In this overly consummated and competitive market, it is rare to find original designs. Everything seems to end up being it’s own copycat.

Dishonest Apparel is one of those black sheep that holds nothing back! The designs give a loud voice to taboos and consumers can have a laugh with it!

The three founders who started their business in a backyard shed, call themselves humble and generous (gotta love them!) and want to spread their controversial and revolutionary brand around the world. And why shouldn’t they? They offer a wide range of hilarious designs (all designed by them three) and this thing called “Vote to Print” where members can upload their own artwork and hope for other members to vote for them; once their designs hit 25 votes, it goes to print and the designer gets a percentage of the sales! pretty cool right?

Become a part of this phenomena by wearing one of their seriously hot shirts (some of them even made me raise an eyebrow!) or upload your own artwork to spread your message around the globe!

Like their message says: “Be kind, humble, happy, and change the world before you die!”

yep, do that!

www.dishonestapparel.com

Photographer Eran Gilad has a wide range of photographs and a keen eye for unique details.
I have had the privilege to join him in Central Park, New York to one of his photography sprees, and learned so much about the process and his passion!
He keeps surprising me with his work and his humbleness.

Here is a collection of his photographs with a red theme, that just keeps me in awe.
Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.

Indulge in this art, and give it your own meaning!
His work is available for purchase on RedBubble

Namaste!

To have a game, you have to play within the rules, and that is what we are doing in life. We are all playing the game. Each one is supposed to play his part well. We all came here together and separated ourselves for the sake of play, like fullbacks, halfbacks, and goalkeepers. The entire globe is our playground. We have a set of rules — the moral precepts – and our own roles to play. If a person remembers this, he will play his part beautifully without inconveniencing others. But even if one person in the game constantly makes fouls, the play gets interrupted.

From “Beyond Words” by Swami Satchidananda
www.iyiny.org

A few days ago, on my flight to L.A., I finally got to watch Ricki Lake’s documentary “The business of being born”, while my baby girl was sleeping next to me. I burst into happy tears every 10 minutes and covered my mouth in shock every 5.
The documentary confirmed what I knew all along. In today’s time, women are being robbed of the opportunity to experience birth as a natural and beautiful experience.
There is the so-called “Designer Birth” which is very popular only in the U.S., where a woman can schedule a C-section that would fit into her schedule. The United States has the second worst newborn death rate in the developed world!! Everywhere in the world midwives are attending 70-80% of births, the U.S. stands alone at under 1%!
Both of my babies were born in a hospital and I am thankful to have had good healthy deliveries. Even though I went to visit birthing centers before my first baby was born, I didn’t really know what to expect. But with my second pregnancy, I knew I wanted something different. It wouldn’t mean delivering my baby in the woods, but I didn’t want to have pain medications and certainly didn’t want to be strapped to the hospital bed. The hospital setting could not support my desires. They are not set up to support it. They have no time for it.
The fact is, that the birthing business in the United States is in crisis.
At the end of the day, each woman should choose how she wants to give birth, whether it’s with a midwife or in the hospital, but we all should be correctly informed about the options.
People spend more time doing research when buying cars or even cameras than on the way they want to deliver their babies.
Watch this documentary, it is eye opening and necessary to know.

Happy Labor day!

In my recent journey I have witnessed a massive imbalance in my life and in the world.
The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. It’s not natural and I know it.

Earlier this week I was watching CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour’s documentary about the muslim youngsters in Afghanistan and in Gaza, Israel. The entire film was portraying an almost complete turn-around in those kid’s desires, they all want a piece of the western freedom.
I saw 30000 students sitting outdoors in 120 degree heat learning to read and write with a craving and desire for knowledge, more that I have ever thought.
A situation greatly alarming for the terror organizations Taliban and Hamas, is that the message of hatred in the name of Allah and being a Martyr is no longer attractive to those youngsters. Schools for girls in Afghanistan are often being targeted with bombs by the Taliban, to stop them from gaining knowledge and freedom. Amanpour interviewed an american Doctor who has devoted his life to building schools for the kids, especially for girls. I was moved to tears when I saw the smiles and joy on those kid’s faces when they entered their newly built class rooms with actual desks. It was eye opening.
In Gaza she portrayed a more torn situation, one side hating more and more and vowing to teach their kids to hate, and the other side wanting peace and equality more than anything.
Nobel peace prize nominee Dr. Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish, a palestinian doctor who worked in an israeli hospital has lost three of his daughters in the latest war, yet he persisted in promoting peace, and has continued in his search for justice and equality. He explains that he is a “human being” and is committed to humanity. More than this, he is unable to hate people [in themselves] but hates their actions. This too was eye opening.

There are always two sides of a story, and I always claimed to be on one.
As a citizen of both Israel and Switzerland I always refused to take on the neutrality of the swiss and chose the patriotism of the israelis.
The world has been judging from day one, they could not understand the pain israelis endure on a daily basis.
The constant fear of a suicide bombing, the fact that sons go to the army at 18 and might never come back, all the yearly memorial days for the fallen soldiers and the thoughts of “what if it was my son”. The confinement within the freedom and the constant judgment from the world were no help in opening my heart.
There seemed to be no way out, israelis blame the palestinians and vice versa. It is clear that this circle of hatred must be broken, but who shall break it first?….

And here comes the peace seeker in me. I was raised by two unique hippies, we lived in northern Israel amongst israeli arabs in peace. Early on in my life I saw that it is possible.
My mother and father welcomed every culture in their lives and taught my brother and I to always seek peace and keep our hearts open with tolerance.

I have been inspired by the village Neve Shalom (Oasis of Peace) -Located mid-way between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is a community of 55 families, half Palestinian and half Jewish, all with Israeli citizenship. Democratically governed by two elected committees (the Aguda for the administrative aspects; the Amuta for the educational ones), the village’s mission is to demonstrate that Jews and Palestinians can live together as equals.
Many threads of peace like this one exist, we just have to affiliate ourselves with the thread we feel most connected with.
There is a chance for peace by promoting it to the young generation.
They want it, here, in the middle-east and all around the world, they all still have the sparkle in their eyes, there is a way to maintain it and let it grow and evolve.

Peace is our true self, peace is our nature.

Om Shanti

I’m back. Back from a month of hard work, self-observation, evolvement and bliss.
I tried to sit down and write so many times, but couldn’t find words to describe this intense experience. I really couldn’t. What would I write? that I am a changed person? that I rediscovered my self? that I met incredible people? that the path of my life has been redirected? these words don’t nearly represent the emotions, thoughts and feelings.
Instead, I chose to wait…. so I did.
I learned about the real meaning of yoga. Consisting of 8 ways to practice yoga (called the 8 limbs), the physical practice that we are all so familiar with is just one of them. The others consist of the ethical practices, breathing practices and different levels of meditation. It is all about the balance and integration of all eight.
Swami Satchidananda, the guru who formed Integral Yoga went into the depth of every faith that exists and took the basics of each just to discover they are all the same teachings. He later described it as: “Truth is one, Paths are many”. He was the one who opened the Woodstock Festival with the famous words: “The whole world is watching you . . . America is helping everybody in the material field, but the time has come for America to help the world spiritually also”. He was right; He saw the potential.
In times like these it is crucial to remember that we are One.
Om shanti

I am so proud to introduce dj Ika to the world of Yoga!
This is an exciting collaboration of a unique kind!
I have known dj Ika for many years and was always inspired by his mixes and his true passion for music.

There’s only a handful of DJ’s out there that provide us with house music that we can practice yoga to.
Flo.lax, a mix created by DJ ika with us yogis in mind, is a sound that allows me to flow, elevate and deepen my practice, yet doesn’t take away my focus.
This mix makes me feel like I am flying and doing asanas on clouds!

We both invite you to download it for free and spread the love on and on!
download or listen to Flo.lax here

Hopefully we can collaborate again and bring more music to your heart!

For more information about DJ Ika, including track list, booking and mix requests, please visit the Facebook fan page or email: irak7i@gmail.com

dj Ika and Kadialé

A new study has found a direct connection between the use of common deodorants and breast cancer.
The reports have suggested that these products contain harmful substances, which can be absorbed through the skin or enter the body through nicks caused by shaving.

When shopping for a deodorant, read the label listing the ingredients – Here are the top 5 ingredients to avoid:

Parabens:
These preservatives come in several forms methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl and have been found in breast cancer tumors — though the link to cancer has yet to be substantiated. Parabens are found practically everywhere. Really, spend five minutes in your bathroom today and you’ll find parabens lurking in products in the medicine cabinet, the shower, and your makeup bag.

Aluminum and Co.:
Aluminum is a key ingredient in antiperspirant and may look like any of these on a label: aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly or any other aluminum compound.

Triclosan:
A chemical that is classified as a pesticide by the FDA. It’s thought to contain carcinogenic contaminants and is stored in body fat. Also look for triclosan in antibacterial soaps.

Talc:
This seemingly benign duster of baby bottoms is often contaminated with asbestos (which is carcinogenic). The catch? The amount of asbestos in talc is unregulated, so you don’t know how much asbestos you’re in for when you buy products containing talc.

Propelyn glycol:
As a “penetration enhancer,” propelyn glycol sounds as if it should be sold with Viagra, but it is actually believed to be a neurotoxin that may cause kidney or liver damage.

I have taken the liberty to visit the deodorant aisle in CVS and listed all the deodorants that contain those toxins. Here some of the products that contain those toxins:
Sure, Old Spice, Secret, Dove, Degree, Ban, Lady Speed Stick, Mitchum, Lady’s choice, Almay, Suave, Dry Idea and more!

Let’s all be aware of what we buy by being conscience consumers!
Here are a few natural deodorants that contain natural ingredient and are totally harmless to the body and skin:

Weleda’s Citrus or Wild Rose deodorant spray

Burt’s Bees Herbal Deodorant

One note: if you’re going to go natural, you’ll have to leave antiperspirant behind as it’s impossible to prevent all sweating without turning to some major chemicals. The good news is that your body will eventually adjust by slowing the production perspiration.

For more information on the ingredients in the products you use, check out the
Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database.

I hope this article gave you some insights. I always encourage to conduct your own research as well. Please share any findings and ideas with us.

Namaste

After writing a few rough ideas for my blog entry i sat back frustrated.
My explanation and description of yoga, the power it has, and how it has deeply transformed my life, seemed hollow. My words cannot do the practice justice, it has to be experienced.
I will however pass you over to a master of the subject. Mr T.K.V Desikachar. I would like to offer a full bow of gratitude for his honest and clear teachings on the subject, making it accessible to everyone who shows interest.

Many different interpretations of the word yoga have been handed down over the centuries. One of these is “to come together”, “to unite”. Another meaning of the word yoga is “to tie the strands of the mind together”. These two definitions may at first glance seem very different, but really they are speaking about the same thing. While “coming together” gives us a physical interpretation of the word yoga, an example of typing the strands of the mind together is the directing of our thoughts toward the yoga session before we take on an actual practice. Once those mental strands come together to form an intention, we are ready to begin the physical work.
A further meaning of the work yoga is “to attain what was previously unattainable” The starting point for this thought is that there is something that we are today unable to do; when we find the means for bringing that desire into action, that step is yoga. In fact, every change is yoga. For example, when we find a way to bend the body forward and touch our toes, or learn the meaning of the word yoga with the help from a text, or gain more understanding of ourselves or others through a discussion, we have reached a point where we have never been before. Each of these movements and changes is yoga.
Another aspect of yoga has to do with our actions. Yoga therefore also means acting in such a way that all of our attention is directed toward the activity in which we are currently engaged. Suppose of example that while I am writing, one part of my mind is thinking about what I want to say while another part is thinking about something entirely different. The more I am focused on my writing, the greater my attentiveness to my action in this moment. The exact opposite might also occur: I may begin writing with great attention, but as I continue to write my attention begins to waver. I might begin to think about the plans I have for the day tomorrow, or what is cooking for dinner. IT then appears as if I am acting with attentiveness, but really I am paying little attention to the task at hand. I am functioning, but I am not present. Yoga attempts to create a state in which we are always present-really present-in every action, in every moment.
The advantage of attentiveness is that we perform each task better and at the same time are conscious of our actions. The possibility or making mistakes becomes correspondingly smaller the more our attention develops. When we are attentive to our actions we are not prisoners to our habits; we do not need to do something today simply because we did it yesterday. Instead there is the possibility of considering our actions fresh and so avoiding thoughtless repetition.
Another classic definition of yoga is “to be one with the divine” It does not matter what name we use for the divine – God, Allah, Isvara, or whatever – anything that brings us closer to understanding that there is a power higher and greater than ourselves is yoga. When we feel in harmony with that higher power,that too is yoga.
So we see that there are many possible ways of understanding the meaning of the word yoga. Yoga has its roots in Indian thought, but its content is universal because it is about the means by which we can make the change we desire in our lives. The actual practice of yoga takes each person in a different direction. It is not necessary to subscribe to any particular ideas of God in order to follow the yoga path. The practice of yoga only requires to act and to be attentive to our actions. Each of us is required to pay careful attention to the direction we are taking so that we know where we are going and how we are going to get there; this careful observation will enable us to discover something new. Whether this discovery leads to a better understanding of God, to greater contentment, or to a new goal is a completely personal matter.
Where and how does the practice of yoga begin? Should we always begin on the physical level? I would say that where we begin depends on our personal interests. There are many ways of practicing yoga, and gradually the interest in one path will lead to another. So it could be that we begin studying the yoga sutra or by meditating. Or we may instead begin with practicing asanas (physical yoga postures) and so start to understand yoga through the experience of the body. We can also begin with pranayama, feeling the breath as the movement of our inner being. There are no prescriptions regarding where and how our practice should begin.
Books or yoga classes often give the impression that there are prerequisites for the study of yoga. We may be told that we should not smoke, or that we should be vegetarian, or that we should give away all our worldly goods. Such ways of behaving are admirable only if they originate within us – and they may as a result of yoga – but not if they are imposed from outside. For instance, many people who smoke give up the habit once they begin a yoga practice. As a result of their practice they no longer want to smoke; they do not give up smoking in order to practice yoga. We begin where we are and how we are, and whatever happens, happens.
When we begin studying yoga – whether by way of asanas, pranayama, meditation, or studying the yoga sutra – the way in which we learn is the same. The more we progress, the more we become aware of the holistic nature of our being, realizing that we are made of body, breath, mind and more. Many people start studying yoga by practicing asanas continue to learn more poses until the only meaning of yoga for them lies in physical expertise. We can liken this to a man who strengthens only one arm and lets the other one become weak. Similarly, there are people who intellectualize the idea of yoga; they write wonderful books and speak brilliantly about complicated ideas, but when they are writing or speaking they cannot sit erect for even a few minutes. So let us not forget, we can begin practicing yoga from any starting point, but if we are to be complete human beings we must incorporate all aspects of ourselves, and do so step by step. In the yoga sutra, Patanjali emphasizes all aspects of human life, including our relationships with others, our behavior, our health, our breathing, and our meditation path.

T.K.V Desikachar ‘The heart of yoga’
brought to us by Gillian Neill

Back in February I was a few weeks post becoming a mother for the 2nd time. I was craving change, not only hormonal, but in any aspect of my life: nutrition, occupation and mostly my yoga practice.
I have been practicing yoga for 3 years now, most of it spent in pre and post-natal yoga classes.
During my second pregnancy, things started shifting, I met amazing people and encountered endless new opportunities. I was ready for it. I opened my heart to it.
When I first walked through the door of Living Yoga I felt at home right away.
I had no clue what to expect from Hot yoga and Vinyasa but felt that it’s a safe place to be myself.
The owner of the Studio, Rei, invited me with a big warm hug that I still get every time I go to class.
I believed that yoga was all about the Asanas (the physical practice).
Even more, I once thought Yoga was sitting in a comfortable seated position with my hands by my heart in prayer and chanting.
But I discovered an endless world when I started practicing. Literally endless.
My evolvement is eternal, there is no quick fix. Whenever I feel that everything is prefect, I know in my heart that it’s just a temporary high. Peeling my onion doesn’t take a day or a year. It takes a lifetime.
Yoga gave me what few other things did: balance.
Rei’s studio is unique in so many ways. Rei offers compassion and discipline together in the same class which allows a yogi to stay humble and ego-free (as much as possible), yet to be able to push himself gently every time. I have seen progress in myself and my fellow yogis, that I would have never believed possible.
There’s also the inspiring and beautiful teacher, Gillian. Her classes are a mixture of playtime and boot-camp! I literally feel like I’m 5 years old every time I attend her class.
But why did I mention all that? I will tell you why: this studio, is where I discovered the true meaning of Yoga, the discipline and respect of the practice and the love, compassion and fun part of it!
I also found myself again in many ways, and discovered that teaching yoga and spreading the love is what I want to do.

Om shanti!

www.mylivingyoga.com