#what is yoga teacher training like

[yttretreat]

Unleashing Your Inner Yogi: A Comprehensive Guide to Yoga Teacher Training Retreats

If you're passionate about yoga and want to take your practice to the next level, you might want to consider a yoga teacher training retreat. Not only will you deepen your knowledge and understanding of yoga, but you'll also be able to share your passion with others by becoming a certified yoga teacher. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right training retreat for you? That's where this comprehensive guide comes in. We'll take you through everything you need to know, from the benefits of attending a yoga teacher training retreat, to the different types of retreats available, to what to look for in a training program. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just starting out, this guide will help you unleash your inner yogi and take your practice to the next level. So get ready to dive into the world of yoga teacher training retreats and discover the transformative power of this ancient practice.

Understanding Yoga Teacher Training Retreats

A yoga teacher training retreat is an immersive program designed to deepen your understanding of yoga and prepare you to teach others. These retreats vary in length and intensity, but they all provide a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from yoga philosophy and anatomy to teaching methodology and practice teaching. Most retreats are held in beautiful, peaceful locations that allow you to fully immerse yourself in your practice and connect with like-minded individuals.

The length of a yoga teacher training retreat can vary from a few weeks to several months. Some retreats are intensive programs that require you to devote all of your time and energy to your practice, while others are designed to be more flexible, allowing you to continue working or attending school while completing your training. The curriculum of a yoga teacher training retreat will typically include a combination of lectures, workshops, physical practice, and teaching practice.

Attending a yoga teacher training retreat is a life-changing experience that will deepen your understanding of yoga and help you develop the skills you need to become a confident and effective teacher. Whether you're looking to start a new career or simply deepen your practice, a yoga teacher training retreat is an investment in yourself that will pay dividends for years to come.

Benefits of Yoga Teacher Training Retreats

Attending a yoga teacher training retreat offers numerous benefits, both for your personal practice and your professional development. Here are just a few of the many benefits you can expect to experience:

Deepen Your Understanding of Yoga

One of the primary benefits of attending a yoga teacher training retreat is the opportunity to deepen your understanding of yoga. You'll learn about the history and philosophy of yoga, as well as the physical and mental benefits of the practice. You'll also have the opportunity to delve deeper into your own practice, exploring new poses, refining your alignment, and developing a deeper connection to your breath.

Become a Certified Yoga Teacher

Completing a yoga teacher training retreat is the first step to becoming a certified yoga teacher. Most retreats are accredited by the Yoga Alliance, which is the organization that sets the standards for yoga teacher training programs. Once you complete your training, you'll be eligible to register with the Yoga Alliance and start teaching yoga classes.

Connect with Like-Minded Individuals

Attending a yoga teacher training retreat is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for yoga. You'll have the opportunity to form deep, meaningful relationships with your fellow students and your teachers, creating a supportive community that will continue to inspire and motivate you long after your training is over.

Develop Teaching Skills

In addition to deepening your understanding of yoga, attending a yoga teacher training retreat will also help you develop the skills you need to become a confident and effective teacher. You'll learn about teaching methodology, sequencing, and alignment, as well as how to create a safe and supportive environment for your students. You'll also have the opportunity to practice teaching, receiving feedback and guidance from your teachers and fellow students.

Choosing the Right Yoga Teacher Training Retreat

Choosing the right yoga teacher training retreat can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a program:

Accreditation

Make sure that the program you choose is accredited by the Yoga Alliance. This will ensure that your training meets the standards set by the organization and that you'll be eligible to register with them once you complete your training.

Location

Consider the location of the retreat. Do you want to stay close to home or travel to a new destination? Do you prefer a rural or urban setting? Think about what type of environment will best support your learning and practice.

Length and Intensity

Consider the length and intensity of the program. Do you have the time and resources to commit to a longer, more intensive program, or would you prefer a shorter, more flexible program that allows you to continue working or attending school?

Curriculum

Look at the curriculum of the program. Does it cover the topics that are most important to you? Do you feel like the program will provide a comprehensive and well-rounded education in yoga?

Teaching Faculty

Consider the teaching faculty of the program. Are they experienced and knowledgeable? Do they have a teaching style that resonates with you? Look for programs that have a diverse and experienced teaching faculty.

Essential Elements of Yoga Teacher Training Retreats

While the specific curriculum of a yoga teacher training retreat will vary depending on the program, there are some essential elements that you can expect to find in most programs:

Yoga Philosophy and History

A comprehensive yoga teacher training program should cover the history and philosophy of yoga, including the ancient texts and teachings that form the foundation of the practice.

Anatomy and Physiology

Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the body is essential for teaching yoga safely and effectively. A good training program will cover the major muscle groups and joints, as well as common injuries and how to prevent them.

Teaching Methodology

A yoga teacher training program should also cover teaching methodology, including how to sequence classes, how to use props, and how to modify poses for different levels and abilities.

Practice Teaching

Practice teaching is an essential part of any yoga teacher training program. You'll have the opportunity to practice teaching in a supportive environment, receiving feedback and guidance from your teachers and fellow students.

Meditation and Pranayama

Meditation and pranayama (breathwork) are important aspects of the yoga practice. A good training program will cover these practices in depth, giving you the tools you need to incorporate them into your own practice and your teaching.

Preparing for Your Yoga Teacher Training Retreat

Preparing for a yoga teacher training retreat requires both physical and mental preparation. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare for your program:

Build Stamina

Attending a yoga teacher training retreat is physically and mentally demanding. Make sure that you're physically prepared by building up your stamina with a regular yoga practice and other forms of exercise.

Set Intentions

Setting intentions for your training can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the program. Think about what you hope to gain from your training and write down your intentions.

Do Your Research

Research the program thoroughly before you enroll. Read reviews from past students, talk to the teaching faculty, and make sure that the program aligns with your goals and values.

Pack Appropriately

Make sure that you pack appropriate clothing and gear for your program, including comfortable yoga clothes, a yoga mat, and any other props or equipment that you'll need.

Daily Schedule at a Yoga Teacher Training Retreat

The daily schedule at a yoga teacher training retreat will vary depending on the program, but most programs follow a similar structure. Here's an example of what a typical day might look like:

6:00am - 7:30am: Meditation and Pranayama

7:30am - 9:30am: Asana Practice

9:30am - 10:30am: Breakfast

10:30am - 1:00pm: Lecture or Workshop

1:00pm - 2:00pm: Lunch

2:00pm - 4:00pm: Teaching Methodology or Practice Teaching

4:00pm - 5:30pm: Asana Practice

5:30pm - 6:30pm: Dinner

6:30pm - 8:00pm: Self-Study or Group Discussion

8:00pm - 9:00pm: Meditation or Restorative Yoga

Yoga Teacher Training Retreat Activities

While the focus of a yoga teacher training retreat is on yoga, there are usually other activities available as well. Here are some activities that you might find at a yoga teacher training retreat:

Nature Walks

Many retreats are held in beautiful natural settings, and nature walks are a great way to connect with the environment and get some exercise.

Workshops

Some retreats offer workshops on topics related to yoga, such as nutrition, Ayurveda, or mindfulness.

Cultural Activities

If the retreat is held in a foreign country, there may be opportunities to explore the local culture, visit historical sites, or attend cultural events.

Free Time

Most retreats include some free time for rest and relaxation. Use this time to explore the local area, connect with your fellow students, or simply rest and recharge.

Certification and Accreditation of Yoga Teacher Training Retreats

Most yoga teacher training retreats are accredited by the Yoga Alliance, which is the organization that sets the standards for yoga teacher training programs. In order to become accredited, the program must meet certain criteria in terms of curriculum, teaching faculty, and number of contact hours. Once you complete an accredited program, you'll be eligible to register with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).

Popular Yoga Teacher Training Retreats around the World

There are countless yoga teacher training retreats available around the world, but here are a few popular options to consider:

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a popular destination for yoga teacher training retreats, with its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and vibrant culture. Bali is a great place to connect with like-minded individuals and deepen your practice.

Rishikesh, India

Known as the birthplace of yoga, Rishikesh is a popular destination for yoga teacher training retreats. With its stunning natural beauty and rich spiritual history, Rishikesh is the perfect place to deepen your understanding of yoga.

Bali is a popular destination for yoga teacher training retreats, with its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and vibrant culture. Bali is a great place to connect with like-minded individuals and deepen your practice.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its natural beauty and eco-friendly culture, making it a popular destination for yoga teacher training retreats. With its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife, Costa Rica is the perfect place to connect with nature and deepen your practice.

Conclusion

Attending a yoga teacher training retreat is an investment in yourself and your practice. Whether you're looking to become a certified yoga teacher or simply deepen your understanding of yoga, a yoga teacher training retreat will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to take your practice to the next level. By following the guidelines and tips provided in this guide, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect program for you and unleashing your inner yogi.

[burst-of-iridescent]

South Asian and Hindu Influences in ATLA (Part 2)

disclaimer: i was raised culturally and religiously hindu, and though i've tried to do my research for this post and pair it with my own cultural knowledge, i'm not an expert on hinduism by any means. should i mess up, please let me know.

please also be aware that many of the concepts discussed in this post overlap heavily with religions such as buddhism and jainism, which might have different interpretations and representations. as i'm not from those religions or cultures, i don't want to speak on them, but if anyone with that knowledge wishes to add on, please feel free.

Part 1

In the previous post, I discussed some of the things ATLA got right in its depictions of desi and hindu cultures. unfortunately, they also got plenty of things wrong - often in ways that leaned towards racist caricatures - so let's break them down, starting with...

Guru Pathik

both the word "guru" and name "pathik" come from sanskrit. pathik means "traveler" or "he who knows the way" while guru is a term for a guide or mentor, similar to a teacher.

gurus were responsible for the very first education systems in ancient india, setting up institutions called gurukuls. students, referred to as disciples, would often spend years living with and learning from their gurus in these gurukuls, studying vedic and buddhist texts, philosophy, music and even martial arts.

however, their learning was not limited merely to academic study, as gurus were also responsible for guiding the spiritual evolution of their disciples. it was common for disciples to meditate, practice yoga, fast for days or weeks, and complete mundane household chores every day in order to instill them with self-discipline and help them achieve enlightenment and spiritual awareness. the relationship between a guru and his disciple was considered a sacred, holy bond, far exceeding that of a mere teacher and student.

aang's training with guru pathik mirrors some of these elements. similar to real gurus, pathik takes on the role of aang's spiritual mentor. he guides aang in unblocking his chakras and mastering the avatar state through meditation, fasting, and self-reflection - all of which are practices that would have likely been encouraged in disciples by their gurus.

pathik's design also takes inspiration from sadhus, holy men who renounced their worldly ties to follow a path of spiritual discipline. the guru's simple, nondescript clothing and hair are reflective of the ascetic lifestyle sadhus are expected to lead, giving up material belongings and desires in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment and, ultimately, liberation from the reincarnation cycle.

unfortunately, this is where the respectful references end because everything else about guru pathik was insensitive at best and stereotypical at worst.

it is extremely distasteful that the guru speaks with an overexaggerated indian accent, even though the iranian-indian actor who plays him has a naturally british accent. why not just hire an actual indian voice actor if the intention was to make pathik sound authentic? besides, i doubt authenticity was the sole intention, given that the purposeful distortion of indian accents was a common racist trope played for comedy in early 2000s children's media (see: phineas and ferb, diary of a wimpy kid, jessie... the list goes on).

furthermore, while pathik is presented a wise and respected figure within this episode, his next (and last) appearance in the show is entirely the opposite.

in the episode nightmares and daydreams, pathik appears in aang's nightmare with six hands, holding what appears to be a veena (a classical indian music instrument). this references the iconography of the hindu deity Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. the embodiment of divine enlightenment, learning, insight and truth, Saraswati is a member of the Tridevi (the female version of the Trimurti), one of the most respected and revered goddesses in the Hindu pantheon... and her likeness is used for a cheap laugh on a character who's already treated as a caricature.

that's bad enough on its own, but when you consider that guru pathik is the only explicitly south asian coded character in the entire show, it's downright insulting. for a show that took so many of its foundational concepts from south asia and hinduism and yet provided almost no desi representation in return, this is just rubbing salt in the wound.

Chakras

"chakra", meaning "circle" or "wheel of life" in sanskrit, refers to sources of energy found in the human body. chakra points are aligned along the spine, with energy flowing from the lowest to the highest point. the energy pooled at the lowest chakra is called kundalini, and the aim is to release this energy to the highest chakra in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment and consciousness.

the number of chakras varies in different religions, with buddhism referencing five chakras while hinduism has seven. atla draws from the latter influence, so let's take a look at the seven chakras:

Muladhara (the Root Chakra). located at the base of the spine, this chakra deals with our basest instincts and is linked to the element of earth.

Swadhisthana (the Sacral Chakra). located just below the navel, this chakra deals with emotional intensity and pleasure and is linked to the element of water.

Manipura (the Solar Plexus Chakra). located in the stomach, this chakra deals with willpower and self-acceptance and is linked to the element of fire.

Anahata (the Heart Chakra). located in the heart, this chakra deals with love, compassion and forgiveness and is linked to the element of air. in the show, this chakra is blocked by aang's grief over the loss of the air nomads, which is a nice elemental allusion.

Vishudda (the Throat Chakra). located at the base of the throat, this chakra deals with communication and honesty and is linked to the fifth classical element of space. the show calls this the Sound Chakra, though i'm unsure where they got that from.

Ajna (the Third Eye Chakra). located in the centre of the forehead, this chakra deals with spirituality and insight and is also linked to the element of space. the show calls it the Light Chakra, which is fairly close.

Sahasrara (the Crown Chakra). located at the very top of the head, this chakra deals with pure cosmic consciousness and is also linked to the element of space. it makes perfect sense that this would be the final chakra aang has to unblock in order to connect with the avatar spirit, since the crown chakra is meant to be the point of communion with one's deepest, truest self.

the show follows these associations and descriptions almost verbatim, and does a good job linking the individual chakras to their associated struggles in aang's arc.

Cosmic Energy

the idea of chakras is associated with the concept of shakti, which refers to the life-giving energy that flows throughout the universe and within every individual.

the idea of shakti is a fundamentally unifying one, stating that all living beings are connected to one another and the universe through the cosmic energy that flows through us all. this philosophy is referenced both in the swamp episode and in guru pathik telling aang that the greatest illusion in the world is that of separation - after all, how can there be any real separation when every life is sustained by the same force?

this is also why aang needing to let go of katara did not, as he mistakenly assumed, mean he had to stop loving her. rather, the point of shedding earthly attachment is to allow one to become more attuned to shakti, both within oneself and others. ironically, in letting go of katara and allowing himself to commune with the divine energy of the universe instead, aang would have been more connected to her - not less.

The Avatar State

according to hinduism, there are five classical elements known as pancha bhuta that form the foundations of all creation: air, water, earth, fire, and space/atmosphere.

obviously, atla borrows this concept in making a world entirely based on the four classical elements. but looking at how the avatar spirit is portrayed as a giant version of aang suspended in mid-air, far above the earth, it's possible that this could reference the fifth liminal element of space as well.

admittedly this might be a bit of a reach, but personally i find it a neat piece of worldbuilding that could further explain the power of the avatar. compared to anyone else who might be able to master only one element, mastering all five means having control of every building block of the world. this would allow the avatar to be far more attuned to the spiritual energy within the universe - and themselves - as a result, setting in motion the endless cycle of death and rebirth that would connect their soul even across lifetimes.

[cleapallea]

master list + More

𐙚 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗬 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗦𐙚

& how you can make income! 🤑

Is empty house means empty wallet?

There are 12 sectors (zodiac sign + house) in astrology that reflect different aspects of your life. At this point, if you have planets in 12 houses, a planet being in that house as well as the rulers means you should have more focus in that area. For example, too many planets (2) in a tenth house with Venus aspects or rulers (Taurus and Libra) signifies that your career might be related to Venus qualities such as modeling, rebranding, or makeup (products, tutorials, etc.). Hence, I know some of you might ask: So what to do if none?

Empty Planet in 1st house

Aries: self image, rebranding and investing

Empty Planet in 2nd house

Taurus: depends on your own efforts. Kinda Similiar to 1st.

Empty Planet in 3rd House

Gemini: Person's activity, and investment (education, training and self development -professional)

Example: Graphic Designer, Artworks related, Freelance writer and etc

Empty Planet in 4th house

Cancer: Anything related to fostering homes, and building connections (social network)

Example: adopting a dog (female), and let them grow after that you can sell her puppies. Or you can build a pets/ poultry suppliers.

Empty Planet in 5th house

Leo: Anything related to pleasure, wholesome stuff, makes you happy and alive, self-expression, recreation, and innovation.

Example: Build a program (school, playground, or be a Yaya for a day) and alike

Empty Planet in 6th house

Virgo: anything related to health, wellness, and daily routines

Example: Be secretary, write a blog about health and wellness, Be a Yoga instructor, or Drugs Cashier in some malls, teacher and more.

Empty Planet in 7th house

Libra: anything related to partnership, business and interest in society as a whole.

Example: Be an event planner, teacher, or social media influencer starts to sell your self in social media.

Empty Planet in 8th house

Scorpio: money houses, long term success or growth career, real state investments and financial portfolios

Example: rentals of your personal collection like shoes, etc.

Empty Planet in 9th house

Sagittarius: Travel, higher learning, personal philosophy, exploration and intellect

Example: You may consider writing a story or list of quotes on a known website and look for a small publisher until you get recognized. You can also Teach foreign ppl in diff countries to use other languages.

Empty Planet in 10th house

Capricorn: public image, career aspiration and achievement, and more on ppl oriented.

Example: vlogger, streamer, content creator, YouTuber and alike

Empty Planet in 11th house

Aquarius: humanitarian and personal networks. Anything that may show your passion and interest in specific content.

Example: musician, or be friends with famous people (they can help you a lot), then let them see your talents. I've known a lot of Aquarius placements tend to be very talented. You just have to precise and be stick with good purpose cause double karma occurs if you're not.

Empty Planet in 12th house

Pisces: Mysterious side of humanity, mind, and life

Example: be a tarot reader, practice gambling, or any creative outlets.

✎ There are no such things as empty planets. The empty planets are ruled by the "lord" or "zodiac signs" inside them. Although I don't really believe it's not your main focus but more in IT'S YOUR HIDDEN GOAL AND SUCCESS, I've heard a lot of women who have their second house empty, but years later become rich due to partnerships, investments in education, and such. We have this called "transitting of each sign."

✎ take note that this is not a dynamic and astrology is about multifaceted interpretation. The question of where and what you can do to make money can vary depending on the whole system of your chart (aside from your energy). For me, I need to see the whole birth chart before I give the exact meaning of it. Every chart is different, so I can't provide full, detailed information about it.

✎You have to look for your MC (signs), Jupiter house +signs (power), Saturn (warnings/challenges occur) and Moon placed (for reminder why you started, why you need to work something like that) if you don't like your moon, then look for your south code. Or if you dont know how to start, look for the (Pluto). Find inspiration in everything :) God bless!

Plagiarism is A crime.

[astrojulia]

Tarot Cards as Professions

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Major Arcanas:

The Fool: Work with abroad, connections with imports, language teacher, multinationals, entrepreneur, intern, college student, art major.

The Magician: Entrepreneur, job that needs skill with the hands (acupuncture, hairdresser, artisan), actor, salesperson, influencer.

The High Priestess: Education, especially children, nutrition, psychology, cook, housewife, food engineering, toy factory, fortuneteller, spiritual advisor, librarian.

The Empress: Management, business administration, foreign trade, secretariat, translation, decoration, stay-at-home mom, model, cook, farmer.

The Emperor: Business administration, work related to areas of technological innovation, the military or sportsmen, CEO, tycoon.

The Hierophant: Philanthropic areas, ONGs, religious work, social work, diplomacy, and a degree, journalism, writer, editor, priest, spiritual guru, politician.

The Lovers: Sales area in any sector, tourism, theater, advertising, the arts in general, porn star, stripper, masseuse.

The Chariot: Activities related to transport, cars, the latest technology, chauffeur, mechanic, athlete.

Strength: Aesthetics, physical education and various body therapies, medicine, zoologist.

The Hermit: Teacher, writer, doctor, antique dealer, restorer, librarian, gardener.

Wheel of Fortune: Financial market, exchange offices, casinos, lottery houses, stock exchanges, and areas related to public relations, hospitality, game show host.

Justice: Public jobs, won through competitions, politics, police, with government positions, in the diplomatic area, law, insurance company worker.

The Hanged Man: Nurse, auditor, inspector, porter, secretariat, general assistants, yoga instructor, prison guard, philanthropist.

Death: Doctor, farmer, geologist, business administrator, gardener, accountant, assassin, death row executioner, surgeon.

Temperance: Working with liquids in general or with what is transported in liquid form such as alcoholic beverages, medicines, juices. chemist, chef, food critic, regional or even international traffic.

The Devil: Does not limit the individual to a professional wing, so he can also go to extremes for the desire he has, such as landlord, drug lord, sex trafficker.

The Tower: Social assistance, humanitarian aid, medicine, firefighter, police officer, construction worker.

The Star: Music, painting, sculpture, poetry, cinema, makeup artist, dressmaker, beautician, agent, promoter, sound artist, astronomer, harpist, dealer, meteorologist.

The Moon: Oceanographers, sailors, fishermen, owners of bars and restaurants or nightclubs, artists in general, medium, hypnotist, psychiatrist.

The Sun: Motivational speaker, entertainer, comedian, social relationships, work with the public, artist in general, member of society.

Judgment: Work done at home, connection with the law, lawyer, judge, work with disabled or people excluded from society, social assistance, board member, executive producer, director.

The World: Pharmacist, massage therapist, scientist, teacher, community leader, religious leader or priest, fashion designer, makeup artist, interior decorator.

Wands:

Creative industries such as advertising, marketing, and graphic design.

Entrepreneurship and starting your own business.

Athletics, sports coaching, or physical training.

Outdoor jobs like park ranger or tour guide.

Event planning or organizing.

Firefighters or rescue workers.

Ace of Wands: Entrepreneur, startup founder, motivational speaker, fitness coach, personal trainer.

Two of Wands: Business strategist, project manager, travel agent, international consultant, import/export specialist.

Three of Wands: Sales representative, marketing manager, e-commerce entrepreneur, market researcher, international trade coordinator.

Four of Wands: Event planner, wedding coordinator, party organizer, festival manager, hospitality industry professional.

Five of Wands: Conflict resolution specialist, mediator, lawyer, debate coach, competitive sports coach.

Six of Wands: Public relations manager, spokesperson, social media influencer, motivational speaker, winning athlete.

Seven of Wands: Defense attorney, human rights activist, political campaigner, advocate, civil liberties lawyer.

Eight of Wands: Courier, delivery driver, airline pilot, travel blogger, expedition guide.

Nine of Wands: Security guard, bodyguard, soldier, endurance athlete, self-defense instructor.

Ten of Wands: Overworked entrepreneur, project manager, event organizer, professional organizer, heavy equipment operator.

Page of Wands: Assistant in a creative field, aspiring artist, intern in a startup, social media coordinator, apprentice.

Knight of Wands: Travel journalist, adventure tour guide, professional athlete, race car driver, stunt performer.

Queen of Wands: CEO, business owner, charismatic leader, life coach, influential speaker.

King of Wands: Executive manager, entrepreneur, leadership coach, consultant, director of a creative agency.

Cups:

Counseling, therapy, or social work.

Hospitality industry, including restaurant management and bartending.

Wedding planner or event coordinator.

Artistic fields like poetry, writing, or acting.

Healing professions such as nursing or holistic therapy.

Psychologist or counselor specializing in emotions and relationships.

Ace of Cups: Therapist, counselor, social worker, holistic healer, emotional support specialist.

Two of Cups: Marriage counselor, matchmaker, relationship coach, wedding planner, love psychic.

Three of Cups: Event organizer, party planner, celebratory event coordinator, community organizer.

Four of Cups: Meditation teacher, mindfulness coach, spiritual counselor, psychologist, therapist.

Five of Cups: Grief counselor, trauma therapist, hospice worker, emotional healing practitioner, bereavement support.

Six of Cups: Child psychologist, teacher, daycare worker, children's book author, pediatric nurse.

Seven of Cups: Creative writer, fantasy novelist, imaginative artist, dream analyst, visionary.

Eight of Cups: Travel blogger, adventure seeker, spiritual pilgrim, explorer, wanderlust photographer.

Nine of Cups: Life coach, happiness consultant, gratitude coach, self-help author, wellness retreat organizer.

Ten of Cups: Family therapist, marriage and family counselor, foster care advocate, wedding planner, family mediator.

Page of Cups: Creative writer, artist in training, intuitive healer, aspiring therapist, dream interpreter.

Knight of Cups: Actor, romantic poet, musician, art therapist, love and relationship coach.

Queen of Cups: Psychic reader, intuitive healer, counselor, compassionate caregiver, therapist.

King of Cups: Therapist, counselor, intuitive mentor, emotional intelligence trainer, psychologist.

Swords:

Legal professions like lawyers, judges, or law enforcement officers.

Journalists, reporters, or investigators.

IT specialists, computer programmers, or hackers.

Teachers or professors specializing in critical thinking or philosophy.

Military or defense-related careers.

Strategic planners or analysts.

Ace of Swords: Lawyer, judge, legal consultant, investigative journalist, strategic planner.

Two of Swords: Mediator, conflict resolution specialist, negotiator, diplomat, relationship counselor.

Three of Swords: Divorce lawyer, grief counselor, trauma therapist, emotional healer, heart surgeon.

Four of Swords: Rest and relaxation specialist, meditation teacher, spiritual retreat organizer, yoga instructor.

Five of Swords: Military strategist, competitive sports coach, lawyer specializing in litigation, debate coach.

Six of Swords: Travel agent, relocation consultant, therapist specializing in transitions, boat captain.

Seven of Swords: Private investigator, spy, intelligence analyst, cybersecurity expert, undercover agent.

Eight of Swords: Social justice lawyer, human rights advocate, disability rights activist, therapist specializing in limiting beliefs.

Nine of Swords: Insomnia specialist, anxiety therapist, nightmare counselor, sleep coach, mental health counselor.

Ten of Swords: Surgeon, coroner, forensic scientist, mortician, grief counselor.

Page of Swords: Researcher, journalist, fact-checker, apprentice in a legal field, investigative reporter.

Knight of Swords: Military officer, police officer, attorney, competitive fencer, conflict resolution specialist.

Queen of Swords: Judge, lawyer, critic, journalist, literary agent.

King of Swords: Judge, attorney, CEO, strategist, military general.

Pentacles:

Financial advisors or investment bankers.

Real estate agents or property developers.

Agriculture, farming, or gardening.

Architects, builders, or construction workers.

Conservationists or environmentalists.

Accountants or bookkeepers.

Ace of Pentacles: Financial advisor, investment banker, wealth manager, entrepreneur, luxury goods retailer.

Two of Pentacles: Financial analyst, accountant, bookkeeper, event planner, stock trader.

Three of Pentacles: Architect, contractor, project manager, teamwork facilitator, craftsman.

Four of Pentacles: Wealth manager, investor, financial planner, asset protection specialist, treasurer.

Five of Pentacles: Social worker, philanthropist, charity organizer, financial counselor, volunteer.

Six of Pentacles: Philanthropist, humanitarian worker, non-profit manager, social worker, charitable fundraiser.

Seven of Pentacles: Gardener, farmer, agricultural consultant, sustainability expert, botanist.

Eight of Pentacles: Craftsperson, artisan, apprentice, skilled tradesperson, technical trainer.

Nine of Pentacles: Luxury brand manager, independent business owner, successful entrepreneur, vineyard owner, art collector.

Ten of Pentacles: Real estate developer, property investor, family business owner, generational wealth manager, financial advisor.

Page of Pentacles: Intern, student, apprentice in a practical field, aspiring entrepreneur, entry-level employee.

Knight of Pentacles: Accountant, financial planner, farmer, skilled tradesperson, meticulous worker.

Queen of Pentacles: CEO, business owner, property developer, hospitality industry entrepreneur, financial advisor.

King of Pentacles: CEO, business mogul, successful investor, high-level executive, financial consultant.

(CC) AstroJulia Some Rights Reserved

[a-sky-full-of-ideas]

My favourite jobs of MDZS characters in a modern AUs (that aren’t business men cause that’s too obvious) and why, in no specific order!

WWX

Graphic designer (XZ former job, freelancer)

Gardener (he loved it !!)

Athlete (all rounder)

Photographer, specifically landscape/storms or otherwise on site stuff (free/unbound)

Artist (freelancer and creative)

Flutist

Band member specifically bassist and lyricist

DJ (free)

Influencer (is he not basically that lol)

YouTuber

Journalist (he loves to annoy ppl and find things out that they’d rather not want)

Talk show host/interviewer

Stunt man (he loves the adrenaline)

Crazy scientist/engineer (achieve the impossible)

Basically anything that is full of freedom, where he can travel wherever, whenever he wants! Something unbound to a place and by his own rules.

LWJ

Vet (he loves those bunnies so much)

Classical musician

Music teacher (loves music/good with kids)

Fashion designer (have you seen his wardrobe)

Librarian/archivist (he likes order)

Judge on a music competition show (we know he loves to judge ppl but also bring out the best in them)

Influencer, doesn’t talk in his videos at all, just shows the skill, wether it’s cooking, martial arts or music

Journalist (helps ppl and cares for the uncomfortable truth, no qualms running to the end of the world for it)

Critic (wether it’s restaurants or movies, judgemental but eloquent and fair)

Anything traditional and well regarded but that is supporting one or more of his interests. Then again he can be a judgmental and rebellious.

JC

Architect ( “rebuild the Yunmeng clan to its former glory” or sth. Also fashion for buildings but very logical, precise and pragmatic and mostly a highly regarded job)

Fashion designer (have you seen his wardrobe?!)

Lawyer (dude loves to argue and scare ppl but also cares for the right ppl to be punished aka 2in1 for him)

Meteorologist (who best to read the incoming storm but the storm himself ?)

YouTuber, specifically cooking channel “cooking with juijui” aka for JL

Gym teacher (we see him train his new disciples)

Swimmer (best swimmer of YM or what ? Drowns out his thoughts and focuses on his body which at least he knows)

Librarian/archivist (he likes order and is stuck in the past)

Dog trainer

Vet/animal shelter owner (he loves those dogs so much and if he can’t have them he’ll at least treat them)

For him I love the two extremes of either sth that his parents will highly approve of cause it gets them money and status or sth that is completely just for himself and his interests, be it animals or his nephew

LXC

music teacher ( loves music and good w/kids)

Art teacher ( can draw and good w/kids)

Librarian (quite life he craves )

Professor

Flutist

Classical musician (traditional)

Yoga teacher

Voice actor for self help books and stuff

Judge (fair but steadfast)

Museum director (traditional and honoring the past)

Born a teacher I believe. Patience of a saint, not condescending at all and skilled at everything he does. Doesn’t need the fame of being a pro.

Some obvious ones

Wen Qing = doctor

JYL = Cook (Restaurant or celebrity with talk show)

NHS = fashion designer

NMJ = personal trainer

Feel free to add!

[cinnamonest]

Oooh okay so what if it was Yandere teacher x student?? Take childe as an example:

He’s the popular gym teacher thats being forced to mentor the GIRLS team because their old teacher is on leave. He’s devastated bc rlly??? Girls? how can girls this day and age possibly think they can be athletes? They should be doing much more productive things like cooking and how to sew torn clothes. And I also imagine darling is one of the more athletic students, and Childe’s now determined to set things straight and force guide darling down a more acceptable pathway. She’ll be an excellent role model for the other students!! …once she stops being so rebellious of course… and he may as well keep her for himself once her training is complete too ❤️

I have a few more ideas like with science teacher albedo, but I’ll just leave this one here

Ooh also I did a quick skim of the anon list and can I please be 😼 anon??

(Added! I added several other emojis to the list based on inbox messages as well, thank you all!)

It's a fair tradeoff. Sure, the girls are exasperating to deal with and less competitive, and it's pointless for them to be doing this anyway… but on the bright side, he gets to watch high school girls running around in gym shorts, and some don't bring or forget a sports bra, so their chests are all bouncy when they have to jog.

He works things out to his benefit. Girls tend to be less into competitive games and weightlifting, and more into stuff like yoga or other activities that have you slowly bending and stopping and stretching your body all different ways. And if your posture is a bit off, he has a reasonable excuse to correct that and in doing so grasp at your waist and thighs.

Maybe teaching girls isn't all that bad after all…

[meichenxi]

career. change. help

so I am making a career change because teaching is going to make me burn out and I NEED YOUR HELP to brainstorm, fellow neurodivergents and degenerates!!!!! do you have any personal experience? any careers or jobs that work for you? (doesn't need to be a 'career' that your parents would be proud of; postie works fine!)

if you don't have any ideas, could you pass it around?

what we're working with / difficulties:

I am adhd and hyperactive. I like moving around a lot and struggle to sit still all day

I am also most likely autistic. I get HUGE masking/social hangovers that mean that when I teach for 2 hours, I need to spend another 2 hours directly afterwards in the dark with noise cancelling headphones. teaching in a school left me essentially unable to cook, clean or socialise for a year. even now teaching 1-1 means that I spend 100% of the time teaching recovering afterwards at least - so an hour recovering for an hour's teaching. this inevitably leads to burnout.

I have a lot of sensory difficulties and get easily overstimulated e.g. bright lights, sounds etc. I wear blue light cancelling glasses and use loops and/or noise cancelling headphones where applicable but yeahhhh. still doesn’t really do it

I have a problem with my ulnar nerve which means that typing for extended periods of time (even standing up, even with accommodations) is difficult. This is a cumulative thing, so it means that if I don’t type very much for one day, it’ll be easier the next day, but I still can only type for about 3 hours maximum. After a while (say 3-4 days of typing a reasonable amount), everything begins to hurt and eventually my hands seize up and I can’t use them :))) I can’t really use assistive technology enough as a stop-gap, because scrolling, clicking, holding a phone, cooking, washing up etc – all things where my elbows are a right angle all cause this problem

strengths:

I have a lot of experience teaching and tutoring. Don’t really want to continue this, but this is what my main experience so far is in – I’ve taught in China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and the UK

I have experience managing teams of teachers and training, running interviews, writing curriculums etc. basically anything teacher-related I am fairly experienced at

I can speak (obviously) english, decent mandarin chinese, decent german, and could get good at french or spanish or dutch if you gave me like. six months to reactivate it

a good degree from a good university in the uk, linguistics, first class

I have a yoga teaching qualification

physically fit and able-bodied and active – I can run, walk, climb, pull things, do whatever

the issue I’m facing is that most ‘autism friendly’ careers I am looking at all involve extensive periods of typing, which I am not really able to do. and most ‘normal’ careers all involve extensive periods of socialising, which I am not really able to do. It’s a pretty shit situation. I am very good and enjoy performance-type things like teaching drama, yoga, tour guiding and stuff – all things my adhd brain loves – but I can only do them for a very short period of time before my autistic brain needs alone time in the dark.

So anyway. What sort of things do you guys do? What works for you? Any tips or help or directions would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately it’s not a ‘how to solve the world career’, but ‘how to have a life’ type career – I am not adverse to working as a cleaner or a traffic warden or whatever. As long as I can write my book alongside (which I can’t do with ‘typing’ heavy jobs), I’ll be happy. at the moment I'm mainly just sad and frustrated at how little life i can lead even working 15 hours a week (which is all I work, and all, with this current job, that I can work)

maybe I’ll just make a youtube channel. imagine

[laelelinae]

hii can I have general akaashi headcanons pls? TYY!

General Akaashi HCs!

The type of person to talk to himself 😭😭

Probably just muttered things to himself and practice compliments to give 😭

I FEEL LIKE HE WOULD HAVE SILLY SOCKS,LIKE FROG ONES AND SHARK ONES HFGGHGH

Probably has a ikea shark plushie and the fat bear plushie

HE LOVES PLANTS IM SURE OF IT. Probably has a lot of plants in his house and a few in his room

Talks to them like he’s a dad to themmmm

I feel like he’s pretty nerdy😭 but probably has stable grades?

Probably has the cleanest and comfiest room known in mankind

I feel like he would smell minty like sweet and minty or just some refreshing smell!

Probably a froggie boy ,I feel like he had a frog phase and owns a crochet frog hat taht his mom made 😭😭

Type of person to get bottled black coffee and sandwiches at convenience store in the mornings

I think he’s the type of person to read people when’s out like when he’s bored ,he just looks at someone random and think about how their life,their career and how they are ?

Probably LOVES crunchy sweet green grapes

I feel like he loves light green and dark blue?

Likes going to libraries a few times a week

Probably a top in his class? Not top 1 but around top 3 to 5?

He loves making snowman in the winter :)))

Probably a mommy boy (in a good way) (his mom is probably really really sweet)

Loves going to local bakeries

LOCAL GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS LOVES HIM LIKE?? HES SUCH A GOOD BOI

Listens to Wave to Earth and probably Lamp😝

Has a few pictures of you and him on dates and silly pictures of him and Bokuto

If you ever go on dates with him,he probably always bring small tiny gifts like snacks or little clips he randomly brought for you <3

Does whatever you do

Quality time is a must for this man😭

Your parents DEFINITELY LOVES HIM AND IS LOOKING FORWARD FOR YOUR WEDDING LIKEEE

He probably walks old people dogs on holiday mornings and he gets some tips or food in return 😭

Has a crochet frog keychain on his backpack

I feel like he does yoga sometimes

LOVESSS bringing you on picnic & aquarium dates

I bet he LOVES Shinchan (me too)

Probably has a salt lamp

Likes collecting some gems from some local shops

Whenever he’s sick or your sick,he would make soups that taste like literal heaven

I feel like he dates to marry (loyal boy!)

I feel like he would love to visit local farms and helps out the farmers

Loves taking the trains and take some pictures

Loves cuddling you,pecking you with some kisses

Secretly REALLY caring and LOVING.

Probably prefer at home dates more,would just love to lay on your thighs or chest and just rest on there like a sloth😭

Probably snores really quietly

Loves snacking on cucumbers and drinking veggie juices

Have bokuto third wheel your dates 😭

Loves buying you small gifts like always

Buys them in random shops,buys clips,small plushie keychains,matching keychains. And honestly,anything!

Let’s you put on makeup on him😭

You guys went to Uniqlo and then picked outfits for each other !!

Speaking of Uniqlo,surely is a Uniqlo boy!

Loves fat plushies and soft ones

Loves the rain!

Probably has really soft hair but he doesn’t take care of it that often.

SMOOTHHHH SKINNN! Like is shiny and soft?!

Probably has a 2 step skincare, face wash and then some moisturizer 😭

Type of person to never get tanned,he does put on sunscreen and sometimes doesn’t and still never get tanned

Favorited student by many many teachers and students EVEN JANITORS

Probably got so much gifts on his desk on Valentine’s Day,like at least more than 5😭

Would’ve just gave all the chocolate to Bokuto LMFAO

Loves drinking yogurt (especially blueberry flavored or just normal)

I feel like he loves eating crepes

Just love refreshing stuff

When he first started dating you in high school,he probably had dreams and imaginations about proposing to you after college 😭🫶🏻🫶🏻

And guess what? He did 😝

[talonabraxas]

Awakening the Kundalini

The term Kundalini which is much used by yogis and spiritual practitioners, is an extremely important concept for any person seeking spiritual enlightenment and illumination. Kundalini can be best explained as the sacred fire located near the base of the spine. The fiery serpent in Exodus, verses 7:9-12 and 21:6-8 is also a reference to the Kundalini.

Importance of Kundalini in Spiritual Practice

The Kundalini energy helps the brain cells to register spiritual or higher experiences and stimuli. The brain, the nervous system and the physical body is improved and upgraded. A person with a highly awakened Kundalini is a genius and has the potential to become a great spiritual leader. Kundalini energy is like a fertilizer. The positive and negative qualities in a person will be highly magnified when the Kundalini is awakened to a large degree. Thus inner purification is necessary when a person embarks on a spiritual journey.

Structure of the Kundalini

The Kundalini has 7 layers and each layer has 7 sub-layers and hence there are 49 degrees of awakening it. Even common people have awakened their Kundalini, but to a very small degree. Hence the question is not whether the Kundalini is awakened but the question is to what degree is the Kundalini awakened.

Awakening of the Kundalini Energy through the Twin Hearts Meditation

The Twin Hearts Meditation is a safe and effective way to awaken the Kundalini energy. In this form of meditation, the heart and the crown chakra are activated first. The spiritual energy then flows down in great quantities to the base of the spine. The Kundalini energy is thus awakened to a higher degree as well as regulated and brought up to the higher chakras in the human body and to the crown chakra or sahasrara chakra. There is a sensation of your head being pushed down during the meditation. This is the spiritual energy descending. The practitioner may experience energy going up the spine. This is the Kundalini rising up.

About Arhatic Kundalini Meditation This form of meditation is also known as Meditation on the Inner Breath. Practicing this meditation helps in awakening the sacred fire or Kundalini, energizes and balances the chakras, purifies the energy bodies and develops inner awareness and awakens the consciousness.

Practicing of Arhatic Kundalini Meditation is Extremely Beneficial for the Practitioner. Some of the Results of the Meditation are:

It helps in developing the will aspect of the soul.

Accelerates the evolution of the soul.

Arhatic Kundalini Meditation helps in cleansing the energy channels, the chakras and the aura.

Accelerates the evolution of the physical body. (The physical body also needs to evolve with the evolution of the soul.)

Why is it Essential that the Physical Body should Develop along with the Soul?

If the physical body’s evolution is not at par with the evolved soul, there will be a mismatch. The evolved soul will fail at impressing on the physical brain many of the inner experiences. The physical body should be able to withstand greater amounts of kundalini energy flowing through it. Caution A new Arhatic yogi should restrict the practice of this form of meditation to once or twice a week. Daily practice of this form of meditation can cause severe hypertension.

Hatha Yoga

The special practices of Hatha yoga can also help in awakening the Kundalini. It is not an advanced spiritual technique, but can be effective over a period of time. Hatha yoga should be done under the guidance of a trained teacher.

Awakening the Kundalini from Bottom Up

This form involves the awakening of the Kundalini through visualization and mantras. However this method is not suitable, keeping the present lifestyle in mind. This method may also excessively activate the lower nature, unless inner purification is done thoroughly.

[melpomenelamusa]

Changes - Chimeras

~Original story~

Previous

CW: Mention of a corpse, mention of drowning.

As promised, the next day Elafi's training began.

Warrick used a tatami mat they brought from Elafi's old house (Elafi and her mother used to practice yoga together) and placed it in a cleared area of ​​the yard, next to the orchard.

"To extinguish a fire, you must first know how one is created," the man explained. He took off his shirt and was left with only a white sleeveless undershirt, revealing the brown skin of his muscular arms. Next to him, Elafi felt like a toothpick. "You´ll learn how to attack to defend yourself, and how to defend to attack. Study your own body and you´ll know how your opponent's body works. You, who are a chimera child, have weaknesses and strengths that most people do not. If you learn to use them to your advantage, then you´ll be able to take care of yourself."

Elafi listened with excitement to each of the words, feeling the adrenaline spread through his limbs. He was tired of living on the run, tired of being just “prey” for others. He was much more.

They started with stretching and a basic warm-up.

“I took a self-defense course when I was younger,” Warrick said. “That’s how I met my ex-wife. She’s a physical education teacher and practiced athletics for many years. It was one of the things that brought us together when we first started dating. To this day, I still don’t regret having decided to take those classes.”

Warrick tested Elafi in different areas, such as flexibility, endurance, speed and strength, to get a better idea of ​​where to work on the basics and what skills to continue developing. He made the teen run laps around the cabin; carry heavy sandbags, jump, do squats, among other activities.

“You have decent flexibility and speed, but your strength and endurance are quite low,” he commented.

Elafi had thrown himself onto the mat. He was short of breath and a horrible nausea rose from his stomach. He felt like if he moved too much he would vomit or faint.

"C-can we... take a... little... break?" he asked, panting.

"You can take the rest of the afternoon," Warrick said. "Rest. Tomorrow we'll begin serious training."

As the days went by, they developed a routine: after fulfilling his responsibilities around the house and in the garden, Elafi dedicated himself to training. During the morning he did the exercises Warrick assigned him and in the afternoon he taught him basic defense techniques.

"Stand more firmly and learn to dodge," Warrick said, after throwing Elafi onto the tatami with a blow. "Control your center of gravity. If you learn to 'fall,' even if you are knocked down, you will be able to get up faster." 

The day after training, Elafi woke up feeling like he'd been put through a shredder. His muscles howled at the slightest movement, and just getting out of bed was a harrowing task. "I wish I was a plushie," he thought. "Then my life would consist only of looking cute and people hugging me. Right now, on the contrary, I feel like a piñata."

On the days that Elafi wasn't doing the physical exercises that Warrick assigned him, he devoted himself to doing another type of training. Lupita, whom they began to visit occasionally, also reminded him to explore more about his “magical gift.” Elafi took advantage of those days to meditate in contact with nature, trying to understand what the trees were telling him. Sometimes he could ask them for something to eat and the trees would show him a mental image of where to find edible fruits or mushrooms in the forest. Elafi didn´t know how to explain how this type of communication worked, he only knew that as long as he was in contact with the earth and there was a plant nearby, he could “communicate” with it.

“It’s more like something perceptive,” he tried to explain to Warrick one day. “It’s not like I hear words or the trees tell me something as such. It’s more like an image suddenly appears in my mind, or I feel something, but I feel like a feeling, more like an emotion than something of touch.”

"Yeah, I think I'll leave that 'magic' part to you alone," Warrick said, sipping from his cup of coffee.

Several weeks passed like this. By then, Elafi's antlers had already grown back (according to the teenager, they were two millimeters larger than before), so any visit to the city was completely forbidden. When Warrick was away, Elafi would spend his time resting in the forest: looking for some comfortable area, perhaps a clearing full of cushioned grass or soft moss, and dozing; or sometimes he would decide to follow the course of the stream, dipping his hooves in the refreshing, clear water, and looking for eroded colored pebbles that he would later keep in a drawer in his room.

That day he had gone down to the wide part of the river. The water looked green and the flow was much stronger. Warrick had already warned him not to go in there, not only because it was much deeper and Elafi didn´t know how to swim, but also because it was the habitat of crocodiles and snakes. The river continued on, passing under the road. Elafi had seen it as he passed over the bridge leading into town, stretching out into the distance like a green snake.

He was thinking of going down to look for stones when he saw something that caught his attention: there was a body on the riverbank. It was lying on its side on the sand, its back to Elafi. It was a thin body, with long black hair. It seemed to be wearing a knee-length dress and tights, and only one of its feet still had a broken heel on.

Elafi felt a chill run down his spine. He had never seen a dead body in his life, and he wasn't at all thrilled that this was the first time. Could this person be a drowned person from the river? The body was completely soaked. But what if it was someone who was still alive and needed help? The body was inert and at this distance he couldn't see if was breathing.

"What should I do?" he asked out loud, distressed.

The trees seemed to lean their branches towards the body and Elafi decided to follow their advice, taking slow steps until he reached the person's side.

It was a girl. Her pink lips were half-open, almost red compared to her pale, transparent skin. Her eyes were closed, and strands of black hair clung to her forehead and the sides of her face like thin threads. Elafi took one of her wrists. It was cold. He felt for a pulse, and although it took him longer than he would have liked, he managed to detect a faint heartbeat. The girl was alive! But he suspected she wouldn't be for long if he didn't help her.

The teen noticed that there were traces of washed blood on the girl's stockings, caused by abrasion wounds that ran down her legs and arms. "Her wounds could get infected from the river water," Elafi thought.

"I need help!" he shouted into the forest. It wasn't long before a sweet, penetrating aroma reached his nose. Elafi stood up and quickly detected which trunk was dripping the golden sap. He took a tree leaf, and using it as a cup, filled his makeshift container with the healing sap. He then returned to the girl's side and carefully dropped the substance between her parted lips.

"Please work, please work," he said to himself. It wasn't long before the girl's wounds began to close and Elafi couldn't help but smile at the wonderful fact. "Thank you!" he shouted back into the forest.

Now that the girl was free from the danger of infection, he decided that he would carry her to the cabin. Warrick had taught him how to do the Fireman's carry, and today would be the time to put it into practice. He took the girl by the arms, trying not to shake her too much, and carried her on his shoulders. She was quite light.

Making sure that the girl was safe, Elafi began his trek back home.

~

Warrick returned to the cabin. He had in his pocket the payment for selling some hares and mushrooms to a friend in the mountains, and decided he would take Elafi out for burgers that weekend. Seeing the boy was gone, he assumed he was on another one of his walks in the woods. Warrick let him be, figuring he had to let him “strengthen his connection to nature” or whatever the hell Lupita told him. Magical and mystical stuff wasn’t his thing, but he wasn’t going to interfere or get in the way either. He just hoped the boy wouldn’t get into trouble.

He decided he would watch a movie. He pulled a can of beer out of the fridge and popped “Bambi” into the TV’s DVD player. He remembered Devin crying a lot the first time he saw that movie. Warrick always considered it too dark for little kids, even if its message was something he sympathized with. Still, he put it on just to make some noise, planning on falling asleep after the first ten minutes. However, his goal was cut short when he heard yells outside his cabin.

"Warrick!" 

The man jumped up on the couch, rushing to open the door.

"Elafi, what happened?!”

"Can you... help her?"”

Elafi stood outside, looking distressed. On his shoulders he carried a girl he had dragged out from who knew where, completely soaked and apparently unconscious. Warrick opened the door and allowed the boy to pass, indicating that he should put the girl down on the bed.

"Where did you find her?" the man asked.

"By the river. At first I was afraid she was dead, but she's alive and that's why I brought her."

Elafi spoke in a rush, as he fluttered around the bed, explaining how exactly he found her and how he had healed her wounds thanks to the golden healing sap of a tree.

"I'm glad to see that you're controlling your ability better," Warrick commented, with some pride.

The man checked the girl, taking her pulse again, checking her breathing and making sure she didn't have water in her lungs. She didn't look much older than Elafi. Warrick lifted one of her eyelids and was startled when he found a yellow eye with a thin vertical pupil.

"She's a chimera child," he said.

Elafi's ears perked up and his face lit up. He stared at the girl with wide eyes, as if he were suddenly admiring a star that had fallen from the sky. Sometimes Warrick forgot that Elafi had never seen another chimera child before.

"Her temperature is low, who knows how long she was in the water," Warrick said, getting to work. He removed the girl's heel and gloves, revealing a series of pearly scales on her skin. "Elafi, bring all the towels and sheets you can, the warmest ones you can find."

The boy left to follow the instruction and returned shortly after with several thick towels and sheets, and even a couple of his stuffed animals brought from his own room. They settled the girl on the bed and wrapped her up in such a way that she could dry off and warm up quickly.

Warrick was constantly thinking about where the girl might have come from: Had she been running away, like Elafi, and fallen into the river? Had someone tried to hurt her? Had she simply gotten lost? He figured he wouldn't know until the girl woke up.

They decided to take turns watching her. Elafi, being the most excited, asked to go first. While Warrick took care of the house and garden chores, Elafi stayed behind to watch the girl. He found the idea of ​​finally being able to meet another chimera child fascinating, even if it was under less than pleasant circumstances, and he wondered what kind of life this girl had: whether she had friends or a family. "We could be friends," he thought, somewhat embarrassed but touched by the idea.

At some point, the teen briefly got up to go to the bathroom; however, upon returning, he discovered that the bed was empty. He felt a knot in his stomach. He went out into the hallway, planning to call Warrick, when in the middle of the living room he ran into the girl.

She was awake and standing. Her clothes were no longer dripping with water and her hair had already begun to dry. Hearing a noise, she turned her head back and her two yellow eyes locked on Elafi. The boy couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine at the sight of her, and he felt as if he had just run into the ghostly owner of the residence he had trespassed into.

"Hi," he said, "I'm glad you're better now."

The girl didn't respond. She kept her body rigid and tense. It seemed as if at any moment she would run away or crumble like a cracked statue.

"My name´s Elafi," the boy continued. “I found you on the riverbank and we brought you here to recover. Eh, what's your name?”

The girl still didn't answer, but her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, as if she was trying to remember something.

"Elafi, I'm done here."

Warrick appeared in the room. The girl, seeing him, jumped.

"Are you okay?" the man said, in a calm tone, as he took a step towards her.

The girl stepped back, letting out a hiss and opening her mouth in such a way that she showed a pair of fangs and a smooth, forked tongue.

Warrick raised both arms, showing his palms.

"I'm not going to hurt you, I don't want to. We just want to help."

"Please," Elafi added.

The girl touched her neck with her left hand, as if she was looking for something that wasn't there.

"Where... am I?" she said in a raspy voice.

"This is our house," Elafi explained. “It's a cabin in the woods, at the foot of the mountain. I found you by the river.”

At those words, a melancholic expression came over the girl's face, as if she had suddenly realized something. After a while, she walked with shuffling steps to where they were.

"I'm cold," she murmured.

"I'll make you a cup of hot chocolate," Warrick said.

While Warrick boiled the chocolate bar on the stove, Elafi and the girl sat around the dining table in an awkward silence. Elafi felt like he wanted to say or do something else, something to cheer her up, but he had no idea what to do. Luckily for him, it was she who broke the ice in the end.

"So... you live here?"

"Yes!" Elafi answered, with a smile.

"And that man..." she continued, whispering. "What is he to you?"

What was Warrick to him? It was a question Elafi had asked himself countless times. After a few moments he answered:

"He´s my caretaker. He saved my life when some evil people tried to hurt me just because I´m a chimera child. He's A good man, you can trust him."

The girl thought for a while, and finally her body seemed to relax a little.

"You said your name was Elafi, right? Nice to meet you. My name is Ofidia, but you can call me Fidi."

Next

Taglist: @scoundrelwithboba @morning-star-whump @lancedoncrimsonwings @3-2-whump @whumped-by-glitter @string-of-broken-hearts @alyscat @oddsconvert @what-if-i-just-did @bacillusinfection @writinglittlepains

Not much whump, but very important lore drops. OMG, the day these two meet finally arrived! From here the story starts to take a little different turn, preparing us for what will be the "final arc of the season." How exciting! I don't know if anyone else is excited, but I am and very much so, hehe. Many thanks to those who read! Here´s your little star ⭐

[themindfulmind]

The Many Faces of Meditation: Exploring Its Types and Scientific Backing

Meditation is often painted with a broad brush, as if it’s a single practice. But in reality, meditation encompasses a wide range of techniques, each with its unique focus and benefits. Whether you’re looking to relax, enhance focus, or explore spiritual depths, there’s likely a type of meditation that suits your needs.

Below, we’ll dive into some of the most popular forms of meditation, their specific goals, and the science backing their benefits.

1. Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is one of the most popular and accessible forms. It involves paying attention to the present moment nonjudgmentally, often focusing on your breath, bodily sensations, or surroundings.

• What It Does: Helps cultivate awareness and reduces mind-wandering.

• Scientific Backing: A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine (2014) found that mindfulness meditation significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and pain. Moreover, research in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (2011) revealed that regular mindfulness practice increases gray matter density in the brain, particularly in areas associated with learning, memory, and emotional regulation.

2. Transcendental Meditation (TM)

TM involves silently repeating a mantra (a word or phrase) to settle the mind into a state of profound rest and relaxation. It’s highly structured and requires training from certified teachers.

• What It Does: Induces a state of restful alertness and reduces stress.

• Scientific Backing: A meta-analysis in Psychosomatic Medicine (2012) showed that TM can lower blood pressure, making it a valuable tool for cardiovascular health. Additionally, TM has been linked to reduced levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and improved focus.

3. Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)

This practice centers on generating feelings of love and compassion toward yourself and others. It often involves repeating phrases like, “May I be happy,” “May you be safe,” and extending those wishes to all beings.

• What It Does: Boosts empathy, reduces anger, and enhances feelings of social connection.

• Scientific Backing: A study in Psychological Science (2008) showed that practicing loving-kindness meditation increases positive emotions over time, which in turn builds personal resources like resilience and improved relationships.

4. Body Scan Meditation

A type of mindfulness meditation, this practice involves systematically focusing on different parts of your body, noticing sensations, and releasing tension.

• What It Does: Reduces physical stress and enhances body awareness.

• Scientific Backing: Research in Biological Psychology (2010) suggests that body scan meditation significantly decreases cortisol levels and reduces symptoms of chronic pain.

5. Zen Meditation (Zazen)

Rooted in Buddhist tradition, Zen meditation involves seated meditation, focusing on the breath and observing thoughts as they arise and pass without judgment.

• What It Does: Promotes deep mental clarity and insight.

• Scientific Backing: A study in Frontiers in Psychology (2012) found that long-term Zen meditation practitioners showed increased attentional stability and reduced mind-wandering compared to non-meditators.

6. Yoga Nidra (Guided Sleep Meditation)

Often called “yogic sleep,” Yoga Nidra involves guided meditation designed to bring you into a state of deep relaxation between wakefulness and sleep.

• What It Does: Facilitates stress relief and improves sleep quality.

• Scientific Backing: A study in International Journal of Yoga (2013) found that Yoga Nidra reduces anxiety and improves heart rate variability, a key indicator of stress resilience.

7. Focused Attention Meditation

This practice involves concentrating on a single object, sound, or sensation, like a candle flame, mantra, or the rhythm of your breath.

• What It Does: Builds concentration and reduces mind-wandering.

• Scientific Backing: Research in Nature Reviews Neuroscience (2015) highlights that focused attention meditation strengthens the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which plays a key role in decision-making and attention regulation.

8. Movement-Based Meditation (Tai Chi and Qigong)

Unlike still meditation, these involve flowing movements synchronized with the breath.

• What It Does: Combines physical exercise with mental focus, reducing stress and enhancing balance.

• Scientific Backing: Studies in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2014) indicate that Tai Chi and Qigong reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain while improving physical health markers like balance and flexibility.

How to Start?

If you’re unsure where to begin, start small. Dedicate 5–10 minutes daily to exploring one practice. Apps like Headspace or Insight Timer can guide you, or you can find countless free resources online.

Meditation isn’t about being perfect or clearing your mind completely; it’s about showing up, being present, and exploring what works for you. As science continues to unravel its benefits, one thing is clear: meditation is a practice that nourishes both the mind and body.

What type of meditation do you practice (or want to try)? Let’s chat in the comments!

Sources

• Goyal, M., et al. (2014). JAMA Internal Medicine.

• Holzel, B. K., et al. (2011). Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.

• Fredrickson, B. L., et al. (2008). Psychological Science.

• Zeidan, F., et al. (2010). Biological Psychology.

[yourtouchismidas]

Thinking about your posts where you said people at Gigi’s school don’t particularly like Matty. Could we get a blurb of maybe RG and Matty or just Matty showing up at the school to pick up Gigi and a parent or school staff member confronts him? Maybe he gets to defend himself or even Gigi does?

matty is at the school gates with his hands in his pockets. it's chilly, and matty is tired. he is always tired. work is long and there's always people wanting things, wanting him, his words, his time, his thoughts. all he wants right now, is to watch his little girl's face light up when she sees him at the school gates, is to hold her hand as they walk home to you, is to hear about her art project or her circle time or her sums she's finding hard.

there is a group of women next to him, one in yoga pants, one in a pant suit with a skirt, one with those huge nike trainers on women are wearing these days. matty, despite his bank account, gets on more with the ones who rock up in trackies, like he is wearing now, dads who spend their evenings at the pub, mum's who work two jobs trying to get by. today he is too tired to talk to anyone. anyone except gigi, anyway, and you (you've already got the kettle on ready for his return.)

the woman are looking at him, he can feel it. he's got his eyes trained on the doors, where no children have emerged yet, still five minutes to go. one of the woman laughs. they turn to him then turn back to the group. they're all turned inwards, towards each other. one of them is kayleigh's mum. kayleigh who tells gigi she can't play with her. kayleigh who told gigi her halloween costume was stupid. kayleigh who got paint all over the table and told everyone it was gigi. gigi takes it better than him. she shrugs and says kayleigh is mean, and that she doesnt want to be friends with her, and that the teacher always knows that gigi is a good girl and wouldnt do what kayleigh blames her for. gigi says that kayleigh doesnt understand her halloween costume cos she still likes baby stuff. and matty, since he can't drop kick a six year old, has learnt to just do a half smile at kayleigh's mum, breathe and let it go.

except today he is in a bad mood and they are talking about him. he can hear it. he has heard the word "band" and "tour" and he has heard someone say "missing school" which he assumes is about gigi, because she spends some time on the road with him. he has no doubts that if he didnt bring her out to tour, then these women would complain too, about leaving her behind. there is no winning. he is a bad father. because of his career. because of everything they know about his past. everyone knows about his past.

he's trying to breathe and let it go. he's trying to pretend like he can't hear. he should move. the kids will be here soon. gigi will be here. except then he hears the words, "never here," and something inside him snaps.

"i'm here now, aren't i?" he barks at them. he tries so hard. and he misses his daughter with his whole heart when he is not with her, and do they not think, if he could, he would spend more time with her? they all look round in faux surprise, as if they are completely innocent.

"oh don't do that," matty says, "i have ears."

they all look at each other and shrug, frowning, except kayleigh's mum, who stares him out.

"we're just discussing parenting styles. that's all. and yours is... different," she says, still staring at him.

"i'd rather be on tour a few times a year, than have my daughter raised to think that it's okay to talk shit about people in the playground," he shrugs.

"can you not swear please?" one of the other mums says, "we're in a school."

"the kids aren't out yet?" matty says, gesturing at the playground, where only adults stand, "or are you deluded about that too, the same way you're deluded about the fact you were definitely talking shit about me a few seconds ago."

the door opens and kids pour out, running at parents, gigi in the doorway but not quite here yet.

"they're here now," kayleigh's mum says.

"your powers of observation astound me," he says, just as gigi cries out "daddy!" and runs at his legs.

"hi baby," he says to her, putting a big hand on her head where he neat little plaits you tied for her this morning have come loose and are wild and fraying. she looks between you and the other mums, sensing something is wrong, when kayleigh appears, thrusting something glittery into her mum's arms saying "look what i made mummy."

"oh wow that's beautiful darling," her mum says, crouching down to her to zip up her coat that is open. kayleigh starts fussing. whining.

"you ready babygirl?" matty asks, and gigi nods, putting her hand in his, as kayleigh dissolves into a full on tantrum, screaming with a red face on the floor, as the whole playground turns to her.

"kayleigh's crying," gigi says, plainly, as if it isn't obvious to everyone in the playground, or in a one mile radius.

"hmm," matty says.

"she's just getting her coat done up," gigi says, staring too, stopped.

"come on, love," he says, nudging her arm, "don't stare. it's not nice to be rude, is it?"

"no," gigi agrees.

matty starts to walk away, gigi trotting along beside him, not staring, but he does throw back one look at kayleigh's mum, who catches his eye. he waves, doing his little half smile, turning away and smirking.

[eatmangoesnekkid]

A Love Story on "Savanasa,"

a posture of rest and integration where you lie on your back while fully relaxed as much as possible and extend your arms and legs out to the side.

In yoga, savasana is always the last posture in the class or practice.

Ancient yogis say that savasana is the most important and difficult posture in yoga because it requires the student or practitioner to empty out and completely let go of their physical and mental tension in the moment. Deeply difficult to do because “being empty” and "letting go" are hardest acts for human physiology and psychology.

We are conditioned to keep and hold onto for dear life and live afraid of change, of fully letting go, living in the unknown, becoming new. We were programmed to stuff our bodies with information, to cross-check and research facts in the internet, to be addicted to thinking and talking all the damn time, and distrusting of our intuitive bodies and divine gifts. We were trained to live as AI instead of human, less female and divine and more synthetic and superficial.

I too have lived all jacked and stuffed up in my brain for many years. I had deprogram myself and meet my deepest shadows and sorrows that inhibited me from lightening up, emptying out, and letting go and would have made me rush through savasana had I been practicing yoga while getting my university degrees.

After experiencing so many deaths in my family and feeling deeply alone in this world, I desired to know the feminine, to embody mature feminine energy. Because the inability to "let go" is a deep fear of the feminine and I could no longer be afraid of my primordial self. And one of the most important aspects of authentic feminine energy (which isn't about makeup or high heels) is embodying the strength and softness to be able to let go. Disengage. Empty.

So that you can be FILLED up with the light of the universe. Because a full vessel has no space to receive, Ma! Full with conditioning, programming, statistics, too much religious dogma, patriarchal thought, gender wars, race consciousness, unconscious war and colonialism, malnutrition ways of eating, and even femininst thought. Everything you have ever learned in this 3D reality has be vetted and examined, combed through with fine-tooth comb without attachment. You may then decide to keep some of what you were taught but most of it will probably have to be thrown away into the river. Now you are empty and ready for the love story of savasana.

Out of 20-something people in my Bikram hot yoga class this morning, I was the last person to get up from savasana.

But I am always the last person, or next to last, to wake up from this very important posture of receiving. I do imagine it is because I love to let go. I love to lighten up, to lighten my heart. I love to sweat out and leave everything that is not serving my tissues and organs on the mat to be cleaned away. I am sensitive that I can go very deep in my body during relaxation which is also incredible for lover archetypes to master or to get better than average at. Deep relaxation.

Savasana, in my opinion, should last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Usually I feel integrated and ready to get up around the 15-20 minute mark.

If you practice yoga and want to accelerate the benefits, do not rush your savasana. Instead be gentle and more surrendered, and allow your body (temple) to fully integrate new information. Deeply feminine.

Do not rush to leave the room or try to skip out on savasana. Please do not be one of those people who shoot up off their mat like a rocket as soon as the teacher says "namaste" or "thank you." Receive the benefits you rightfully deserve from taking time to practice yoga. Even if you only have time to lay for 60 seconds, be deliberate. Permit your body to let go and gracefully receive new intelligence. Then rise slowly like a lover from ancient times, leaning to the right side and using your left arm to help prop your upper body up with ease off your mat. Now that your divine energy is in tact with your human form, go bask in the afterglow. --India Ame'ye, Author

[dorellawera]

The purpose of life.

Whats the purpose of life? . What if there is no goal than just experience all that we can with the time we have. What if god were one of us....just a stranger on the bus.....🤭

I used to ask myself a lot of questions about the existence , about if we really have a destiny or if just things happens with an extraordinary coincidence.

I found in my experience a sense of joy in the practice of Yoga. At the beginning one year ago I started to practice to release my stress , to be more in shape and to have balance in my emotions, then I got deeper and I started to follow a Guru from India call Sadguru, there is one phrase that blows my mind : " If the mind control the body, the body could control the mind as well". So, based on this I realized all the potential that the movement with the body can impact the mind , how the energy flows and the rythm of the heart, the temperature of the body...all was connected!. Then I went deeper and start this path of meditation (im still a beginner) but I found this video in YouTube call Isha krya guided meditation of Sadguru ( a Yogi from India) that makes me disconnect for a few minutes all my mind and my body and somehow i started to realized that my thoughts and emotions were changing, something felt like more simple, a lot of peace and joy in my perception with the world, the nature , i saw all was connected.

I started a yoga training teacher program I hope to teach others in a few more years and keep Learning because I love it! . Bye 🙏💅

[midshipmank]

unsolicited lore dump

thank you @amanita-jack for tagging me! i am honored

Do you make your bed? surprisingly, yes. it's pretty much the only chore i do every day. i made the decision to always make my bed back in high school, and now it's kind of necessary for me to mentally get started with the day. otherwise i WILL spend all day in bed

Favorite number? i've been really enjoying prime numbers recently. also 18 of course

What's your job? i am a teacher! at least for one more day. i hope to keep being a teacher though, i just need to get out of my current school

If you could go back to school would you? YES. i would love to get a master's degree in history (and/or english or education), but i'm really indecisive about whether or not i should truly do it. also there's nothing i hate more than applications

Can you parallel park? no 😭

Do you think aliens are real? probably! dunno if we'll ever meet them though. kinda makes me sad to think we might never know

Can you drive a manual car? no 😭

What's your guilty pleasure? uhhhhhh i'm not sure what i'm supposed to feel guilty about on tumblr.com. probably cozy british murder mystery shows? we do hate cop propaganda here. also loving brooklyn 99, while we're on the topic

Tattoos? no :( i'm too indecisive, alas, but i do love tattoos on other people. maybe one day

Favorite color? purple

Favorite types of music? spotify tells me that noah kahan is folk pop or something, & i've been really into him recently

Do you like puzzles? yes

Any phobias? heights? especially driving through the mountains

Favorite childhood sport? i wasn't really a sports person. i did ballet. the first time i enjoyed PE was when we learned yoga & tai chi in 7th grade

Do you talk to yourself? yes, sometimes without realizing it, but usually only when i'm alone. its actually gotten worse since i became a teacher (side effect of rehearsing some lessons)

What movies do you adore? how to train your dragon. the aos star trek films. the prince of egypt. howl's moving castle. the lord of the rings. the saqqara tomb documentary on netflix

Coffee or tea? coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon

First thing you wanted to be growing up? a teacher! i was really just saying it to say something when asked (i was in kindergarten), but the funny thing is that i really did become a teacher

tagging @fantasiavii @zoanzon @glitterygolem @mizeliza @i-amtheweirdo

[maashaktiyogbali]

Hatha Yoga vs. Vinyasa Yoga: What’s the Difference?

Yoga, in its many forms, has grown into a practice cherished around the globe for its ability to balance the body, mind, and spirit. However, not all yoga styles are the same. Two of the most popular styles are Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga, each offering unique benefits for practitioners. If you're considering diving deeper into your practice or pursuing yoga teacher training, understanding the difference between these two styles can help you make an informed decision.

What is Hatha Yoga?

Hatha Yoga is one of the oldest and most traditional forms of yoga. Rooted in ancient teachings, its primary focus is on physical postures, or asanas, and breathing techniques, or pranayama. Unlike some of the more dynamic forms of yoga, Hatha Yoga is often practiced at a slower pace, making it a great choice for beginners or those looking to deepen their awareness of individual poses.

In a typical Hatha Yoga class, you'll hold each pose for several breaths, allowing you to focus on proper alignment and deepen your practice. It's a gentle introduction to the world of yoga, offering a balance between physical exercise and mindfulness. The key aim of Hatha is to create harmony between the body and mind, setting a strong foundation for more advanced practices.

What is Vinyasa Yoga?

On the other hand, Vinyasa Yoga is a more dynamic and fluid style that emphasizes the connection between breath and movement. Often referred to as “flow yoga,” Vinyasa links poses together in a sequence, creating a dance-like flow. Each movement is synchronized with an inhale or exhale, making it a continuous, almost meditative practice.

Vinyasa Yoga can vary in intensity. Some classes are fast-paced and physically challenging, while others may be more gentle. Regardless, the focus remains on fluid transitions and creating a seamless flow between postures. This makes Vinyasa an excellent choice for those who enjoy a workout that not only strengthens the body but also enhances flexibility and endurance.

www.maashaktiyogbali.com