Meditators – mount up! Why the best thing you can do during this quarantine/shelter in place is begin or strengthen your meditation practice.

Believe it or not, I have been imagining this post for a few days now, and if you’re cool you will go look up the 90’s classic – “Regulate” by Warren G ft. Nate Dogg and play it while you read this post…replacing the lyric “regulate” with the word “meditate”!

So you may have noticed that all the yogis, new-agers, holistic practitioners, and healers are out in full force on FB, IG & YouTube since this whole quarantine started. While the rest of the world seems to be in a tailspin they are holding space and coming up with ways to provide you online classes, workshops, workouts, singling bowl ceremonies, etc. all from their homes or studios. They seem to possess a sense of calm in the storm. This mastery of the self is not gifted – it is an intentional practice.

Many of these practitioners have practiced the art of non-attachment or as we call it in the yoga world – aparigraha. Want more info on aparigraha? Click here

This is probably one of the most difficult Yamas to teach and practice. We live in a society that literally teaches us attachment to ideas, people, cultures, countries, and things as a form of creating and maintaining our identities.

How do you tell a scholar not to be attached to their books, degrees, and studies? How do you tell a creative to not be attached to his art, creations, and show exhibitions? How does one even begin to tell a lover not to be attached to her beloved because this will ultimately cause suffering? We are so attached to our “stories” that we repeat them over and over until we are caught in continuous loops of pain, fear, and/or suffering.

As you can see, it gets complicated immediately and the only answer I have for you,dear reader, is aparigraha comes with PRACTICE.  So much practice.

Right now, the collective is literally being forced to face itself and shed layer after layer of what we used to be attached to. Therefore, many of us are experiencing a collective letting go and a deep surrender to the universe/creator/source – and it is not by choice!

It is scary. Many don’t have jobs or income right now and are having to rely on merely faith that somehow this will all work out. Many are ill or stranded abroad/at home away from loved ones and friends. It is our collective attachments that prolong and perpetuate our suffering.

A perfect example of this was the toilet paper hoarding that occurred a few weeks ago here in the United States. People are literally attached to the idea that somehow coveting a flimsy paper product that cleans one’s arse will make them feel safe and secure. It is all a false sense of security though. It is maya or illusion.

I keep thinking of the “what ifs” as I experience this new norm of being isolated and alone. Then I have to bring myself back and commit to the idea that the only thing I can do is focus on the present and let go of pre-existing norms or attachments I may have had before this global pandemic. There were so many aspects of my “normal life” that were not serving me well at all.

And honestly, the more I speak to family and friends, it seems like we all needed this time away from our “day-to-day” lives to figure out who we are and what the hell is happening on this planet. So many people’s lives have been plagued with struggles and suffering that seem to just compound from one year to the next  – as if humanity were standing at the bottom of a mountain watching one avalanche after the other fall relentlessly upon us all.

This is where meditation and aparigraha comes in. It does not have to be complicated. You do not need anything other than a place to sit, stand, or lie down. You can use a pillow or blanket or not. The amazing thing about meditation is that you probably already do it and do not even realize it. For example – you can probably spend 5-20 minutes swiping through an app and “zoning” out or “decompressing” – correct? This is a form of meditation albeit not the healthiest form (depending on what you are taking in and putting out). Nevertheless, you are already a pro.

What most people need is a meditation that provides breath, focus, and energy work/renewal. I begin most of my mornings with just a 5-10 minute meditation and I try NOT to look at my phone or any other electronics before doing so. And if I don’t succeed, I do not beat myself up about it. It’s a practice, so there is no use in getting attached to the outcome or goal! I also love love love guided meditations at night to help me sleep. No matter how you do it, or when you do it – the time is now. You have no business being bored right now – instead start this practice and do the work! See what you can let go of and release – use your breath. Your breath is life.

All the love and light dear one.

***

Here are some of my favorite people out there bringing you meditations of all shapes and sizes:

1. If you have never meditated or are a beginner, guided meditations can be a great place to start. Try the Headspace App or Pacifica App or for a list of more click here

I have actually used the following clip with new students to get them comfortable with the idea of meditation. It’s only two minutes – YOU HAVE THE TIME! Try it with the self/family/quarantine buddies:

2. Do you need a healing soundbath? IG: @amarisland  These are short and sweet on IG right now but she is getting ready to launch a platform with more healing sound meditations!

Sound Healing

3. If you are needing just background music with pretty much any category of meditation music you can think of: Nu Meditation Music channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYy9EGb3fvmUSgMVfJ7KXJw

4. If you are needing esoteric/energy work/targeted practices: Steve Nobel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9pPBB3LyiB1aTeHCabcMlw

5. If you want meditation music, mantras, and chakra alignment:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMeditativeMind

6. Meditation can be a great break from homeschooling for the kiddos (and you)! Here is a great starter for kids:

7. Yes, I even make my dogs meditate. You can share this gem with any of your pets. My pups love it. Sometimes I just leave it on in the background for them while I take care of stuff, other times I’ve actually done this with them. #dogmomoftheyear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First Day of Spring came and ended in a Quarantine – Now what do we do?

The first day of spring came – Thursday March 19, 2020 – and it will end on Saturday, June 20, 2020 and who knows what the world will look like then.

Many of us were told to go inside and begin our quarantines. I have talked to countless friends and family who are now working from home, and others who have completely lost work. Since March 13, I have been purchasing and delivering groceries for family and friends who could not make it to the stores because of their schedules. Honestly, for the first time in my life – I was blessed to have the time and ability to do so. All of the bustling and lines were worth it to me to know that my people – my tribe would have some provisions for the quarantine because honestly – they had no idea it was coming. I was lucky enough to be tuned in and to see it starting before the madness.

And here we are…that was 13 days ago. Events I wanted to write about and inspire you to go see have since been canceled. Therefore, I knew I needed to regroup and figure out how best to be of service to my readers and contributors. Of course – I would relaunch a website right before the global pandemic! This honestly makes me laugh. The universe just does not care about our plans does it? She always seems to have one of her own.

I heard a quote last night from something I was watching that said, “You do not find your path in life, the path finds you.” And I think that is what is happening to us all right now – the entire collective is being asked to go inward. Perhaps what the whole world needs is a huge pause so that we can reset. Perhaps our paths have been trying to find us, but we were running around in circles going on with the day-to-day that we were not able to be present enough to be found. I do not say any of this to diminish the levity or complexity of this time for you and your loved ones. I know this is scary and I know the fear of uncertainty can be crippling. But I urge you to use this time to acknowledge that fear and do the thing anyway – whatever the thing is that your soul has been calling you to do – now is the time. And if you do not know what that thing is yet – that is perfectly okay. Just start simple.

Start with your breath. Breathe. Release your shoulders from your ears and roll them down the spine and just take in a deep breath. Imagine all of your tension rolling down the spine towards the floor of the space you are currently occupying and see it travel all the way to the center of the Earth. On the next inhale take a breath and imagine a light pouring down onto the crown of the skull and traveling into every single cell of your body. With each exhale release tension and tightness and send it down, with each inhale take in that light from above. Do this practice as often as you need to in order to feel grounded and in order to feel the healing energy of the universe. (I bet you forgot or did not know I am a certified Yoga teacher…hehehe!) Get ready, friends because I am working for you.

Here is what I have been doing. So much prepping – but not the crazy kind. I have prepped my patio for gardening since I know I will not be able to leave much and my dogs and I need that space to feel happy. I have brought out all the essential oils, sage bundles, palo santo, and began to dry herbs I found in my local community garden. I am meditating day and night…sometimes three times a day. My self-care routine needed a lot of work so I am making sure to get my walks in, naps, yoga, and make actual phone calls to friends or Zoom them. But wait there’s more…I am creating and setting intentions everyday, even on the days I feel scared, uncertain, and drained. I urge you to do the same.

I will begin to share articles that I think can help provide some grounding and healing during this time. Also, I will still share artists’ works and creations with you as well. Soak up as much art as you can right now. Soak up the things that make you happy. You deserve the rest. You deserve the self care. If you are struggling REACH OUT, please. This is not the end of humanity – this is the beginning of something new. We are about to find out what people are really made of, and honestly when you take away all the crap we have been “working for our whole lives” the only thing we end up with is who we are and how we treat each other. So be kind. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to your family and loved ones. Be kind to others.

We are all in this together even if we are socially distanced apart. Thank the people out there on the front lines – the grocers and cashiers with lines from open to close, the truck drivers working double shifts because one of their coworkers was getting sick and had to call out, the brave, understaffed, and tired medical professionals, those tenacious delivery drivers and post office workers dropping off your packages, the school teachers who are now returning to virtual classrooms with little to no prep, the people cooking and delivering your food from a safe distance…these folks and many more deserve our utmost gratitude.

Love and light to you all.

-A

Here is a short list of Yogis/Healers/Amazing people to subscribe to and follow. I call them my magnificent seven (haha) – many of whom are offering free/donation based classes online. Try them out!

1. If you need to start or build a home practice.

Yoga With Adriene – Insta: @fwfglife

https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

2. If you need to laugh and yoga. Be saged! 

Yogi Bryan – Insta: @yogi_bryan

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM4jrl1DLhgPXEdIW6J7VZw/featured

3. If you like Buti style & need some healing vibes.

Yogi & Reiki Master: Inga – Insta: @yoga.goddess420

4. If you need healing, grounding, & alignment. 

Yogi & Katonah expert: Brittany – Insta: @brittanyalice

http://www.brittanyalicekraft.com/resources

5. Do you need a yoga/art/tarot card reader teacher? Of course you do!

Yogi – Nicole – Insta: @artyogaplay

6. When you need a yogi, astrologer, and psychotherapist. She’s also an amazing musician! 

Yogi Lauren – Insta: @laurendonelson

laurendonelson.com

7. When you need to yoga and love books, writing, music, cats, and tarot! 

Yogi Kandace – Insta: @biblioyoga 

Home

Yogis/Healers/Amazing people to subscribe to

Here is a short list of Yogis/Healers/Amazing people to subscribe to and follow. I call them my magnificent seven (haha) – many of whom are offering free/donation based classes online. Try them out!

1. If you need to start or build a home practice.

Yoga With Adriene – Insta: @fwfglife

https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

2. If you need to laugh and yoga. Be saged! 

Yogi Bryan – Insta: @yogi_bryan

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM4jrl1DLhgPXEdIW6J7VZw/featured

3. If you like Buti style & need some healing vibes.

Yogi & Reiki Master: Inga – Insta: @yoga.goddess420

4. If you need healing, grounding, & alignment. 

Yogi & Katonah expert: Brittany – Insta: @brittanyalice

http://www.brittanyalicekraft.com/resources

5. Do you need a yoga/art/tarot card reader teacher? Of course you do!

Yogi – Nicole – Insta: @artyogaplay

6. When you need a yogi, astrologer, and psychotherapist. She’s also an amazing musician! 

Yogi Lauren – Insta: @laurendonelson

laurendonelson.com

7. When you need to yoga and love books, writing, music, cats, and tarot! 

Yogi Kandace – Insta: @biblioyoga 

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Mexic-Arte’s Changarrito Artist of the month, Savannah Diaz, will display work this March 14th

Come out and support the #changarrito artist of the month, Savannah Diaz!

 

The Changarrito pop-up mobile art gallery will be set up at the front of the museum on March 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd from 12pm-3pm! These changarrito mobile carts feature contemporary latinx artists and provides them the opportunity to sell their art directly to patrons. Not only does Mexic-Arte provide the gallery space and changarrito for the artistas, they also procure a piece for their permanent collection. 

The artist, Savannah Diaz, is currently based in Austin but was born and raised in Miami. Her work is inspired by her cultural background as a Cuban-American and explores various mediums like wood working, wax sculpture, and digital collage. Right now she is primarily focused on painting.

For more information click below:

Mexic-Arte Changarrito

Mala Nota makes the grade at their Flamingo Cantina show on March 7, 2020.

“Thanks for risking your lives tonight. . . during the middle of the end of the world.” – Guillermo Azpeitia, vocalist/keys, jokes with the crowd.

Mala Nota entertains with catchy beats, lyrics, and a little philosophy! – Photo by Jasper E.

Mala Nota kept it lively and fun last weekend at Flamingo Cantina and ushered in the beginning of Daylight Savings time with their upbeat big banda sound. The contemporary Latin rock band based out of Austin, Texas brought fans out onto the dance floor as soon as they took the stage.

Mala Nota currently consists of:

Priscilla Gutierrez – Vocals
Guillermo Azpeitia – Vocals/keys
Leo Ramirez – Guitar
Josh Kavanaugh – Guitar
Ralph Manak- Bass
Miguel Gilly – Drums
Marc Sustaita – Trumpet
Sam Irvine – Trombone

What started out as a sparsely filled room earlier in the evening suddenly began to fill up with one of their most energetic anthems, “Sucia Ley”. A tune that really showcases Mala Nota’s socially conscious lyrics, Leo Ramirez’s guitar chops, and Guillermo Azpeitia’s blunt and heavy rapping vocals. While it starts out with a 70’s vibe almost reminiscent of the Shaft TV show Intro riffs, it quickly changes up and becomes a catchy dance-able powerhouse. But do not let the vibes and tune fool you, the lyrics are anything but laid back. Those that speak Spanish will quickly realize the lyrics critique the violence, drug wars, and systemic abuses of a government that allows “dirty laws” and corruption to reign over the people.

It would make sense that their viewpoint is such, given that many members of the band hail from areas around the Mexico and U.S. borders. They have seen this divisiveness and destruction firsthand. What is particularly wonderful about this band is the movement towards cultural consciousness in both their melodic hybrid of styles and their bilingual lyrics and performances.

Azpeitia is also quick to share (in between songs) little moments with the audience – noting that we should expect more from our leaders both north and south of border. We are more alike than different in so many ways and human rights should take precedent moving forward.

Mala Nota at Flamingo Cantina – Photo by Jasper E.

Mala Nota is not all politics though, they know how to write love songs or rather, songs of longing and loves lost. They pull on those heart strings with pieces like “Te Sigo Buscando” and “I Saw Your Picture”.

Josh Kavanaugh’s amazing Spanish-style soloing on “Te Sigo Buscando” had the crowd in awe while Miguel Gilly’s drums broke it down and had the crowd clapping in unison until the finish. While vocalist Priscilla Gutierrez carries the ballads like “I Saw Your Picture” well in English, it is her Spanish vocals interspersed on tracks alongside Azpeitia that truly mesmerize and have a deeper more sultry sound.

Nevertheless, Mala Nota will not let the audience dwell for too long in that heart/head space. Manak’s funky bass lines and the brass section’s melodic banter nudge the listener out of the broken heart’s club and once again hips sway and feet play.

Mala Nota’s Prisila Gutierrez slows it down with “I Saw Your Picture”. – Photo by Jasper E.

The band kicked it back up  and finished their set with high energy favorites like “Pachuco”, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs’ “Matador” (Gutierrez shines on this one!) and then they snubbed their noses at the establishment with “Por Que No Te Callas?”.

In a world full of hand sanitizer shortages, face masks that only protect the sick, and governments that spend more time pontificating than taking action –  Mala Nota is definitely worth the risk and will provide music as long as venues are open to the public!

Catch their next show at Spider House Cafe & Ballroom on Monday – March 16th at the 3rd Annual Yerba Buena Showcase.

Be sure to follow, like, and listen for more:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/malanotamusic
IG: @malanotaatx

 

Mala Nota Photo by Jasper E

Mala Nota Photo by Jasper E

Mala Nota Photo by Jasper E

Mala Nota Photo by Jasper E

Mala Nota Photo by Jasper E

Upcoming: Austin International Poetry Fest this April 3 – 5, 2020 – CANCELED

Enjoy workshops, panels, open mics, readings, and mingle with the poetry crowd at Austin’s International Poetry Festival this April 3-5. Get registered now and submit your poems to the anthology for a chance to get published. Even if you do not make it into the anthology, there are plenty of opportunities to get out there and share your work around town and network with like-minded poets from all over. The event includes registration for both adult poets and K-12 poet participants!

See the link below for details:

Austin International Poetry Festival

 

 

New Releases: Chicano Batman – Invisible People comes out May 1, 2020

“It [Invisible People] is a statement of hope, a proclamation that we are all invisible people, and that despite race, class, or gender we can overcome our differences and stand together.”

Did you need a psych-soul funky groove to get stuck on this lazy Sunday? I sure did!

The city of Austin’s recent announcement to cancel the mega-festival SXSW 2020 has a lot of people on edge and others – relieved. I was actually feeling really bummed and down about it until I realized maybe this SXSW will be a throwback to what the festival used to be and represent. While I understand the huge economic impact the cancellation will make, there will still be music and there will still be fans that show up to soak in what this city has to offer.

VFP friends still made it out to a show last night (review coming soon) and the city is still bustling with that live music vibe. Despite the media’s coverage of a worldwide meltdown…there is still time to stop and enjoy life. In the end, all we really have are our experiences and memories. I mean yeah, if you are compromised and need to stay home – by all means practice that self-care!

We loaded up on vitamin-c, multivitamins, and stellar hand-washing techniques before hitting the streets last night to see a show, and woke up this morning still feeling like going to support live music in Austin is still the right way to go.

I, for one, am absolutely not eager to quarantine myself unless it becomes completely necessary, so until then, VFPers and I will take precautions and still keep covering SXSW as planned.

Today I found out an old favorite of mine, the Los Angeles based four-piece, Chicano Batman is releasing a new album, Invisible People via ATO Records on May 1, 2020, but pre-orders are happening now!

Chicano Batman, consisting of Eduardo Arenas (bass, guitar, vocals), Carlos Arévalo (guitars), Bardo Martinez (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar) and Gabriel Villa (drums) has planted just a taste of their upcoming goodness with an infectious track: “Color My Life”.

This groovy but down-tempo funky tropicaliaesque tune has that thick heavy 70’s baseline and Martinez’s smooth soft but lush vocals that just lightens the mood immediately. There is distinctive multi-layering in this track and according to their site they worked with Canadian Grammy-award winning sound engineer, Shawn Everett, best known for his work with Alabama Shakes and Julian Casablancas.

If this is a taste of what is to come…I cannot wait for the album to drop and hear what else the guys have created for us!

They will be going on tour starting this April and have tons of dates in Texas including one in Austin at Emo’s on Saturday, June 13th: Emo’s Show

For more CHICANO BATMAN 2020 Tour Dates go here: Chicano Batman 2020 Tour

 

 

Get it, Mamis!

 

“Their bilingual lyrics (English & Spanish) heavily focus on empowering women and people of color, resisting oppression and opening a fearless dialogue.” – mamistx.com

Light a candela de la virgen, then give thanks to all the feminine goddess energy for filling these Mamis with the voz bilingual and giving them musical talents tambien!

This psych surfer punk rock band consists of these CHINGONAS: Nicole Licea (bass), Lisa Hernandez (drums), and Ash Hicks (guitar) and have been gigging both locally in Austin and nationally since forming back in 2015. Their EP – Espíritu, features vocals and lyrics by Naomi Caballero, and you can hear varying cultural influences, themes of femininity, animism, as well as the beauty and complexity of hybrid identities.

Is there a tune featuring the beloved “Sana sana cantico” that your abuelita or mama used to chant over your boo-boos? You will just have to listen to find out!

Favs include: “Tus Ojos” – a surfy-spacey tune, the heavy hitter – “Frontera”, y “Solita” – a Spanglish mellow yet vulnerable tune.

For shows and more info check here:

http://mamistx.com/

Check out Mamis’ debut EP, Espíritu, on Discos Peligrosa at Bandcamp:

 

Upcoming Shows – Mala Nota, Mamis, & Rats Rats Rats on March 7th at the Flamingo Cantina

Mala Nota, Mamis, Rats! Rats! Rats!

REPOSTED FROM Flamingo Cantina Website:

~~ MAMIS  mix psychedelic riffs and infectious rhythms to create a space of sonic catharsis and resistance. Their bilingual (Spanish/English) lyrics heavily focus on empowering women and people of color, resisting oppression and opening a fearless dialogue.

~~ RATS RATS RATS are a fun, genre bending, multicultural, multi gender band from Austin TX. Influences include The MC5, Blondie, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Pantera, and the films of Quentin Tarantino. Their live shows are an explosive and precise adventure, that is never predictable, with an emphasis on groove and musicianship.

~~ Mala Nota is a contemporary Latin Rock band based in Austin, Texas that blends the sounds of reggae, ska and rock, infusing it with latin rhythms and lyrics with a human, social and political message. The power and energy delivered in their live performances has quickly become a staple of the band. For fans of Maldita Vecindad, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs and other classic latin bands, Mala Nota brings a set of new original music that guarantees to provide for all those who like to dance and for all those who like to rock.