Yoga under the Earth Harp...

Monday, September 20th. What an amazing day!

Beautiful feet...

Our feet, they're what connect us to Mother Earth, our foundation. We use them everyday, depend on them, walk all over them, stuff them into uncomfortable shoes... I think it's time we thanked them.

Give some good vibration to your foundation

We all know how good it feels to get out tootsies rubbed. But foot massage as a facial? Yes, "Foot massage can relieve eye strain, relaxing and opening the face and allowing our beauty to shine through easily" (Melanie Sachs, author Ayurvedic Beauty Care). Sachs words are backed up by the classical Ayurvedic text, the Ashtanga Hridaya, which identifies four major nerves in the feet that connect to the eyes.

Holding and massaging your feet with your own hands can help reintegrate the subtle energy pathways flowing between the upper and lower body. And well-massaged feet connect more completely with the earth when you stand or sit with your feet on the ground, giving your whole being a more stable and relaxed foundation. "Plus, Well-oiled feet are also more protected from cracking and peeling, reducing changes for fungal and bacterial infections" (Sachs).

...how
First, create a foot soak that meets your current needs, using one of the following recipes:

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to cool down...

Fill a foot tub with cool water and mix in a tablespoon of honey and a handful each of dried lavender and fresh rose petals. You can also use lavender or rose essential oil. This will soothe the mind.

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to warm up...

Fill a foot tub with lukewarm water and add 1 teaspoon of ginger powder. This will invigorate the body and increase circulation.

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to relax and rejuvenate...

Fill a foot tub with very warm water and add 3 tablespoons per gallon of Epsom salt. This will reduce any swelling and alleviate fatigue.

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First, soak.

Submerge your feet, relax for 10 minutes, then remove your feet and pat them dry. Next, give yourself a foot massage, using sesame, olive, or coconut oil. Apply the oil generously throughout your massage.

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Then, touch.

Starting with your right foot, massage in circles around the ankle. With your left hand, squeeze down from the base of the calf muscle all the way to the heel bone, 3 times. Holding the heel, pull back on the ball of the foot, flexing and stretching several times. With small circular movements, massage the spaces between all the toes, pinching the webbing between finger and thumb. Glide your thumbs up and down the grooves between the tendons on the top of the foot.

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Now turn your foot over so the sole is facing you and hold it in both hands, with your thumbs just under the ball of the foot. Press your fingers into the top side of the foot, stretching the base of the toes apart. Then use your thumbs to "milk" each toe, sliding from the base over the tip of each toe several times.

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Next, massage vigorously from heel to toe using the heel of your hand. Walk your thumbs along the outer edges of the foot, along the arch, and deeply into the edge of the heel. Use your knuckles to massage the arch to relieve back tension.

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Hold your ankle with your right hand and the top of your foot with the left, rotating the foot clockwise, then counter-clockwise. As Sachs would say, "It's a spinal twist for the foot!"

Grasp your big toes and rotate it fully, as if you were drawing a large circle with the tip of the toe. Then rub the toe between the palms of your hands to ease neck pain and tension, and the base of your little toe to ease shoulder tension. Finally, using the flat palm of your hand of your left hand, massage the entire sole of your foot in a figure-8 pattern.

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To finish, slap the sole of your foot a few times. Then press the palm of your hand to the center of the sole of your foot. Feeling the subtle energy at this marma (pressure point) encourages a healthy flow of apana vayu, the grounding, downward movement of vata, the Ayurvedic air principle. Repeat the entire sequence on the left foot.

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almost done...

Finally, rinse your feet with warm water, dry thoroughly, and slip them into clean cotton socks, which will allow your feet to feel protected, soft, comfortable, and responsive. Let a smile drift upward to your face.

Reference: Yoga Journal, October 2010

Nourish your body & spirit...

In yoga, we always talk about the beauty on the inside, the beauty of your soul. We also know to treat our bodies as a temple. Are these opposites? How do we connect the two? Simple, form a relationship between your inner and outer Divine Self. Yoga Journal has a great article this month on Ayurvedic Self Care Rituals that I want to share with you to help you create a wonderful lasting relationship between your inner and outer DIVINE Self. Yes, YOU are divine.

Presenting your best self to the day - feeling healthy, spiritually full, and gorgeous - is a lovely offering we can make to the world! According to the wisdom of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of health and longevity and the sister science to yoga, true beauty is what naturally arises from simple acts of self care.

The Ayurvedic self-care practices I am going to share with you over the next few days are designed to support the healthy functioning of your skin, hair, eyes, and feet which will kindle your radiance from head to toe. Each self-care ritual is an opportunity for you to care for your body as a sacred manifestation of life itself. When you honor yourself and your body in this way the vitality, grace, and generous luminosity of the goddess will shine through you.

Get ready... tomorrow we start with your Feet!


Reference: Yoga Journal, October 2010

Peace in action...

Birmingham's Global Mala 2010

"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." ~ Buddha"Be the change you want to see in the world" ~Mahatma Gandhi

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." ~Jimi HendrixOm shanti, shanti, shanti,

Quote of the Day...

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
~Mother Teresa

Global Mala THIS Weekend!...

Grab your sunscreen, it's supposed to be a beautiful weekend!

A weekend full of yoga, meditation and fun, loving energy with amazing people begins on Friday night with Kundalini and Kirtan at the Cahaba Pumping Station. Saturday is our 108 Sun Salutations at Vulcan! Don't be weary of the number 108, you do not have to do a single sun salutation, just come and feel the wonderful energy and beautiful view! Sunday is the Yoga Crawl and on Monday come practice at the Alys Stephens Center under the Giant Outdoor Earth Harp!


See my previous blogs for more detailed info: Global Mala 2010, Alys Stephens Center: practice yoga under the Giant Outdoor Earth Harp, Sweet Om Alabama.

Come feel the joyfulness of knowing that people all around the world are celebrating this international day of peace through yoga together. It is our belief that peace begins within, that WE are the embodiment of Peace. Creating harmony and peace within, creates harmony and peace throughout the world.

One heart, one mind, one purpose. Global Mala for Peace.

Shanti,

Tolerance...

In light of the anniversary of 9.11, I wanted to write about tolerance. Turning on the news this morning I see talk of a Pastor that hung a banner outside the church that said "Burn a Quran Day". Wether or not the burning took place is not my object of focus. As a pastor and a man of God at the head of his church, to show such intolerance for others is what really shook me to my core. Have tolerance and respect for others. Tolerance for others faith, religion, beliefs, rituals, lifestyles, race, etc. I do not wish to get into a political debate, just to open everyone's eyes to one thing: Respect.

Coming from my Christian background I know that the Bible teaches us to "love one another". There is no clause that says, "unless their skin is another color" or "unless they don't believe in your God". Let me remind other Christians out there: "Thou shalt not judge". Don't worry about what others are doing, the only person you have to worry about is yourself.

"If you cannot see God in all, you cannot see God at all."

Hatred is worldwide, but what's most alarming is the locus of hatred encompasses religion also, the very institution that was meant to mitigate it. We find that every religion preaches universal love towards all mankind and makes it incumbent on its devotees to practice good ethical behaviour as a matter of duty. But we all know that there is a wide gap between precepts and practice in this regard. After all, respect for other religions should not come merely as a matter of good protocol, but it should arise spontaneously out of a deeper conviction of one’s own conceptual framework about the totality of the truth that is taught in one’s own religion.

"We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty, and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors. But they all have to live in the same box."

"COEXIST is a way to demonstrate your support of religious freedom, tolerance and understanding."

Coexist is a movement to help stop this worldwide problem.

love & respect,

Quote of the Day...

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
~Mother Teresa

The perfect end to Global Mala weekend...

Bring your mat and celebrate a vibration-infused yoga class lead by one of the performers with MASS ensemble. RSVP for this special FREE event (the Earth Harp yoga workshop) to secure your space with jesssimpson@uab.edu. As always, donations are welcome!

Monday, September 20th 5:30-7:00pm

Yoga Under the Earth Harp

at

Alys Stephens Center

with

MASS Ensemble

In this truly unique and amazing workshop, participants will practice blending yoga postures and focused intention with MASS Ensemble's extraordinary Giant Outdoor Earth Harp (built especially for the Alys Stephens Center). The sonic vibration of the Earth Harp creates healing harmonics that not only provide the perfect backdrop for the yoga practice, but also sublime one's energy moving through the chakras to promote physical & energetic health and creative inspiration. Don't forget to bring your own mat!

See the Earth Harp on youtube!

Peace,

Quote of the Day...

"It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters."
~Mother Teresa

Peace...

Sharing the beautiful words of Christine Caiola describing the Global Mala event that she will be hosting across the world in Palau. I asked permission to share her words, as they conveyed what our intention was, which can sometimes fade from consciousness as we become involved in the acts of service necessary to manifest our vision.
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"The intention of this worldwide event is clear: to create peace in the world through yoga, through coming together and performing 108 Sun Salutations together, in unison, One heart, One mind, One purpose. Why the Global Mala for Peace Event? It is our belief that peace begins within, that WE are the embodiment of Peace. Creating harmony and peace within, creates harmony and peace throughout the world. This event also hold its intention that we are responsible for peace and that peace begins with ME. Peace is our responsibility, peace is a choice, and we can choose peace at every moment throughout our day."

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Global Mala: September 18th, 2010. Vulcan Park. Birmingham, Alabama.

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"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart".

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Quote of the Day...

"A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror."
~ Innerspace

Inspiration...

Finish the race. Never give up.

Natural foods...

Definition of Natural Foods: Food that does not contain any additives, preservatives or artificial coloring.

In spite of the increasing popularity of Organic food these days, most of the people do not have a clear idea regarding the definition of organic food. In simple words, Organic foods are those foods that are produced, processed and packaged without using chemicals. They have been accepted due to their perceived health benefits over conventional food. The organic industry is growing rapidly and has caught the attention of farmers, manufacturers and, above all, consumers.

Organic foods protect from heart disease and cancer, as they contain Phenolic compounds. Organic food ensures high food quality, which other conventional foods cannot give. Organic food is natural and fresh, and thus, it is tasty! Many people prefer to grow organic food in their home gardens, because it costs about 20% more than the conventional food. Organic gardening uses organic seeds, organic fertilizers, compost, organic root stimulators, and organic pest control. It has been claimed by health experts that organic food is more nutritious. Some of the features that can be associated with organic food are quality, good taste, proper selection of crop varieties etc.

So, why don't we all eat natural, organic foods?
Money, convenience, southern eating habits, the list goes on and on. Yes, organic foods are more expensive, but this expense comes at a good price. The added expense is the time it takes for the farmers to naturally grow & care for the crop. In "chemical farming" there is a process called chemical ripening where the food is ripened faster with chemicals so the farmers can produce a higher volume of crop. Chemical farmers also use genetically modified ingredients.

When purchasing organic food look for the Organic Certification, this will let you know that the farmers meet the organic farming requirements.

Support your local farmers!
Most cities have a local farmers market. In addition to supporting your local farmers you will be eating fresh foods that are in season. Certain foods grow at a certain time of year for a reason! We should suppport our bodies with in-season foods.

In Birmingham the Alabama Farmers Market is a place full of magic. Open air, open year round, locally grown fruits and vegetables & located in West Birmingham.

The Natural Foods Merchandiser magazine is a great way to stay up to date with organic grocery news.

Why not???

Eating better makes you feel good. Think of how you feel after Thanksgiving dinner. Nap time? Yes, please. As Americans we have so many traditions that revolve around food, if we made that food whole grain, natural and organic we would feel a lot lighter after dinner!

Also, Americans are obsessed with looking good. Starvation diets, surgery, pills... you name it. How about working on how your body looks from the inside-out? I promise it will feel a lot better than all the other weight loss tricks!

In addition to the Alabama Farmers Market a few local (Birmingham) grocery stores that carry natural, organic foods are: Whole Foods, Golden Temple, Organic Harvest, Manna Market, Red Rain & Health Foods West. Also remember that your every day grocery store (such as Publix) has an organic section too!

Kashi also has a great selection of organic, whole grain food items that can be purchased at most any grocery store. They offer snack bars, cereal, frozen entree's & more... no excuses!

*Visit the Organic Food Stores Locator to find local Organic Grocery in your town!

Healthy eating!

Recycle!!!...

The Alabama Environmental Council organized and still runs the oldest nonprofit recycling center in the state. It processes about 600 tons of newspaper, glass, plastic, aluminum, mixed paper and cardboard a year. AEC helped launch curbside recycling programs around the state, promote recycling education in schools and low-income communities, and operate a recycling hotline.

Toll Free Recycling Hotline: 1-800-982-4364.

The AEC downtown Birmingham recycling center is located at 2431 2nd Avenue North (Birmingham, AL) and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Helpful brochures and staff are available to make the center more user-friendly.

Recycling is the third R of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Recycling means taking a product or material at the end of its useful life and turning it into a usable raw material to make another product.

Recycling Facts & Figures
In 1999, recycling and composting activities prevented about 64 million tons of material from ending up in landfills and incinerators. Today, this country recycles 32 percent of its waste, a rate that has almost doubled during the past 15 years.

While recycling has grown in general, recycling of specific materials has grown even more drastically: 50 percent of all paper, 34 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, 45 percent of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans, 63 percent of all steel packaging, and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled.

Twenty years ago, only one curbside recycling program existed in the United States, which collected several materials at the curb. By 2005, almost 9,000 curbside programs had sprouted up across the nation. As of 2005, about 500 materials recovery facilities had been established to process the collected materials.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!!!