1st Day of Summer: Summer Solstice (6/20)

What we call "Stonehenge" is really a reconstruction set up by cranes and heavy equipment.

Take that, Big Oil! You're ruining the environment, and this orange cornstarch proves it! (CND)

VIDEO: Environmental activists spray Stonehenge with orange corn powder | Coast to Coast

It's time for Buddhist Summer School 2024

It's finally the first day of summer, after wildfires, heat waves, earthquakes, volcanos in Hawaii and Mexico, and more political nonsense than one can comfortably fathom.

Unofficial summer began on Labor Day a few weeks ago. But the Sun (Sol, Surya) and Earth (Gaia, Bhumi) do not decide, and not even Moon (Luna, Soma, Chandra) has the final say.

It is Gregorian Calendar reading humans making our social constructs that decide, but somewhere high above in the arrangement of celestial bodies, we move from a wet spring to a grass-filled summer. There will be flames. The big first wildfire has ruined our Summer Solstice and Full Strawberry Moon Ceremony and postponed it indefinitely.

DisclosureFest.org

DisclosureFest.org (Disclosure Project Meetup) was all set to go off as a three-day festival this weekend. But the Post Fire in nearby Gorman forced it to be scrapped to avoid smoke and ash irritation, heat, and injury if it kicked up again, sparing tens of thousands of party people around the Castaic Lake Lagoon 40 minutes west of Downtown Los Angeles out by Magic Mountain.

Instead, there's a much smaller free vegan potluck party at Oh Happy Days Cosmic Cafe above Pasadena on Saturday, June 22, 2024 (meetup.com). Or enjoy the Summer Solstice at Kinship Yoga on Friday night, 6/21/24 in Highland Park (NELA) with Ryan and Stellar.

Like California, Arizona is in the Southwest US

Anything's better than staying in Arizona, the Land of Sun and Sand. the summer gods are not happy so they're scorching the land. Get out, unless you're at ASU. In that case, alkalinize with a mostly raw, green, fresh diet to avoid burning. Acidity gives way to quick sun damage.

Summer Solstice Party — (kinshipyoga.com)

• Bhikkhu Bodhi (As It Is); Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly

Yoga: 108 Sun Salutations, Round 2 (1/21)

Ambassador Stella "Yogihantas" Han (kinshipyoga.com/events), Instagram. YogaGivesBack.org, Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Cody, Jen (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

YogaGivesBack.org – To Mobilize the Global Yoga Community

New Year's Yoga Mala: 108 Sun Salutations with Stella Han

Yoga Gives Back (@yogagivesback) • Instagram photos and videos

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The 14 moves in one salutation

Join Yogini Stella for the 8th Annual New Year 108 Sun Salutations event, Round 2!

Practice yoga for a cause: 50% of proceeds go to the charity Yoga Gives Back.

In Eastern philosophy (and other spiritual traditions such as Catholicism), 108 is considered an auspicious number that represents a complete cycle (an alpha and omega, an ultimate beginning or ending phenomenon).

Stella Han, MSW (@yogihantas) • Instagram

For this reason, we aspire to complete an empowering ritual of 108 rounds of Sun Salutation in the new year.

This Hatha Yoga practice may be modified, which is encouraged to make it healthy and assure completion.

Feel free to do any number that feels safe in this body. The Sun Salutation yoga series is a beautiful moving ritual that connects mind and body.

The "Sun Salutation" series is 14 yoga poses.

It can act as a form of devotional practice, bowing to the divine light within, the sun in the heavens, the goal of union....

Set an intention or use the salute to practice, honor, and respect the healing nature of ancient wisdom. Sign up: Kinship Studios (mindbodyonline.com)

• RSVP: Yoga Moving Meditation: 108 Sun Salutations, Round 2, Sun, Jan 21, 2024, 3:30 PM | Meetup
• Yoga Gives Back (@yogagivesback) • Instagram
• Charity helping girls in India: yogagivesback.org

Yoga and Meditation with Stella at Kinship

Yogihantas; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen Bradford (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Preventing child marriage, Cody's Sun Salutations, Meditation with Stell (Yoga Gives Back)

Stella Han, Yoga Gives Back ambassador

Meditation is a practice where an individual uses mindfulness techniques to focus the mind on a subject or activity to cultivate attention and clear awareness.

Achieve mental clarity, lower stress, and return to balance.

This meditation is a guided class with breathing techniques (pranayama), sharing, socializing, divination deck, chanting accompanied by harmonium, relaxation cues, a beautiful mantra.

Join us for Round 2 of Yoga Mala 2024

It's the perfect way to create space for the mind to quieten, relax, and find bliss. Led by Yogini Stella Han (Yogihantas on Instagram). Cushions, blankets, and everything needed is provided. Just wear something comfortable. Studio B.

PRICE: Sign up in advance at kinshipyoga.com (sliding scale available) or through ClassPass (Kinship Yoga: Read Reviews and Book Classes on ClassPass for discount pass) or arrange directly with instructor.

Every Saturday evening unless noted otherwise on kinshipyoga.com, so check and register before attending. RSVP:

• PasaDharma: Meditation with Stella @ Kinship Yoga, Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 5:45 PM | Meetup
• Disclosure Project: Meditation with Stella at Kinship Yoga, Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 5:45 PM | Meetup
• Nature Center: Meditation with Stella at Kinship Yoga, Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 5:45 PM | Meetup

New Year's event: 108 Sun Salutations (1/1)

Healthline.com; Stella Han (@yogihantas), Kinship Yoga Studios, Yogi Seven, Jen Bradford, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly; Seth MacFarlane, American Dad

Can one lose weight doing yoga poses? Types, exercises, and more (healthline.com)

EVENTS + WORKSHOPS — KINSHIP HIGHLAND PARK (kinshipyoga.com)

How can we awaken our seven spinal energy centers? Kundalini energy rises with yoga.

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The sun is good, but we'll do this series indoors.

It's New Year's Day. Will the wheel spin just the same as it did the year before? Or...

Will we put a fresh spin on it? It's up to us. "Karma" does not mean choice but rather the ACTION we take based on the choice we make.

Dharma Bu Meditation

We can always choose. There's freedom of choice, not just in this country by throughout the universe.

But what if there's a gun up to your head?

All the better. Makes my choice easier. I have to want to do it to do it, don't I? Or else that person should take her hands and grab mine and do it for me. Before I do it, that gun has to be there, that threat of violence or imminent death. If there's no threat of great bodily harm, I'm not stirring.

Hot yoga poses are easier in a big group.

In all of these, I have to choose. The choice may get smaller and harder, but it's a choice the gun holder is counting on.

The young man held a gun to the head of God, "Stick this holy cow!" Put the audience in action; let the slaughtered take a bow. Did God do it? His/Her choice.

Hi, I'm Stella or "Yogihantas" on Instagram. Reach out. I'd love community input!

QUOTE: Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles. It takes away today's peace.

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So what if, whatever we do for New Year's Eve, we get up before noon and get over to the yoga studio for some Sun Salutations to greet the rising sky clock? Our choice. Habit is a strong predictor. The Sandman will hold the gun and say, "Stay in bed!" We could listen. Or we could do different.

Excellent instruction will be provided. Bring a mat and a water bottle. Everything else is available at the studio.

• What are the Eight Limbs (or Parts) of Yoga

What's a "Sun Salutation"?

After the laundry, the ecstasy: first the Sun Salutations to the long final resting pose.

Sun Salutation series of poses

What's a Sun Salutation? First of all, no one needs to know to participate. Beginners are welcome. It will all be explained. But for those who are a bit an*l about jumping into things, it's a series of standing and bending poses that go both ways for balance. Here's a photo of it all at once from the India's Gandhi Airport.

• Why 108? It's a holy number, a mala (rosary, full string of beads)

Begin at Mountain, rise up to a Back Bend arch, Forward Bend with the breath. (It's all about the breath, which unites or "yogifies" Sun and Moon, Yin and Yang, Bright and Dark, Effort and Repose, Inhale and Exhale to bring about a UNION of complementary parts thought of as opposites).

I've never felt so good at noon on New Year's

Hatha is said by some to mean "Sun-Moon," whereas others say that's not what it means. Close enough. Breathe out for effort, in for repose, which is the reverse of how we usually do things. There are video tutorials. After plank there's the most talked about yoga pose since Full Lotus: Downward Dog. There's Upward Dog, too, then Plank. It's a lovely series. And there will be a room full of others on their journey to a great New Year.

• Participate live online, and donate to a great cause

All proceeds benefit Yoga Gives Back

Yoga Gives Back: Stella Han's fundraiser (networkforgood.com)

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Stella (@yogihantas)

All proceeds from this donation-based event support Yoga Gives Back (networkforgood.com), a charity that provides education to children and micro-loans to outcaste women in India to help families rise from poverty by their own efforts.

Yogini Stella Han is an ambassador out to save the world, country by country. But why India? It's the world's largest nation, now surpassing China. Why children? C'mon, they're kids! Why women? Women are the root of the family, and family is the root of traditional Indian society.

• RSVP at Dharma Buddhist Meditation (MEETUP):
• Disclosure Project (Greater LA) New Year's Day Moving Yoga Meditation: 108 Sun Salutations, Mon, Jan 1, 2024, 12:00 PM | Meetup
• PasaDharma (Foothills) New Year's Day Moving Yoga Meditation: 108 Sun Salutations, Mon, Jan 1, 2024, 12:00 PM | Meetup
• Nature Center (The Valley) New Year's Day Moving Yoga Meditation: 108 Sun Salutations, Mon, Jan 1, 2024, 12:00 PM | Meetup
• Connect with Yogini Stella at Kinship Yoga Studios
• PARTY LOCATION: 5612 N. Figueroa St.
• Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA 90042
• COST: This event is donation-based with proceeds benefitting an Indian charity that serves outcaste children and provides women micro-loans so they can help themselves: Yoga Gives Back - Stella Han's fundraiser (networkforgood.com)
• New Year Ceremony: Kinship Yoga Studios (12/30/23)

The Eight Limbs or Parts of Yoga

Here are the 8 parts of yoga. Samadhi-in-meditation is most important, breath the most basic.

New Year's Day Yoga: 108 Sun Salutations

Stella Han (Kinship Yoga); Ananda (Dharma B Meditation), Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Let's reflect on the Buddha's advice to the householder Sigala (Sigalovada Sutta).

New Year's Day tradition of 108 sun salutations at Kinship Studios (mindbodyonline.com)

Yoga instructor Stella Han (Kinship Yoga)

On Sunday, January 1, 2023, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, join Yogini Stella Han at Kinship Yoga for the 7th annual New Year's Day 108 Sun Salutations Ceremony! Instruction provided then participants go at their own pace. To participate, just drop in or contact Stella with any questions via:

• stellaheartyoga@gmail.com
• Kinship Yoga at kinshipyoga.com
• Kinship Studios (mindbodyonline.com)

What is a sun salutation? It's a flowing series of yoga moves, much like the ancient India practice of honoring the quarters or directions of the sky. The Buddha redefined the meaning of this ancient practice in the Sigalovada Sutra. Here Surya, the deva or "shining one" ("god" or goddess) of the Sun (Sol/Sól), is honored in the morning. It welcomes the new in yoga and is a traditional practice, particularly with the magical number of the mala or rosary of 108.

Yoga Class w/ Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (video)

Yoga Works Productions, 1993, Adam Wade, March 4th, 2012; Seven, Ananda, Wisdom Quarterly

Primary Series Ashtanga Yoga Class with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Wolf in saint's clothing?

(Adam Wade) The Ashtanga (Vinyasa) Yoga Primary Series led by the great Sri K. Pattabhi Joi. In the class are students:

• Chuck Miller - sama-ashtanga.org
• Maty Ezraty - matyezraty.com
• Eddie Stern - ayny.org
• Tim Miller - ashtangayogacenter.com
• Richard Freeman - yogaworkshop
• Karen [Rain] Haberman - Mindful Podcast #90

I might be molesting one of these students.

Check out many of these teachers every year in San Diego at ashtangayogaconfluence.com. This video can be purchased at kpjashtanga.com. Other instructional videos can be purchased at kpjayi.org/resources/dvds.

• Wow, even the great one: ‘Yoga Guru Pattabhi Jois sexually assaulted me for years’ | by Karen Rain (Haberman) | GEN (medium.com)
• They all do it? Ashtanga Yoga sexual assault | One ashtanga yogi’s mea culpa (yogajournal.com)
• My initial response to Karen Rain’s interview about sexual abuse | Chintamani Yoga

Summer Solstice: Summer Begins!

Ananda (MARC); Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Crystal Quintero (eds.) Wisdom Quarterly

The way to insight is to calm down first.

First, what is "summer solstice"? It's the longest day of the year, though usually not the hottest for some reason. But it's hot in California this week, and the beaches are crowded. It's a great time for yoga, starting with 108 sun salutations by the sea. Hail, Sun! It's also the best time to get the mind-heart in shape.

I've been worrying about my body and going to the gym all spring and winter. So now it's time to meditate, starting with tranquility for peace of mind. "Summer time and the living is easy." By the time we start to fall into winter, I can sign up for a Goenka retreat and work on vipassana. But until then I'll be at MARC, UCLA's mindfulness meditation sessions in West Los Angeles by the beach thinking about sunsets and nirvana.

I'm an all-American meditator. Thank you.

Seven came up with the best "all-American meditation" technique, sinking into a warm tub and becoming perfectly still. The phone off the hook, a candle or incense stick as a clock, and progressive relaxation holding attention at the breath. I can do that!

Then comes the sitting up. Once I can hold my heart-mind steady, I can take the relaxation response I strengthen with me onto the mat. From there, I can take it walking. I might even be able to stay mindful all day even at the beach. The Buddha says mindfulness is the key to coherence/concentration (samadhi) and insight (vipassana).

• Summer Solstice 2017 (Farmer's Almanac) begins June 20 and June 21 (depending on time zone)! Celebrate with a fantastic live solstice show with Slooh telescopes streaming extraordinary views of the Sun from around the world!

Breathing in (Budh), breathing out (dho) as the waves softly crash on the sand.