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- Bắc Ninh: Hàng ngàn người về xem Hội Rước Pháo Làng Ðồng Kỵ
Hàng ngàn người từ các tỉnh lân cận và Hà Nội đã đổ về làng Ðồng Kỵ thuộc xã Ðồng Quan, Huyện Từ Sơn, tỉnh Bắc Ninh (cách Hà Nội chừng 50 km) để xem hội rước pháo truyền thống vào sáng Mùng 4 Tết.
- Baghdad: Nổ bom xe ngay khách sạn bộ trưởng, 4 người chết
- Báo "Thanh Niên" chọn chín vụ án lớn nhất Việt Nam trong năm 2003
- Bầu cử Tổng Thống Hoa Kỳ:
- Các chính phủ Á Châu đồng ý lập hệ thống theo dõi bệnh cúm gà
- Các chuyên gia thấy có tiến triển tốt trong cuộc đối đầu ở nhà tù Arizona
- Cán bộ lão thành tố cáo lãnh tụ Ðảng tham nhũng, không sửa sai
Một cán bộ cao cấp nghỉ hưu có 57 tuổi đảng lên tiếng tố cáo nhiều lãnh tụ Ðảng tham nhũng và chế độ Hà Nội làm nhiều điều sái quấy, hại dân nhưng không chịu sửa sai.
- Sáu quân nhân Phi Luật Tân bị thẩm vấn vì tố cáo Bộ Trưởng Quốc Phòng vi phạm tự do bầu cử
- Cựu Thanh Tra Kay: Tình báo Hoa Kỳ trước cuộc chiến Iraq là có lỗi lầm
- Dải Gaza: Giao chiến khiến có ít nhất chín người Palestine chết
- Dịch cúm gà xuất hiện ở Hà Nội và đã lan ra tới 31 tỉnh
- Hà Nội: Sông Hồng cạn nước trơ đáy
- Hà Sĩ Phu bị công an kiếm chuyện sau khi đi Hà Nội chữa bệnh
- Hoa Kỳ thả hơn 20 tù nhân từ nhà tù Guantanamo
- Hoa Kỳ thành lập “Văn Phòng Thông Tin Giáo Dục Hoa Kỳ” tại Sài Gòn
- Cash or carry?
It’s June, and all month long, it has been wedding season. And non-traditional Vietnamese American brides must decide if they want the traditional gift of money or a more tangible present.
- A day of fun, friendship and flagsticks
Male bonding takes center stage when four men play hooky and play golf instead.
- A day of fun, friendship and flagsticks
Male bonding takes center stage when four men play hooky and play golf instead.
- Taking stock 20 years post-cap and gown
I did not know what to expect, but who would, going to your Vietnamese high school reunion 20 years later?
- Taking stock 20 years post-cap and gown
I did not know what to expect, but who would, going to your Vietnamese high school reunion 20 years later?
- Riders with a cause
Trang Nguyễn and a group of fellow college students are biking cross country to raise money to benefit cancer patients.
- Riders with a cause
Trang Nguyễn and a group of fellow college students are biking cross country to raise money to benefit cancer patients.
- The sweetest days
A Vietnamese American woman finds her nirvana when she takes a chocolate tour of Belgium.
- The sweetest days
A Vietnamese American woman finds her nirvana when she takes a chocolate tour of Belgium.
- Glossed in translation
A Vietnamese-speaking reporter does the dirty work — getting her nails done — to find out what those manicurists are saying.
- Glossed in translation
A Vietnamese-speaking reporter does the dirty work — getting her nails done — to find out what those manicurists are saying.
- A man with a vision
Guitarist Nguyễn Đức Đạt is blind, but that doesn’t stop him from fulfilling his career goals or helping others.
- A man with a vision
Guitarist Nguyễn Đức Đạt is blind, but that doesn’t stop him from fulfilling his career goals or helping others.
- In loving memory
Earlier this month, the Trầns introduced Anchored for Safety, the organization they hope can spare another family from having to live through such a loss.
- In loving memory
Earlier this month, the Trầns introduced Anchored for Safety, the organization they hope can spare another family from having to live through such a loss.
- Ages and stages
It's back-to-school time, and the experience differs by grade level. We'd like to help students and their parents to make a smooth transition.
- Ages and stages
It's back-to-school time, and the experience differs by grade level. We'd like to help students and their parents to make a smooth transition.
- Fishing around
Colorful aquariums are filling the rooms of Vietnamese Americans. But experts say to study before you jump in the water.
- Fishing around
Colorful aquariums are filling the rooms of Vietnamese Americans. But experts say to study before you jump in the water.
- The victor
Madison Nguyễn captures more than 62 percent of the vote to gain a seat on the San Jose City Council.
- The victor
Madison Nguyễn captures more than 62 percent of the vote to gain a seat on the San Jose City Council.
- Celebrating arts, celebrating culture
Through an annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival contest, immigrant children stay connected to traditions.
- Celebrating arts, celebrating culture
Through an annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival contest, immigrant children stay connected to traditions.
- Autumn in the air
From coast to coast, a look at fall foliage is just a day trip away.
- Autumn in the air
From coast to coast, a look at fall foliage is just a day trip away.
- With pride and pain
Hội Trịnh worked for years for the freedom of stateless Vietnamese refugees in the Philippines. He rejoices in the freedom for 1,600 of them, regrets those who have been left behind.
- With pride and pain
Hội Trịnh worked for years for the freedom of stateless Vietnamese refugees in the Philippines. He rejoices in the freedom for 1,600 of them, regrets those who have been left behind.
- A call to lead
Võ Kim Sơn was the force that got her family out of Việt Nam. Now, as a mentor to college students, she is the one to hold them together.
- A call to lead
Võ Kim Sơn was the force that got her family out of Việt Nam. Now, as a mentor to college students, she is the one to hold them together.
- New mom reflects on the first year of her son's life
Editor’s note: Last year, Annie Mai and her husband, Jason Bevacqua, shared with Nguoi Viet 2 a monthly journal of her pregnancy. Now, as son AJ reaches his first birthday in Santa Ana, Calif., his mother remembers the moments that count.
- “The Oprah Winfrey Show” sẽ chấm dứt năm 2011
Tiết mục hội thoại “The Oprah Winfrey Show” từ ¼ thế kỷ qua đã là chương trình rất thu hút khán giả, nhưng kể từ Tháng Chín, năm 2011 sẽ ngưng phát trong giờ ban ngày trên những đài thuộc các hệ thống truyền hình lớn và có thể chỉ còn trên truyền hình cable.
- Thống đốc South Carolina sắp bị đàn hặc
Các nhà lập pháp của tiểu bang South Carolina dự tính sẽ chính thức xem xét việc đàn hặc Thống Ðốc Mark Sanford vào tuần tới, chủ tịch của ủy ban phụ trách vấn đề đó cho biết hôm Thứ Sáu.
- Sinh viên gốc Việt nói về quyết định tăng học phí 32%
Giữa lúc nền kinh tế California đang rất khó khăn, quyết định tăng học phí 32% của Hội Ðồng Quản Trị hệ thống đại học UC (University of California's Board of Regents) tạo nên một làn sóng phản đối mạnh mẽ từ giới sinh viên, và nhiều phản ứng khác nhau, từ dư luận.
- Sinh viên gốc Việt nói về quyết định tăng học phí 32%
Giữa lúc nền kinh tế California đang rất khó khăn, quyết định tăng học phí 32% của Hội Ðồng Quản Trị hệ thống đại học UC (University of California's Board of Regents) tạo nên một làn sóng phản đối mạnh mẽ từ giới sinh viên, và nhiều phản ứng khác nhau, từ dư luận.
- Toàn bộ hồ sơ Daniel Phạm: Cảnh sát sợ bị chém, bắn chết thanh niên Việt
Phải đến nửa năm sau khi cảnh sát bắn thiệt mạng thanh niên gốc Việt Daniel Phạm, thành phố San Jose mới công bố hồ sơ trong vụ giết người. Hồ sơ này gồm cả giấy tờ lẫn băng ghi âm các cuộc điện đàm cấp cứu, được đưa lên trang mạng của văn phòng Thư Ký Thành Phố hôm 13 Tháng Mười Một.
- Toàn bộ hồ sơ Daniel Phạm: Cảnh sát sợ bị chém, bắn chết thanh niên Việt
Phải đến nửa năm sau khi cảnh sát bắn thiệt mạng thanh niên gốc Việt Daniel Phạm, thành phố San Jose mới công bố hồ sơ trong vụ giết người. Hồ sơ này gồm cả giấy tờ lẫn băng ghi âm các cuộc điện đàm cấp cứu, được đưa lên trang mạng của văn phòng Thư Ký Thành Phố hôm 13 Tháng Mười Một.
- Ðảng chập chờn, chế độ chập chờn
Ðêm Thứ Ba và sáng Thứ Tư, nhật báo Người Việt loan tin về mạng Facebook bị chặn tại Việt Nam, ngay lập tức có những vị công an văn hóa viết thư chế nhạo tờ báo này loan tin vịt, và báo cho biết rằng Bộ Thông Tin, Văn Hóa trong chính phủ Hà Nội đã xác nhận rằng họ không hề ra lệnh cấm Facebook bao giờ.
- Cụ Phạm-Đỗ Thành
- Giáo sư Giuse Dominique Phạm Ngọc Quế
- Bà Nguyễn Phương Lan (Cảm Tạ)
- Cụ Nguyễn Văn Biện
- Anh Joseph Bạch Ngọc Hòa
- Cụ Nguyễn Văn Biện
- Ông Giuse Dominique Phạm Ngọc Quế
- Cụ Bà Trương Thị Cầm
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For years, I was told that to be happy, I must work hard, and be a kind, compassionate and productive member of my community. So I spend most of my life striving to achieve these goals. At age 32, I manage to make a comfortable living being a public-interest attorney. I have a strong network of devoted friends. I am in a loving and supportive marriage.
And while I am grateful for all these blessings, I had deteriorated to a crumbling mess. I was overweight — even by American standards. I was at risk of being on medication for the rest of my life for high cholesterol and blood pressure. Worst of all, I was in a perpetual state of mental stress and physical pain. While I was busy chasing after external things like a worthwhile career, a good social life and a good relationship, I lost touch with the one thing that matters most to me and my happiness: myself.
I wish I could say that I was wise enough to seek out yoga. In reality, it actually found me when Kelly Nguy?n began teaching it at my workplace. Out of sheer desperation, I decided to try.
From the very first moment Kelly walked into our library, now a makeshift studio, I could not help but marvel at how she seemed to just float about the room with complete ease and grace. Throughout the class, she radiated an immense sense of patience and energy. Despite our endless whining, Kelly kept the atmosphere light, even though she is the consummate professional, having trained with top-flight instructors.
She constantly reminded us to trust our bodies, and to connect our bodies with our mind and ourselves with the universe.
Then she coaxed us into various yoga poses. I followed her examples.
Within a few weeks, I noticed a drastic change. I no longer had trouble falling asleep and usually woke up feeling refreshed and full of life. As yoga burns off the fat, I could now see some muscle tones and definition emerging throughout my body.
Being free from mental stress and physical pain has been a life-altering experience for me. Yoga has helped me find harmony between my body, mind, soul and the universe, just as my teacher predicted it would. This harmony, in turn, helps me realize that happiness is already here within me. I do not need to chase after anything just to be happy, especially at the expense of myself. I can finally and literally have my cake and eat it, too.
For those interested in learning yoga but have yet to try, here’s what Kelly shared with me in a question-and-answer format.
Q: What is yoga?
A: The word yoga means “to join or yoke together”— bringing the body and mind together.
It is, in short, Buddha’s prescription for the pathway to enlightenment as a means of escape from life’s seemingly unavoidable sufferings. But it is not a religion. It has no creed or fixed set of beliefs.
Yoga is certainly not just for the “young.” As a system of exercise, breathing and meditation, it is rapidly gaining fans worldwide. Many elders are realizing its value in improving health and overall well-being.
Most of the physical yoga practices are based on elements of Hatha yoga (yoga of the body). Other kinds of yoga include Jnana (yoga of the mind), Bhakti (yoga of devotion), and Karma (yoga of action).
Different schools or styles of yoga are usually classified by lineage of teachers. For example, Ashtanga (aka. power yoga) is a strenuous form of yoga championed by K.P. Jois. Anusara yoga is based on the “Universal Principals of Alignment” championed by John Friend. Iyengar is an intense form of yoga with focus on alignment and form. And Vinyasana is a blend of Ashtanga and Iyengar.
Q: What are some of the benefits to practicing yoga?
A: Yoga has many benefits. Medical research shows that it can relax the body and calm the mind while helping to build strength and increase flexibility. In yoga, we learn to lift and hold our own body weight to build strength. As we lengthen and stretch our muscle fibers, we increase flexibility.
Yoga also is great for managing stress and slowing the aging process. Through inversions (poses where the head is lower than the hips) we can minimize the negative effects of gravity, thereby physiologically reversing the aging process. Additionally, yoga is recommended for pregnant women who wish to prepare themselves for the hardships of labor and delivery as well as postpartum recovery.
Q: How does one get started in yoga?
A: Today, yoga is offered in most health clubs like Bally Total Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness and Spectrum. But most students prefer to practice at privately owned studios. And there are many here in Southern California.
A quick search online (www.yogafinder.com) will show an array of classes, events and teachers in your area. There is even a yoga studio in Vieät Nam, at www.saigonyoga.com. Most studios offer discounts for seniors and students.
Feel free to sample a variety of instructors until you find one or more that you like. And try out the different styles of yoga. There’s no reason why you can’t practice both Iyengar and Vinyasana. While there are variations among different instructors, almost all classes will emphasize the main components: breathing, flexibility, and strengthening poses.
Q: Anything else?
A: I believe the practice of yoga is a labor of love. Be patient. It can take years to become proficient in certain poses. But with discipline you’ll get there. And have fun.
Kelly Nguy?n, pictured left, is an instructor in Southern California at Freeman Yoga and at YogaLife. To assume the Padmasana (Lotus Pose), she gives these directions:
Sit in an easy cross-legged position, bring right foot on top of left thigh with the outer edge of foot pressed into the groin. Bring right knee forward as you roll the right hip in. Do the same with left foot. Avoid straining the knees. Sit up tall as you open the chest and bring the shoulders back. Place your hands on top of thighs with palms facing up (index and thumb touching). To come into a gentle twist: place the right hand behind left hip and left hand over right thigh looking over the right shoulder. Keep sitting bones firmly planted into the floor.
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