Journal & Field Ledger
Handpicked. Curated. No ads. No spam. Cozy and real, made daily by Michael.
Read MichaelFilter
Get the hand-curated daily edition and follow the Journals. No feed, no algorithm, no slop.
afield since 2003 · michael joel hall
Tuesday
November 10, 2026

1. The Dangers of Safety
1. The Dangers of Safety Freakonomics Radio · sourceSource: Freakonomics Radio — mgln.ai
Open the pick →
Etsy IRL Instead of spending hours scrolling through vintage finds at 2am, you can browse crafts from around the world at the MMEG market. A cut of the sales fund education grants, which cancels out buyer’s remorse. (10am to 5pm) 10am to 5pm → https://us.list-manage.com/HFy5ZNK4Z9A?e=fc2268d0b5&c2id=3b8ddcf1279fac8169615f1d26995685…
Open the pick →
Sound like a good adventure on Friday! What even is a jingle dress?? 730DCSource: 730DC
Open the pick →
Pride
Liz is already a doctor of physical therapy. Becky isn't far behind — neither is Victoria. All three pursued their doctorates while keeping a serious practice. They've each thanked me, at different points, for fostering their curiosity. For never letting them forget what they were…
Read the essay →
Comic books go undercover in a new exhibit at DC’s Spy Museum
In Tuesday's episode of "Matt About Town," we're showing you how a new exhibit at D.C.'s International Spy Museum is looking to change that. It's called "Comic Book Confidential," and curators say they hope this exhibit serves as a great introduction to the world of…
Open the pick →Threads
On this day
November 10 in years past
FOOLED BY THE
deer for me!
me trying to send telepathic love to other
queer people i see in public
ur doing great
@gayunclemario2
$
ashtanga.tech
JOIN @MAGICCITYYOGI
@CORYYOGA AND
@MICHAELJOELHALL
¿ TEACHING IMMERSION 2024
ashtanga.tech You don't just step into the Mysore
room and work with students in this manner. It tak...
TR
H C
A

The Paradox of the Yoga Flame
In this piece, I dive into the heart of yoga's transformative journey, examining the balance between the intensity of practice and the tranquility it nurtures. I challenge you to rethink what we truly seek from our yoga journey - is it the relentless pursuit of physical intensity or the quest for inner peace and harmony? Whether you're a long-time yogi or just starting out, this article offers a fresh perspective that resonates with practitioners at all stages. Discover insights that might just change the way you view your yoga practice."
Read the essay →
From Fervent Flames to Steady Glow: A Yoga Odyssey Over Time
Inspired by a conversation with Caroline Weaver, this piece delves into the evolving nature of yoga -- from reflections on intensity to age. It questions our relentless pursuit of intensity in practice and invites us to savor its current state and the internal transformation it ignites. Join Caroline and I as we explore the shift from seeking external intensity to finding internal fulfillment and wisdom. If you're intrigued by the deeper aspects of yoga beyond physicality, this article offers insightful reflections on balancing vigor with inner peace. Read now and discover how true transformation in yoga lies within us.
Read the essay →saturday
like
hit a wall. thanks,
@davidgarriguesyoga
sometimes I
hit a wall.
thanks,
@davidgarriguesyoga
Hed
wild friday
He gave it to me years ago. Did I not like it so much?
Now it makes me feel like a superhero. Is that an "M" or an "H"? My, how tastes change. Love you, Dad!
#tourof2nd
#Dhanurasana , a posture which demands you cling for dear life and literally kick your heart open.
Bear in mind a few things when dragging your heart open, kicking and screaming. Perhaps the best advice comes from my folks on this subject:
Make like prom night and keep your knees closed while you're crackin' that heart. 😉
Don't underestimate the great load your shoulders will bear while you kick to infinity -- if you don't get strong and stable shoulders, the load will hurt you over time. Sounds an awful lot like love, eh?
Lastly, use your head!... I played with the head position a bit to explore the movement of energy & muscular recruiting patterns. 😏 --- Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga
http://dailycupofyoga.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/item4-rendition-slideshowvertical-cusl05_yoga0706.jpg
By the numbers
Writing
Digests
- Individualized Sequencing in Ashtanga Yoga
- Twenty-Three Studies Agree
- Home Practice Challenges for Ashtanga Yoga Practitioners
- Breathing Through Depression
- Yogic Agency: The Practice on Purpose
- Overcome Cognitive Biases with Yoga
- Vulnerability and Risk in Practice
- Complimentary Forms of Exercise for Ashtanga Yoga
- Individualized Sequencing in Ashtanga YogaNov 8, 2026
Individualized Sequencing in Ashtanga Yoga — **Introduction** Hello!
- Twenty-Three Studies AgreeNov 7, 2026
A systematic review of 23 yoga studies concluded that yoga interventions were effective in reducing depression, with consistent results across different designs and populations.
- Home Practice Challenges for Ashtanga Yoga PractitionersNov 1, 2026
In this video, Michael Joel Hall discusses the challenges and benefits of practicing yoga at home without a teacher.
- Breathing Through DepressionOct 31, 2026
Both high-dose and low-dose yoga with breathing exercises significantly reduced depressive symptoms in adults with Major Depressive Disorder over 12 weeks.
- Yogic Agency: The Practice on PurposeOct 25, 2026
There's no secret to a transformative practice. Anyone selling one is selling something else. What there is: yogic agency.
- Overcome Cognitive Biases with YogaOct 24, 2026
Discover how Ashtanga yoga acts as a powerful ally in confronting our deepest cognitive biases and illuminating a path towards clear perception.
- Vulnerability and Risk in PracticeOct 22, 2026
Vulnerability is one of the most overused words in self-help. The underlying idea is real. The marketing version mostly isn't.
- Complimentary Forms of Exercise for Ashtanga YogaOct 18, 2026
In this video, Michael Joel Hall discusses the ongoing debate within the Ashtanga yoga community about incorporating complementary exercises, such...
The Read
npr.orgThe Purple Tsunami Against Data Centers : Machine Gods : NPRCommunities across the U.S. are organizing grassroots resistance ('purple tsunami') against the rapid expansion of data centers in their neighborhoods. Local residents are opposing these facilities due to concerns about water consumption, energy demands, noise pollution, and environmental impact, of✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50
npr.orgThe purple tsunami against data centersA podcast episode examining how opposition to AI data centers became a major issue in the 2026 midterms, with voters across multiple states rejecting facilities due to local impact concerns. The discussion explores whether community backlash will slow AI development or force tech companies to negoti✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50
techdirt.comNever Mind The Deepfakes, Chatbots Have To Deal With Election Lies Being Free, While Truth Is PaywalledThe article examines how AI chatbots struggle with election misinformation, not primarily through deepfakes but because reliable news sources block AI scraping while low-quality sites remain accessible. A NewsGuard study found 67% of top news sites block AI tools while 91% of low-quality sites allow✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50
nautil.usJust Imagining a Workout Can Make You StrongerMotor imagery activates the same brain areas as actual movement, with inhibitory signals preventing muscle activation. Research shows mental practice enhances performance across activities, with optimal sessions around 20 minutes. Studies demonstrate measurable strength gains (22% in pinkie muscles)✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50The Listen
The Watch
TEDIs AI Turning Us All into the Same Person? | Sandra Matz | TEDMatz reframes the AI risk conversation away from jobs and misinformation toward something quieter and harder to argue with: the slow algorithmic erasure of the self. The 'dial' proposal is genuinely actionable, not just rhetorical.✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50
Washington Week PBSWashington Week with The Atlantic full episode, Aug. 28, 2026A sharp, sardonic dissection of Trump's inversion of alliances — hating Canada, respecting Kim Jong-un — with a Canadian reporter at the table and real trade mechanics underneath the absurdity. The Dolly Parton coda lands harder than expected.✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50
TODAYMeet the Couple Behind Panda ExpressA rare look at the Cherngs' unsentimental, clear-eyed philosophy on building an empire — immigrant grit meets shrewd business candor. The orange chicken origin and their unapologetic 'American Chinese food' framing alone make this worth returning to.✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50
StarTalkHow The Brain Perceives Time, with David EaglemanEagleman dismantles the brain's greatest myths — that memory records, that senses are fixed, that slow-motion fear is real — with experiments wild enough to match the claims. The dream-as-real-estate-defense theory alone is worth the price of admission.✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50
Tale FoundryThe Book of Dead FairiesA genuinely weird artifact — pressed fairy corpses as Victorian psychosexual metaphor — that earns its darkness and lands a quietly profound point about preserved imagination and the shame of looking back at who you were.✦ Read ad free and get the full MichaelFilter · $5.50Pickings
Latest dispatches
Doodles
The full ledger
13,278 entries · 2003–2026 · filter & browse below

1. The Dangers of Safety
1. The Dangers of Safety Freakonomics Radio · sourceSource: Freakonomics Radio — mgln.ai
Open the pick →
Etsy IRL Instead of spending hours scrolling through vintage finds at 2am, you can browse crafts from around the world at the MMEG market. A cut of the sales fund education grants, which cancels out buyer’s remorse. (10am to 5pm) 10am to 5pm → https://us.list-manage.com/HFy5ZNK4Z9A?e=fc2268d0b5&c2id=3b8ddcf1279fac8169615f1d26995685…
Open the pick →
Sound like a good adventure on Friday! What even is a jingle dress?? 730DCSource: 730DC
Open the pick →
Pride
Liz is already a doctor of physical therapy. Becky isn't far behind — neither is Victoria. All three pursued their doctorates while keeping a serious practice. They've each thanked me, at different points, for fostering their curiosity. For never letting them forget what they were…
Read the essay →
Comic books go undercover in a new exhibit at DC’s Spy Museum
In Tuesday's episode of "Matt About Town," we're showing you how a new exhibit at D.C.'s International Spy Museum is looking to change that. It's called "Comic Book Confidential," and curators say they hope this exhibit serves as a great introduction to the world of…
Open the pick →


Trump says FBI investigating Nvidia boss’s affair with alleged Chinese spy
US intelligence officials believe Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, was a spy for Beijing, according to a New York Times report. The report said Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a memo to top officials in Washington last spring warning that the Nvidia…
Open the pick →
Did early humans collect keepsakes 500,000 years ago?
The study combines archaeological findings with insights from evolutionary theory, psychology and neuroscience. Its authors point to objects that early humans collected, carried and kept despite having no apparent practical purpose. They propose that these objects may have served as personal keepsakes, reminding their owners…
Open the pick →
Did early humans collect keepsakes 500,000 years ago?
Most of us are familiar with the urge to pick up a seashell from the beach or keep a stone from a hiking trip. The object itself may be ordinary, but to the person who keeps it, it serves as a reminder of a particular…
Open the pick →
How to turn (almost) anything into a great soup
Yeah, that is a really good move. And I was going to say a pinch of MSG to add a little bit of savory depth, but the Parmesan rind, like that's also what it's doing. Parmesan is a natural source of like a ton of…
Open the pick →
preview.redd.it/shocking-hollywood-shakeup-dc-studio-heads-james-gunn-and-v0-8xe preview.redd.itSource: preview.redd.it
Open the pick →
Wig Budgets with Casey Spooner
And it's not an issue. Right. Like, I don't think there is like, there's no concern about getting older. Getting older is fucking awesome. Certain echelons of a scene may be hard to penetrate, as it were, but you, like, if you live in New…
Open the pick →
Wig Budgets with Casey Spooner
…do a little bit of it, but then I just feel like I don't have the next day. No, you definitely don't. I, I, I, I, respected it as a ritualistic practice. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You don't need to do all the time. I'm not…
Open the pick →
Wig Budgets with Casey Spooner
…I was like, okay, amazing, cool. I always travel. I always travel with a backpack, but I always carries kind of a semblance of a tuxedo. So I was always backpacking with a tuxedo, which is I highly recommend. Okay. That is such a good…
Open the pick →
Wig Budgets with Casey Spooner
…the way I looked so much on stage. No one recognized me on the street. I was always like crazy hair, tons of makeup, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then my personal style was kind of preppy. You know, like I wasn't dressed like a…
Open the pick →
Wig Budgets with Casey Spooner
But it's a good way to do it. It's good, but it looks a lot more fun on the outside. Like the inside is like, it's kind of tedious, it gets repetitive. People are petty and weird. Fashion people aren't smart. You know, you're dealing…
Open the pick →
Are You Taking Fun Seriously Enough?
…of my favorite techniques is to notice and share delights, which is a practice I got from the poet Ross Gay, who wrote a whole book called The Book of Delights. The basic idea is just make…
Open the pick →
Are You Taking Fun Seriously Enough?
…3: that's my job. And I just thought, oh my God, I like to think of myself as a self-aware person who lives fully and I can't think of anything to do. And so I asked myself a question.…
Open the pick →
Dropping the Mask
And, uh, you know, I was getting ribed by the cashier for, you know, buying this because, um, the other things I was getting were somewhat more highbrow. So he was like, it's not often that we see somebody buying this book and then this…
Open the pick →
Action at the old Bold Fork Books Space in Mount Pleasant – New Cafe Coming?
Saw this inside the old Bold Fork Books location: Is there a new cafe opening?? We would love that in Mt. P Bold Fork Books → https://www.popville.com/2026/08/bold-fork-books-closing-dc-mount-pleasant/ PoPville · sourceSource: PoPville — popville.com · Action at the old Bold Fork Books Space in Mount Pleasant…
Open the pick →
Torrenters are building epic media collections
…supposed to be, just never cease to blow my mind. But as phones get bigger and bigger, enough's theory is that phones should be 5.3 inches. That's the display size that they're going for. I encourage you to go look at the pictures of this…
Open the pick →
New Metalio E Ink 4 Plus has 4.7″ Screen with 297 PPI
The E-Ink 4 Plus has a 2,000 mAh battery and the device weighs about 100 grams. The smaller E-Ink 4 has a 1,000 mAh battery and it weighs about 70 grams. Apparently there's a variant with 4G wireless and a 2MP camera, but it doesn't…
Open the pick →
Are You Taking Fun Seriously Enough?
Are You Taking Fun Seriously Enough? The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos · sourceSource: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos — pdrl.fm
Open the pick →
Dropping the Mask
Dropping the Mask Hidden Brain · sourceSource: Hidden Brain — hiddenbrain.org
Open the pick →
Why Is the Internet So Afraid of Sex?
Oh no, what if you saw 69's me and he calls back, you know, so it was this like cheat for finding out who was calling you. And it was, of course, it had like a dirty name, you know, even though. Not just a…
Open the pick →
They may have upgraded the average skill set of software teams in a way we have not seen before. So why does software keep getting worse across the board? A few examples from last week alone: My banking app requires, on average, three FaceID logins…
Open the pick →
The Calm Is Over: Cancun Airport Rebounds To Over 500 Flights In A Single Day
Go Carry On Only If You Can If you can manage to fit your swimsuits and flip flops into a single carry on bag, absolutely do it. During these massive peak travel weekends, the wait times at the baggage claim carousels can easily swell to…
Open the pick →
The Calm Is Over: Cancun Airport Rebounds To Over 500 Flights In A Single Day
escapes. Surviving The Peak Season Airport Rush Because the airport is already hitting these massive peak season numbers in early November, travelers arriving over the next few months need to be totally prepared for a highly crowded airport experience. escapes. → https://expedia.com/affiliate/j8DgvYQ Cancun Sun ·…
Open the pick →
The Calm Is Over: Cancun Airport Rebounds To Over 500 Flights In A Single Day
Over a single weekend, the Cancun International Airport recorded an absolutely massive 953 scheduled flights. On Saturday, November 7, they hit a maximum of 500 flights in a single day. That figure completely shatters any doubt about a tourism slowdown and proves a massive rebound…
Open the pick →
This Will Be The World’s Biggest Park
King Salman Park will break records in Riyadh. King Salman Park is reshaping life in Saudi Arabia and American firm Parsons is helping them do it. To find out how, click here: https://bit.ly/4jZZVvX https://bit.ly/4jZZVvX The B1M · sourceSource: The B1M — youtube.com · This Will…
Open the pick →
When Idaho Banned Abortion, OB-GYNs Fled. The Doctors Who Stayed Are Cracking.
"Since last October, the families of every fallen soldier have been offered post-mortem sperm retrieval." Longreads · sourceSource: Longreads — longreads.com
Open the pick →
In 1984, a team led by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, then a researcher at the National I
In 1984, a team led by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, then a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, first described SAD and coined the term. "I believe that because it is easy to remember, the acronym has stuck," he said. Scientists are trying to understand…
Open the pick →
What Meta’s documents showed On Nov. 6, 2025, Reuters reported on internal Meta
What Meta's documents showed On Nov. 6, 2025, Reuters reported on internal Meta documents showing the company expected roughly $16 billion, or about 10% of its 2024 revenue, to flow in from ads pushing scams and prohibited products. By Meta's own internal count, users across…
Open the pick →
More Kneads Bakery Signage Up in Logan Circle By Prince Of Petworth Published No
More Kneads Bakery Signage Up in Logan Circle By Prince Of Petworth Published November 4, 2026 at 8:25AM 15th and P Street, NW Thanks to all who sent the new KNEADS bakery signage up at the old Duron paint store. Prince Of Petworth → https://www.popville.com/author/prince-of-petworth/…
Open the pick →
photo by Miki Jourdan From the U.S. National Arboretum: “This year marks 50 year
photo by Miki Jourdan From the U.S. National Arboretum: "This year marks 50 years of bonsai at the U.S. National Arboretum's (USNA) National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in Washington, DC. The museum opened its doors as part of the 1976 Bicentennial festivities and is the…
Open the pick →
Aspiring astronauts have between now and Dec. 3 to submit their applications. NA
Aspiring astronauts have between now and Dec. 3 to submit their applications. NASA expects to make its final selection by late 2027, with the new candidates beginning their training by early 2028 — the same year that NASA intends to return astronauts to the lunar…
Open the pick →
Traditions vary by region but commonly include lights, fireworks, feasting, new
Traditions vary by region but commonly include lights, fireworks, feasting, new clothes and prayers. In southern India, many people take an early morning bath with warm oil to symbolize bathing in the holy River Ganges for physical and spiritual purification. In the north, worship centers…
Open the pick →Get MichaelFilter
Enter your email. We'll send a one-tap link to read today's edition free, in your browser — the link works for 24 hours. Membership unlocks every issue, PDFs, and transcripts.
Already a member of theyoga.club or ashtanga.tech? You're already on file — no re-registration. We won't add you to any list.

























