Life : Jinjer's blog

Two Spirits for Everyone

By Jinjer, on April 23rd, 2012%

What makes us unique?

What makes us the same?

I just read part of a thesis (which was inspired by Zuni two spiritedness) by a transgender man about his life journey to becoming who he truly is.

Zuni Two-Spirits: We'Wha

As I was reading I realized that many of us experience similar feelings of being out of step with . . . → Read More: Two Spirits for Everyone

A New Experience

By Jinjer, on March 27th, 2012%

The yoga of a separated shoulder.

Initiated by a fall in the tub the three graceful curves that come together in delicate (but strong) balance have been released from their habitual relationship and I cannot do any yoga that requires physical symmetry. I must cultivate balance by using my mind to imagine the symmetry. Surprising how much . . . → Read More: A New Experience

An Unwitting Invitation to Rodents

By Jinjer, on March 13th, 2012%

A few years ago I was sitting at my computer in the basement working on one of the chapters near the end when I felt something on my lower leg. I was going to swipe at it unconsciously but I stopped my hand mid-motion and looked instead. There was an intrepid little brown and white mouse clinging to my pantleg. Not a grasshopper mouse, it was a deer mouse, but still! . . . → Read More: An Unwitting Invitation to Rodents

Isvara Pranidhana: Letting Go

By Jinjer, on January 26th, 2012%

The fifth and final niyama is Isvara Pranidhana (surrender to God). I’ve seen it translated “dedication to God” or dedicating one’s actions to God. That letting go of outcomes is one of the tougher disciplines. . . . → Read More: Isvara Pranidhana: Letting Go

Svadhyaya: Niyama of Scholars

By Jinjer, on January 20th, 2012%

Svadhyaya, which means ‘study,’ has both inner and outer components. It means both self-study and self-education. In yoga tradition it is taken to mean study of God and the study of God within the individual. Many assume this indicates a very narrow scope of study.

I think that since this body and this personality are connected with all . . . → Read More: Svadhyaya: Niyama of Scholars

Santosa: A Holiday Niyama

By Jinjer, on December 21st, 2011%

This time of year carries a lot of stress for many people. The cultivation of santosa can help us handle both the crazy times and the alone times. . . . → Read More: Santosa: A Holiday Niyama

Keep Your Cool: by Breathing

By Jinjer, on July 18th, 2011%

This summer is too hot for even the most fervent devotees of the sun. The heat is affecting many who never see a week of 90° days. People with fewer sweat glands are particularly adversely affected by this kind of heat.

Yoga has offerings that can mitigate the misery. The yoga associated with handling heat well works subtly. . . . → Read More: Keep Your Cool: by Breathing

Thoughts are Free

By Jinjer, on March 23rd, 2011%

Lying Awake, it is snowing outside (yes, in March) and since I am sensitive to atmospheric changes I find myself lying awake, fidgeting in my bed—again.

Tonight I find myself thinking of my old German professor in college. Sadly, I can’t remember his name. I do remember the slender curve he made standing at the front of . . . → Read More: Thoughts are Free

A Doorway to Understanding

By Jinjer, on July 28th, 2010%

I just finished reading a novel by Turkish author Elif Shafak. It’s called The Forty Rules of Love. It’s about the Sufi poet, Rumi. Maybe you’ve heard that name before, maybe not. Sufism is a mystical expression of Islam.

This book is also about a Jewish housewife in New England who is finding her life no longer fulfilling.

But . . . → Read More: A Doorway to Understanding

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