India Part Twelve: Reflexology Shri Jasnathi Style

Reflexology Tent at Shri Jasnath Asan

Re-grounding in a colorful tent at Shri Jashanth Asan (Panchala Siddha) at the edge of the Thar desert in India.  It was a wonderful experience to work and stay there.

November 2016.  Part of me was feeling a bit guilty about not being at home to cry with others after the elections.  Regal told me that everyone was so upset, and people were hugging the next day during dogs off-leash hours.

Stone Foot Path Coach and Regal's Achilles Tendons

Back in Taipei (after the ICR Conference and Gina Stewart’s RVP at Garden of Hope in Taitung) Regal took me to a park he had explored previously.  
The Reflexology path (stone foot path) there was different from the ones I had seen before.  It entailed three benches on the path itself and  one texture only, and there was a map of the feet’s reflexes with labeling in Chinese characters and in English. 

We had such a good time; I walked back and forth twice slowly, enjoying every step, aware that it would be the last time.  When I was about to leave I found myself "coaching" Sharon (see photo below).  She said she did not learn how to do this.

Fafa and Joker (Papa and Chocolate)

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
—Will Rogers (actor, Connecticut Yankee

What a beautiful and unexpected encounter after a recent breakfast in Hualien, Taiwan with two new canine friends.   

It was very interesting to watch how the older dog Fafa/Papa* communicated with Joker/Chocolate and with me.

Collage 1: The older dog (brindle) approves of me after brief inspection.  I had seen them briefly the day before; he enjoys a few relaxing strokes of facial reflexology; his eyes are closed. 

Collage 2: Communicating playfully and coaxing the younger one who had just gotten up with what I imagine to have been "this is fun, try it; come on, it’s relaxing; I’ll do stretches with you first.”  They did stretches together and were affectionate and gentle, and playful. 

Collage 3: The younger one listened :) and gets moral support during "his session.”  Fafa/Papa is watching us, his face close to where the action is.

Collage 4: Mutual gratitude 🙏🏻; good bye between me and senior (come again maybe?); the younger one just walked off; he did his job.  He pleased Fafa/Papa.  Easy breezy for me, but so incredibly heart warming and eye opening.

🌹

Imagine - John Lennon 

Reliving Camping Trip to Alaska 21 Years Later

In wilderness I sense the miracle of life,and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia.
- Charles Lindbergh

India Part Eleven: Interview with Director of Yoga Programs/Shri Jasnath Asan

This was one of the two videos I watched before I left for India.  I did not need to see more, I was going there; I wanted to meet Shreejan Sita.   

An interview with the director of Yoga Programs, Shreejan Sita (45 minutes "My interview with Sherry about Yoga proved to be enlightening. She exceeded my expectations in knowledge and helped me gain a higher perspective of Yoga and its importance in our everyday lives.)". I agree one hundred percent, yoga is for everyday in 24/7 interconnected 21st century. 
http://www.shrijasnathasan.org/

Om Namaste, 
Birgit  

This may help you to shift you to more ease:

- Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth slowly and completely on a ha sound, another two times, then return to natural breathing and observe...

Birgit Nagele, ARCB, LVCY, TSY

- Reflexology(feet/hands/face/DIY/Dogs)

Yoga (Gentle Mat, LV Chair Yoga, TSY)

- Private Clients, Corporate, Events 

- EuNYCe (Educating about Reflexology locally, internationally)

- NYC-based 

Tel: (917) 664-5792

info@ban-chi.net

http://www.ban-chi.net/ 

India Part Ten: From Reading to Experiencing: Om The Universal Sound Led by Gurujii Surjanath

By exposing ourselves to and/or chanting OM, the universal sound we are taken back to rishis uttering these words after coming out of deep meditation (Om is often compared to Amen, Shalom, Salaam), anyone can benefit from these sounds.   Yoga is for anyone.  It is a spiritual practice anyone can benefit from. 

3 Oms led by Gurujii Surajnath, our wonderful host (please check previous posts related to my trip to India last November) and spiritual leader of Shri Jasnath Asan (ashram) since 2001 but initiated into the tradition at age six.   Please om along or just enjoy.    

Enjoy,
Om Namaste, 
Birgit  

This may help you to shift you to more ease:

- Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth slowly and completely on a ha sound, another two times, then return to natural breathing and observe...

Birgit Nagele, ARCB, LVCY, TSY

- Reflexology(feet/hands/face/DIY/Dogs)

Yoga (Gentle Mat, LV Chair Yoga, TSY)

- Private Clients, Corporate, Events 

- EuNYCe (Educating about Reflexology locally, internationally)

- NYC-based 

Tel: (917) 664-5792

info@ban-chi.net

http://www.ban-chi.net/ 

India Part Nine: A warm Welcome, Delicious Food, and Lucid Dream

After one more train, bus, tuktuk, I was exhausted but in a good way when Arve and I reached the ashram Sunday morning, November 6, 2015 after more than forty hours of traveling since arrival in Delhi with a few naps, delicious meals, and chais in between. 

I wanted to describe it a bit more in detail here, but after visiting the ashram website, I decided to welcome you without further delay to Shri Jasnath Asan (ashram) where the focus is on the irrevocable bond between man and nature.  

Double Handed no Pressure Hand Reflexology

A few weeks ago, waiting for dinner to arrive at one of our favorite Middle Eastern restaurants, Regal received a hand reflexology session from me.

On the way there I told him about an upcoming event and wanted to show him something and get feedback.  It also can not hurt to rebalance the body to prepare for dinner.

He was game for the following which was new to him:
- double handed hand reflexology, meaning I was working mostly on both hands at the same time (mostly it's one hand at a time) aside from doing some relaxation techniques.
- no pressure at all hand reflexology (often it's either gentle, medium, deep pressure).  I personally do not use deep pressure.  

India Part Eight: Supported Forward Bend from Agra to Jodhpur or was It Jaipur?

After teaching, meditation class, Indian dinner with Jaya, chatting about our practice, it occurred to me two nights ago that I needed to rename the previous post to 
"India Part Eight: Supported Forward Bend from Agra to Jodhpur or was It Jaipur?" instead

India Part Eight: Hunched over from Agra to Jodhpur or was it Jaipur?

 One way to get to your seat!🌹

We asked a tuktuk driver in Agra to take us to a restaurant.  There was nothing where we were after leaving Taj.  He delivered.  We had a nice meal, then we took another tuktuk.  

The idea was to find a park to take a nap, to recharge batteries before we got on a train again.  I had nice nap number 2 at a park outside the fort in Agra

India Part Seven: Arriving at Taj Mahal at Dawn

Taj Mahal; the 

It was chilly early in the morning when we got into a tuktuk at the Agra train station headed for Taj Mahal.  Thank god for the shawl that is most likely always nearby when we (ladies) are in India.

We were amongst the first ones to get there which was the plan.  I loved walking around at dawn - being up early never fails

India Part Six: Yess! Chai, Chai, Chaia at Agra Cantt

First chai (always served steaming hot)

My buddy did pretty much all the navigation as he arrived the previous day and knew his way around a bit already around downtown Delhi.

Agra, the Taj Mahal was next.  It took a while to get tickets.  And yes, we knew it was best to get them online 

India: From Reading to Experiencing Mudras

Mudras welcoming travelers at the New Delhi airport

In my previous India post, I mentioned that I was greeted by mudras at the New Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport.  Today you are invited to experience the healing benefits 

India Part Five: Arrival-Welcome by Mudras, Raya - I am in India!

Raya (Prince, King)💘

Easy breezy arrival at the New Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport.  Feeling at home already:

• Greeted by huge mudras (photo in next post) 

INDIA Part Four: On Long Flight, Wellness was Priority and Reflexology Delivers

Baby Hannah was doing mudras😍💜

After arriving in Delhi we had another two days of train travel ahead of us and we had no reservations, 

India Part Three: Preparations (or Not)

Halloween; with our visitors...

On November 3, only one day after my Austrian visitors left New York, I left for India.  I was not well prepared at all.  However I did have a beautiful green Indian outfit consisting of kurti (?), pants and shawl.  Thank you again, Debra.  When I mentioned India

India Part Two: Outside My Comfort Zone Already

Election Madness

So how did I wind up in India? 

The most recent Reflexology Volunteer Program (RVP) created by Canadian reflexologist Gina Stewart about 10 years ago combined Indian ashram stay, yoga, desert, cows and dogs, healthy but simple living, communal reflexology (at least I hoped so), a wellness center in exchange

INDIA Part One: Life is Full of Surprises

India just was not on this yogini's bucket list.  Sure I wanted to do things before I died, but India was not necessarily one of them

Reflexology in NYS - Please Sign the International MoveonPetition

Following another trip to Albany to educate legislators, my buddy Petra in a New York minute, created an international moveon petition.

Please, sign

India: Prelude to a Series of Posts on my Trip to India last November

I am inviting you to travel with me to India:   

Traveling takes us out of our routine and

Mowgli's Surgery: More Reflexology, Sound Healing, Colloidal Silver

The morning before his surgery (removing a lump on the left elbow, photo #1, lavender circle), he received  a long facial/paw reflexology session. While I was doing the sound bath (see photo #4) he stretched and was falling asleep again.  I could hear his breath deepening, he let out a sigh from time to time, and repositioned his body.  Ultimately he turned sideways with all legs fully extended: that's complete relaxation, savasana! 

Mowgli had a lot to say when we picked him up at the clinic after surgery.  He produced sounds I had never heard out of his mouth for minutes, he clearly had a lot to share.  He was also very happy about the treats Dr. Fish kept giving him.  But yes, he was even happier once out on the sidewalk.  On the way home, he pulled us into the pet store, knowing he would get a treat.  When we got home,

Auction - Supporting P.S. 212 in Midtown

There is still a bit of time left to do some bidding on a private session with me in support of my friend's daughter's school in Hell's Kitchen.  

"One-hour private reflexology session to relax--combo facial and foot reflexology, fully clothed." (out of Columbus Circle area studio).  Here is a recent testimonial and there are many more on my website and on Facebook in case you have not had a session with me before.

"The reflexology with Birgit was different than I have had before.

#heartMowgli

Best wishes and namaste,

Birgit Nagele, ARCB, LVCY, TSY

This may help you to shift from fight/flight to more ease:

- Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth on a ha sound, and two more times, then return to natural breathing and observe...

- Reflexology(feet/hands/face/DIY/Dogs)

Yoga (Gentle Mat, LV Chair Yoga, TSY)

- Private Clients, Corporate, Events 

- EuNYCe (Educating about Reflexology locally, internationally)

- NYC-based 

Tel: (917) 664-5792

info@ban-chi.net

http://www.ban-chi.net/

Of Traum and Trauma, Integration and Integrative

Traum (Dream)

Vienna, Austria.  On a personal level, the recent visit to refugee camps in Vienna reconfirmed that I am on the right track regardless whether it is easy or not to actually provide service considering that I do not reside there; it feels right:  The service I have been offering during three trips since October 2015.  It is because of the many little encounters with displaced children, men and women in these camps.  Every human being deserves to live freely, to be themselves as a Honduran asylum seeker was quoted in my previous post (as seen on the Forced from Home website) as much as we all deserve clean water, fresh food, shelter, clothes, health care, education.  It all sounds very utopian given the current climate.

Traum vs. Trauma.  The German word Traum (as seen in the above photo taken in the hallway of a shelter leading to the cafe) means dream in English.  As far as the root of the word is concerned Traum does not seem to be

Last Weekend, Early in the Morning, I called 311

Homeless in NYC

Last weekend, early in the morning, I called 311, then 911- as I got a bit impatient.  There was a pile of blankets and I could make out a body underneath on the sidewalk on Broadway, close to Apple Jack Diner.  Of course this is, unfortunately not unusual - wishful thinking - but the temperature that particular morning was below freezing in the 10s.

There were too many recordings (311) and then I numbed my phone by accident and initially did not know how to undo it.  

Anyway, I then decided to call 911 instead for all I knew the person underneath might be suffering from hypothermia, etc. and need an ambulance anyway.  

As I was making the phone call, 

---

I detected movement and then saw the homeless person's face.  I got a bit nervous thinking he might be angry at me for calling 911.  It is known that many homeless people often prefer streets to shelters; many also have mental challenges.  This was totally unfounded.  He (Ash as I found out) was very mellow.  He wished me a good morning.  I did so, too.  I asked him if he heard what I did.  He nodded.  I told him that cops may show up and that my intentions were good.  It was way too cold for him to be outside.  He nodded understandingly and said  he had to be gone by 10am anyway, when the store opens.  I bought hot coffee for him from the vendor on the corner who thanked me for doing this.  

It is easy to get numb as we rush about.  There are so many homeless people but for my own sake (selfishness can be a good motivator), too, I need to keep acknowledging them: a dollar, a banana, a bagel, some like petting Mowgli (who not too long ago grabbed a slice of pizza from the homeless lady, who thank god said she was done with it, and he could have it).  Ash also told me he preferred hot chocolate.  I have not been in that bloc for a few days but I will remember Ash.  Ash is only one of 60.000 homeless people.  I believe most of us know the homeless people in our neighborhood, the regulars: 

“I Want to Live Freely. I Want to Be Myself”

Zuhause (At Home) as seen in Vienna 

“I Want to Live Freely. I Want to Be Myself,” A Honduran Asylum-Seeker (as seen on Forced from Home* Exhibit organized by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

That more than sixty five million (65.000.000) people are currently displaced as per the above mentioned *Doctors Without Borders (MSF) exhibition last year is deeply shocking.  

Experiental.  The exhibit was at the Battery Park City Promenade in New York City, not far from Liberty Tower and with the Statue of Liberty in sight.  Next to huge docked private yachts, exhibit visitors could sit in an inflatable raft similar to those used by many who

Mowgli Follows in my Footsteps - Mowgli Reflexes!

What do your pets do?  How creative do they get working on their reflexes, nadis, meridians, etc., Mowgli has found numerous ways to do DIY Reflexology.  This morning I picked up the bone and placed it next to him on the couch.  Next time I looked at him I saw this; it lasted for a while until the bone fell on the floor and he was sound asleep.

Dadi, the Shopkeeper

As I was getting coffee at a deli on the Upper West Side, I encountered this beautiful creature, one of the shop keepers:-).   He jumped off a counter and came running to greet me and I had a cat client.   He was very loving to begin with and loved the facial reflexology session (I used the same reflexes as on dogs).

"I have a 4yr female pug, Butter. She has a tendency

"I have a 4yr female pug, Butter. She has a tendency to run a bit antsy. For years I have used the Thunderjacket to calm her. I have been using Brigit's massage techniques (reflexology) on Butter five days a week as a morning routine. Since starting, Butter is calmer and needs her Thunderjacket far less. Thank you, Brigit! Hell's Kitchen Pug owner" 

"We have shown some of our volunteers and are having some good feedback from them. I'm definitely looking forward to the video. :)" - I demoed the protocol to the manager of a no-kill shelter in NC.

Thank You

Obama Family, Bo and Sunny  

Has it really been eight years since I saw Patti Smith on Election Day in 2008 in NOLA?  That  historical night!
Sigh.  Farewell.

I heard that since D. Trump does not want to move into the White House, the Obamas may stay there.  :-).

Blessings, 

Birgit Nagele, ARCB, LVCY, TSY

Return to balance now:

- Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth on a ha sound...and again, and again, then return to natural breathing and observe...

- Reflexology(feet/hands/face/DIY/Dogs)

Yoga (Gentle Mat, LV Chair Yoga, TSY)

- Private Clients, Corporate, Events 2 Re-Balance 

- EuNYCe (Educating about Reflexology locally, internationally)

- NYC-based 

Tel: (917) 664-5792

info@ban-chi.net

http://www.ban-chi.net/

Sage and the City, Ashram, Farm

This post is inspired by a friend who just asked me how to use sage.

As per an article on Chopra.com by Bess O'Connor Smudging is an ancient ceremony in which you burn sacred plants, such as sage, to allow the smoke to clear and bless a space.

So here is what I personally do:

I walk around our apartment in New York City with burning sage (my friend sometimes gifts me hand-picked sage from Utah) blowing carefully into it  (see photo) to create smoke.

Focus on the Sound

Returning to another polar bear plunge in Coney Island after spending New Year's Day in Vienna last year.  

Plunge number I don't know, maybe 22.  The temperature was in the 40s, am not sure about the water temperature, I like to say it's always cold.  We were part of the "green wave" at 1:10pm.  It was a very sunny day.