#mertapuheh

[bwiseii]

Angels never stop radiating Light.

[bwiseii]

You need a village, if only for the pleasure of leaving it. A village means that you are not alone, knowing that in the people, the trees, the earth, there is something that belongs to you, waiting for you when you are not there. - Casare Pavese When I returned home, the trees and the earth greeted me well. Today, my coworkers missed me dearly (plus they had work already waiting for me😏), as I missed them (and the work too 😒☺️). Last night, when I returned to my wing chun class; my second home, my tribe and my village, all in one; they greeted me with warm smiles and eyes that lit up w/affection. After class, Shirley told me (a couple of times) that, "It just wasn't the same wing chun w/out you being here and doing random yoga poses and asking us to join in on the fun." So I asked her to join me in some new Ashtanga poses that I learned in PH. Not just the ones in the picture, but others that I knew that this super flexible woman could do, and she did!😃 I helped her into her king pigeon and tried out the new way of getting into pincha that Bim taught me. In Ashtanga class, he told me not to extend up, but you know me 😏, I had to extend and try this thing out sooner or later. Not perfect form, but like Sifu says, "Expect at least a 60% margin of accuracy at first, then incrementally build up from there." Last night was the first time that I lifted my head up from how Bim taught me and later I practiced scorpion that way when I got home. It felt good. It also felt good to be back at home with #vbwingchun It felt good to be back at home at work (sharing new poses there too☺️), and at my actual home. I missed the guys at class and at work! I miss my peeps and my fam! It's good to be home. And it's good to listen to how you feel. I teach about "feeling" all the time. Tonight I wanted to practice kung fu so bad, but felt tired and a bit weak, so I took heed to what my body was telling me and I rested. It feels good to lay in my bed under my favorite covers. Constantly enjoying the simple pleasures in life. And I feel that my covers were waiting for me to return as well. ☺️🙏 PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh

[bwiseii]

Memories aren't stored in the heart or the head or even the soul, if you ask me, but in the space between any two given people. - Jodi Picoult "You miss being over there, don't you?" My wife asked me as we stood in the grocery line a few hours ago. "Yeah, Ba', I do. I was just thinking about how peaceful it was." "Okay, I'll keep my mouth shut," she replied. "No, Ba', it's not you, it's just that I was thinking about some of the peace that I found there. That's all." She saw that I was off in La-La Land again and I'd been talking w/her about my trip and the beautiful people so much, and our dialogue continues still. It was a good trip; it's good to travel. ********** This morning I played in the VA sunrise, after two months spent in PH, and bathed myself in a certain type of peace that was recently re-unwrapped again while there. My playtime was relaxing and refreshing. It brought me soundly into the present moment. I find joy in all that I do, a primary cause of my calmness. And everywhere that I go, I spread it inadvertingly. I spread it amongst my co-workers, hotel staff and the friends and acquaintances that I met. And the best part about spreading goodness is that you do it with an opened hand. The "best" in that is that by giving freely w/an opened hand, you open yourself up to the opportunity of receiving goodness in return. Parts of me will live on in the hearts and memories of those that I've touched, and parts of them will forever walk within me as well. This is my idea of healing, sowing and reaping. I was told that much of what I feel will make better sense once I get home. I see the wisdom in those words now. I've made mistakes and not been as wise as I should have been, just within this short period of time (and daily, to be honest), but I'm focusing on the good right now in this moment. The cup of my heart runneth over with radiant peace, an abundance of love and the vivacious aroma of joy. I feel so blessed. I'm giving myself time to enjoy my joys and friendships, to miss and to long to play with people, to remember and reminisce, to bask in the experiences and lessons, and to hold onto things that have passed me by, just for a few more moment. And by doing so, the things that I need to let go of, I can do it with a bit more peace; and the things that are mines to keep, I can place them within me where they properly belong. Closing my eyes to breathe deeply ... ** Inhale ** ..... ** Exhale** ** Inhale ** ..... ** Exhale** ** Inhale ** ..... ** Exhale** ** Inhale ** ..... ** Exhale** ** Inhale ** ..... ** Exhale** Opening my eyes back up gently. ..... That felt good. Until next time... PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh #blacksthoughts #partsofblackstillinph 😉😄 P.S. There's no way for me to tag all of my Pinoy peeps, so I'm tagging my two prime ambassadors.😉😄 I miss you Ladies.

[bwiseii]

It is good people who make good places. - Anna Sewell Thank you for shining light where I headStand, making my multiple delays breeze by with laughter and a zany challenge to go do a headstand in one of the busiest airports on a super busy night. You make where I am good. PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh Oh, and ol' boy was looking perplexed before I did my headstand, just saying tho'. There was a group of three Italian studs chillin' in the cut and I asked the middle dude to hook me up. They laughed and obliged. #renegadeyoga to pass a long stay @ #JFK

[bwiseii]

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight-seeing." - Daniel J. Boorstin I made ish happen and had a blast! I worked so hard that I lost weight. I met people that will travel with me for the rest of my life. I've learned lessons that only sacrifice could teach. Been there, done that and got a t-shirt for it. Back at home is the USofA. Breathing deeply to see what life holds next for me. I asked a random dude to take my pic, then asked if I could rest my phone against his bag to take this one. So go make friends, speak to people, try new and different things, establish your liberation. #BePeace PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh @nerguita asked me to #Stopdropandyoga You're invited to join the random fun @nayitavp @andrew7sealy @rcasiller & @humblebeginningsyoga

[bwiseii]

Giving an eternal recognition of gratitude to my soulmates, healing partners, and the Most High (My Highest Self). I Am Love with you We Are Love, and Love is Us Grace and Honor Peace and Love Sat Nam _/|\_ Peace Blessings and Joy (PB&J) to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh #blkiph #blacksthoughts

[bwiseii]

When I place my hands on you, it's as if I can read your soul And in that moment, our time will never grow old We're an ageless story to be told Ancient archetypes begin to unfold Unraveling the mysteries of life and wonder Why we thirst and hunger Who's prey, predictor, hunter My heart beat claps like thunder and my blood flows like the Congo My flesh against your flesh is like the wind blow, I'm in yo' I've felt love, but not like this before The kind I can't ignore, even after years pass by I had to loose you, but I'll never seriously ask the question why I'll just comply to the changing of seasons knowing that life hasn't committed a treason It just continues It goes on and flows, no one has to convince you If your will says yes, then we'll embrace If your will says no, I won't continue the chase Because I've never pursued love before, well, maybe once or twice, and gave it more effort than a single grain of rice And our embrace changed me, I'll never be the same me And quite strangely the energy exchange will always remain free And when I see you, and you see love in my eyes don't blame me But I won't violate, I'll keep my distance Even though your laughter and your tears I'm steadily missing I'm not a lost lover, I just lost a great friend And I'm truthful with you, I'll never pretend When you embraced me, you changed me, I tasted your soul And it'll remain in me after I'm dead, carrying you constantly as I grow old 131127

[bwiseii]

I don’t care what the people say, I’m gonna #play #with the #trees the #soil the #grass and the #breeze always. I’m enjoying this #heavenlycity 😏🙏

@tk_yogi asked me to #stopdropandyoga this morning, so I did, but decided to do it again, and really do it big after I got off from work. I was supposed to meet up w/some folks but I’m happy that I didn’t. I took my time to walk to the park today. I didn’t mind getting turned around a few times. It was good to be free again, to have time to myself, time to be by myself. When I finally made it to the beautiful green spaces, I saw so much life and activity. There were children throwing a frisbee, a nice size group doing acro yoga, people laughing and acting silly jumping over each other and taking pictures of it, a dude doing tai chi, people chillin and then there was me looking for my spot to root myself and connect w/MamaEarth. Of course I had to get phone calls to put out fires, but I did and continued with my bliss. I did my #fckyafingertips fun then relaxed for a short while. By then, Kung Fu Joe had wrapped it up and was leaving. I stood up and practiced my wing chun forms, as park goers gawked at me darting my fingertips and slicing the air with my elbows. Some people stopped jogging and walking just to check out the show. I hope they got their money’s worth. But I didn’t pay them any mind, I was too far in my zone. I did feel a lady sit down under “my” tree and watch me while her and her dog lazily chilled in that comfy spot. After my forms, I wanted to open my lungs up a bit more so that I could enjoy more of the fresh air, so I began a round of sun salutations. During which, two dudes were chasing each other around the other tree and me, then their dog joined in on the fun. The action got a bit too intense when this one dog came tumbling around the tree causing a lady to pick up her two little hotdogs, holding them safely inside of her arms like protective buns. She threw a face full of polite teeth at the other lady so as to ask her, “Please get your boehmite of a dog away from my precious little babies.” And the lady complied. Oh, and that cute orange chow-chow was out there again today as well. As I was finishing up my “peaceful” sun salutations, some little children wanted to play with me, like “Look at this dude hovering over the ground. He looks like he’s having fun. I wanna have fun too,” but their mothers wanted to snap boring pictures of them in front of “my” tree. It’s all good. After my practices, I became the spectator, gawking at people and enjoying the peace and tranquility of the universe inside of me as I brushed the dirt from the soles of my feet before I stepped back off towards the luscious tropical trees that take root and spring forth from the ever growing body of concrete and medal.

PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh #blkiphq #AyalaTrianglePark

Please join me in some play, @monkeymix @alejandra_yoga @childofthe70 nighttime or day.

[bwiseii]

"You'll never know my level of sacrifice, love, pain and commitment until you read it in my eyes." - black I have bent so far, only a little more to go. I will push thru to meet my goal. And if it isn't to be, I can be at peace with that. I know that I gave it my all. I know that I followed my heart through to the end. I am already better for trying; for making an attempt to reach that which was once seen as impossible. My will is strong and my faith matches its knowing. Maybe tomorrow I will touch the tips of my soul. Maybe tomorrow I will look my reflection in the eyes and be able to smile fully for the first time in my life. Maybe .. #blacksthoughts #blkiph PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh

[bwiseii]

Who forces time is pushed back by time; who yields to time finds time on his side. - The Talmud I made the time to #stopdropandyoga with @nataq and @nerguita today. Thank you, Ladies. I needed that time to myself. Even that minute upside down was enriching. It broke me away from my desk. I've been a slave to the clocks, the deadlines, the appointments, the meetings, the paperwork, and the whole business of what it is that I'm doing. My grounding meditation this morning reminded me that I'm so much more expansive than any negative emotion or temporal setback. I can be at ease throughout the hustle and bustle of the day's business. I can be at peace through the commotion and everything that I encounter. All I have to do is make the choice to be at peace and breathe it into being. It's all a matter of perspective and accepting, and walking through the process of bringing it into being. I need to meditate more and find more time to feel my timeless essence. I yield to my true nature and accept peace into my reality. I thank my healing partners for always reminding me of my true nature and the tools that I have at my disposal to become aware of my truth - that I am peace and love. Please yield to time with me Diana, Rachel and Courtney, join me for a nice yoga break. I don't think you'll regret it. PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh #blkiph

[bwiseii]

Bamboo is flexible, bending with the wind but never breaking, capable of adapting to any circumstance. It suggests resilience, meaning that we have the ability to bounce back even from the most difficult times. . . . Your ability to thrive depends, in the end, on your attitude to your life circumstances. Take everything in stride with grace, putting forth energy when it is needed, yet always staying calm inwardly. - Ping Fu It doesn't take long after being around me to learn that I'm pretty flexible and strong. It doesn't take long to learn that I will flex and help support you. But it takes a while before I begin to show any signs of uptightness or weakness. I will bend for you, yet I will always reserve what I need to self sustain. I will always give, yet I will hold onto what is required to hold myself up. I will extend myself, but I know my limits. I wanna give, bend, contort and extend myself to people, but I will not over extend myself to those who don't practice reciprocity. I love and I do freely. And if I'm not loving and doing as you feel I should... Let's talk about it. As far as I see things and the way that I deal with life. #LifeisGood and I operate based on #OneLove #mertapuheh #blacksthoughts #blkiph Maria asked me to #stopdropandyoga I pass along the yoga train to Reva, Wu, Brendon & Luly.

[bwiseii]

It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one. - George Harrison

Now you know I have a story for everything right? 😉 I walked past this poster board a couple of times already, on my way for Indian food. But today The Beetles spoke to me (🐞😂). They said, “Luly would like this.”😃 So I took heed to my instincts and turned around. I asked this couple, actually the dude, to take my picture. He didn’t quite understand me but his lady friend did. She was like, “He wants a picture. Where do you want it?” She asked me. I guided her over to the spot. She hooked me up, I thanked her and mischievously smiled to myself as they walked off.😄 My thoughts and concerns remain at home, but The Beetles decided to speak to me today. They wanted me to take a picture with them for Luly while I’m still in her time zone. I hope you likie, Luly.😃 Here’s to living in the now! PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh

P.S. Actually I’m drinking tea at Outback right now because I think that Indian food had some cream or cheese in it. Me tummy is a bit sad now. 😢 Mr. CupofTea told us that he would make us feel better. ☕️😆

[bwiseii]

This isn't an asana. It isn't special either. It just is. It's what brought me to feel ready to share what I wrote the day that we drove out of Manila, the day that Holy Week began. And even that wasn't anything in-particularly special to share. I guess I just wanna express my words. I edited them slightly and took out the parts that I already shared, but this is my word picture of what I observed. Plush and pretty, over rundown and old. Promises of hope hovering on billboard over the faces of poverty, although there's so much beauty thru and thru. Tropical trees and concrete grow in unison. Partially constructed buildings tell an unfinished story of what was to become, while old reliable, and sometimes unreliable, structures sustain shelter and life. Motor bikes and taxis dominate the streets while buses swim by like orcas in a tight stream. I look in the people's eyes and see me. Yet I also see Eurocentric dreams mixed with traditional pride. I see strength in small framed bodies. Things are always in motion. Construction. White Buddha statues. Black clouds of exhaust spew into the air. A child walks by with only a dirty shirt on, not even tall enough to see over a cashier's counter. People are about their business. I gotta respect them. They've survived too many invasions and always carry around the most beautiful smiles upon their faces. The local music is softly playing through the radio as my friendly driver pays for his toll. I can dig this; referring to the music. And referring to the smog filled air of the city (well not really the smog part). Can't wait to see the countryside. Oxen lay in the grass and eat leisurely. Houses are livable. Gigantic billboards display beautiful women and cool dudes, while the people wear plain clothes and work to sustain families. Why sell dreams? Why not build lives. But that's for every place. Some live in tin houses or houses made of brick or wood, like my ancestors lived in on the edge of the woods, like our stack houses where we hung tobacco. A vibrant field of beautiful grass w/picturesque palm trees separates the homes from high class and full service gas stations that were erected to help travelers along the highway. Riding through the city, I had no thoughts of yoga or any other luxury that I possess. I had no thoughts of "working" the girls or any other negative feelings. I wanted to take pictures of the bikes as forms of transportation, but didn't wanna disrespect the people. Vincent pumping Puffy and Faith Evan's "I'll Be Missing You" makes me think of the impact of our music. Our music (Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Country, Rock and Roll, etc) has a huge impact of how foreigners view us. If they never really interact w/us then what else do they have to learn about us besides our music, movies and books? This is why I try my best to be a good ambassador. ... How Coolio "Gangsta's Paradise" just came on? 👂🎶 And this radio station actually has the profanity? Oh, my bad, that's Vincent's CD. He's a Hip Hop head, pumping Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg now. And finally, the deathly still traffic of the night prior to Holy Week. PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh #blkiph #blacksthoughts

[bwiseii]

Like Kweli said about Mr. Hill, "There are no words." PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh #Mumford&Son #WhiteBlankPage

[bwiseii]

I smile.

I smile as the police whistles blow at the hurrying cars honking their horns as they crazily change lanes down the street. I smile as I march through the streets and stand out like pepper in a salt shaker, yet I still feel that I blend in well with the scenery. But my view of what was up above me was what really made me smile. I smiled as I looked up past the tall buildings that tried to block my view. The setting sun was playfully tickling hues of violet underneath the sparse patches of barely blue clouds. The sky was hardly blue as well, moreso a shade of smokey grey. I also smiled at the people as they remind me of home and being away from home all at once. But as the sun sets further below the horizon, my heart frowns. Not at the sun releasing it’s playful fingers from the bottom of the clouds, but as the children emerge upon the streets to ask for money with their pitiful faces. But those pitiful faces aren’t unique to this city alone. I’ve encountered them in every major city that I’ve set foot in; Tokyo, Atlanta, San Juan, Los Vegas, Naples, D.C. and the list goes on and on. Jim Kelly said it best, “Ghettos are the same all over the world. They stink.” But I still smile. Call me an hopeless optimist. No better yet, call me a true realist. For as the sun sets, it is sure to rise again. Things change, people and places change. As a matter of fact, change is the highest truth. As long as we’re wise and fill our hearts with compassion and fashion our works towards collective goals then we can all rise together and be well. But there I go being a hopeless optimist again. Realistically all we can do is aim to drive the change within ourselves. When we change our perspective we can begin to change our reality. Yeah, I’ll aim that focus right there. So for the lil children who approach me as I walk towards those pretty horses across the street, this #horsepose is for you. Outside of giving you a few pecos, that’ll fuel this social misfortune, this is the best that I can do for now - fold into myself, make myself more limber, flexible, stronger and durable to deal with this, sometimes, cold and hard world that we love in. PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh

P.S. I wrote those words prior to committing to this #vatayanasana I held it a bit higher a few more times, but chose this picture. It shows me my struggles and imperfections. I want to make an analogy for this struggling and imperfect world that’s in a lot of pain. We have to do hard work. We have to suffer some. We desire to progress and persevere. This may have hurt me, but I did it with love and kindness in my heart. I eased into it and made it do what it do. I wonder what we all can make it do, if only we try.

[bwiseii]

Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness. - James Thurber

Being here makes this #yckyafingertips #grasshopper a must.

We receive and we release. We gain and we give. We come and we go. My voice is going away, probably because I don’t feel that I’m going to be able to express what I truly desire to express. I want to say things that I am uncertain can be said. I want to do things that I am uncertain can be done. Simple things, healing things, pure and true things. I need to let go and let live. And if it comes, I will follow along. And if it doesn’t comes to pass, I continue upon my journey in peace.

I seldom pray, but today I pray that the scans come out favorably. Not so that I can continue doing what I want to do, but because I pray the best for you. I love you.

I wanted to redo this asana but everything was closed after my nap. I wanted to not share this with anyone, but I need to find my voice again, so I’m being opened, honest and true. I share these simple sentiments with you. Peace and Love to you.

PB&J to my #yogapatnas #LifeisGood #OneLove #mertapuheh