Life Nectar

Written Jan22, 10:09pm

The healing nectar of yoga..

Ganesha shrine at Balibbu hostel

Our human bodies are capable of so much. So much feeling, creation, destruction, and growth. Sometimes... BEing sick is a part of the game. 

Granted the practice of yoga asana is already a part of our life...(or whatever your practice is....) this post relates to being in sickness~ and showing up to practice.

If we want our practice to be a lifelong practice, we are guaranteed for a trüe ride; ups, downs, heavy & light feelings, everything is felt sometimes where nothing comes into feeling. I confidently say we have all been happy or sad----  and maybe we have shown up to the mat.... That transformative power of self reflection in the sixty-ninety minute class seems to help. 

What about when we are ill? 

We are able to observe the yoga as therapy. As a medicine--- to come back into the sacred temple and absolve toxins or unwanted visitors in our bodies.

The last 48 hours I got quite sick in the first week of my travels in bali. Each morning a shuttle picked me up for Mysore practice starting at 745am, lasting until 10am. 

With the new energetics of a culture, meeting countless numbers of new people each day, waking up early this first week regardless of jet lag, in combination with a rigorous Mysore practice; sickness made sense. Nasty body aches with a harsh sore throat. On jan 20th at 2am the aches came and took me down. I had to honor my body and sleep in.... Missing practice for the day. The day was tough but I kept the lens of curiosity on and positivity helped me stay afloat. 

Yoga Barn shrine

On the 21st, I decided to go to Mysore and sit. I did one Surya Namaskar A and said, 'nope, no way!' I sat and began to drop deep into meditation for two hours.

Before I had shown up for Mysore, Radha, the teacher at The Ashtanga Yoga Bali Research Center provided a such clear fire for me to be inspired by;, sharing with me comfort & compassion. Her and Prem both held space for me and I sat for an hour and laid in a deep savasana for nearly 45 minutes. 

 Jan 22nd, I felt clarity as I rose with the sun! I head into Mysore eager to practice. Radha & Prem shared much with me on how to maintain strength, direction, and observe the energetics of the body, so not to burn out all the energy in my body; possibly inviting the nasty bug back in.

Coconut water post practice... That's the nectar!! ;)

so I stepped onto my mat and observed my breath in a new fashion- in a way for it to be therapy for me. Instead of trying to burn the fire, or 'work my body' I was practicing to heal my body, using my breath, internal observance, and imagination of my minds eye. I moved through the primary series and got to the end of the marichiasana seeies; about half of the seated series. I noticed my ego wanted to finish, but it would have drained me. I observed my energy levels, with reminders of humility from Prem, and moved into the closing postures, eventually coming into a comfortable meditation. 

Here is where the juice became nectar! All I had been observing in my body; the subtle aches from my neck & shoulders to the terrible nail in my throat I felt when I swallowed; I just sat with the experience in my body. Not wishing it away any longer, just being with the experience.... Letting things be as they are. For just a brief moment; I transcended past the pain of my sore throat! 😮 Next thing I knew; I was in savasana. Deep.... Heavy... Long rest. My body was at its most simple state of experiencing life this morning... So it felt.

So... This may make no sense at all!  Don't take my word for it, experience it yourself. Show up to your mat when you feel 100%! Show up when you feel 75%. Show up when you feel OK...

How about 20%? show up then. Without forcing your body, moving slow with the reminder of the healing nectar that exists within *our* breath..... and practice your practice.... Which in turn... practices.. You. Your practice is now literally practicing you. 

If we only show up when we feel good, happy, incrediblystrong & ready to move.... What good is this practice for our life for when things get real- hard- sick & ill.

We practice. Of course, honor your body. If you can sit; meditate! Breathe? 20 breaths.... Asana? Practice with strong awareness that this is a practice for healing you today. Each day is different. 

Remember..... This too shall pass, always! 

A fun scooter go pro video coming soon.....😀

I hope all my friends are doing well & feel healthy. I send my love to you....! 💚🙏💚

Ashtanga Yoga Bali Shala

( ( ( 💚 ) ) ) 

One (of many) purposes in life

Indonesia has been powerful. BEing in my awareness has allowed me to invoke that which I wish to experience while here. I want the authentic- the true connection- a glimpse of reality from the eyes of the natives here. 

Today, January 19th, 2015 (2015?! That's wild) has been a mellow day, with real connection. Starting with Mysore at the Ashtanga Yoga Bali Center, I learned so many new alignment keys in my practice and body... Did some epic backbends with the help of Prem, the teacher here.... And felt a few individuals in Boulder supporting me through the connection of their breath. This has allowed me to not feel alone--- my breath. The way the Mysore is taught here is very strict & traditional, that as taught by guruji (Sri K. Pattabhi Jois).... Whom I imagine taught mysore with even more vigor & detail. 

Post practice, I returned to my hostel for fresh exotic fruits... Chill time & hydration- leading me with the wish to explore. So I hopped on my scooter and zipped around ubud mindfully following traffic. One thing we must understand about the traffic here is that.... There are essentially no rules! Things move FAST & you gotta pay attention. This is how it goes:

1) BE present.

2) respond with direction, clarity & action

3) don't drive in the right hand lane (only f'd that up once!!!!)

4) breathe.

5) bribe police if you get pulled over (probably for being white!) thanks mom, for the brown skin ;) 

Here.... Today I am starting to get a feel for how things go. Kind of.

The day consisted of other adventures with a few friends, driving through the monkey forest road (🐵epic🐵) and finding a rest spot at an organic café resting near rice paddies, I decided I need to flow solo again. This was where my day felt like it began! I went on to Hanoman street, a street filled with shops in search for malas & beads! 

After going in multiple shops, I arrived in one filled with strands and beads through each corner of the small shop!  

I walk in and instantly fall in love with the bead work, the rudraksha malas... And begin to try bargain prices for 2 sets of rudraksha mala - untied. after talking for a while with the shop owner- i thought about showing her my mala I just finished! She was interested in the knot so I showed her using her beads & string. 

She said, "Wow! So easy!"

While making sure she understood the knot fully, I mindfully offered a trade after she brought attention & interest to the necklace I was wearing; created by brother Bonz. I asked if we could trade two rudraksha mala for the sugalite organize pendant & told her to think about it- and we continued to tie mala.  

soon on we made the trade as she was thrilled. Just in time, her husband showed up and proceeded to teach him and he got it instantly! Quick learner. Then he put the necklace on and we began to talk.  

An hour goes by, through sunset, through a passing evening rain shower, the  husband & I carry a conversation about yoga, meditation, mala tying techniques with intention & traditional balianese prayer. This is where things got potent. I could try to express what I felt, shared, heard, and pondered upon, but no word would do the experience justice. He put the necklace on and shared with me words that brought a bright glow to my heart. We complimented each other on the energy of our presence & positivity. It felt so incredible to attract this kind of interaction. 

one thing I will share....the man told me.... Traditional balianese prayer deals with three key parts:

1) the source of spirit... And giving thanks to spirit for allowing us to be here now. 

2) the ability to learn as teacher and student from the community he (we) live in

3) generational guidance. Listening to our elders.... And aiding our young with direction & guidance. 

"meditation comes from the heart" 

.....that is what he said which stuck with me as I rode home, feeling fulfilled with the day, through a mere hour long conversation. 

so the point? To share. To learn from each others experience. To simply listen.  

i feel that this is one of the purposes of being alive. If not a purpose, than maybe, benefit- to share what we know, to share our experience of what it is to be human on this spinning rock! 

i write this and now lay my head down to sleep. Good night... Good day.... Good life my friends <3  

May we share what we know with inspiration, vigor, and a sense of freedom. may we nourish each other with the gift of our wisdom found through life. May we benefit from one another.  

And remember........

all my love ( ( ( <3 ) ) ) 

Adventure of awareness

Wow boulder. Truly BOULDERblessed. A boulder sun moving over the Flatirons as I make way to DIA. 

I write on this iPad as I embark on travels that will shift me, mature me, and force me to bring deeper awareness to my surroundings. Boulder has blessed me over the last five years. So many people have come into my life... and left my life. Or did I leave theirs? I'd love to tap into that right now. 

I believe... As we step into the practice of self evolution & self growth.... We make this cosmic choice of consciousness to MOVE forward. To BEcome something more than we are..... Sometimes by connecting to something greater than ourselves... (Yoga collective, source, God, the universe, Whatever you hold as your most high connection....). As we move forward into cultivating awareness of the self... Sometimes others cannot keep up. It may be unconscious.... Or it may be that others are not yet ready to move out of negative patterns or toxic ways of living. This is where things get tricky! How do we move forward without being a total asshole to our friends and/family who are staying where they are, which possibly pulls us down? A practice of creating space and distance I believe.... Without X'ing them out of our life, it comes from a place of being selfish with intention. For us to take care of ourselves. This is what each day comes down to. Did you take care of yourself today? Sometimes by creating distance in relationships not healthy for you growth? 

This is one of the biggest challenges and hidden blessings I experienced through my time at CU. From being a camp counselor in the summer, to participating in my fratnernity of Theta Xi, to my more now influential community of yoga..... I have had to create space in many relationships. Some of them healed & came back into my life..... and some, well... Became part of my past. I might not speak to them because there isn't much connection anymore. And that's okay, I believe. It's a process, and we all have our processes; different from the next person. This is where we must not only honor OURselves.... But others in their process of evolution.

As I embark on a solo travel across the world, my biggest challenge I foresee will be complete awareness of others & my surroundings. I am traveling to Indonesia & Thailand in solo flow.... Then off to Costa Rica to meet up with the LOVEtriBE for envision music festival!

solo flow...Some of the best and most rewarding kind of flow! Next to traveling with a beloved lover that is... 💚

i am nervous! I am excited! The last year in boulder has been a year of potent growth in so many ways. My teaching practiced excelled as I taught at 4 music festivals, gained entry into two new yoga studios as an instructor, and planted the seeds of yoga in Boulder, to help me achieve my souls destiny. To be a bridge of worlds. To help many people through this practice of yoga... Boulder, I will be back!! My asana practiced advanced greatly thanks to the teachings learned at the Yoga Workshop, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. I created a new relationship that has grounded me firmly and set the stage for me to travel smart & feel my strength as a growing Divine Man in this world.  

So... Here I go... By myself, but most importantly, WITH myself. 

 am blessed. This has become a mantra that is within my heart & entire BEing... It is in my molecular structure. 

Don't forget to look up at the stars.... especially when you (we) feel disconnected

Once upon a time, I believed the opposite. I felt was cursed. I had a huge distaste for the experience that was life. This was many moons ago.... Till I had a wild experience in a rainstorm under a willow tree in Louisville Kentucky..... A story for another time... The point is though.... We all hold a potential to reach a state of FEELING blessed. To DE-stress our bodies & move forward with a sense of growth in INtention. this is possible for each of us. 

More words, pictures, and posts to come on this blog post from me.... 

To my brothers, sisters, & lovers in Boulder, the influence of my campers & fellow counselors from 3BC, peers from high school, my family, and all who have touched me.... I send my prayers of love, protection, and best of LIFE to you! I'm excited to be here now & even more excited to return to the bubble that is Boulder. Whatever your practice is.... Do it! That's the blessedest part of why it's called a practice. Sometimes are just a bitch & some days flow smoothly. I believe in you. the universe put us here for some reason..... this is my message to translate through. 

I don't consider myself a scholarly writer what so ever, so forgive the grammar mistakes... What I do feel is that I am becoming a scholar of life. With a grain of salt I invite you to read these words, as this will be an internal journal for the external world.  

ALL my love, 

alec. 

( ( ( LoveLiFE  ) ) ) 

I almost got hit in the face. but Love won :)

The Power of Touch.

The Effect of Communication.

The Influence of Love.

December 30th, 2014. Denver, Colorado, Decadence. Bassnectar.

Heres the story.

I'm at decadence with best friend, Megan Powell and we are enjoying ourselves, dancing and grooving to the sound of bass throughout the massive room that is the event center in Denver.

We chose to head over to disclosure and we ran into some darkness.

a woman was walking right at Megan, so Megan shifted in order to avoid a shoulder to shoulder collision. In that moment, an asian brother turning around and yelled at the top of his lungs,

"Fuc*#+* BiT*#!"   I sensed that he felt cool. 

Instantly, I turned around, and presented an energy stance to him that read,

"Absolutely not okay. Unacceptable." 

And to my surprise, he yelled to me,

"What Mother Fuc*#$?! Wanna Fight?!" 

I grabbed Megan's hand and we walked away. I turned a shoulder and this brother decided to redirect his flow, leaving his friends, and follow us. He followed us for about 100 yards or more, walking faster and faster. Until I finally turned around to face him. We faced Eye To Eye and i observed his body language. His fisted were clenched, jaw was tight, chest was lifted and 'proud'. He was ready to fight.

with an harsh and overly proud voice he said, 

"Whats the problem?!" 

I looked at his aggressive stance; Noting to myself that he was blinded by anger and hate. Instantly, before making any quick gestures, I calmly placed my hand on his heart and said, 

"No problem. Only Love." 

He said,

"wait, Wha?"

Me:

"Theres no problem, brother. There is only love. There is No need for this hate & you know that. There is Only Love here."

He responded with confusion, 

"Oh, Okay.....(pause) right."

I released my hand from his heart, leaving Megan and I to walk in the opposite direction from this misled brother.

In retrospect, I thought to myself...when he asked me up close, what was the problem.....what was it? Well you called Megan a fu*#$*% Bit*#... That is not okay by any means. So that was the problem. But in the moment, I stepped away from defensive ego mode and fully into BEing. I stepped into LOVE.

This was the first time I feel I have ever done something like this. It was extraordinary. 

The power of communication.... & the influence of touch has the possibility and high probability to shift all darkness away from its root; fear. Leaving us to move through love. As cheesy as it sounds...Many of the unconscious and dark driven brothers find this sense of love connection foreign...possibly weird and uncomfortable.

I believe It is POWERFUL. 

There are many dark filled beings out there.... & there are many ones driven by light.

View fullsize

As warriors of light, and humans of heart, I believe it is our opportunity to step into the dark and show others a new way. 

I was totally nervous when facing this dude. I was scared. I chose to not let fear guide me. 

In all situations...positive or negative, the power of communication will always be a guiding light towards success. violence has never been an answer in my life. 

I felt inspired to share this short story with you. 

Big love to you... 

Look out for following posts as I travel across to South East Asia in a few weeks!

( ( ( <3 ) ) ) 

alec

Thesis Video Presentation

Presented to the Department of Chinese and Asian Studies on December 17th, 2014. Blessed to have many of my friends in the Boulder community come to support this presentation! 

Thank you for taking the time to watch and maybe learn something new!