Author Archives: mbakis

COLLEGE SCANDAL, VALUES & VITALITY

“It’s no coincidence that a Mindfulness Movement has erupted yet SADLY I see how schools co-opt this by USING it as a tool to serve their utilitarian values which are outcomes and results-focused—that is, for kids to “do better” in measurable ways, to be more productive, competitive, higher achievers, and…umm… “successful.””

Anti-fragility Training

Bikram Yoga as Anti-fragility Training Bikram Yoga helps people develop distress tolerance which is the ability to withstand challenge– some of which include emotional distress, difficult physical sensations, mind-racing or distorted thinking, and general discomfort with staying in the present moment. What’s the point of being able to withstand challenge? Shouldn’t we just eliminate challengeContinueContinue reading “Anti-fragility Training”

Podcast 17: LEARNING as OPPORTUNITY MINDSET

In this podcast, I read Part V: LEARNING from Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human: A Self-Study Guide for Wellness (2019, Amazon). The podcast includes subtopics like: *Vulnerability as intrinsic to learning process and creating meaning *Parenting without safe-space or victim mentality *Schooling discourages failure and uniqueness *How and why to continue learning as aContinueContinue reading “Podcast 17: LEARNING as OPPORTUNITY MINDSET”

Same Song, Slightly Different Lyrics

I loved this conversation between Rich Roll and Dr. Jud Brewer on the Rich Roll Podcast. My book, Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human: A Self-Study Guide for Wellness (2019, Amazon) overlaps with so many of the concepts and ideas Dr. Brewer talks about. I feel like my own life experience (especially in practicing mindfulnessContinueContinue reading “Same Song, Slightly Different Lyrics”

Opportunity Mindset = Meaning & Wellness

Q. What is Landscapes for Learning? A. It’s a mindset—-an opportunity-focused way of looking at the world of personal experience. You can CHOOSE to see your life any way you decide. Just decide! Q. Why did I name this blog and my independent education website and business, Landscapes for Learning? A. Lots of reasons, butContinueContinue reading “Opportunity Mindset = Meaning & Wellness”

Self-Study for Wellness Workshop, October 19!

Get a “lay of the landscape” of YOU! Why has there been an onslaught of advice to meditate and “do yoga”? Why all the meditation apps? Why all the meditation programs in schools? Why is yoga part of the P.E. curriculum? Why the “mindfulness” movement? Why here (in the West)? Why now? Our “Modern” ProblemsContinueContinue reading “Self-Study for Wellness Workshop, October 19!”

How and Why Self-Study, Podcast #16

Landscapes for Learning is podcasting again! I took the year “off” from recording podcasts to write the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human: A Self-Study Guide for Wellness (2019, Amazon)!  Now I want to continue sharing the mission of LFL and teaching its self-study curriculum through podcasting and conversations online! Since the Classic Wisdom forContinueContinue reading “How and Why Self-Study, Podcast #16”

Connection Begins with Self-Study

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self” —-the Bhagavad Gita   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIjvXtZRerY&fbclid=IwAR3KAhSeKxN1-lrW8-jjzQuUUGvDr6OwNpEzIl7V2KDKyVTI3onS4_u7Eak   When you observe your self— your own life— to see where and how your attention and energy is being directed (or not), you may notice it’s either stolen, spent properly, conserved, or regularly replenished etc… YouContinueContinue reading “Connection Begins with Self-Study”

Wise Up!

Landscapes for Learning: Wisdom Curriculum for Modern Humans “The function of education is to help you from childhood, not to imitate anybody, but to be yourself all the time.”—Jiddu Krishnamurti A self-study curriculum completes true education where you become a whole, fully integrated person, better prepared for life right now, in each moment, and ableContinueContinue reading “Wise Up!”

October Workshop!

Want to be better, kinder, and more understanding to yourself? Come Learn About Self-Study for Self-Realization at Bikram Yoga Danvers October 19th, 2019 Noon-1:00 p.m. Signed copies of the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human Self Study Guide (2019) will be available for purchase! Hosted by Landscapes for Learning, LLC  

WHAT is Self-Study for Self-Realization?

Q & A WHAT the hell is Self-Study for Self-Realization? WHY to Self-Study to Self-Realize? HOW to Self-Study to Self-Realize?   This little gem below attempts to give answers to the questions in detail and provides you with directions and activities to get your started knowing yourself better, but you can take a look atContinueContinue reading “WHAT is Self-Study for Self-Realization?”

Balance!

WHAT DO WE HAVE TOO MUCH OF?  SPEED, CLUTTER, NOISE, INFORMATION & “EXPERTS” WHAT DO WE LACK? SLOWING DOWN & STILLNESS, INTROSPECTION & REFLECTION WHAT DO WE HAVE TOO MUCH OF ? KNOWLEDGE OF THE EXTERNAL LANDSCAPE; EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION WHAT DO WE LACK ? KNOWLEDGE OF THE INTERNAL; INTERNAL MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION    WHAT TOContinueContinue reading “Balance!”

In Memory of a Bikram Yogi

These are words I prepared to memorialize the passing of one of the members of our Bikram Yoga community, Ray Chasse. Rest in peace, Ray. Thanks for being here in our very special community to honor and remember Ray. I am going to read something I put together for this occasion drawn from some notesContinueContinue reading “In Memory of a Bikram Yogi”

A Reading List for Hannah

A few months ago, a yoga student at my studio asked me what I read. She wanted a list of recommendations. So, Hannah, this is a visual of what’s on my Kindle App and the few books in my living room at the moment! This list is incomplete because, well, I am old and IContinueContinue reading “A Reading List for Hannah”

Limits & Possibilities

Understanding your own human nature through paying attention to learn about yourself in particular ways using the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human: A Self-Study Guide for Wellness will teach you (among other things) about your limitations, your amazing potential, and the myriad of possibilities for transcending those limits to fully self-realize and self-actualize. YouContinueContinue reading “Limits & Possibilities”

Practicing Gratitude

Thanks to the people who inspired, helped, and encouraged me to write the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human Self Study Guide: A Self Study Guide for Wellness. Available Now at Amazon.com

A Self Study Guide for Wellness

What is the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human Self Study Guide and why does everyone need a copy?

Bikram Yoga: A Tool for Self-Study

Along with daily journal writing, one of my most important tools for self-realization and wellness is Bikram’s Hot Yoga practice. To find out more about how stretching in a hot room for 90 minutes can re-define and improve your relationship with yourself (as ONE tool for SELF-REALIZATION), read my latest book, Classic Wisdom for theContinueContinue reading “Bikram Yoga: A Tool for Self-Study”

How to Use the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human Self Study Guide for Wellness

“To know yourself you need not go to any book, to any priest, to any psychologist. The whole treasure is within yourself.” — Jiddu Krishnamurti Each of the five parts of the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human: A Bikram Yoga Teacher’s Self Study Guide for Wellness contains a rationale, helpful definitions, self-study exercises, andContinueContinue reading “How to Use the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human Self Study Guide for Wellness”

Yoga is Union

A complete education is about wholeness and wellness. Study yourself and be your own best teacher, to connect with, love, and care for yourself. #doyouryoga

Self Realization

Over the past couple of years, I have written about everything I have directly experienced in my own life as well as the wisdom I have received from great mentors both ancient and modern, from East and West, about the interesting process of self realization, self actualization, and wellness. Much of my personal evolution hasContinueContinue reading “Self Realization”

Know Thyself, Part V: Learning

Learning is both the impetus and momentum for following the directions that guide you throughout your entire journey to know yourself. You might think of learning as the map of the landscape of you, while attention, self awareness, challenge and choice are directions to follow on that map. Adopting learning as a lifestyle, as growth-mindset, is integral to the other four directions in the Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human Self-Study Guide because without the attitude of the curious student, the wheel stops moving forward. As you learn, the wheel turns and gains momentum, further inspiring and motivating you to continue moving forward to steadily acquire wisdom and wellness.

Know Thyself, Part IV: Choice

Your Choices Define You. The Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human Self Study Guide will help you learn to manage your attention, become more self-aware, and develop resilience in the face of challenge, so you’ll inevitably make better, more mindful choices from a central locus of control. More self knowledge from self study will helpContinueContinue reading “Know Thyself, Part IV: Choice”