Turban Chic: Paul Poiret

 (Woman’s Turban, 1911, courtesy of LACMA) I know I know, we’ve been talking turbans for over a year, and I am just now getting around to covering The Man himself, the O.G. of 20th century westernized turban appropriation (and arguably the most important and influential figure in the history of modern women’s fashion), the one […]

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Neon-Lit Blown Glass Human Organs (and more!) by Jessica Lloyd-Jones

Via Colossal: “Anatomical Neon is a series of blown glass lights by North Wales-based artist Jessica Lloyd-Jones meant to focus attention on how energy is used by the human body”. God I LOVE these: Her latest work, entitled “Aura“, pushes her energetic exploration even further: “Aura” explores the development of the electromechanical machine to the […]

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The Seven Steps to Happiness

(Photo by Camdiluv) Let’s first break it down in list form: 1. COMMITMENT builds 2. CHARACTER gives you 3. DIGNITY brings you to 4. DIVINITY bestows 5. GRACE allows you the 6. POWER TO SACRIFICE yields 7. HAPPINESS First, we must become men and women of our word. Take on responsibilities and follow through. No […]

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Chakras: A Brief Introduction

(via Collage Calamity) THE LOWER TRIANGLE: First Chakra —– Muladhara —– Earth —– Security & Survival LOCATION: The end of the spine between the anus and sex organs ORGAN/GLAND: Organs of elimination COLOR: Red QUALITIES: Grounded, centered, secure, loyal, stable. Healthy functions of elimination SHADOW: Fear, insecurity, life as burden, feeling excluded, weak constitution, elimination […]

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Bronze Meditation Sculptures by Sukhi Barber

(via Colossal) Bronze sculptures by UK artist Sukhi Barber who spent twelve years in Kathmandu, Nepal studying Buddhist philosophy and lost-wax bronze casting. From her website: Sukhi’s sculptures are intended to bridge the cultures of East and West. Embodying the peace and compositional balance of ancient devotional art, they represent complex philosophical ideas with a […]

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Summer is Not Over Yet

(Photo by Marcel Ranier) So we’ve reached August, and must come to terms with the fact that summer will not last forever. The sunny season is still ours for now though, so let’s make the most of it! Here are 10 humble suggestions from Solid Glow HQ. 1) Go berry-picking: (Photo by Oka-Tai Lee) 2) […]

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Turban Chic: Jean-Paul Gaultier Men’s S/S and Resort 2013

Do I detect a little Sikh influence in Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Spring/Summer 2013 Menswear collection? Turbans and beards galore! All the looks in his Resort 2013 collection featured turbans too: (all photos by Rainer Torrado / Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier) A turban even suits the man himself, non? (photo by Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com)

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Yoga Basics: Balasana (Child’s Pose)

Yes, that is early adopter Audrey Hepburn in an impeccable Child’s Pose. This resting posture is also referred to by its Sanskrit name, Balasana (bah-LAHS-anna), and can alternately be called Baby Pose (not to be confused with Happy Baby Pose). It relaxes and releases the lower back while gently stretching the thighs and hips. Practicing […]

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100 Benefits of Meditation

In case you need a reason…… Physiological benefits: 1. It lowers oxygen consumption. 2. It decreases respiratory rate. 3. It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate. 4. Increases exercise tolerance. 5. Leads to a deeper level of physical relaxation. 6. Good for people with high blood pressure. 7. Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering […]

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Text Art Created by Cutting Thousands of Letters from Books and Religious Texts

This one comes straight from Colossal: “Artist Meg Hitchock has completed a number of new, elaborate collage works with letters cut from assorted books including the Koran and Salmon Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses. The patience required to assemble these absolutely astounds me. If you’re unfamiliar with her work here’s a quote from her artist statement: […]

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Kundalini Yoga Basics: Life Nerve Stretch

(courtesy of Spirit Voyage) Paschimottanasana, or Seated Forward Bend is also called Life Nerve Stretch in Kundalini yoga. This is a sometimes challenging but comprehensively beneficial posture that ideally would be done daily for optimal flexibility maintenance. This asana stretches and stimulates the muscles of the lower spine, pelvis, and legs, as well as the […]

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Transcendent Music: Future Shuttle

Admittedly, I am late to this party. The Brooklyn-based Future Shuttle has been “channeling the auditory connections between meditative mantras and nû-age primitivism since the Spring of 2009”. I want to do my part to send this far and wide, as the world can definitely use more beautifully-crafted lysergic kosmiche jams. Here’s a little bio, […]

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In Memory Of …..

I’d like to make a bold, strong return, but it’s natural to be tentative when your family lost a tentpole. After the services, I dismantled the floral arrangements, potted each plant, and gave them away to our family and friends. 36 in all. I think he would have liked this. Everything is temporary. Little is […]

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Mindful Eating as Food for Thought

Today’s New York Times and this week’s mini-podcast on PRI’s The World highlight the practice of mindful eating. “Just as there are forms of meditation that involve sitting, breathing, standing and walking, many Buddhist teachers encourage their students to meditate with food, expanding consciousness by paying close attention to the sensation and purpose of each […]

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Yoga Basics: Vajrasana (Rock Pose)

(photo by Anil Sharma) Get into a kneeling posture, with the tops of the feet on the ground. Sit back on the heels so that they are pressed squarely against the sitting bones. Rest your hands comfortably on the thighs. Center your weight on the sitting bones through the heels and into the ground. Completely […]

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Gorgeous Yoga Sand Sculpture and Time-Lapse Video

From Colossal Art and Design: “Similar to a camera capturing multiple exposures in a single image, artist Katie Grinnan created this sculptural time-lapse of her body moving through a daily yoga routine using sand, plastic, and enamel. The end result is representative of both time and form as each split second is layered onto the […]

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Adela Andea and the New Bioluminescence

Romanian-born, Texas based artist Adela Andea creates complex light sculptures and installations using LED and CCL lights along with pulsing electrical components. Andea has said that she strives to create “futuristic eco-systems….that ebb and flow between organic biological forms and glowing technological systems”. Her oeuvre varies widely, but the work that resonates with me is […]

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Transcendent Music: Saito Koji – Guide

Silence certainly has its place in yoga and meditation, but I also love a good spiritual soundtrack. This Transcendent Music series will highlight high-vibration music that can be an enhancement to your practice. I will first introduce you to Saito Koji‘s latest fuzzwash fantasy, Guide. From Disquiet.com: “A new year calls for a stellar dawn, […]

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Why the Turban?

(photo by Paolo Roversi for British Vogue) I have always been drawn to headwear, especially when it is worn for a spiritual purpose. My best friend growing up was (and is) a devout Muslim, and I was always fascinated by her hijab and the connection it had to her identity. I also loved all of […]

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Yoga Basics: Savasana (Corpse Pose)

(photo courtesy of Sivananda Online) Savasana is about releasing the physical body. Yoga Journal has a good explanation of the subtleties of the pose, but all you really have to do is lie on your back, with your arms comfortably at your sides, palms facing up. Feet should be slightly apart. Let your breath come […]

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Yoga Basics: Long Deep Breathing

Break the habit of ignoring the breath. Just because we don’t have to expend effort to breathe, don’t take it for granted! The quantity, quality, and circulation of the breath creates the foundation for a vital and creative life. Mastery of the breath promotes health and vitality, assists in controlling the moods, develops concentration, and […]

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Operation Warrior Wellness: David Lynch Gives $1M to Teach Veterans Meditation

Legendary auteur, musician, artist, occasional nightlife impresario, and swoopy-coiffed inspiration David Lynch has just donated $1 million to his foundation’s Operation Warrior Wellness program, which offers courses in Transcendental Meditation to soldiers and veterans. This comes on the heels of a recent pilot study that explored the affects of Transcendental Meditation on Iraq and Afghanistan […]

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Yayoi Kusama: Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity, 2009

I experienced this iteration of Kusama’s Infinity Room at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea in 2009, and it changed my life. The piece was installed in the very back room. I approached this innocuous white cube, having absolutely no idea what might be revealed inside. I walked in, and stood motionless on a small platform […]

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