The Zen Alarm Clock

I must be in a gadget-y mood. I am really tempted to get this: The Now & Zen Alarm Clock

I never liked waking up to the jarring sound of an alarm clock or a phone alarm. The Now & Zen Alarm Clock offers a wonderful alternative. Its "long-resonating Tibetan bell-like chime makes waking up a beautiful experience; its progressive chimes begin your day with grace". Sounds great, huh?

It comes in a digital version too, though I much prefer the analog.

This should make waking up for 6AM practice a lot easier :P More info at now-zen.com

An Unusual Yoga Mat

I had never seen anything like this before, and I thought it was a pretty cool yoga mat to have. Quite a departure from the rectangular mats I usually see around.

The Mandala Yoga Mat is "the original 6-foot round mat". The creator wanted to get away from the confines of a rectangle and have a mat that facilitates freedom of movement in all directions without boundaries and restraint. 

What do you think?

More info available here.

Ahimsa and Bicycles

Being eco-conscious is just one way to practice ahimsa. Non-violence to self and others. I thought of ahimsa as a good excuse to check out this bike

Kate Spade New York has collaborated with Tribeca bicycle boutique Adeline Adeline on a limited-edition model, hand-crafted in Italy by Abici, with a signature Kate Spade New York grass green frame and a Brooks leather saddle

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to pedal away in style to the grocery, the studio, church, school, etc? Unfortunately the heat and the traffic in Metro Manila make this pedaling fantasy a near impossibility. Which means my Catherine Baba-inspired biking outfit may never see the light of day :D

Catherine Baba, pedaling in style in Paris

Dude Yoga Part Deux

After my husband's first yoga lesson and despite repeated offers, he hasn't wanted to do yoga again.

Which has led me to create this list, in the hopes that it will inspire him to try out the mat again. 

• Bill Gross - Chief Investment Officer for asset management company PIMCO
• Kevin Garnett - Power forward for the Boston Celtics
• David Duval - Former World No. 1 PGA golfer
• Dan Marino - Former quarterback for Miami Dolphins, holding almost every major NFL passing record 

With Father's Day coming soon, here is a book that you may want to give to the men in your life: Real Men Do Yoga

Dude Yoga

I once tried to teach my husband Ashtanga yoga. We got through Surya Namaskara A but only with much complaining and bickering. We made it to Parsvottanasana, which by all intents was a miracle. 

My short-lived stint as my husband's teacher made me realize some things about men and yoga.

The Code of "Dude Yoga"

1. No chanting. At all.
2. Counting from 1 to 5 should be done faster
3. Skip the weird Sanskrit names of the poses
4. Ujjayi breathing is "like snoring"
5. No matter how hard you try, levitation cannot be achieved in one session


More on men and yoga to follow...

Summer is Here!

It's scorching hot outside! Here are some of my favorite post-practice treats. The perfect thing to beat a hot day and a great reward after a Bikram-esque practice.

Starbucks Raspberry Green Tea Latte. Gotta be careful though. It's 350 calories!

Serenitea Assam Milk Tea with nata and 50% sugar 

Frozen or Regular Yogurt with Blueberries and Almonds