Yoga with Soldiers

According to an Associated Press story covered on ABC News , yoga is catching on in military circles. Soldiers are finding the healthful benefits of stretching and deep breathing to not only release stress but also to help repair injuries and strengthen backs.  It can also be used in increasing flexibility. As the article stated, it is unlikely that you will see soldiers doing yoga on the battlefield.

I've read articles on how one can do yoga in your airplane seat and at your desk. Why not on the battlefield?

Billionaire Horoscopes

Found this Forbes Article on Astrology

The World's Billionaires
Billionaire Horoscopes
By Lacey Rose and Chaniga Vorasarun 03.28.06, 12:00 PM ET

New York -

What’s your sign? If you are a Virgo, we’ve got some good news for you. Turns out, more members of the Forbes Billionaires List share your zodiac sign than any other.

That was our finding after trolling through all the birth dates we’ve collected on the world’s wealthiest. So far, we have confirmed the birth dates for 613 of our 793 billionaires. Of those, more than 70, or roughly 12%, were born between Aug. 23 and Sept. 22, making this earth sign the most common among billionaires.

It’s a bit ironic that top astrology honors for this male-dominated billionaires list goes to the sign symbolized by a virgin, but it actually isn’t too surprising. Virgos are known to be hardworking, determined, detail-oriented and analytical. They are driven more by their desire to achieve excellence at whatever they do than by the pursuit of riches, according to astrologer Michael Lutin.

These utilitarian types are happiest when they can produce things or services that are useful to others. Two of the richest and best-known American billionaires are both Virgos: Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett, the second-richest person in the world, and Oracle's Larry Ellison.

But don’t fret if you or your children are not Virgos. Forbes found examples of billionaires born under all 12 zodiac signs. Aggressive Aries, who account for 8% of our list, include Microsoft's Steve Ballmer; idealistic Aquarians like Oprah Winfrey also make up 8%. Scorpio has bragging rights as the sign of the world’s richest man, Microsoft’s Bill Gates.

"Scorpios always do well because they use all of their seductive powers to sell. The goal of Scorpio is to make you do what they want you to do, whether you want to do it or not," Lutin says about this sign, known for its passion. "People hate Windows, but they buy it."

The least common sign among billionaires? Sagittarius, which represents just 6% of the world’s wealthiest. Folks born under this sign are sometimes described as unorganized or even sloppy, and more focused on the big picture than on little details. “Counting on their luck and the grace of God, adventurous Sagittarians can act like tourists in the marketplace," explains astrologer David R. Railey. But what they may lack in business acumen, they make up for in creativity. Thus it's no surprise that Sagittarian billionaires includes Hollywood director Steve Spielberg.

Sigh. I am a Sadge. I guess my road to riches will be longer and less rewarding.

Pluto- No Respect!

Well it was bound to happen eventually, I guess. For years scientists have been pondering the question "Is Pluto a planet or not?" Today they decided that the answer is "not". It was downgraded to the status of a "Dwarf Planet" like certain asteroids. Oh the embarassment.... Here is the New York Post's take on it. And here is the New York Times'.

But the real question on everyone's mind must be - how does this affect astrology? (I know you were thinking of that, weren't you?) Well according to Lee Lehman, dean of Kepler College, (the only astrology college in the country), "Astronomers have had several cases in the past where they've made changes in the objects used by astrologers." In other words - no big deal.

As for me, I will still give it the planetary status it deserves. Pluto is the generational (dwarf?) planet that indicates major, transforming changes. Now Pluto is in Sagittarius (sign of religion) so I am not surprised that there is so much religious turmoil and upheaval going on now and for the next 11 years.

Yoga Aloft

Ana Forrest, founder of Forrest Yoga Institute in Santa Monica california, is a world traveler. She says that plane travel is one of the most stressful environments and has found some yoga techniques that can be done aloft to reduce that "no room to move, no food to eat, crying baby, dirty lav, rain delay, mile high stress".  On her list of recommendations:

Deep breathing exercises and subtle poses you can do while seated. (Can you put your left ankle over your right thigh and bend forward?), The Spinal twist - done by turning and grabbing the back of your seat or the arm rest and take 5 to 6 breaths. For the expert, try bringing your leg over your shoulder in the Krounchasana position. Just be sure to stay in your own personal space, please.

Read more about Ana at her website - Forrest Yoga

Aeclectic Tarot

If you want to keep up with all the latest (and the greatest) Tarot decks, visit Aeclectic Tarot which contains all sorts of unusual decks.

I must confess though that while I read Tarot, I tend to work with only a couple of different types of decks. My favorite is the Swiss, followed by the Spanish and then the Marseilles. All of these decks have very simple designs. I am not big on the Ryder Deck even though it is the most popular and this is because I find that the pictures on the cards editorialize the meanings of the cards a bit too much. For example, the five of cups which I read as "love and romance" has a very depressing picture on it in the Ryder deck.

One day I would like to take a crack at one of those "Po Mo" decks - post modern - where the cards are not even the standard Arcanas. Instead of "The Moon" card, one might have "The Smoking Gun". Very trendy....