New Phase

Entering a new phase in my life, I will be taking a break from writing this blog...For now, I will focus on writing about development work on my other blog, www.volunteereast.blogspot.com, and scribbling on my website, www.tiijarinta.com.

Please follow my journey on the above link - and a Big Thank You to all my readers for taking the time and interest for the past couple of years! All the best, peace and love to all of you! 

What is Yoga?

Yoga means different things to each one of us. For some, it is relaxation and letting go of every day stresses. For others, it is a deeper philosophical and spiritual discipline. Some, on the other hand, are more interested in its physiological benefits. As you embark on your journey with yoga, you discover what yoga has to offer you and your own yoga practice will develop as a result.

'The Deeper Dimension of Yoga' by Georg Feuerstein offers some traditional definitions for yoga. You can have a read and see which one's you resonate with the most.... Perhaps they will bring a new perspective to your own self-practice.


Yoga is the control of the whirls of the mind.

Yoga is skill in the performance of actions.

Yoga is ecstasy.

Yoga is said to be the oneness of breath, mind, and senses, and the abandonment of all states of existence.

Yoga is the union of the individual psyche with the transcendental Self.

Yoga is said to be the unification of the web of dualities. 

Yoga is known as the disconnection of the connection with suffering. 

Yoga is said to be control.

Yoga is the separation of the Self from the World-Ground.

Yoga is said to be the unity of exhalation and inhalation and of blood and semen, as well as the union of sun and moon and of the individual psyche with the transcendental Self. 

This they consider Yoga: the steady holding of the senses. 

Yoga is called balance.  

Ideas for a Sabbatical & Career Break

I'm sure that many of you have thought about taking a sabbatical or a career break at some point...

I stumbled upon an article that listed several excellent sites for seeking inspirations and ideas on what to do in order to make such dreams manifest - here is some tat will hopefully inspire you to reach for your dreams:

Cruise ship jobs:
http://allcruisejobs.com/

Seasonal Workers:
http://www.seasonworkers.com/

International Exchange:
http://ciee.org/

Work and volunteer abroad:
http://bunac.org.uk/

Ideas for a career break:
http://thecareerbreaksite.com/

Two Interesting Articles in the Guardian this week....

This week the Guardian published two interesting articles that I would like to share with you  below. They do make you reflect on the current situation in the academic world and also in the recession-hit Europe....


This article discusses male-dominance in academia and women still struggle in the field - features a friend's mum who was one of the first female professors in the 90s:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2013/jan/28/women-bme-professors-academia


This article is on the recession that has hit Europe and made professionals, whether natives or migrants, consider moving to other parts of the world - features a good friend who moved abroad last year after struggling to find work in the UK:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2013/jan/30/great-escape-european-migrants-fleeing-recession

Example Video of Grade 1 Piano Exam

Some of my piano students are feeling apprehensive about their Grade exams. Some anxiety before an exam  is normal and can help you to achieve a better result. But being too anxious can also have a deteriorating effect on your performance...

Grade exams are really not as scary as many students think. Below, you can find an example video of a Grade exam. Hopefully this can put your mind at rest and you can go to your exam, feeling confident.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4FBBFsLNek

Effective Treatment for Dry Skin

When the weather gets colder, our skins can lose their elasticity and become dry, as well as irritated. Itching is common during the winter months, primarily due to the fact that environmental humidity is low during the colder season.

Lucky for us, nowadays there are many different skin products that can be used to counter-act the ill-effects of cold weather. Personally, I tried Jergen's Naturals moisterisers and they do wonders to my skin! Jergens offers a range of skin care products and so there is bound to be something for everyone. What more, they are affordable, last for a ling-time and have not been tested on animals.  

http://www.jergens.co.uk/

Affordable Hairdresser's in Central London

My lady friends often tell me that, when they first moved to London, it was very difficult for them to find affordable hairdresser's. In London (particularly central London), there is huge differences between hairdresser's both price and quality-wise. If you are willing to pay at least £40 for a simple haircut, you are guaranteed a satisfied customer. However, if you are on a budget, it can be challenging to find a hairdresser that would take their time cutting your hair and not rush through their job....

Having lived in central London for the past eight years, I have compiled a list of affordable hairdresser's that are worth a try if in need of a good quality cut but don't have the cash to spend:

1. Supercuts: 
One of the cheapest hairdresser's around - a good quality cut guaranteed (based on personal experience!) without breaking your budget - another good thing about them is that you don't need to book an appointment, you can just walk into any of their salons any time for a cut!

http://supercuts.co.uk/

2. Mr Topper's Haircuts: 
This is probably the cheapest hairdresser's that you can find - prices start at £5.00 for a trim! I have only ever had my hair trimmed there, but I have a couple of friends who regularly go there for a haircut and they are very happy customers.

http://www.qype.co.uk/place/95022-Mr-Toppers-Haircuts-London

3. Tony and Guy Academy:
Hairdresser's training for the profession with the Tony and Guy Hair Salon are always in need of models at their Academy at Oxford Street. These are either free or cost £5.00. The students there are training into the profession, but they are being supervised closely at all times by professional hairdressers who have worked for Tony and guy for many years. I have very good personal experiences of the place - in fact, I was very pleased with their styling both times!

http://toniandguy.com/pages/category/education/academies

4. Hair by Fairy:
A very reasonably priced new hairdresser's in the spot centre of London's Covent Garden. They also do nails and other beauty treatments at very reasonable prices.

http://www.hairbyfairy.co.uk/







 

Discrimination against Pregnant Women and Women on Maternity

Despite all the legislation against discrimination in the western world, pregnant women and women on maternity still face a great deal of discrimination at their workplaces, in rented accommodation and in other situations. The decline of the economic climate over the past years has given employers and landlords more opportunities to discriminate against women, in particular those expecting babies.

Time and time again, we hear of stories of how badly women have been treated purely because they are expecting a baby. One would have thought that, in today's society, people were more empathetic and fair. But no, in the end of the day, most people seem to put their own opinions in front of other's well-being.

It is crucial that women know of their legal rights and they should never hesitate to seek advice from their Citizens' Advice Bureau if in doubt or if they think that they might be discriminated against. Here are a couple of useful links that outline the basic rights of women and also a link to an excellent project advocating maternity rights:  


Maternity Action Project:
http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/allianceagainstpregnancydiscrimination.pdf

Legal rights at work when pregnant:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/work_e/work_discrimination_e/discrimination_at_work_because_of_pregnancy_or_maternity_leave.htm


Discrimination by private landlord because of pregnancy or maternity:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/housing_e/housing_renting_a_home_e/renting_from_a_private_landlord.htm

New Year's Poem to All of My Friends and Readers

New Year’s Reflections


Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,
And we think of our friends.


Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives,
We reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.


And when I ponder those who do,
I immediately think of you, dear friends and readers!


Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll have a Happy New Year!

Peace be upon you!