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Sweat for Haiti: January 27

Published on January 26, 2010 1 Comment


Haven’t contributed to Haiti relief yet? Never fear: get yourself to a participating yoga studio on Weds, January 27 (tomorrow!) and let your practice contribute to the cause.

Yoga and activist organization “Off the Mat, Into the World” spearheaded by Seane Corn and friends, is getting studios to donate proceeds to relief funds in an effort called “Yogis for Haiti Day.”

In NYC, Kula Yoga Project will donate half of its daily income to Yogis for Haiti tomorrow. Take a class and you will be helping out. Plus, their classes are great and their teachers are inspired human beings (so if you don’t know the studio, get yer butt down there).

CityYoga in LA is also participating as, I’m sure are a lot of studios. Is yours? Find out!!

(Studios that want to participate should contact kerri@kerrikellyyoga.org)

Know a studio that’s participating? Add it in the comments and I will post it!

The list so far:
889 Yonge
Aha Yoga
Ahimsa Yoga
Apple Yoga
At One Yoga
Bend Yoga
Bend and Bloom Yoga
Bodacious Living Yoga
City Yoga
City Yoga LA
De La Sol Yoga Studios
Eyes of the World Yoga
Integral Yoga Institute – San Francisco
Kansas Siddhi Yoga
Kula Yoga Project
Life Yoga Goulburn
Lila Yogini
Mindful Movement Centre
Om Time
Quinnipiac Fitness Center
Sanctuary for Yoga, Body & Spirit
Shanti Yoga Shala
Solar Yoga
Studio 330
The University of the Arts
West Hartford Yoga
Willow Glen Yoga
Yoga Kula
Yoga Mandala Studio
Yoga Source – Palo Alto
Yoga Tree
Yogaphoria

(from Off the Matt, Into the World)

Benefits beyond Jan 27:

Dancing Dogs Yoga in Beaufort, South Carolina will have our grand opening on Saturday, February 27, 2010 with Hatha for Haiti.

Shanti Yoga- Nelson, BC Canada, hosts 2 more Community Yoga Fundraisers for Haiti, Saturdays from 2-4pm. shantiyoga.ca for details.

OM Yoga of NYC (not part of OTM, but still) raised $700 last Saturday!

in Culture and Event.

Yoga is a Religion? Right?

Published on January 25, 2010 4 Comments

Yoga is a religion—at least according 57% of non-yoga-ing Americans polled by the Yoga Alliance last Saturday, Yoga Day USA. The (semi-)regulatory organization was gathering  Americans’ opinion of the sport (?) to see what stops more people from trying it out.

According to its press release, inspite of the ubiquitousness of this multi-billion dollar industry that’s firmly routed in the material ($$) world, many people still think of it as New Age or only for the very nimble. (Sometimes it seems that way, depending on what center you go to and what style you practice…)

“there are many Americans who know little about yoga or, worse, have incorrect assumptions which inhibit them from participation. The three most common misperceptions are that yoga:

  • Is religion-based. 57% of those who do not currently practice yoga believe that it requires mantras or chanting related to a form of worship.
  • Requires flexibility in order to practice. Nearly 3 in 5 Americans – 59% of respondents – who do not practice yoga think that it requires a person to be in at least “decent” shape. In truth, however, anyone – of any size, shape or physical state – can benefit.
  • Is not really exercise. Half of men who have never practiced yoga believe it “isn’t a workout.” In contrast, 73% of people who do practice believe it is just as effective as running, swimming or weight lifting.

All events are free on Yoga Day USA which is sponsored by the Yoga Alliance. Attitude adjustment might cost extra—maybe as much as a monthly membership to a local center.

in Culture and Event.

New Year, New Money

Published on January 11, 2010 0 Comments

How are your new year’s resolutions going? Do any of them include improving your relationship to money?

Well, all of us, rich and poor could use some help in that department. Perhaps especially yogis.

Upcoming: some free or affordable help from cool people including yogi and financial adviser Brent Kessel and Spencer Sherman, co-founders of Abacus Wealth Partners.

I saw Brent speak at the New York Yoga Journal Conference, May 2009, and loved what he had to say. Smart cookie. Here’s what’s on offer right now. Check it out:

1. Vicki Robin’s Conscious Money Speakers Series, Weekly 1-hour teleclass workshops with a dozen top conscious money teachers including Bill McKibben,  Brent Kessel, David Korten, John deGraaf, John Robbins, Lynne Twist, Olivia Mellon, Spencer Sherman, Trent Hamm, Victoria Castle, Hazel Henderson. $12 per class or $79 for the whole series. A great deal! Free introductory teleclass on January 11th. Series begins January 18th.

2. Heal Your Money Karma, #1 course on DailyOm.com. Brent Kessel and Spencer Sherman offer 8-weeks of invaluable financial tranformational tools through a pay-what-you-can structure.

3. Money Matters: The Business of Yoga, Yoga Journal Conference, San Francisco, Thursday, January 28, 2010, 2:45-3:45p. Led by Brent Kessel. Great for yogis who want to live more consciously in all ways, or yogis considering opening a yoga center.

Related Posts:

“It’s Not About the Money,”

Brent Kessel, Money Guru, Interviewed on Frugaltopia

in Culture, Event and business.

TimeOut NY Reviews My Basics Class!

Published on January 2, 2010 0 Comments

It’s payback: after writing about other people’s classes and techniques I’ve been reviewed in TimeOut NY’s Fitness Issue, 2010. It’s a nice little write up.

Jonathan, the shy English reporter, had no context at all to understand what he was getting into, because…

…he had NEVER done yoga before. The word “vinaysa” was just a bunch of letters to him. Oy! Putting me to the test.

But he did well. In a class of 17, he selected a spot at the very back corner of the room where I slid him props and—a good student—he took child’s pose as needed. We all had a good time. Thanks for coming, Jonathan.

And thanks GO Yoga for having me as a teacher these past 7 years. (Come to GO’s 10-year anniversary party, Saturday, January 16, from 6pm on.)

The Review: Go Yoga

Types of yoga offered: Vinyasa, plus a creative interpretation of different schools.
Name of class: Basics with Joelle Hann
Length: 90 minutes
What to expect: A brisk yet beginner-friendly session, capped off with a Maya Angelou poem and a group om
Level: Yoga newbies can do it.
The verdict: Joelle Hann used the dimmable lighting and music to good effect, controlling the mood of the room. She also watches over her students with a sharp eye, supplying blocks and straps and correcting alignment. You’ll sweat during the more active part of the class, but you’ll leave feeling limber and relaxed, rather than fatigued.—Jonathan Shannon

in Event and Teachings.

Considering a New Year: 10 Resolutions

Published on December 31, 2009 4 Comments

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about new year’s resolutions. Maybe because last years’ were unexpectedly potent. Over Christmas dinner last week (at a table surrounded by friends), I remembered one of them: “Be better friends with the friends I already have.” Huh, it worked. I also made some new friends. How great is that? (I raise a toast.)

The other was to start a meditation practice. After 20 years of attempts, I finally did it. Sitting every day! (Thanks for the method, Alan. Thanks for the prodding, Vanessa. Thanks for the company, Tim.)

So, here’s what I’ve been thinking about this week for the coming year. Take it or leave it—it’s free. Here’s to a happy new year—and an inspired decade.

1. Keep a small notebook-–a small one that fits in my pocket. Write down ideas, events and thoughts of the moment, lists, words overheard, sights overseen. I started this in November at the suggestion of a writing teacher (thank you, Victoria) and it has blazed some interesting new trails. How much was I censoring myself? A lot.

2. Break out of the routine for one hour every week—even if it means walking down a new block (which in fact I love to do). In 2010, I’d like to shake things up; keep the brain and spirit fresh. Visit new parks, museums, bookstores etc. Cheaper than a ticket to Rio de Janeiro, too.

3. Use a key phrase for comfort.  Sometimes I have a mantra from my meditation teacher and then I forget to say it. But it could also be a phrase someone—anyone—has said that was moving. Health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, for new year’s 2006, said, “one of the most moving experiences I have had was when one of my teachers said it to me – “Whatever happens, you can handle it.” Another good one is from ad exec, Paul Arden: “Start being wrong and suddenly anything is possible. You’re no longer trying to be infallible.”

4. Take on a reasonable amount—and no more. This week I set out to do a reasonable number of tasks each day instead of a superhuman number. It’s been fantastic. Lo-and-behold, I’ve been getting more done and feeling friendlier, too. (It sure helps to get to work at noon.)

5. Check in weekly to see where I am and what’s ahead. My own personal 1:1 staff meeting. I’ve set Friday afternoons for this weekly accounting. It’s actually pretty fun, and it helps manage the overwhelm. Another good idea from Victoria.

6. Use iCal on my laptop and on my iPhone. Getting my schedule out of my head and onto “paper” clears some space…. for all those thoughts that I need to get down in my notebook! (See #1.)

7. … also it’s *really* interesting to see how much junk I’m carrying around in my head. I would like that junk to stop jabbing me in meditation, so I’m excited to put it down somewhere. (The creative company Behance has all kinds of strategies, apps, and stationary to help with this very thing—thank you, Jocelyn Glei!)

8. Inbox zero! Again: inbox zero!

9. Annoying people and situations (hello, crowded subway) offer a chance to learn and grown—I know, I know, SUCH a cliche! But there’s a catch: they are opportunities only if I can stay vulnerable. It is challenging not go into habit—and so, interesting. Heart forward!

10. Open your eyes. For one minute every day, see who and what is around you. This summer I noticed an overgrown corner lot at S1 and Driggs. I’ve lived one block from it for probably 10 years: in July it was lush vines, weeds, morning glories, and leafy tree branches spilling over the fence. It was wonderful to walk past. I found myself taking detours to stroke the cat-tails, smell the flowers, inhale the green. Even if you’ve seen your local spot or your trusted people a 1,000,000 times, see them again. Recall the native greeting in Avatar, “I see you.”

It’s great to open your eyes.

in Culture, Event and Teachings.

Bollywood 101

Published on December 3, 2009 0 Comments

Bollywood 101, a great film series, has been happening this fall at the Ossining, NY, Public Library. The last screening is this Saturday at 4pm. Don’t miss it!

It’s run by my friend and colleague, former punk rock East Village 80s bartender chick, grammarian supreme, and all around excellent person, Carolyn Lengel.

With her husband Mike Enright, and daughter Harriet, they not only curate the film series, they make these great YouTube videos as promos, interviewing themselves (here Harriet delivers her commentary while hanging laundry) and Bollywood experts while showing clips from the featured film.

From Carolyn’s message:

Escape to the Ossining Public Library at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, for the grand finale of the “Bollywood 101″ film series, LAGE RAHO MUNNA BHAI (2006), a completely charming movie about a Mumbai gangster who falls in love and begins to see visions of Gandhi.

What better way to get in a holiday mood?

Even if you can’t make it to Ossining, you can join in the fun from the sidelines. Watch theYouTube videos and join Bollywood 101 on Facebook. Stay tuned!

in Culture, Event and Trends.

Receiving the Medicine Buddha Initiation

Published on October 27, 2009 0 Comments

guest post by Viniyoga teacher,  Linda Prosche

The Dalai Lama visited Long Beach Convention Center at the end of September and I attended the Saturday two hour session to receive the Medicine Buddha Initiation. Usually, Tibetan physicians receive this initiation, but it also works to give laypeople more healing powers, too.

“If one meditates on the Medicine Buddha, one will eventually attain enlightenment, but in the meantime one will experience an increase in healing powers both for oneself and others and a decrease in physical and mental illness and suffering,” says Lama Tashi Namgyal.

medicine buddha

Some 5 days later, the glow of the experience still wrapped around me. A Buddhist friend who’d scored front row seats confirmed this: “Once you have been touched by His presence, your life will never be the same.” I wondered, “Am I different, now?”

Although, I am not a Buddhist, my personal yoga practice helps me to compassionately release my habituated conditioning which no longer serves me.  Is it possible that I could have swapped out a bad habit for a better one just by listening to this man?

Apparently, he is not just any man. When I entered the Center in the company of thousands I felt the quiet hush of meditative reverence. My other feelings are harder to describe: I found myself serene, humbled and in a state of awe.  Awe at the sheer simplicity of this man in robes with his back towards us in preparation for his offering.

He began with a simple message.  “Take care of the earth, it is your only home. Be kind to one another and don’t kill things.”

Then he asked who would be interested in the initiation and 90% of the crowd raised their hands.

It was a bit funny. I shot my hand up only to wonder, what is he really asking of me? In a culture of sensationalism and drama what did I have to do and how much would it cost?

Again, his requests were simple and if I was not able to do them all, he explained, I could do less. How tolerant!

Dalai Lama

He then began the Medicine Buddha Mantra which I was unfamiliar with.  But I joined in.

We seemed to go on chanting for hours, between wakefulness and deep sleep. Then, without skipping a beat, he said, “That’s all. Goodbye.”

I was stunned. But then again, what else was there to say? I just wanted to sit in the delicious reverberation of the mantra.

I returned home and the next morning made my way over to Starbucks. I noticed the pleasant mantra rumble still floated through my brain.  I also noticed that I chose a new nutrition bar over my habitual chai latte. The bar was called NICE. Can you believe it?

Was it a message to me, prompted by His Holiness? Maybe I had changed!

Later that morning a student asked what I had learned from my visit with the Dalai Lama. I reached into my bag and tossed the nutrition bar her way.

I said “This is his teaching: be NICE to one another and share love and compassion on the earth just as easily as I shared this nutrition bar with you!”

Of course she laughed and I felt that infectious giggle so many people have experienced in the presence of his joyful being.

And then I did something very different. Just like the Dalai Lama, I said, “And that’s it. Good bye!”  It was that easy and that simple.

guest post by Viniyoga teacher, Linda Prosche

in Culture, Event and Uncategorized.

Happy Diwali Message from President Obama

Published on October 21, 2009 2 Comments

Diwali party, the Hindu festival of light, was last Saturday. I helped a friend prepare for his Diwali party by picking up food from Jackson Heights, Queens: trays of saag paneer, spicy lentils, rice, tubs of chickpeas, and sweets such as jalebi (which seems to be 100% sugar spun in pretzel-shapes, fried, and dipped in sweet red syrup and is kind of like eating a tasty neon sign).

stacks of jalebi

stacks of jalebi

Last week, President Obama showed his chutzpah by delivering first-ever presidential wishes for the Diwali festival. He addresses Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and even citing Sanskrit verse (a chant you might recognize from yoga class!).

It reminds me of watching Queen Elizabeth give her Christmas Day speech from Buckingham Palace on TV as a kid (true story) but way, way cooler.

Watch President Obama’s message for Diwali here:

in Culture, Event and Uncategorized.

Global Mala NYC–It’s Happening

Published on September 16, 2009 2 Comments

Apologies to readers outside of the city, but I was complaining about New York’s meagre showing for Global Mala earlier this week, so I feel the need to amend. Last night I got notice that we’re not as lame as it seems.

Jivamukti and Integral Yoga Institute have taken on the challenge, and will present NYC Metro Area Global Mala Yoga for Peace Event (a mouthful–and a concert/kirtan) at Baruch College’s Mason Hall, Sunday, September 20th, 6 – 10pm.

Your $15 donation goes to Animal Mukti, a spay and neuter program established by Sharon Gannon at the New York Humane Society.  (This event is looking for volunteers, hint hint.)

Earlier in the day, Yoga for Peace will host an outdoor mala from noon til 3pm—that’s right, 108 sun salutations at Battery Park. You need to pre-register and send in your $20 (see the website).

The evening event is a concert and kirtan featuring some key Jiva figures such as Shyamdas (who appeared in the yoga movie, Enlighten Up!) and Sharon Gannon. Swami Ramananda, president of the Integral Yoga Institute, will speak and so will  Sri Dharma Mittra.

All big vegans and vegetarians.

So, there you go folks! Global Mala NYC is on.

in Culture and Event.

Global Mala–Not Just an LA Event (though you gotta hand it to them….)

Published on September 13, 2009 1 Comment

The Global Mala event—108 sun salutations, done in public, with a lot of other people, to live music—will happen next weekend, Sept 19 & 20.

The LA crowd—particularly the sun-dosed teachers and musicians working out of the Santa Monica/Venice mothership—have really got their act together for it. Their event is *huge*.

And no wonder, since it was conceived of by Shiva Rea, who teaches out of the Exhale Center for Movement in Venice, and has the backing of her local folks such as Hala Khouri, Saul David Raye, and Govindas and Rhada.

Nonetheless, there will be Global Mala events all over—not just in the US but in Canada, Japan, and South Africa.

From the press release: “On September 19 and 20, the Global Mala Yoga for Peace Project, whose purpose is to unite the global yoga community, will implement events throughout the world in honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace.

Forming a “mala around the earth” through collective practices based upon the sacred cycle of 108, the mission of the Global Mala Project is to raise both funds and consciousness for some of the most pressing issues facing the world today.”

In New York, the event is organized by Exhale Spa, too, and will take place at 150 Central Park South (212-249-3000).

But it looks like a *much* smaller affair. The LA extravaganza is described as “a 4-hour ritual with 108 sun salutations and kirtan music.” For a mere twenty bucks you can get a premium seat (seat?) in front of the stage with goodies thrown in.

New York, what are we doing here?

in Culture and Event.
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