Open Up Muthaf**8er!

It had been a long time.  My daily chant had been "I'm cool.  It's cool.  I'm alright! I can handle it."
I was in love but it she didn't love me the same way.  I moved on.  I dated.  We hung out.  We spent time together watching movies, talking about everything in life except us as a couple.  She asked me advice sometimes on her current relationship. The Bastard that never seemed to do anything but stymie my efforts for her hand.  I would let her know I would try to give her the best unbiased advice but could not promise that it would always be.  She'd smile.  Tell me that I was a good friend.  

It's Dark! 

Months would go by with the same pattern.  Soon I didn't even chant my mantra.  I didn't need to. Then one day all my feelings came out.  The real truth came out.  I was alone when I faced the truth.  I was still madly, passionately in love with her.  I could go back to hiding it but even though I knew it would change nothing I let her know what I felt.  She was shocked, astonished.  I think it was a boost to her ego too.  After all A Raj once built the Taj Mahal to a Beloved Wife to rest eternally in.  I had created my own monument to her that she could see, hear, touch.  I was shocked. Her Boyfriend was shocked and weary of me and my feelings for his Woman.

So much for the friend thing. 

Those pesky feelings come out.  When I am on the mat or in meditation I like to imagine our feelings burning off like a flashback.  In the 70's people who used certain drugs would still worry about flashbacks long after they had cease to use the drugs.  The drugs would get stored in your system. You fat cells for instance, then when they get burned off you'd be high or seeing dragons or some shit.  

That scared that heck out of me!  I could imagine being 40 and having a flashback from a drug I took when I was 20.  So I never indulged.  Scared straight fo'eva!

Yoga peels back the layers.

I imagine we are like onions or apples.  All these lies, delusions and such are the coating. All this scar tissue from or war of living.  It almost makes me get off the mat.  I don't want to close my eyes and go into my head.  It's dark! 

It's scary in there.  I know there are monsters in there and I'm in the dark alone.  Yoga is the union of your mind, body and spirit.  I believe that God is the light that is there for me in those dark and scary places.  I believe that I AM not alone but when one gets on the mat and goes into their meditation seriously you gotta know that you are signing on for an adventure.  You gotta be willing to go where ever the ride takes you.  That's scary.  It's also the only way we heal, we get rid of the festering, infected sores that cover our psyches.  It's the only way we get to be healed and whole.

It ain't easy.  Take a deep breath. Awww go ahead a take a few deep breaths. Do it! It will be worth it.

Om Shanti Baby!

Jaycee

Let Go and Let God! Mista Jaycee returns!

Hey Soulstarrs,

I'm finally getting up off my ass and getting back on my mission. When I started this blog it was built on the premise of a Regular Dude, A Black Dude, A Fat dude does yoga.  I practice yoga.  I am all the above.  Black, Fat and Regular.  I meditate. I pray.  I do not turn on Sitar music, I have a copy of the Gita but I'm more likely to get my spiritual wisdom from the Holy Bible or the Noble Quran than the Gita.

I eat meat although I am eating less and less.  I am no stranger to a piece or pound of bacon but I digress and you get the point. This blogs mission statement is the same.

I've recently began meditating and practicing asanas daily. It has been a while. I feel good. I've been through some personal adversities. The recent passing of my Mother has triggered a gut check. I've had to test some things. I've had to let some things and some people go.

That's the lesson.  Let go! Let God! Psalms 46:13

BE Still. Know God! That's another interpretation of this word. Letting go is hard because you have to admit that someone or something is no longer good for you.  You've changed and they or it no longer serves to your benefit.  It is now a danger to you.

Take what is good and let go what no longer serves you.  That is the lesson. Go in Peace!

OM Shanti Baby!

Jaycee

Hey Hey Soulstarrs,

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum! 

What the hell does that mean Jaycee?

Om (Verb) Supreme Reflection of God (the Divine) 

Kriya (Noun) Our great work (Yoga and living) 

Babaji (Pronoun) Divine Father 

Namah (Our community and those in contact with us) 

Aum (Lesser aspect or reflection of God the Divine) that's all Humans

Today's topic is......

Wait a cotton pickin minute Jaycee, what the heck you been?

Ok, i'll answer this.  I was on an extreme sabbatical (writers block/depression/delusional bs) which required that I go into intense study of the internal arts. ( I was sitting on the couch, drinking copious amounts of highly poisonous liquids like soda water, liquor and something blue that's used to clean metal.) Yes, in other words I have no excuse for being away for so long.

Sorry y'all.

Today's topic is Repentance.

Pastor Jeff Johnson of the Eastern Star Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana defined Repentance as changing your mind.  To turn back or turn away from the direction your in.  

Anger has always been my fuel.  It's helped me push through in my life so far but it comes with a cost, a real high cost.  It's eroded and destroyed relationships, it can destroy your physical, mental and spiritual health and this has happened to me.

So now I am adding Repentance to my daily mediation and prayers not just from a Christian perspective but from a Yogi perspective.

Ahisma: The first Yama of the eight fold path means Non violence or to do no harm.  It means that I am obligated to learn to let go and accept things as they are. It means that I have to find new tools to deal and overcome difficulties.

It means I have to turn back.  Repent!  It means I have to turn away from.  Repent!  It means that I've changed my mind.

So what's holding you up? What's causing blocking your blessings? What's keeping your from the next level?

You can always change your mind. You can always turn back.

Om Shanti Baby! 

Jaycee

Om Shanti Baby!
Jaycee

Is Yoga Dangerous?

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum! 

Hey Soulstarrs!

Is yoga dangerous?  Well are you doing your Asanas near open flame? Perhaps, the Yogi in front of you had a breakfast burrito before class?

Yoga is about balance. That said. No, yoga is not dangerous if you are following the eight fold path. Right Thought, Right Action, Right Intention yada yada.  Each Asana has contraindications to each pose.

I do not do plough pose in order to protect my neck and back.  I do dolphin pose instead.  Now, I like to watch Plough pose being done cause it looks cool but I ain't gonna do it! Dig?

Honor the body is the main rule of yoga.  What is your body telling you? That should determine if yoga is dangerous or not.

Om Shanti Baby!

BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!
Jaycee

Pin the Tail on the Funky! What's defeating you and your Practice?

To Capture a Booty You Must Attack from the Back! 

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum!

Hey Soul-Starrs!

I know you are wondering what does Montana Deleon and Dr. Funkenstein have to do with Yoga?  Everything! The genius of Funkadelic was they used the Old Black Preaching Style of wrapping up vital lessons in codes. The Star Chile character was what Black People once were and his mission was to educate and restore us to that legacy. "We have come to RECLAIM the pyramids!" His Arch Nemesis was SirNoseDevoidofFunk. He was a corporate, bland, faceless shuck and jive, soulless Brotha determined never to dance and implement his philosophy across the Funky Universe.

The Albums told a story.  By the time "Gloryhellastupid" came out, Sir Nose had won! He turned Star Chile into a Mule by pinning the tail on the Funky.  How did he do it?  He attacked from the back! Over the course of each album, Sir Nose wore the Star Child and the rest of the Funk Mob down little by little.  He used distraction.  For every victory the Funk Mob achieved, he slowly eroded the Funk Mob's supporters, with cheap highs, quick fixes and thrills.  Most of all the Funk Mob became to big to move quickly and adapt to the forces they batled against.  Sir Nose, understanding this simply performed a Rear manueveur and pinned the tail on the Funky! Making Starchile look foolish, he took away his power and was able to conquer the Funky Universe.

What Mista Jaycee?  In plain terms, he let Star Child tire himself out. The Funk Mob had been so busy fighting against distractions that they didn't realize that they themselves were distracted and fooled.

Sir Nose Pinned the Tail on the Funky To turn Star Chile into a Mule

So what's tripping you up? What's keeping you from progressing on the Eight Fold Path? What's hindering your growth or stunting your practice?  Have you stopped practicing completely? Is that Yoga mat gathering dust?  Do you practice your asanas everyday? Why not? 

If your mat is in the corner dusty then you probally feel you're Too busy at work or just too tired? Maybe you're getting impatient or even lazy. Hey, it happens and that's part of the journey too.

Maybe your Yoga buddies aren't going to class anymore and it feels lonely in class by yourself?  See, Sir Nose is wearing you down.  Ask yourself, Where are you practicing? Who's around you when you pull out your mat?  Does everyone in your household understand your practice or do they just make fun or criticize it? It's up to you to find a place to practice and not listen to the negative talk.  They don't know the benefits that come from a fruitful yoga practice but YOU DO so why are you allowing the "Ignant"  to determine what happenes to you?

One of my yoga instructors George Dudley advised us that when we are meditating, for instance, and we are concentrating on our mantras, all manner of random negative thoughts will pop in your head. It is YOUR CHOICE weather or not you grab ahold of them and take them into your spirit. 

You are in control of your practice and you are in control of what you take into your spirit as well.  And with that you can avoid being defeated by negative talk and other people's agendas. Dig? 

Om Shanti Baby!

BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!

Jaycee

Do Guys Go to Yoga to Pick Up Women????

Photo Courtesy of Just Jercie

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum!

Hey Soulstarrs!

I was reading a yoga post on FB or Twitter the other day and a question was posed that I thought was just great!

Guys, Do you go to Yoga classes to pick up Women? 

"My answer Hellllllllllllllllll Yeah! "

Why Mista Jaycee? Why????

I know that the true mission of a Yogi or a Yogini is internal transformation. You know, the Yamas, Niyamas, all that SPIRITUAL blah blah blah!

Hell, the only reason I ever went into a gym was because I wanted to look good to Good Looking Women. Now, by the time I got to yoga I was married but hell if I was still single I'd be right there trying to pick up Women.  Why cause they Hot!

(Laughter)

Come on Ladies! BE a Dude for a minute.

1. Hot Healthy Looking Women!

2. Hot Healthy Looking Women in Cute Outfits!

3. Hot Healthy Looking Women doing Sexy, Purdy, Awesome stretches!

4. Hot Healthy Looking Women Doing Sexy, Purdy, Awesome Stretches in Tight, Skimpy, Cute, Bright colored Outfits!

Now, If you was a Dude what would you do? How would you feel? You'd be at Yoga too! Tell the truth, and Y'all know this Mannnne! Hell, I was at a yoga class with my Wife and Yoga buds and one of my Female Yoga buds happened to notice two Young Yoginis doing partner yoga. They were in PLOUGH poses and she stated "OK, NO HOMO but that's Hawt!" (Laughter) And she is sooooo unabashedly HETERO it's ridiculous!

Had to say that before all the Yoginis reading this post get on they high horse.  Come on Danskin, Alo and all those companies don't make yoga wear just for it's practicality! They make it cause Yogini's like to look CUTE! Sure, inner peace is wonderful.  Balanced Chakras great but BEING Cute while having all that! Kewl!

Here's the point.  Most Guys and Women will probably join Yoga class for a superficial reasons but that's cool cause Yoga has more than enough to offer that will keep them there.  Ask the Body Builder who after an hour of Vinyasa still feels Yoga doesn't provide enough of a workout?  Ask the Mother of Three who after a few weeks goes into breathing and meditation and feels alive.  Ask the person recuperating from illness or just trying to get in shape, what they think after they tried it?

Go on I dare you! I Double Downward Dog Dare you!

Om Shanti Baby!

Jaycee

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum!
I wanna be graceful.  I live by a Buddhist temple and I used to watch the Tai Chi Master in the morning doing Yang Style Tai Chi. It was beautiful.  Now, I watch Yogi's and Yoginis go through the asanas of Vinyasa Flow, Hatha or Kriya Yogas and I'm like Wooooooow!

I practice yoga but I am not Graceful! That's ok.  I move with all the grace of a pregnant yak but still I move!

Exercise is essential to good health. Nutrition is essential to good health! Fresh air, mediation all these things are the building blocks to a healthy life!

I'm a Black Dude and I understand this because I and alot people in my Family have high blood pressure, and or diabetes and I know that they can be managed by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Om Shanti Baby!

Moon Salutations: Yoga Kansas City

  Om Shanti Shanti Shalom Nate! I live in Long Beach, CA and have grown to love the city. It will never take the place of my beloved Compton, CA but I've lived in the LB for 20 some odd years and lived in Compton for 17. This week LB Stalwart East Sida Nathaniel "Nate Dog" Hale died from congestive heart failure and complications from two strokes.  He was 41.

41, Forty One, Forty Plus One Year. Four decades plus one solar cycle.  Anyway you break it down, forty one years old is too young to die.  Rest in Peace Nate. God (IAM) Bless your Family and all those who's lives you touched.

I, like Nate Dog am 41.  I have high blood pressure and take medication for it. When I was 21, a Doctor told me that every time that he took my blood pressure, it was high.  It could be hereditary, he said but it thought it might be my kidneys because 21 was too young to have high blood pressure. I had my kidneys checked and they worked fine.

I wasn't fat, I didn't smoke, drink or eat pork.  I didn't have a regular exercise program that included cardio and some weights so I was overweight.  I wasn't fat but I was overweight! My diet consisted of french fries, pastrami burgers and soda. Lots and lots of Soda! I grew up as a Seventh Day Adventist Christian and I knew better. I was taught to eat lots of grains, vegetables and fruit and not to eat meat. And if I did eat meat do not eat pork or scavenger fish and certainly not fried. I ate tons of Fried foods. I would have starved if it wasn't for cheap, fried foods loaded with cheese.  Yeah Baby but I digress. (Laughter)

I didn't drink water unless you count the ice that was in the SODA or after it melted.  So, here I was on high blood pressure medication and sick as a dog from it.  I felt better when I didn't take the medicine so I didn't.
My Doctor warned me that I could have a stroke, kidney failure or a heart attack.  I could also go impotent.

I've changed my diet and now work out regularly including a regular yoga practice.  I take my medication and feel real good.  I am now giving up the fatty, fried, foods that have loved me and comforted me in times of trouble. I drink alot of water now.

Hey Black Man! It's time to take a serious look at our health and well being. Black Men are less likely than European American Men (White Men) to live to old age and if we do then not healthly. Why? 

1. Lifestyle: Poor Diet, Drinking, Smoking, sleeping habits
2. Lack of regular Medical Check ups
3. Lack of proper Exercise
4. High Stress and Anger and lack of Stress Management
5. Violence: Murder at the hands of another

Yoga points out of a path to balance.  I know the sheer pleasure of a triple bacon burger with pastrami. I also know what it's like to be winded and hear your heartbeat after walking a half a block.  I know physical, chronic pain like it's a limb. I know it! So do some of you reading this.

We can live pain free. Regular exercise can do that. A proper diet with an emphasis on good nutrition can help with that. Fruits, fresh vegetables! Meatless Mondays to start. Then, Lean meats, grilled, baked or broiled.
We can learn to manage anger and conflict and that will reduce violence and help lower blood pressure. 

Let Go! That's what Yoga, the Gita, The Bible and The Quran teach. Let Gooo! We can learn  to move on and put things in proper perspective. 

Om Shanti Baby!

BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!
Jaycee

Yoga is for Girly Men! Really?

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum!

Hey Soul-Starrs!

I've lifted weights and used to be an active martial art student. As a kid, I played baseball, softball, street football, and my favorite sport basketball. These were mascasline sports! Men's games! Over the last decade though I have studied Yang style Tai Chi, and Kriya Babaji Najaraj, and Vinyasa Flow Yoga. I love them. They are inclusive. Anyone can do them and with the physical limitations that I have, these are good for me.

Both I have found are tough! They are tough physically and anyone who begins a regular practice needs to become Mentally tough to handle the physical rigours of the arts.  Yoga and Tai Chi are NOT competitive sports.

I would like to see alot more Afrikan American Men taking up both as a practice and including the lifestyle changes into their lives.  Mediation, Pranayama (Breathing) Asanas, (The Exercises) and Diet.  Put that pork chop sammich down Mista!

Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul Jabaar, the NBA All Time Leading scorer and Six Time NBA Champion is also a practicing Yogi. Now, Cap (That's Kareem for all y'all BB fans born in the 90's) is also a real Martial Artist having practiced Jeet Kun do with Bruce Lee. Again, not a girly Man.

Lakers small forward Ron Artest does yoga. Not a girly man! All these dudes practice yoga and speak on the benefits it provides. So it frustrating to see only four or five dudes in a class when there are about 50 Women. Some hawt effin Women, in sweats, or danskins Damn! I'm married so I dare not do anything more than appreciate the fairer sex. (Laughter)

Listen fellas. Forget about the Viagra and Cialis. Let's change our DEATHstyles to LIFESTYLES. Daily exercise (20 minutes to 1 hour) with cardio, weights and YOGA. Try a class. Good nutrition. Five fruits and vegetables a day with a lil lean meat.  And lots of water. Lots of water!

Om Shanti Baby!

BE Prayererful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!
Jaycee

Cat Hates Yoga

Resist the Labels!

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum!

Hey Soulstarrs!

Our American Society likes labels. We all do. Labels help us to feel safe.  Labels help us to identify groups, movements and people.  Labels also help us narrow down our prejudices.

 "She's a Scientologist, so I ain't effin with her!"  

"He's a Vegan, so he must be into yoga and crystals, all those sandal wearing patchouli mofo's right?"

"Her hair is locked so she must be a liberal?"

See what I mean? 

How can you do yoga and be a Christian?  Isn't yoga and Eastern Philosophy at odds with Christianity?

Now ask yourself, Isn't Christianity an Afrikan Originated Religion? The Bible says so.  Doesn't the Bible's narratives and most of it's characters reside in Afrika or in the so called Middle East?  The answer to both questions is yes. Christians come in all colors and in almost every country.  Are we all the same? Of course, not! Christians and the Christian Church is diverse and while we agree on certain things we disagree passionately on others.

Yoga means Unity between your mind, body, spirit with the Divine Source. (Your God) It is part of the Eight fold path.  What Yoga does not attempt to do is define your version of the Divine.  Sure, the Hindu scholars have the Brahman Scriptures (The Vedas) The Gita, The Upanishads and all those help in understanding the orgins of the asanas (poses) But Yoga and the people who practice it are diverse.  There's Kemetic Yoga, There's Sufi Grinds that have been added to the asanas.  It's all on the practitioner. 

I practice the Kriya Babaji Najaraj style Yoga as practiced by the 18 Tamil Siddhas and Guru Yogiar SAA Ramiah.  The Tamils gave the Aryans a Written language (Sanskit) to go with the Aryan spoken language. Yoga and Yogic Philosophy did not begin in India, or with the Aryans but with the Tamils and others before it.  I have added Vinyasa Flow cause I like the Cardio. 

BE Fluid! BE Flexible! Openly resist the Labels!

Om Shanti Baby!

BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!
Jaycee

Fitness Pioneer Jack Lalanne Passes!

I grew up watching re-runs of Jack Lalanne's television shows on Channel 9 in Los Angeles, CA.  I've watched him my whole adult life to and you know what? I am so thankful, because he provided a great example of what you could look like your whole life if you exercised, ate right and lived right.  96 Years Old and still looking good!

Jack, you were a classy inspiration.  Thanks!
Om Shanti Baby!

BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!
Jaycee

Drishti

FOCUS! FO-CUS DAMN YOU!

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum! 

Hey Soul-Starrs! Welcome back to Mista Jaycee's Stretchin Ouuuuut! (Like a Rubber Band) And like always stick around cause something might pop!

Happy New Year! 2011 is gonna BE a great year! And the mission of this blog is the same as it was last year.  This is yoga brought you by a regular whiskey drinking, Funkadelic listening, patchouli hating Black Dude that's no stranger to a piece of bacon but sees the benefits of Yoga, The Eight-Fold Path, The Yoga Sutras and the Bible.

So welcome back home for the first time! Remember to Breathe! Go ahead! Breathe! See, Feel better? Yoga already!

Om Shanti Baby!

BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!

Jaycee

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum!
Merry Christmas Soul-Starrs! May your days be filled with love.
BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!
Jaycee

Transformation: Ghetto of the Mind

Photo By Mista Jaycee

If someone gave you this house, mortgage free, tax free, under the condition that they could return any time, any day unannounced after one year and see what you've done with the place would you take the deal?

 What if you could have a body like the one below? Wait! What if you could have this body? Free and clear? Your mind, spirit and essence deposited in this frame? All strengths, no diseases or disorders, yours with the only condition being that the previous owner could stop by and visit you any day, any time after one year unannounced to see how you are doing? Same deal as the house. Would you take the deal?

I'd wager that alot of you Soul-Starrs would take both deals.  Alot would, and alot would not but I guarantee you all would consider at least one of the deals if not both.  Now, metaphysical queries aside, what would the house look like in a year? Would it be painted, the lawn mowed? Would the house have new plants surrounding it?  Would folks be begging to rent a room inside your home?  Gaining the home does not mean that you were prepared to accept and handle the gift does it?  I know of a building where the folks that live on the second floor stand on the balcony and flip lit cigarette buds on the first floor common area below. They flick their ashes onto the landing.  Don't they know that other people walk along this walkway? Don't they know that this makes the building appear to be trashy?  Of course they do!

Photo courtesy of the Web

On top of that they fight constantly, sometimes until 4 in the morning? Their little space looks like they act. It looks trashy and unkempt! How do you think the house would look with them in it?  It would be trashed and in foreclosure within the year.  Why? Because as a Person thinketh so is he!

Now, what about the body?  Remember, it's still your essence in the body.  It's still your mind, your soul. Would the body still look like the one in the picture? If the Soul has suffered from low self esteem, hurt, and anger. If the soul used food in order to cope the body would not be the same body anymore.  I'm sure that the Soul that possessed the House or the Body would envision how much better the life would be.  At first they'd live it up enjoying the view, enjoying the attention that the body attracted but eventually how the Soul handled a relationship would affect the body.  A Mean Bytch with a Goddess Body is still a Mean Bytch. Sure, Guys would sex her but they'd get away from her as soon as the novelty wore off.  The Soul would have to exercise, and  feed the body proper food in order to keep the body in the same or in better condition.  A damaged Soul can not.  Rot eventually would win out.

But with a new body I would not be ME anymore Mista Jaycee, I would be HER! 

No, it's your ESSENCE in the BODY so it would STILL be YOU! You may enjoy how strong the body is and even learn to use the strength but if you did not know how to maintain the strength, how to work out the body then it would turn to fat.  It's still YOU remember?

The House has to be cleaned, the light bill must be paid, the gardens must be trimmed!  If something breaks it has to be repaired. It would not be and the house would be a shit hole one year after you received it.

What's the point Jaycee?

The point....Our Character! Our Soul will largely determine what happens in our lives. So if you have Raggeddity habits then you gon have a Raggeddity life.

Yoga is a tool to help us see that and overcome it!

So, what are you at your core? Think on it.
Om Shanti Baby!
Jaycee

Tazima teaches for charity 12-11-10

Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum

Hey Soul-Starrs,
Tazima, The Compassionate Renegade, is teaching this Saturday for charity.  I can't make this one but I can tell y'all about it. Check it out and happy holidays!

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE {current through December 31, 2010}




INTRODUCTION TO YOGA—ONE-DAY WORKSHOP

Saturday, December 11 :: 1:00 - 3:00 p





This one-day workshop is recommended to all seeking to experience yoga for the first time, as well as those looking to revitalize a previous interest. Basic postures, simplified yoga philosophy, breathing techniques, and fundamental meditation skills will be addressed.







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$35 Registration Recommended! Workshop fee includes one free class of your choice from our regular schedule.











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SEVA (Compassionate Service)

Vinayasa Flow Benefit Class with Tazima Davis

Saturday, December 11 :: 6:30 p



Practice Seva with us...





A fundraiser on behalf of Artists for Charity for Orphaned and HIV+ Children in Ethiopa.





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$20 Suggested Donation Registration Recommended!