Archive for shop local

December Musings

Dear Friends and Family,  

I hope you are doing well and enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday weekend! 

I am happy to share with you that my “Tai Chi Easy™/ Chair Yoga” fusion class returns to Integral Yoga Institute this Winter 2020. Come to any one or all of the classes; no prior experience is needed!  Description and class dates are on my website, and as always, feel free to email me any questions.  Hope to see you and your friends there! 
_______________________________________________________________
Additionally, I will be volunteer gift wrapping at Book Culture (a charming book and gift store) on Columbus Avenue at 81-82 streets this holiday season in order to raise funds and awareness for my non-profit organization and volunteer work (http://www.west80s.org ), and to encourage support of our mom and pop stores. We have all observed the sad state of our NYC storefronts; it seems as if every block has at least two empty storefronts these days, and many blocks are almost completely barren. Not only does this create a sight of urban blight, but it also results in less appealing urban conditions (darker sidewalks, increased litter, reduced sense of community, fewer jobs, loss of neighborhood character and uniqueness, to name a few.  So when we shop local, we not only help that small business but we are helping our community as well!    

With the two of the owners of Book Culture on Columbus Avenue
I enjoy volunteering at Book Culture, which in addition to bookssells household products, scarves, hats, handbags, calendars, decorative items, Christmas tree ornaments, and more! Please shop local, shop small, and come visit me at Book Culture during these times:

Monday:     December 23 (11 am – 4 pm)
Monday:     December 23 (4 – 9 pm)
Tuesdays:    December 317 and 24 (11 am – 4 pm)
Tuesday:     December 24 (4 – 9 pm)
Thursday:   December 19 (4 – 9 pm)
Fridays:        December 13 and 20  (11 am – 4 pm)

A reminder that all gift wrapping paper when done, can be re-used or should be recycled!

_____________________________________________________________________
This past Tuesday night, my community work was honored at a local, innovative arts center housed in a beautiful landmarked church on the UWS – The Center at West Parhttps://www.centeratwestpark.org/ . The funds raised at their Gala help pay for structural repairs to their historic building. I am a big fan of their work that brings affordable, high quality performing arts to my neighborhood and am honored to be a part of their Benefit this year. Hoping you can join me in supporting their mission!  To contribute, see https://secure.givelively.org/event/center-at-west-park/3rd-annual-glitz-grit-benefit?mc_cid=6d70fbae85&mc_eid=aaab25eb73


__________________________________________________________________________
Hope to see you soon! Thanks for your continued support of my classes and wishing you a joyous holiday season!

November Gratitude; Chair Chi Prana Class; Gift-Wrapping at Book Culture for Love Your Street Tree Cause

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful holiday weekend, filled with gratitude and appreciation!  I saw this beautiful wall hanging at one of my holistic doctor’s offices, and thought it was inspirational.  On Thanksgiving, I share the Dalai Lama’s wisdom with you with the hope you will be similarly touched:

Our next Chair Chi and Prana class will be held Monday night November 27 at Integral Yoga (6:30-8 pm). This fusion class is functional and practical; learn the tools you can do at home or at the office to strengthen and de-stress!  Increase your vitality, improve balance and coordination with a unique practice that combines Chair Yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi Easy™ walking.  Seated and standing Yoga poses strengthen and stretch the body, gentle and flowing Qigong movements enhance one’s life force energy, and Tai Chi walking increases balance.  These practices are a moving meditation that calm the nervous system, focus the mind, and are accessible to all bodies and ages. Class includes savasana and yoga nidra (deep relaxation). All levels are welcome! No prior experience is necessary to enjoy and benefit from this class!


Lanai, Hawaii

Also, this holiday season, as in past years, I will be volunteer gift-wrapping at our local independent book and gift store – “Book Culture” on Columbus Avenue at 81st street – to raise funds for my non-profit community organization (the West 80s Neighborhood Association) that does street tree care volunteer work and neighborhood beautification, among other things.  Remember to shop small and local not just during the holidays, but throughout the year!  We all bemoan the empty storefronts in NYC, but if we are supporting big online corporations with online shopping, how can these beloved brick and mortar shops survive?  How and where we spend our money is a choice, and our collective choices have direct consequences. I love the community that local businesses create, and I am very grateful to the community-minded owners of Book Culture (pictured below) for allowing small and local non-profits, like mine, to volunteer giftwrap for tips and to spread awareness of our charitable organizations.  In addition to books, Book Culture sells household products, scarves, hats, handbags, calendars, decorative items, Christmas tree ornaments, and more!  So I hope you will do your holiday shopping in your neighborhood, and come visit me at Book Culture during these November shifts (I will email my December shifts next week):     http://www.bookculture.com/locations
Monday, November 27 (10 am – 3 pm)
Wednesday, November 29 (10 am – 3 pm)
Thursday, November 30 (3 – 8 pm)

Part of the voluntary community work I do with my neighborhood association is to create awareness about the importance of our NYC street trees and to encourage neighbors and businesses to properly care for them. The West 80s Neighborhood Association, a 501c3 I co-founded with neighbors, is the main organizer of fun and educational street tree care events through our collaborations with other groups, electeds, businesses, schools, and government agencies as part of the Love Your Street Tree Day initiative.  We would love for every street tree to be “adopted” and cared for, as they provide so many environmental, social, emotional, and financial benefits to us.  To learn more about our work, check out http://www.loveyourstreettreeday.com  and to make tax deductible donations, please visit http://www.west80s.org  or stop by Book Culture when I will be gift-wrapping!  Thanks in advance for your support!


In front of one of our “adopted” street trees along the Columbus Avenue bike path at West 85th Street. New Fall cabbage arrangement, daffodil bulbs planted for Spring 2018 blooms, wood chips added for Winter protection, and Love Your Street Tree “curb your dog” signs added.
Many thanks for your continuing support of my classes and workshops, and your dedication to the healing arts!  No prior experience is needed to participate in most of these classes; all levels are welcome!  Please, remember that perfume, cologne, or heavily scented lotions or deodorant should not be worn during any of the movement classes and Reiki sessions. It is suggested that one not eat for 1 – 2 hours before practicing yoga.  I recommend for one’s health and the health of the planet, to not bring plastic water bottles to class; instead use reusable steel or glass bottles filled with filtered tap water.  Also, for the safety and consideration of all students, latecomers will not be admitted.

Please forward this e-mail to anyone who may be interested in these offerings!  Many thanks for spreading the word!

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving! In honor of the First Nations of this country, enjoy this beautiful song by a Native American singer on this season’s Voice:  https://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/brooke-simpson-praying/3623073

Namaste,

Melissa Mati