Yair Barniv's Home Page

Thank you for visiting my site. Yair.

Yair Barniv: Introduction

I am interested in everything that excites the mind or the body, and preferably both.

Classical Music

First, and foremost, Classical Music is my life-long love. My parents are both musicians, my brother, Rami Bar-Niv , is a Concert Pianist, and my nephew, Tal Bar-Niv, is an accomplished musician. As a child, my late father taught me to play the violin ---after winning me over from my Mom, who was trying to teach me the piano... Nowadays, I keep on studying it on my own. I am always on the lookout for a good pianist to accompany me.

About 10 years ago, I took up the classical guitar, studying with the late Mrs. Anita Sheer. At that time, I also became interested in Flamenco music, because Anita was the President of the "Flamenco Society of San Jose". My favorite venue for interacting with guitar lovers is the The South Bay Guitar Society.

Personal Growth

I became interested in Personal Growth about 15 years ago; that's when I found out the right terminology for these strange interests. Personal Growth, of course, takes different forms for different people. I started by taking the "SAGE Experience" from Mastery Services. That was a weekend-long workshop --a remote relative of "Est" and "Life Spring". For me, it was an eye opener, and an introduction to the subject of "Humanness". That followed by "Warrior with Heart", from the same wonderful people; four days of an upheaval, and a complete re-evaluation of my life and my mental and physical powers. The next step, naturally, led me into Fire-Walking. This is an experience that defies verbal description. It combines extreme exhilaration, a feeling of "If I did that, I can do ANYTHING", and a tremendous boost of one's self-confidence, and the belief in the untapped powers we all posses. Jon cotton (also Carol Ackels and others) took me further, into re-bar bending/throat-piercing (whichever comes first), and some other hair-raising (N/A to baldies) experiences. Relatively late into my path I discovered Anthony Robbins, his books, workshops, etc.

My interest in Therapeutic Massage also dates back about 20 years. It started with a weekend-long workshop at Esalen., where they naturally taught the Esalen style of massage. Since then, I have taken tens of courses from various organization, such as the Body Therapy Center. Eventually, I got certified by the Western College of Therapeutic Massage --thereby combining pleasure with business. Over there, I mostly acquired the techniques of Swedish, and Deep-Tissue.

At some random periods of my life I got involved, and practiced, Hata- and Kundalini-Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, Self-Hypnosis, Indian-Sweat-Lodging , Judo, Aikido, and alike.

Ballroom Dancing

Ten years ago I discovered Ballroom Dancing. That opened for me a way to socialize in a relaxed, clean (from smoke/alcohol), non-threatening, and totally fun way. Initially, I was only interested in the social side of it. As I learned more and more, my interest shifted towards the dancing per se. Ballroom dancing encompasses Smooth dances (Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep...), Latin (Tango --International and Argentine, Rumba, Bolero, Cha-Cha, Samba, Salsa, Lambada...), and American (Hustle, Two-Step, East- and West-Coast Swing). My favorite dance venue used to be the Starlite Ballroom. But, having re-discovered West Coast Swing, I became a regular at the new (and fantastic in all respects) Steppin'Out studio in Sunnyvale, where I have been consistently taking Richard Kear's Monday classes for the last year. We are now working on this routine (please see my Dance site).

The Great Outdoors

I have always been a runner; 15 to 20 miles a week on the trails of Rancho San Antonio can clear up my mind enough... for meditation. I do weight-lifting for cross-training.

Skiing is my fav. It's helped me a lot with my Anatomy studies---especially related to knees and shoulders. I mainly ski down-hill in Tahoe ( Heavenly Valley, and such), and cross-country in Yosemite.

I love water sports: Water-Skiing, Wind-Surfing, Whitewater-Rafting, and Scuba-Diving. In rafting, I've had lots of O.O.B.E's (out-of-boat-experience) in up to Level-IV waters. So, it hardly matters any more whether I am in or out of the raft. Scuba-Diving, I got spoiled --having learned it in the Red Sea. So, those, needing a scuba buddy for a trip to the North Sea, please contact my neighbor....

We hear of people having Near-Death experiences. I am still working on my first Near-Life one.

Professional background

NASA site

View my Album. Contact me: ybalias-friends"at"yahoo.com (Please type in the @ sign to replace "at")

P.S.: Almost forgot all about that. I am single, and looking. If you want to find out more about this aspect of my life, please email me for the password to my wishes and secret desires,

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