TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs

COUNTRY > Thailand > Chiang Mai
DATE > 2022 > Aug
SECTION > Yoga

yoga in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Yoga Nidra with Chunyah and Tom Aug 18, 2022

Yoga Nidra with Chunyah and Tom

Location Google Map: Nawa Saraan Healing Space, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chunyah & Tom
Chunyah and Tom are my good friends - we hang out together over coffee, Pizza Nites, yoga, icebaths and Tom's triumphant Muay Thai fights. Chunyah is on her 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Tom is an accomplished yoga teacher. We have attended each other's yoga classes a lot of times. I was surprised and deeply flattered when both of them asked me to conduct a private yoga nidra class for Chunyah, with Tom being there as well to see her through.

My General Approach
Since Chunyah is already on her 2nd trimester of pregnancy, I have to learn Prenatal Yoga if only to find bearing how to properly conduct the Yoga Nidra. As a yoga classs, there will be mild stretches, mild pranayama and then the actual Yoga Nidra.

Classes

Aug 18 (Thu 9:30-11:00pm)

    NOTES

    1. Yoga Nidra is powerful but hard to master. The greatest challenge is to remain awake and not fall asleep.
    2. Chunyah is on her 2nd trimester of pregnancy so stretching and breathing have to be gentle
    3. Even though Tom is attending, the class is tailor-fitted for Chunyah
    4. They chose me to do a Yoga Nidra class because they both attended my Yoga Nidra class before and they liked the way I conducted it. The class I taught then was a spontaneous departure from the established Yoga Nidra format because I wanted to go with the energetic flow of the class. I ended up conducting a chakra-based class instead of the joint/limb-based convention

    SHARING

  1. why Yoga Nidra? Chunyah wants to put in-check a racing mind, to have a more quality sleep.
  2. CHANTING

  3. OM
    /yoga_class/chant_om.shtml
    Single-pointed focus on Ajna Chakra (third eye) or the Sahasrara Chakra (crown)
    a) to start the class, 1 minute composure then 3 mins of OM chanting - ujjayi breathing on the inhale, then OM chanting on the exhale
    b) to end the class, 1 minute composure then 3 rounds of OM chanting - ujjayi breathing on the inhale, then OM chanting on the exhale
  4. STRETCHING

  5. No torso bending or twisting...just gentle neck, shoulders, thighs, knees, calves
  6. PRANAYAMA

  7. ujjayi - 5 mins
    *** visualizing kundalini rising
  8. YOGA NIDRA

    Yoga Nidra
  9. YOGA NIDRA
    <--#include virtual="/yoga_class/full_yoga_nidra.shtml" -->

    What is Yoga Nidra? - putting the body to sleep as the mind remains awake, alert, aware and vigilant

    Benefits - 30 mins of yoga nidra equals 3 hours of normal sleep, access to subconscious, deeper sleep than regular sleep

    Essential Components of Yoga Nidra

    1. sankalpa
    2. body tensing
    3. visualization
    4. eye cover / blanket
    5. induced opposite sensations (cold left hand, hot right hand)

    The 60-Minute Class

    1. introduction - what is yoga nidra? what are the benefits? heads-up on the 60-min process
    2. sankalpa - reaffirm your sankalpa
    3. warm-up - Surya Namaskar A & B
    4. pranayama - bhastrika, kapalabhati, anuloma viloma, ujjayi
    5. Yoga Nidra proper
      Instructions - 30-minute guided meditation
      1. Relaxation - quiet the mind, let go of all thoughts. Relax the body. Let go. Surrender to the greater forces at play. Its reason for being is to look after your well-being. Trust the process. Feel a deep sense of contentment in your heart. Be grateful for the things you have.
      2. Breathing - one deep inhale and exhale through the mouth with a sigh. Do it again. Resume normal breathing. Do not regulate the breath. This is not pranayama. Just normal breathing.
      3. Body Tensioning - Moving awareness throughout the body to release stuck energy. Focus on the lower body - feet, ankles, calves, knees, thighs, hips and buttocks. Inhale, contract all these muscles, intensify and hold that breath. Continue tensioning and stressing these parts. And release before you feel the strain. Repeat. Focus awareness on all the sensations.

        Focus on the upper body - abs, sternum, rib cage, obliques, intercoastal muscles, chest, lower back, middle back, upper back, your trapezius muscles. Inhale, contract all these muscles, intensify and hold that breath. Continue tensioning and stressing these parts. And release before you feel the strain. Repeat. Focus awareness on all the sensations.

        Focus on the arms - hands, wrists, arms, elbows, and shoulders. Inhale, contract all these muscles, intensify and hold that breath. Continue tensioning and stressing these parts. And release before you feel the strain. Repeat. Focus awareness on all the sensations.

        Focus on the neck and face - the entire length of the neck, the jawline, chin, cheeks, nose, ears, eyes, forehead and your scalp. Inhale, contract all these muscles, and scrunch them towards the center of the face. Intensify, hold that breath and keep scrunching. On the exhale, do a lion's breath - stretching all your facial muscles, sticking your tongue as far out as you can, widening your eyes and pulling your ears behind you. Repeat. Focus awareness on all the sensations.

        Focus on the entire body - from the tips of your toes, to the tips of your fingers to the top of your head. Inhale, contract all your muscles. Intensify and hold that breath. Continue tensioning the whole body. And release before you feel the strain. Repeat. Release. Let the body go limp like a rag doll. Focus awareness on all the sensations. Feel the flood of energy moving within the body.
      4. Facial Massage - rub the hands together and cup the eyes. Small circular massage on the eye orbits. Massage the face - forehead to the hairline. Circle the thumbs on the temples. To the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, gently pull the ears, massage the jaw, jawline to chin. Relaxing all expressions on the face.
      5. Going Deeper - deep breath in, and let go. Focus awareness within, closing the doors to the outside world, gently reminding yourself that you will remain awake. Remain awake. Stop thinking and doing and begin feeling and being. Let the thinking mind sleep and awaken the feeling heart. By opening the heart, you co-create reality. You transcend the limitations of the mind. Just relax and let go. Let go of the control and let the benevolent forces take over. Let consciousness and energy become one. Trust the process.
      6. Breathing - Take a deep inhale and fully inflate the lungs. Slowly, very slowly exhale with pursed lips like blowing through a narrow straw. Don't rush it. Let it take as long it takes. Let it be a steady continuous unbroken stream of breath until the lungs are completely empty - no residual air left. Next inhale, fill your heart with joy, vitality and contentment. As you exhale, release any tension, stress and release anger or resentment. It has no place in your heart. Continue breathing with awareness. As you breathe, visualize you are breathing through your Heart Chakra, the Anahata. The air goes through the middle of the chest and inside. Prana is activated where the air goes. Feel the prana dispersed throughout your body. Feel it absorbed by the cells. Feel the energy pulsate. As you breathe out, you sink your body deeper into savasana...completely letting go.
      7. Sankalpa - Reaffirm your sankalpa. Make a clear mental imagery of your intention and with your heart, feel that the intention has already manifested. Feel the joy of having it. Feel gratitude for having it happened. When the thinking mind and the feeling heart merge as one, your sankalpa manifests. You become a co-creator of the construent essence of reality.
      8. Remaining Awake - reaffirm your resolve to remain alert, awake and aware, as the body sinks deeper into sleep. Drop into the deepest silence as you sink deeper into your subconscious.
    6. Body Scanning - these are 2 of a few ways to go about this.
      a) Bandha Scanning (energy locks on joints) A conventional way is to focus on the right thumb first or at least include the right thumb and proceed with scanning major joints which are also points of bandha engagement. This maps the way the brain sends signals throughout the body. The scanning is faster than the vipassana body scanning technique.

      Focus your awareness on the right thumb. Observe. The index finger...now the middle finger...the ring finger...and the little finger.. Awareness on your right wrist - this is the seat of the mani bandha. Bandhas are energy locks that are activated when 2 opposing muscles flex on a joint. Move your focus up to your right elbow - this is the seat of your kurpara bandha. We have 9 bandhas or energy locks but most yogis are only familiar with 3 - mula, uddiyana and jalandara. Now, awareness on your right shoulders where you can activate your amsa bandha. Bandhas prevent energy or prana from leeching out, thus sustaining your strength, vitality and resilience from disease. Again, observe any sensation on your shoulder.

      Observing, feeling, witnessing sensation without reaction, without changing anything.

      GO BACK EXACTLY THE SAME WAY UNTIL THE VISHUDDHI CHAKRA AND THEN TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY, AND BACK TO VISHUDDHI. START GOING DOWN,

      b) Chakra Scanning (energy hubs) This is what I employ and this makes more sense to me. Beginning from the base or root chakra, I ascend towards the highest chakra, making stops on all the major chakras.

      Chakras are energy centers where the 72,000 nadis (enery pathways...think blood vessels, but delivering energy instead of blood) converge for prana (energy) distribution.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      1] Muladhara Chakra
      Move your awareness to the base of your spine. This is the seat of the Muladhara Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lift the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to awaken the kundalini shakti. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Observe any sensation that's happening here. Stay focused. Muladhara is where it all begins - this is your base...the foundational cornerstone of all your chakras. This is where both the female or Ida Nadi and the male or Pingala Nadi begin their ascent towards the Sahasrara Chakra. This is where the Kundalini Shakti sleeps. This is where you engage your Mula Bandha. Maintain your awareness here.
      Take a deep inhale, and on the exhale, in your mind's eye, silently, chant the seed mantra, LAM, while feeling a resonance on this chakra. Repeat the chant 5 times.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      2] Svadisthana Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to the sexual center at the sacrum. This is the seat of the Svadisthana Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Muladhara chakra to the Svadisthana chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Once you transcend the survival mode, you shift into pleasure, indulgence and intoxication - sex, drugs and rock & roll. You crave respect, prestige and admiration. You now aim for genetic immortality - thus the sacral chakra.
      Take a deep inhale, and on the exhale, in your mind's eye, silently, chant the seed mantra, VAM, while feeling a resonance on this chakra. Repeat the chant 5 times.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      3] Manipuraka Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to your navel. This is the seat of the Manipuraka Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Svadisthana chakra to the Manipuraka chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Move your awareness to your navel - the seat of the Manipuraka Chakra. When this chakra is activated, you develop a strong body and a strong mind. You are determined and you make things happen. You influence public opinion. You are now powerful but not necessarily spiritual. Despite the power, you are left asking, "Is this all there is to it?". The Napoleons and Elon Musks of the world reside in this chakra. Observe any sensation that's happening here. Stay focused.
      Take a deep inhale, and on the exhale, in your mind's eye, silently, chant the seed mantra, RAM, while feeling a resonance on this chakra. Repeat the chant 5 times.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      4] Anahata Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to your heart. This is the seat of the Anahata Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Manipuraka chakra to the Anahata chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Stay focused here. When Anahata opens or becomes activated, you develop a heightened sense of perception about the reality. You begin your spiritual path where you feel the connection with the universe at large. You transcend the confines of your self-centered world and you open up for love and compassion. You straddle the 2 worlds - one leg remains anchored on default reality and the other leg rests on Cloud 9. As you deal with the challenge of existence, you also have heaven in your mind.
      Silently, chant the mantra YAM and feel the vibration in your heart.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      5] Vishuddhi Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to the soft spot on the base of your throat, slightly above the center where the 2 collar bones meet.. This is the seat of the Visuddhi Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Anahata chakra to the Vishuddhi chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      This is your Vishuddhi Chakra. As you activate this energy hub, you no longer fight with life. You move with it, in compliance to the natural laws. You find yourself in the right place, at the right time, meeting magnificent lives who open doors to manifest your intentions. You operate at a higher level of competence. People gravitate to you. They sense that you do things beyond their abilities and you understand things beyond their comprehension.
      In your mind's eye, silently chant the mantra HAM and feel the etheric reverberation within the throat chakra.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      6] Ajna Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to the spot between your eyes, slightly above the center. This is the seat of the Ajna Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Vishuddhi chakra to the Ajna chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Focus on your Third Eye. Observe whatever sensation is taking place here. It can be throbbing, it can be pulsating, it could be warping or even tingling. Just observe and witness with no reaction, without attempting to change anything. Activating this chakra means you are intellectually realized. You have gained knowledge and you have wisdom. Psychic abilities begin manifest. You transcend this dimension and gain access to other worldly realities.
      Silently chant the mantra OM and feel the activation of this chakra.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      7] Sahasrara Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to the spot on top of your head. This is the seat of the Sahasrara Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Ajna chakra to the Sahasrara chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      From the Ajna, there is no established path towards Sahasrara. There is no blueprint, there is no template. You are on your own to take that leap of faith, trusting the process. When this chakra is activated, duality ends and union happens. Male and female unite as one. Power and consciousness become one. Shiva and Shakti are reunited. You are in a very deep state of meditative absorption where it becomes very clear that you are not your body, not your thoughts, not your feelings and not your memory. You are pure consciousness, you are divinity and you are the universe - and you are all of that combined into a singularity. This is where the self, the universe and God, become one. Pause. Let that sink in. Take as much time as you need to let that register.
      Take a deep inhale, and on the exhale, in your mind's eye, silently, chant the seed mantra, OM, while feeling a resonance on this chakra. Repeat the chant 5 times.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

    7. closing - gratitude...always


  10. THOUGHTS

  11. The talk about sankalpa, Gyana mudra, OM mantra took almost 1 hour. The session exceeded 2 hours. During Yoga Nidra, both of them zoned in-and-out, but sleeping for the most part. This is expected - it takes a lot of practice to remain awake and eventually substitute Yoga Nidra for regular sleep. No one remembered the entire chakra segment of the session (which was the longest one). At any rate, whatever I said in the guided meditation while they were sleeping has been registered since they were hovering at the alpha brainwave - that thin line between being awake and asleep.
  12. NEXT SESSION

  13. I thought this would be a one-time session, but they talked about making this a weekly thing. Next session will have less talk as the important features have already been discussed.


Comments:

Chunyah PongpalinChunyah Thailand
ArtWithChunyah
(Aug 18, 2022) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tom MaherTom USA
Tom Maher Tom Maher
(Aug 18, 2022) Thanks for planning such a great class and delivering it so thoroughly, even when we fell asleep. Yoga nidra with you brings us a deep relaxation and sense of peace that is hard to find anywhere else. Even a full night's sleep cannot compete! I look forward to riding that thin line between being awake and asleep and seeing what benefits we can derive from being there. Excited to continue this practice!

Aug 25 (Thu 9:30-11:00pm)

    NOTES

    1. Yoga Nidra is powerful but hard to master. The greatest challenge is to remain awake and not fall asleep.
    2. Chunyah is on her 2nd trimester of pregnancy so stretching and breathing have to be gentle
    3. Even though Tom is attending, the class is tailor-fitted for Chunyah
    4. They chose me to do a Yoga Nidra class because they both attended my Yoga Nidra class before and they liked the way I conducted it. The class I taught then was a spontaneous departure from the established Yoga Nidra format because I wanted to go with the energetic flow of the class. I ended up conducting a chakra-based class instead of the joint/limb-based convention
    *** Today, talk about chakras and more of practice - standing up, seated and lying down. More fist clenching to keep them awake.

    SHARING

  1. xxxxxxxxx
  2. CHANTING

  3. 7 Chakra Chant
    LAM (prithvi) | VAM (varun) | RAM (ling) | YAM (anjali) | HAM (akash) | OM (gyana) | OM (gyana)
    <--#include virtual="/yoga_class/chant_7chakras.shtml" -->
    While on the appropriate mudra, ujjayi breathing on the inhale while focusing on the mudra. Holding the in-breath (no bandha), focusing on the chakra this time. On the exhale, chant the seed mantra while keeping focus on the chakra
  4. *** I went the whole lecture on chakras which took 45 mins.

    STRETCHING

  5. No torso bending or twisting...just gentle neck, shoulders, thighs, knees, calves
  6. YOGA NIDRA

    Yoga Nidra
  7. YOGA NIDRA
    <--#include virtual="/yoga_class/full_yoga_nidra.shtml" -->

    What is Yoga Nidra? - putting the body to sleep as the mind remains awake, alert, aware and vigilant

    Benefits - 30 mins of yoga nidra equals 3 hours of normal sleep, access to subconscious, deeper sleep than regular sleep

    Essential Components of Yoga Nidra

    1. sankalpa
    2. body tensing
    3. visualization
    4. eye cover / blanket
    5. induced opposite sensations (cold left hand, hot right hand)

    The 60-Minute Class

    1. introduction - what is yoga nidra? what are the benefits? heads-up on the 60-min process
    2. sankalpa - reaffirm your sankalpa
    3. warm-up - Surya Namaskar A & B
    4. pranayama - bhastrika, kapalabhati, anuloma viloma, ujjayi
    5. Yoga Nidra proper
      Instructions - 30-minute guided meditation
      1. Relaxation - quiet the mind, let go of all thoughts. Relax the body. Let go. Surrender to the greater forces at play. Its reason for being is to look after your well-being. Trust the process. Feel a deep sense of contentment in your heart. Be grateful for the things you have.
      2. Breathing - one deep inhale and exhale through the mouth with a sigh. Do it again. Resume normal breathing. Do not regulate the breath. This is not pranayama. Just normal breathing.
      3. Body Tensioning - Moving awareness throughout the body to release stuck energy. Focus on the lower body - feet, ankles, calves, knees, thighs, hips and buttocks. Inhale, contract all these muscles, intensify and hold that breath. Continue tensioning and stressing these parts. And release before you feel the strain. Repeat. Focus awareness on all the sensations.

        Focus on the upper body - abs, sternum, rib cage, obliques, intercoastal muscles, chest, lower back, middle back, upper back, your trapezius muscles. Inhale, contract all these muscles, intensify and hold that breath. Continue tensioning and stressing these parts. And release before you feel the strain. Repeat. Focus awareness on all the sensations.

        Focus on the arms - hands, wrists, arms, elbows, and shoulders. Inhale, contract all these muscles, intensify and hold that breath. Continue tensioning and stressing these parts. And release before you feel the strain. Repeat. Focus awareness on all the sensations.

        Focus on the neck and face - the entire length of the neck, the jawline, chin, cheeks, nose, ears, eyes, forehead and your scalp. Inhale, contract all these muscles, and scrunch them towards the center of the face. Intensify, hold that breath and keep scrunching. On the exhale, do a lion's breath - stretching all your facial muscles, sticking your tongue as far out as you can, widening your eyes and pulling your ears behind you. Repeat. Focus awareness on all the sensations.

        Focus on the entire body - from the tips of your toes, to the tips of your fingers to the top of your head. Inhale, contract all your muscles. Intensify and hold that breath. Continue tensioning the whole body. And release before you feel the strain. Repeat. Release. Let the body go limp like a rag doll. Focus awareness on all the sensations. Feel the flood of energy moving within the body.
      4. Facial Massage - rub the hands together and cup the eyes. Small circular massage on the eye orbits. Massage the face - forehead to the hairline. Circle the thumbs on the temples. To the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, gently pull the ears, massage the jaw, jawline to chin. Relaxing all expressions on the face.
      5. Going Deeper - deep breath in, and let go. Focus awareness within, closing the doors to the outside world, gently reminding yourself that you will remain awake. Remain awake. Stop thinking and doing and begin feeling and being. Let the thinking mind sleep and awaken the feeling heart. By opening the heart, you co-create reality. You transcend the limitations of the mind. Just relax and let go. Let go of the control and let the benevolent forces take over. Let consciousness and energy become one. Trust the process.
      6. Breathing - Take a deep inhale and fully inflate the lungs. Slowly, very slowly exhale with pursed lips like blowing through a narrow straw. Don't rush it. Let it take as long it takes. Let it be a steady continuous unbroken stream of breath until the lungs are completely empty - no residual air left. Next inhale, fill your heart with joy, vitality and contentment. As you exhale, release any tension, stress and release anger or resentment. It has no place in your heart. Continue breathing with awareness. As you breathe, visualize you are breathing through your Heart Chakra, the Anahata. The air goes through the middle of the chest and inside. Prana is activated where the air goes. Feel the prana dispersed throughout your body. Feel it absorbed by the cells. Feel the energy pulsate. As you breathe out, you sink your body deeper into savasana...completely letting go.
      7. Sankalpa - Reaffirm your sankalpa. Make a clear mental imagery of your intention and with your heart, feel that the intention has already manifested. Feel the joy of having it. Feel gratitude for having it happened. When the thinking mind and the feeling heart merge as one, your sankalpa manifests. You become a co-creator of the construent essence of reality.
      8. Remaining Awake - reaffirm your resolve to remain alert, awake and aware, as the body sinks deeper into sleep. Drop into the deepest silence as you sink deeper into your subconscious.
    6. Body Scanning - these are 2 of a few ways to go about this.
      a) Bandha Scanning (energy locks on joints) A conventional way is to focus on the right thumb first or at least include the right thumb and proceed with scanning major joints which are also points of bandha engagement. This maps the way the brain sends signals throughout the body. The scanning is faster than the vipassana body scanning technique.

      Focus your awareness on the right thumb. Observe. The index finger...now the middle finger...the ring finger...and the little finger.. Awareness on your right wrist - this is the seat of the mani bandha. Bandhas are energy locks that are activated when 2 opposing muscles flex on a joint. Move your focus up to your right elbow - this is the seat of your kurpara bandha. We have 9 bandhas or energy locks but most yogis are only familiar with 3 - mula, uddiyana and jalandara. Now, awareness on your right shoulders where you can activate your amsa bandha. Bandhas prevent energy or prana from leeching out, thus sustaining your strength, vitality and resilience from disease. Again, observe any sensation on your shoulder.

      Observing, feeling, witnessing sensation without reaction, without changing anything.

      GO BACK EXACTLY THE SAME WAY UNTIL THE VISHUDDHI CHAKRA AND THEN TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY, AND BACK TO VISHUDDHI. START GOING DOWN,

      b) Chakra Scanning (energy hubs) This is what I employ and this makes more sense to me. Beginning from the base or root chakra, I ascend towards the highest chakra, making stops on all the major chakras.

      Chakras are energy centers where the 72,000 nadis (enery pathways...think blood vessels, but delivering energy instead of blood) converge for prana (energy) distribution.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      1] Muladhara Chakra
      Move your awareness to the base of your spine. This is the seat of the Muladhara Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lift the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to awaken the kundalini shakti. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Observe any sensation that's happening here. Stay focused. Muladhara is where it all begins - this is your base...the foundational cornerstone of all your chakras. This is where both the female or Ida Nadi and the male or Pingala Nadi begin their ascent towards the Sahasrara Chakra. This is where the Kundalini Shakti sleeps. This is where you engage your Mula Bandha. Maintain your awareness here.
      Take a deep inhale, and on the exhale, in your mind's eye, silently, chant the seed mantra, LAM, while feeling a resonance on this chakra. Repeat the chant 5 times.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      2] Svadisthana Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to the sexual center at the sacrum. This is the seat of the Svadisthana Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Muladhara chakra to the Svadisthana chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Once you transcend the survival mode, you shift into pleasure, indulgence and intoxication - sex, drugs and rock & roll. You crave respect, prestige and admiration. You now aim for genetic immortality - thus the sacral chakra.
      Take a deep inhale, and on the exhale, in your mind's eye, silently, chant the seed mantra, VAM, while feeling a resonance on this chakra. Repeat the chant 5 times.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      3] Manipuraka Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to your navel. This is the seat of the Manipuraka Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Svadisthana chakra to the Manipuraka chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Move your awareness to your navel - the seat of the Manipuraka Chakra. When this chakra is activated, you develop a strong body and a strong mind. You are determined and you make things happen. You influence public opinion. You are now powerful but not necessarily spiritual. Despite the power, you are left asking, "Is this all there is to it?". The Napoleons and Elon Musks of the world reside in this chakra. Observe any sensation that's happening here. Stay focused.
      Take a deep inhale, and on the exhale, in your mind's eye, silently, chant the seed mantra, RAM, while feeling a resonance on this chakra. Repeat the chant 5 times.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      4] Anahata Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to your heart. This is the seat of the Anahata Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Manipuraka chakra to the Anahata chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Stay focused here. When Anahata opens or becomes activated, you develop a heightened sense of perception about the reality. You begin your spiritual path where you feel the connection with the universe at large. You transcend the confines of your self-centered world and you open up for love and compassion. You straddle the 2 worlds - one leg remains anchored on default reality and the other leg rests on Cloud 9. As you deal with the challenge of existence, you also have heaven in your mind.
      Silently, chant the mantra YAM and feel the vibration in your heart.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      5] Vishuddhi Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to the soft spot on the base of your throat, slightly above the center where the 2 collar bones meet.. This is the seat of the Visuddhi Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Anahata chakra to the Vishuddhi chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      This is your Vishuddhi Chakra. As you activate this energy hub, you no longer fight with life. You move with it, in compliance to the natural laws. You find yourself in the right place, at the right time, meeting magnificent lives who open doors to manifest your intentions. You operate at a higher level of competence. People gravitate to you. They sense that you do things beyond their abilities and you understand things beyond their comprehension.
      In your mind's eye, silently chant the mantra HAM and feel the etheric reverberation within the throat chakra.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      6] Ajna Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to the spot between your eyes, slightly above the center. This is the seat of the Ajna Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Vishuddhi chakra to the Ajna chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      Focus on your Third Eye. Observe whatever sensation is taking place here. It can be throbbing, it can be pulsating, it could be warping or even tingling. Just observe and witness with no reaction, without attempting to change anything. Activating this chakra means you are intellectually realized. You have gained knowledge and you have wisdom. Psychic abilities begin manifest. You transcend this dimension and gain access to other worldly realities.
      Silently chant the mantra OM and feel the activation of this chakra.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

      7] Sahasrara Chakra
      Move your awareness up along your spine to the spot on top of your head. This is the seat of the Sahasrara Chakra. Take a deep inhale, hold the breath, press the tips of the fingers and the heels against the mat, slightly lifting the pelvis to squeeze the mula bandha, generating heat to move the kundalini shakti from the Ajna chakra to the Sahasrara chakra. Keep holding and intensifying. Release before you feel the strain. Allow the body to sink into a deep sleep again.
      From the Ajna, there is no established path towards Sahasrara. There is no blueprint, there is no template. You are on your own to take that leap of faith, trusting the process. When this chakra is activated, duality ends and union happens. Male and female unite as one. Power and consciousness become one. Shiva and Shakti are reunited. You are in a very deep state of meditative absorption where it becomes very clear that you are not your body, not your thoughts, not your feelings and not your memory. You are pure consciousness, you are divinity and you are the universe - and you are all of that combined into a singularity. This is where the self, the universe and God, become one. Pause. Let that sink in. Take as much time as you need to let that register.
      Take a deep inhale, and on the exhale, in your mind's eye, silently, chant the seed mantra, OM, while feeling a resonance on this chakra. Repeat the chant 5 times.

      Reminder: keeping the mind alert/awake as the body goes deeper into full sleep. Sankalpa invocation.

    7. closing - gratitude...always


  8. *** We started standing-up, then seated, then lying down, depending on when they feel like transitioning. This should keep the mind from falling asleep but at the same time take the body deeper into sleep.

    Fist-clenching included heel-pushing vs the mat to lift the pelvis for mula bandha.

    Frequent reminder of sankalpa on every chakra move.

    THOUGHTS

  9. I thought I would talk less, but I ended up giving a lecture on chakras which took nearly 45 mins. I go with the flow instead of sticking to a regimented plan.

    Tom felt that this session took him more on the awake side of the fence while the previous session took him on the sleep side. It's a really thin line where awake and sleep meet. I aim to expand that thin line to create elbow room for the mind to explore, wander and investigate.
  10. NEXT SESSION

  11. I'm thinking of making the next session Vipassana-based, seated then lying down, fist-clenching somewhat less.


Comments:

Chunyah PongpalinChunyah Thailand
ArtWithChunyah
(Aug 25, 2022) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tom MaherTom USA
Tom Maher Tom Maher
(Aug 25, 2022) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ending Thoughts
...to be filled-in after the series.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider



Chunyah blogs:
  1. 2022: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2022
  2. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Oct 10, 2022
  3. Yoga Nidra with Chunyah and Tom Aug 18, 2022
  4. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Jul 31, 2022
  5. Pizza Nite with Tom, Chunyah and Goi Aug 20, 2021


Tom blogs:
  1. 2022: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2022
  2. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Oct 10, 2022
  3. Yoga Nidra with Chunyah and Tom Aug 18, 2022
  4. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Jul 31, 2022
  5. Tom Maher's Muay Thai Fight Apr 8, 2022
  6. Pizza Nite with Tom, Chunyah and Goi Aug 20, 2021
  7. Morphing Peoplescape of Chiang Mai May 31, 2021


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Chiang Mai INFORMATION

Chiang Mai Map
Google Map

Chiang Mai, Thailand

important places in Chiang Mai IMPORTANT PLACES
Chiang Mai Bus Station Bus Station
Chiang Mai Train Station Train Station
Chiang Mai airport Chiang Mai International Airport
Nong Buak Hard Park Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily

hotels in Chiang Mai HOTEL
Chiang Mai Arun Dara Villa Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Chiang Mai Nawa Sheeva Hotel Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Chiang Mai Nawa Saraan Hotel Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite, Chiang Mai Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families

birds nest restaurants in Chiang Mai RESTAURANT
La Pizza Chiang Mai La Pizza Chiang Mai - Italian pizza, pasta, wine, dessert, coffee
Chiang Mai birds nest restaurant Natural Bird Nest by Burapa - authentic bird's nest soup

Thai massage in Chiang Mai WELLNESS
ITM – International Training Massage School ITM - International Training Massage School - Chiang Mai's most prestigious massage school
Float Chiang Mai Float Chiang Mai - sensory deprivation float pod
Chiang Mai, Royal Thai Lanna Massage Zira Spa - upscale authentic Thai massage and spa treatment

motorcycle rental in Chiang Mai MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Chiang Mai birds nest motorcycle Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200



Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
  • crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
  • hot season begins March and lasts until June
  • wet season begins July and lasts until September
  • best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
  • you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
  • the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
  • to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
  • get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
  • shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
  • for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
  • FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
  1. North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
  2. Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
  3. My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
  4. Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
  • B60 Chiang beer
  • B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
  • B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage (highly recommended)
  • B50 noodle soup with meat
  • B50 coffee
  • B40 pad thai
  • B30/kilo wash-only laundry
  • B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
  • B100-150 dorm bed/night
  • B250 fan room/night
  • B30 internet cafe/hour
  • B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
  • B130-150 Movies weekdays
  • B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
  • B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
  • B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
  • B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
  • B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva (highly recommended)

  • Transportation
  • B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
  • B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
  • B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
  • B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
  • B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
  • B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
  • B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
  • B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
  • B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
  • B638 #7 a/c train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
  • B50 red taxi fare from point to point
  • B100 red taxi fare from train terminal to city

  • Tours
  • B2000 full day elephant sanctuary
  • B750 Chiang Rai one-day tour
  • B1500 mountain biking scenic ride
Chiang Mai Trains by Train36.com
  1. Chiang Mai trains for Bangkok - 2 day trains, 3 night trains, daily schedule
  2. Train 14 to Bangkok - departs 5pm daily, arrives BKK 6:15am, 1st class and 2nd class sleeping accomodation, Special Express
  3. Chiang Mai trains to other destinations -
Chiang Mai to Bangkok Trains source: railway.co.th
  1. Check Train Schedule & Fares
  2. Book Online - direct booking with State Railway of Thailand. Best to register first. If going to BKK from CNX, click "Northern Line".

    note -- big difference between booking direct with the State Railway and booking with an online 3rd party agent. 12GO was charging B1330 for the same trip that only cost me B941 with the State Railway.

    note -- Oct 2022, I took the #10 Train from CNX to BKK, upper berth, 2nd class, a/c, sleeper, B941. The train was clean, fast, comfortable and modern. If you have heavy luggage that will cost more money in flight checkin, I would suggest this train. Otherwise, the flight now is so much cheaper it doesn't even make sense to take the bus or train.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station

For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)

(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)

  1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
  2. Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
  3. daily train schedule:
    • 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
    • 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
    • 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
    • 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
    • 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
  1. From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
  2. As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
  3. The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
  4. Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
  5. Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
Chiangmai Blogs by TheLoneRider
  1. Goodbye Chiang Mai Jan 24, 2019 - Oct 10, 2022
  2. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Oct 10, 2022
  3. Siamaya Chocolates Oct 2, 2022
  4. [an error occurred while processing this directive]
  5. September Snapshots Sep 30, 2022
  6. Carrot Cake Sep 12, 2022
  7. Making Coconut Bread Sep 3, 2022
  8. August Snapshots Aug 31, 2022
  9. Yoga Nidra with Chunyah and Tom Aug 18, 2022
  10. Coconut Pancake Aug 11, 2022
  11. July Snapshots Jul 31, 2022
  12. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Jul 31, 2022
  13. Jason, Max and Elizabeth Pizza Nite Jul 28, 2022
  14. Yakiniku Dinner with Max and Jason Jul 25, 2022
  15. Icebath at Nawa Saraan Jul 6 - Oct 5, 2022
  16. June Snapshots Jun 30, 2022
  17. Tom, Chunyah and Simona Pizza Nite Jun 23, 2022
  18. Yoga Class Pizza Nite Jun 15, 2022
  19. Pranayama with Nicha Jun 14, 2022
  20. May Snapshots May 31, 2022
  21. Lover's Quarrel May 26, 2022
  22. Getting Lost on a Hike May 25, 2022
  23. Biohacker Meetup at 'Living with The Spirit' May 22, 2022
  24. Music and Magic at Paapu House May 5, 2022
  25. Breathwork + Icebath @ Alt_Chiangmai II Apr 20, 2022
  26. April Chronicles 2022 Apr 30, 2022
  27. Tombstone Epitaph Apr 29, 2022
  28. Kayaking along the Ping River with the BioHackers Apr 24, 2022
  29. [an error occurred while processing this directive]
  30. Pizza Nite with Jerry, Paolo and Abby Apr 9, 2022
  31. Tom Maher's Muay Thai Fight Apr 8, 2022
  32. Breathwork + Icebath @ Alt_Chiangmai Apr 6, 2022
  33. Yoga with Leo Apr 5, 2022
  34. March Chronicles 2022 Mar 31, 2022
  35. Street Photo Mar 31, 2022
  36. Peoplescape Mar 31, 2022
  37. Chiang Mai's Recovering Music Scene Mar 31, 2022
  38. Street Photo Mar 31, 2022
  39. Yoga and Fitness Mar 26, 2022
  40. Friday Bitcoin Meetups Mar 18, 2022
  41. Pizza Nite with Aida and Sophie Mar 14, 2022
  42. Pizza Nite with Kevin, Jamie and Kris Mar 10, 2022
  43. In Search of Genetic Immortality Mar 5, 2022
  44. February Chronicles 2022 Feb 28, 2022
  45. Palm-Feeding Wild Birds Feb 26, 2022
  46. Cuckoo Feb 16, 2022
  47. Tell John Feb 16, 2022
  48. Pizza Nite with Kris, Simona and Mary Feb 15, 2022
  49. Pizza Nite with the Chiang Mai Boyz Feb 6, 2022
  50. Welcoming the New Year Jan 31, 2022
  51. January Snapshots Jan 31, 2022
  52. ABS Fitness Challenge Jan 16 - Apr 16, 2022
  53. Pumpkin Tahini Recipe Jan 3, 2022
  54. 2021: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2021
  55. Pizza Nite with Simona and Lisa Dec 28, 2021
  56. Tahini Salad Dressing Dec 27, 2021
  57. Baba Ganoush Recipe Dec 23, 2021
  58. 7 Universal Laws Dec 20, 2021
  59. Sacred Circuitry Dec 18, 2021
  60. Cave-Living in a Boutique Hotel in Chiang Mai Dec 14, 2021
  61. Tummo Yoga + Wim Hof Breathing + Full-Body Muscle Contraction Dec 13, 2021
  62. Monk Chat Dec 10, 2021
  63. Making Tahini and Hummus Dec 8, 2021
  64. Watering the Plants Hands-Free Dec 2, 2021
  65. Vietnamese Phin Coffee Filter Dec 2, 2021
  66. Tummo Yoga Dec 1, 2021
  67. The Bliss of Inner Fire: Book Summary/Review Dec 1, 2021
  68. The Bliss of Inner Fire: Heart Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa Dec 1, 2021
  69. 'Must Experience' Cafés of Chiang Mai Nov 30, 2021
  70. British Hobnob Cookies Nov 22, 2021
  71. New York Cheese Cake Nov 22, 2021
  72. Dham's Poetry Nov 14, 2021
  73. Pizza Nite with Simona and Nat Nov 11, 2021
  74. Stepping Forward / Reaching Out Oct 31, 2021
  75. Cancel Culture Attack Oct 31, 2021
  76. Mantra Primer Oct 29, 2021
  77. Spinal Mobility Oct 7, 2021
  78. Swedish Cinnamon Rolls [Kanelbullar] Oct 4, 2021
  79. Just Bring 2 Chinese Oct 3, 2021
  80. Sep Snapshots Sep 31, 2021
  81. One-Leg Yoga Asana Sequences Sep 30, 2021
  82. Pizza Nite with Nut, Monika and Yuki Sep 27, 2021
  83. 23-Minute Ice Bath Sep 27, 2021
  84. Pizza Nite with Nut, Simona and Malee Sep 23, 2021
  85. Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) Sep 23, 2021
  86. Making Cornbread Sep 15, 2021
  87. Kombucha: 2nd Batch Sep 11, 2021
  88. Making German Stollen Bread Sep 9, 2021
  89. Pizza Nite with Jackson, Goi and Paapu Sep 6, 2021
  90. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Aug 31, 2021
  91. Making Homemade Kombucha Aug 30, 2021
  92. Wrong Question to Ask This Crowd Aug 29, 2021
  93. Pizza Nite with Tom, Chunyah and Goi Aug 20, 2021
  94. Pizza Nite with Moms and Kids Aug 15, 2021
  95. Bahya Kumbhaka (breath-hold on the exhale) Aug 14, 2021
  96. Everybody's Only Friend Aug 13, 2021
  97. Vanillekipferl (German Vanilla Crescent Cookies) Aug 11, 2021
  98. Fighting Infection through Yoga Aug 3, 2021
  99. Too Close for Friendship Aug 2, 2021
  100. Manifesting: Epicurus' Pursuit Jul 31, 2021
  101. Homemade Rum Raisin Ice Cream Jul 30, 2021
  102. Ice Bath at Nawa Saraan Healing Space Jul 25, 2021
  103. Pizza Nite + Slack Line + Hammock Jul 23, 2021
  104. Yin-Yoga & Hypnosis with Christine Thiel Jul 20, 2021
  105. Pizza Nite with James and Nat Jul 19, 2021
  106. Antara Kumbhaka on Nadi Shodan Pranayama: Yogic Breath-Hold on the Inhale Jul 17, 2021
  107. Moving and Cashing-Out Bitcoin Jun 2 - Jul 11, 2021
  108. 'The Bow' Yoga Jul 7, 2021
  109. Yoga Classes with Calum Mar 27 - Jul 4, 2021
  110. Hike to Wat Pa Thammachat Waterfall Jul 2, 2021
  111. Pizza Brunch with the Yogis July 1, 2021
  112. Continuing Friendships in Chiang Mai Jun 30, 2021
  113. On the Brink of Hunger, the ENABLERS Come to Light Jun 21, 2021
  114. Hatha Vinyasa Yoga with Katharine Day Jun 17, 2021
  115. Pranayama Basics II Jun 16, 2021
  116. 36-Hour Love Life Jun 11, 2021
  117. Pranayama Basics I Jun 9, 2021
  118. Biohackers Meetup in Chiang Mai Jun 6, 2021
  119. Learning How to Breathe Jun 2, 2021
  120. Not the Usual Day-to-Day Life May 31, 2021
  121. Morphing Peoplescape of Chiang Mai May 31, 2021
  122. Breathwork & Ice Bath with Jason Ryer of Zen Strength May 23, 2021
  123. It's Raining Bell Peppers May 7, 2021
  124. Yoga Classes with Nana Apr 20, 2021
  125. You Want to be Wonder Woman? Apr 8, 2021
  126. Kunjal Kriya / Vamana Dhauti (induced vomiting) Apr 1, 2021
  127. Coffeemates, Breadmates and Yogamates in Chiang Mai Jan-Mar 2021
  128. Varisara Dhauti (cleansing of the entire digestive tract) Mar 26, 2021
  129. Spiritual Backpacker Interview by Napasorn 'Cherry' Suvarnapradip Mar 23, 2021
  130. Private One-on-One Yoga Classes with Doriana Feb 17 - Mar 14, 2021
  131. Transformational Life Events Mar 13, 2021
  132. Guess Who's Coming to Bread Day? Mar 1, 2021
  133. Mula Shodhana (anal cleansing) Feb 27, 2021
  134. Are You My Queen? Feb 25, 2021
  135. Breaking the 5-Minute Breath-hold Barrier Feb 25, 2021
  136. Kirtan with Chiang Mai's Khun Thai Seekers Feb 7, 2021
  137. Breaking the 4-minute Breath-hold Feb 7, 2021
  138. Pranayama Primer Feb 2, 2021
  139. Heartbreak in every Song Jan 24, 2021
  140. The Silent Killer is Baaack! Jan 12, 2021
  141. Learning the Thai Language Jan 9, 2021
  142. 2020: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2020
  143. Reversing/Slowing Down the Aging Process Dec 30, 2020
  144. Hike to Huay Keaw Waterfall Dec 20, 2020
  145. Yoga Mat Dec 19, 2020
  146. Hiking to Wat Pha Lat along the Monk's Trail Dec 19, 2020
  147. Am I Psycho? Dec 9, 2020
  148. Muffin Man Dec 8, 2020
  149. Polyamory Dec 4, 2020
  150. The Wim Hof Ice Bath Dec 3, 2020
  151. RSVP Nov 25, 2020
  152. High Intensity Interval Yoga (Yoga + HIIT) Nov 14, 2020
  153. Cleansing the Nadis (Energy Pathway) Nov 13, 2020
  154. Yoga for a 360-degree Core Nov 6, 2020
  155. Edward Witten: 'the smartest living physicist' Nov 4, 2020
  156. Srinivasa Ramanujan: Mathematician of the Divine Oct 27, 2020
  157. Bashar as Channeled by Darryl Anka Oct 26, 2020
  158. Vinyasa Krama and Ashtanga Yoga with Aida Yoga Oct 18, 2020
  159. Deepak Chopra: author, lecturer, healer Oct 12, 2020
  160. Facebook Friends Oct 1, 2020
  161. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Aug-Sep 2020 Sep 30, 2020
  162. Siddhis (yogic super powers) Sep 30, 2020
  163. Learning the Import/Export Trade Sep 4, 2020
  164. Music and Magic at Justin's Birthday Bash Sep 3, 2020
  165. Biggest Stone in his Shoe Sep 1, 2020
  166. Abandoned Aug 25, 2020
  167. Intelligent Romantic Break-up Aug 25, 2020
  168. Dad-Zoned Aug 18, 2020
  169. Public Display of Affection Aug 9, 2020
  170. Gabriella's Birthday Bash at Mothership Resort Aug 8-9, 2020
  171. Shifting Peoplescape of Chiang Mai July 31, 2020
  172. Yoga Class for Strength and Muscle Jul 30, 2020
  173. Yoga Class for Optimum Digestion July 29, 2020
  174. Yoga Class for Healthy Eyes Jul 27, 2020
  175. Hippie Night at Nawa Saraan Healing Space July 24, 2020
  176. The Podcast Series: Alan "Heart Math" Strydom Jul 17, 2020
  177. Prana Vayu Adhitthana Yoga Class July 11-12, 2020
  178. Coming Back to Chiang Mai Jun 29, 2020
  179. Goodbye Chiang Mai Jan 23, 2020
  180. Prasnopanishad: Understanding Prana Jan 17, 2020
  181. Hiking the Monk's Trail Jan 15, 2020
  182. Chaturanga Jan 10, 2020
  183. You Spooned Me Jan 3, 2020
  184. 2019: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2019
  185. Friends, Coffeemates and Breadmates (Dec 2019) Dec 31, 2019
  186. Visiting Mae Sot Dec 27-30, 2019
  187. Let's Make it About You - an Epiphany Dec 17, 2019
  188. Shut-Up! Dec 7, 2019
  189. Roasted Red Bell Pepper Puree Dec 3, 2019
  190. Coffeemates and Breadmates (Nov 2019) Nov 30, 2019
  191. Bhujangini Mudra Nov 25, 2019
  192. Mathangini Mudra Nov 24, 2019
  193. Kaka Mudra Nov 23, 2019
  194. Pasini Mudra Nov 20, 2019
  195. Aswini Mudra Nov 18, 2019
  196. Sambhavi Mudra Nov 16, 2019
  197. Manduka Mudra Nov 15, 2019
  198. Tataka Mudra Nov 14, 2019
  199. Sakti Calana Mudra Nov 10, 2019
  200. Vajroli Mudra Nov 9, 2019
  201. Coffeemates and Breadmates (Oct 2019) Oct to Nov 5, 2019
  202. Yoni Mudra Nov 1, 2019
  203. Viparita Karani Mudra Oct 31, 2019
  204. Khecari Mudra Oct 30, 2019
  205. Mahadeva Mudra Oct 28, 2019
  206. Sacred Cacao - Chakra Dance Journey Oct 26, 2019
  207. Partner Healing with Natascha Oct 24, 2019
  208. Maha Bandha Mudra Oct 24, 2019
  209. Point-Of-Failure Birthday Workout Oct 22, 2019
  210. Mula Bandha Mudra Oct 21, 2019
  211. Hugfest at Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai Oct 19, 2019
  212. Anushasan Mudra Oct 18, 2019
  213. Ling Mudra Oct 17, 2019
  214. Jalandhara Bandha Mudra Oct 15, 2019
  215. Learning Thai with Cee Oct 13, 2019
  216. Uddiyana Bandha Mudra Oct 10, 2019
  217. Nabho Mudra Oct 9, 2019
  218. Maha Mudra Oct 7, 2019
  219. 20 Essential Mudras by T. Krishnamacharya Oct. 6, 2019
  220. Mindfulness Gong Bath by Vee (Veerayuth Pongsiri) Oct 3, 2019
  221. Cuddle Party by Abundant Love CM Oct 1, 2019
  222. Vayu Mudra Oct 1, 2019
  223. Visa-Run to Tachileik, Myanmar Sep 28, 2019
  224. Sankalpa Mudra Sep 27, 2019
  225. Surya Pradarshini Mudra Sep 26, 2019
  226. Eye-Gazing at Heart Space Sep 20, 2019
  227. Prana Vayu (Pranic Wind) Sep 20, 2019
  228. 2-Week Yoga Challenge by Agnese Erba Sep 17, 2019
  229. The Mudra Project Sep 13, 2019
  230. Sunday Vinyasa Flow with Marina Forster Sep 8, 2019
  231. Shamanic Breathwork by Rachel Constantino Sep 4, 2019
  232. The Conscious Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Aug 31, 2019
  233. Of Winos and Yogis Aug 26, 2019
  234. The 9 Jhanas of Buddha Aug 22, 2019
  235. Full Moon Ceremony at Heart Space Aug 15, 2019
  236. Yin Yoga - Water Element by Martina Barabas Aug 15, 2019
  237. Hatha Mix Yoga with Christin Aug 13, 2019
  238. Boy Blues Bar Rocks Chiang Mai Aug 5, 2019
  239. Back to my Beloved Chiang Mai Aug 1, 2019
  240. Kaleidoscope of Chiang Mai's Peoplescape July 27, 2019
  241. Secret Sunrise: Nelson Mandela International Day July 17, 2019
  242. Farewell Picnic with Alan and Nicola July 15, 2019
  243. Secret Sunrise: Water July 3, 2019
  244. Hotel Review: Arun Suite June 27, 2019
  245. Bruce Lipton: Epigentics to Transcend Genes June 24, 2019
  246. Optimizing Life thru Heart Math May 8, 15 and 22, 2019
  247. Connective Cacao and Sound Journey June 12, 2019
  248. Chiangmai BLUES June 6, 2019
  249. Hatha Slow Flow with Neil Jefferson June 3, 2019
  250. Meditating with One Million Meditators Movement June 1, 2019
  251. Vinyasa Happy Flow Series by Vaida May 31, 2019
  252. Muay Thai at the Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium May 30, 2019
  253. Yoga Flow Through the 7 Chakras by Sabrina Pilz May 30, 2019
  254. The Outsiders (people you need to push out of your sacred circle) May 31, 2019
  255. Fascinating Peoplescape of Chiang Mai May 22, 2019
  256. World Meditation Day at Heart Space May 21, 2019
  257. Abs Yoga by Gigit May 12, 2019
  258. Kundalini and Vinyasa Yoga with Nicola Symons May 10, 2019
  259. Secret Sunrise Interactive Dance May 9, 2019
  260. Tok Sen Massage from Ying May 8, 2019
  261. Bruschetta: Nawa Saraan Style Apr 22, 2019
  262. Thai Cooking at Pra Nang Thai Cookery School Apr 20, 2019
  263. Bonding with the Elephants in Chiang Mai Apr 11, 2019
  264. Ziplining in Chiang Mai with Eagle Track Zipline Apr 10, 2019
  265. Getting Thai Massage from Chiang Mai's Best (Lar Thanakrit Khamtanong) Mar 21, 2019
  266. Being the Soul of Nawa Saraan Hotel Mar 18, 2019
  267. Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Jan 24 - Mar 13, 2019
  268. Curing Cancer with Yoga? Feb 21, 2019
  269. International Training Massage School (ITM): Level 1 Feb 11-15, 2019
  270. Sandesch Album Launch by Christoph Joerg Feb 13, 2019
  271. Meditation in a Sensory Deprivation Tank at Float Chiang Mai Jan 29, 2019
  272. Reiki Share at the Mastermind Brain Spa Jan 26, 2019
  273. Resuming Life in Chiang Mai Jan 24, 2019
  274. 4 Days in Chiang Mai at Nawa Saraan Hotel Jan 2-6, 2019
  275. Mike Chong Aug 8, 2018
  276. An Intimate Conversation with my Universe in Chiang Mai Aug 8, 2018
  277. Kneaded and Pampered at Zira Spa Aug 4, 2018
  278. Savoring a Baht 3,500 Birds Nest Soup at Natural Bird Nest by Burapa Aug 3, 2018
  279. Yoga Exploration at The Yoga Tree with Gernot Aug 1, 2018
  280. Laughter Yoga with Saffiya Arnous July 31, 2018
  281. Yoga with Adam at Hidden House Yoga, Chiang Mai July 29, 2018
  282. 2 Weeks in Chiang Mai July 25 - Aug 7, 2018
  283. A First Timer in Chiang Mai Apr 9-23, 2016
  284. Chiang Mai's Amazing Peoplescape Apr 9-23, 2016
  285. Dance Mandala in Chiang Mai at The Yoga Tree Apr 19, 2016
  286. Songkran Waterfight Festival in Chiang Mai Apr 13-15, 2016
  287. Border Crossing from Siem Reap (Cambodia) to Bangkok (Thailand) to Chiang Mai April 9-10, 2016

Travel Tips for Thailand

How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days

This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.

    60-Day Thai Tourist Visa

    NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.

  1. Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
    a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
    b) flight booking to Thailand
    c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
    d) filled-in tourist visa form
    e) 2 passport pictures
    f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
    g) passport with at least 6 months validity
  2. After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
  3. NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.

    30-Day Extension

    NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.

  1. bring the following to the Immigration Office:
    a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
    b) Baht 1900
    c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
    d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
    e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
  2. submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
  3. when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
  4. when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
  5. when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
Book Train Tickets in Thailand

Book Train Tickets in Thailand Online by Train36.com

General Travel Tips
  1. arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
  2. put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
  3. avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
  4. power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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