Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 26, 2013

B2

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, October 26, 2013 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS: 


By Sean Kayden

HEAVENLY BEAT

“Prominence,” the sophomore release from John Pena a.k.a. Heavenly Beat is 
essentially the first album revisited all over again. Some may deem it a dead on 
sequel to 2012’s “Talent.” Since the first album was a pleasant surprise it’s not all 
that alarming this one is too. Moreover this was also a complete departure from 
the previous band (Beach Fossils) he was a part of. The tropical pop resonance with daydream lyrics is 
a fitting fall season release. The lulling arrangements may 
alleviate some past wounds one may still have. While I 
mentioned the album feels identical to the first record, 
it goes a bit deeper. Pena is more comfortable in his own 
skin now and it shows with his lyrical abilities. The music 
here is a bit morose, but he’s able to liven things up from 
time to time. Another key component to Pena’s signature 
sound is the grouping of sounds that stem from popular 
music of other countries. However, “Prominence” lacks 
variety, which makes it the experience a bit stale toward 
the end of its 9-track run. The songs are better played throughout a mix CD, popping up periodically, 
instead of listening the record track by track. 

The echoed low voice of Pena is extremely calming. With his proclivity for electronic beats, lush, and 
layered melodies, Pena is a masterful composer of pop-orientated songs. At the same token, most songs 
blend together, making it rather difficult to differentiate the tracks. I’m a fan of Pena’s work, but I find 
myself bored with the album as it comes to a halt. It’s less than 35 minutes in length, but feels greater 
since most songs have overlapping sounds. Heavenly Beat creates a very ethereal atmosphere from 
beginning to end. The record sort of glides throughout, but could be due to the lack of diversity. With 
nearly every song sounding overwhelming similar to the next, the record never takes a much-needed 
detour. One of the better tracks here is, “Expectation.” Sure it’s not a whole lot different than the other 
songs, but Pena’s voice is a lot clearer here. The lyrically gloomy tune displays words such as, “I wanted 
that and so much more/won’t accept that I lost out/it hurts to think that all I’ve felt was only leading me 
nowhere.” Overall, it breathes such beauty and warmth. “Forever” is another highlight that has Pena 
painfully reciting the lines, “can’t remember a time when I didn’t feel awful,” and “it’s so hard believing 
there’s nothing more I could do/forever’s a long time to spend hurting for you.” The man’s sensitivity 
shines throughout even if sometimes it appears more on the doom and gloom side. 

“Prominence,” is a decent record that puts on display a musician with many talents. However, it would be 
great to see (and hear) what Pena can do beyond this sound he’s cultivated over the span of two albums. 
I will say his music doesn’t sound like any other American musician since the influences span different 
cultures. While I applaud his creativity, I can’t say that I was utterly enamored by this experience. There 
are things to appreciate with “Prominence,” however becoming completely stimulated by it may not be 
the case. Heavenly Beat has a lot of potential but with “Prominence” it’s only shown in small doses. Not 
bad by any means, just kind of substandard seeing how Pena has a lot going for him artistically. 

Grade: 6.5 out of 10 

Key Tracks: “Honest,” “Forever,” “Expectation” 

Artist: Heavenly Beat 

Album: Prominence

Label: Captured Tracks

Release 

Date: October 14th, 2013

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

THE JOY OF YOGA

YOGA ELEMENTS


ene
I WANT MY MEMORY BACK!

Are you forgetting names? Can’t remember where you placed your keys? 
Keep leaving your phone places like on restaurant tables? I am not talking 
Alzheimer’s here, I am talking about what some people refer to as foggy 
brain or slow recall. Memory does erode a bit as we age. There is new 
evidence that with a little effort you can boost your memory and recall and 
even build new memory networks. 

There are 7 things that are known to improve memory. The first is getting 
more sleep. The recommended amount of sleep is 7.5 to 8.5 hours a night. 
If you are like most people, you have a set time that you need to get up to 
go to work. If you’re not getting enough sleep, then your only option is to 
go to bed earlier. 

The next thing you need to do is exercise. Researchers from UC Irvine 
discovered that a little exercise yielded good mental benefits. Some 
researchers believe that exercise increases your brain size and your ability 
to remember. Brisk walking everyday can yield these benefits. 

It is also beneficial to play memory games like Sudoku or crossword 
puzzles. It has long been thought that these games delay brain decline. My new obsession is an 
iPhone app, called Lumosity which aims to improve concentration and cognitive ability. And there’s 
a mini version you can download for free (works on a computer also). 

If you are one of my clients then you know that the number one thing I believe will improve all 
areas of your health and especially memory is eating the right foods. Those foods are antioxidant 
rich, colorful vegetables and fruits and anything containing omega-3 fatty acids. At the same time 
avoiding foods containing refined sugars which can cause brain inflammation. 

Along with eating your vegetables you need to stay properly hydrated. We are composed largely of 
water and need to keep our hydration levels up all day long to keep our memory accurate. 

It is also important to quit multitasking (or at least slow down). Many times we don’t remember 
names or where we put the keys because we are not paying enough attention to the task at hand. 
Concentrating on each task is vital to memory. Try saying out loud “I am setting my keys on the 
counter”. The more attention you give to the act, the more likely you are to remember the act later. 

Lastly, learn something new. It does not matter whether you learn to knit, a sport or learn a new 
language, research shows that it will improve your memory.

There is no 
denying that our 
memory fades as 
we age but there 
are things we can 
do to save our 
memory if we 
are willing to put 
forth a little effort. 

There are many schools of yoga. I am not talking about todays styles 
of yoga, but the ancient ones. Some of these schools speak of God and 
some don't. Samkhya philosophy and Vedic science are based in the elements. There are 5: earth, 
water, fire, air and space. We are all made up of these five. It's much the same in Chinese and Native 
American medicine, even in astrology, everything is based on the interaction of these five things. 
After we identify everything with the five elements, we can look at how they interact. The Gunas actually 
gave life to the elements according to the philosophy and the gunas determine how they work 
together. There are 3 gunas These are rajas, tapas and sattwa. Rajas can be stimulating, aggressive 
and heating. fire can be rajasic and so can our personalities. 

Tamas can be dull,lifeless and inert, like a slug. Our minds can be this way as well. But sattwa is a 
blend of the two that brings just the right amount of heat, just the right amount of stimulation so that 
we end up with a calm, yet enlivened state. Tranquility is what we are after. Balance is what we need. 
Learning to blend these 5 elements with just the right amount of attitude can help us lead a rich, 
peaceful, happy and fulfilled life. Yoga science is not just exercise. It is a beautiful blend of elements 
to help you learn sensitivity to your inner workings and to create sattwa in your life. Then maybe 
you go on to develop the spiritual side of yoga, or not. Maybe you use it to enhance your own faith. 

Whatever the direction you go, may you go there with increased awareness, inner peace and the 
knowledge that you can change.

See you in class. Namasté, René

Dr. Tina is a traditional 
naturopath and nutritionist 
at Vibrant Living 
Wellness Center


Fall is here and the cooler weather is perfect 
for outdoor activities. Hiking in the hills of the 
beautiful San Gabriel Valley is a great place to 
start! But, hiking, isn’t just about spraying on some 
bug repellant, grabbing a water bottle and hitting 
the trails. There are many factors to consider, 
especially if you are new to hiking. Keep in mind 
that you are sharing these majestic mountains 
with many species of wildlife, plants and you can 
meet with some challenging, steep terrain. Being 
properly prepare can be almost as challenging as 
the hike itself!

Preparing For the Hike

Mark Nelson, of Eagle Rock, has been an avid 
hiker for more than 20 years. Nelson emphasizes 
the importance of being properly prepared before 
heading out on your hike. “Prepare the day before 
so you can get an early start,” Nelson says. He 
suggests filling a small backpack to the rim with 
important supplies such as: a map, flashlight, 
sun block, first aid kit (which should include 
Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, alcohol pads, 
pain relief tablets, an ace bandage, blister kit, nail 
clippers, tweezers for splinters, and duct tape, for 
temporary repairs.)

Making wise clothing choices is also a must. 
Nelson suggests bringing an extra pair of socks and 
wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your neck 
and ears. “Comfortable pants tend to work better 
than shorts, protecting your legs and minimizing 
dirt in your shoes,” according to Nelson. “In cold 
weather, layering works best. Remember, you will 
be warm when hiking up hill.”

Keeping hydrated and snacking on energy foods 
are the way to go when hiking. Bring at least a liter 
of water, and snack foods such as nuts, power bars 
or a sandwich. “But, there is no need to bring a 
lot of food—you won’t starve on a morning hike,” 
Nelson states.

Avoiding Foot Injuries

Jodai Saremi, DPM earned her doctorate in 
podiatry medicine from Temple University and 
is a personal trainer in the Los Angeles area. She 
notes that some of the most common injuries 
related to hiking occur on the toes, the ball of the 
foot and the heel. “On the downhill portion of a 
climb, the toes are jammed into the toebox of the 
boots or sneakers. The nail beds experience blunt 
trauma which causes bleeding under the nails 
and results in painful subungual hematomas,” 
Saremi notes. Saremi suggest socks should be 
thicker in order to whisk away moisture which 
can contribute to nagging blisters. 

Sprained ankles are another common injury for 
hikers. “On a long trail, it’s a good idea to take 
along an ace wrap and a single use cold pack, 
which can weigh anywhere from 3-16 ounces, for 
emergencies,” Saremi suggests. “If there is a cold 
lake or stream available that is safe to approach, 
and the skin is not broken, soaking the ankle in 
cold water may help reduce swelling.”

Saremi says to avoid wearing running shoes or 
sneakers as they hold little support. 
“Superior hiking footgear should 
provide a solid lug sole, some would 
even recommend a steel shank, and 
a roomy, reinforced toebox,” she 
says. “Also, depending on the time of 
year and the terrain being traversed, 
water-proofing may be desired, along 
with thinsulate lining and a gussetted 
tongue. For more breathability, mesh 
insets allow air flow.”

Good Spots to Hike for Beginners and 
Pros

For the first-timers, Nelson suggests 
O’Melveny Park in Granada Hills. “It’s 
an easy two-mile hike along a stream. 
A fire road leads East up a ridge, 
offering excellent views of the Valley 
out and back,” he says. For a more moderate hike, 
try Mt. Waterman, which is about 34 miles north of 
La Cañada off of State Route 2, prior to Buckhorn 
Campground. A National Forest parking pass is 
required. This five-mile loop takes you up around 
1300’ in elevation with breathtaking views of the 
desert and San Gabriel wilderness creating a “true 
mountain experience,” according to Nelson. Hike 
up single-track trail and down fire road. There 
may be snow on this trail, Nelson cautions.

You are Not Alone

The mountains of the San Gabriel Valley are filled 
with friendly wildlife such as varying species of 
birds, insects (though pesky) and amphibians. 
Even some of the larger inhabitants such as bears 
and mountain lions will keep to themselves if 
not bothered. According to the Mountain Lion 
Foundation, “Only 14 fatal attacks on humans 
have occurred in North America during the past 
100 years.” If you encounter a bear, stay calm, 
and back away slowly and give the bear room to 
escape. Talk loud to make sure the bear is aware of 
your presence (bearsaver.com).

Other things to consider is never hiking alone 
and always dispose of food waste in garbage cans. 
Open food wrappers can attract unwanted wildlife 
and hiking with a partner makes for a safer and 
fun journey! Enjoy! 

TAKE A HIKE By Kevin McGuire