Archive for Uncategorized – Page 2

May 2014

Dear friends,

I hope you are enjoying our long-overdue Spring weather! Spring is in the air – the welcome sound of the birds returning north, the trees now in full bloom, and all the annual flowers bringing color back to the parks and tree beds. Not being a “Winter” person by nature, I truly welcome the longer days and warmer weather. My husband and I have “adopted” a tree along the Columbus Avenue bike path right near Upper Westside Yoga, and today we planted beautiful pink and purple flowers in the tree pit. People walking by us as we planted were so appreciative. Knowing that our neighbors notice the improvements, makes the uniquely urban gardening (discarding chewing gum, cigarette butts, glass, and garbage found in the dirt) worthwhile. To learn more about urban planting, I just signed up take a month-long class with Trees NY ( www.treesny.org ) to become an official NYC Tree Steward. If you too are interested, there are still some spots left in the training – details are on their website.

I recently learned about Trees NY when I organized a large community symposium last Saturday – part of my volunteer work with my neighborhood association. We were able to bring together community leaders, block associations, garden groups, government agencies, non-profits, local businesses, environmental organizations, students, and elected officials (Public Advocate Letitia James, NY State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and City Council Member Helen Rosenthal) – all gathering to discuss ways we could improve NYC, and learn from one another. As with the past two years, it was a lot of work, but ultimately was a very positive experience as it all came together on the day of the event. Swami Satchidananda, who founded Integral Yoga, often defined yoga as “selfless service” – the practice of Karma Yoga. I truly believe that community work and/or volunteer work is yogic. After all, it is an outward expression of the realization that we are all connected. It is an opportunity to be involved with something that transcends the self and benefits others, without expecting payment for services. I find it especially rewarding when it is a group project – knowing that I am just one piece of the puzzle working towards the common good. I am attaching an article about the symposium here, and this is the link: http://nypress.com/block-symposium-brings-community-leaders-together/.

April 2014

If you are around next Sunday, my neighborhood association, along with two environmental groups, is hosting a screening of  “Triple Divide” – a documentary of about the effects of fracking on three communities in PA, their water, and farms.  It is a very good documentary, and the directors (who are Public Herald investigative reporters) will be there after the movie for an audience Q and A.  The movie will be shown Sunday, April 6, 1-3 pm at Riverside Church, Room 411 MLK, 490 Riverside Drive at 120th Street.  Suggested donation is $ 10.  For more information on the documentary, see www.tripledividefilm.org   I hope I will see you there!

February 2014

So this is not exactly a yoga tidbit, but this video addresses stress reduction and was developed in India (like yoga), so I wanted to share it with you!  In the last Checkpeds email, I read about this brilliant device from India that I believe should be used in New York City.  Click on the link for a 2-minute video on an anti-honking device that has been shown to break driver’s mindless habits and reduce noise pollution.  As the video states, noise pollution is one of the factors that contributes to our stress levels, especially for city dwellers like us.  (http://youtu.be/JzBmc3yjpoc)  Let me know your thoughts!

January 2014 Greetings

I hope this email finds you well, and enjoying the holiday season!

2014’s New Year’s Day corresponds with a new moon, so instead of making New Year’s resolutions that I usually cannot keep past January 2 (like, no more chocolate ☺) I plan to do a Vision Board instead.  A new moon at the commencement of the New Year is the perfect time to create a visual representation of what we would like to manifest in 2014 – and even beyond.  Vision Boards tap into our creativity as well, and often reveal the soul’s desires that may be hidden by our conscious thoughts.  I find creating Vision Boards very relaxing, enjoyable, and meditative.  Once it is finished, it is fascinating to view the end result as there are often surprising choices of images and/or words.  I save my Vision Boards and periodically look back at them to see what has manifested, how they differ from one another, and where there are consistencies over the years.

All one needs for this project is a large blank poster or cardboard, lots of magazines, a pair of scissors, and a glue stick (and some nice inspiring background music).   You can sit on the floor or at large table, and spread out the materials.   If you have a friend(s), family member(s) or significant other who is interested in doing this as well, I find it an enjoyable project when done with others working on their boards simultaneously.  I like to set the intention before working on my board that I am connecting to my highest self in designing my vision, and then just release that intention.

The first step is to flip through the magazines, and without over-thinking just cut or tear out any images and words that appeal to you.  You can spend an hour or so going through the magazines, until you feel like you have enough material to use for your size board.  I usually do not have preconceived ideas about what I will place on the Board, but certainly one can have something in mind and then look for those items, in addition to just seeing what appeals to you in the present moment.

After collecting the images and words, you can now create your board in any way that appeals to you.  It is your project, and there is no right or wrong way of designing your board.  Images can overlap, or there can be a lot of blank space.  You can cut your images into shapes, or leave them as found in the magazines.  I usually place my images onto the board, re-arranging them until the entire board resonates with me.  Only then do I glue them onto the board.  Write the date on the back of the board, and you can sign it too if you wish.

The process is very enjoyable, and I find it interesting to view and analyze with an open mind one’s finished Vision Board – not just the actual images and words chosen, but also where and how those images are placed.  The most important thing is to have fun, let go, and create!

December 2013 Greetings

I hope this email finds you well!  I am back in the States after a fantastic trip to Tanzania.  This was my first time not celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S. with family and friends (and I missed that), but I was very grateful to be in Africa with my husband seeing the most spectacular wildlife and scenery, and meeting many lovely people there.  I feel truly blessed to have had this experience – I know how lucky I am.  I also am thankful for all those folks we met working so hard to conserve these special wilderness areas in Africa, to protect endangered species from poachers, and to include the local communities in the eco-tourism industry so as to increase their standard of living and access to education.   And although my jet lag is getting the best of me (this night owl doing work at 6 am?), I am so grateful to be back in NYC where my life is very good and I hope to never take that for granted.  Lately, there are more and more studies finding that practicing gratitude can improve one’s physical health and alleviate anxiety and depression.  I had been thinking about starting a gratitude journal, and then found a nice one in my favorite gift catalog:  “From Gratitude to Bliss Journal” by Lorraine Miller at www.isabellacatalog.com , item # 29892.   What makes you thankful?

November 2013 Greetings

On Sunday November 3, at 1:00 P.M., there is a free screening of GASLAND Part II (winner of the 2013 Environmental Media Award and long awaited sequel to Gasland – the Emmy winning, Oscar nominated documentary that brought to the world’s attention the environmental dangers of fracking for natural gas).  I highly recommend this important film, as New York is now at a crossroads:  will Governor Cuomo allow fracking in New York State?  It is critical that we New Yorkers learn how fracking has negatively impacted people throughout our nation, and surprisingly how its’ infrastructure and by-products (pipelines, compression stations, radon, and toxic waste), are already impacting us here in NY State – including right here in NYC!

In addition, Gasland Part II explores the role of the oil and gas companies’ political lobbying, the threat to our democratic process, and as a result, the government’s failure to protect clean air and water for all citizens.  This event is hosted by elected officials: NY State Senator Adriano Espaillat,  NY State Assembly Members Keith L.T. Wright and Linda Rosenthal, NYC Council Members Gale Brewer and Robert Jackson; and sponsored by The Mothers Project, The Beloved Earth Task Force of Riverside Church, and the NYC Coalition of Block and Community Leaders (of which I am a co-founder).

If you are interested, please register at themothersproject.com.  The screening and post-movie discussion with electeds and hosts will be at Riverside Church Assembly Hall (91 Claremont Ave at West 120th Street).   (Voluntary donations to this worthy cause are accepted online when you register for this important event).  Please forward this invitation to your friends and neighbors!  Thanks!

September 2013 Greetings

To me, September always feels like an appropriate time for new beginnings.   The start of this month brings up fond childhood memories of returning to school after Summer vacation, entering a new grade, wearing new Fall clothes, a few colored leaves beginning to fall.   Even though I have not been in school for a long while (well, at least traditional school, as I believe life is a school), September still represents a fresh start.   So it is appropriate that my new website is almost ready to be launched, and I have a brand new logo and company name soon to be unveiled.   I am very excited about my new site, as it will have all the bells and whistles everyone expects these days with links to my social media accounts, videos, and more!  Stay tuned….

With this in mind, I am seeking new testimonials to add to my new site.  If you are willing to do this, please email me a brief testimonial about your experience in my classes.  (If you have already done this, thank you!).  You could sign the testimonial with your full name or just your first name (whatever you prefer), your job – if you wish, and what class or classes you attend.  I would be most grateful for your contributions!

 

August 2013 Greetings!

Between August 5 – 14, I will be subbing nine ballet classes for my ballet teacher, Finis Jhung, at the Alvin Ailey Dance Extension Program and I hope you can come check them out.  Level 1 is open to all levels, even if you have had no dance or ballet experience at all.  In level 1, we begin class with a slow, long barre, with an emphasis on correct alignment, balance, shifting weight, movement quality, and working the muscles correctly.  The barre is also a warm-up for the center exercises away from the barre.  In the center, you will continue to work on movement quality, weight shifting, strengthening your muscles while moving with grace and ease, and coordinating movement with classical music.  I personally take Finis’ level 1 class on a regular basis, because I find the slow, mindful dance movements to be like a zen yogic flow — meditative, but also with the added benefits mentioned above.  I am very happy to be teaching this class as I believe in Finis’ movement principles, and see many parallels with the Tai Chi Easy/ Qigong classes I teach (fall prevention, movement quality, strength and grace, etc.).

The level 2 class is for people who have had dance experience, because the barre moves much faster and the center includes turns and more jumps.  I will be teaching both levels in the style of Finis Jhung, as I have completed a teacher training with him, and study with him regularly.  I will also be using compilations of his music cds, composed specifically for his classes.  You can wear yoga clothes if you don’t have dance leotards and tights, but I do suggest you purchase a pair of canvas ballet slippers (at Capezios, or elsewhere) for under $ 20.   If you have any questions about these ballet classes,  please email me!

 

July 2013 Greetings!

I wanted to let you know that on Monday night, July 8 at 9 pm, the excellent documentary “Gasland II” will premiere on HBO and at various locations around NYC.  I saw this sequel to the first Gasland at the Tribeca Film Festival this year, and it is a must-see.  It is especially relevant for New Yorkers, as right now this State is at a crossroads – will Governor Cuomo allow  the controversial vertical gas drilling or “fracking” in NY, or will he maintain the current moratorium?  As many of you know, the last several years I have spent much of my available time volunteering with local environmental and advocacy groups seeking to get fracking banned in NY.  I feel so strongly about this issue, I have attended protests in NYC, as well as at the Capital in Albany.   I am relieved that the elected officials who represent my NYC district are also opposed to fracking in NY, due to the significant risks of chemical and methane contamination to the water, air and land (and agriculture).  However, as Gasland II depicts, the lobbying influence of the gas industry is very strong due to its’ enormous financial resources.  Promoting renewable energy sources and keeping NY free from fracking will continue to be an uphill and lengthy battle.  It is imperative that we all become informed about this critical issue facing not just New York, but also the whole country (and even other countries).  Because many drill sites are set up on or near farmlands, there are concerns that livestock and agriculture contaminated by chemicals and methane are getting into our food supply.  Thus, I believe that being involved with this environmental issue and advocating for safer and cleaner energy policies is in alignment with the yogic ethical principles of non-violence and truthfulness.  It is a way to take our yoga practices off the mat and apply them in the “real” world.  If you would like to attend a Gasland II viewing and reception on Monday night that my block association is co-sponsoring with Mothers for Sustainable Energy and others, please see the attached flyer.  The event will be held at the New York Society for Ethical Culture (doors open at 7 pm), and rsvps to info@thenothersproject.org  are required.  Greek restaurant Loi is catering the event, and there will be an open wine bar.  I hope to see you there!

 

June 2013 Greetings!

This weekend, my husband and I watched an entertaining and educational documentary on Netflix:  “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead”.  If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it!  It is about a seriously overweight Australian man who also suffers from an autoimmune skin disorder.  He decides to embark on a 60-day green juice fast in the US, and travel around our country meeting and interviewing people about their health and dietary habits.  On his journey, he befriends and inspires a truck driver – a lovely man who is also obese and on a multitude of prescription medications.  I won’t ruin the movie for you by divulging any more of the story, but (and I know this is clichéd) I smiled, laughed, and got teary-eyed during the film.  It definitely motivated us to eat even healthier, and the next morning we both got large organic green juices for breakfast and lunch!  And my husband pulled out his bike from storage and went riding for the first time in years!  ☺

Speaking of dietary issues, I recently learned about a potentially harmful additive that is being used as a thickening agent in many organic and non-organic foods.  Carrageenan is a seaweed (also known as Irish Moss) that is now in many dairy products, dairy alternatives (such as some rice, almond and soy milks and puddings), Applegate turkey breast, frozen desserts and food, beer, Tasti-delight, to name some examples.   During the beginning of this year, I was having a lot of mysterious abdominal pains that could not be explained because all the various medical tests and scopes I did came out normal.  It was very frustrating and scary to be in pain, and not know the cause.  Fortuitously, one of my health-conscious neighbors (who I met during our historic preservation volunteer work on the UWS) emailed me an article by Dr. Andrew Weill regarding the link between carrageenan, inflammation and distressful GI symptoms.  This is the article:     http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401181…  After reading the article, I eliminated all foods containing this ingredient (and it turns out, it was in a lot of my favorite foods), and lo and behold, the mysterious abdominal pain went away.  As a result of my experience of dealing with pain and a multitude of not-fun medical tests, I now feel I must share this important information with you.  Please review the articles and links, and then you can decide if this is a food item you wish to consume.

Here is more information and a petition I signed:

http://www.cornucopia.org/2013/03/gut-wrenching-tell-fda-to-ban-carrageenan-common-food-ingredient-linked-to-intestinal-inflammation-bloating-irritable-bowel-syndrome-colitis-cancer-and-more/

Here is a partial list of foods containing carrageenan:

http://www.cornucopia.org/shopping-guide-to-avoiding-organic-foods-with-carrageenan/

More information:

http://www.cornucopia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Carrageenan-Report1.pdf

Please share this information with others.  I intend to email my doctors as well with the above links.