Kaivala Yoga

10/11/2024

I have been working on these ideas since I was first introduced to pi in middle school. And its boiled down enough for a bot to understand it and write code for me to do this. Read it here ...

to the Stars

07/10/2024

I think I was quite young when I first noticed how cars were problematic. Before learning that sugar wasn't all good for a person, I have very fond memories of traveling with mom in her green toyota corolla. She called it her go car. It has sparkles in the green like my hot wheels car, and I thought she was the coolest person on the planet. Red hair woman 23 driving a green imported car.

I was on the south side of rockford, IL in a dump truck, and I remember feeling sick from the smell of the fumes come through the floorboard, and my body just felt awful...later a memory of my friends and I talking about how we knew the smell of gasoline wasn't good for us.

Until I was in high school walking to school was a part of my life. I would take the bus, and usually walking from my house through the north side of new milford through trailer parks or in the middle of the country on the end of a road just under a half a mile long...later we got bikes...and I even rode my unicycle to the middle school (I might have been in high school then), but we did ride our bike the whole way on that s**t crazy two laner people would frequent 70mph.

I own one of the highest consuming vehicles of the day. Tanks get better gas mileage. I understand that for most it is impossible in the world not to own a car and most of all in the usa, our personal livelihoods on it.

But what we have created of our suburban low density housing has diluted our communities. We do find that when young people and old people live near each other that there is less violence, and less death, and soon we are looking at a world where our income and our age will stratify us even more when in fact we need each other more than ever.

So consider switching to electric and spend more time with your neighbors.

07/09/2024

Truth and beauty concerns everyone. If you ask someone if you want to be beautiful or if you want the truth they will usually tell you “I want the truth” People may tell you that they want to hear the truth, but when they hear the truth, they often become upset. A wise man said years ago “to thine own self be true, and you cannot be false to anyone.”
Oftentimes people see this as “Put yourself first.” The statement means, if you do not to lie to yourself, you will not be able to lie to others, and implying put when you are honest with yourself, you will be able to see the world clearer.
There is nothing wrong with putting our own interests first. You may find more power when you are aware of the needs of others. This is not the needs of others though. What we are talking about the power of honesty and truth in our lives.
The brain contains different sections for doing different functions. By having specific areas of the brain for a specific function, the brain becomes more efficient. This is another reason that we do not multitask very well. If one part lights up to do a task, the other part quiets down until that task is done.
One part of your brain is a confabulator or story teller. It is constantly making up a fantasy story of how the world works or what is going on. There is also component of your brain that works like a fact checker. When most of these parts of the brain are working in conjunction, they will help you make sense of the world, and keep you on track. If one these sections becomes damaged by accident, disease or a stroke, you viewpoint of the world becomes distorted. People who have become paralyzed from a stroke and are unable to walk, will come up with a fantasy of why they are not walking. When they are asked to walk they will come up with an excuse that they are cold, hot, or that they do not feel like walking.
If the fantasy creator goes down and is not working, the person starts to see the world as a cold, dangerous, and frightening place, and becomes severely depressed. Your life is much happier and fulfilling when both the fact checker and the fantasy creator are working in conjunction with each other.
A vision of the world is never 100% correct according to reality. This could be like a news show that spouts off facts, is incredibly boring, and no one wants to watch. This could also be like a news show that makes up stories that has nothing to do with reality. What news writers take facts and put them in an entertaining setting, the show will get many more viewers. When comedy is used in the news shows, they become #1. Having our own story is ok as long as we understand that our viewpoint of the world comes from having a storyteller and fact checker to create our world.
An example of this is when we tell our children that the tooth fairy will pay money for lost teeth. This makes it less painful and frightening for them to lose parts of their body while they are growing up. It also makes them wait in eager anticipation for that loss. As adults, we do the same thing for ourselves. We tell others that “we’ve earned these wrinkles.” or that we need to “die gracefully.” Because there is no other solution, we make up stories and confabulations to make it less painful for us to deal with our bodies falling apart.
When we invest too much into our stories this can cause difficulties in our lives and stress, anguish and anxiety. These stories are things that we created, learned from our parents, or picked up at school as we were growing up. Some of the stories could be:
I am too tall.
I am too small.
I am too short.
No one loves me.
I am not that smart.
I cannot read very well.
I don’t know how to do math.
I need to become a slave for a wealthy man, so that he can become wealthier.
If I don’t get a job, I will become lazy.
Only successful people have lots money
Get out your sticky notes. Write ten stories and beliefs that you have created in life, and write each of them on a sticky note. Answer for each of these stories “
How important is the story to me?
How important is this story to my tribe?
Is this story of benefit/hindrance to me?
Is this story a benefit/hindrance to my life?
What fact checking have I done to see if the story is really correct?
A group of women came to a convention center for a makeover. One door said normal people, and the other door said beautiful people. Nine out of ten women that were entering through the doors chose the door that said normal. Only one out of ten people felt that they were beautiful. All of these people were beautiful, but their fantasy creator had told them that they were not. In the convention their friends and relatives had shown up to tell them how wonderful, amazing and beautiful each of them were. They all left out the door telling them that they were amazing.
Lies are stories we make up (or use our Fantasy Creator), to keep us out of trouble.. If you want to get the Truth then do not include punishment with the answer. "Who took the cookies out of the cookie jar?" When a punishment is expected.."Johnny took them." When no punishment is expected. " Jonny and I were hungry and could not wait for dinner." Therefore if you wish to hear the truth then do not punish. If you wish to hear a lie (story) then threaten a punishment. If you are saying you wish to hear the truth, yet include a punishment, then you are lying to yourself.

07/09/2024

Everything in life requires balance. Whether it is running, emotions, or your checkbook. There are many different aspects of your life that require balance: yin vs. yang, inhale vs exhale, movement vs stillness, good vs evil, or zen vs pachamama. Many gurus of the past realized that if you went to extremes one way or the other, that you were not in balance with life. Lao Tsu wrote that “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” This is balancing loving with being loved. A different wise king mentioned not to be overly righteous or overly wicked. But the wise man will walk hand in hand with both the righteous and unrighteous.

The story “The Fiddler on the Roof” is about a Jewish family living in Russia. They were going through turmoil trying to hold onto jewish traditions trying to fit into a more modern culture in the world. The father tried to keep his traditions firmly with his family from the pull of modern thinking that was being thrust upon his children and wife by their neighbors as Russia was entering its modern age. The story begins with a fiddler playing a violin atop a steep roof. As the fiddler playing a violin from a steep roof of a house, if he does not keep balance, he will fall off. Likewise in life, if you do not keep your balance you will not be able to fulfill your goals or passion.

In our everyday life, we have to deal with things that we learned in school, church, and with our family. We have to balance all of these things with science and education. If you are stuck in tradition or the old ways, you will never go anywhere or learn anything new. This would be like medical doctors not accepting the newfound knowledge that childbirth fever is caused by doctors not washing their hands in between patients. Because the doctors refused to accept this new information this caused thousands of patients to lose their lives. Only when the older doctors died off and the younger doctors took over did the hospitals make the change. Can you afford to lose lives, money, and time because you are not willing to make a change?

If you ignore tradition, you can easily be swayed by every idea or opinion that shows up in your life. If you are distracted by every new idea and thought that comes along this can cause you to lose your ability to focus and accomplish a specific task or goal that you are doing. This is why long distance runners are hesitant to change equipment, diet, or training. If they are wrong in anything that they do, they risk all the gains that they have with years of work with such a mistake by following the latest fad which may not work for them. They usually wait for something that is tried and true before they trust that it will work for themselves.

Farmers will also be slow to make changes. They will wait to see someone else that is more daring to try things because they are not willing to risk their farm, their family, or their future on some harebrained scheme. All of the facts given by science mean nothing to them until they see results.

Science is always trying to prove itself wrong and religion is always trying to prove itself right. There is a time and a place for everything in life. In religion a story (a theory) is created to explain how things function. Religions explain why people die, what happens after death, and why some people seem to have everything and others nothing. Once religion comes up with a story or a theory, it will take hundreds to thousands of years to prove that this story is correct. After many years with many failed trials they will readjust the story to fit the current situation. Because religion is slow to make changes, this provides stability for people so that they feel like their life has meaning and purpose.

Science comes up with an idea (or theory) of why things work the way that they do. Then they attack this from all sides until it no longer stands. When they do this they come up with a new theory or idea, which is then attacked from all sides until it no longer stands. This allows for new innovation and new ideas to come into play quite quickly. This is why technology is growing at such a fast rate. The problem is if society grows too fast it will become unstable with unwanted consequences. If it grows too slowly, it becomes stagnant, and you will end up back in the dark ages.

In order for society to remain healthy, it needs to remain in balance. On one hand you look for tradition and on the other you look with eager anticipation for change.

We can look at the story of the Buddha and the conclusions that he came to in life. Born into an imperial family, all of the money, and the highest status that people of his time had, he became curious what life was like outside the palace. Before he was about to be crowned prince he escaped the palace to live simply like the rest of the peasants in his kingdom. Broke, hungry, and in the rain under a Bodhi tree the Buddha received his “divine wisdom”. This was to keep life in balance.

On one hand if the Buddha was living lavishly he wouldn’t be in touch with the people of his kingdom. On the other hand if he went to the other extreme and chose to live with as much suffering as possible, then he would risk his life or debilitating illnesses, and no longer be able to help people in his kingdom. The Buddha through his enlightenment realized that he needed to become in balance. All sages that have passed the test of time have discovered the same message that it is important to live our lives in balance.

The point of yoga is to help you acquire balance in life. Balance between spirituality and physical needs. A balance between teaching and learning. A balance between taking things for yourself and giving them away. A balance between time spent with yourself and others.

Yoga postures help you balance your body. This is to help you see the need for you to balance your mind also. Everything that you do in your mind, affects your body. Everything that you do with your mind, affects your body. Everything that you do with your body, affects the mind. All emotions affect your thinking. All thinking affects your emotions. If your mind, body, and spirit are not in balance this is called disease.

Kaivala Yoga helps you bring your life into balance. To bring your life into balance you will need to understand what your passion is, you need to understand who your tribe is, and you need to understand what your goals are in life. To fulfill these goals you need to have balance between your mental powers, your physical powers, and your emotional powers. You are great and wonderful. Thank you for going through this journey with us!

kaivala.com

07/09/2024

Information overload. The world is changing rapidly. New innovations are taking place in every job, every educational system and all aspects of our healthcare system. How do we keep up with this steady stream of information that is required for us to keep pace with the rapidly changing society? We have books to read, reports to read, and classes to attend. How do we keep up with the demand on our time and mental resources? If you have ever watched a child who is a poor reader spending three minutes just trying to read a paragraph, you will understand how painful keeping up can be. When the first word is read on the paragraph after three minutes the child would have forgotten what the first word even was. By the time that he was finished he probably cannot even remember what the paragraph was about. Even if you are reading 500-600 words a minute, this is incredibly slow and it will take you forever to gather all of this information is required for you to keep pace with today’s changing times.

The only way that you can keep up with this information is for you to increase your reading speed. Just as a child that is only able to read ten words a minute is able to increase their reading speed with much practice and a lot of patience on the part of the teacher, you also can increase your reading speed to 1000-4000 words per minute. This would mean that you would be able to read an average size book in less than an hour. Many people say that this is impossible. However your brain can take in 700 pieces of information a minute. You can read 700 letters, 700 sentences, 700 paragraphs, or 700 pages. We normally do not read individual letters or individual words. What we read is a combination of letters or a combination of words that signal a complete thought or idea to our brain. A paragraph is described as a complete thought.
If you are able to read a paragraph at a single glance, then a whole page would just take four to six seconds to read. Studies have found that the faster that you read, the better your retention you have of the material. This is because in order to read at this speed you must eliminate other thoughts and other distractions that are going on in your head. This helps you to focus on what you are reading and not the squirrel that is outside in the tree.

In order to increase your ability to read faster, you will need to be able to shut out or exclude outside noise. This is what meditation/mindfulness is all about. It is very difficult for the Human Brain to multitask. If you are trying to write a romantic novel while calculating the square root 5,000,328 in your head, this may not work out very well. If you focus on one task at a time, you will be able to deal with it easier.Try rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time as you are reading, and this will be difficult as your brain cannot multitask. In order to read faster you will need to limit your physical movements in order to focus on what you are reading.

When you sit down to read, make sure to remove all distractions. Make sure that you are sitting comfortably, and adjust the area so you can focus. You can place your hand on your throat or your lips to make sure that you are not silently forming the words as you read. If you need help to insure that your tongue doesn’t move, put your finger in your mouth (please wash it first). By placing the front tip of the tongue between the teeth and the roof of the mouth, this also will help keep the tongue still. Any physical movement will slow your reading process down. This is why an electronic computer can process information a lot faster than a mechanical computer. Its because it has fewer moving parts.

All forms of communication require that we turn ideas and thoughts into pictures. This is why a picture is worth a thousand words. As we are reading we want to turn these words that are in front of our eyes into a picture. When we read the word apple, you should visualize an apple in your brain. You should not be trying to pronounce the word in your language, you should just see pictures. Your focus should be on these pictures. We are training the eyes to see the words so our mind can paint the story. These pictures will tell us a story, the same way a comic strip will put all of the pictures together to give us a story. Seeing words and verbalizing them in our head will only slow us down. Just as swimming through molasses will be a lot slower than swimming through a pool of fresh water. Visualizing what we are reading will drastically increase the amount of information that we can take in.

Never go back when reading because you missed a word or a point, only go forward. Going backward is like a young boy going to school walking ten feet forward and eleven feet back picking up rocks or bottle caps that he thought may have been arrowheads. If you miss an idea, discipline yourself to go back and start the chapter over. This will help you to be more diligent and alert to what you are reading. If you are told that somewhere in town a suitcase with a million dollars in it has been stashed, and the first person that finds it get’s to keep the cash, you would not let yourself be distracted by a coffee break, a hamburger, or a squirrel. You would rapidly scan every possible location and then move onto the next location. When you are reading you will need to be scanning and looking for valuable pieces of information as you would be looking for the suitcase. You cannot afford to miss these important pieces of information, so you will need to keep yourself focused, and to understand why you are reading the information.

Everything does not need to be read fast. If you want to read poetry, something that catches your heart, or sonnets, and savor the sound of the words, and the rhythm that they have, then you can take all of the time in the world. Popular songs and tunes contain only two or three lines and a chorus that is repeated over and over again. These can take anywhere from two to ten minutes, and we find them quite enjoyable. This is different than us reading information to gather more information. The speed at which you read is more important when you are trying to take in and process more information. Also if you need to do a refresher course on what you have learned, being able to read several thousand words a minute will help you get back to a current state of mind.

One of the best ways to start the exercise is to find some speed reading apps for your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Some have more features, some have less, some are expensive. They all basically do the same thing. Find the one that fits your personality that you enjoy playing with. You can spend ten minutes with these or you can spend ten hours. This is up to you. Not everyone needs to read at the same speed or at the same level. There are many paths on The Road to Kaivala!

07/06/2024

...and the unicycle program has been a hit. They just couldn't imagine how much easier it is to climb up the rock face with a motor. They all started with the Inmotion E20 on the ground before they ascended with their custom rigs that they built at the Nature Center. "Thhhheesssseee prooooje-ects maaaaaaake liiiiiiiiiife fuUuuuuun forrrrrrrrrrr mmmmmmmy frrrrrrrriendssssssssss, aaaaannnnnnd, faaaamilyy aaand ffffffriennnnnds. And I like snacks!" , one sloth named Frankie told me.

06/05/2024

I was coming out of heeps canyon when I noticed...and it was clear what brought them all to extinction.

06/05/2024

Ever been stuck in traffic, watching that guy in the minivan cut across three lanes with a half-eaten bagel in his mouth, and thought, 'I could do better than this'? Well, guess what? Robots agree! They're coming for your commute, and honestly, it's for the best.

But don't worry, we're not going to leave you stranded. We're talking Universal Basic Income: your own personal robot chauffeur, minus the awkward small talk and questionable driving skills. Imagine, no more road rage, just peace, quiet, and a chance to finally finish that podcast.

So, are you ready to let the robots take the wheel and claim your piece of the future? Because trust me, your fellow commuters will thank you.

04/01/2024

Creating a motorcycle company that embodies the depth and complexity of the human condition requires a thoughtful approach. Here’s how you might conceptualize "Straightjacket Motorcycles," a brand that not only sells motorcycles but also represents a journey towards balance, freedom, and the exploration of life's depths:

Brand Philosophy:
Straightjacket Motorcycles is founded on the principle of breaking free from the constraints that bind us – whether they be societal norms, personal limitations, or the mundane routines of daily life. The name "Straightjacket" symbolizes the barriers and challenges we face, with the motorcycle serving as a tool for liberation and self-discovery.

Core Values:
Freedom: Motorcycles as symbols of unfettered freedom, enabling riders to explore the world and their place within it.
Balance: Drawing from yoga's teachings, the brand emphasizes physical and mental balance – both essential for safe riding and a harmonious life.
Connection: Encouraging a deeper connection with oneself, the community, and the environment, promoting rides and events that foster this philosophy.
Exploration: Inspiring riders to embark on journeys of self-exploration and discovery, using the road as a metaphor for life's path.
Sustainability: Commitment to eco-friendly practices, reflecting a balance with nature, much like the equilibrium sought in the human condition.
Product Line:
Motorcycles: A range that cater to different aspects of the human condition – from models designed for the serenity and balance of long, meditative rides, to those built for the exhilaration of adventure and exploration.
Apparel: Gear that combines safety, comfort, and style, embodying the brand's philosophy with eco-friendly materials and designs that reflect the themes of freedom and balance.
Accessories: High-quality, sustainable motorcycle accessories that enhance the riding experience, from luggage systems for explorers to ergonomic enhancements for comfort and balance.
Community Engagement:
Riding Clubs: Foster a community of riders who share the brand's values, organizing rides that explore both inner landscapes and the outer world.
Workshops and Events: Host events that combine riding with yoga, meditation, and environmental conservation, promoting a holistic approach to the motorcycle lifestyle.
Partnerships: Collaborate with environmental organizations, wellness centers, and artists to create a broad, inclusive community that extends beyond just motorcycle enthusiasts.
Marketing Strategy:
Storytelling: Use storytelling in marketing to connect potential customers with the deeper message of the brand, sharing real stories of transformation, adventure, and discovery.
Visual Identity: Develop a unique visual brand identity that captures the essence of freedom, balance, and connection, using imagery and designs that resonate with the target audience.
Social Media & Content: Create engaging content that showcases the lifestyle the brand promotes, from breathtaking ride footage to testimonials from community members.
Conclusion:
Straightjacket Motorcycles isn't just about motorcycles; it's about what motorcycles enable us to do – break free, find balance, connect deeply, and embark on a journey of discovery. Through this brand, riding becomes a pursuit that mirrors the intricacies of the human condition, inviting riders to explore the vastness of human experience on the open road.

02/05/2024

In the heart of the cosmos, where the fabric of reality weaves through the loom of time, a celestial round table stands. It is not just any table but a divine assembly point for the seamstresses of the universe, each representing the diverse tapestry of humanity. These are not ordinary women; they are the embodiments of cultures, the guardians of heritage, and the weavers of dreams.

The gathering was convened by Aurora, the luminous spirit of dawn, who sent out a call that resonated across the dimensions. It was an invitation to celebrate the unity and diversity of the universe, to stitch together the fragmented pieces of the cosmos into a harmonious quilt.

From the four corners of the Earth and beyond, they came. Ameena, with her rich Middle Eastern patterns, symbolizing the sands and stars of the desert; Mei, in her delicate Asian silks, carrying the precision and grace of centuries-old traditions; Adaeze, wrapped in vibrant African prints, embodying the spirit and resilience of her people; Elena, adorned in colorful Indigenous weavings, bringing the wisdom of the Earth and her ancestors.

As they took their seats around the celestial table, their instruments at the ready, a silent understanding passed between them. They were about to undertake a task of cosmic significance: to patch together the very essence of existence with the threads of reality.

At the center of the table lay the quilt guild's masterpiece, a patchwork of such intricate design that it seemed to pulse with life. Each piece, a story; each stitch, a bond. The quilt was more than fabric; it was a map of the universe, a chronicle of its past, and a blueprint for its future.

As their hands moved in unison, the boundaries between their worlds blurred. The patchwork at the center grew, each addition a testament to the unique beauty of its creator's world. The rounded shapes of Earth merged with the fluid patterns of Water, the steadfast grains of Wood intertwined with the ephemeral wisps of Air, and the vibrant flames of Fire danced along the edges, igniting the creativity of the assembly.

This was no ordinary gathering. It was a declaration of unity in diversity, a celebration of the different threads that, when woven together, create the fabric of the cosmos. The quilt they crafted was a beacon of hope, a reminder that in the grand tapestry of the universe, every thread, no matter how seemingly insignificant, holds the potential to contribute to the masterpiece of existence.

And as the last piece was stitched into place, a wave of harmony rippled through the cosmos. The quilt, now complete, lay resplendent under the celestial canopy, a testament to what can be achieved when diverse forces unite for a common purpose. The seamstresses, their task fulfilled, shared a moment of silent camaraderie before returning to their respective realms, carrying with them the memory of the night they quilted the universe together.

02/02/2024

The most difficult part of this pose is rolling out the mat.

02/02/2024

I have been building a gpt that teaches yoga. This is what it has to share about co**se pose, the most difficult posture. It reminds of us of the dreams of those that we listened to, were brilliant. The story is no more dead in our hearts as it was in theirs, to live more boldly with our lives, and what we had dreamed to live in our community to thrive, helping others find Zion. Savasana reminds us that we shouldn't stop dreaming big, and those dreams can be so much bigger if we slow down and focus on being observers. Postponing our conclusions just 10% later, for a clearer perspective. This is just a part of Zion.

Stop Bombing Gaza, stop bombing the world. Stop killing our brothers and sisters. We are all family.

More electricity and less petroleum,

Don't ride unicycles. Don't meditate. Stop helping people. Be critically minded. Question everything.