audio / visual / kinetic / spiritual craftsman
September 5th, 2010

Mini-Detox Weekend, Izu-Nagaoka

One of the more popular of our Rudra Yoga programs is the 5-Day Yoga Detox Intensive.  It’s a unique schedule of around-the-clock yoga, healing/creative work, hydrotherapy, cleansing diet, and study of the teachings.  To prepare for this intensive endeavor which will occur next Spring, we did a mini version at a ryokan in Izu-Nagaoka with my team of guinea pig yogis (enjoying healing time at the foot bath on top of Mt. Katsuragi).

This yoga intensive is unique because it focuses on cleaning and clearing the physical, emotional and mental material that we no longer need or unnecessarily hang on to in our lives.  We did this through a liquid diet of orange/apple/papaya juice (nourishing) and onion/garlic juice (detoxifying), hydrotherapy in hot and cold baths, healing with Reiki, plus a whole lotta Kundalini Yoga.  It was a great way to close the Summer months and enter into the beginnings of Fall with clear body, energy and mind.

Though the weekend version is much lighter, everyone felt the wonderfully enlightening effects of detoxing.  It was nice to have a weekend outside of Tokyo, and it was a fun and memorable way to be together with friends.  When the next 5-day Yoga Detox Program comes around, it’s something I recommend trying at least once.  You’ll never forget it!

September 1st, 2010

GYROTONIC® in Sendagaya, Tokyo

It has arrived!!  The GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Unit is now here.  The crate survived the treacherous overseas journey, and with the help of a drag queen in a pick-up truck made it across the greater Tokyo metropolis to my Sendagaya apartment.  The unit may be scientifically designed around the human physiological form and its anatomical movement, but it’s also a stunning piece of art (which I’ve been told is now quite valuable because the new Chinese units lack the quality of these which were made in the U. S. of A.).

What I love about the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is that it’s precision exercise that is also incredibly expressive.  It has the breathing and energy of yoga, the movement and musicality of dance, and the healing qualities of body work; it leaves no part of the body untouched.  Of course there’s so much more, but until you get yourself on one of these babies and experience it for yourself, it’s a fairly well-rounded description.

I must thank the master teachers who have paved the way for my journey with this system.  In Portland, Emma Kingston; in New York, Billy Macagnone; in San Francisco, Debra Rose; and of course my yoga teacher Isa Aragon who brought the world of Gyrotonic into our yoga school.  I have only encountered the highest of quality trainers in the Gyrotonic world, and I look forward to providing excellent service and continuing my education to someday become such a master myself.  Tokyo, get ready…

July 17th, 2010

Morning Yoga at Sun & Moon, Meguro

Practicing yoga first thing in the morning creates a foundation for discovering our highest potential,  develops the discipline of self-correction, and integrates body, mind and spirit.  Through consistent and steady focus, we build experiences of spiritual truths and develop our awareness of higher consciousness.  As this connection is strengthened, we become intentional in our thoughts, words and actions.  Truth becomes reality.

We present this morning program as a way to integrate practice with the activities of daily life, benefiting both ourselves and others.  It is a vital element in the improvement of health, creativity, relationships, and state of mind.  So join us in the practice of pranayama, asana, mantra and meditation, providing for ourselves the opportunity to learn and grow, opening deeply to the wealth of experiences in life.

Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
7:00-8:20 mantra, pranayama, asana
8:30-9:00 meditation (free)


 
SUN AND MOON YOGA STUDIO

Meguro Eki Mae Mansion, Higashi Guchi Building
Kami Osaki 3-1-5, Suite 204, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021 JAPAN
tel: 03-3280-6383
www.sunandmoon.jp

July 1st, 2010

Weekly Classes @ UTL, Yoyogi

TAOIST YOGA
consists of warm-up asana to open the pathways in the body for prana/chi to flow, pranayama to heal the vital organs and clear negative emotions, and a dynamic yoga series which purifies the heart and strengthens the energy in and around us. These classes incorporate connecting with the energies of nature, cultivating health and longevity in the body, and discovering the beauty and grace of effortless action.
Tuesdays 18:30-19:50

VINYASA YOGA
is a steady and continuous flow of asana led by awareness of breath and concentration of the mind. In this class, an improvisational combination of yoga elements is introduced to create a fun and challenging practice that builds upon a traditional Hatha Yoga foundation.
Wednesdays 10:40-12:00

GYROKINESIS®
is an important evolution for practitioners of yoga, incorporating ancient principals of energy awareness with the modern science of anatomic movement. It coordinates the breath with fluid and dynamic choreography, strengthens the muscles along the spine which is vital for structural support and alignment, and generates vibrant energy that awakens our highest potential. It is unique because it uses circular/spherical motion and three-dimensional awareness, providing both freedom and support for the muscles, joints and spine.
Thursdays 9:20-10:40
 
 
UNDER THE LIGHT YOGA SCHOOL
Shogakukaikan-bekkan 4F, 1-53-4, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053
TEL.03-5351-5501
www.underthelight.jp

June 19th, 2010

Integration Yoga Workshop @ UTL

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Saturday, June 19

Integration Yoga Workshop

the science of the nadis, bandhas and chakras
14:00-16:00
Under The Light Yoga School, Yoyogi

Yoga for many begins with the practice of asana, synchronizing the movements of the body with the flow of the breath. The definition of Yoga, according to Patanjali, is the cessation of the waves of the mind. So in order to bridge the one with the other, it is vital to integrate the dynamics of our subtle anatomy: the nadis (channels), bandhas (locks) and chakras (energy centers).

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Hatha Yoga is the merging of opposites, the union of the male and female energies within us. This unification happens in the subtle anatomy, which is supported by our physical structure and activity. If one practices any of the Hatha Yogas (Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, Bikram, etc.), the opportunity to deepen one’s practice is to cultivate the subtle energies within. We open and clear the channels, utilize the bandhas to guide and direct energy to flow freely up and through the various chakras, ultimately resulting in the stilling of the waves of the mind.

In this workshop, we will explore exercises to gain awareness of our subtle anatomy. We will do pranayama to strengthen the bandhas as well as learn a powerful mantra to clear and energize the chakras. Finally, we will do a yoga set designed to integrate subtle awareness with a physical asana practice. The practice of yoga opens many doors. And if it’s time to go deeper, the tools to help you do the work are right there inside of us.

June 17th, 2010

10-day Mung Beans & Rice Diet

As a continuation of the Yoga Detox Program, a group of us did a 10-day version of the Mung Beans & Rice diet.  This dish is an easy to make Indian style kicherie which reduces the normal stress we put on the digestive system, giving it a chance to heal and repair itself.  The dish itself is delicious and nutritious which makes it an easy beginners diet/cleanse.  Normally it is done for 30 to 40 days, but I adjusted it so it could suit our first time cleansers.  The diet was supplemented with whole fruit in-between meals and all you can drink Yogi Tea (made from scratch).  Probably the most obvious change was the weight we lost, but in time this diet can help one feel the shedding of unwanted and unneeded emotional and mental material as well.  And because many of you have requested the recipe, you can find it here.  Plus I recommend reading Yogi Bhajan’s thoughts about fasting.

Some Thoughts About Fasting

Recipe: Mung Beans & Rice + Yogi Tea

Enjoy!

June 5th, 2010

Detox Yoga Workshop @ UTL

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Saturday, June 5

Detox Yoga Workshop

spring cleaning for the mind, body and soul
14:00-16:00
@ Under The Light Yoga School, Yoyogi

When we begin our journey with yoga, it’s like preparing the soil for a garden to produce an abundance of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. As we deepen our practice, we plant the seeds that we choose to cultivate. And if we want the best possible result with our garden, we create the best possible environment to nurture these seedlings. So similarly in our yoga practice, it is an important step to cleanse the body and mind to properly cultivate the ‘seed’ or light of our true nature which yoga reveals.

Spring is the perfect time of year to cleanse. It is when new growth appears in nature. It is when new blood is produced in the body and naturally we shed old, unused material. And by doing specific dietary cleanses in combination with asana, healing breaths and meditation, we create the optimal environment for our work with yoga to bear fruit.

In this workshop, we will introduce yoga asana designed specifically to heal the digestive system which, if not working properly, is the cause of many illnesses and diseases. We will also learn to use the breath and meditation to heal the major organs and release burdensome thoughts and negative emotions. Finally, we will look at a few suggested yogic cleanses which will aid in our body’s natural desire and ability to repair and heal itself. If we simply lighten the load we place on our bodies and minds, our yoga practice will bear the fruit that will nourish us deep within and eternally without.

May 2nd, 2010

A Visit With Reiki Sensei Mikao Usui

Recently I paid a visit to Dr. Mikao Usui’s gravesite in Tokyo, located in Shin-Koenji.  Being here reconnected me to the beginnings of my Reiki practice which began back in 1996.  My journey with Reiki has deepened profoundly over the years, unifying the many varied and seemingly ‘separate’ components of my life (and there are many).  It was the alchemical agent that bound my practice with my every day life.  And whenever the world felt like it was spinning fast and furiously, Reiki brought me to the very center where everything was perfectly still.  It helped me to know truly what it means to be of service, to have intention in thought, speech and activity, and ultimately how to be empty amidst it all.  I am so grateful that Reiki is a part of my life.  It’s wisdom is so simple, yet profound.

Just for today, I will not be angry

Just for today, I will not worry

Just for today, I will be grateful

Just for today, I will do my work honestly

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing

I pay my respects and offer my gratitude that I am able to receive this beautiful gift as well as share it with all whom I encounter.  I ask to continue to be a clear channel of love for the universe, for the highest good of all sentient beings.  I open, I receive, I surrender.

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May 1st, 2010

Yoga Aid / Tokyo Midtown

For a few weeks in April/May, the manicured lawn of posh Tokyo Midtown is the home of Park Yoga, which offers free outdoor yoga to the Tokyo community.  And on this special occasion, a conglomerate of local yoga instructors plus visiting teachers led a 700+ person yoga session which not only was quite a sight to see, but quite amazing in which to participate.  Organized by a couple from Australia, Yoga Aid brings awareness to and supports charitable non-profit organizations all over the world.  It stimulated me to look at the possibility of doing non-profit work myself here in Japan, plus it was a fun way to dive into the local yoga community and reacquaint myself with fellow yoga teachers.  As a new Japan resident, I look forward to all of the rich experiences that await as I stand at the vastly expanded horizon of my life, saluting the rising sun and all it brings forth.

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April 29th, 2010

The road that paves The Way…

Now that I have arrived, I’m observing what awaits me here in Tokyo.  It’s a little anticlimactic, because every other visit has been ‘okay, let’s have a party!  Get everyone together, have dinners, do yoga workshops, organize classes, see the city, take a trip, talk about how exciting it’ll be living here someday…’  But this time it’s, ‘okay, I’m here!  Where is everybody?  Oh, they’re working, traveling, in meetings, with family, taking care of their business.  Well then, I guess I’d better get to it and take care of mine.  Let’s see, where to begin… set up yoga classes, attract DJ gigs, work on music, study Japanese, get a phone, open a bank account, stock up on groceries, do laundry…’  It may not be cake and confetti, but I have arrived and it is time to get to work.  The road ahead is vast and wide.  I may ultimately know where it’s going, but I could take many different paths, all kinds of things could happen along the way.  Whatsoever the case, and most importantly, I know to stay connected with my vision, my purpose, my ground, my state.  And day by day, step by step, I’m finding my way on the path that unfolds before me.

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April 18th, 2010

New Beginnings. Tokyo, Japan.

Welcome to the next incarnation of the Miles Maeda saga.  My work in the US is done for now, and the sakura flowers here in Japan symbolize the coming of spring which means new beginnings in many different ways.  How appropriate it is that I have arrived during this auspicious time as well as turned an auspicious age to begin this new life abroad.  It will be a great opportunity to explore more deeply the work that was born out of my two previous non-profit projects, World Evolution Productions and Ouvre Corporation, and watch the seeds grow in this rich new environment.  So stay tuned as I share the latest and greatest adventures in the land of the rising sun.

Miles

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