Music, Words, and Yoga

Well, I’m back in Mysore practicing at the Shala. Guruji is preparing a trip to Florida in March, so he’s saving his energy for that. Saraswati is in charge. Start time at 5:30 AM. Led classes at 5 AM on Friday and Sunday. Guruji’s leds were averging 50 min to one hour, Sharath’s 1:15, so Saraswati’s are 1:30 to 1:40. Now, that is some slow counting.

She is working so hard in Guruji’s absence. We all owe her so much. She is so fantastic. She’s one of the few teachers left certified by Krishnamacharya.

Here are some funny little bits about life in Mysore….

Tina, Anu, and Ganesha are great. Shakti is fine. Holly is doing a great job. Kevin from Eugene is gardening up a storm. Big and Guru are feeding our thirst. Meena Gupta is excellent. Shiva and Murti are keeping the community functioning. Of course, Rat’s still in charge, Jaunita is as beautiful as ever, Whiney has passed Rat’s Shala dog test, but where is Burrito?

Tomorrow is the Orphanage Benefit Lunch put on by Mr Joseph. We’ve got two days off because of Moonday.

A coconut almost hit a Yoga student at the Southern Star(now called the Regaalis) swimming pool. For some reason, I’m always there the day it happens, and then they trim all the trees a week later. That’s three years in a row! What? Do you think I shook the tree! I’m the one who warns people not to sit too close!

A lot of new, young faces, the crew from Nottingham England, and the lovely Saskya.

Why do I always end up with the crazy Europeans? This year it’s a French man named Olivier from the Cotes Basque. Last year it was the great Italien, Andea Varalli. I miss the Prince of Baloney. I guess the madness will begin in January, when he arrives. And everyone else…

Quite a few surfers to talk shop or shacks(tube rides) with.

Averaging two hour Mysore practices, 8 to 10 breaths per posture. I’m reallly enjoying the energy and a fairly mellow, not too crowded Shala with Saraswati.

This is classic…

Led class last Sunday, Sirsasana, very slow count into half, neck pressure building, “Five”, lengthen out to full and then Urdva Sirsasana to stretch neck. Come back down to half at seven. Suddenly, my legs fly back up into full and start flailing. I hit the shutters because I’m in front facing into the stage. I go over. Whack!!!! On the edge of a cold, black Granite step right into my 5th lumbar. I just lay there. Ass-ess my situation and then slither my sweaty body into child’s pose. Very bruised back and vertebrae, but only missed one practice. I tell you these led classe are a thrill a minute! Mysore style is the only style. Please get well Guruji! I’ll compromise with 55 minute led classes. I’ve got to work on my Ahimsa.

A wonderful new restaurant called Santosha opened down next to the Astrologer by the Lion’s School. Fantastic continental fair. Super healthy and full flavored. A cordon Bleu chef and his lady are enlivening our palates.

Playing my music for many. Always a pleasure.

My friend Tomas, proprietor of the new new eatery, Santosha, in Mysore, gave me a wonderful book called “Nourishing Traditions” by Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig Phd. This book is the first book that has simplified nutrition and made it logical for me. The first third of the book explains the fundamentals of nutirition, and the last two thirds are amazing and healthy recipes. Get it. Read it. You will not be sorry.

Well, the Shala closed for the year. A powerful led class by Saraswati with Tim Miller practicing on her right and Phillipa on her left. A very Yin/Yang and Surya/Chandra energy balancing the Shala. The class ended and she wished us well, and a Happy New Year. I went and got 2 meters of Jasmine for Saraswati right away, but I left my mat in the middle of the floor and nearly left. I was taking pictures and saying “so long” to many. I came back into the Shala to get a picture with Saraswati and I’m all, “woops left my mat all sweaty in the middle of the Shala.” Overheated Yoga brain… I had to get Saraswati more flowers!

Of course, the final good bye and meeting with Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois was that evening. Oh, man… More like, Oh, Guru…

I get to the Shala at 4:15 pm, and wait a little bit for Saraswati to finish with a student. I have presents for them. I have a beautiful silver Ganesha for Saraswati, My CD “Martian Chronicles” for Sharath (good driving music for his shiny, black Honda CR-V on his trips to photo Tigers in the Jungle), and 90%pure Sandalwood Oil for Guruji.

I give Saraswati her present and she opens it and is very pleased. All right! The hardest working lady in the yoga world is happy. My most important job is done. Take care of the person who’s been taking care of me and 100+ other yoga students for the past month; as well as, everyone else for decades. So far, so good…

A bit of history, my frist encounter with Guruji was in New York when I attended the first day of his 2005 tour. I had gotten in late so I went to the Half-Primary Series class. We were in the third Surya Namaskara A and I was glancing up to see where he was. Okay, I was looking for him! Suddenly, I hear, “head down!”. Wha? “Head Down!”. Huh? Again. Everyone is waiting in Chataranga. Getting irritated with the person he’s yelling at including myself. Next thing I know, this hand is pushing my head towards the floor. Nothing hard, but very firm. It’s me he’s yelling at! My body straightens and aligns with his frm grip of my skull. A voice whipers in my ear, “keep your head down”. I guess I needed a translator. It was Sharath softening the blow to my startled ego. That was my first experience with Guruji. I was pretty terrrified, but Sharath’s supportive energy helped alot. I feel really comfortable with Sharath and Saraswati, but Guruji brings out the butterflies. Then last year, on my first drop back with Guruji, he let go of me( I guess I slipped) and I caught myself an inch from the floor. Finishing sequence was accompanied by a heart rate of 120 beats per minute.

Ever since, I get so awkward around Guruji. I was doing much better last year when we got to spend alot of time with him. This trip he’s been resting and out of touch. My awkwardness was at an all time high. This was my chance to see him and thank god he was still with us.

There he was, he had a knit cap on sitting in the office. I bow down and take his hand and shake it. Tongue tied, really nervous, I managed a “great to see you”, “you look great”, and “here are some gifts”. I say the CD is for Sharath and I have some Sandalwood Oil for him. Well, he takes it out of the pouch and tries to open it and it wont open. I immediateltely offer assistance. I take it, and it wont BUDGE! I laugh and say, “all this Yoga…” as the veins in my head start bulging. I’m turning red! The cap loosens. Whew! I take the cap off ready to let Guruji enjoy the oil only to discover there is a plastic stopper that you need pliers to get out. I looked down at it and I nearly bit it off. How do you hand your guru anything you just chewed on!? I just looked up puzzled and perplexed. I let him asess the situation, and we compromise with a wipe from the oily top of the stopper. He sniffs the cooling oil looks at me kind of puzzled and compasssionate. “Thank you”, he says. I bow down at his feet, and thank him for everything. I practically crawled out the door.

I later came back and did photos with Guruji and Saraswati. I felt a little better this time with her there. I still look like like a deeer caught in the headlights.

Hey! If you want to see another side of our young Guruji,  Sharath, go to flickr.com, go to People, and type in r sharath.  There are many beautiful photos there to see and download.

Namaskara!

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She folded forward to a place that she knew before.    It was’nt the same,and Read more

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Peaceful cold
With a heartbeat
So bold.
My head so warm
Peering
Through the shadows
For a place
To rest.
To close
For the day.
With rugs all around
Stacked high
To the sky.
Thick,
Double thick
On the floor below.
I think I’ll sit here
And
Enjoy the show.
See where I saw.
Feel
What
I know.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

Zachary Hitchcock’s Mysore Ashtanga Yoga Program

at Yoga Hawaii

1152 Koko Head Avenue

Honolulu, Hawaii

offers classes

Sunday through Friday

6  to 8:30 AM

with flexible start times

for more information

WWW.YOGA-HAWAII.COM

MAKE 2010

AND

THE NEXT DECADE

A TIME TO

HEAL THE PLANET AND EACH OTHER

WELCOME

TO THE NEWLY DESIGNED SITE

FOR

MUSIC, PHILOSOPHY, YOGA, AND LITERATURE

WWW.GT350.COM

WHAT’S NEW?

MYSORE AT YOGA HAWAII

ROCK ON MONDAYS AT ANNA BANANAS

A NEW BAND CALLED SOFT ASYLUM

GOD REST SRI KRISHNA PATTABHI JOIS

1915-2009

GOD BLESS THE JOIS FAMILY

THE

ASHTANGA WORKSHOP

WITH MARK DARBY

NOVEMBER 24 TO DECEMBER 2

WAS A HUGE SUCCESS

WITH TOWN AND COUNTRY YOGIS

GETTING SUPER ADJUSTMENTS

AND

FUNDAMENTALS

TOWARDS THEIR PRACTICES

THANK YOU SO MUCH

DARBY AND JOANNE

PLUS

WE DISCOVERED THAT…

DARBY IS ONE HECK OF A SURFER!

In Honor of the Great Practice of Ashtanga Yoga

My Turtle Bay Schedule is

I AM ONLY AT TURTLE BAY RESORT ON TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS; OTHERWISE, ALL OF MY CLASSES ARE AT YOGA HAWAII

TUESDAY

TURTLE BAY RESORT 4:30 to 6 PM-Ashtanga Fundamentals

6 to 7:30 PM-Mysore Ashtanga

SATURDAY

TURTLE BAY RESORT

9 to 11 AM-Led Ashtanga

4:30 to 6 PM-Mysore Ashtanga

TURTLE BAY  IS $5 KAMAAINA

I am featured in online magazine

WWW.HAWAIIREDMAGAZINE.COM

in an article

“Tying Mind To Body”

LOKAA SAMASTHA SUKHINO BHAVANTU

(MAY ALL BEINGS BE FREE AND HAPPY EVERYWHERE)

Congratulations to all my teachers in training.  You are all ready to begin teaching.

To my students.  Thank you so much for  all your hard work.  I am blessed and honoured to have you as my students.

Rock’n'Roll is alive and well.

Zachary rocks on Monday nights at Anna Bananas Open Mic playing some of his greatest hits like “Send Me”, “Penny”,”Chelsea”, and “Compromise”

The North Shore has already had a series of great swells

Yoga makes all of these things so much better.

For Yoga Teacher Training, please click on the SURYA YOGA and Surya Yoga Teacher Training Categories

Midweek Magazine’s article on the Open Mic scene.

Every Monday after 9 Pm I am playing the Open Mike at Anna Bananas on Beretania Street here in Honolulu.  They have a house band and I get to rock three songs.  $2 at the door.  21 and up.  Lots of good acts.  I go early around 9:30 PM.  Support Local Music!

Thanks to everyone who came to my Show Halloween Eve! Super Fun!

Thanks to a great man, Paul Newman.  Rest In Peace.

Hats off to my cousins, Max and Charlie Carver, and their new parts as the Twins on “Desperate Housewives”!!!!!!

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTOR?

Please, click on the Surya Yoga Teacher Trainings and SURYA YOGA Categories for more information

Surya Yoga is Rockin’!

Mona Vixeira, Julie Cooke, Karin Gill, Traci Shiraishi, Cali Goldberg, Cindra Yoshida, and Nobue Williams are the first group to join the Surya Yoga Teacher Training for their 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Teaching Certification.

After September 15, 2008, tuition for the 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certification will increase to $1850

The CBS National News!

Zachary is teaching a very basic Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation) with Bonnie Kaye, Olympic commentator and fitness aficionado, on the CBS News.  Her CBS affiliated show is called Inside Fitness, and is featuring the Turtle Bay Resort and its recreational and fitness offerings.  You can see the Youtube Video search  for Yoga Sun Salutation or at www.insidefitnesss.com and click on the Florida and Hawaii feature button.

*Interview on Yoga and Life*

Check out an interview with Zachary at www.hawaiihealthguide.com titled “Will work for self-realization” by Heather Sandison.  It can be found in the Health talk section.

Rock ‘n’ Roll On Hawaiian Network TV!

Zachary appeared Live on KHON Cannnel 2 (Fox) for the Friday morning show July 11, 2008 with a five song set at 5:30 AM and out takes and intervieews to 8 AM. Online at www.khon2.com.

Surya Yoga is now an official Hawaiian business designed to bring Yoga to everyone and the training of new Yoga Instructors who wish to attain the Yoga Alliance 200 Hour Teacher certification.  Future endeavors will include retreats, merchandise, music, and apparel.

The Red Cross needs donations to keep up with its relief efforts in the United States, as well as, international relief efforts.

The performance on KTUH FM, Monday, June 16th, 2008 on Monday Night Live went great

*****Starting July 28th, the Heaven On Earth Fitness facility is now open at 2346 South King Street ( The corner of Eisenberg and King) with Ashtanga Classes at 7 PM on Monday and  7 PM on Wednesday.  Please come and enjoy the new facility. Phone is 808-942-3030.

During the week of May 12 to the 19th, 2008, I taught Ashtanga Yoga to 100 different people on O’ahu.

GIVE A LISTEN!!

I have new songs available to listen and download at the Music section of this site.

I venture into Hawaiian music with the classic, “Hole Waimea”.

“When people are born they are supple, and when they die they are stiff.  When trees are born they are tender, and when they die they are brittle.  Stiffness is, thus, a companion of death.  Flexibility a companion of life.”                    Tao Te Ching

All students have the option to practice in the Mysore tradition

Ashtanga Yoga?  Why I teach it?

This system of Asana utilizing Ujjayi Pranayama, Bandhas, Drishti and Vinyasa has proven to me, time and time again, to be the most practical and logical approach to Yoga.

Upon returning from India and Bali last year.   To the two ladies I met and left behind in India and Bali, Amanda Houles and Petra Oderbrecht.  Amanda and Petra?  You made me feel so special.  Thank you very much.

GREAT NEWS!! Anthony “Prem” Carlisi’s book “The Only Way Out Is In” is doing great. A modern day commentary on the synergy of Ashtanga Yoga, Ayurveda, and Tantra. Great reading from my wonderful teacher and friend. Buy it at www.ashtangaworld.com or at Amazon.  I loved this book!

IN THE BEGINNING…

This site was first established in 1999, by Zachary Hitchcock for his rock band GT350.  GT350 stopped playing in bands in 2003.  This site is here to continue to bring the world good rock’n'roll by a good band with new music, art, and expression from the founder of GT350, Zachary Hitchcock.  THEN A PROGRESSION…

Listen

The breath will bring you into the present.  It will still the mind.  The past and the future are no longer a concern.  The simplest and most essential function of the being will let them be.  The breath will let you be.  It will set you free.  Come along with me.  Come along and be free.

A NEW LIFE…  Presently, Zachary Hitchcock is exploring new endeavors in the world of Yoga.  He performs as a solo act, Zachariah, on the island of Oahu where he returned to six years ago after the Rock and Roll lifestyle and California nearly destroyed him.  IN PARADISE.  Hawaii has always felt like home since his High School days on the big Island of Hawaii.  He has been surfing the great waves of the North Shore of O’ahu since the late seventies.  In the mid-eighties, he spent several years pursuing professional surfing, but found soul surfing to be the true expression of this lifestyle.STILL ROCKIN’…  He’s recently had the pleasure of playing music for Hollywood’s finest, but does not pursue music as his career, but as his love.  He has released two CDs since returning to Honolulu, but has chosen to help people by teaching an ancient system of Yoga known as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. His teaching schedule is available on this site and much of this site will be dedicated to the discussion and exploration of ancient disciplines such as Ashtanga Yoga and Tai Chi.  AND ROLLIN’…The original GT350 line-up of Zachary Hitchcock, Jack Cassidy, and Justin Richert came together in February 1998.  The name, GT350, is due to Hitchcock’s fondness for Ford Mustangs.  Having other players such as Paul Gil play drums through the “Silver” Album era, and then Andrew Harvey take over drums with Matt Woolery on Bass for the “Cherry” album.  Jack rejoined briefly and then the last lineup had Shawn Ambrose at Bass with Andrew Harvey at Drums.  The longest standing members are Jack Cassidy and Andrew Harvey.  They definitely are the foundation that led to Hitchcock’s songwriting and arranging for the three GT350 albums.  Jack and Justin were in a previous band, The Shade, which is, also, featured here at this site with the album “Blueberries”.  Zachary, Andrew, and Jack have found a strong musical connection from a common love of rock and pop  Jack and Andrew are now family men with wives and children while Zachary Hitchcock is in Honolulu playing solo acoustic music, teaching Yoga, and Surfing.  He believes he has found his soul mate, but must be patient for her return.  The Music and Videos on this site brought to you by GT350, The Shade, and Zachariah range from hard driving melodies interlaced with stunning harmonies to simple acoustic balladry.  The music by the bands present the edge and the velvet that so many bands desire but never attain.  GT350 put the power back in Power trio. The solo acoustic guitar work by Hitchcock reveals his soul and continuing need to present his art with honesty and passion. ZACHARIAH AND A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Greetings to you all. I have a cool little story to tell.  This all took place on May 15, 2007. Lend an ear.. Excuse me, an eye…  and some of your sweet time.  I teach yoga aon th North shore of Oahu on Tuesdays, and after that I was playing a solo gig at Haleiwa Eats Thai Restaurant in Haleiwa.  The best Thai food in Hawaii. That week hads been tough.  The woman I want to spend the rest of my life went back to Canada, and I blew my back out surfing.  I’m miserable.  I can’t sleep.  I can only think about this woman.  I can’t give mystudents the attention they need.  I can’t surf,and I can’t do my regular Yoga practice.  These things ground me.  I needed to play my guitar.  I needed my Blues.  Listen to me?I’m in Hawaii, where people don’t honk their horns, people smile, it’s always beautiful,and I’m not in Iraq.  It can’t be that bad, but it can.  We all have our chains.  Well, it’s all realtive.  Days like this remind you of that.  This Tuesday, May 15, started out like any other.  Class went well.  Stressed the fundamentals, shared some tricks, and could adjust my students a little more than the last week while dealing with lower back pain.  When I arrived at the Restaurant, fellow Yogi, Freedom Dennis, with his baby daughter Hoku, were standing out in front.  Hoku means star, and this little girl is starting to shine.  They were thilled I was playing and quickly became my early audience. The crowd was great.Folks, I needed to play.  I needed to focus some of this energy of a broken heart and a broken back into my most dependable friend- my Red Gibson SG Guitar. I’d added three new songs to my repertoire of my originals with Zep, Stones, Dylan, Neil young, T Rex, Robert Johnson and Buffalo Tom covers. I added “Creep” and “Fake Plastic Trees” from Radiohead, that I could put some emotion into, and the sardonic “Can You Please Come Crawl Out Your Window?” by Bob Dylan a la The BBC Recordings by James Marshall Hendrix.  Now, this is as casual as a gig gets. I’m singing and playing through a 1964 Fender Princeton Amplifier.  Not Super Fidelity, but it works.Well, as the night wore on, I worked out some Kinks and other kinks with the new material. People were leaving tips and digging the show. Two of my students, Amy and Julie came and saw another side fo their Yoga instructor.I was starting my rendition of “When the Levee Breaks”, when I looked up to see, none other than, Woody Harrelson, nodding his head and grinning in appreciation, sitting across the room from me.  He was with a large group of Actors including the great Edward Norton and the “Lost” cast and crew.  Well, I looked down, collected myself, checked the tension level, and took a deep breath.Holy smokes!  I’m entertaining some amazing actors. All of a sudden, this day turned into a very interesting night.  I guessed they liked because I recieved a great round of applause. I probably played my best version of “It’s Called Love” off of the “Sorry, Mr Sandman” album.  I put a face to the song and she materialized. Smooth transitions led me through”Creep”, “Hallways”, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, “Go” from the latest “Martian Chronicles” album, and the finale, “Bring It On Home” medley with “That’s Allright Mama” and “Love In Vain” a la Led Zeppelin II.  I received a wonderful round of applause from my star-studded crowd, and my night was complete.  Well, minus the most wonderful woman in the world.  Can’t have it all…I was, also, happy to play for our fighting men and women who frequent Haleiwa Eats Thai as well as talented surfer/shaper, Robin Johnston.  Robin and I put in some great sessions at several of Oahu’s premiere reefs.  Big thanks Peggy and her family for giving me a place to play.  Always the best service and the loveliest ladies, Bonnie, Amy, Jen, and Kiley.  ”Bring it on home, bring it on home to me…  ”GT350: THE POWER TRIOZachary Hitchcock leads this trio with Songwriting, Vocals, and Guitars.  He loves singing and playing more than life, and performs with wild abandon.  He’s lived in San Diego for 18 years, but is originally from San Francisco. He has been playing music in San Diego for 12 years, and has been the front man in the bands Green Lantern, Suprolux, Suprophonic, The Shade, and now GT350. He has been singing and playing guitar most his life. He draws his inspiration from bands like The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin, The Stooges, Black Sabbath, T. Rex,Them, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Neil Young, Mudhoney, Drive Like Jehu, Soundgarden, Buffalo Tom, The Velvet Underground, and the Beatles. He has a high regard and sites as influences: Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Billy Holiday, John Coltrane, BB King, Robert Johnson, Joe strummer and Mick Jones, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Iggy Pop, Kurt Cobain, Jay Mascus, and Lou Reed.THE NEW SOLO ALBUM FROM ZACHARY HITCHCOCK , Zachariah, “Martian Chronicles”, IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THIS WEBSITEAndrew Harvey started playing snare at ten in Paterson, NJ. At 13, a Ludwig kit bought by his grandfather, and his fate was sealed. Then Andrew moved to San Diego, where he quickly distinguished himself as an excellent drummer. In 1992 he founded “Zoo People” which went on to get a record deal that, unfortunately, never came to fruition. But Andrew had extensive experience in recording and making audio, which led to jobs like being an A&R person for Cherry / Universal for a time. But the love of making music was too strong, and GT350 lured him back to his drum throne. “I love GT350’s rawness.”Andrew’s influences include Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Mark Bolan/T-Rex, Pink FLoyd, Return To Forever, Allman Bros., Santana, Jeff Beck, etc.

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It’s the dawn of the early morningRed sky is my only warningAs she hugs me I feel homeOnly when I step through my door.As I look into her eyes,do I knowIt’s not her I seek,but myselfTo carry me throughWhen I’m weak.As days go by,AndEmptiness arrives.My stinging eyes,And the tears I’ve shed.For the love is dead.Our love is dead.

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