Vital Signs

I often say that the opposite of depression is not happiness but vitality. Andrew Solomon

In first aid four vital signs prove you are alive: heart rate, breathing, temperature and blood pressure.  But how do you define ‘vitality’? The dictionary says ‘ the power giving continuance of life, present in all living things’ or ‘the state of being strong and active; energy’. Yogi Bhajan thought vitality was the ability to act consciously conscious and authentically while being emotionally flexible and available to the entire universe of emotions expressing compassion, courage and kindness. 

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. Martha Graham

Yogi Bhajan said vitality was a quality of our spirit and always within us.  At our maximum vitality our communication, emotions, feelings and responses flow smoothly and freely. We are most present and our presence is most potent. We live a life of ease, in flow, of spontaneity.

Too often when I ask ‘how are you?’ It saddens me to hear ‘surviving’ not ‘thriving’.  Energy can neither be created or destroyed and vitality is innate, however stress is a constraining force limiting the flow of life. By removing blockages vitality returns.  Kundalini yoga is particularly effective to elicit these changes even after one class. Why do I practice it?

I want to keep my attractiveness as long as I can. It has to do with vitality and energy and interest. Jacqueline Bisset

Finding Your Tribe

We all desire to find our tribe, a community of those that feel comfortable to us and nurture our journey.

When I was a headhunter I used a term "PLU'. Oftentimes clients hired 'people like us' because in a team environment it is easier to have uniformity when making decsions and reaching consensus.  However clients who embraced diversity found better decision making and outcomes. So what is it that binds us together?

They say birds of a feather flock together. Did you know that bird groupings have different names?
A murder of crows
A parliament of owls
A regatta of swans
A confusion of warblers
A host of sparrows
A bevy of pheasants
A colony of penguins
A seige of herons
A mob of emus

What makes a flock?
The are homogeneous in nature and have large numbers.  All animals seek to associate with their own kind.  In some individual cases you may find a hippo befriending an ancient tortoise.  But for groups what exactly binds us into tribes?

Traditionally communities were linked by blood, language or religion.  With globalization the lines are blurred and now we seek to find our own tribe. One that shares our values,  and accepts us as we are without reservation where we are free to fully express ourselves.  We willingly invest time and energy to support the group and in turn we benefit from engaging together as well as being supported in our own personal journey.  Who is in your tribe?

This week I felt truly at home with a new tribe, ourhouse band, ONE LOVE.
To my wish, the universe provided professional musicians, all international prize winning performers, with a common goal to elevate and heal through sound experiences.

On Wednesday night we had our debut performance at the studio and it was transformational.  We hail from different cultures and backgrounds, continents and skills yet somehow an accordion and African drums, vocals, trumpet, gongs and even a Thomas the Tank Engine whistle all blended beautifully.

My hope is that our followers will grow and that together we will make a difference to elevate and transform the community through sound.  We will host monthly concerts / pot luck dinners as well as outside events.  Watch the diary.

The super-moon had a phenomenal turnout to benefit from the closeness of the moon with the floor in the breakout room and hallway covered in gong bathers.  We will need to have pre-booking done systematically to ensure everyone has a mat inside the studio next time.

Thank you for your support in this amazing journey.  Look at the diary below for upcoming events and watch out for me at Clockenflap on Nov 26 and 27.

Go well

Paramgian (Martha)

For bookings and further information email   info@red-doors.com