Resurrection

“It’s been a long time I shouldn’t have left you, without a strong rhyme to step to.”- Rakim 1987

Out of the darkness.

Hello friends I know I have been away for a long time. But; I am back! I looked back and seen that my last post was in 2013. School really was hectic that year and the course load almost burned me out.

Then in the holiday time of 2013 I got hurt. I strained my groin in an area that was a main junction  for all the nerves that travel down my leg. This pain had me practically crippled and homebound for three months. I was trapped in my third floor apartment and on crutches. Talk about cabin fever! I went through a period of despair and stress from being stuck during that time. To add to this the medication I was taking had me feeling depressed as well. Thankfully with the help of family; especially my  mother  I was able to get food and other things done. December 2013 was a dark month for me.

January rolled in and I started to recover. First with a cane I was able to hobble around and got to get some cold winter air. I can say that this was a time for reflection on my life and what I AM I REALLY DOING?

“I think therefore I am…”

February came I was slowly walking with a limp (no cane).  This gave me the time to slowly build up my strength and work on my mind as well. I listened to a lot of personal development seminars and lectures on how to change and grow. This time I really enjoyed as I got to see what makes me tick good and bad.  I also started doing Yoga to help build my body back.

During March I started to go back to the gym and worked myself back in my usual routine. Each week I pushed myself a little harder added more to see what and how I stood. This is how I recovered.  I mentioned before about Arete, which means excellence in ALL things that you do. This has been my driving force since my injury.

Fast forward to the Summer and I am back! Not in school but considering a new major for my success.

The gears are working towards success.

Finally I wanted to share a few thoughts and ideas some are common truths but need to be reiterated.

• Family will always be there for you.
• Never be to proud to ask for help.
• It’s amazing how your body can heal itself along with your mind.
• Sometimes life can screw your plans up; then you have to adapt and reassert yourself.
• Feeling sorry for yourself wastes time and energy.
• Yoga heals!

Thanks for reading!

Dean

Year One! (Summer of 2013)

Hello fellow bloggers and readers this is a special post today. I have been blogging for a year now and have no plans to stop. Also I will share my Summer of 2013 which was pretty interesting as well.

So first of all its been a year since I have started blogging and its been an interesting activity. I am a avid reader of other blogs and thought it would be fun to join this community of writers. I have learned a lot about how and what to write. Blogging is a great way to share your insight with others and help inspire and teach along the way. Since I am in school my postings are not consistent as I would like them to be. But when I do I make sure its substantial.

My tool for all of my Blogs.

I can see how some people can get paid and some who should get paid. I like do it to keep my writing skills fresh and finely tuned so when the time comes to profit from it I can. When the time comes it will be a seamless transition.

So I wonder to myself what to write about next? I have so many ideas and get inspiration from conversations I have and well as in my own mind. Even you readers and fellow bloggers can provide some input and advice, its all good!

Sharing ideas makes us all successful!

Now on to this Summer! Usually I go take a trip somewhere aboard. I always focus on external aspects of things but this year has been quite internal. This year the trip was mental and managed to dig up a lot of interesting things that sort of held me back. I ended up purging a lot of things that have been lingering on in my life. This was also a time I used to throw away a lot of old things that have been piling up in my apartment. I ended up throwing away seven years worth of junk! This helped pave the way for new energy to flow in and all that stagnant stuff has been eradicated. I must say it was very therapeutic. So the Summer was still great even though I didn’t really go anywhere.

This year the Travel was internal.

Well thats it for now! Thanks to all my readers and followers, also my fellow bloggers who inspire me to keep it up.

Thanks for an awesome year!

Dean

Interlude: Fear

Hello friends this will be another interlude on my blog. These are just short posts on my thoughts on life and things. This one came to me while I was cutting grass. As you know I am a US Army veteran and have done two tours in Iraq. Once in 2003 and again in 2005. I was apart of the initial invasion that thrust into Baghdad in March of 2003. Luckily the parts of the conflict I was involved in was minimal.

I eventually returned home to thankful family and friends. Sometime after I  went to my mother’s church  and the Pastor asked an interesting question. He asked me if I was scared while I was other there. I said ” of course! “. Who wouldn’t be scared of driving into a foreign country who has a reputation for using chemical weapons? Did I let the fear paralyze me? No! I used it. Thats what kept me alert and ready, helping others who needed the help.

Leaders transform fear into something useful then lead.

That is how we use fear, not as a barrier but fuel to keep alert and safe. Not paranoid or nervous but cognizant and aware. Its okay to be afraid thats how we see the challenge and choose whether or not to accept it.

Mastering your fears will liberate you.

Until next time.

Dean

Yoga: Year One

Hello friends and family!

I hope everyone is enjoying the Summer and finding fun ways to beat the heat!

Looks nice but imagine heat and humidity
making it 104° and up!

Todays topic will be about Yoga and what I have learned from my year of re-acquainting myself with it. As I mentioned in 100 Days of Yoga I focused on Yoga during the brutal days of NY heat last summer of 2012. It was an awesome experience and learned a lot from it.

My Favorite Yoga Poses

Well a year has passed and wanted to share some ideas and experiences from this year of doing Yoga. Some you may have heard before . But if  not I will share them here today anyway.

Be intent on action, not on the fruits of action. …Perform actions, firm in discipline, relinquishing attachment.

Bhagavad-Gitã  (2.47-48)

• Yoga is a way to focus on your Internal world after dealing with the external world. This means centering yourself while the world goes on.
• A perfect way to learn and listen to your body intimately.
• You can apply what you do in Yoga daily while working at your desk or lifting grocery bags from the store. As in breathing correct posture and breaking the habit of slouching in a chair.

You will notice a difference in your posture.

• Yoga is Skill in Action: This comes from the Bhagavad-Gitã . I will let you think about that one on your own.
• Patience becomes a virtue and you learn that being in a rush isn’t that serious. I know I am guilty of this one.
• Abolishing bad habits become easier as you can focus and become more aware of them.
• You will respect eating and be more mindful while eating.
• Once you learn your limits you will want to challenge them in a healthy way.
• Yoga will make other physical activities seem flawless and fluid.
• Yoga is fun!

Enjoy Yoga! Its fun!

So these are some reflections and lessons I have had while doing Yoga. Its a journey with no destination. Everyday is a opportunity to learn something more about your own capabilities.

Enjoy the Summer and I will see you soon!

Dean

Number 20!

Hello Everyone! we’ve made it to 20 posts! First off thanks for reading/following/commenting! I am grateful for all of your inputs and critiques as it makes my skills sharper and sharper. So to celebrate the 20th post first I will share some of my greatest hits posts. Then my top twenty favorite songs I jam to while I Run, Yoga and other activities.

Thanks for reading!

My Greatest Hits

Some Healthy Things to Think About

Tools For Being Healthy & Fit

Dean’s Day Off

Deans Top Twenty Workout Jams…

“Man in the Box” – Alice in Chains

“You Take my Breath Away” – The Knife

“In da Club (instrumental)” – 50 Cent

“Ænima” – Tool

“Sober” – Tool

“Theme for Great Cities” – Simple Minds

“Fortune Days” – Glitch Mob

“Hyper” – Cascade

“Goin Out West” – Tom Waits

“Forsaken” – David Draiman of Disturbed

“Blue Jeans” – Ladytron

“Training Montage” – Rocky IV Soundtrack

“Organ Donor” – DJ Shadow

“I Got The Power” – Stevie Wright

“Forty Six and 2” – Tool

“My D!ck” – Mickey Avalon

“Digital Versicolor” – Glass Candy

“Cult of Personality” –  Living Color

“Autobot/Decepticon Battle” -Transformers the Movie Soundtrack 1986

“Why So Serious?” ( Crystal Method Remix) – Dark Knight Soundtrack

Once again thanks and continue to read as we journey on together through this part of my  life.

Crafting Your Skill

I read this blog the other day and it got me thinking about things. Things like what I am doing with myself and my skills. There are people who work just to pay bills and that’s their only unfortunate goal/role. Some people  have families and need to provide for them. That goes without saying. Sometimes we get stuck in a loop of our own habits with even knowing it.

” our habits are invisible to us”

How do your Circles connect?

 This is where having a hobby or a craft comes in. Something that you can do in your pastime that can not really be a distraction but a SELF fulfilling activity that brings you joy.

Once you start to do it and do it well it will bring you the best satisfaction beyond any drug that’s out there. Also you can profit from your skill and you won’t mind doing so because its fun. I know I love to exercise and as soon as I get my qualifications I would love to profit from it. To quote the Joker in The Dark Knight, “If you are good at something never do for free”. Sounds selfish but at the same time it makes sense. Banks are good at saving our money (sometimes). So we pay for that service. We don’t have to profit monetarily from our potential.We can still but profit in other ways as in your own joy and happiness.

So working on a skill that you enjoy will reap benefits for years to come. Even if you don’t profit from it. The joy of doing something else than just being an automaton of waking up, driving to work and going home to your couch and doing the same cycle over and over again.

You know where the pieces fit..

Share your skills here and inspire others to do the same…

Dean

MAY DAY! (Interlude)

Hello Everyone! How is it going out there? Hope all is well with you and yours.

This is just a free write today nothing serious or structured. Also testing out my new look on my page. It has been almost a year since I have started blogging and just reflecting on things as they pass through my mind.

Keeping My Skills Sharp!

Since then I have been doing the school and work thing which is cool that I am learning something but time consuming at the same time. It’s still good and great to be learning a new skill. These skills will add and be what I need to secure the future I want.

2014 Right Around The Corner!

As the days get longer its time to get some fresh air and enjoy the world around. I for one will make it my travel as much as I can and see new things and explore my state and others. Summer is a great time to hang out with friends and make new ones.

Where to Go Next?

So friends tell me how is it going in your world and plans for the Summer and beyond? Feel free to share any thoughts in the Comment Box.

Dean Likes Your Feedback!!!

Peace!

Dean

It’s YOUR Year in 2013!

Hello everyone! Hope you are enjoying your gifts and nursing your holiday party hangovers. Hey! We even survived the impending Apocalypse! With that being said lets look to the future and what opportunities 2013 will bring.

Someone asked me what my new years resolution was. I told her I don’t have one, all I want is to do better than I did last year. That’s it. Nothing more or less. So I am going to share with you all how I plan to do this. Maybe it will help you get ideas on what you want for the new year.

1. Get an annual check up. I get a physical/dental exam around my birthday month. This way i know whats going good or bad. You are the only one who can take care of your self.
2. Continue to study and practice Yoga. This is my hobby maybe yours is reading, drawing or exercise, having a hobby is great. Its keeps your mind fresh and away from bad habits.
3. Stay in school and continue the practice of Autodidacticism. If you don’t know what that means; basically it means “self-taught”. This gifts from this are infinite. I will always be a student.
4. Family time. Yeah I know we get caught up in our rapture and routine of our lives. Family is the gel that will keep you together. Plan a day out and go somewhere, doesn’t even have to be fancy, dinner is good.
5. Travel! One of my favorite things to do. Going somewhere different is great as you can look outside the sphere of your life and reflect. Even a simple road trip for a day will let you experience something new. Also go somewhere alone and use your natural skills to figure out who to get around.

Well that’s all I have and will be my last post for 2012. Once again thanks for all the support and following my blog. Happy New Year and see you in 2013!

Peace!

Dean

100 Days of Yoga!

Hello everyone! How are you all doing? Fantastic I hope. Well today I am going to share what I have learned from doing Yoga for a 100 days.

During the Summertime I wanted to find a way to stay fit during the sometimes brutal Summer heat of New York. Personally I am not a fan of being all sweaty while exercising; its annoying and distracting. Usually I do some Yoga moves before and after my exercises. So on another blogger mentioned she challenged herself to do straight Yoga for a week. That was the inspiration I needed to try it out. So I did it for a week and enjoyed it.  Being familiar with Yoga already I was able to design a session that would keep me strong and maintain my levels of fitness. I can say that my strength has increased and I am more resilient doing other exercises.

I am going to break down a session that you can do to evolve your exercises. Before I start Yoga is not all about standing on your head or bending and twisting; there is a philosophy behind it also. But the basic premise I want you to focus on while you try these these poses out is mindfulness; what is mindfulness? In the short term being in the moment NOW. Not your job, Facebook status or whats for dinner. Being focused on how your body moves through the pose.

So here is my basic sequence of sessions, this will get you started as you progress I have added two more phases to get you in the groove. I will give you a breakdown here but its up to you look into it a little further. Links for help will be at the end of the post.

PHASE I

1. Corpse Pose – This is where you set the tone and start to unplug from the daily routine of your life. Lie down face up and relax. Breathe! Its not uncommon the first times to doze off sleep. Get a timer start with 60 seconds and build up to 5 minutes.
2. Easy Pose – We are still setting the tone here and really begin to let the Yoga state of mind sink in to yourself. From here you will do neck and shoulder rotations.
3. Sun Salutations – This is to warm you up and get ready for the session. Start with 3 rounds, 6, then finally 12 rounds. *** face East if you can ***

                 You can stop here and you are essentially warmed up for anything else you like to do in the Gym.

Phase II ( continuing from number three)

1. Leg Raises – This is to stretch your hamstrings, calves and quadriceps. Do these 3 times.
2. Wind Relief Pose – This will massage your stomach and spine.
3. Cat Stretch – To help the upper back muscles and release tension there.
4. Bridge – This will help the lower back muscles relax and release tension there also.
5. Fish – This will help the neck and shoulders stretch out tension.
6. Wheel – The wheel will elongate your and charge your whole nervous system very good to way you up.
7. Forward bend – This will help your legs and back, also it will counter balance the wheel pose.
8. Cobra – This is to strengthen the spine and tailbone area.
9. Locust – This is a great pose to build and develop inner strength. Start with one leg raise then do both.
10. Bow – This will counter stretch the Cora and Locust pose. Also another great stretch to build power in your arms.
11. Spinal Twist – This will help your hips and lower back become supple.
12. Stick – This will aid your posture by  straightening out your back.
13. Toe Balance – This will help your feet and toes become strong.
14. Hero Pose – This is to stretch your legs especially if you sit down all day or stand all day.

Phase III

I used to do this after my exercises as a “finisher” to lock in and strengthen my muscles. You can continue from number 14 or as a stand alone exercise.

1. Mountain Pose – This is all about standing up straight, not hunched over. Just standing shoulders back chest up and spine erect. You will the difference in your posture and will build inner strength also.
2. Over Head Mountain – Pose in Mountain with arms raised above your head. Great for your shoulders upper and lower back.
3. ***God Pose*** This is a variation of mountain pose. What you do is stand with your legs a little more than shoulder width apart and arms out with palms facing down. Look straight ahead and breath slowly. You will feel a tug from all four limbs.
4. Wide-Legged Forward Bend- Great for hips, hamstrings and your whole leg basically. This is one of those poses that takes time to master. be patient and reap the benefits of it.
5. Warrior Pose I – Great whole body exercise will get your system fired up all over.
6. Warrior Pose II – The focus here will be on your legs and lower back while keeping your arms straight.
7. Warrior Pose III – This will help you learn balance and focus. Your ankles and feet will thank you for it.
8. Triangle – Great side bend pose for your mid section and chest.
9. Chair Pose – Another way to build strength from the inside.
10. Corpse Pose – Still is to relax and reflect on your body and mind. This will slow everything down for the moment. Just lie back and breathe.

Well That’s it! I left pictures out for two reasons the first is so that you go and find the poses own your own. Second there are many variations and styles out there. You have to find the one that works for you and your body. I hope that you go out and try what I have shown you here. This could help you in other ways also. But remember! Know your limits and boundaries as with any form of exercise it can harm as well as heal. Its up to you to find that perfect balance as you do with anything else.

Everyone have a great holiday and a prosperous new year!

Some links you help you on your journey.

http://www.yogajournal.com/

Two awesome books that will teach the fundamentals of Yoga.

The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga

Swami Vishnu-devananda

Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners

David H. Coulter

Interlude: Dreams

Hey everyone! Its been awhile! I know, school and work are keeping me from doing this blog. I haven’t forgotten about you though! Wishing everyone a great holiday season and a positive new year in 2013!

So in the meantime while I finish up my Yoga blog I will leave you with a gem that I found on my phone from last year. This was written as I sat in Heathrow Airport in 2011 returning back to NY. I have left it untouched sans any grammar or punctuation corrections. Enjoy!

Dreams…
I am taking this time to reflect on my trip and a lot of other things. We as Americans take what we have for granted or lose sight of what we want. Well lets just say get distracted. As some of you know I went to London for vacation. This was a great trip and sort of inspired me to write this.
On my last night out I was talking to my friend Mac, I had said, “the dream is over.” he replied,” Well least you are going back to the land of dreams.” What he said made me think about other people who come to America like my grandmother and came to accomplish what they desired.
I here a lot of talk about “foreigners” coming over and taking jobs from Americans. Sometimes I want to yell in their ear and say that they came here the same way their forefathers/ancestors/grandparents did jackass! This makes me very annoyed because WE ALL have a fair shot to get what you want. But if you sit there and don’t do anything, while they are busting their ass to get that house and car who is to blame? That’s the question i leave to you…..