Ocean's Journey

The Ultimate Fitness Traing Camp With Ocean Bloom

2012-02-21T22:07:00.000+08:00

WWW.OCEANBLOOM.COM

Morning Beach Training In Phuket, Thailand

2012-02-05T11:41:00.001+08:00

Here are some shots of our morning beach training in Phuket, Thailand. Just one of the highlights of a Fitness Vaction!

www.oceanbloom.com

My Day At The Beach

2012-02-04T17:28:00.000+08:00

Fitness Vacations With Ocean Bloom In Phuket, Thailand

2012-01-22T16:03:00.000+08:00

My morning training session @ Tiger Muay Thai

2012-01-19T13:04:00.000+08:00

Here of some shots after our morning beach training. It's been a long week so I'm really happy to have some play time. My Bodyfit students work on their tans while I work on my moves...

My Life In Phuket, Thailand

2012-01-16T20:44:00.001+08:00

Here are some fun shots that a friend of mine took of the local night market and our day trip out to Freedom Beach here in Phuket, Thailand last weekend. I am so grateful that everyday I am meeting so many amazing people from around the world.

Behind every great person are great friends!

Dare To Dream, Dare To Believe, Anything Is Possible!

http://www.oceanbloom.com/

LIVING MY DREAM & SHARRING IT WITH YOU!

2012-01-05T23:18:00.004+08:00

When you see a smile on my face it is with pure joy!!! I am doing what I love in so many ways, leading fitness retreats, teaching yoga and warrior fitness classes on the beach.

My morning yoga classes at

Tiger Muay Thai

Today's Beach Training In Phuket. I encourage my students to get into RAW outdoor training, enjoying the elements!

Training is always more fun when you have the support of a huge fitness army!


Me being silly during my class on the beach.

[GROUNDED NEWS] What the Mayan Elders are Saying About 2012 2.January.2012

2012-01-02T19:55:00.000+08:00

via http://lettertorobin1.site.aplus.net Carlos Barrios, Mayan elder and Ajq’ij (is a ceremonial priest and spiritual guide) of the Eagle Clan. Carlos initiated an investigation into the different Mayan calendars circulating. Carlos along with his brother Gerardo studied with many teachers and interviewed nearly 600 traditional Mayan elders to widen their scope of knowledge.

Carlos found out quickly there were several conflicting interpretations of Mayan hieroglyphs, petroglyphs, Sacred Books of ‘Chilam Balam’ and various ancient text. Carlos found some strong words for those who may have contributed to the confusion:

Carlos Barrios: “Anthropologists visit the temple sites and read the inscriptions and make up stories about the Maya, but they do not read the signs correctly. It’s just their imagination. Other people write about prophecy in the name of the Maya. They say that the world will end in December 2012. The Mayan elders are angry with this. The world will not end. It will be transformed.”

“We are no longer in the World of the Fourth Sun, but we are not yet in the World of the Fifth Sun. This is the time in-between, the time of transition. As we pass through transition there is a colossal, global convergence of environmental destruction, social chaos, war, and ongoing Earth Changes.”

He continues: “Humanity will continue, but in a different way. Material structures will change. From this we will have the opportunity to be more human. We are living in the most important era of the Mayan calendars and prophecies. All the prophecies of the world, all the traditions are converging now. There is no time for games. The spiritual ideal of this era is action.”

Carlos tells us: “The indigenous have the calendars and know how to accurately interpret it — not others. The Mayan Calendars comprehension of time, seasons, and cycles has proven itself to be vast and sophisticated. The Maya understand 17 different calendars such as the Tzolk’in or Cholq’ij, some of them charting time accurately over a span of more than ten million years.

“All was predicted by the mathematical cycles of the Mayan calendars. — It will change –everything will change. Mayan Day-keepers view the Dec. 21, 2012 date as a rebirth, the start of the World of the Fifth Sun. It will be the start of a new era resulting from and signified by the solar meridian crossing the galactic equator and the Earth aligning itself with the center of the galaxy.”

At sunrise on December 21, 2012 for the first time in 26,000 years the Sun rises to conjunct the intersection of the Milky Way and the plane of the ecliptic. This cosmic cross is considered to be an embodiment of the Sacred Tree, The Tree of Life, a tree remembered in all the world’s spiritual traditions.

Some observers say this alignment with the heart of the galaxy in 2012 will open a channel for cosmic energy to flow through the Earth, cleansing it and all that dwells upon it, raising all to a higher level of vibration. Carlos reminds us: “This process has already begun. Change is accelerating now and it will continue to accelerate.

If the people of the Earth can get to this 2012 date in good shape without having destroyed too much of the Earth, we will rise to a new, higher level. But to get there we must transform enormously powerful forces that seek to block the way.”

The date specified in the calendar Winter Solstice in the year 2012 does not mark the end of the world. Many outside people writing about the Mayan calendar sensationalize this date, but they do not know. The ones who know are the indigenous elders who are entrusted with keeping the tradition.

Carlos tells us: “The economy now is a fiction. The first five-year stretch of transition from August 1987 to August 1992 was the beginning of the destruction of the material world. We have progressed ten years deeper into the transition phase by now, and many of the so-called sources of financial stability are in fact hollow. The banks are weak. This is a delicate moment for them. They could crash globally, if we don’t pay attention. Now, people are paying attention.”

The North and South Poles are both breaking up. The level of the water in the oceans is going to rise. But at the same time land in the ocean, especially near Cuba, is also going to rise. Carlos tells a story about the most recent Mayan New Year ceremonies in Guatemala. He said that one respected Mam elder, who lives all year in a solitary mountain cave, journeyed to Chichicastenango to speak with the people at the ceremony. The elder delivered a simple, direct message. He called for human beings to come together in support of life and light.

“Right now each person and group is going his or her own way. The elder of the mountains said there is hope if the people of the light can come together and unite in some way. We live in a world of polarity — day and night, man and woman, positive and negative. Light and darkness need each other. They are a balance.”
“Just now the dark side is very strong, and very clear about what they want. They have their vision and their priorities clearly held, and also their hierarchy. They are working in many ways so that we will be unable to connect with the spiral Fifth World in 2012.”

“On the light side everyone thinks they are the most important, that their own understandings, or their group’s understandings, are the key. There’s a diversity of cultures and opinions, so there is competition, diffusion, and no single focus.”

Carlos believes the dark side works to block unity through denial and materialism. It also works to destroy those who are working with the light to get the Earth to a higher level. They like the energy of the old, declining Fourth World, the materialism. They do not want it to change. They do not want unity. They want to stay at this level, and are afraid of the next level.

The dark power of the declining Fourth World cannot be destroyed or overpowered. It’s too strong and clear for that, and that is the wrong strategy. The dark can only be transformed when confronted with simplicity and open-heartedness. This is what leads to unity, a key concept for the World of the Fifth Sun.

Carlos said the emerging era of the Fifth Sun will call attention to a much-overlooked element. Whereas the four traditional elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water have dominated various epochs in the past, there will be a fifth element to reckon with in the time of the Fifth Sun — that element is ‘ETHER’.

The dictionary defines Ether as a “hypothetical substance supposed to occupy all space, postulated to account for the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through space.” Perhaps it could be defined as the “space between space”. I would suggest it could be manifest as the alignment of charged particles from our solar system (Sun), and our galaxy (Milky Way) surge. The Ether element represents spiritual energy.

“The element of the Fifth Sun is celestial. Within the context of Ether there can be a joining of the polarities. No more darkness or light in the people, but an uplifted unity. But right now the realm of darkness is not interested in this. They are organized to block it. They seek to unbalance the Earth and its environment so we will be unready for the alignment in 2012.”

“We need to work together for peace, and balance with the other side. We need to take care of the Earth that feeds and shelters us. We need to put our entire mind and heart into pursuing unity and unity now, to confront the other side and preserve life.”
“We are disturbed — we can’t play anymore. Our planet can be renewed or ravaged. Now is the time to awaken and take action. Everyone is needed. You are not here for no reason. Everyone who is here now has an important purpose. This is a hard but a special time. We have the opportunity for growth, but we must be ready for this moment in history.”

Carlos says: “The prophesied changes are going to happen, but our attitude and actions determine how harsh or mild they are. We need to act, to make changes, and to elect people to represent us who understand and who will take political action to respect the Earth.”

“Meditation and spiritual practice are good, but also action. It’s very important to be clear about who you are, and also about your relation to the Earth. Develop yourself according to your own tradition and the call of your heart. But remember to respect differences, and strive for unity. Eat wisely — a lot of food is corrupt in either subtle or gross ways. Pay attention to what you are taking into your body. Learn to preserve food, and to conserve energy. Learn some good breathing techniques, so you have mastery of your breath. Be clear. Follow a tradition with great roots. It is not important what tradition, your heart will tell you, but it must have great roots.”

“We live in a world of energy. An important task at this time is to learn to sense or see the energy of everyone and everything — people, plants, animals. This becomes increasingly important as we draw close to the World of the Fifth Sun, for it is associated with the element ‘ether’ — the realm where energy lives and weaves. Go to the sacred places of the Earth to pray for peace, and have respect for the Earth which gives us our food, clothing, and shelter. We need to reactivate the energy of these sacred places. That is our work.”

“One simple but effective prayer technique is to light white or baby-blue colored candles. Think of a moment in peace. Speak your intention to the flame and send the light of it on to the leaders who have the power to make war or peace.”
Carlos reminds us this is a crucially important moment for humanity and for Earth. Each person is important.

He said the elders have opened the doors so that other races can come to the Mayan world to receive the tradition. “The Maya have long appreciated and respected that there are other colors, other races, and other spiritual systems. They know that the destiny of the Mayan world is related to the destiny of the whole world.”

“The greatest wisdom is in simplicity. Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness. It’s not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free. It’s encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your heart, and you will find your way.”

Happy New Years 2012

2012-01-01T23:49:00.001+08:00

My friend Lee-Anne Michael & I on New Years Eve at a 70's disco party.

This is where I spent my New Years Eve. It was the best party ever!

BEYOND VILLA from Andrew Gibbons on Vimeo.

I fully enjoyed dressing up for this wonderful 2012 New Years party just outside of Phuket, Thailand. What an amazing night I had with my good friends. The setting, music, costumes and people were just outstanding. Kelly Rowland was performing and doing an amzing job with her wonderful dancers.

One of my true passions is dancing, and after weeks of weight training and teaching at www.tigermuaythai.com I was thrilled to get dressed up and hit the dance floor on New Years Eve. DANCE, PLAY SWEAT & PRAY! That is my motto for living a happy life.

I am very excited for what lies ahead for 2012. Let the journey continue...

"Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be."

B.K.S Iyengar

A glimps of my morning classes here in Phuket, Thailand.

2011-12-31T00:13:00.000+08:00

my new test blog

2011-12-30T14:57:00.002+08:00

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but a

My Life Living In Phuket, Thailand

2011-12-24T13:21:00.000+08:00

It's hard to believe I have been back in Phuket, Thailand for over a month and a half now. The time has gone by so fast. I think it's important to be as present as we can in our lives as our moments come and go so quickly.

I feel so at home here in this country it's amazing. There is a wonderful frequency I experience here that feels so different from any other place I have been or lived and it really works well for me. It's as though my whole nervous system is affected simply by the energy of the culture. I am living my dream of teaching fitness and yoga everyday in an environment that creates support and encouragement for all. Tiger Muay Thai Gym is now my home here in Phuket. I get to meet so many amazing people everyday from all over the world there. Tiger Muay Thai is a training camp that offers so many different classes and options for fitness and martial arts that there is something for everyone. A highlight for me is teaching yoga to athletes that have never tried it before. I was dedicated to competitive fitness for 14 years and I truly feel that incorporating yoga into my training program changed so many things in my life and my body. It's so wonderful for me to now share that with other people.

It is Christmas Eve today and I am so happy it's Saturday, my day to recover and have some time to reflect on a long week. It doesn't feel like Christmas but I will celebrate for sure. My gift to myself is to take inventory of all things and people that I am truly grateful for. I will make a list of those things that I can put up on my wall to see everyday. Imagine if everything you wanted was what you already had. A place to live, food to eat, your health, amazing people in your life, and wonderful experiences. I think that it is true that we often don't know what we have until it's gone; from our health to our friends to the opportunities that lay before us. It's very easy to get attached to thoughts that don't serve us, we all need to take the time to reflect on what we have that's so good.

My days start at 5:15am when I roll out of bed to prepare for my 6:30-7:30am Yoga class. I arrive at the gym early to set up the mats for class and am very happy to have my friend Syra to assist me in this morning flow and preparation as the classes can fill up to 40 people. We have a huge space to practice at Tiger Muay Thai and the beauty is that it's also all outdoors. We get to enjoy the sounds of the jungle and and all the animals that are waking up. It sure beats the sound of traffic horns in the morning. At 8am we shift gears and it's time for the Bodyfit class. This is like going from YIN to YANG, Yoga then Bootcamp. Some days we are training at the gym and some days we hiking up to a temple or running down the beach with tires. I am always scouting out new locations for training. Training is so much fun when you are sharing it with a big group of people that are totally into doing extreme things and I much prefer training on the beach then just sunbathing there. From 11:30-12:30 we have a spin class, also outside. This is great cardio for those people that are challenged by running on the pavement. From 3-4pm I do weight training to target certain muscle groups. It's a full-day and makes for really full week of training. I love that I can do what I do and the program will only continue to grow. I am set on offering people the Ultimate Fitness Vacation Retreats. A week dedicated to health and well being on every level. Here are some photos of my adventures over the last month here in Phuket.

Additionally, included are photos of some of my recent classes and experiences here. If you are interested in coming out to Phuket for training, yoga and a shift in lifestyle, please feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have.

trainwithocean@yahoo.ca
www.oceanbloom.com
www.tigermuaythai.com


Here is a spot I found for my Bodyfit exercise classes.

The world has become my gym.

I just love seeing these little fruit stands everywhere.

In the middle of a set of crunches.

Teaching Yoga at Tiger Muay Thai 6:30-7:30am

Bodyfit class at the beach. Hitting the abs : )

Doing my Thai Yoga Massage on the beach

Loving the fresh coconuts

Monday is Fun Day at Tiger Muay Thai. We Work Out!

Here is the view from our Bodyfit hike.


Bodyfit training up at the Big Buddha.

Here is a pic of my Bodfit class last Thursday. I couldn't ask for a better way to start the day!

Teaching @ Tiger Muay Thai In Phuket, Thailand

2011-12-12T12:25:00.000+08:00

Here is a really cool video that my friend Tina Caridi made of her experience training at Tiger Muay Thai, here in Phuket, where I teach. www.tigermuaythai.com
I love how she has truly captured the feeling of the Tiger Camp, the wonderful staff, clientele and different styles of training.

I have been having a wonderful time leading the morning yoga & Bodyfit classes, afternoon spin and weight training classes. I'm very excited to be offering Fitness Vacation Retreats here in Phuket starting at the end of January 2012.

More cool videos and pics soon to come...

e-mail me your questions at trainwithocean@yahoo.ca

Warrior Fitness Retreats with Ocean Bloom

2011-11-20T18:44:00.000+08:00

Warrior Fitness Retreats Part 1

2011-11-20T10:13:00.000+08:00

Training In Phuket, Thailand 2011

2011-11-07T10:01:00.000+08:00

I'm heading back to Phuket, Thailand in 7 days, I can hardly believe it. So many exciting things planned for this year.

www.oceanbloom.com

Ocean Bloom yoga pose with monkey

2011-11-02T06:06:00.000+08:00

To Be Or Not TO Be Happy!

2011-10-02T02:17:00.000+08:00

HAPPY!

If you ask the majority of people what they want out of life they typically say, “I just want to be HAPPY!” If it isn’t first, “Happy” is usually high on the list.

Recently I have given a great deal of thought to the motivation that draws me so deeply into yoga, and to examining my personal feelings around the art of living a yogic lifestyle. Beyond the obvious health benefits, about which we are all aware, I have found a path and belief system, that brings me great relief in both my personal reality, and my outlook on life.

My perception is that this life journey happens, and that challenging situations present themselves along the way. People pass away, we feel rejected and disappointed by others and by life sometimes, we disappoint and judge ourselves, we get cut-off in traffic, we receive too many parking tickets… the list goes on and on. Often we feel like we have no control over what is happening right before our eyes. The point is, that we are all sensitive beings, and we react to everything, on some level! At times we DO get angry, pissed off, hurt, disappointed and overly emotional. This is part of the reality of being human.

The light I see at the end of this gloomy tunnel is that life is not about just being HAPPY! Sometimes I like feeling mad, sad, or stupid-silly. The beauty is in knowing that it is totally okay to feel that way.

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO FEEL WHATEVER YOU FEEL!

We often punish ourselves by suppressing or ignoring what we feel when we get upset about something, because we think it is wrong to have a reaction. I believe that we can honor our feelings without acting them out. We can experience them and own them, without directing negative energy towards other people.

The beauty in the yoga practice is the freedom we can create when we step onto our mats and into a headspace where we simply give ourselves the permission to FEEL whatever we are feeling. In my opinion, “If you’re feeling angry when you come to practice because you had a rough day, then be angry. Be sad that your cat just passed away, you lost your job, or you have really bad PMS. Experience what you are feeling until you begin to feel something different.” We don’t need to put on a show for ourselves.

If we were robots, perhaps we could adjust our settings to be in “Happy” mode all the time, or the “Work Success” mode combined with the “Emotions-On-Hold” setting.

How great is it to hear, “You have the right to feel any way you like?”

There is a difference, however, between acknowledging and experiencing our feelings, and wallowing in them. Once we have really allowed them to be what they are, only then can we truly release them.

In practicing yoga on or off the mat, we bring awareness to our breath and our bodies, inside and out. We bring conscious awareness to what is happening in any given moment without judging it.

Feel whatever is real for you: Happy, Sad, Mad, Uncertain, Silly, Excited, Curious, Inspired,…in any given moment, so that you can free yourself for the next honest moment. (It might be wonderful!)

There is a sense of Balance and Happiness that comes with the ability to hold space for yourself and the reality of the now.

www.oceanbloom.com

A flash from the past!

2011-09-28T00:14:00.001+08:00

I was going through some old photos when I found this video of a routine I was practicing for a competition. It brought back good memories. I think it's time for me to start creating something again. I really enjoy the combination of explosive strength training, dance, yoga and rocking out to good music.

Insight

2011-09-27T10:54:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow is Not Promised. Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there. They serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are and who you want to become. You never know who these people may be: Your neighbor, child, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way. And sometimes things happen to you and at the time they seem painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential strength, will power, or heart. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whether they are events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere, safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life and the successes and downfalls you experience create who you are, and even the bad experiences can be learned from, in fact, they are probably the poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart...

If someone loves you, Love them back unconditionally, Not only because they love you, But because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to thing You would have never seen or felt without them.

                            Make every day count.
                           Appreciate every moment
                           and take from it everything
                           that you possibly can,
                          for you may never be able
                           to experience it again.

                               Talk to people
                      You have never talked to before,
                            And actually listen,
                         Let yourself fall in love,
                                 Break free
                         And set your sights high...

                              Hold your head up
                     Because you have every right too.
                  Tell yourself you are a great individual
                         and believe in yourself...
                    For if you don't believe in yourself,
                   No one else will believe in you either.

                            Create your own life
                               and then go out
                               and live in it!
                               "Live Each Day
                           As If It Were Your Last
                          Tomorrow is not promised"

Achieving life is not the equivalent of avoiding death. -Ayn Rand

Thought Of The Day

2011-09-26T02:15:00.001+08:00

"When one door closes another one opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which
open for us."

Alexander Graham Bell

Daily Inspiration

2011-08-31T06:24:00.000+08:00

---We forgive to be forgiven.

---We give it away to keep it.

---We suffer to get well.

---We surrender to win.

---We die to live.

---From darkness comes light.

---From dependence we found independence.

‎"The possibility of stepping into a higher plane is quite real for everyone. It requires no force or effort or sacrifice. It involves little more than changing our ideas about what is normal."  

Deepak Chopra

Ocean’s transformational journey continues

2011-08-24T08:09:00.000+08:00

I have recently been reflecting on the paragraph I wrote about my intention for this blog. What does it mean to live without attachments and discover pathways to the heart?

Over the last year and a half three significant people in my life have passed on. In the intensity of death, my heart has opened wide. I suppose I could say that death gave me a direct pathway to my own heart and awareness for me to live my own life more fully. Reflecting on the impact that these amazing people had on my life, I feel an overwhelming sense of emotion, gratitude and love. I think about how I can release my attachments to their physicality and the thought that I have lost anything in any way now that they are physically not walking on this planet. The intensity of emotion I feel from these death experiences has kept me feeling RAW, VULNERABLE, and at the same time deeply PRESENT. I see this as a blessing as I transform my own perception of life, love and the human experience.

When I set out to travel to Asia last year I did so because I realized how out of balanced I felt with in myself as well as how out of balance I feel the western world is. In the western world we spend a lot of time focusing on our physical and mental bodies. It makes sense that we would do this; our society rewards us in these areas. We are encouraged, supported and often admired if we have degrees, a good job, nice things, a fancy house, car ext. So we put a lot of mental focus into attaining these things. We are also often rewarded and encouraged physically when we are have nice bodies, we are muscular, skinny, athletic, and considered good looking. I am not saying that achieving any of this is a bad thing, the mental and physical bodies are extremely important. I am observing what I see as an imbalance fromputting all of our focus onto the physical and mental bodies, neglecting our emotional, energetic and spiritual bodies.

As I see it, we excel in certain areas of our lives and in other areas we are totally dysfunctional. Here is my theory on this; in school we are taught how to read and write, to understand the difference between right and wrong, how to get ahead and how to be competitive. Why are we not taught what emotions are? I think in kindergarten we should be taught how to understand what emotions are how to recognize them. We all need tools that will help us as human beings so that we can began to understand who we really are. It seems as though we are constantly told we need to have or achieve something that we currently do not have. How helpful would it be if we all had lessons on what emotions and energetic fluctuations looked like and we were given tools on how recognize and work with them. We have a good idea of what anger, sadness, joy, excitement, despair look like when acted out. Most people have no idea how to process, understand or move through these natural states of being. I don’t feel we receive a lot of support and encouragement in

these areas. I think it is rare to hear someone say, “wow I’m really impressed with your emotional development”.

It is my continuous quest to understand the balance between all of these aspects of self. When all parts of ourselves are being acknowledged, nourished and supported then we truly can create a sense of balance in our lives.

I look at the self like this, we have five bodies, and on a daily basis it is important to check in to see that we are conscious of each one, that we become aware of our Physical, Mental, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Bodies!

There is something within us that longs for something more. What matters is finding our process, and finding the true expression of our-selves so as start to understand the truth of our own being. Our relationships with ourselves are often so dysfunctional that of course our outward relationships will be challenged. I believe it is possible to develop, the inner body just as we do the outer body, with daily practices and observing our patterns. It is imperative that we begin to establish a relationship with our feelings and emotions. Let us embody our experiences and then compassionately observe ourselves so that we notice where our imbalances are and we can adjust ourselves, bring what is out of alignment back into alignment. Turn off the TV and turn on the Intuition!

Song of the Soul

I am neither ego nor reason, I am neither mind nor thought.

I cannot be heard nor cast into words, nor by smell nor sight ever caught.

In light and wind I am not found, nor yet in earth and sky-

Consciousness and joy I incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I.

I have no name, I have no life. I breathe no vital air,

No elements have moulded me, no bodily sheath is my lair.

I have no speech, no hands and feet, nor means of evolution-

Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss in dissolution.

I cast aside hatred and passion, I conquered delusion and greed:

No touch of price caressed me, so envy never did breed:

Beyond all faiths past reach of wealth, past freedom, past desire,

Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is my attire.

Virtue and vice, or pleasure and pain are not my heritage,

Nor sacret texts, nor offerings, nor prayer, nor pilgrimage:

I am neither food, nor eating nor yet the eater am I-

Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I.

I have no misgiving of death, no chasms of race divide me,

No parent ever called me child, no bond of birth ever tied me:

I am neither disciple nor master, I have no kin, nor friend _

Consciousness and joy am I, and merging in Bliss is my end.

Neither knowable, knowledge, nor knower am I, formless is my form,

I dwell within the senses but they are not my home:

Ever serenely balanced, I am neither free nor bound-

Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is where I am found.

Yoga With Ocean

2011-08-05T02:32:00.000+08:00

Here are some shots of my yoga practice at my favorite spots in Asia.

How To Fulfill Your Wildest Dreams

2011-08-04T01:04:00.000+08:00

Move forward. Follow your vision

Look forward to dreams.

Believe in the impossible.

Do what you love. The memory will follow.

Invite someone adventurous for tea and muffins

Remember the passion in their eyes.

Capture your energy. Be enthusiastic.

Break the mold of what is considered " safe"

Believe in yourself. Sow the right seeds.

Turn over rocks along the sea-shore.

Watch children play. Play more. Worry less. Power nap.

Have wild imaginings.

Make little post-it notes that say "Do it now" and tape them all over the place.

Recognize the power of coincidence.

Sit on the grass. Touch the earth.

Get your hands dirty. Create impact.

Read everyday.

Surround yourself with people who want to win.

Believe in the moment.

Open up. Dive in. Express your fear.

Celebrate adversity.

Emerge. Become. Entertain. Consider. Risk.

Harvest you thoughts.

You become what you think about.

Acknowledge yourself.

Discover your inner child.

Imagine yourself unstoppable.

Dream. Think. Believe. Dare.

DO IT NOW

My Journey over the last 7 months.

2011-07-07T01:54:00.000+08:00

Good Times In Bali

2011-07-07T00:13:00.001+08:00

I am so grateful for all that I have seen, felt, heard, and experienced. I have grown so much over the last 8 months while traveling through Asia. I feel so much more appreciative of people, life and simple things than I did previously. I have an excitement, a passion and a sense of joy about things that I didn't have before.

During my travels I spent the majority of my time in Thailand. I visited Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Soak, Bangkok, & Phuket. After that I explored Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and finally Bali.

I had a clear purpose when I left on my journey. My intention was to open my heart and mind, understand blissfulness, let go of attachments, move beyond the physical body, connect to people, feel the fear and do it anyway, and explore endless possibilities on many levels.

I now understand being fit and healthy from a vastly different perspective. When we begin to understand our own minds, we create freedom within. What a ride it has been! I have met so many amazing people along the way.

I had hoped to make blog updates a lot more than I did, but it was often very challenging to find an adequate Internet connection. I was also practicing living in the moment. Now I have many new life experiences on which to reflect, and many wonderfyl stories to share. I feel that this really is just the beginning of a exciting new chapter in my life.

My journey to Bali was the final destination in this phase of my exploration. I left my schedule completely open and asked for the Universe to guide me in the right direction.

I was very lucky. Just a day after I arrived in Bali, I connected by internet with a friend from New Zealand, who would be arriving in town the following day. We decided to meet at the Ananda Hotel in Seminyak.

Seminyak is a 35 min drive from Sanur, where I was staying. I decided to get a taxi and go there the same day. I found it amusing that I wound up at a hotel with that name. Ananda means Bliss. The Ananda Hotel was the cheapest hotel on the strip at $50 US a night. After being in Thailand I was shocked at how expensive everything was in Bali,. I had been told that Bali was cheaper than Thailand, but I don't necessarily agree. The Ananda Hotel was very Balinese, with fascinating guest rooms and statues, guarding the doors.

The next day I met my friend. He was with his business partner and they were going to attend a yoga teacher training together in Ubud two days later. I decided to tag along with them, as I had no real plans other than to go with the flow and do some yoga. We used our two days together to explore Seminyak. We went to the Ku De Ta Hotel for lunch and to see watch a spectacular sunset. We checked out the brand new W Hotel that had just opened at the end of March. The W is beyond words, hotels in Vegas don't even compare. This place was amazing.

My friends were in search of beautiful statues to buy for their new yoga studios back home, so we went shopping in Buddha Village. My jaw dropped at all the fascinating looking deities. It was heartwarming to see a Balinese woman blessing the Ganeshas and Buddha figures.

We spent an evening at a friend’s home in Ubud. It was a treat to stay in a beautiful Balinese home with such interesting company.

When my friends described the yoga teacher training program that they were about tot attend, I decided to join them. It sounded intense and amazing. All the food on the training would be raw and vegetarian. I was happy to take a break from meat for a while. I have never eaten all raw vegetarian for a long period of time.

I was so glad that I was accepted into the program.

The Radiantly Alive Yoga school held the course at the Anahata Hotel, up in the mountains of Ubud. What a beautiful place! The location the hotel, the studio and the view were unbelievable. The hotel offers only full villas. Each villa has it's own pool! The place looks like a castle.

After 2 months of teaching in Thailand, I was happy to be returning to the role of student again. It would be an opportunity to grow, expand and reflect before my return to Canada.

Bali

2011-06-06T13:34:00.001+08:00

What an interesting couple of days. On June 4th I left Phuket after
teaching there for two months. I spent one night in Bangkok before
heading to Bali for two weeks.
I got to expirence having food poisioning for the first time in
Bangkok, YUCK!!! It made my travels to Bali a little challenging. Once
I arrived in Bali I got my driver to take me to the nearest town so I
could go right to sleep. I slept through the 40min taxi ride and woke
up in a town called Sanur at about 4pm. My driver found me a place
that was 200 meters from the beach and around $35 Can a night with AC.
I checked in and slept straight for the next 16 hours.
When I awoke I was happy to find a coffee shop across the street. I
was finally ready to eat and drink something, however I think I will
stay away from chicken for a while.
Talk about interesting timing and perfect timing, after breakfast I
walked down to the beach and directly into a cremation ceremony. I got
goose bumps immediately as stood in front of the burning body. There
was beautiful live music playing and many people gathered around in
ritual dress.
What a way to start the day, to witness this beautiful ceremony and
the passing on of a spirit/ soul was very touching.
I can tell that things are only going to get more interesting.
I am truly going with the FlOW on this trip. I checked out of my hotel
and I am still undecided as to where will be my next destination in
Bali...

The Journey Continues

2011-05-29T14:50:00.000+08:00

I cant believe I only have 6 days left in Phuket, Thailand. I have had the most amazing time teaching here at www.tigermauythai.com over the last two months. I will be sad to leave such an amazing place and group of people. I'm off to Bali on June 5th-19th to explore their yoga and culture. After Bali I will fly back to Vancouver for the summer. I am looking forward to teaching yoga, spinning classes and outdoor Fitness Warrior workouts there this summer. So I will be looking for other like minded people to join my Fitness Army. Training and teaching in Thailand has given me a new perspective on training, motivation and the true meaning of connecting the mind, body and spirit. I am very excited to share all that I have learned while traveling over the last 8 months. I plan on doing some Thai Massage workshops this summer too. I have learned so many great stretching techniques for athletic bodies. Here are some photos of my favorite moments.

Thursday Body Fit Training At The Beach In Phuket, Thailand

Teaching Yoga In Singapore

My Fitness Warriors Doing A RAW Workout

The Best Beaches Ever Phi Phi Island, Thailand

Freedom Beach

The View Hiking Up To Big Buddha

Raw Workouts

Monday Is Fun Day At Body Fit
www.tigermuaythai.com

Big Buddha

Great Moments At Body Fit

2011-05-19T23:45:00.001+08:00


Mondays Are Fun Days At My Morning Body Fit Classes @ Tiger Muay Thai www.tigermuaythai.com

I have met so many wonderful people over the last two months while I have been teaching classes at Tiger Muay Thai Gym in Phuket, Thailand. I love waking up every morning to teach and train outside in the jungle with my Fitness Warriors. Our classes are challenging but so much fun. I have two more weeks here before I head to Bali and then on to Vancouver for the summer. I can't wait to come back!

Here are some photos from our training, fitness adventures and fun in Phuket.

This Is Our Thursday Morning Warm Up

Put Your Hands Up In The Air

This Is Great Training For The Legs

Training On Phi Phi Island. Flip Flop Push Ups

No Gym No Problem

Group Fitness Trip To Freedom Beach


Lunch Together On Freedom Beach

Freedom Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Snacks At The Weekend Night Market

Fried Grass Hoppers

They Had Mixed Feelings About Eating The Fried Bugs

The Ultimate Fitness Vacation

2011-05-12T21:10:00.000+08:00

I couldn't be more in my element, I have been in Phuket, Thailand for the last 6 weeks
teaching morning Body Fit classes Tiger Muay Thai gym. It is the ultimate fitness holiday Boot Camp.

It has been an amazing experience for me to teach Warrior Fitness style training sessions. The workouts we do are designed to increase your fitness fast and effectively, the workouts are RAW in every way. We hike up into the mountains, we drag tires down the road, we swim, play games, and almost all of our training is done outside. We train together like one big family with men and women of all ages and levels of fitness. I have never enjoyed working out so much. When we aren't training we are doing group activities together.

It has been so heart warming for me to see so many people come together and share their passion for fitness and blissfulness. It is this group energy that inspires me to teach yoga and fitness classes. Here is a video of what it looks like to be a part of the best fitness vacation ever. This is just the beginning for me as I continue to dive deeper into the endless possibilities of where I plan to go with this!

My Love & My Passion

2011-05-04T19:37:00.002+08:00

In Memory Of Jocelyn Clarke

2011-04-28T15:33:00.001+08:00

This blog is way over due. I can admit that it has been emotionally challenging for me to sit down and write. Writing for me means thinking about where I am and why. I am now ready and very happy to share this story that I wrote before I left for Asia. It has changed my life!

Jocelyn and I have been good friends for more than 10 years now.

We have shared many days working on film sets together, dressed as police officers or swat team members. Jocelyn is a beautiful girl - 36 years old, 5'5”, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She has a great body and loads of energy. She's a stuntwoman and an amazing roller-blader.   This is where her story starts and my journey begins.

  It’s 2:00pm. I'm sitting at my friend Jocelyn's kitchen table on a beautiful sunny Monday afternoon. I have come to pay her a visit after she has undergone numerous courses of chemotherapy and radiation treatments for stage IV lung cancer. Once it reaches this stage, most people with this condition do not survive for much longer. . She has lost all of her hair in the course of the treatments. In some ways she looks even more stunning now. 

Jocelyn tells me how the development of two new tumors in her brain has begun to affect her nerves and shut down the left side of her body. She can barely lift a plastic cup. In this state, she cannot do many simple things that the rest of us take for granted.

She expresses her disappointment that she can no longer drive her car safely. Every day she feels more of her independence being stripped away. She has been practicing applying make-up with one hand, and finding new ways to move her body. Regardless, as she tells me of her struggles, I am amazed that there is not one suggestion from her tone or mannerisms that suggest she is looking for pity from me. Quite the contrary, through most of her rants, she still has the same sparkling smile in her eyes.  

Sitting there, in utter awe of her positive attitude, something shifts inside me. It's difficult to express what it is that I feel or what happens exactly, but I know that in that moment, something has changed.   

My thoughts turn to my body, and I recognize how attached I am to it. I realize how much I have been taking for granted in my life: driving my car, taking care of myself, being active, and having personal independence. I observe that the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning is being physical: moving, exercising, working out, doing yoga, and walking outside. I have never even imagined myself as being unable to do these things, until this very moment. I feel guilty for having thought that my body wasn't good enough in any way, when I have been given so much.    

9:00pm. that same Monday evening I teach a Hatha Yoga class. I sit down on my mat and look out at all the people in my class. One word comes to my mind, as I take in the room - gratitude. I feel a sudden sense of gratitude for everything and everyone. What a gift it is, I think to myself, that I can sit here, right now, and share my yoga practice with all these people. What an amazing opportunity we all have, to be able to move and breathe, and to connect to our bodies.

I took advantage of every opportunity to visit Jocelyn as she underwent more chemotherapy, radiation and brain surgery. As I sat at the end of her hospital bed I felt an overwhelming sense of presence. “There is only this moment and nothing else matters”. In a way time stopped for me and I too began to look at my life differently. I thought about what it really means to be fully present and conscious in the moment. I felt the deepest level of love and connection with my friend during our visits where we were simply just being present with each other. I also began to see how often I was not living in the moment. I was either in the past or the future. We discussed a Bucket List: The things you would do before kicked the can. Jocelyn asked me where I would go and what I would do if I were told I only had two years to live. All of a sudden I had a list of places I wanted to explore. All I could think of from that moment on was HOW CAN I LIVE MORE FULLY, HAPPILY AND CONSCIOUSLY IN THE PRESENT…

I began to look beyond my physical body, I set out to discover where the spirit lives, what creates connection, love and vitality in life.

I am tremendously grateful for this new awareness. I am thankful to Jocelyn and to all the people who have taught me, and who are continuing to teach me through their personal trials and tribulations.

My friend Jocelyn passed away on Valentines Day February 14, 2011. She was a huge inspiration in my life. It was Jocelyn that inspired me to not let excuses stand in my way. Our time together reminded me to live fully in the now and commit to being passionate about everything I do. My trip to Asia was inspired by our conversations. I am so blessed to have had my life touched in this way by such a beautiful spirit.

Tiger Muay Thai welcomes new body fit instructor, Ocean Bloom

2011-04-16T11:55:00.001+08:00

Ocean Bloom Training While Traveling

2011-04-11T11:05:00.000+08:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdb6-_Hly3M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

www.oceanbloom.blogspot.com

Keral, India Retreat

2011-03-24T01:38:00.000+08:00

Kerala, India Adventure Slideshow: Ocean’s trip from กรุงเทพมหานคร, ไทย to เกรละ, อินเดีย was created by TripAdvisor. See another เกรละ slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

Sri Lanka

2011-03-22T02:13:00.001+08:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

Magnum Nutraceuticals Sponsored Athlete
www.hardmagnum.com
www.oceanbloom.com

Khao Sok National Park Retreat, Thailand

2011-03-16T19:35:00.001+08:00

www.jungleyoga.com
http://muditathaiyoga.com/retreats.php

Reflections from my retreat into the jungle for 11 days in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand.

There is something beyond ones self.

Belief and seeing are both often wrong.

Be prepared to re examine your reasoning.

-Robert Strange Mc Namara

Sitting in stillness we hear everything; layers of sound beyond ourselves, internal voices that want to be heard. Every morning I would awaken to the sound of the jungle - the birds, the geckos, and the wildly loud monkeys. At 7:00am. I would walk sleepily to the yoga shalla for a group ritual meditation. I would move in silence and do nothing but focus on getting to my mediation cushion. There were no mirrors anywhere, no cell phone reception, no Internet. These are some of the many things I feel keep me wired and disconnected from the present moment.

In the West we are shut down from connection with ourselves. This keeps us from feeling our full array of emotions. We can easily go on autopilot and become demented with the mania of sticking to a mindless routine day-in and day-out. When we move through life functioning from this place of simply following the routine, we may experience a feeling of being disconnected, and become both discontented, and fearful of stepping off the familiar path. We become addicted to our behavior. Our habitual way of doing things makes it difficult for us to look at each experience as it unfolds; our habitual way of seeing, often limits our self understanding. The reality is that we cannot always trust our own perceptions.

When I am free from distraction and my mind is uncluttered, my whole world is different. I begin to notice everything, I feel everything. Within our daily practice of moving into meditation and then into a yoga practice, all in silence, I can feel my awareness opening to another level of connection. I begin to see a pattern of behavior that is fascinating to me.

For 3 months I have been traveling and studying, non-stop. I go from training to workshop, to whatever group activity I can find: Yoga, Thai Massage, Buddhism, Tantra, History. Regardless of the course topics of my studies, there are underlying threads that tie them all together, with wonderful similar spiritual teachings at their roots.

I love collective group energy and conscious awareness. It's the coming together as a community, a collective unit, and creating sacred group space that keeps drawing me to the trainings and retreats with excitement. When a group of people come together with clear intention and openness, the energy rises. Each individual becomes an integral part of the whole. We are no longer single energy bodies. By creating a sacred container for the space being held within the group, transformational shifts can emerge. Rituals are created around time, presence and consciousness. We are no longer accountable just to ourselves. We must show up both for ourselves and for the group. By being a part of a sacred community or group of people, deep connections to self and others are formed. This builds inner confidence, consciousness and strength. Many of us feel alone, separated from each other and separated from ourselves, our bodies, minds and feelings. People who have grown up on their own without a solid family connection, can heal and be inspired deeply by becoming part of a collective group with good intentions.

Actions performed as sacred rituals, support our feelings. I have grown so much through the act of ritual. When we create rituals around coming together regularly, through the practice of meditation, movement, study, sport, even mealtime gatherings – (really, any activity that gives attention to the present moment), we begin to eliminate feelings of separation, loneliness and disconnection. We begin to feel supported, encouraged and loved.

It is this group energy that inspires me to teach yoga and fitness classes. Energy focused on the present moment is empowering for everybody.

www.oceanbloom.blogspot.com

Thai Yoga Massage in The Middle of no Where! Thailand Slideshow: Ocean’s trip from Bangkok, Thailand to Surat Thani was created by TripAdvisor. See another Surat Thani slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

Retreat in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

2011-03-10T16:39:00.003+08:00

After a long journey from Phnom Penh in Cambodia, I made it to Bangkok on February 12, at 7:30pm. I spent the night there, near Khao San Rd. The next day I was planning to enbark on another sixteen hour bus ride to Surattani, Thailand. My previous ride from Cambodia had taken nineteen hours. I needed to be at the Surattani airport at 11:30am. the next morning. I wasn't having much faith in the whole bus thing.

I decided instead, to buy a plane ticket that would get me to Surattani in 1 hour. I spent the night at a guest house near the airport. This was a good choice, as I was still feeling nauseous from the last bus ride.

The next morning I took a taxi to the airport. I was a little anxious as I was preparing for this next phase of my journey, since I knew that once I left, I would have no contact with anyone for the next eleven or twelve days. I was going into the jungle where there would be no cell phone reception and no Internet. It would be a real lesson on letting go of attachments.

This is something which I am investigating on many levels. We become attached to everything: food, things, stuff, beliefs, routines. I feel that attachments and addictions are quite closely linked. My desire is to understand how to dissolve attachments that are not serving in a positive way.

I took a taxi to the airport and I was on my way. I met my crew of Jungle yogis at the airport. There were eleven of us altogether. I was the only Canadian. Everyone else was European. We all piled into a van for an hour-long drive to the Khao Sok National Park. From there we traveled on a longtail boat for an additional hour. I was so wiped out that I fell asleep at the front of the boat in the sun. I woke up as we glided into the dock of this beautiful floating guest house.

The energy had shifted from the busyness of the city to the tranquility of nature. I took a deep breath,...

Our guest rooms were wonderful! Little floating huts on the lake. The participants all had private rooms. Our huts had double beds with mosquito netting. There was a little hammock hung on each balcony. I could open my front door and jump right into the lake. It was quite a trek to reach the bathrooms, but a great way to get in some exercise. The bathrooms and showers were up at the top of a hill.

On the main platform was the restaurant. Next to it was the Jungle Yoga Studio.

This is where I would be spending the next 11 days. Each days would start at 7:00am., with thirty minutes of meditation followed by seventy-five minutes of yoga. After breakfast, we would spend six hours doing Thai Massage. This is a beautiful place for learning and receiving. From the yoga space we could see monkeys playing in the distance.

After arriving we had a great Thai lunch and then some downtime, to settle in. In the evening we enjoyed a mellow yoga class to ease into our new space. My body was so happy to slow down after all the moving around. I brought way too much stuff when I left Canada. What we have, we must carry, I'm learning as I go.

I was eager to watch the rest of the film that was in my laptop. My friend had left me his DVD "The Fog Of War", a documentary feature on Robert S. McNamara, Former US Secretary of Defense. I am interested in gaining an understanding our volatile history. We often fight for our right to be different, rather than learning how we are similar. Humans are more similar than they are different, yet we don't seem to focus on that. We alienate each other, our races and our countries.

It was the first time in a long while, that I had been bathed in silence. As soon as I lay down to sleep on my first night, I was out like a light. I slept like a baby.

Thai Yoga Massage in The Middle of no Where! Thailand Slideshow: Ocean’s trip from Bangkok, Thailand to Surat Thani was created by TripAdvisor. See another Surat Thani slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.

www.oceanbloom.blogspot.com

My Bus Ride From Cambodia To Bangkok

2011-02-14T09:46:00.001+08:00

Notice when your thoughts argue with “what is”. When “what is”, is what you want, the mind will be perfectly clear.

It's 12am., and I’ve just boarded the night bus in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I'm will be traveling for 19 hours to return to Bangkok, Thailand. From there I will spend another 10 hours on a train, to reach Surittani, Thailand. I have lots of time to reflect.

One of the positive things I'm learning while traveling, is that it’s a good idea to have low (or no) expectations for most things. Odds are that when you’re in a country where you don't speak the language, often you won't get what you asked for. I have come to accept whatever food shows up in front of me. When you pay $7 for a bus ticket, it means you will make many stops along the way. Some of these stops will be at the homes of individual locals.

My new opinion of a luxury guesthouse, is a room with air conditioning and hot water, and without insects. The bed in the dorm room, where I slept for three weeks in Southern Thailand, was covered with bugs every night. There was a leak in the ceiling above my bed, and when it rained, there would always be a puddle next to me on the floor. The toilet and shower were outside, and the shower released only freezing cold water. I nearly stepped on frogs several times while showering. I'm not complaining. I got used to it quickly. Now, staying in a room with hot water, rocks my world.

When I travel this way, I take nothing for granted, and hope for the best. It's all about letting go of how I think things should be, and just accepting “what is”. So, the choice seems to be: accept what's happening or become miserable. I've taken on the attitude that everything is meant to be an exciting adventure, no matter how challenging it may seem, (like trying to obtain a travel visa to India, from Cambodia). I'm still getting used to the whole “drive-all-over-the-road” thing, both here and in Thailand, or to seeing from three to five people riding on a single scooter, with no helmets.

For the past three days, I've been sitting in my guesthouse room, watching films about conflict and suffering in Asia. After visiting the Killing Fields and the S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, I felt compelled to gain more understanding about the history of my surroundings. I was inspired to watch pieces by John Pilger, who has devoted his career to creating documentaries, exposing the atrocities of war and genocide. His stories on Vietnam and East Timor were just mind-boggling.

Watching these films has inspired me to learn more about the people and the land. I wish that I had more time now, to go to Vietnam. Living so far away from these countries, renders the impact of news stories far less profound than actually standing on the soil where these events have occurred. I guess its something about my personality that makes me want to see and feel things to the fullest, (whether I perceive them to be good or bad), rather than just to read about them, or to watch them on TV.

After almost three months traveling, I have experienced so much, seen so much, felt so much. I have been introduced to aspects of humanity, that I may not have even have acknowledged before. It has been said that the people who appear in our lives are mirrors of ourselves. I have seen many aspects of myself, reflected in the different people I have met. Sometimes a profound culture shift is exactly what is needed to introduce the concept of relating differently. We can begin to see outside of our personal and societal bubbles.

I was in love with Thailand as soon as I arrived. The level of human connection, appreciation and friendliness is outstanding there. People look you in the eyes and they smile. They place their hands together in Namaste and bow their heads. I think about how, in the West, we often spend more energy trying to ignore each other than we do in the process of connecting with each other. Consider people standing in an elevator, or sitting on a bus, staring at the wall or the floor so they won't have to make contact with anyone. Here, people engage with each other.

The Buddhist beliefs and culture inspire the deepest parts of me. Buddhists do not believe that Buddha was God. They see him as a human being, just like them. They believe he was important because he gained Enlightenment, and because he chose to teach other people how to gain it too.

What is Enlightenment and Nirvana?

The Buddhists believe that there is a cycle of life, death and rebirth. They believe that unless someone gains Enlightenment, they will be reborn after they die. If a person can gain Enlightenment, then they can break this cycle.

Breaking out of the cycle is called Nirvana, (peace, free from suffering).

The Three Jewels:

There are three central Buddhist beliefs. These are known as the three jewels because they are felt to be so precious.

1. Belief in Buddha
2. Dharma: The teaching of Buddha.
3. The Sangha: The Buddhist community, made up of ordinary people as well as Monks and Nuns. The purpose to is to help others and by doing so, cease to become selfish and thus move forward on the way towards Enlightenment.

My feeling is that we can have moments of Enlightenment every day. To me, Enlightenment is not a final destination. It’s those AHA moments, even if they are fleeting, when we become more conscious, when we feel fully present.

It is 6pm the following day. Sixteen hours later, I am still on the bus heading to Bangkok. I've transferred buses three times, waited at the Cambodian border side for an hour, and on the Thai side for two and a half hours more. I've eaten all the Ichiban noodles I can handle, and I would love to have a shower. Cambodia was a great experience but I feel happy to be back in Thailand. Something feels different here.

A Truck Full Of Pigs

This was hard to see as I crossed the border.

Vitality!!!

2011-02-11T14:16:00.001+08:00

Here is a recent article I wrote in Fresh Vancouver Magazine. I always enjoy hearing your comments and feedback.

My Travels To Cambodia

2011-02-09T23:31:00.001+08:00

My Journey "Moving Me Physically, Emotionally & Spiritually"

I've spent the last 2 and half months in Thailand moving from the North to the

South. My travels have deeply opened my heart and my mind. I have been doing many trainings and workshops as well as taking in as much history as I can. I have also come to enjoy living out of my bag believe it or not. In this new world I am in the "less you have, the better". I am enjoying the simplicity this brings. Each new guesthouse becomes home for either a night or 20. I have moved from guesthouses with my own room and toilet to dorm rooms that hold 12 people with a bathroom outside. I really love the experience. I know this is definitely not the way some people could travel but it's working for me.

Last week I made a 12 hour journey from Bangkok to Cambodia. The border crossing was a little crazy and very slow. It seems something with oil in it had blown up near by. My intentions in coming to Cambodia were to renew my Thai visa, see the temples at Angkok Wat and go to an Indian Embassy to obtain a travel visa. From the border my friend and I took a 3 hour taxi ride to Siem Reap. We found a nice clean guesthouse for $15 a night. I got over my culture shock of this new country pretty quickly. Although it was similar to Thailand in many ways I also found it to be very different. The suffering these people have endured is much more apparent on the surface. You can feel the heaviness in the energy here in Cambodia. We spent the next 5 days exploring every temple we could. Starting at 5am we would ride in a tuk tuk taxi to the temples (Angkor Wat) to watch the sunrise. It is such a profound feeling to sit on the stones of these ancient temples that have so much history in them. I was saddened to see so many of the Buddhas destroyed and beheaded from war. The thieves believed that when you take away the heads you take away the spirits.The temples almost seemed unreal, they blew my mind. I imagine the world of Atlantis would have looked like these temples.

There is so much beauty and so much destruction, so much love and so much pain. I am really seeing the Yin & Yang in everything around me and inside.

Another highlight in Siem Reap was our guest house called the "Golden Temple". The entrance way was covered with huge overgrown plants and Buddha sculptures, two hammocks hung underneath the patio trees. The room was only $15 a night, a 1 hour massage was $3, dinner $2 and they offered free coffee and bananas anytime. The best part was they actually had soft beds in the rooms, what a treat.

The Cambodian children fill my heart and touch my spirit with their beautiful faces and big smiles. I find it difficult to watch them working so hard everyday, some of them are as young as 3 years old. I wanted to pick them up and hug them.

It turned out that there was no Indian Embassy in Siem Reap so we had to travel for another 7 hours by bus to Phnom Penh to apply for a visa there. Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. This country has seen more suffering and destruction than I ever could have imagined. A trip to the S-21 prison and the Killing Fields left me speechless, with a pain in my gut. I have created this slide show to capture a glimpse of what I saw but nothing can compare to what it felt like to be there and feel the death, torture and barbaric cruelty these people endured during the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979. Bones and clothing of the dead lay on the ground. I had goose bumps as I walked around the massive gravesites. This was worse than any horror movie I have ever seen. This was and is real. It’s amazing what us humans will do to each other. That night I watched a documentary by a man named John Pilger. This really helped tell the story of what happened here. It also made goose bumps rise on my arms as I looked out of my guest house window to the streets of Phnom Penh to see the same streets were not long ago barren of community and life.

Please watch this video...

The Killing Fields Of Cambodia Slideshow: Ocean’s trip from Ta Khmau, Cambodia to Phnom Penh was created by TripAdvisor. See another Phnom Penh slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.

As I write this it is February 9 at 7:30pm my friend Tom and I are sitting in a café on the street in Phnom Penh reflecting on our universe. I will stay here until February 11 in the hopes that my India visa application is accepted. My plan is to go to Kerela, India on March 5-21, 2011 to study Kalari. Kalari is a "kaya sadhana" or embodied art form that is considered to be one of the oldest "martial art" forms in the world, as warrior training is part of this profound and beautiful fluid form. Practiced in a Kalari - a temple created on the raw earth - this form complements the sacred relationship to the body in yoga while giving expression to the embodied power of shakti that is received from the earth and liberated through movement flow,meditation and marma massage.

If all goes well and I get the visa I will head back to Thailand and head to Chewlan

Lake in Khao Sok National Park, Southern Thailand for an 11 day Thai Massage/Yoga Intensive; at the 500 Rai Floating Guesthouse on the lake.

Its an hour by car from Suratt Thani airport, another hour by longtail boat, a 20minute hike through the jungle, and then you’ve reached Chewlan lake, a stunning and incredibly peaceful lake in the midst of the most unspoiled and beautiful jungle. The wildlife includes many different species of monkeys and rare tropical birds, eagles and even elephants and tigers. We will be staying in simple but beautiful bamboo huts that are floating on the lake. The challenge will be getting used to having no electricity or contact with the rest of the world for 11 days. That means no facebook, Skype or phone. It's all part if the journey. I will have two days to get from Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Surat Thani, Thailand. I have no idea how this will play out yet

This was an amazing day for me at the temples...

The Killing Fields Of Cambodia

2011-02-08T19:21:00.001+08:00

The Killing Fields are a number of sites in Cambodia where large numbers of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime, during its rule of the country from 1975 to 1979, immediately after the end of the Vietnam War.
Analysis of 20,000 mass grave sites by the DC-Cam Mapping Program and Yale University indicate at least 1,386,734 victims.^[1]^[2] Estimates of the total number of deaths resulting from Khmer Rouge policies, including disease and starvation, range from 1.7 to 2.5 million out of a population of around 8 million.^[3] In 1979, communist Vietnam invaded Democratic Kampuchea and toppled the Khmer Rouge regime.

Children Of Cambodia

2011-02-07T23:24:00.000+08:00

Children Of Cambodia Slideshow: Ocean’s trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia was created by TripAdvisor. See another Siem Reap slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

Bayon Temple, Cambodia 05 Feb 2011

2011-02-06T10:30:00.001+08:00

My Travels To Cambodia

2011-02-04T23:17:00.002+08:00

Angkor Wat, Cambodia Slideshow: Ocean’s trip from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia was created by TripAdvisor. See another Siem Reap slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

Ayutthaya

2011-02-04T00:40:00.000+08:00

Here are some shots from Ayutthaya. I'm now in Cambodia and looks like
I will be here a while : )

Cambodia

2011-02-01T19:50:00.000+08:00

Hi,

After a 12 hour journey I finally arrived in Cambodia. Im ecstatic to have a hotel room with AC and Internet wow! Tomorrow I will go check out Angkor Wat. I came to Cambodia after a week in Bangkok where I was staying at a great guest house called the Shanti Lodge. It's very similar to The Sanctuary on Hadd Tien, Koh Phangan. I'm all about the guest houses but I sure would love a softer bed. The day before yesterday I was up at 6am to be ready to board a mini van to Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is the second capital of Thailand. The ancient ruins there are so amazing. I was so happy to be there I had goose bumps. I was also pleased to get a full day tour and lunch for only $20. Now I'm tired and hungry so I'm off to find some food.

Ocean

My Trip To Ayutthaya

2011-01-31T23:38:00.003+08:00

My Trip To Ayutthaya, Thailand Slideshow: Ocean’s trip to Ayutthaya, Thailand was created by TripAdvisor. See another Ayutthaya slideshow. Create your own stunning slideshow with our free photo slideshow maker.

Thai Massage At Wat Pho, Bangkok

2011-01-30T07:36:00.001+08:00

Bangkok Buddhas

2011-01-25T13:22:00.004+08:00

I spent the last few days visiting temples in Bangkok.What an amazing feeling to sit in front of the Buddhas.I have been completely awestruck by the beauty and the energy I have seen and felt here in Thailand. I love the Thai people and the reflection I have gotten while being here.

Buddha Temples Slideshow: Ocean’s trip to Bangkok, Thailand was created by TripAdvisor. See another Bangkok slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.

Phuket & Phi Phi Island, Thailand

2011-01-23T14:50:00.002+08:00

Journey To The Beach Slideshow: Ocean’s trip from Phuket (near Ban Sa Dan, Thailand) to Phuket was created by TripAdvisor. See another Phuket slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

Thai Boxing Gym on Hadd Tien Beach in Thailand

2011-01-21T11:25:00.001+08:00

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Chiang Mai, Thailand

2011-01-20T08:38:00.003+08:00

I have been in Thailand for 2 ½ months now. I fell in love with Chiang Mai after only a few days so I ended up spending 5 weeks there. I was studying Advanced Thai Massage at the Sunshine Thai Massage school. Chiang Mai felt like home and I so look forward to going back again. Here are my favorite places in Chiang Mai If you are ever to visit.

Chiang Mai Hot Spots:

Sabai Garden Guest House Tel: +6605320891

www.juliesguesthouse.com Great place to meet people and cheap only $12 a night

www.wildroseyoga.org

www.yoga-chiangmai.com

www.herbalsteamhouse.com

www.namochiangmai.com

The Blue Diamond Cafe

Thai Massage Chiang Mai Journey Slideshow: Ocean’s trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand was created by TripAdvisor. See another Chiang Mai slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

Absolute Sanctuary Spa

2011-01-19T08:57:00.001+08:00

On my way to a meditation class then some hot yoga at the Absolute Sanctaury Spa on Koh Samui. This is the perfect place for anyone to do a detox and amazing for athletes with picky appetites. They have the cleanest food I have ever seen at a resort.

www.absolutesanctuary.com

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Koh Phangan

2011-01-19T04:10:00.002+08:00

I've really been enjoying the Sanctuary on Haad Tien Beach on the

island of Koh Phangan, Thailand. http://www.thesanctuarythailand.com/. Today I
am traveling to Koh Samui and tomorrow to Phuket. From there I will go
to Malaysia to renew my visa. I will continue to travel through
Thailand until March. I've been taking many courses in advanced Thai
massage, Tantra and yoga. In March I'm off to Kerela, India. At the
end of March I will go to Bali for the Bali Spirit Festival. I've been
missing teaching my fitness & yoga classes. I will have tons of new
energy to teach in the summer. I will post my favorite travel spots
shortly.
Dance, Play, Sweat & Pray!
Namaste, Ocean

The Sanctaury Thailand Slideshow: Ocean’s trip from Bangkok, Thailand to Koh Pha Ngan (near Ko Phangan) was created by TripAdvisor. See another Ko Phangan slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

Capturing some beautiful spots

2011-01-16T10:52:00.001+08:00

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Moments in Koh Samui

2011-01-12T11:57:00.001+08:00

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Life At The Sanctuary

2011-01-05T15:07:00.002+08:00

Cleansing My Mind & Emotional Body...

Koh Phangan, The Sanctuary Thailand. www.thesanctuarythailand.com I spent 3 weeks there that I will never forget. When I arrived at the Sanctuary I felt like Alice in Wonderland. It was like I fell down a rabbit hole into another universe. The Sanctuary is so special, I will never forget my magical time there. I was welcomed into my first workshop called Bliss Fest on the night of Dec. 26^th 2010- Dec.29th 4 amazing days of exploration and growth.

The Sanctaury Thailand Slideshow: Ocean’s trip from Bangkok, Thailand to Koh Pha Ngan (near Ko Phangan) was created by TripAdvisor. See another Ko Phangan slideshow. Create your own stunning slideshow with our free photo slideshow maker.

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Happy New Year Everyone 2011 here we come!

2010-12-31T18:01:00.001+08:00

It's New Years Eve here in Thailand. I'm going to rock out a costume party on Haad Tien Beach on Koh Phangan.

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Love & Consciousness

2010-12-27T19:44:00.001+08:00

May both of us together be protected
May both of us together be nourished
May we work together with great energy
May our study together be brilliant and effective
May we not hate or dispute eachother
Om Peace, Peace, Peace

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Southern Thailand

2010-12-27T09:40:00.003+08:00

One night in Koh Samui and now off to The Sanctuary on Koh Phangan.

Teenage Dream(with me)

2010-12-22T18:36:00.001+08:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

My Home In Pai Thailand

2010-12-19T23:16:00.000+08:00

Train with Ocean

2010-12-19T11:04:00.001+08:00

Join me weekly on skype as I guide you through my on-line training program. Not only will I motivate you to strengthen your physical body but I invite you to too learn how to open your heart. Gain confidence, and self-esteem; learn the importance of valuing yourself. Learn to let the fears of your life melt away and most importantly feel a sense of empowerment through connection. Learn tools to fill your life with beauty, love and joy-always!

E-mail me at trainwithocean@yahoo.ca

or add me on PING username: oceanbloom

Moments that make me smile!

2010-12-18T11:34:00.001+08:00

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Journey To Pai

2010-12-17T17:10:00.001+08:00

I have been quite sick for the last three days. I pretty much stayed in my
guest house or slept out in the garden. I think the Abdominal Detox Massage I had last Saturday, might have been a bit too deep for me. I know it wasn't the food, the food has been great!

On Tuesday morning at 9:30am I managed to pull myself together enough to get myself on a van to Pai.

Pai is a small town, up in the mountains, north of Chiang Mai. I took the meds I had picked up at the travel clinic before I left Vancouver, and some strong Gravol, and slept in the back of a van packed with 14 other people. I had no idea where I was going to stay once I got there. I just knew that Pai was going to be an amazing place.

On the bus, I met a German couple, Ben and Kyra, who were also traveling to Pai. I was excited to see that they had a "Lonely Planet Guide', even though it was written in German. I really should get one of my own.

Ben & Kyra

I asked them if I could tag along with them to find a guest house. In the guide, they found a great place down by the river, just walking distance from the bus station, called Baan Tawan Pai. You can check it out at www.pai-baantawan.com We looked at a deluxe room that would fit all three of us, and decided to share it. Our room cost us $3000 baht (split three ways) for 2 nights. That's $100 Canadian. It was well worth it. It had a beautiful view of the river, a hot shower and a balcony.

My new friends had arranged to meet another friend Ramsee (a beat box musician from Spain),visit a hotspring at a nearby spa. They invited me to come along. Ramsee showed up shortly thereafter, on a scooter, with a beautiful girl from the Netherlands. Since there were 5 of us, and only two scooters, the 3 of us, Ben, Kyra and myself, climbed onto the second scooter,and we all rode off to the hot springs.

This is where it all happened.

The hots-springs and spa were on beautiful property. While the others were bathing in the hotspring pools, Kyra and I decided to go for a massage. The massages here were $300 baht ($10). In Chiang Mai, the going rate for an hour long massage, is $150 baht.

This was such an amazing resort! I kept smiling at the reality that I was

actually in Thailand! We had dinner there, and then got back on the scooter

to return to our guest house. Kyra and I passed out as soon as we got home.

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Pai, Thailand Yoga!!!

2010-12-15T10:04:00.002+08:00

I think I found heaven in Pai, Thailand. This is the yoga studio I just found. I couldn't have dreamed it up any better. A tree house studio, unbelievable.

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Tools to create conscious cultivation of inner balance, equilibrium, wisdom and serenity.

2010-12-12T11:46:00.002+08:00

Well today is Sunday December 12, 2010 and it marks 3 weeks for me being here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I have decided to stay here in Chiang Mai until Dec.25. I am really enjoying the Sunshine Massage School, Wild Rose Yoga and the Blue Diamond Cafe. On Christmas day I will fly to Koh Samui and then take a boat to Koh Phangan to attend the Bliss Festival at The Sanctuary Thailand. I am gathering tools to create conscious cultivation of inner balance, equilibrium, wisdom and serenity.

It is imperative to let the nervous system unwind, the fluctuations of the mind to relax and the internal equilibrium to deepen. But for many of us, the constant go, go, go is all we know. We are continually running around like hamsters in a wheel, looking outside for happiness and fulfillment. So what is it that we are doing that is habituating this neurosis? Well I'm trying to figure that one out. Everyday I am challenged in almost every moment to slow down physically, mentally and energetically.

I have been exploring different kinds of healing techniques and modalities to re align all of my bodies; the physical, emotional,energetic and spiritual. On this journey I am exploring different styles of Yoga, Thai Massage, Herbs, Tibetan Singing Bowls for Sound Healing and Meditation. I am happy to share my discoveries with you as I learn and trance-form.

Friday night dancing at the Rock Climbing Gym. This is love for the SPIRIT BODY. Courtesy of www.seesonya.com

This is going to be a new hobby for me for sure.

This is the beautiful Rose from www.wildroseyoga.org

On Saturday morning I decided to take a course in making a Herbal Ball Massage Compress at Namo Yoga. I really enjoyed putting all the fresh herbs together. Taking the time to sit still and make something for a healing benefit was amazing for my emotional body. I felt a calmness come over me as other thoughts left my mind.

www.namochiangmai.com

Ingredients :

Zingiber cassumunar Roxb (Zingiberaceae),turmeric,

kaffir lime leaf and skin,orange skin,lemongrass,

Acacia concinna leaf, tamarind leaf,Cassia Siamea Britt leaf, camphor, and Salt.

Originally derived from ancient Thai traditions, Herbal Thai massage is slowly becoming a popular western modality. Thai yoga massage itself dates back over 2,500 years with roots from both Indian and Chinese healing practices.

The combination of a Thai herbal compress and traditional Thai massage techniques create a treatment designed to soothe almost any aliment one might experience. History of Thai Yoga Massage

Jivaka Kumar Bahaccha, Buddhist monk and founder of traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage techniques, established Thai massage to alleviate pain by improving the flow of 'prana' or life energy within the body.

Prana circulates through the body along pathways called 'sen lines'. Theoretically, when someone is experiencing pain or disease there is an upset in the flow of prana which flows along these sen lines.

When these blockages are stimulated with the pressure, stretching and kneading techniques, along with modified yoga postures used in Thai massage, it releases the blockage allowing prana to move freely again. As the released prana effortlessly flows again, each system of the body is saturated with vital nutrients improving the body's normal functions. As the body starts to return to a balanced state the pain decreases, energy is restored and the client is filled with a renewed sense of vitality and well-being.

The Yoga Connection

Thai massage was created based on yoga philosophies and traditions as it helps balance not only the body but the mind and spirit as well. Typically a Thai therapist meditates before each treatment to clear their mind of distracting thoughts and focus on bringing healing energy into the massage.

As stated earlier, modified yoga postures themselves are integrated into each massage session creating a multitude of avenues to apply massage techniques. Thai therapist maintains a calming quality to the massage by applying graceful rhythmic movements and focused attention while connecting the postures, similar to practicing yoga.

The Herbal Compress

Herbal Thai massage incorporates the use of a heated compress containing a collection of medicinal aromatic herbs traditionally grown in Thailand. This compress is simply a pouch filled with ground Thai herbs wrapped tightly in a natural porous cloth, usually unbleached cotton or muslin.

It is most often steamed to stimulate the herbs then pressed or rolled on the body during, before or after a Thai yoga massage. When used in conjunction with a Thai massage, the heated ball allows the muscles and joints of the body greater movement and flexibility.

The herbs themselves are absorbed through the skin and used in the body to facilitate further release of energy blockages thereby improving energy imbalances within the body. Some of the herbs have drawing properties that allow removal of inflammation and swelling typical with injuries.

Benefits of Herbal Thai Massage

Traditional Thai massage is most commonly used to treat inflammation due to muscle and joint pain, injuries or imbalances but it is not limited to muscular system. Thai massage can help with all the systems in the body allowing whole body healing.

The herbal compress promotes further healing as the typical selection of Thai herbs offer many healing properties to the mind body and soul. Together the Thai yoga massage and the herbal compress promote healing in the following ways:

o Improves muscle injuries, imbalances and pain

o Improves blood and lymph circulation

o Improves physical and mental energy by releasing energy blockages

o Improves joint flexibility and range of motion

o Reduces acute and chronic inflammation

o Improves appetite and digestive processes and dysfunctions

o Prevents illness

o Slows aging process and degeneration of soft tissues and joints

o Boosts immune system

o Lowers blood pressure

o Encourages relaxation

o Prevents and alleviates stress and anxiety

o Calms the mind, improves concentration and positive thinking

o Speeds healing

o Improves movement and function of fascia (body's connective tissue)

o Decreases cold and flu symptoms

o Improves organ function and movement

o Calms respiratory dysfunction and pain

o Eases menstrual cramps and associated pain

o Calms and prevents migraines and headaches

o Helps with insomnia and other sleep disorders

Spiritually Orientated Chi Nei Tsang Abdominal Detox Massage

After my herbal ball class I tried an INTENSE Chi Nei Tsang massage. I'm still recovering from it.

It's an ancient Chinese therapy that relieves tensions around the abdomen (where many people hold stress), Chi Nei Tsang unblocks organs to clear up digestive problems and get you back to your natural balance - helping you feel calmer, cleaner and more vibrant.

An ancient therapy

Chi Nei Tsang is a Chinese healing massage that originated in Taoist monasteries to help monks detox, strengthen and refine their bodies, giving them the energy needed for spiritual practices. Using techniques from Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Kung Fu, Chi Nei Tsang works to create a balance of body, mind and spirit.

Relieve stress and increase energy

Stress, tension and negative emotions from our modern lifestyle accumulate in our abdomen. The entire energy of our body is blocked when this area becomes congested, slowly weakening our internal organs and immune system and decreasing energy and vitality. Chi Nei Tsang focuses on acupressure points around the navel and surrounding abdominal area to relieve congestion and increase energy, helping our body function better, heal and fight off illness.

Enhance detox

Many organs involved in detoxification are located in the abdominal area, and Chi Nei Tsang can support them- intestines, kidneys, liver and lymphatics. Our intestines are our primary channel of elimination and when our bowels are not working properly our body struggles to remove wastes. By manipulating the abdomen, Chi Nei Tsang improves the performance of our intestines and helps remove toxins faster. During a detox program, Chi Nei Tsang massage is especially valuable since our body is working hard to get rid of wastes, and abdominal massage eases this process.

Stabilize emotions

According to Eastern philosophy, we hold many emotions in our organs - anger in our liver, worry in our spleen and fear in our kidneys. Decongesting these organs with abdominal massage releases psychological and emotional tensions, supporting emotional detox. Our thoughts and feelings affect our physiology, and when these areas are in balance, our body restores itself better.

Improve digestion

In addition to releasing physical, psychological and emotional stress, Chi Nei Tsang increases nutrient -providing circulation. This allows abdominal organs to work more efficiently which can alleviate digestive problems such as bloating, gas, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.

Loosen up with an abdominal massage during detox or anytime you're feeling blocked up. Chi Nei Tsang increases energy flow throughout the body and improves our well-being. When our core is brought back into balance, so is our overall health.

My Chiang Mai Guest House & Home

2010-12-10T00:19:00.000+08:00

Snap shots from another day in Chiang Mai

2010-12-09T20:10:00.001+08:00

I'm so glad I brought this little jug of Magnum Protein Powder and my little shaker cup. Easy to carry with me : )

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I have been taking classes to learn how to play Tibetan Singing/ Healing Bowls. For me this week is all about connecting to the energetic body.

After playing many bowls, this one is my favorite. It has taught me how crazy my energy is when I think too much. I'm not at all surprised I chose this one, it's for the Muladara Chakra. Earth energy and grounding is exactly what I need. 5 min a day to keep me from floating away.

Moving From The Inside Out!!!

I made this mistake once and never again. It's way stronger than Red Bull!

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Too Much Structure & Fitness On Disfunction

2010-12-06T12:48:00.001+08:00

I'm writting an article on how too much STRUCTURE can create frustration, guilt and blame. If you feel you are someone who's routines are so structured that other parts of your life and relationships are suffering, I would like to talk to you. Please send me an e-mail to ocean@statusfitness.com

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I bow to the true nature within and without who embodies the forms of Reality Consciouness and Bliss who is never absent and full of Peace This essence of radiant Spirit keeps shining, regardless of worldly circumstances

2010-12-05T17:15:00.001+08:00

My Sunday in lovely Chiang Mai. Living Yoga Fully : )

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Big Pussy Cat!

2010-11-29T00:40:00.000+08:00

Me getting lost for 2 hours while looking for a yoga studio

2010-11-27T20:55:00.001+08:00

It's not about the destination, enjoy the journey. You never know what you may come across.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=305784&id=526986067&l=373a52ea09

Touching The Emotional Body

2010-11-27T08:22:00.000+08:00

I'm a little low on energy after a long week of intense training in a course called "Touching The Emotional Body". The techniques are used with Thai Massage to help release stuck emotions and blocked energy. This course is for massage therapists to use with their clients. I love this kind of work and I am excited to put it into practice.

Thai Massage

2010-11-27T01:42:00.001+08:00

A fun move from my Thai Massage class today.

Moments in Chiang Mai

2010-11-24T08:17:00.001+08:00

The sign behind everyone says 6 months in prision for drinking here. Nobody noticed that.

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Time to move and to TRAIN!!!

2010-11-23T19:47:00.002+08:00

www.yoga-chiangmai.com

Amazing breakfast at the Yoga Cafe

I was only able to stay at Julies Guest House for 3 days so today I found a new guest house to stay at for the next week. I'm sad about the move as Julie's was such a great place and I like really liked the vibe there. On another note I am happy that the place I found to stay at down the street is only $65 for the week. I have my own bathroom, shower and a fan. I am slowly starting to get over come my jet lag. Last night I forced myself to go to sleep at 9pm and I woke up at 4am. I feel pretty yucky after going so many days without going to the gym, so tonight I am on a mission to find any gym here in Chiang Mia. I love the food and I now have an addiction to chicken Pad Thai. I think that will have to be a treat on the weekend from now on. On Sunday I was able to find a great yoga studio. It was a beautiful space with a wonderful outdoor health food restaurant. I really feel like I'm in heaven here.

Photo by Rodney Jang

Today I finished day two of my Thai Massage course called "Touching The Emotional Body", I love it. There are five other people in my class and I am the only one who speaks English as a first language. My note to self this week is"FIND STILLNESS". A huge challenge for me at times. I am also loving how the people here look you in the eye and smile so happily. I am so inspired to move deeper into all aspects of being, moving and connecting. I'm off to find a gym now : )

My ride to school today

2010-11-23T09:51:00.001+08:00

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More Festival Fun

2010-11-23T09:04:00.002+08:00

Photos from my first 2 days in Chiang Mai

2010-11-22T18:10:00.000+08:00

Chiang Mai

2010-11-22T13:49:00.001+08:00

It's my second day in Chiang Mai and my first day of Thai Massage School. I am having the time of my life. Coming on this trip to Asia is one of the best things I have ever done. I keep crying with tears of joy. Never has anything felt so 100% in alignment for me.

Little did I know that when I arrived it was the first day of the biggest festival of year here. It's like the 4th of July for three days straight. I can't even describe all that I have seen so I will post some video tonight.

"The deepest level of relaxation offers the greatest potential for healing"

"Move with intention with no attatchment"

Namaste

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Update from Bangkok

2010-11-21T14:16:00.000+08:00

There is a Starbucks on every corner : )

Only 10 more days till Thailand

2010-11-09T08:34:00.000+08:00

OK it’s November 8th-2010. This means I have 10 days before I leave for Thailand for many months. I have been riding some crazy waves of emotion. I’m totally ecstatic about my trip but with all the excitement I have also been completely out of my mind. I’ve been careless with putting things down in public places and then forgetting about them, just little things like my wallet and phone (YIKES). No matter how much I have to get done over the next week and a half, I am making it a priority to do a full yoga practice every day so that I don’t get too scattered with all that is happening.

I taught my final spin class at Yyoga on Saturday afternoon. I had a packed class and we had a great ride, it was so invigorating. After the class was done I felt this incredible wave of sadness come over me. The reality of the fact that it was my last class there made me sad. I feel a tremendous amount of joy out of sharing my passion for fitness with people in an environment that brings people together in a healthy, fun, energetic way. I am so not into competing against people but rather connecting to them. When people walk into my classes I get excited to have fun with them. I like creating a connection with someone without knowing their story or sometimes even their name. I will miss all of the classes and beautiful people I have connected with in Vancouver. My years of fitness competitions never left me feeling fulfilled the way my classes and connections do.

My goal in going to Thailand is to first go to Chiang Mai to study Thai Massage more in depth. After my course there I will head over to Koh Phangan to do more yoga training.

In Reflection:

I moved out of my apartment on Oct. 27th and on the 28th I was on a plane to LA to do a week of Yoga Trance Dance teacher training with Shiva Rea. I have wanted to do this training since I first met Shiva in 2008. I LOVE TRANCE DANCE!!! I rocked out and it felt so good I can’t even put it into words how great this experience was for me. Some amazing teachers have inspired me. Eoin Finn my first yoga teacher, Shiva Rea, Sean Corn, David Swenson and Constantine Darling. On my last day in LA I did my own Trance Dance on the beach at sunset. I had my eyes closed the whole time so I never even noticed the people walking by. It was amazing!!!

Photos By Rodney Jang

Ocean Bloom & JNL Olympia 2010

2010-11-07T02:17:00.000+08:00

This is a video from the 2010 Fitness Olympia Expo in Vegas. Jennifer Nicole Lee
talks with me about Status Fitness

www.statusfitnessmagazine.com

Insights

2010-11-07T02:12:00.000+08:00

I often ponder over the nature of human sincerity, true transparency …

…It is a rare and difficult thing; and how much it depends on the person who is listening to us!

There are those who pull down the barriers and make the way smooth; there are those who force the doors and enter our territory like invaders; there are those who barricade us in, shut us in upon ourselves, dig ditches and throw up walls around us; there are those who set us out of tune and listen only to our false notes; there are those for whom we always remain strangers, speaking an unknown tongue. And when it is our turn to listen, which of these are we?

- Anonymous

Yride & Yoga with Ocean

2010-11-05T01:01:00.001+08:00

I am teaching a few more Yride classes at Flow/ Yyoga this weekend. come try a class with me!

Conscious Cardio! An innovative cardiovascular workout that strengthens, lengthens and tones the body by integrating indoor cycling with yoga. This class is sure to get your heart beating and body sweating while rejuvenating the mind. All levels welcome.

Fri. Nov. 5 5:15-6:15pm & 8:15-9:15pm Sat.Nov.6 4-5pm & 5:15pm-6:15pm

http://yyoga.ca/our-centers/flow-wellness/

David Ford Pictures - Ocean Bloom & David Paul Sunset Shoot

2010-11-03T12:45:00.000+08:00