Check it out! Now I’m really inspired to keep up this blog and fill it with practices and more instructions.

This is the 25 minute home practice I did on my birthday.

Sit on a cushion on your yoga mat.
Sama vritti — inhale and exhale, 6 counts each, 4 rounds
Kalapabhati — 60 pumps, repeat 3 x
Alternate nostril kapalabhati — 16,16, 16,16, 8,8,8,8,4,4,4,4,2,2,1,1,1,1…..slow it down but don’t stop — slowly exhale left, inhale left for 6 counts, exhale right for 6 counts, repeat 2 more times
Cat Cow
Threading the needle in both directions
*Adho Mukha Svanasana
Plank
Astang Pranam
Baby Bhujangasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana*
repeat from * to * 2 times
Foot walking meditation up to Uttanasana
Round up to standing
Ardha Surya Namaskar 3 times
Surya Namaskar Step Backs, start with the right leg going back, when you step your right leg forward pause in the low lunge, inhale and as you exhale, straighten your front leg, repeat 2 times, back in the lunge and twist to the right, left hand on the floor, back to the lunge, step forward, finish step back series on the right.

Do the left side, same thing.

(You can do chadarunga and updog but I have a wrist issue right now so I didn’t do that.)

#Vrksasana, standing on right leg, left leg bent, then step left leg back into
Virabhadrasana 1,
exhale open to Virabhadrasana 2, bend and straighten right leg three times
Reverse Virabhadrasana 2 as you inhale, exhale into Uttitha Parsvakonasana, repeat back and forth 3 times,
from Uttitha Parsvakonasana, straighten right leg into Trikonasana
back to Virabhadrasana 2, cartwheel arms into low lunge
Anjaneyasana — drop back knee and take hips forward so your front knee is way in front of your front foot
shift hips back and twist to the right, straighten back leg into
Parvritta Parsvakonasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana, then lift right leg up, externally rotate it, open hip and wiggle around,
Plank, Chadarunga, Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana#
step right leg forward, left leg forward,
Uttanasana
Utkatasana, twist to the right, twist to the left,

Stand up into
Vrksasana with right leg bent — repeat sequence from # to #
Inhale to plank, lower down onto your tummy, and turn over onto your back.

Urdhva Dhanurasana 3 times
Windshield Wipers
Jathara Parivartanasana with bent knees
Dead from Natural Causes Bug Asana, then with yogic toe lock straddle legs on back
Sirsasana
Salamba Sarvangasana
Halasana
Karnepidasana
Parsva Karnepidasana
Supta Baddhakonasana

That is just what I did that day. Every day is different.
Adho Mukha Svanasana

This summer I’ve read on airplanes and airports, in a Michigan hotel room, in the Kripalu dining hall, at my mother’s hospital bedside and….on the beach….ahhhh…

Here is my 2010 Summer Reading List. All comments and suggestions for more are welcome.

A Dead Hand: A Crime in Calcutta by Paul Theroux

Theroux, one of our greatest American novelists, might be even more well-known for his travel books. I love, love, loved reading Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, a revisiting of the entire trip he took 20 years earlier which resulted in a book called The Great Railway Bazaar. So this newest novel of us is really fun because it includes some travel, a multi-layered story (“a dead hand” means writer’s block as well as what you think it means), a bit of a mystery and some very playful self-referential scenes about writers and travelers. For us yogis, it is fun to read about the main character’s experiences since he is not a yogi. His fresh encounters with Ayurveda and Indian customs are an integral part of the story which ultimately and
brilliantly exposes some of the dangers that arise from “spiritual materialism.” And, it’s a fun book to read with the great writing always offered by Paul Theroux.

Surviving the Dragon: A Tibetan Lama’s Account of 40 Years under Chinese Rule by Arjia Rinpoche

Arjia Rinpoche was one of the most important lamas in old Tibet, discovered as a child and raised in Kumbum monastery, a similar story to that of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and my own guru, Gelek Rimpoche. But, the similarity ends in 1959 when HHDL and Gelek Rimpoche, Trungpa Rimpoche and others managed to escape the Chinese occupation and flee to India and the West. Arjia Rinpoche was not able to leave and grew up under the unrelenting cruelty of Chinese communist rule. He shares his life without decoration, neither good nor bad, just straight ahead. The stories of his growing up, learning to be safe and honest in countless deceitful, manipulative situations are inspiring and fascinating. He even became part of the Chinese government official religion affairs department and tells the unbelievable story of how that government selected the Panchen Lama’s reincarnation. Arjia Rinpoche now lives in the US — his eventual escape was amazing! — and I plan to visit him as soon as I can. I really want to meet this great person. Reading this book made me fall in love with Arjia Rinpoche and you will, too.

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi by Geoff Dyer

This book is really two separate stories, in the same way that our
own lives contain more than one story. Or in the way that our next
life is a result of our life now. Geoff Dyer is one of those writers
that makes you think he is really writing about himself, but somehow
I felt it was also about me and you. At any moment, in just one
moment, any of us can lose our way — or is it find the way — toward
insanity or enlightenment. Death might refer to reincarnation or
the end of suffering or just letting go of those parts of you that
weren’t working anyway. If you’ve been to Varanasi or Venice you
might like this book. You might also like it if you are curious
about impermanence, stability, hot sex, loss of sensuality, false
gods and the brilliant writing of Geoff Dyer.

Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist by Stephen Batchelor

This is my favorite kind of dharma book — a memoir/teaching combo. After becoming a Tibetan Buddhist monk and then giving up his robes; then becoming a Korean Buddhist monk and again giving up his robes, Batchelor is now one of the most famous and respected translators of Buddhist texts into English. He makes the case that much of what is taught and practiced in Buddhism is a decorative, cultural overlay on the pithy instructions that Buddha Shakyamuni originally taught. Batchelor gives the teachings of the Pali Canon in an immediate way by taking with us on a trip through India and then exploring how lay people can be “real” Buddhists just as much as monks and nuns. A great book for those who are curious about the teachings of Buddha but don’t want to read a straight history or scripture book.

The Godfather of Katmandu by John Burdett

This is the latest in a series of novels set in Bangkok which feature
Sonchai Jitpleecheep, a Thai cop and deeply devout Buddhist. Since it’s summer time I recommend you start with the first one in the series, but if you want to start with this one, it will still work.
I really loved this novel because a lot of it takes place in Katmandu
and since I’ve been there, it was fun to revisit many of the most
important sites such as the stupa. The main character also receives a secret Buddhist Tantric practice and I’m pretty sure it is the same one that I have received so that was fun to read about, too. One review on Amazon criticizes this book for too much musing on spiritual awakenings and Tibetan philosophy, but of course, that is one of the things I like best about this mystery series. Sonchai balances his Buddhist principles with a corrupt policy system, a reincarnated partner and a mom who runs a bar/brothel popular with American men with a lot of contemplation, compassion, quick thinking, intuition and exciting action.

Chants of a LIfetime by Krishna Das

Krishna Das’ memoir. Need I say more? And, as an extra fun bonus, the book comes with a Karaoke Kirtan CD, so you can sing along at home. What fun!

The Harvard Psychedelic Club:
How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the
Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America by Don Lattin (social history)

This engrossing story of Ram Dass, Timothy Leary, Andrew Weil and Huston Smith is completely relevant today. You probably knew that Richard Alpert aka Ram Dass and Timothy Leary were the guys who really brought LSD to the people but did you know Andrew Weil was instrumental in getting them busted?

They might have been most widely known for outrageous behavior but their work was a genuine exploration of consciousness and a search for an experience of Oneness. Huston Smith, known for opening America’s mind to “foreign” religions, was a positive , powerful influence on the group.

In the end, maybe we can thank Andy W. because after getting kicked out of Harvard, Alpert went to India, became Ram Dass and finally came back home to teach us all how to Be Here Now. The legacy of this particular group of brave and soulful scientists, professors and profoundly spiritual men continues to be an importance influence in our society. This book was fun to read and, to my surprise, deeply moving.

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama (detective novel)

Here’s a new series for all fans of Ma Ramotswe and the Number One Ladies Detective Agency. A similar kind of charming, down to earth story, only this takes place in India and features Mr. Ali, who came out of retirement to open his marriage bureau; Mrs. Ali, his wife who doesn’t think he should work so hard; Aruna, Mr. Ali’s assistant and a host of other flawed and lovable characters. It’s fun to read about Indian culture in this context. A perfect beach book.

The Great OOM: The Improbable Birth of Yoga in America by Robert Love
(history)

You aren’t the first person to do a yoga retreat upstate. But it
seems that Pierre Bernard aka The Great Oom, probably was. Pierre (originally Perry Baker from Iowa) was a serious yogi and a super charismatic dude that attracted many people to his classes in asana, philosophy, spiritual powers and secret tantric rituals. He was living in a conservative time with politicians who wielded their power in an effort to control the morale ethics of the American people (sound familiar?), and they managed to run him out town — several towns from coast to coast.

Fortunately for Pierre, there were rich people in high places who did support his work and we yogis of today have much to thank him for, as well as Robert Love for writing such a readable and respectful book about the history of yoga in America. I am especially grateful to Robert Love for his appreciation of yoga since often these kinds of books are written by authors who think it is clever to make fun of yoga and belittle it’s devotees.

Today is the Early Bird deadline to apply for @OM yoga Teacher Training at the excellent Evolution Yoga Studio in Cleveland — you know, the studio where Lady Gaga takes privates from owner and OM yoga teacher, @Sandy Gross. And, well, if OM yoga is good enough for Gaga it must be good! Check it out, www.omyoga.com — click Teacher Training.

My friend, Sandy Gross, owner of Evolution Yoga in Cleveland, and a wonderful OM yoga teacher (we have held OM yoga Teacher Trainings at this great OM yoga affiliate studio for years!) called me yesterday. She was nervous because Lady GaGa was in town and since it was her day off she wanted to take a yoga class and was on the way to Sandy, along with her assistant and her bodyguard. I told Sandy to teach a class that wasn’t too fast but kept moving and to give lots of hands on adjustments and good information. And, to just be herself. And, most important, to call me after the class and tell me how it went!

This is what Sandy wrote to me: Hi Cyndi! Seriously, thanks so much for taking my call today, I needed some grounding. I am still a bit amped up and I have to go to bed cause I already had tix to her show tomorrow eve and I need to sleep! Lady Gaga really liked OM yoga…she liked that it was creative and she loved the hands on assists and that I helped her low back drama in back bends.

Here is my latest article for the teaching issue of the Shambhala Sun.
cyndishambhalasunjune2010

Check it out!  The email newsletter called My Yoga Journal is featuring the Best of Cyndi Lee this week — all my writings and teachings and interviews and even some videos from the last many years.

http://shar.es/mUQ6Q

One of my most blissful annual activities — attending the Jewel Heart summer retreat with my beautiful guru, Gelek Rimpoche.  I was joined by many wonderful sangha brothers and sisters from all over the world.  Here are some random pics.