We are Prosperous

Starting on Friday 11th January, Thou Art Yoga (Tobago) will embark on PROJECT PROSPERITY. If you live in Tobago, you are welcome to join us every Friday from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Kariwak Hotel for our Kundalini Yoga class in the ambient and atmospheric ajoupa. If you live in Trinidad but will be in Tobago on a Friday evening, you are also welcome to join us.

The name of this special series of Kundalini Yoga & Creativity classes (PROJECT PROSPERITY) has two meanings:
(i) together we will be embarking on a Prosperity project
(ii) in the process, we will each increasingly project our Prosperity and manifest accordingly.

The flyer (click on image to enlarge and read the details) lists the theme and date of each class. For some classes, students will be asked to bring specific items to the class (for creative/symbolic purposes). Those details will be outlined in the weekly email sent out for that specific session.

"The best way to explain prosperity is that when a rosebud flowers and opens up, it has its fragrance. When a man or a woman is prosperous, there is that fragrance of security, grace, depth, character, and truthfulness, which that person can share. Like a candle emits light, a prosperous human emits prosperity.”

(Yogi Bhajan)


For more information on Thou Art Yoga and to see class and other details, please visit our website: http://www.thouartyoga.com/ Or like our Facebook page and receive daily updates.

Get your Sendsationals caledars at Hilton Christmas Bazaar today! 28-12-2012

Click on image to enlarge.

Great opportunity to stock up on your Sendsational Gift Calendars! Today Sendsationals will be at the Grand Christmas Bazaar —Sunday October 28, 2012 at the Trinidad Hilton. 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How do YOU feel when you receive personal snail mail?

www.sendsationals.com asked several people: "How do you feel when you open the mailbox and find personal mail from a loved one (i.e. not bill, bank statement or flyer, etc)?"

Here are a few of their answers:
1.  I feel anxious and excited. (Hebe, Holland)
2. When I get a letter delivered by a postman, it sends me back to my teenage years of penpal-ing and then as now, I experience almost childlike joy and excitement when I hold a letter in my hands.  And if that letter is sporting foreign stamps? Have mercy! Is like Christmas.  Love love love getting mail in the post.  Just love it. (Philogene, Trinidad)
3.  I’m always happy to see personal mail from a loved one. (Rose, England)
4. I feel growing excitement and a little thud of the heart as I am about to open the mail. (Rachelle, Trinidad)
5. I love personal snail mail so much, even though it never comes I look for it everyday. (Keisha, USA)
6.   I feel uplifted, after reading it I usually like to reply one time... love writing cards & letters... (Veronika, Tobago)
7. Feel moved. Moment to savour. (Carolyn, Canada)

The Art of You

Every Wednesday in Buccoo, Tobago, special needs children connected to Healing with Horses Foundation and Yahweh Foundation join Thou Art Yoga for "The Art of You"—fun yoga and art sessions on the cliff at sunset. Sessions run for an hour, with an extra half hour set aside for clearing up and washing yoga mats.

 Yesterday an intimate group of children from Yahweh Foundation joined us for the 2nd 'Art of You' session. We had lots of fun ... yoga (individually and in pairs), drumming on buckets and a few minutes of shouting "I AAAAAAAAMMMMMMM!" as loudly as we could across the ocean from the cliff, to let people know how great we are. 

Thanks to Veronika of Healing with Horses for the pics, which can be viewed on Thou Art Yoga's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.510884752255572.123976.171905482820169&type=3

Ideal gift for friends, family, clients, colleagues and guests

Click to enlarge image.

Even the person who "has everything" doesn't have this ... yet.

Please click here to go to the website and place your order.

Peace for a Change.

On the night of the 100 Thousand Poets & Musicians for Change concert organised by Rachael N. Collymore and Navid Lancaster, I did an opening 'performance' by teaching the audience One Minute Breath, then sang of my songs. 

 Marsha Pearce, using her photographic and graphic skills, put together two simple but effective images (see below) including lyrics from my song and guidance on how to practise One Minute Breath. I quite like what she did.

You can click on the images to enlarge them.

 

Introducing Sendsationals Calendars

 (Front of calendar)

This year my two sisters and I pooled our talents to create the 2013 calendar featured here.  This innovative, interactive date-keeper is made up of twelve detachable postcards, featuring images that merge the simple magic of nature with uplifting words. With this calendar you experience the treasure and pleasure of sending and receiving snail mail. Detach an image/postcard at the end of every month and send it to a loved one. Who doesn't like to get an exciting surprise in their mail box?

 (Back of calendar)

Please visit our website, www.sendsationals.com, for more information and to purchase your copies. Order online from the comfort of home, wherever you are in the world, and your order will be shipped to you. Free delivery for orders of up to 4 copies within Trinidad and Tobago.

ALSO: Like the "Sendsationals Calendars" Facebook page and we'll keep you posted!

New Daisy Chain audio now at Reverbnation

One day recently a friend's mother phoned me to say she was reading Daisy Chain and had reached the character JASMINE JUPITER. She began to read a part of it which she found particularly lovely. As she read and I heard the natural appreciation in her voice, I thought I would like to record her reading it ... and that idea stretched into getting different women to read an excerpt from whichever character in the novel they liked most.

I've recorded two women reading so far. These mp3 excerpts are available on the Daisy Chain Novel Reverbnation site (http://www.reverbnation.com/daisychainnovel), embedded below. Listen and enjoy  ... and stay tuned for more readers to come.

Click here to purchase Daisy Chain at amazon.com in print or Kindle/e-book format.

Your suggestions are welcome

THOU ART YOGA INVITES SUGGESTIONS for what and where you would like our yoga class to be on Friday 21 September—UN International Day of Peace. Even if you are not a Thou Art Yoga student you can still make a suggestion ... but if your idea is chosen, we would like you to be there to take part in it (unless you are from abroad, in which case you can be with us in Spirit and/or join us by carrying out your suggestion wherever you are).

Be as creative and innovative in your suggestions as you want to be, keeping it simple and effective. You can suggest something as small and simple as having a regular class with a particular peace theme, giving each other peace gifts, etc ... or as big (yet still simple) as something that reaches (and includes) the entire nation, region and/or globe.

We can have it in our studio or somewhere outdoors. The possibilities are infinite. As long as it promotes peace.

The idea that appeals to most and is most practical in terms of getting it done in the given time frame will be selected. If workable, a few suggestions may be combined.

Suggestions accepted all of this week until Friday 17th September.

Read here about International Day of Peace
http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/

One of Thou Art Yoga's online students shares his experience

WORDS FROM DEV "BEANTROOP SINGH" POOMA ON HIS EXPERIENCE OF THOU ART YOGA'S KUNDALINI SESSIONS VIA SKYPE

I believe I have done it for a period of six weeks or so. May be more.

I like the convenience of doing it from the comfort my own home. I don’t have to dress, drive, etc. I simply turn on the computer and yoga is at my avail. Right now I am not too well and having Skype yoga affords me the opportunity to still be a part of my classes and to connect with my yoga family. It is also convenient when traveling because you can do it from any location.

I choose to do it the porch. I like that it is open air. I can also observe the evening as it changes with my mood during the yoga. What I have realized though is that because I can move my laptop anywhere I can do it from any room I choose on that particular day. Sometimes changing rooms help my yoga mood as well.

Originally when I started online yoga I thought I would miss the interpersonal connection. What I have come to realize is that it is still there. I can see everyone. We can chat before, during and after the class. We are still able to connect.

The instructor is also able to clearly explain and demonstrate kriyas etc online. She also observes us and can give guidance accordingly just like in studio.

(a) you must ensure that you have a Skype account and that your version is up to date.
(b) Webcam is also a necessity.
(c) Join Thou Art Yoga group by sending request.
(d) On day of class log on at least 15 mins before to ensure all tech is working properly.
(e) You will receive the call from the instructor.
(f) Accept call, turn of your microphone so there is no feedback and then follow instructor’s guide.
(g) You will see all class members on screen.
(h) Audio is usually very clear once connection is strong.
(i) You also have the option of typing messages.
(j) Once class is done, you end call.

I have enjoyed all online yoga classes thus far. 99% of the time the connection was good. I still feel that intense energy, especially after the class. It’s just as invigorating as in studio.

It is worth it, especially when you think things are difficult and you don’t have the time to devote to going to studio. Studio or Skype, yoga class always feel like it is especially for me.

Click here to see how to join us for Thou Art Yoga's Kundalini Yoga classes via Skype.

Join Thou Art Yoga's free September Skype yoga classes

Join us for free Thou Art Yoga Skype classes every Tuesday evening from 6 - 7 p.m. for the month of September.

This will give you the opportunity to experience the benefits of online classes as Thou Art Yoga gears

up for an exciting Skype yoga series starting in October.

Thanks to Skype, you can join us whether you are in TT or abroad. Varying time zones are a consideration ... but yoga is about flexibility, and we will find ways to make this work for all.

Due to only ten available video slots on Skype video conference calls, preference will be given (for the free classes) to those who have not yet done one with us. However once free space is available, anyone can participate on a first come first serve basis.

To be included, please send your name and Skype name to me (email link in side bar) or as a comment on Thou Art Yoga's Facebook page (in messages or as a comment). A Skype invitation will then be sent to you.

 

Please make sure that:

1. You have a webcam on your computer or camera on your laptop

2. You have an up to date version of Skype

Thanks to those who took part yesterday. Despite one or two technological glitches which were beyond our control, everything went smoothly and, based on feedback, a wonderful experience was had by all. The real connection between us is Divine Energy. It is true, powerful and infinite, unlike the technological connection. So, internet glitches or not, we're still in the flow together.

Sat nam.

What's in a name?

Yesterday, in a maxi taxi from St. Augustine to Macoya, I jotted down the names and symbols I saw on the windscreen of each vehicle that approached, heading in the other direction (see list at end of this post). For those who don't live in Trinidad and may not know, some drivers stick names or phrases on the windscreens of their vehicles as a form of identification.

Looking at the list below you might deduce that we live in quite a spiritual society. The most repeated name was OM (ie. the symbol, not the letters OM). Interestingly, yesterday I came across some information (click here for the online source) on the threefold symbolism of OM. The first in a list of symbolic equivalents for OM is: COLOURS: RED, WHITE AND BLACK. For those who don't know, those are the colours of T & T's national flag.

Jai Hanuman
OM (symbol)
Bless Child
OM (symbol)
King of Hearts
Who God Bless
Fires
Yin/Yang (symbol)
Web
OM (symbol)
Frankenstein
Thumbs Up
Praying Hands (symbol)
Earthquake
God is Love
Hurricane
Precious Babes
Super Fats
Moos
Sweet Rose of Sharon
God is Good
Praying Hands (symbol)
Sai Baba (image)
On My Own
Sinfull Effects
Rustic
Bless
Road Trip
One Super Power
Live & Let Live
God's Gift.

Giving birth to ourselves

"He allowed himself to be swayed by his conviction that human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but that life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves."

(Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the Time of Cholera)

Survey for upcoming project. Please partake.

Dear All,

I am conducting a survey for a project soon to be revealed and would appreciate you answering the following questions. You can leave your answers in the comments section below or email them to me using the link in the 'About Me' section in the side bar.

1. How do you feel when you open the mailbox and find personal mail from a loved one (i.e. not bill, bank statement or flyer, etc)?

2. When last did you receive a personal letter, card, gift, etc in the mail?

3. Do you send personal snail mail to loved ones? (If yes or no) Why? 

4. Would you like to receive more personal snail mail? (If yes or no) Why?

Are you comfortable with any or all of your answers being used online as part of the project? (N.B. It is a reputable and inspiring project with which I'm sure you would like to be associated. You will know what it is before your answer is used).

If yes, please let me know how you would like your name to be shown online (e.g. Sally Jones, Sally, S. Jones, S.J.)

Thanks.

Elspeth

Double Rainbow = Double Gold

If at the end of a rainbow there is a pot of gold, then seeing a double rainbow on the ferry to Tobago on Monday was definitely a sign of the extra treasures that lay in store.

Two days of magic, success, healing, kindness, great connections, gentle sea water, cool breeze, fabulous sunsets, amazing star-scapes and more ...

"Important Pubic Notice"

Yesterday, walking with a friend along the waterfront from the Breakfast Shed to the Hyatt, I saw this sign. My eyes first fell on "Pubic Notice" and I chuckled. Some idle person had removed the "l" from "Public" to be funny.

As I read on, the message began to take on disturbing undertones. It seemed like a warning message to parents and guardians "of all children" to "be extremely vigilant" and "be alert & careful" in open public spaces where who knows what can happen. Suggestions of predators/male exhibitionism ("while he front off") and nuances of incest/child abuse (perhaps because cases of such are prevalent in Trinidad and Tobago) seemed to be at the core of this warning.

Did someone deliberately rip these letters off in fun ... or to sound a warning?
Did those particular letters just happen to peel off for themselves in all the rain we've been having?
Did I happen to read "more" into what is actually there?

Whatever the answer, the fact is, parents and guardians do need to be extremely aware and vigilant of what is happening with their children ... in public and private spaces.

Supreme Being

I was recently in Tobago (8 - 14 July) as film facilitator for this year's EMA environmental camp for youths. The camp started off with environmental lectures (this year's theme was "Green Economy: Does It Include You?"), then the 15 students were separated into Drama Group (10 students) and Film Group (5), each under a facilitator ... with 4 days to develop pieces based on the theme.

We stayed at Footprints Eco Resort where the creating took place. The above video, Supreme Being,  is the resulting film product, written and filmed by the 5 youths in my group. 

Enjoy.

Link to online radio interview (archived episode)

This is the link to the online radio episode done yesterday . I was interviewed via Skype by IndiesinMotion/Rick Mizuna, LA, mainly about Daisy Chain.

The show opens with some music, then my interview, followed by an interview with musician, Bob Helfant.

http://gvbradio.com/player2/?file=Indies-073012.mp3&title=Indies+in+Motion+07%2F30%2F12

Tune in: live Daisy Chain online radio interview Monday 30 July 2012

Daisy Chain book signing at Sept 2011 launch at NALIS, Trinidad

This Monday I am scheduled to be on the Indies in Motion Radio Show, being interviewed by Rick Mizuno about my novel Daisy Chain.

TUNE IN TIME: Monday 30 July, Live at 1pm PST on Ch1 of www.GVBRadio.com
(For those in Trinidad, that will be 5 p.m.)

In case you miss it, the show will also be uploaded for 24/7 access at www.GVBRadio.com/indies-in-motion

And on the next day (Tuesday) FREE iTunes downloads of the show will be available ( keyword: Indies in Motion w/Rick Mizuno)

Thou + Art + Yoga = Inspiration

 Member of film crew transforms herself into a bird at sunset

Click here to visit Thou Art Yoga's blog and read about how Kundalini Yoga played an inspiring role in the recent creative/environmental workshop I was a part of in Tobago.

Does it include you?

Frog swimming in large outdoor tub at Footprints

Spent a fantastic week (8 - 14 July) at Footprints Eco Resort in Tobago as film facilitator for the EMA's environmental youth camp 2012.

Guided by two facilitators (one for film, one for drama), fifteen youths (5 in the film group, 10 in the drama group) spent the week creating pieces (one short film by the film crew and two skits by drama) based on this year's theme: The Green Economy—Does it include you?

We could not have asked for more—a great group of people, fun, creativity, productivity, purpose and fantastic food, accommodation, service and beautiful surroundings courtesy Footprints.

I am Elspeth Stereo

Last night I learned an interesting new slang word from the dream world.

In the dream I went to give a talk at my alma mater (SAGHS). When I got there, I learned that the 'talk' was supposed to be a reading of Daisy Chain, which everyone was excitedly anticipating ... but I hadn't brought a copy of D.C. with me.  (Hmm, not a bad idea to go and do a reading of Daisy Chain at the school ...)

Rather than rush home to get a copy of the novel (which in that moment I confirmed I should always have with me), I decided to give everyone the exercise of writing in stream-of-consciousness and let them create their own 'Daisy Chain'.

As some of the teachers and girls streamed in to the room (maybe they streamed consciously!), two of the girls excitedly said to me: "We've always wanted to meet you. We've heard so much about you! You're Elspeth Stereo." In their teen lingo, "Stereo" meant 'amazing'.

Now that I am awake, I see the many other symbolic meanings of 'stereo'.

Interesting ...

Suggestion for decreasing/eliminating road carnage, crime and pollution in Trinidad and Tobago

In an ideal Trinidad and Tobago, someone with a technical mind would invent a computerised mechanism (to be fitted to all vehicles in TT by law) which prevents cars from increasing speed above 50 mph. This will drastically reduce or eliminate completely the amount of 'innocent bystanders' being killed by runaway vehicles that fly off the road and slam into them. Speeding, alcohol-fueled cars will no longer be able to flip the median and crush unsuspecting vehicles on the other side of the highway. The only vehicles legally allowed to drive without these devices would be fire brigades, ambulances, police and army vehicles.

This computerised device will also help to lower the crime rate as criminals won't be able to make speedy getaways. People will complain that their cars are too slow to take them to work on time (as if Trinis care about time). This grouse will be addressed by the introduction of (a) mandatory classes in time management for employees of all businesses and (b) a world-class nationwide public transport service---preferably trams and trains, accompanied by legal mandates about car pooling (at least 3 people in a car allowed on roads at peak hours). Lorries and delivery vehicles will complain about slower speed of delivery affecting business, but less traffic on the roads will give them the extra time they require, even when driving at a decreased mph/kmph.

An additional transport alternative will be provided by clearly marked bike lanes or a special "Bike Route" (akin to the bus route, but for bikes only). After a period of complaining and protesting, people in T & T will surrender to the inevitable and start riding bikes, realizing that they can get around faster and more safely and economically. Pollution & the demand for gas will be drastically reduced and we will begin to see a much healthier population, resulting in less of a strain on the health sector (which will also be eased up by not having so many road accident victims to deal with).

Some other enterprising person will invent a special lightweight protective covering that sits on the head and stretches over the body to connect like a tent to the handle bars and back of bikes. The front of this 'bike tent' will be transparent and polarized to cut glare and prevent sun damage to eyes and skin. The rest of it will be made of a cooling fabric which allows air to circulate as the person rides.

The U of I & I (University of Innovation & Invention) will be established, training young people to conceptualize and develop their minds—to think out of the box and create the amazing products and equipment they have imagined. This process will empower the youths, enabling them to develop concrete creative solutions to the nation's multiple problems. Their level of self worth, self esteem and sense of social importance will sky-rocket.  Marked reduction in drug use and crime levels will be recorded.



 

A story so true it sounds like it's not

Some time ago I asked (for those who read Daisy Chain) re pages 14 - 16:

1. Who wrote the letter to Andrea—Mr. or Mrs. Port?
2. What was the relationship between writer and intended recipient?
3. What did the letter say?

A friend in Canada sent an intriguing response:

"Mr. Port wrote the letter. It said that he is madly in love with her and wants to run away with her. It says that he will wait for her every evening on the hill in the swing under the big willow tree. He will wait there for an hour before dark and walk back to the house at dark if she doesn't come."

Her answer made me wonder how Mr. Port met Andrea, what she thinks of him, if she ever comes to meet him at the tree, if she even gives him a second glance or if it's all just in his head. But then again, she never did get the letter because it was behind the chest of drawers. Why didn't he send it?

This actually reminds me of something that happened in real life ... finding a love-like letter that was intended to be sent but, for some reason, never was. It happened when I was studying at Cambridge. Such a bizarre story ... but it's true.

One night my housemates and I had a dinner at home. After everyone left, my friend Laura stayed back and the two of us stayed up talking until early morning. Still not sleepy and feeling restless, we decided to walk down the hill to Parker's Piece (a large, significant green open space/landmark in Cambridge).

Because it was so early (just at dawn), no one was around and the grass was white with frost. We walked through it, dragging our feet, drawing shapes and patterns ... and coming across evidence of nocturnal revelry—condoms, underwear, champagne corks, etc.

In the near distance there was a garbage bin. I don't know what got into me to suggest that we look in it and see what was there. (Maybe because I was studying Criminology at the time). To our surprise, at the top of the garbage was a sealed envelope addressed to Mary Berry, with a stamp on it. Obviously someone had had all intentions of posting it, but for some reason, had decided not to. We wondered ... did the letter writer decide on the way to the post office that they no longer wanted to send the message? Or did he/she accidentally drop the letter on their way to mail it and, upon retracing their steps couldn't find it because someone else had discovered it and tossed it in the bin? 

Not wanting to put the letter back in the garbage in case the latter assumption was true, we agreed to open it and see what it was before deciding what to do.

From the very carefully and neatly-written letter we discovered that Mary Berry gave opera lessons. The letter writer was thanking her for helping him to open his voice ... and other things which I can't recall now. Maybe at the time we were being a bit Sherlock Holmes-ish, but, reading between the lines, we deduced that the writer had a huge crush on Mary Berry, had gathered up immense courage to write this letter full of lustful feelings thinly veiled in metaphors ... but on the way to the post office had decided against it and tossed the amorous confessions in the bin.

Why, you wonder, would he not have gone through with it?

This is the part of the story that struck us as amazing, if not bizarre. Coincidence of all coincidences, the name signed at the end of the letter (first AND surname, for some reason—maybe shyness , nerves or politeness) was that of a young priest at the priory/monastery near to our college!

This knowledge made us put the letter back in the bin.

What's your take?

To those who have read Daisy Chain, what would your answers be to the following questions (re pages 14 - 16)?

1. Who wrote the letter to Andrea—Mr. or Mrs. Port?
2. What was the relationship between writer and intended recipient?
3. What did the letter say?


To purchase a the ebook or print version of Daisy Chain from amazon.com please click here

A Hearty Day

Yesterday a friend and I went to do some writing in a quiet place, away from civilisation. We ended up in Grand Riviere. There, I found many hearts ... or did they find me? Two of my favourites are below.

Heart-shaped hole in almond leaf that was floating in the river.

Partly wet, partly dry rock in shallow waters of the river.

Daisy Chain in today's Newsday Newspaper

Laptop streaming the event globally

Multimedia creator Elspeth Duncan treated global and London audiences to a techno-interactive reading from her novel Daisy Chain. Duncan, together with actresses Renée Castle, Catherine Hammond, Silvana Montaya and Doraly Rosa, with technical support by Liam Rezende, magically transformed an upstairs room of the Old China Hand Pub in Clerkenwell, London, into a performance space ... (continued in Newsday)
 
 Please click here to visit the Trinidad Newsday and read the latest on Daisy Chain. 

 

For more insight into the creation of and inspiration behind Daisy Chain, please click here to listen to this UWI podcast in which I was interviewed by award-winning writer, Barbara Jenkins.

Daisy Chain is available at amazon.com in print and e-book formats. Please click here to make your purchase.

To All, on Mothers' Day

"Give us something so that we may stop exploiting our own mother. Give us something so that we may tune into the cosmos to be worthy of our mother. Give us something so that we can relate to this creative power of the God which is the mother. Give us something by which we can honestly draw in our heart the image of Grace of the Mother. And, oh Lord of Lords of the time, if you have created this world, create those environments where everybody’s mother, sister, and every woman on this planet can live with grace and there shall be no circumstances in which she has to sell her beauty, sell her body, sell her being, or sell her consciousness to exist on this planet."

(Yogi Bhajan, excerpt from May 1971 lecture, Mother's Day)

Screening of films by the girls from India

 

 

Tues 22 May 2012

7:00 p.m.

Little Carib Theatre

 

The films created by the girls who participated in the film workshop in Kolkata, India, will be shown as part of TTFC's new film screening initiative at Little Carib Theatre—"Filme Caribe - An Evening of Shorts." On the night I will give a short talk to put the project into context.

The films "Siege: and Sans Souci" (Francesca Hawkins, Dion Boucaud, Junior-Andrew Lett) will also be screened. There will be a Q & A after.

Tickets cost: $35 TT  and are available from the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (TTFC) 625-3456, info@trinidadandtobagofilm.com

 

 

YOGA BOUQUET: May - July 2012

An invitation was extended to "Imagine a field full of flowers. Each flower stands for something which, when in full bloom, makes your existence immensely fulfilling ..."

The series of our next ten consecutive Kundalini Yoga classes is: "YOGA BOUQUET", made up of Flowers chosen by those who responded, suggesting Flowers dedicated what they want to bloom in their existence.

HOW THE FLOWERS WERE PICKED:
Of the Flowers submitted via email, some were suggested by multiple people. Those were counted and listed in order of majority (See Flowers 1 - 6 below, with most people wanting The Flower of Inner Peace, then True Love, etc). The remaining single answer Flowers were placed in "a hat" and selected at random to get Flowers 7 - 10.

THE BOUQUET OF CLASSES
Each of the classes listed below will feature a Kundalini Yoga kriya and meditation designed to assist you in realizing the essence of that week's Flower. What you will experience in each class is the planting of that Flower's seed. How we water each Flower thereafter, to assist it in growing and blooming, will be the 'homework' given at the end of the specific class.

1. THE FLOWER OF INNER PEACE

2. THE FLOWER OF TRUE LOVE

3. THE FLOWER OF DIVINE PURPOSE

4. THE FLOWER OF PRIME HEALTH

5. THE FLOWER OF WISDOM

6. THE FLOWER OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION

7. THE FLOWER OF "RIGHT CHOICES"

8. THE FLOWER OF STRENGTH

9. THE FLOWER OF UNDERSTANDING

10. THE FLOWER OF LOVERS

WHEN ARE THE CLASSES?
The Yoga Bouquet series will begin with The Flower of Inner Peace on the week of Wednesday 9 & Friday 11 May 2012. Classes will be every Wednesday and Friday thereafter, with the exception of the week of 8 - 14 July, when I will not be in Trinidad. The last Flower (The Flower of Lovers) will therefore be on Wed 18 and Fri 20 July.

PAYMENT FOR CLASSES
1. Those wish to commit to all ten classes consecutively, may purchase a Passport for the reduced rate of $50/class ($500 prepaid at first class only. Thereafter the Passport will not make economic sense to the student).
2. Those who only want certain Flowers, who do not wish to commit to a Passport or cannot attend the first week's class will pay the regular rate of $60 per class.

Wednesday classes: YWCA, 22 Alexandra Street, St. Clair
Friday classes: Reimedi Spa, 1 Ragbir Street, Curepe (outdoors) and Keisha's Studio, St. Augustine (indoor rainy day venue).

For more information and to make contact, please visit http://www.thouartyoga.com/

Looking forward to magnificent blooms!

Sat nam.

AKASH (Sky)

One of 5 songs featuring music I created for original poems (written by survivors of sex trafficking in Kolkata), recited in Bengali or English translation. The traffic sounds layered under the music are the real sounds of Kolkata—constant blowing of horns recorded one night while walking through the streets.

"...not girly shit"

I love the latest Daisy Chain review—one of just two from male readers:

"I have not finished the book yet but it reminds me of a time in my life when I had more fun. You definitely can reach a wide audience if I enjoyed it. I normally hate girly shit, but surprisingly your book is not girly shit. I give it a nine and a half out of ten. You lose the half point for using what I assume is fictitious names for what seems to be real stories. If they are not real stories you will get a full ten but I would recommend that you check yourself in to St. Anns. LOL. Thanks for bringing some soothing peace to my aching soul. Your world has re-tuned my eyes to see a universe I used to belong to where beauty lived in simple things. I knew there was a reason I love you. Thanks again."

(J.L.)

Daisy Chain is available in print and ebook formats at:

Amazon http://tinyurl.com/bo4gjze
Barnes & Noble http://tinyurl.com/ce6d2xb
Kobobooks http://tinyurl.com/6o839pf

Like a poem ...

Vahni Capildeo's live reporting (via ipad) of Wednesday's Daisy Chain reading (posting live commentary to Daisy Chain's Facebook page) was a poetic tribute to an evening well spent. Worth laying it out here so you can read all as one stream.

1. Elspeth puts out fire in Renee's hair! Wow was that spontaneous combustion or candles?

2. Doraly Rosa, Silvana Montana, Catherine Hammond and Renee Castle introduced by Elspeth... Full house and we're off... Give thanks

3. Livestreaming NOW Renee voices Clara...giving us butterflies

4. Face half in light half in dark, musings on how easily a daisy is broken...

5. Doraly Rosa speaking Andrea's dreams

6. Silvana Montana is Fiona, enticing us to follow her into old maps and creative truancy...

7. And bubbling into full laughter. All into the story now, self consciousness put aside.

8. Film intro to Catherine Hammond's reading. Thanks to tech support Liam Rezende we take a car journey between wild greenery.

9. Catherine/Mona returns to perch quietly on windowsill as the next woman, next story, comes forward. The movement of the bodies is like fugal music.

10. Film maker Karen Martinez in front row making good use of her camera. Another recorder of dreams. Wonder what is happening in the heads of all these listeners...each hearing a subtly inflected version of the stories, conjuring personal images.

11. Renee is the librarian finding the love that is fed by kindness...and select baked goods!

12. A rusty red lawnmower mows a juicy green lawn...

13. Story of teenage girl who mows lawn to earn money to go away...resonates with the other purpose of the evening, the collection to help a girl in India realize her goals of training in dance therapy...

14. Elspeth writes of women's appreciation of other women's beauty with refreshing lucidity...if you are reading this switch into watching the livestreaming...

15. Slow blue of late spring London evening outside. Paint and pain blue and red on the filmed clowns face. Doraly is Philippine...

16. Candle reflections a little Christmas in the red laptop case. Elspeth thrones beneath the dartboard flowers.

17. Audience hands crimps and lips part or clench at the story of the wife who lives her marriage in clown makeup...

18. Catherine perched on the windowsill was preparing Isadora from fluttering A4 sheets. Now she has made the text dance forth. And the daisy chain closes.

19. Drawing for doorprize! Excitement

20. Lucky winner gets a Daisy Chain book autographed by cast and author.

21. And we get coloured cards with fragments of text to fill in our own stories.

22. Putul Fund collection continues to help Putul fulfil her dreams in India.

23. People filter downstairs to the pub. Many stay upstairs, abuzz with new conversations.

24. The actresses pick a closing quote to post: 'All in the name of love'. Thanks for being here.

25. Thank you to Vahni for her live reporting of the event! Xo Elspeth

Last night was lovely

Renée brought daisies for each of us (readers) to wear.

(More photos below)

Last night's magical Daisy Chain reading at Old China Hand was enjoyed by all. If you missed the live stream of the event, you can click here to view the archived recording. It's about 57 minutes long. 

First time live streaming an event. There are a few ways in which it can be improved for next time. Main thing would be to get the external camera to work (not sure why it didn't this time) ... as the laptop camera isn't optimum choice. But, it got the job done well enough to enable you to see and hear the reading.

Thank you to the actresses who did a great job of reading:

Renée Castle

Catherine Hammond

Silvana Montaya

Doraly Rosa

And thank you to Rowena, owner of Old China Hand, for the intimate venue.

Looking forward to what & where the next Daisy Chain event will be ...

Daisy Chain is available in print and ebook formats at:

Amazon http://tinyurl.com/bo4gjze
Barnes & Noble http://tinyurl.com/ce6d2xb
Kobobooks http://tinyurl.com/6o839pf

 Reading an excerpt from MRS. C.: Doraly (l) - Narrator, Catherine (mid) - Mrs. C, Elspeth (r): Mr. C.

 Bullseye Bouquet -- flowers from Liam, idea of pinning it onto the dart board, Renée

 Doraly (l) and Catherine (r) ... and my laptop, used for recording & streaming the event

 Excerpt from BRENDA: Silvana (l) as Brenda, Elspeth (r) as Interviewer.

Renée reads an excerpt from CLARA. This is how it looked to me as the livestream moderator

Daisy Chain Live from London: Tune in Wed 11, 2012

Dear All,

http:

Watch live streaming video from daisychain at livestream.com

Tune in via this embedded channel tomorrow—Wed 11 April—for the live stream of four London actresses (Renée Castle, Catherine Hammond, Silvana Montana, Doraly Rosa) reading excerpts from my novel Daisy Chain @ 6:30 p.m. UK time = 1:30 p.m. TT time. (Not sure about other time zones, but you can work it out with a Time Zone Converter http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html). Even if you miss the live reading, you will be able to catch it as a recorded event in the archives under the screen at the link above.

Once we come online tomorrow, you will see the video instead of the coloured bars which show when the channel is offline. 

First time streaming a reading as a live event. Stay tuned!

Thank you to Rowena (owner of the venue) for so kindly hosting the event at Old China Hand, 8 Tysoe Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 4RQ

Daisy Chain is available in print and ebook formats
*** Your Kindle would love to have Daisy Chain on it *** (amazon.com)
***Your Kobo will love Daisy Chain*** (Kobobooks.com)
***Your Nook will love Daisy Chain*** (Barnes & Noble)

Wow! So beautiful!

... oh, and those roses look okay too.

Spaces Between Words

Some time ago I was interviewed at UWI about Daisy Chain, as part of a podcast series on Caribbean writers. Many of the podcasts have been featured and shared via the internet ... and there are more to come, mine included.

Now the Spaces Between Words project has its own website: http://www.spaceswords.com/
 (From the website): "The Spaces between Words: Conversations with Writers is a podcast series featuring interviews with writers, many of whom have Caribbean connections. Most of the interviews were done at the Bocas Lit Fest, Trinidad and Tobago’s first literary festival. The series is also affiliated with the Literatures in English section at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus and The Caribbean Review of Books."

Soon: Daisy Chain reading with London actresses

Click to enlarge image and see details

On Wednesday 11 April from 6:30 p.m. there will be another Daisy Chain reading ... this time at Old China Hand, 8 Typsoe Street, Clerkenwell, London. 4 actresses will be reading with me and we will be streaming the event via livestream, so those of you who are not there in person can tune in live (via this link www.livestream.com/daisychain). I'm excited to see how the actresses interpret the excerpts.

See here for Daisy Chain blurb, reader reviews and to purchase the novel in print or Kindle format.

Special Sunday Session

Yesterday, I taught a yoga class at a lovely studio in Islington. It is an upper room theatre studio which is also used for yoga classes, dance classes, etc. The yoga teacher, Ash, who normally has a class in the 10 - midday slot, offered me the studio to give a Kundalini class. It was the first Kundalini session for most of the nine who attended.

It was a lovely session... and afterwards, courtesy Ash, we stayed on for Indian vegetarian eats, tea and a little chatting.

Yet another occasion (is there not one?) when I felt really glad that I practise and teach yoga.

The recent Daisy Chain reading

The recent Daisy Chain reading at the Bookstock event in London went well. I was one of four authors who read from novels or (as one author did) works in progress. As always, I like to have the audience participate in some way, so I used the interactive approach I had used at my last reading in Tobago (Nov 2011).

Names of different characters were on coloured pieces of paper in these little bags. Prior to reading I passed them around and members of the audience chose at random. For each name chosen, I would read an excerpt from that character's chapter (20 minutes worth of reading in total).

On coloured pieces of paper, I wrote selected quotes from the book. I chose sentences/phrases that were either provocative or had a predictive type quality to them, so the person reading would relate to it on a personal level. On the back of each was the link to the e-book.

Other readings coming up in London. Stay tuned.

Early morning walk

The park

 

Wake up.
Early walk.
Dewy greens.
Silence.
Light fog.
Stark trees.
Grey sky.
Fresh, chilled air.
Ruddy face.
Numb nose.
Misty breath.
Dog walkers.
Duck-filled pond.
Archway of pink blooms.
Carpet of petals.
Chanting a mantra to the beat of my steps.
Through the gates ...
The streets.
Awakening city.
Stale alcohol.
Broken bottles.
Young women.
Expletive mantras.
Older men.
Lingering.
Unable to let the night go.

Daisy Chain reading tonight in London & Kindle version now out

Tonight at 7 p.m. (UK time) I will be reading Daisy Chain at the Bookstock event, College Arms, London. If you are located in London, see details at the link and come for an entertaining night out. Four authors will be reading from their books.

Also ... for those who prefer downloading their books and doing e-reading, the Kindle version of Daisy Chain is now out at amazon.com. Spread the word.

In London? Don't miss this ...

The girls from India came in on Saturday and work started yesterday (Sunday)—preparing for their performance and also working with new film participants. See below info so you and friends can come and experience their powerful dance & film performance on Thursday night at Sadler's Wells (as part of the Connect Festival). You will be glad you came.

"Buoyed by the rhythm of dance, I have discovered a new language in my body. I have discovered the ineffable taste of life." - Kolkata Sanved Dancer

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
Date: 22 March
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Venue: Sadler's Wells Dance Theatre, Rosebury Avenue, Islington, EC1 (Get off at Angel subway station)
Admission: 5 pounds

A diversity of life experience and human stories from two continents and two generations; expressed in a thought provoking performance, in two parts - Transforming Steps & KnowBody - incorporating dance and film.

Sadler’s Wells is committed to delivering an accessible dance programme, developing opportunities for participation and encouraging disabled and Deaf patrons to engage in all aspects of dance. When booking please inform Ticket Office of any access requirements.

How to book:
To book tickets call or visit 0844 412 4300 www.sadlerswells.com
When booking please inform us of any access requirements you may have.

Happy International Women's Day

Found this flower while walking in the garden this afternoon. Very fitting for International Women's Day.

Thou Art Yoga's new website

Click on image to enlarge.

Thou Art Yoga now has a website. Click here to explore it. I built it using this user-friendly site.

Daisy Chain in London

The next reading of Daisy Chain will take place in London on 24 March 2012, as  apart of Bookstock. If you are in London or will be at the time, come and be a part of the experience.

Read more here.

Long time no blog

It's been a while since I've blogged, but life has been going on as usual behind the scenes.

Join us for yoga today at our new Port-of-Spain venue---the YWCA, Alexandra Street, opposite Ministry of Education. From 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. More details here. Beginners are welcome.

This will be the last POS class I'm teaching before flying out again for part two of the project.

Be a part of the transformation

Filmed during the Transforming Steps project in Kolkata, India, this clip shows choreographer Mafalda Deville working with women from Kolkata Sanved (www.kolkatasanved.org). The piece they're developing will be performed at Sadler's Wells, London in March 2012 to raise awareness of the global problem of human trafficking. There's an opportunity to contribute towards this ground-breaking project - there are currently funds to see four of the seven women come to London, we need to raise funds to ensure the remaining three women can join them. Make a difference, donate at http://www.indiegogo.com/Transforming-Steps

Thou Art Yoga Class Themes Feb 3 - March 6, 2012

Please click on image to enlarge and see details.

Something T & T can learn from India

Close up image of sacred garland,  Kolkata

In India I was impressed by the girl at the grocery entrance greeting customers each time in prayer pose, with a slight bow and pleasant "Namashkar". In general, interactions with people felt sacred. Being there, if you have any inherent respect for each other, it is inevitable that you also start putting your hands together and even just bending your head to others as you meet or part. 

The meaning of "Namashkar" was real: "The spirit in me respects the spirit in you." Humility and reverence for everyday people. 

On Sunday, I briefly went out for the first time since returning to Trinidad and was met in stark contrast by a sour-faced girl mumbling at me from behind the cash register. I'm not saying people in India are perfect and Trinbagonians are not, but culturally this is not a society where we naturally treat each other with reverence ... Which brings to mind Kamla (our Prime Minister, for those who don't know) bending to touch the Indian leader's feet. So what? Maybe instead of wasting time complaining about that, Trinbagonians should take an example from her . . . not to literally touch each other's feet when we meet, but to have some more "Namashkar" between us in our everyday lives.

Update: ... until February 14th, 2012

Dear All,

Concerning the Transforming Steps project and the call for funds to aid three of the dancers in getting to London to perform ...

http://www.indiegogo.com/Transforming-Steps

Interest has been expressed in donating, but some are uncomfortable using their credit cards online. I understand. Therefore, I will accept donations from those wanting to give on behalf of the dancers, and will pay the lumpsum with my card. I am setting a symbolic lumpsum deadline of FEBRUARY 14th, 2012 to receive whatever you, if inspired, are able/willing to give.

Having personally met & worked with these brave & inspiring young women, I vouch for their potential and know that this will be life-changing not only for them, but for many others. The required amount of $5,000US (roughly $30,000TT) adds up easily when (working with multiples of ten to keep the maths simple):

1,000 people/organisations donate $30TT each
100 people/organisations donate $300TT each
10 people/organisations donate $3,000TT each
1 person/organisation donates $30,000TT
Or 300 people donate $100 each, etc ...

Thank you.

Elspeth