CitiBike to explore the City

I used to be a heels person. I would wear heels everywhere to the point where when I would wear flats my calves would hurt. Little by little I started wearing flats and sneakers and now I hardly wear heels. I finally learned they are not conducive to taking advantage of NYC. 

Not wearing heels everyday even got me to get a Citibike subscription last year. At first I was pretty nervous about riding (especially since I ride without a helmut) but soon enough I was riding a couple of times a week. When my friend invited me to the Frying Pan (it happens to be on a pier on 12th Avenue, not close to any subway) instead of groaning I was delighted because I could ride the bike. 

I use the google map app to find my route because it has a biking option which highlights the bike lanes. If you are riding without a helmet you should seek the bike lanes. 

I also use the Citibike app because it shows you where to find the docking stations. Sometimes when you get to a station there are no bikes or its full. The app helps you find another without wandering around. It always lets you know how many bikes/docks are available. 

I noticed there are a lot more people riding. I like it because now I go to the park all the time. Sometimes I even wake up early and go before work! My favorite these days is the Normal A Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City I can get there in under 12 minutes (i'm a leisurely rider, taking in the sites and seeing what is new in the neighborhood). Walking there takes about 30 minutes.

Photos made possible by Citibike ride:

  

Gemini - A Time of plenty in the height of Spring

The Order of the Golden Dawn discovered the connection between Astrology and Tarot which associates six tarot cards to each Zodiac sign. Each Astrological month is divided into approximately 10 days called Decans which guide us through the year in 36 steps. Rachel Pollack and Johannes Fiebig go through this concept in detail in Tarot for Magical Times. I was gifted this book by US Games Systems while at the 2016 Readers Studio.

This concept adds yet another layer to Tarot - there are so many they can't be counted and it explains why there are so many books on Tarot. 

I'm excited about this concept because life is a cycle and there are certain qualities that are repeated on an annual basis and knowing what they are and being in harmony with them just makes life simpler. To know exactly when they present themselves in the calendar is just icing! Awesome :)

Today marks the start of the Gemini Month which is a time of plenty while decorated with flowers. Just go outside and you will see them everywhere adorning and delighting everyone. Even in the concrete jungle of NYC flowers are everywhere. (Instagram hashtag #nycflowers)

Even though I always say that all the cards in the Tarot have both positive and negative qualities. There are certain cards I love to see in a reading while others aren't my favorite.

The overview Tarot Cards of the Gemini Month (May 22nd - June 21st) are very promising:

The Lovers - Remember we can always regain paradise - believe it in your heart and it will soon follow.

Magician - Remember you are one of a kind and your magic is only for your to create! Manifest with intention.

Knight of Swords - Remember you have the mighty weapon of your mind that can and has and manifested everything in your life and will continue to do so harness this power as the Knight has harnessed his horse.

However upon seeing the three Decan cards I wasn't feeling as enthusiastic as I was with the three overview cards, however Rachel and Johannes explained how to use the cards to ones advantage:

1st decan: A Time of Expanding Consciousness May 22nd - 31

Eight of Swords

It is time to look inside and make the choice to use the swords that have trapped you to your advantage by carefully breaking yourself free of the binds and open yourself up to living life and taking the good with the bad in stride. The barriers are only in the mind.

2nd decan: A Time of Awakening June 1st - 10th

Nine Swords

Choices where made and now the consequences are waking you up in the middle of the night. The only thing to do now is make a plan to continue on a different course. Remember to be here now! Things will get as good as you manifest them to be.

3rd decan: A Time of Being Conscious June 11th - 21st

Ten of Swords

The one lying on the ground is done, who he was is now gone. What remains is his consciousness it will live on with the knowledge of his past choices. The time of rebirth is now and starting from scratch is on the agenda.

Experiencing Ardas Bhaee

“Normally there is no power in the human but the power of prayer. And to do prayer, you have to put your mind and body together and then pray from the soul. Ardas Bahee is a mantra prayer. If you sing it, your mind, body and soul automatically combine and without saying what you want, the need of the life is adjusted. That is the beauty of this prayer.” — Yogi Bhajan



I heard and recited Ardas Bhaee at White Tantric Yoga yesterday which was a challenging, intense and  powerful experience.  They say one of these sessions can be like weeks/months of therapy.  This was my second time. I attended the session last April and the results were very different. This time I left feeling energized, light, and wanting more. It started at 9am and went until 6pm!


I'm an on-time person which is good considering I am Dominican,  so upon arrival I was matched up with a male partner. We greeted each other and talked for about 2 minutes when we jumped right in with Ong Namo.

I interpreted the Kriyas practiced as going through the stages of a long term relationship in fast forward. 

First few dates while deciding if this person is a good match:

Look each other in the eye and tell each other a story for 62 minutes while holding each other by the tops of the arms. Mantra is playing in the background.

Series of dates before committing to one another:

Look each other in the eye and ask each other probing questions for 62 minutes while interlocking fingers and arms bent in front.

After being committed for a while: 

Turn backs to one another while interlocking fingers and mediating. Remember "God Is" when mind drifts 31 minutes.

Being grateful for one another:

Hold hands as best and comfortably possible eyes closed recite Wahe Guru 31 minutes.

Seeing oneself through the eyes of your partner:

Look each other in the eye while holding each other by the shoulders and recite Ardas Bhaee for 62 minutes.

Choosing to love and embrace the idiosyncrasies of the partner unconditionally:

Embrace in a hug while keeping backs straight and rest chin on each other's shoulders and recite Ardas Bhaee with eyes closed for 31 minutes. 

The next session is in November, last year I could only handle one White Tantric Yoga in a year.  Lets see how many I can handle in 2016. 


For now I'm meditating with the mantra:

ARDAS BHAEE 

Amar Das Guru 

Amar Das Guru

Ardas Bhaee 

Ram Das Guru

Ram Das Guru
Ram Das Guru
Sachee Sahee 

#Framed by nature

I just saw a beautiful picture on Instagram by Scott Borrero or @scottborrero which by the way are mostly beautiful, you should follow him. This particular photo had the hashtag #framedbynature which led me to the most beautiful photographs!

Here is a live feed showing #framedbynature photos on Instagram for your viewing pleasure!

Kripalu and Miss Favela

Soar into Fall 2013 at Kripalu

I got the new Kripalu catalog in the mail last night, I was so excited I immediately went through it and marked all the classes I would like to take (wishful thinking). I had a really great time when I was there this past Spring.

I was in dire need of a vacation. I had just gotten a bonus and my manager mentioned that I had a lot of vacation days and that the first quarter was already over (a gentle hint that I shouldn't carry days over to next year).  On the Kripalu website I came across Tiffany Cruikshank's  5 Day Spring Detox for a Vibrant Life - Sunday through Friday in April. The start date was in less than a week... Why not! I got out my credit card and signed up.

An email from Tiffany advised me to start the detox process three weeks before the first day of class and to read her book but it was also okay if I didn't. I went with the latter. The day before I was to leave for the Berkshires I met my friend at Miss Favela in Williamsburg. 

Band at Miss Favela

Caipirinha and Feijoada at Miss Favela

Lunch time party crowd at Miss Favela

I thought I was going to have a nice quiet lunch to catch up. Little did I know it was going to have a live band, music so loud - we had to text each other, dancing, and pitchers of caipirinha's. They also have Feijoada - so good! Lets put it this way - going to Miss Favela before a detox was like Mardi Gras before Lent. It was awesome! I have to go again.

The following day was to be my first day of no:

1. Sugar
2. Wheat
3. Alcohol
4. Dairy
5. Caffeine

I didn't think it was possible to do it but I actually did it. I went through the week without having any of the 5 toxin accumulating foods. It was easy at Kripalu because the food there is very varied, all the food options have the ingredients listed, everything tastes really good, and it's healthy! It was a little tortuous to omit the 5 above (with the exception of alcohol) because I wanted to try everything.

Besides the food another reason I loved being at Kripalu was the Healing Arts. I opted to stay in a dorm room so I could have enough $$$ to get spa treatments. They have a staff of technicians on site that really know what they are doing. The prices are affordable compared to NYC prices. It was the best decision I made, totally worth it as staying in the dorm was much better than I thought it would be.

Remembering all these details really makes me want to go back there! It was a really great way to relax and get away from the everyday stresses. I'll have to narrow down my picks to one or who knows maybe I will splurge and go more than once!

Kripalu

Happy Hour Museum

Looking for something different to do in the city on a Friday night? I'm sure you want the best of both worlds; culture and cocktails. Look no further go to the Rubin Museum of Art: Art of the Himalayas! They offer two for one cocktails and free admission into the museum on Friday night. I was there recently for happy hour. We had tapas and cocktails, caught up on gossip, then took the elevator to the top floor and descended our way through the extensive collection of religious art down the six story spiral staircase.

Also, do not miss the museum shop. They have a great collection of jewelry, buddha's, books, scarves, and soaps - just to name some of the items.

Rubin Museum of Art is open free of charge from 6 - 10 pm
Happy Hour is 6 - 7 pm
150 W 17th St
Between 6th and 7th avenues