960's after arriving in the United States, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada first chanted the Hare Krishna mantra. Lots of pigeons and other smaller birds often can be seen gathering together around the base of that tree, sometimes several hundred. One day as I was walking toward the tree, I saw many birds walking and quietly pecking at the ground. A group of three or four children came rushing by me towards the birds, screaming and laughing. They ran at full tilt, right into the peaceful demonstration. Of course, the birds, alarmed and frightened, flew off immediately, circled around overhead and landed again this time in another place not far off. The kids took off towards them with the same intent to disrupt and cause havoc. I turned to see who I assumed were the parents, who giggled and said, "They've been cooped up all day at school how can you blame them for wanting to go wild?"
Is wildness synonymous with the freedom to do what ever you want, to whomever you want, whenever you want? Contrary to popular belief, to be wild is not to be selfish, chaotic and unorganized. If one observes wild beings in a wild environment you will see that orderly co-existence among all is the norm."
So of we planted our mats across from the famous tree Swamiji concecrated and began our practice. You can see the tree in the center background of the bottom picture. One thing was apparent; Wildlife was not just in the tress and winged creatures around us. In some of the pictures you can see we were surrounded by other people that were not practicing yoga. Some were getting drunk while others were blasting rock music. It was a beautiful chance to put the teaching into practice and try to see all thing as equally deserving of love (in whatever limited expression we could muster). Some people from the park came and joined while others watched.
Yoga in the park been such a hit we are stepping it up next week. Not only will we have yoga in the park but I am trying to get the Herban Caveman Ken King to take us through a plant walk. To share with us some of his vast knowledge on what are the plants we alk by every day. You may be surprised at how much eatable food there is in the parks of NYC. I course I suggest you wash it first...

Its Hot so why not practice at sunset

2011-07-23T08:50:00.001-07:00

NYC is hot getting up to 39 degrees Celsius and humid as a mofo. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of teaching a class outside for some amazing people. I am exited to announce that I will be teaching a free yoga class every week in a different park. Every Tuesday we will be meeting at a different park. I have no permits, speakers or mics so its guerrilla style yoga take over. We have to keep the classes small so people can hear what is be being said. If you are interested find me on facebook and I will message you the info.

Yoga With Russell Simmons and Heidi Klum

2011-07-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

Uncle Rush was kind enough to extend an invitation to teach a class outside earlier this week with Heidi Klum. Check out the link below

Daily Mail

Desiderata

2011-03-22T04:47:00.001-07:00

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others even the dull and ignorant, they too have there story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others you may become vain and bitter; For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is. Many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and stars. You have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God whatever you conceive Him to be and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all it's sham and drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful
Strive to be happy.

written by
Max Ehrmann

Peace, Love and Vegetables

A long South African tale

2011-03-19T09:32:00.001-07:00

The first time I went to South Africa I knew only the basics of the history. Of course I knew of apartheid and of the huge divide between nit only the races but the classes as well. I had the opportunity to visit Capetown and Johannesburg. Although on that first trip it was winter it was still much warmenr than it gets in NYC. So I was able to spend some time on the beach in Camps Bay and to take a beautiful hike up Lions Head, a small mountain that overlooks much of Cape Town and into the Atlantic Ocean. The clouds that day rolling over Table Mountain honor clung the top making me understand why they called it a table cloth.

In Joburg I went with a fellow Jivamukti teacher Sarah Bentz, downtown to find a place called arts on main. We were in the completely the wrong place and never found it. I did find a place to get my hair braided. Although it took some time. Every place we went to was charging way too much for what I wanted. I suspected it was because the person I was with Sarah, was the only white person we had seen in a while.

I was speaking with the woman who braided my hair about where I was from and where she was from. She spoke 3 or 4 languages and was originally from Cameroon. There was a man who kept hovering about but did not say anything. The barber shop was not unlike the ones in the neighborhood I grew up in. A few seats, about half empty and the ones filled got a haircut and an update on the daily gossip. As my conversation subsided I could understand parts of a song that was playing over the radio. It was a christian song and the only words I could hear clearly were Jesus loves me. So I sang along out loud. The man who had been hovering was not excited and he immediately came over and asked me what I know about Jesus. The woman braiding my hair replied that in the United States there are many churches and of course I knew about Jesus. The man seemed intrigued and asked where in the U.S. I was from. I looked over and said New York. He brightened up giving me a big smile and said "New York? What's up my nigga, what's up. I love New York" I could not help but smiling just as big as I responded in kind. He knew about different hip hop artist and wanted to use his knowledge about it to find some common ground. I on the other hand had no real knowledge of South Africa, the music and recent history let alone the music and history of where he was originally from, Nigeria. I knew nothing of the intense violence that had just happened against non-south african blacks or the current political climate. Wen I left the barber shop that day I had a yearning to learn much more about where I had been. It actually set the trend for me that whenever I go somewhere I try to know as much as possible of the people, the culture and the history; either by reading, planning trips to culture heritage spots or if possible taking long walks to just be around local people.

On my way back to the states from South Africa I read the book A long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela's autobiography which was not only incredible but really put into perspective the ways in which America treats it's political dissidents. It lead me to want to know more about Oliver Tambo another leading figure in the movement to end apartheid.

On this trip I had the immense pleasure to work with Africa Yoga Project as I wrote about in the last blog. I left out one of the most amazing experiences though. The very first day we went to Kenyas largest maximum security prison for woman. Many of the woman were HIV positive and were incarcerated for some form of theft. Many were also there with their children. In Kenya if a single woman is incarcerated they children live with them until the age of 5. I am not sure what happens after that age however.

AYP has a bi-weekly yoga class with them but since the group is so large they split it in half with some doing asana and others writing or drawing. Since they already had a yoga teacher and the person who was in charge of the writing was not able to come in made me the person in charge of it. I had one night to figure out what to do. When I worked in the city with young people at a place called The Door it was in conjunction with an amazing woman Ashley Dorr, no relation to the space. she is an art therapist and I was able to pick up a few tricks from her. I also picked up some amazing work ideas from David Life and the work he has done with some students.

We started with writing about a time in life that we had made a decision that we really felt was the right one even though it caused hardship and might have been a difficult to choose. We ended with writing our own obituaries as if we had died many years in the future, writing them as we would want to be remembered, one who fed the poor or became a politician or president or whatever. Afterwards we thought about the different things that were holding us back from becoming that person and then we pulled the car up as close the space were using as we could and blasted some Bob Marley and the whole thing turned into a dance party. It was a beautiful thing.

When I made my way back to SA after the trip to Kenya I really wanted to visit Robben Island to make a further connection. I was staying with another amazing teacher in Muzienburg, Jill King. Her husband is a scientist working on a new tuberculosis vaccine and neither had been to Robben Island before. I taught one class in Cape Town a Chakra Tunning class that people really seemed to enjoy. With only two days left in CT we tried to make it out to Robben Island but it was not possible we got there just a few minutes after the last boat had left the port. I was sad not to be able to make it but we did so many other things in CT that we almost made up for it. I also got to meet many students in CT and Joburg on this trip that were interested in coming to the Jivamukti TT. In fact it looks like a mini SA invasion of the TT will be happening thanks in large part to Cherryl Duncan in Joburg. She is doing amazing things not only for yoga but for the animals as well in SA.

Thank you Cherryl, Jill and everyone else who made this such an amazing trip. I am looking forward to seeing you in TT and if not there maybe on my next trip back.

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Kenya

2011-03-10T04:22:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in a small room with large glass windows looking out on about 75 young Kenyans. I am getting ready to teach Hip Hop Asana in a community center that use to be a cinema. The Sarakasi Dome is home not only to weekly yoga classes with the Africa Yoga Project but to a recording studio (they invited me in to do the drops/intros to a couple djs and rappers), many troops of dancers, an art space and more. The trip in Kenya started 10 days ago in Lakipia, Kenya where I was assisting Sharonji and Davidji at a beautiful retreat at the Center of Origin in the Great Rift Valley. It is truly the center of origin as one of the oldest human remains were found close by. Located on 100,000 acres of land you can look in all directions and see no human settlement. I have never been in a place so wild. I left the retreat a day early to come into Nairobi (6 hour drive) to begin teaching with Paige Elenson and her amazing team at AYP. I was accompanied by Jessica Sjoo and Lisa Cordova and we got right into teaching. The first class had about 73 people in it and was an introduction to Jivamukti although some had taken classes with Sharonji and Davidji when they were in Nairobi last year. After class many of us went to a Hare Krishna spot for lunch. AMAZING!!! Some of the most affordable food in the city and completely vegan!!! People from all walks of life filled the cafeteria style room, from suits to mechanics. Later in the day we accompanied Paige and some AYP teachers into the largest slum in Kenya. At first sight and smell it was one of the saddest places I have ever been. The slum stretched on for miles and there was no end in sight. How could a government that collects taxes let such a place continue I have no idea but it was the sights I had only seen on tv. We were on our way to a school in the middle of the slum to teach some yoga classes. I was thinking this is not what these people need, they need running water and food, they need clothing and better food. One of the teachers came up to Paige as we walked in with a baby they had found in the trash that was extremely sick. Paige immediately left with the teacher and baby to a clinic her friend has founded in the slum. I stayed with the group. As we walked around it became apparent there was something else I could provide besides yoga, laughter. The children were all younger the 10 years old. We ran around and had so much fun that I had to hide to stop the games. The yoga classes were amazing as well. It sounds cliche but you cannot take the happiness away from a child and if you are able to in some way increase that happiness it can be the best nourishment available.

That brings me to today and the Hip Hop Asana class. The group has grown since I started writing, time to go...

On The Road Again

2011-02-25T12:04:00.000-08:00

Off to Laikipi Center of Origin in Kenya to assist Sharonji and Davidji. The founder of Laikipiai Nature Conservancy is famed author and wild life protector, Kuki Gallmann, author of I dreamed of Africa. Afterward I will be staying in Nairobi a few days with Paige Elenson and Africa Yoga Project amazing... If you are not familiar with AYP please check out their website www.africayogaproject.org. The founder Paige is not only a Jivamukti teacher but has done numerous trainings and brings teachers and support from all over the world to use the teachings of yoga in Nairobi's urban environment and make it a spiritually and financially viable solution to some of the problems people live with. Next down south to see Cherryl Duncan in Johannesburg before Cape Town. SA All Day is a past posting on here with Cherryl. Actually it is a pretty amazing nude shot in forearm stand which is part of a series to draw attention to the unnecessary use of animal products. Please visit her website www.livingyoga.co.za the pictures on the homepage are yoga fairies in the woods... Holy smokes how can I leave out one of the most exciting happenings. Deva Premal and Miten, Shyam Das along with Sharonji and Davidji will be at Blue Spirit in Costa Rica. This is Omega's new campus in Costa Rica and although I have not been I was with a friend in Beirut who said it was amazing. I will be tagging along on that adventure as well assisting before I head out to Japan with LADY RUTH!!!! Thats right JAPANESE JIVAMUKTI IMMERSION WITH LADY RUTH AND JULES FEBRE. GETTING OUR SIDDHIS UP...

peace

peace

Michael Franti in KY

2011-02-24T15:54:00.000-08:00

I took this at a Michael Franti concert Ocotber 2010. Had was in Kentucky as I was teaching in Loveland Ohio at the World Peace Yoga Jubilee/ Jivamukti Satsang. So I snuck out with MC Yogi and Amanda and we went to this. This show he was on fire and playing from his new album the Sound of Sunshine as well as some classics. If you do not know him please check out his music it is becoming a lot more mainstream which is an amazing thing. The we have him in the spotlight the better. He also have a great documentary called "I know I am not alone" very moving about the healing power of music and communication as he travels to Iraq, Israel, and Palestine. This clip is a bit short and not great quality but you can hear him pretty well.

Something a bit different

2011-02-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

I have been in NYC for about a week now and it feels great to be able to practice at Jivamukti whenever I want and I do not have to teach. I was catching up with a friend who has been practicing at Jivamukti for many years and she said she was reading about my travels via my blog. I replied that you must not know very much as I am the worst when it comes to linear blogging, she agreed adding that I mostly talk write about vegan findings at airports. Taking a picture of a snowman chilling on the park bench in Thompkin Square, on my way back from a yoga class, I found a bunch of pictures that I had forgotten about featuring some other great beings. Here is the first one. It is actually from maybe 2 yrs ago in Berlin with the amazing Andreas.

ॐ शांति
As I was writing this out I noticed a "type in Hindi option" in my tool bar...When did that get there?

Prague again!!!

2011-02-07T02:50:00.001-08:00

Just finished teaching at the amazing Prague Spirit Festival. Put on by a beautiful Jivamukti teacher Martina Prochazkova based here in Prague. Dance, music and yoga... Tomorrow off to Beirut to hang with the amazing Rima Rabbath and Danielle Abisaab. About to get my habibi on...

Peace, Love and Vegetables

NYC

2011-01-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

Early this morning started the 8th largest winter storm in NYC history. It snowed yesterday as well and I was worried that they might close the NYC public schools. I had made an appointment to teach a yoga class to 6th graders at P.S. 161. Located on 133rd on the west side I was invited by a woman I had met at the Jivamukti Cafe; Lindsay Brown. She is a music teacher and she was able to clear most of the floor space in the room an we got pretty much straight to business. Lindsay's relationship with the class allowed for a very fun and fast paced experience. It did not feel like 50min at all. We were able to go over some asanas (down dog, warrior 1, warrior 2, mountain) sing om...we did it loud (really loud), quiet and in the middle. Even a few moments silence at the end.

I wished i had taken some pictures.

Thank you to Lindsay, all of the young folks from the wed music class at 161 and my mom who was also a public school teacher.

PEACE, LOVE & VEGTABLES

Onward

2010-12-25T14:11:00.001-08:00

I tramp a perpetual journey,
My signs are a rain-proof coat and good shoes and a staff cut from the
woods;
No friend of mine takes his ease in my chair,
I have no chair, nor church, nor philosophy;
I lead no man to a dinner-table, or library or exchange,
But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll,
My left hand hooks you round the waist,
My right hand points to the landscapes of continents, and a plain public
road.

Not I, nor any one else can travel that road for you,
You must travel it for yourself.

It is not far...it is within reach,
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not
know,
Perhaps it is every where on water and on land.

Shoulder your duds, and I will mine, and let us hasten forth;
Wonderful cities and free nations we shall fetch as we go.

If you tire, give me both burdens, and rest the chuff of your hand on
my hip,
And in due time you shall repay the same service to me;
For after we start we never lie by again.

This day before dawn I ascended a hill and looked at the crowded
heaven,
And I said to my spirit, When we become the enfolders of those orbs
and the pleasure and knowledge of every thing in them, shall we
be filled and satisfied then?
And my spirit said No, we level that lift to pass and continue
beyond.

You are also asking me questions, and I hear you;
I answer that I cannot answer...you must find out for yourself.

—Excerpt from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Vegan Food at Heathrow Airport

2010-12-23T08:17:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago after the amazing Jivamukti Tribe Gathering I was flying from London to Munich to teach at the Jivamukti schools there. I had not had anything to eat before leaving and was not expecting much maybe just some beans and toast. After walking around terminal 2 for about 15 minutes I can across a restaurant called Giraffe. After looking at the menu I realized they had a few vegan options even veggie sausages. The waiter was extremely nice and was very much aware of what was and was not vegan and in fact the sausages were vegan! I was able to get a whole vegan breakfast. First time ever in all my travels that I was able to have such an easy time with vegan breakfast. If you are passing through London please check this place out. It is incredible how quickly things are changing and it is all because people are asking for it. Whenever I am in a restaurant I ask what is vegan even if I already know as it makes the wait staff question and let's the management know that there is a demand for vegan food. It is a good practice and you can do it anywhere.

Peace, Love and Vegetables.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Praha

2010-12-17T07:20:00.000-08:00

This blog update is brought to you by the amazing internet access at the Vodafone store in the center of Prague. About 6 inches of snow here but as with all cities it melts quickly with salt, cars and general dislike of the snows impact on the daily routines. Teaching an open class in a few hours with Martina an amazing Jivamukti and presence here in Prague.

I wanted to share a story that happened on December 7th my birthday. I was fortunate to have so many birthday calls and wishes in so many forms. I do not usually celebrate my birthday and ask people to donate to an animal charity instead of giving me gifts.

Emma Henry a dear friend and Jivamukti teacher in London was with me on my birthday and siad she had gotten me a surprise present. I was not excited. I picked her up after class and I was surprised indeed. She had put together some nuts and seeds for us to feed to the birds on our way to dinner. I was touched and the birds were very thankful. The winter is hard on us humans but especially so on the other animals. Where do birds eat during the winter. We have taken over so much of the land and given back to so little.

So please next time you go for a walk this winter bring some seeds and feed the birds or whatever animals that you find are in need humans or otherwise

Peace, Love and Vegetables

With That Moon Language

2010-12-13T07:56:00.001-08:00

With That Moon Language

Admit something:

Everyone you see, you say to them, "Love me."

Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops.

Still, though, think about this, this great pull in us to connect.

Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye

that is always saying,

with that sweet moon language,

what every other eye in this world is dying to hear?

Hafiz as translated by Daniel Landinsky from the book Love Poems From God.

This poem was shared by Sharon Gannon at the Jivamukti Immersn at Omega this past September and it has stayed with me. Daniel Landinsky has some very contemporary translations. A great resource for teaching but also for sharing...read it to a friend a stranger or a beloved.

Leave the fur on the animals!

2010-11-23T21:40:00.000-08:00

Blessings through participation

2010-08-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

David Life interviewed for BigThink.com

Vegan Travels

2010-08-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

On the road it can be super hard to be vegan and get a meal that is not completely deep fried or boring. I thought for sure that South Africa would be hard but many people were willing to make anything into a vegan option. In Johannesburg I went to Greenside Cafe which is veggy only as is The Leafy Green but that were closed when we got there. The adjoining Italian restaurant however, was very knowledgeable about and accommodating to our vegan desires.

Capetown I did not find any veg only spots...boooo! Maybe they are there but I did not really have the time to check it out.

On the way back to the states I had a 6hr layover in Amsterdam. The food on plane was not exciting as usual so I made a trip into the city to "grab some food." One of my favorites is Joselitos. A spanish tapas spot on Nieuwendjik by central station. There was at least 5 vegan options and most all of them were delicious and you can get full for 6 euros.

Now in Costa Rica and the living is easy. Above is a picture after making our way up to a ridge line. Here it is not only the most common but also usually the cheapest; the veggy food is fresh and quick. For some reason mayonnaise is sometimes poured on things or as a side. Cooked a few times and the store had organic tvp. Below is a pic of veggy casado interpretation: rice, beans, yuca w/onion&pepper, homemade mango salsa (amazing) and homemade guacamole (also amazing) and a not homemade corn tortilla.

SA All Day

2010-07-26T01:14:00.000-07:00

My last day in South Africa and the living is easy....This has been an amazing trip. Teaching in Johannesburg has been incredible. Went to The University of Witswatersrand for a day and sat in on Cherryl's philosophy classes where the topic was utilitarianism and had lunch on Campus for 5 Rand! (less than a dollar)

Last weekend we made it down to Cape Town for 3 classes at Yoga Zone. Did not teach much and had a lot of time off which usually I do not like however, classes were great fun and the students there made it all worth it. Cherryl and I took a early morning walk up to Lions Head a beautiful small mountain overlooking Camps Bay. We got there in time to watch the sun come over the city and before anyone had really woken up. In both cities we found so really great vegan food. I thought it would be very difficult to eat here but when Cherryls husband Jarred was not cooking up a delicious meal at home most places were happy to offer vegan fare.

Today flying out to NYC 25hrs in total with a 6.5hr stopover in Amsterdam...darn.

Pictures to come...

Transcending

2010-07-19T03:10:00.000-07:00

The ability to rise and go beyond is the definition of transcendence. While this force constitutes our nature and fires our spirit, an honest exploration of it must contend with this counter question: Why, with a history so rich in noble ideals and lofty philosophies that reach for the transcendent, do we exhibit such abominable behaviors? Our violence towards ourselves and the planet is an issue that overshadows makes a mockery of all our high aspirations.

Excerpt from: Biology of Transcendence by Joseph Chilton Pearce

This is the book I am reading now and if you can pick it up. It is a bit dense but amazing. Mr. Pearce is also the author of The Crack in the Cosmic Egg

He goes on to explain new research in the field of Biology and Neuroscience and how it relates to the idea of transcendence and spiritual evolution.

SASS!

2010-07-18T02:34:00.000-07:00

South Africa Saturday and Sunday... Last weekend teaching at Living Yoga in Johannesburg. Saturday started with a radio interview at 6am. I am not the best at the morning but we made it in time. I was interview with Sarah Bentz another Jivamukti teacher based here in JHB. We were on Talk Radio 702. I did not think that many people would be up on a sat at 6am but the host said there was about 80,000 people tuning in.

After the interview we came back to teach two classes and it was then I realized there were some amazing pictures of Cherryl Duncan co-owner of living yoga and fellow jivamukti teacher. Veganism is not very big in SA to say the least so Cherryl took it upon herself to start an amazing campaign to raise awareness. Above is just one picture of the series. for more please check out the website www.livingyoga.co.za

JHB

2010-07-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Taught my first class in Africa today...very exciting. 4 more classes to go here before Capetown. A little cold here as it is winter. Tomorrow doing a radio interview with a national station. It starts at 6am though and I am not sure how many people will be up listening at that time on a Sunday...off to sleep now...

peace and light

Sharon-jis new CD

2010-07-16T00:02:00.000-07:00

I had no idea that she had so many amazing reviews have you seen what people are saying?

“Of all human endeavors, music is perhaps closest to representing the world of the spirit. In music we attempt to render into form what is essentially formless, we attempt to describe what is beyond description, to frame silence, to measure infinity. This work has been Sharon’s mission not only in her practice of Yoga but also in the practice of music, where she applies the same dedication to the pursuit of the ineffable as she brings to her yoga practice, inspired, daring and essential.”Sting, musician

“Sharon Gannon is an enchanting chantress. On this beautiful album she breathes new life into these ancient Sanskrit mantras. "Deva Premal & Miten musicians

"Sharon Gannon has a heart that embraces the universe, and just as big. Emanating a boundless love and compassion for every living creature, she carries out her mission to heal the world every moment of every day through her yoga practice, her writing, her day to day living and through her music. Sharon believes in what she sings, and sings what she believes in-Love."John Zorn, musician/ composer

“When I am with Sharon I feel myself surrounded by her love and devotion. When I listen to her music it is the same experience—a door to a world of endless light is opened."Donna de Lory, musician

“Every decade or so an extraordinary artist comes along--someone who carries us to a new musical frontier, Sharon Gannon is such an artist. Her vocals soar, pure as fresh snow on the mountain, colorful and harmonic as a field of spring flowers bursting in colors. Creatively and musically this album is a milestone—the crossroads of Kirtan and Mainstream Pop where so many have tried to go, this record crosses that threshold and carries the genre along. It is delicious, satisfying, emotional, and inspiring. Genius! Bravo!"Larry Dvoskin , multi Grammy nominated musician/producer

“A stunning collection of prayers, chants and devotional songs effulgent with joy, spirit, shakti, musicality and sharon-ness......this CD perfectly expresses the radiance and sweetness of my good friend, Sharon Gannon”Jai Uttal, bhakti vagabond

"Sharon Gannon transports us to a world where all beings are safe, happy & free. Sharanam is spiritual medicine in the form of music"MC Yogi, rap artist

Paris

2010-07-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Flying to South Africa today and had a 11hr stop~over in Paris. Luckily there is an amazing Jivamukti teacher here by the name of Carol Issa. I met her and she cooked up an amazing vegan lunch that saved me. Also had the chance to catch up with Mika Di Brito. Incredible musician and yoga teacher.

Carol took me on a long walk that got me ready for the next 10 hrs on my bum.

SA here we come....

Why is is that only humans repress, manipulate, kill, try to conquer the natural flow in nature?

2010-06-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

Man is not a being, man is a becoming. This is one of the most fundamental things to be understood...he is a process. And with the process the problem arises: you can fall below or you can rise above. Man is not born fully complete; he is not born entire; birth is only a beginning of a process. Now this process can take any form: it can become deformed, it can take a wrong route, it can go astray...

Excerpt from "Joking Around" by Osho

We all do stupid things from time to time. But they only appear stupid because we know that we really have the amazing potential to be so much more. Why we deny our potential I do not know. I do it often although I try not too. It is easier to deny out intelligence, to turn a blind eye to not be bothered. It is harder to take responsibility for our actions to continue to become something great. To continue to evolve...

Peace and Light
jules

Jivmaukti Immersion

2010-06-16T00:50:00.000-07:00

In September I will be teaching a Jivamukti Immersion with Sharonji Davidji and Gabriella Bozic from Munich Germany. Below is a fun video by Will Lau from Hong Kong. You may not be able to understand the video but there is a description below. Jivamukti has been for years drawing students from around the world. Perhaps we will see you there.

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion takes you deeper into the study of Jivamukti Yoga and its five tenets: ahimsa (nonviolence and compassion), scripture, meditation, nada (deep listening), and bhakti (devotion to God). Perfect for Jivamukti Yoga teachers who are looking for a refresher course, yoga students from other disciplines who are curious about what goes on in a Jivamukti Yoga training, and those brand new to yoga, this immersion provides a terrific opportunity to inspire your yoga practice, meet old and new friends, network, and build a yoga community. Anyone at any level of experience is welcome.

Jivamukti's passionate focus on the original meaning of the Sanskrit word "asana"—as seat, connection, relationship to the Earth—is as practical as it is radical during this time of global consciousness shift. Taught by the creators of the Jivamukti method, Sharon Gannon and David Life, along with Gabriela Bozic, Jules Febre, and Shyamdas, the week promises to be a mystical adventure into the transcendental. The immersion includes: * Meditation instruction and practice * Daily asana practice, including sessions focued on inversions and vinyasa * Study of the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutra * Practical exploration of the link between yoga and vegetarianism * Question-and-answer sessions with faculty

Ketchup

2010-06-13T02:30:00.001-07:00

Has been a while since my last post. First the Jivamukti Teacher Training was incredible. I will be there next year as well as lead mentor. If you want to see pictures there are about ten thousand on facebook. Right after I taught a retreat in Bodrum Turkey with Emma Henry from London. We did our training together and have taught together but this was our first retreat together. We had sooooo much fun almost sold out the hotel. The group was filled with people from all over the world...NYC, Moscow, London, Ukraine and more. Afterwards I went to Istanbul. I would not have had such a good time if I had not been able to experience the incredible hospitality of Filiz and her Mother. Without them I would not have been able to have such a full and amazing experience. We did the usual touristy things but also made it to a concert by the piano prodigy Lang Lang and with the Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra butt right after went to the end of the European Heritage Awards where we saw another great concert held in the TopKapi Palace.
Now in Prague with Jessica and her family. About to take a walk to Babicka's house and visit a little cousin. Teaching this week with Martina and Lenka in Prague city center. I did not bring me camera adapter for the comp but will try to post some pictures soon.

The Circus is not fun!

2010-05-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

I got an email the other day from a dear friend V.V. It was on the topic of Ringling Brothers Circus coming to NYC to Coney Island in fact. If you are not aware of what happens at the circus please check out this link on circuses.

This is what she said

Dear Friends,

For the second summer in a row, Ringling Brothers Circus has been allowed to do business in Coney Island, with the blessings of many of our legislators.

Last summer, I attended many protests of the shows, because of Ringling's blatant cruelty and exploitation of the animals they have enslaved (see www.circuses.com).

On Monday, May 10 at 5:00pm, there will be a protest demonstration of Ringling Brothers Circus outside of a fund raiser event where many Brooklyn legislators are expected to attend. This may be the first protest of Ringling this summer. Posters and literature has been provided by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Please call me or just come if you are able to join the demo... after this evening I will not be able to see email until Tuesday. Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested.

Here are details about the fund raiser / reception for Congressman Michael McMahon, culled from the invitation:

Place: Sirico's, 8015 13th Ave, Brooklyn NY 11228 (D and M train stop: 79th Street - near 17th Av)
Some of the legislators who are hosting:
Peter Abbate
William Colton
Vincent Gentile
Vito Lopez
Dominic Recchia (City Council Member representing Coney Island in favor of the circus)
Alec Brook-Krasny
David Greenfield
Janele Hyer-Spencer
Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn Borough President in favor of the circus)
Diane Savino

Thanks,

If you can make it please do or pass on the word...

Peace and Light
jules

Davidji giving a talk

2010-04-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

Sunrise

2010-04-09T13:41:00.001-07:00

One of the good things about jet lag is that when you wake up at 3:45am you have time to walk to the water and watch the sunrise...sun in the sky and a sun painted on the ground. Walked over to the swings and watched the sun come up the rest of the way over the east river.

Poor dog

2010-04-01T06:29:00.001-07:00

All last night I heard a dog crying. So today after classes went looking. I found a dog chained in a parking lot. Not more than 6-9 months. Took a walk and found some street vendors selling what looked like meat. Bought some and gave it to the dog who was super scared. He or she ate it up in seconds so had to go buy more. I am sad that I cannot do more but hopefully there will be no need for it to cry tonight. What good is teaching yoga of practicing asana when all around us a hell realm for other creatures. Why become more flexible when we refuse to extend an hand to help another being who is suffering. Please when you can be of service do what you can. People looked t me like I was crazy. In South Korea dogs are not treated well unless they are a poodle or yorkie. Never doubt the power of compassion or the power of your actions they are the only things that matter.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Water

2010-04-01T02:49:00.002-07:00

The last day in Saga I went with Megumi to see where she got her drinking water. Every two weeks or so her and her husband Steve go collect water from a natural spring. The pic below is Megumi and Yusui. The sign for the spring is basically saying Amrit

After gettig the water we went for a nice log hike and below are some pictures. If you are in japan please check out Saga. Also Steve and Meg are getting a write up in the national paper for being vegan and growing their own food.

Beware

2010-04-01T02:49:00.001-07:00

The sign says beware if dangerous crows that drop rocks on cars.

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Some fun pictures

2010-03-29T06:21:00.001-07:00

Lily and I in harajuku

Tomo hanging at the aichi prefectural museum in Nagoya

Interctive art

Guma Carrots

2010-03-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

Saw some carrots the other day that made me wonder. The pic is upside down but you get the idea.

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The Saga continues

2010-03-28T19:34:00.001-07:00

Got into Saga last night. Saga is on Kyushu which is the second largest of the islands that make up Japan. We went for a walk and came across some beautiful cows which we fed with some nearby grass. At first they were afraid of us but by the time we left they were almost knocking over the fence to come with us. We were contemplating the same.

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Vegan in Nagoya

2010-03-25T06:29:00.001-07:00

Its not always easy being vegan in Japan in fact one might say it can be freggin hard. The first meal in Nagoya consisted of fries and a lot of them...the veggy burger was not vegan so some of us had to pass...

we ate all of them

The second spot was much easier and although the picture may not be amazing the food was. It was Sri Lankan curry and the place could only fit about 7 people...tiny japanese style

Finally we made it to my favorite spot in Nagoya. A place called Nagoyaka. Please check out there blog. If you do not speak Japanese then it may be hard but the picture are nice and its a good opportunity to learn some Japanese...maybe not. Anyway if you are ever in Nagoya please check them out...this is a pic with me and the owner forgot to take a pic of the food...

Sharon Gannon Does it Again

2010-03-22T20:46:00.001-07:00

There is a great new interview with Sharon Gannon about Yoga and Vegetarianism please follow the link and leave a comment

VEGAN SANCTUARY: SHARON GANNON

Japan road trip

2010-03-22T04:12:00.001-07:00

Japan trip is going amazing of course. Tomo, another friend Yusui and I are dring the length of Honshu. We started in Tokyo and once classes there were finished we headed south. I took an ashtanga class in shonan taught by yusui. We are now somewhere between Tokyo and Nagoya. I had to take a pic of the rest stop stall...blue lights

But no standing in the toilet.

Walking around 3/19

2010-03-20T06:22:00.001-07:00

Two of my favorite things food and fashion

Hobbit abode in Itabasshi

Of course I missed yet another blockbuster in the states only to discover it here

Kamakura

2010-03-20T03:15:00.001-07:00

There is a special place just outside Tokyo about on hour by train. Kamakura is right on the coast. Kumiko Baba hosted a jivamukti open class and satsang in a small temple by the sea. If you ever come to japan be sure to check it out
www.kamakurayoga.com

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2010-03-17T04:35:00.001-07:00

Teaching yoga makes me hungry

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Dinner in Tokyo

2010-03-17T04:31:00.000-07:00

Learning how to cook marcobiotic

walking around

2010-03-17T00:13:00.000-07:00

Whenever I am in a new place I try to walk around as much as possible. Here are some pictures from the itabasshi section of Tokyo. The cat looks pissed. The road sign says traffic safety playground. It's a whole park dedicated to learning the rules of the road for toddlers.

Tokyo

2010-03-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

First day in tokyo. Staying with an amazing macrobiotic chef. Going to take a class with her later today. Dinner at my place when I get back.

Taipei

2010-03-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

Soooooo teaching PURE in asia for the first time outside of the Asia Yoga Conference. Today teaching an Open class assisted by the amazing Jivamukti Teachers here in Taipei. Lynn, Nora and Shanti have been taken amazing care of me not too mention Suming. Suming took the jivamukti teacher training in 2007 at the suggestion of her daughter. She had not taken Jivamukti before and had no idea how intense it was going to be. She just trusted her daughter and showed up...amazing no? Especially if you know what the Jivamukti TT is like. She has been allowing me to stay at her amazing apt. I wish I could show a picture. You can see most of Taipei out of her window. I will try to post something later. Whenever I find myself in a new place I pick one direction and walk as far as I can and then walk back...choose another direction walk as far as I can and then back soooo of for my walk...peace

New Webby

2010-03-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

Its finally here the new website please leave any feedback as we are looking at how it can change and improve also please check out the web designer Alessia at thupamodel.com...she is amazing...anyway I am in Taipei now teaching at Pure then off to Japan and Korea...maybe see you soon...

peace and light
jules

Giving Thanks for....

2009-11-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

The ost below was taken from http://www.gentlethanksgiving.org/

No Turkey?! Why Not?

For the Animals

Abusing and killing an innocent bird betrays the life-affirming spirit of giving thanks for our life, health, and happiness. The nearly 300 million turkeys killed each year in the U.S. spend their entire lives crammed in large sheds with little room to move. Artificially inseminated and selectively bred to gain enormous amounts of weight, they suffer heart attacks, broken limbs, lameness, and death from their genetically-induced accelerated growth rate. Most of these same conditions apply to "free range" turkeys.

Click here to continue reading and learn more about atrocious animal farm practices or watch undercover investigations of turkey facilities.

For Your Health

Turkey flesh is loaded with cholesterol and saturated fats, which have been linked conclusively with an elevated risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases that kill 1.3 million Americans annually. Turkey flesh is also contaminated with deadly pathogens and antibiotics.

Click here to continue reading about the negative effects of turkey on our health.

For the Globe

In addition to threatening personal health, factory farming is a global problem. Much of the 10 billion pounds of manure generated by 7,300 turkey farms in 33 states ends up in our drinking water. Grain fed to turkeys is denied to millions of starving people in the world's most impoverished nations.

Click here to continue reading about how animal farming ruins the earth.

Want More?

Find out the Top Ten Reasons to drop turkey from your holiday menu!

Last Day in Busan

2009-10-19T01:17:00.000-07:00

We ended the weekend with a Hip Hop Asana class. All the money that comes in for that is used to bring yoga into Youth Developement centers in NYC

Anahata Yoga Studio p.2

2009-10-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

2009-10-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

First class in Busan at AnahataYoga...Again Pictures by Yoo Kyung part two coming

First week/end in Korea

2009-10-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

Started out in Busan this time. Amazing teacher Jeehee in the red and Sky who would be doing all the translating...Jeehee's daughter Yoo Kyung.

Akkie in Kanda

2009-10-02T01:42:00.000-07:00

Went to my first jivamukti class in Japan. Akkie taught a great one...

After Yoga Fest

2009-10-02T01:41:00.000-07:00

We had a geat dinner after Yoga Fest. For some reason Tomo did not want to look into the camers even once the whole night. You can see him in the back right on his iphone!!! Heeki and Rejun we missed you...

Jiamukti Japan Baby

2009-10-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Jivamukti Teachers in Tokyo
L-R Padmini, Lili, Akki, Jules, Mahiro

Tokyo Heat

2009-10-02T01:34:00.001-07:00

Classes at Flow Arts were amazing Old School mat to mat

Yoga Fest 2009

2009-09-22T17:16:00.001-07:00

Yoga Fest 2009

2009-09-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

We had soooo much fun at Yoga Fest. Met up with Master Wong, Govinda and of course all of the amazing Jivamukti Teacher in Japan

Yoga Fest

2009-09-19T03:29:00.000-07:00

Teaching tomorrow at an event called the yoga fest although feeling very jet lagged now...excited

We got a write up!!!

2009-09-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Yay please click the pic for the full article

WPYC Oct 23~25 Loveland, Ohio

2009-09-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

Take a peek at the line up for the conference Gabriel Cousens, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Jonny Kest, Doug Swenson, Will Tuttle and many others. I will be there assisting Sharonji and Davidji tell your friends and not friends.

Peurto Rico

2009-09-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

First time going to P.R. very exciting. Its the start of a longer journey. I will be in Japan and Korea for until mid october then to the World Peace Yoga Conference in Cincinnati. Website to be udpated shortly...

peace

Goodbye Tokyo

2009-04-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

I ended my trip in japan with a 10hr workshop....whoah. It was great fun. Most of the students have been taking my class over the past 3 years. It was great to see them as they came from all over...mostly outside of Tokyo. We kept the class small so we could go very deep. The course ran over Saturday and Sunday 5 hours each day in Shinjuku. After class I went out to dinner with the Yoga Generation Team, from left to right Ryu, Santoshima, Lily, Hiro, Me and Jessica. The place was amazing not totally vegan but mostly and I ate sooooo much I was still stuffed in the morning. The next day I had to get up and catch an 8am flight from Tokyo to Seoul....

Flow to the Arts

2009-04-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

Flow Arts in the friggin house. Taught two classes at flow arts on thursday and friday. Its the shizzle. Every time I come to Tokyo the reception is so warm but this time was exceptional. People came from all over Japan as I did not teach in Nagoya this year or teach much in Kyoto or Osaka. Thirsday was fun as I got to see Jen Peter...a Jivamukti teacher...we did our training together and in fact we have not seen each other since then. Homegirl is so funny. We had lunch together with some now mutual friends, Padmini, her boyfriend Marc and Jessica. Marc is taking the picture and Jen is of the huge smile on the right. Padmini in the back is taking the Jivamukti TT this year. The pictures at flow arts came out so blurry because the room was so hot I did not want to post them. Friday evening a few students and I went out to dinner for some vegan Indian which is really the only reliable thing to be open after 10pm in Tokyo for veggy friendly food. This trip has been by far the easiest in terms of being vegan. So many people have been spoiling me by cooking and taking me out. Saturady and Sunday is when the 10 hour Jivamukti Immersion goes down and I heard Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie will be in the hood so will slide through fo sho. Perhaps see you there....

Kamakura

2009-04-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

The second day at Kamakura was the shizzle. Kumiko Baba and her husband spoiled me. They had amazing fresh veggies that a student gave them from the area and the brown rice we had was grown by Kumiko's parents. Kumiko loves the grey organic Jivamukti t-shirt. She is wearing it every time I see her in fact she is in this months Yoga Journal Japan as one of the next top teachers and she is wearing it...awesome... The class was almost all locals from the Kamakura area which is in itself a huge feat. Kumiko and T-Baba her husband are trying very hard to forge a strong community of yogies. They hosted Master Wong about a week ago for a workshop. I am in Tokyo now and tomorrow begins the first day of classes at Flow Arts. See you there Ne?

Nagoyaka

2009-04-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if thats how you spell it but its the name of a small veggy spot in Nagoya. The name means a good family feeling or something like that. Its tiny and the chef is also the owner and his wife usually does the service. The meals are always very fresh and Oishi...delicious. We arrived in the evening and pretty much we laid low at a friends house. The person nice enough to let me into their house was non other then Yoshiyasu Hirano...THE yoga man in Nagoya. He is coming to the Jivamukti Teacher Training this year. He is a big guy for Japn but super sweet and soft. He and another friend Reiko took us around to Nagoya Castle and then to have some amazing green tea. I am not a fan of tea and usually avoid all hot drinks except the occasional coffee but could not pass it up. The tea was served with Sakura Mochi...the bomb diggity. I am not a fan a sweets in general but mochi is pretty good, especially when you wrap a sakura leaf around it. Mochi consist of a sticky rice paste on the outside and sweet bean paste on the inside. It is then cooked on a grill or gently warmed. The sun was strong that day and I think I even got a little tan...oh snap reverse color mochi.

I am excited that Yoshi is taking the Jivamukti Teacher Training. Nagoya is ready and Yoshi is the man to make it happen. His studio MySoul 8 is beautiful and he is one of the most proactive people I know. Please check his website www.mysoul8.com

Peace
Jules

Kyoto/Osaka

2009-04-13T20:06:00.001-07:00

After Fukouka I went straight to Osaka and taught a workshop at Studio Yoggy. I did not plan on teaching there this trip so the classes were small but fun. The studio is Anusara based so the students had a lot of fun with the vinyasa section of class. Afterwards we had dinner and I made my way back to Kyoto. I stayed at Duncan Wong`s house for the next few days commuting to Osaka in the morning........Uuuussssss(yogic arts speak). The next day I met a friend from London at Kyoto station who would be traveling with me for the next few days. The weather in Kyoto was freaking amazing. Since it is in a valley it gets pretty hot in the summer and cold in the winter. We were there just in time to see the Sakura in bloom...soooo beautiful. The following night Duncan came back from Tokyo with his younger sister who lives in Cali. I had not spent any time with Duncan in a long time so it was nice to catch up and learn what he is up to. Yogic Arts is going strong but he said he would be coming to NY to spend some time with Sharon and David in woodstock as he is interested in bringing more of the Jivamukti philosophy into his teaching. I am so happy that Dunks is doing this as we can begin to teach together and since he has such a commanding presence and strong following people really listen to him. The two days we spent together was so relaxing. Dunks has a bad boy reputation in some places but he was the most chill of all of us. He is also an amazing cook and host. Every morning he made a feast for the four of us. I also learned something new about him. He is a neat freeeeak. Oh my gosh he was vaccuuming at a rate that would make an OCD person jealous. Ha I could not believe it, very funny.

Anyway the scenery there is beautiful and I am going to post some pics later but I do not have my camera right now...of course.

Peace
Jules

Kamakura

2009-04-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

I got into Kamakura yesterday and it was beautiful. I spent the day on the beach and walked around the town. There are two vegan friendly restaurants here and both were amazing. Magokoro was the first one I went to. Duncan Wong suggesteed it to me. Almost everything is made from Hemp...my kind of place. Kamakura is known for the big Daibutsu a statue of Lord Buddha a couple hundred years old and hollow. I was in Kamaura about 3 years ago and took a mini self tour and went inside the statue it was really cool. This trip I am trying to avoid the tourist spots. I am staying outside of Kamakura with the Founders of the Kamakura Yoga Society. Both worked for Patagonia for many years and are very hip. The town seems to revolve around surfing and wind surfing. Everyone is very laid back and chill. Kumiko one of the co-founders is working very hard to set up a strong yoga community in Kamakura. I took her Hatha Yoga class last night. She was a bit nervous to have me in there but she did great. The towns on the coast here are so small that there is an amazing opportunity to create a strong community. I am thinking of coming back to Japan in September and if I do I will definitely make a trip back to Kamakura for a satsang event and a larger scale workshop/Jivamukti weekend. Please check out their website here http://kamakurayoga.jugem.jp/?eid=91#sequel

Peace
Jules

Konnichiwa

2009-04-04T01:16:00.000-07:00

What up what up. I have been terrible at writing on this blog so I thought I would try to post videos and pics only with minimal text...so lets see how it goes. If the videos pics are wack you have to tell me.

Berlin Yoga Loft

2009-03-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

I love Berlin and even more then Berlin is the Yoga Loft. Its run by two Jivamukti teachers Anja and Moritz. The space is amazing if you have not seen it please check out the website YogaLoft. Arjun and Jason lead a great Kirtan a few night ago and its set in one of the best neighborhoods, Mitte. They have only been open a few months but have already created a strong community and the students are fantastic. Berlin also has one of the best Vegetarian/Vegan restaurants I have been to rivaled only by Curly's Vegetarian Diner in NY. The place is called Yellow Sunshine and has a wide array a diner type foods...

I also checked out my friends Tom;s place called Home Yoga. A bit larger with a nice boutique. Tom and I did our Jivamukti teacher training together and it was the first time I saw in 4 years...

If you are ever in Berlin please check out these two places...

Day 2

2009-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

Day 2 was actually the first day that I taught and it was great. I tried to make it to Durga's class at 10am but that did not happen. I taught an 11:45 class which Durga took and we hung out after. The class itself was crowded and filled with new students I had not met. I knew some of the students but many of them were new which is a great sign for the School. Afterwards we walked around Portobello Road the markets there are so much fun. Many stands with fresh fruit and veggies as well as prepared food along side vendors selling all kinds of wares. There was a spot that served Vegan Bangers and Mash which was amazing.

I chilled in the area for a bit longer so I could take the 5pm with Emma Henry. Her class was also full and very fun. Emma and I did teacher training together so it is always nice to be in her class although she never adjust me. Not once in 4 years...terrible...

It is currently 12:12. Do you ever do that? Look at the clock notice a time perhaps 1:11 or 4:44 and wonder about the significance? I usually dont but my mom is totally into. Anyway off to sleepy land.

Peace

Jules

London

2009-02-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

Finally another blog entry... I am out of the city for the next few months and I always find it easier to type when I am on the road. I arrived earlier today and believe it or not it took me over 26 hours door to door from my apt to where I am staying. I teach an open class tomorrow and now going to crazy sleep. JIVAMUKTI LONDON...........WWW.JIVAMUKTIYOGA.CO.UK

This should be a fun trip with lots of pics...

Asana Dance

2008-10-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was incredible. Sharonji and Davidji came out of Dance retirement for an outstanding performance with Sandhi and Louis. Omega hosted a weekend conference in NYC entitled Being Yoga. I was not able to make it to classes as I was teaching for most of the time the conference was happening but I did have the opportunity to go on Friday night. The evening began with a performance by MC Yogi. He got the energy up in the room as we chanted to Ganesh to help remove obstacles for Obama on his way to the whitehouse. He then made way for Sharonji and Davidji. The people in the room gave a warm welcome not to mention loud. You have to understand the dynamics of the situation though. As yoga has become popular many teachers have become stuck out and helped to shape the contemporary face of yoga in the west. Sharon and David are two of these people. They like many others work tirelessly on so many projects. They have authored three books already and hare working on two now. Traveling around the world teaching in Canada before the conference and Russia just a few days after the schedule does not allow for much down time. With this in mind Sharon choregraphed the dance herself to music which she composed and sang herself. The song is a chant to the Guru in the form of Peace, Knowledge, Bliss and Absolute. David did a slide show that had many different great teachers. Sandhi and Sharon along with David and Louis really balanced each other well. Duncan was teaching at the conference as well so we got to hang a bit during and after. I hope you enjoy the pics.

Seoul Day 3

2008-10-10T07:24:00.001-07:00

Thursday was a big day. We began teaching at Jai two classes one open and one basic. In the evening we went to teach at Ilsan which is about 40 minuets north west of Seoul at a place called Yoga-Holic.I had met the owner Shim at the Asia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong. We showed up about 2 hours before the class was supposed to begin so we took a walk. Shim showed us Lake Park, there were parts that you could walk out a bit on what seemed like a plank about a shallow pond with huge lily pads. It was right before sunset and so the sky was beautiful on the way back to the center. The students were very open and receptive not to mention playful. It was great to look out at the faces. No one had taken a Jivamukti Yoga class before except for Michael. We began with a short journey into what is Jivamukti Yoga and then an open class. At the end of class Shim brought out fruit and we took pictures which he posted on the Yoga-Holic website. Afterwards Tomo and I drove back to . The following day friday was a holiday and I was hoping to see some people that until then did not have a chance to make it to class.

Seouled Out

2008-10-09T05:41:00.001-07:00

After an amazing time in Japan it was time to head for Korea or as my friend Michael Egan (Maru) insist Corea. I flew in on Tuesday the 1st of October and had a little time off. It was nice to not teach for almost 24hrs. When I go to Korea I stay with the super halfu Tomosapien also know as Tomo. He is the reason that I started teaching in Korea and has been the connection between me and the yoga community. He is one of the most generous people I know and I feel blessed to have him in my life. He came to an adjustment workshop in Japan about a year and a half ago and invited me to teach in Korea. It has been happening ever since. It was my third trip to Korea and each time it get better. I taught the following day at a space called Jai Yoga. One Basic class followed by an Open class. I was done with my day around 1 pm and we went out for some Bimibap. It is a traditional meal that is served in many places. It consist of a large bowl filled with rice. On top of the rice you have an assortment of veggies. You then put some kind of hot paste on top with some sesame oil and stir the whole thing up. It is really delicious and in fact I ate it almost every day. By the time we had finished eating and got back to the apartment I we were both a bit tired and ended up sleeping till the next day. The next day was a full one and we needed our rest.

Goodbye Dinner

2008-10-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

My last night in Tokyo after teaching for about 2 weeks was amazing. Miki Hiro created an sensational dinner. I had no idea he could cook and not only did he cook but produced dish after dish of the most delightful food. It was a very small occasion and the only person missing was Padmini. She also works in fashion and I think fashion week was happening in Paris and so she was on call and could not come. From left to right Hiro is a japanese man that lives in Bali. He came to all of the classes at UTL. Then was Lily on the top with the plate. She has been coming to classes for the past 2 years or so and is bundle of energy. Below her is Ryoko who I met for the first time that night. Below her is Santosima a former model/actress turned super yogini/ayurvedic mystic...bimiO...then in the blue is another Ryoko. She came to class earlier this year and has a very strong practice. She is a contemporary dancer and travels around the world for dance competitions. Next to her is Kanji the tallest Japanese guy ever and the boyfriend to Ryoko number 1. The second picture is the same except the the guy in the white is Miki Hiro super cook.

Tokyo Day 4

2008-10-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

I was up way to late the night before. As you might be able to tell from the picture. I was pretty tired and I was about to teach a 2.5hr workshop on adjustments at Under the Light. The class was amazing. Kanae was the translator and she did a great job. Adjustment workshops are always a lot of fun as we do partner work and they have to pick someone they do not know. We focused on backbending asanas with some hip opening. The class flew by and before I knew it we were done.
We were all pretty sweaty and felt great. After we some us went to two places the first was an Indian festival and then Meiji Jingu Temple in Yoyogy park. The festival was packed and it took about 20 minutes of standing on line to order any food. There were many booths selling food but only one of them had completely vegetarian food. We then walked to the temple and on the way the sidewalk was filled with so many musicians and bands...right next to each other. Most of the were playing some form of Rock and Roll. It was kind of crazy because you had to be right in front of the band to be able to distinguish it from the band next to it. At least 15 bands lined up. After we got past them we walked to the temple which is a very famous place and many people consider it to be a hot spot in Japan for high energy. It is a popular place to get married and I think Govinda and Mae had there wedding there. A wedding was happening when we got there and it was beautiful to see what we could of a traditional ceremony. There was only one way in and out and there was a huge entrance way (in the pic below) We then headed of to Mikis apartment as he was cooking dinner for us .

Tokyo Day 3

2008-10-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday was almost like a day off, I only had to teach one class in the afternoon so I spent the day walking around. I went to Shibuya and walked to Omote Sando and Harajuku. It was a beautiful day out and I spent my time walking into the different small shops. Many of the small shops carry clothes made by local designers and you cannot find the designs anywhere else. I bought a few things for my brother because his birthday is coming up. That evening I taught at Under the Light Studio. The workshop was “What is Jivamukti Yoga” The studio was very nice and the students were very excited to be there. After class I had an interview with Sotokoto. It is an environmental magazine that seems to be very popular. The woman interviewing me was very nice as was the photographer. They were both very interested in what the yoga community is doing for the environment and how the Jivamukti method is doing its part in the work needed to create a better world. I talked a little bit about my work with HHA and then of course we went into the vegetarian and vegan discussion. Many people are unaware of just how much an impact being vegan a few days a week can be let alone a lifetime. The U.N. says that animals raised for food cause more greenhouse gas then all of the cars, trucks and suvs in the world combined...that is a lot. Being vegan is not just for me or you or a couple of animals, but the whole planet. After explaining this to them they nodded politely smiled and then asked if there was anything else besides being vegan or vegetarian... It is funny how much people can be for the environment and expect everyone around them to change but choose to stay the same or refuse to see how their actions affect the world. Not everyone drives a hummer or dumps oil or shoots people but everyone eats and usually three times a day, some times more or less. But every time we do we are making a choice to support harm to the world or not. A farm of 5,000 pigs creates the same amount of fecal matter as a town of 50,000 people that is ten times the amount, a lot of shit. Where does that go...”away” where is away and how can I get there? The meat and dairy industry is the number 2 polluter and user of water and oil the number 1 is the military. So can we be for the environment and eat meat or support the need for clean drinking water and have some pork? Fish is no different. The small fisherman is very scarce. These days the ocean is being emptied by huge boats or filled by genetically modified fish. The dredging by the boats kills countless creatures and the GM fish create massive amounts of excrement in the ocean causing the proliferation of sea lice and the suffocation of other sea creatures. I was trying to point out how intricately connected everything is and that our food choices have a huge impact on the earth. We did eventually talk of other ways to be more conscious of the way we treat the earth talking about bringing your own bag when shopping or your own chopsticks. Many people in Japan are surprised when I pull out my own chopsticks. I am always surprised when they do not. So many places have the disposable kind which is a bit crazy considering everyone uses chopsticks. It would be like all the restaurants carrying throwaway forks and spoons. After the interview I went out for dinner with Miki the guy that I am staying with in Tokyo. He started an amazing website called Yoga-Gene. Please check it out. Norisan the owner of Under the Light also came. He is a very cool guy that used to be in IT and now owns the studio. The next day was the last in Tokyo so I stayed out a bit later then I should have I guess...

Tokyo Day 1 & 2

2008-10-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

Tokyo

Thursday night I taught two classes at my favorite place in Tokyo, Flow Arts If you go to Tokyo please check them out especially Padmini. She has been helping me for the past 2 years with all of my travels and she is the reason that the classes at Flow Arts are mat to mat. No space in-between. The room is small and gets super hot and sweaty. Its sooooo much fun for me and the students. Many people say they only sweat this much twice a year when I come to town. We bagan with a Basic class then an Open class. I had flown in from Fukouka on the same day and byt the end of the night I was a little tired. Friday was the same schedule minus the flight. After the last class on Friday some of us went out for dinner and the main subject was teacher training. Many people are interested in the Jivamukti method but are afraid to come because of the language barrier. There are five book reports and they have to write and read in english. A friend of mine is taking the teacher training he is half Japanese and half Korean. He started a mixi page and is willing do start study groups in Japan or Korea to help people understand the readings and help with any writing. Padmini is also taking the training so you could ask her any questions you have as well. Again if you are interested please visit the mixi page started by Tomo he is willing to talk to people about questions and really would like to form a study group for people who would like to join and talk about the books and the book reports. (The picture is from last year but many of the same people came so I used it again. My cat chewed my camera charger so no camera for me)

FUKOUKA

2008-10-04T06:01:00.000-07:00

Fukouka

I arrived in Fukouka tuesday night and was greeted by two very special beings...Heeki and her husband Rejun. They were so hospitable and kind to me. They took me to eat at amazing places and one of the best parts was the dogs they have, one is Toltori which means smart dog. A super cute 14 year old Yorkshire. There are two other dogs Chihuahuas, Barbie and Wee Wee. Wee Wee is french (OuiOui) but I think she is the one that left me a little surprise next to my luggage so I call her Wee Wee like Pee Pee. I was only in Fukouka but one day but I taught three 2.5hrs workshops...First was Living Liberated (in the picture above left) then a workshop on adjustments then Chakra Tunning Jivamukti style. It was great and everyone really enjoyed. In fact it was a family affair. Heeki translated the two workshops at Yoga Breeze the first one her husband took along with his sister and mother. I did not realized they were all related until after class. The room got super hot and people got a good sweat in. The second class at YB was Chakra Tunning and it was in the evening. The adjustment class in the middle of the day was nice and small. There were 11 of us. Its really nice to have a small group. My friend Shiho an amazing DJ has a small studio space that only fits 11. Heeki and Rejun took me to some really delicious restaurants, they knew all of the little tradiotnal places that served veggy and vegan food. The next day I was very sad to leave Fukouka with such incredible hosts but I had a flight to Tokyo and was teaching that evening an Open class and a Basic class. So I say goodbye to the amazing space of Yoga Breeze and the Jivamukti family there and headed to Tokyo.

Osaka Kyoto

2008-10-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

Kyoto and Osaka

I took the train after teaching and dinner from Yokohama to Kyoto. Two students from the HHA class were also on the train so they helped me navigate a little. I was greeted at the station by the translator and super cool lady Chiho (Chiho and Tomoko in the picture below). She did all of the translating in the Kansai area. I checked into the Hotel and knocked out hard... The next morning we went to Osaka to teach HHA at a placed called Studio Yoggy (in the picture above). They have a very strong Anusara influnce and John Friend taught there before the Hong Kong conference. In fact it was the first non Anusara workshop they had ever had. The students were very receptive and the manager Tomoko was very sweet. After class I rode the train back to Kyoto 1 hour and taught again. This time at a place called Tamisa which is smaller but very sweet. By the end of class I was ready for a game of naps but as usual we went of for dinner with some students and talked about class, veganism and some were interested in the Jivamukti Teacher Training. For those of you in Japan interested in Jivamukti Teacher Training please visit http://mixi.jp/view_community.pl?id=3509936

The next day I taught in Kyoto in the morning a class on What is Jivamukti Yoga then off to Osaka for another workshop. Both classes were great and sold out however classes in Japan have much more space between the mats then in the sates. Some of the studios I have taught at before know the drill and put people close but others are reluctant as they do not want to disturb the students. I can understand but I like it close and hot so we are working on it. After the two workshops Tomoko came and met us for dinner with her daughter. She was sooooo cute. I then got on the train for Fukouka for one of the best parts of the trip......

Yokohama

2008-10-02T06:51:00.001-07:00

Yokohama

After teaching in Nagoya Kumiko and I headed out to Yokokhama for the Yoga Festa. We taught Hip Hop Asana and it was soooooo much fun. The class was 3.5 hours with a half hour break in the middle. Having been sold out for over two months there was a lot of anticipation. Again there were many new students and those who had taken my class many times. I did not get to see the venue very much and there were some people I was hoping to see on this trip but missed. I would have liked to take some classes with Govinda Kai and Duncan Wong but I did not have the time. I ran into Uncle Dunks and as always he is a whirlwind of energy. He is one of the hardest working men in the yoga community today, traveling, teaching, giving demonstrations etc. I also wanted to take class with Ken Harakuma perhaps next time. I did see Ken but we did not get a chance to talk. He is a very sweet and soft spoken man. Hip Hop Asana on the other hand was loud and sweaty. We began class with Aka Pan...not his real name it means Red Pants, because his pants are always red...anyway he taught some hip hop dance to the class for about 10 minutes instead of Surya Namaskar. It was great. People were dancing, sweating, laughing and seemed to really be getting into it. Afterwards we went into some arm balances and the second half was a bit slower and I talked a bit more about what HHA is. Anytime I teach a HHA class the money I make is put aside so that when I return to the states I use the money to teach at places for free or purchase blocks or mats for those who come to class but cannot afford them. It also gives me the freedom to teach more without asking for anything in return. At the end of the class again we went out for some vegan dinner. Its great to share dinner with students and especially those who do not usually eat vegan. Afterwards Kumiko and I split up, she went to Tokyo and I went out to Kyoto, Osaka and Fukouka. It was a sad but necessary moment...ummmm I think Kumiko was ready to get rid of me.

Back to Japan City by City

2008-10-01T00:36:00.000-07:00

Nagoya

My first stop in Japan on this trip was Nagoya. Nagoya is a great city and I taught at a placed called My Soul 8 www.mysoul8.com. Kumiko was with me and did all of the translating. She is amazing. The first class was on What is Jivamukti Yoga. We talked about the 5 tenets and had fun with the asana practice. It was great to see so many people again and to meet new people as well. After class Kumiko and I led Satsang. The satsang was by donation and the money we raised was donated to NaYoga, an NPO that promotes and helps different yoga teachers from Japan and elsewhere at different venues. The satsang was focused creating community and the strength a strong yoga school can encourage in the students to feel confident in their ability to create change first in themselves and then the world. We watched the Chew On This DVD which you can see at www.peta.org. After satsang we went to dinner together...not everyone but a few of us. A very small place that I love to eat at in Nagoya. Its owned by a guy and his wife and they have the veggies delivered fresh daily and all the food is locally grown. Kumiko and I stayed the night in Nagoya before we headed out to Yokohama for the Yoga Festa.