urban yoga

Cellular Memory: Storing Past Trauma or Stress

2012-01-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

Bohemian Dreams Illustration © Denise Urban

Body memory is a term used in alternative medicine where it is believed that the body stores memories related to past trauma or stress. Also referred to as cellular memory, those that believe in this phenomenon often believe that such memories are suppressed and only awakened when the body is placed in circumstances similar to the original traumatic event. It is believed by some that victims of sexual abuse and individuals affected by post-traumatic stress syndrome are most likely to experience body memory.

Researchers continue to study the human memory and the various ways in which it is processed. As has been found to be the case with false memory syndrome, where events that never actually occurred are planted into a person’s mind via hypnotic suggestion, many do not consider bodymemory to be a valid type of memory. In particular, experts in the field of psychology give little credence to the idea of memories being stored within the body.

Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that body memory affects the body in a variety of different ways. Some of the symptoms commonly associated with this type of memoryinclude muscle tension, muscle spasms, painful joint conditions, fatigue and headache. It is believed that poor circulation and vision problems may also be attributed to repressed memories stored within the body.

Another way of explaining body memory is as events that have caused immense emotional or physical pain, which are stored in the subconscious mind and manifested in the body. Some alternative medicine practitioners even theorize that the body actually is the subconscious mind. The trauma of recalling such events is assumed to be so deeply buried within a person’s subconscious mind that an individual cannot consciously recall the memory.

Vital organs are thought to be most affected by a precise type of body memory known as cellularmemory. It is believed that the psychic energy that accompanies repressed memories is deeply embedded within organ cells and produces a variety of painful, irritating and sickly symptoms. In psychology, as well as traditional medicine, similar events such as headaches due to excessive worry or stomach ailments due to anxiety are sometimes found to bear a mind-body connection, but such is not considered by mainstream practitioners to be evidence of bodymemory.

Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that body memory is evident in transplantation medicine. Stories of patients who have received organ transplants and later recall events experienced by the original organ donor are sometimes held to be proof that this type of memory exists.

Cellular Memory in Transplant Patients

2012-01-05T13:19:00.000-08:00

What is Cellular Memory?

Cellular memory is a theory that states the brain is not the only organ that stores memories or personality traits, that memory as a process can form in other systems in the body and can be stored in organs such as the heart. First studied in heart transplant recipients Cellular Memory was noted when upon waking up from surgery patients would display a strange change in tastes, opinions, cravings, and other mild personality changes. Could it be the organs given to them had some part of the donor's memory left within it?

Modern Examples

Most examples of cellular memory in transplant patients are recorded by scientists doing studies, with the aid of a hospital system that forbids the transplantee to know or speak to the donor's family. Because of this most of the cases are written of without the use of names, leaving these patients stories at large but still in obscurity.

One of the few cases we know the patient's name was a woman called Claire Sylvia who received a heart and lung transplant in the 1970's from an eighteen year old male donor who had been in a motorcycle accident. None of this information was known to Sylvia, who upon waking up claimed she had a new and intense craving for beer, chicken nuggets, and green peppers, all food she didn't enjoy prior to the surgery. A change in food preferences is probably the most noted in heart transplant patients. Sylvia wrote a book about her experiences after learning the identity of her donor called A Change of Heart.

Other documented cases have ben perplexing and sometimes extreme. A 47 year old man receiving a heart from a 17 year old black boy suddenly picked up an intense fondness for classical music. The boy whose heart had been donated was killed in a drive-by shooting, still clutching his violin case in his hands. A 47 year old transplant patient claimed that his new heart was responsible for a sudden onset of eating disorders, heralded from the heart's previous owner, a 14 year old girl. Once a change in sexual orientation was even documented in a twenty seven year old lesbian who soon after getting a new heart settled down and married a man.

The most stunning example of cellular memory was found in an eight year old girl who received the heart of a ten year old girl. The recipient was plagued after surgery with vivid nightmares about an attacker and a girl being murdered. After being brought to a psychiatrist her nightmares proved to be so vivid and real that the psychiatrist believed them to be genuine memories. As it turns out the ten year old whose heart she had just received was murdered and due to the recipients violent reoccurring dreams she was able to describe the events of that horrible encounter and the murderer so well that police soon apprehended, arrested, and convicted the killer.

Other common quirks recorded have been changes in attitude, temperament, vocabulary, patience levels, philosophies, and tastes in food and music. The phenomena has just recently been put into studies. The most notable of which was Dr Paul Peasall's questioning of 150 heart transplant patients which was published in Near-Death Studies magazine in 2002 entitled "Changes in Heart Transplant Recipients That Parallel the Personalities of Their Donors" from which the aforementioned cases are mostly from.

How Cellular Memory Might Work

It is thought that cellular memory might be possible since the discovery that neuropeptides exist not only in the brain as once thought but in all the tissues of the body. These neuropeptides are a way for the brain to "speak" to other bodily organs and for the organs to rely information back. However it is unknown if these newly found circuits could indeed store memories as the brain does in different organs. Due to the amount of peptides in the heart this organ is seen to have special potential in the study of this phenomena. However many answers still remain. Why don't all transplant recipients have these experiences? It's been theorized this may be due to the fact not all of them are in tune with their body as some other individuals may be. Perhaps the explanation lies with the sensitivity of the individual.

Alternate Theories

The Hospital Grapevine Theory: The hospital grapevine theory is the simplest alternate explanation, stating that patients may be influenced due to information they hear from nurses talking to each other or their surgeons while they are under anesthesia. Although it's forbidden to tell a transplant recipients the identity of the donor or any personal information there's no such rule that prevents hospital staff from talking amongst themselves. Could all these coincidences be a placebo effect given to the highly suggestible?
The Quantum Theory: this theory claims that the answers may lie in a world we are as of yet are very ill-equipped to prove, in the wonderfully strange world of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics tries to explain mathematically events that occur with atoms and the particles which may make up atoms. This is world where regular physics comes to die and can be used loosely to explain virtually anything that can't be explained otherwise. It's tempting but I'll leave this one up to the mathematicians to toy with. As of yet I haven't heard of any of them proposing this theory, it seems to be something thrown out there by laymen.
The Drug Theory: It is the body's duty to protect itself from foreign objects and that is generally what it does when it receives organs that weren't grown in it from conception. This is why patients have to receive immunosuppressant drugs to stop their own bodies from attacking the new organ. There have only been a small handful of cases of people who have lived without these drugs, and they have done so on their own against the advice of doctors. this theory states that these drugs can be the cause of the changes in personality. Perhaps in some strange way these drugs can be psychoactive as well as immunosuppressive. This theory probably chalks up the specific nature of the said changes in personality to coincidence.

October is World Vegetarian Month

2011-09-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

"Veggies" © Denise Urban

Even if you’re not a vegetarian or never plan on becoming one, reducing your intake of meat will make big impacts on your health, the health of the planet and the lives of animals worldwide. Not that we need a specific month to be or become vegetarian, but if we did…October would be that month. October 1st has been designated by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) as World Vegetarian Day and the entire month is dedicated to vegetarian awareness and education. NAVS has a specific page dedicated to non-vegetarians. Since our mission at wanna veg is to encourage meat-eaters to go vegetarian one day a week, I thought it would be good to list their ideas.

• Eat meat-free for the day or throughout the month
• Learn how a vegetarian diet can benefit you personally
• Try the meatless options available at local restaurants and eateries
• Discuss vegetarianism with your interested friends, family and co-workers
• Host a meatless meal or potluck for your friends

No matter what your decision, try going veg for the month of October! It’s easier and tastier than ever to adopt a veg diet…even one day a week!

It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. The health of others—plant- based diets (beans and rice) can feed the hungry around the world much cheaper than a meat-based diet. The health of the animals—13,000 + chickens are killed each hour in modern slaughterhouses. The health of the planet—19% of all methane gas (a greenhouse gas) is emitted by cattle and other livestock. Twenty-two billion pounds of fertilizer and 17 trillion gallons of water are used annually to grow feed grains for American livestock. Your wallet—the annual cost of drugs to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes is $37 billion. Just think how much money you will save!

“It is the position of The American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.” (American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109:1266-1282).

For more information go to:http://www.worldvegetarianday.org/

77 Surprising Health Benefits of Yoga

2011-07-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

"Namaste"
copyright Denise Urban

Blood pressure. A consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body.
Pulse rate. A slower pulse rate indicates that your heart is strong enough to pump more blood with fewer beats. Regularly practicing yoga provides a lower pulse rate.
Circulation. Yoga improves blood circulation. By transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, yoga practice provides healthier organs, skin, and brain.
Respiratory. Like the circulatory system, a lower respiratory rate indicates that the lungs are working more efficiently. Yoga decreases the respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness.
Cardiovascular endurance. A combination of lower heart rate and improved oxygenation to the body (both benefits of yoga) results in higher cardiovascular endurance.
Organs. Yoga practice massages internal organs, thus improving the ability of the body to prevent disease. Additionally, an experienced yoga practitioner becomes better attuned to her body to know at first sign if something isn’t functioning properly, thereby allowing for quicker response to head off disease.
Gastrointestinal. Gastrointestinal functions have been shown to improve in both men and women who practice yoga.
Immunity. Yoga practice has frequently been correlated with a stronger immune system.
Pain. Pain tolerance is much higher among those who practice yoga regularly. In addition to pain tolerance, some instances of chronic pain, such as back pain, are lessened or eliminated through yoga.
Metabolism. Having a balanced metabolism results in maintaining a healthy weight and controlling hunger. Consistent yoga practice helps find the balance and creates a more efficient metabolism.
Aging. Yoga stimulates the detoxification process within the body. Detoxification has been shown to delay aging, among many other health benefits.
Posture. The very nature of yoga teaches the practitioner how to hold and control one’s body in a more healthful position. Through consistent practice, your posture will improve so that you look more confident and healthy.
Strength. One of the premises of yoga is that you are using the weight of your own body for overall strength.
Energy. Regular yoga practice provides consistent energy. In fact, most yogis state that when you perform your yoga correctly, you will feel energized after your yoga session rather than tired.
Weight. The benefits of a better metabolism along with the exercise of yoga work to keep your weight in check. Additionally, the stretching of muscles longwise helps to reduce the amount of cellulite that can build around muscles.
Sleep. Because of the many benefits to both body and mind that a yoga routine can provide, many find that their sleep is much better sleep.
Balance. An integral part of the yoga practice is balance and control over your body. With a consistent practice, you will find that your overall balance will improve outside the yoga class.
Integrated function of the body. Yoga is derived from Sanskrit and means "to join together and direct one’s attention." This is exactly what happens to your body after you start practicing yoga. Yogis find that their body works together much better, resulting in more graceful and efficient body movements.
Body Awareness: Doing yoga will give you an increased awareness of your own body. You are often called upon to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment. Over time, this will increase your level of comfort in your own body. This can lead to improved posture and greater self-confidence.
Core strength. With a strong body core, you receive better posture and overall body strength. A strong core helps heal and reduce injuries. This is why a lot of athletes do yoga as cross training.
Sexuality. Yoga can improve your sexuality through better control, more relaxation, and more self-confidence.
Emotional Health Benefits
Mood. Overall well-being improves with yoga practice. The combination of creating a strong mind-body connection, creating a healthy body, and focusing inward can all lead to improvement in your mood.
Stress Reduction. The concentration required during yoga practice tends to focus your attention on the matter at hand, thereby reducing the emphasis you may have been putting on the stress in your life.
Anxiety. One benefit to the controlled breathing used in yoga is a reduction in anxiety.
Depression. Some believe the negative feelings that you may be repressing are brought to the surface during some types of yoga exercise. When this happens, the negative energy is no longer stuck within you, but released through exercise. Regularly releasing this negativity leads to a reduction of depression in many people.
Self-acceptance. Focusing inward and realizing through your yoga practice that perfection is not the goal, self-acceptance begins to take over. Success is not measured by perfectionism in yoga.
Self-control. The controlled movements of yoga teach you how to translate that self-control to all aspects of your life.
Mind-body connection. Few other exercises offer the same mind-body connection that yoga does. As you match your controlled breathing with the movements of your body, you retrain your mind to find that place of calm and peace that long-time yogis know.
Positive outlook on life. Continued practice of yoga results in a balance of many hormones and nervous system, which brings about a more stable, positive approach to life.
Hostility. Most yogis report a huge reduction in the amount of hostility they feel as well as a sense of control when anger flares. This calm effect is likely from the relaxation and meditation that is incorporated in their yoga practice that leads to an overall calming of the nervous system. Less hostility means lower blood pressure and stress and a healthier approach to life.
Concentration. Researchers have shown that as little as eight weeks of yoga practice can result in better concentration and more motivation.
Memory. Improved blood circulation to the brain as well as the reduction in stress and improved focus results in a better memory.
Attention. The attention required in yoga to maintain the structured breathing in conjunction with yoga poses sharpens the ability to keep a sharp focus on tasks.
Social skills. In yoga, you learn the interconnectedness of all of life. Your yoga practice soon evolves from a personal journey to one connecting to to the community at large where your social skills improve along with your yoga practice.
Calmness. Concentrating so intently on what your body is doing has the effect of bringing calmness. Yoga also introduces you to meditation techniques, such as watching how you breathe and disengagement from your thoughts, which help calm the mind.
Body Chemistry
Cholesterol. Yoga practice lowers cholesterol through increased blood circulation and burning fat. Yoga practice is a great tool to fight against harmful cholesterol levels.
Lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system boosts your immunity and reduces toxins in your body. The only way to get your lymphatic system flowing well is by movement. The specific movements involved in yoga are particularly well-suited for promoting a strong lymphatic system.
Glucose. There is evidence to suggest that yoga may lower blood glucose levels.
Sodium. As does any good exercise program, yoga reduces the sodium levels in your body. In today’s world of processed and fast foods that are full of sodium, lessening these levels is a great idea.
Endocrine functions. Practicing yoga helps to regulate and control hormone secretion. An improved endocrine system keeps hormones in balance and promotes better overall physical and emotional health.
Triglycerides. Triglycerides are the chemical form of fat in the blood, and elevated levels can indicate a risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. A recent study shows that yoga can lead to "significantly lower" levels of triglycerides.
Red blood cells. Yoga has been shown to increase the level of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood, and too few can result in anemia and low energy.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps boost immunity, helps produce collagen, and is a powerful antioxidant; and a yoga regimen can increase the vitamin C in your body.
Exercise Health Benefits
Low risk of injury. Due to the low impact of yoga and the controlled aspect of the motions, there is a very low risk of injury during yoga practice compared to other forms of exercise.
Parasympathetic Nervous System. In many forms of exercise, the sympathetic nervous system kicks in, providing you with that fight-or-flight sensation. Yoga does the opposite and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic system lowers blood pressure and slows the pace of your breathing, which allows relaxation and healing.
Muscle tone. Consistently practicing yoga leads to better muscle tone.
Subcortex. Subcortical regions of brain are associated with well-being, and yoga is thought to dominate the subcortex rather than the cortex (where most exercise dominates).
Reduced oxygen consumption. Yoga consumes less oxygen than traditional exercise routines, thereby allowing the body to work more efficiently.
Breathing. With yoga, breathing is more natural and controlled during exercise. This type of breathing provides more oxygen-rich air for your body and also provides more energy with less fatigue.
Balanced workout of opposing muscle groups. As with all of yoga, balance is key. If a muscle group is worked in one direction, it will also be worked in the opposite direction to maintain balance. This balance results in a better overall workout for the body.
Non-competitive. The introspective and self-building nature of yoga removes any need of competition in the exercise regimen. With the lack of competition, the yogi is free to work slowly to avoid any undue injury as well as promote a more balanced and stress-free workout.
Joint range of motion. A study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine indicated that joint range of motion was improved by participants who practiced yoga.
Eye-hand coordination. Without practice, eye-hand coordination diminishes. Yoga maintains and improves eye-hand coordination.
Dexterity. The strong mind-body connection and flexibility gained from yoga leads to grace and skill.
Reaction time. Research done in India shows that reaction time can be improved with specific yoga breathing exercises in conjunction with an already established yoga practice. The improvement was attributed to the faster rate of processing and improved concentration gained from yoga.
Endurance. Working the entire body, yoga improves endurance and is frequently used by endurance athletes as a supplement to their sport-specific training.
Depth perception. Becoming aware of your body and how it moves, as one does in yoga practice, leads to increased depth perception.
Disease Prevention
Heart disease. Yoga reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, keeps off weight, and improves cardiovascular health, all of which lead to reducing your risk of heart disease.
Osteoporosis. It is well documented that weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Additionally, yoga’s ability to lower levels of cortisol may help keep calcium in the bones.
Alzheimer’s. A new study indicates that yoga can help elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels. Low GABA levels are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s. Meditation like that practiced in yoga has also been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Type II diabetes. In addition to the glucose reducing capabilities of yoga, it is also an excellent source of physical exercise and stress reduction that, along with the potential for yoga to encourage insulin production in the pancreas, can serve as an excellent preventative for type II diabetes.
Symptom Reduction or Alleviation
Carpal tunnel syndrome. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome who practiced yoga showed greater improvement than those who wore a splint or received no treatment at all. Researchers saw improved grip strength and reduction of pain in the study participants.
Asthma. There is some evidence to show that reducing symptoms of asthma and even reduction in asthma medication are the result of regular yoga.
Arthritis. The slow, deliberate movement of yoga poses coupled with the gentle pressure exerted on the joints provides an excellent exercise to relieve arthritis symptoms. Also, the stress relief associated with yoga loosens muscles that tighten joints.
Multiple sclerosis. Yoga is now recognized as an excellent means of MS management.
Cancer. Those fighting or recovering from cancer frequently take advantage of the benefits that yoga provides. Cancer patients who practice yoga gain strength, raise red blood cells, experience less nausea during chemotherapy, and have a better overall well-being.
Muscular dystrophy. Using yoga in the early stages of muscular dystrophy can help return some physical functions. The practice of Pranayam yoga helped one teen regain many of his abilities lost to muscular dystrophy.
Migraines. Regular yoga practice has been shown to reduce the number of migraines in chronic migraine sufferers.
Scoliosis. Yoga can straighten the curvature of the spine associated with scoliosis.
Chronic bronchitis. Exercise that does not elevate respiration, yet increase oxygen levels in the body is ideal for treating chronic bronchitis. Luckily, yoga can do this, as well as aerate the lungs and provide energy.
Epilepsy. Focusing on stress reduction, breathing, and restoring overall balance in the body are the focus of how yoga can help prevent epileptic seizures.
Sciatica. The intense pain associated with sciatica can be alleviated with specific yoga poses.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Studies of people with OCD have shown that practicing yoga has lead to a reduction in symptoms–resulting in less medication or medication no longer needed.
Constipation. Due to the practice of yoga and overall better posture, the digestive and elimination systems work more efficiently. If the practitioner also has a healthy diet, any constipation will be eliminated through yoga.
Allergies. Using neti pot to clear the sinuses is an ancient form of yoga to help reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms. Certain types of breathing can also help clear the nasal passages.
Menopause. Yoga practice can help control some of the side effects of menopause. Learn how the bridge pose can help reduce hot flashes.
Back pain. Yoga reduces spinal compression and helps overall body alignment to reduce back pain. Find a yoga pose to help lessen back pain.
By Meredith Walker

The Creative Personality

2011-07-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

The Creative Personality: By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

1. Creative people have a great deal of physical energy, but they're also often quiet and at rest. They work long hours, with great concentration, while projecting an aura of freshness and enthusiasm. It seems that their energy is internally generated, due more to their focused minds than to the superiority of their genes. They control their energy; it's not ruled by time. When necessary, they can focus it like a laser beam; when not, they immediately recharge their batteries. They consider the rhythm of activity followed by reflection very important for the success of their work. This is not a bio-rhythm inherited with their genes; it was learned by trial and error as a strategy for achieving their goals.

2. Creative people tend to be smart yet naive at the same time. It is probably true that what psychologists call the "g factor," meaning a core of general intelligence, is high among people who make important creative contributions. They exhibit the contrasting poles of wisdom and childishness. A certain immaturity, both emotional and mental, can go hand in hand with deepest insights. Furthermore,they seem able to use well two opposite ways of thinking: the convergent and the divergent. Convergent thinking is measured by IQ tests, and it involves solving well-defined, rational problems that have one correct answer. Divergent thinking leads to no agreed-upon solution. It involves fluency, or the ability to generate a great quantity of ideas; flexibility, or the ability to switch from one perspective to another.

3. Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility. There is no question that a playfully light attitude is typical of creative individuals. But this playfulness doesn't go very far without its antithesis, a quality of doggedness, endurance, perseverance. Despite the carefree air that many creative people affect, most of them work late into the night and persist when less driven individuals would not.

4. Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality. Great art and great science involve a leap of imagination into a world that is different from the present. The rest of society views these new ideas as fantasies without relevance to current reality. But the whole point of art and science is to go beyond what we know and create a new reality. This "escape" is not into a never-never land. What makes a novel idea creative is that once we see it, sooner or later we recognize that, strange as it is, it is true.

5. Creative people trend to be both extroverted and introverted. We're usually one or the other, either preferring to be in the thick of crowds or sitting on the sidelines and observing the passing show. In fact, in current psychological research, extroversion and introversion are considered the most stable personality traits that differentiate people from each other and that can be reliably measured. Creative individuals, on the other hand, seem to exhibit both traits simultaneously.

6. Creative people are humble and proud at the same time. It is remarkable to meet a talented person who you expect to be arrogant or supercilious, only to encounter self-deprecation and shyness instead. Their respect for the area in which they work makes them aware of the long line of previous contributions to it, putting their own in perspective.They're also aware of the role that luck played in their own achievements. And they're usually so focused on current challenges than that past accomplishments, no matter how outstanding. At the same time, they know that in comparison with others, they have accomplished a great deal. And this knowledge provides a sense of security.

7. Creative people, to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping. When tests of masculinity/femininity are given to young people, over and over one finds that creative and talented girls are more dominant and tough than other girls, and creative boys are more sensitive and less aggressive than their male peers. Creative individuals are more likely to have not only the strengths of their own gender but those of the other one, too.

8. Creative people are both rebellious and conservative. It is impossible to be creative without having first internalized an area of culture. So it's difficult to see how a person can be creative without being both traditional and conservative and at the same time rebellious and iconoclastic. Being only traditional leaves an area unchanged; constantly taking chances without regard to what has been valued in the past rarely leads to novelty that is accepted as an improvement. But the willingness to take risks, to break with the safety of tradition, is also necessary.

9. Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well. Without the passion, we soon lose interest in a difficult task. Yet without being objective about it, our work is not very good and lacks credibility.

10. Creative people's openness and sensitivity often exposes them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment. Being alone at the forefront of a discipline also leaves you exposed and vulnerable. Eminence invites criticism and often vicious attacks. Deep interest and involvement in obscure subjects often goes unrewarded, or even brings on ridicule. Divergent thinking is often perceived as deviant by the majority, and so the creative person may feel isolated and misunderstood. Perhaps the most difficult thing for creative individuals to bear is the sense of emptiness when, for some reason, they cannot create.Yet when a person is working in the area of his of her expertise, worries and cares fall away, replaced by a sense of bliss. Perhaps the most important quality, the one that is most consistently present in all creative individuals, is the ability to enjoy the process of creation for its own sake.

Reinvent Your Life with Denise Bonnaig

2011-06-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Yogis and Friends,

"There is nothing more radical than the moment you realize that it's possible to reinvent your life- the kind of inner shift that turns a pessimist into someone capable of seeing the perfection in everything; that lets an angry person channel rage into creative energy; that makes us happier, more peaceful, more in touch with the love and wisdom of our core."
-Sally Kempton

Reinvent your life.

Register Today!

http://www.princetonpoweryoga.com/retreats/index.php

Lift each other's burdens--the little things

2011-05-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

When I was caring for my father stricken with pancreatic and colon cancer, a mother slowly dying of heart disease and Alzheimer's I thought I could not take the pressure anymore, then my husband was stricken with Guillain Barre Syndrome. These were years that seemed endless and incomprehensible for any one person to bear alone. If it weren't for a few friends I would have just lost faith altogether.

It wasn't anything big, maybe a phone call or a cup of coffee. It wasn't a big production on their part but a tiny and loving gesture that turned the dark tumultuous tide. I will always remember the tiny things that may not seem to matter to most people and until this day I always practice what I preach. Life is precious and we need to tell our friends and family what they mean to us whenever we can and yes sometimes we have to go out of our way to do the little things.

When we live in peace and unity, it pleases the Almighty. When we love and serve others, putting their needs above our own, we are honoring Him. When we carry each other's burdens, we are fulfilling the cosmic spiritual law --which is to love others.

What does it mean to carry each other’s burdens? There are many ways to reach out to people and help shoulder their load of life. Just by giving an encouraging word or smile, you can help lighten the load for someone. When you pray and intercede for others in their day of difficulty, you are helping to carry their burdens. Maybe there are other ways to help the people around you. Maybe you can pay for someone’s groceries or give someone cash at the gas pump. Anytime you help others and reach out to those in need, you are directly lending a hand to the Creator Himself. We are bombarded with these affirmations everyday and say how sophomoric a gesture but these tiny gestures are huge in the scheme of life!

Today, look for ways to lighten the load for the people around you. Be a burden lifter. Remember, what you sow, you shall reap. When you help others, you will be repaid all the days of your life!

Be a blessing to the people around you so that you can help carry their burdens.

to my friends... to life!

Make a Difference

2011-05-23T10:21:00.001-07:00

It's very human to look around us and feel completely overwhelmed. We say to ourselves... "What can I possibly do to make a difference?".... and give up. But the reality is we are all energy. Wherever we go, we spread our energy either positively or negatively far beyond the parameters of our own bodies.

The more you know yourself, the more accountable the energy you're spreading is positive. And if you can heal those things within you that need love, you'll have that much more love to spread wherever you go. One way to get out of any funk is to be of service to someone or something else. Just pick something. Smile at a stranger, or put money down next to someone sleeping on the street. Just pick one thing. It will infinitely turn your world and outlook around. And just maybe someone will see you do that, and feel inspired. You are so powerful. Each one of us is. If you're in a good place, pick something you feel passionate about and get involved. Get right with yourself first, and then shine your light as brightly as you can everywhere you go. We need it.

Getting on your yoga mat, walking and exercising along with nature, praying, or just some deeply powerful alone time with our creator is a very glorious thing. Tuning in to what's happening within you, taking time to examine your relationships and doing your best to become more aware, more honest, more present...this is really time you take for yourself, but certainly a positive gift you give to everyone.

From Yoga Anonymous

Eco-Farm & Wellness Center

2011-04-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

Om Song--(George Becht)

The Eco-Farm & Wellness Center

by Om Song--(George Becht)

This Vision is one of helping humanity blossom, becoming more loving as well as kindhearted & wise stewards of this amazing planet. The following is a walk through of a vision I’ve had in part since 1995. In these trying days of polarized platforms and ideologies, what we need is a unifying message of, ironically, diversity & inclusion. Just like the many roots nourishing the one tree, so too can humans come from many backgrounds and unify through our basic needs; Love, Food & Shelter. This tree image is meant to grow strong roots, providing solace and healing to the larger family of LIFE & Humanity from whence we all come. This vision, though grand, is made up of simple steps that can help to lead us from a society of consumption & madness to one of sustainability and joy.

The Center is a whole with 5 Major components:

Eco-Farm – “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine thy food”

Wellness Center – Rest and healing are equally as important as action and work.

Community – “Life lived with friends is life well lived”.

Holistic Cottage Industries – “Let us create knick-knacks of beauty that enrich our lives”

Outreach - Offering alternatives and models for others to participate in.

Eco-Farm

It is our collective responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live”~ Dalai Lama

We shall continue with the Eco-Farm, as food is the very foundation of life along side clean water & air. This is why it is first in the components. We can move with confidence and strength when we provide healthy, high energy life sustenance to ourselves and our local community. In that light, we plan on a farm that is based on the principles of permaculture & harmony with the earth. There would be animals such as cows, goats & chickens as well as other critters that make up a healthy circle of life. The eco-farm would be staffed initially by ourselves but we plan on expanding through volunteers interested in hands-on learning How we farm is of huge importance and after careful consideration the best discovered so far is the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model. The key to this unique system is that it gets the community involved and connected to where their food comes from – their local farm. This highly successful practice works on selling annual shares of one’s produce locally to families, individuals and small businesses. Families are encouraged to bring their hands and hearts to the farm and PARTICIPATE in growing their food. In this relaxed & enjoyable setting alongside others, both the food and community are nourished!

“The power of love to change bodies is legendary, built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience. Love moves the flesh, it pushes matter around.... Throughout history, ‘tender loving care’ has uniformly been recognized as a valuable element in healing.” ~Larry Dossey

Wellness Center

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” – Gandhi

“Health is Wealth”, is a common adage and with that in mind let us share about my personal favorite aspect of this vision; the Wellness Center. These days with the internet, webpages and cell phones it’s easier than ever to share a good thing with people. The property has over 8 rooms and if we reserve at least 2 of them for people to come and relax, rejuvenate and heal then we can charge $150/per person times two and make $300/weekend. Larian and I both being massage therapists can offer a wellness package that is both amazing & affordable. Health spas are usually astronomically expensive and known for sticker shock, but still folks regularly use them because, quite simply, it’s a NEED. People need to relax, tune in and receive care. People would come Friday afternoon/evening for a wonderful homemade meal from our own garden. After a nice meal folks could relax in our sauna next to the pond and reclaim the lost art of stargazing.

Community

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. ~Herman Melville

Being vulnerable with each other will be one of our greatest strengths. Let’s face it – this journey wouldn’t be worth it without some jolly and dear friends to share the ups & downs with. To this effect we’ll be opening up about 4 rooms total to our extended family of friends. Many hands make the load lighter and the tune brighter. We plan on bringing artists, musicians and spiritual activists together to make magic – pure and simple. This life is waaaay more than what meets the eye only. We plan to chart a course to the center of our soul and dive deep into ourselves and each other. The plan is on having many weekly community building activities from yoga to potlucks, to sauna socials to dj dance nights. Cell by cell, bud by bud we shall grow ourselves anew. Utilizing the abundant social resources of Floyd, Virginia we shall be a healthy node in the larger matrix of consciousness exploring and healing itself. There are many many thirsty people yearning for something deeper than this shallow existence of consumerism. Our values are all mixed up in the modern world. What many yearn for is a return to simplicity – we can provide that place.

Holistic Cottage Industries

Live simply that others might simply live. ~Elizabeth Ann Seton

Humans are wonderfully creative. We can make such beautiful pieces of art. Using environmentally friendly materials such as Hemp we can both provide enriching artwork and receive financial nourishment. Larian is an exceedingly talented artist in making necklaces, wraps and such. This would be just one avenue for our arts. We plan on opening an arts & crafts center where people could come and use the community resources. There would be a kick wheel for pottery, basic recording equipment, silk-screening materials and other wonderful ways to express ourselves positively.

Any social movement needs good communication. As we’ve witnessed in Egypt; twitter, facebook and youtube have shown people the horrors of oppressive regimes. With a basic camcorder and video editing software we can bring our own “TV” to the interested. Audio/visual documentation of successful cooperative projects, such as this, only strengthens the larger “spiralwheel” of revolution/evolution. The youth learn from both history and current events – even more from what they participate in.

Workshops on the land:

Yoga retreats

Earthbag/eco-building

Woman’s retreats

Men’s Retreats

Native Ceremonies e.g. sweat lodges

Mini-Dance camps

Networking Conferences

Permaculture for you

Rest & Relaxation Tips

Outreach

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~William James

There is a bit of a cliché about hippies that burnout, head to the woods and form sleepy communes. My experience is that we have wonderful rest and relaxation on the land, but we will also make it a priority to reach out into the larger community. The message in a nutshell; Cooperation trumps competition & Needs beats Greeds. I feel that with all our artistic strength and talent we can use puppets, props and such for skits, plays and Guerilla Theater to inform and inspire.

Reaching out to other is compassion in action. It may start with a few summer festivals where we can bring handouts and art pieces of what we’re doing on the land. Combine a great interactive website, active youth and we’ll be growing fun & wisdom – a truly revolutionary force.

Summary

Putting it all together

So as one may see there are some grand pictures painted in this vision. Hopefully one also sees that it begins like all things – small. We are a couple of people earnestly seeking a more loving and simple existence. The first year is oriented to growing our own food, keeping our needs simple and listening. The earth is open to conversation if we can empty our proverbial cup and allow a newancient tea to fill her curves.

The ultimate aim of our life is a better world for us all. When one’s heart is true and vision humble then quantum magic happens.

Harden hearts melt,

Tears free the long imprisoned and,

Joy roars forth like a volcano –

Both destroying and creating anew.

Written by: Song & Larian

Song@caringcaravan.org

Larian@caringcaravan.org

Website:

www.caringcaravan.org

www.ic.org

352-359-0966

May all beings be happy and loved!

Change your life!

2011-03-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

Take consistent action towards achieving your goals. I suggest that you begin visualizing yourself looking, feeling, and behaving “successfully.” Well, have you begun doing so? If yes, good for you. Keep it going and it will greatly improve your life.

I realize you are busy. I know you’re probably tired and running all day long. Yet if you don’t make some of these minor shifts now, you’ll end up at the end of your journey frustrated and full of regret!

One of the biggest reasons people don’t follow through is because they are afraid that eventually they will fail, so why bother. That’s why New Year’s Resolutions and diets are a waste of time. People don’t really expect to succeed, and thus, they don’t.

Your goal for this week is to pretend that you can only succeed and to act as if this is true for the next two weeks! What if you really believed that you could only succeed? How would that influence you? What new actions would you take! What risks would you open yourself to? What wonderful things could happen if you were to dream big and chase those dreams until you got them? I challenge you to find out!

Can Yoga Survive Big Business with Good Karma?

2010-12-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

Click Here for 58 min. Movie: http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/yoga_inc/

Yoga has transformed from an ancient spiritual practice into a competitive, commercialized, multi-million dollar industry. And for a practice rooted in renunciation, yoga sure is making some people very rich. Can yoga survive this war between the sacred and the profane with its good karma intact?

In today’s yoga world only the marketplace has real meaning, where everything is up for grabs, from yoga shoes to chakra panties. The new mantras are Standardize and Supersize. In the race to cash in yoga chains (‘McYoga’?) are popping up everywhere, putting the smaller studios out of business. No wonder purists are scratching their heads. Is nothing sacred?

Greed, lust, ego and the search for enlightenment all come together in this original, irreverent portrait of spiritualism and capitalism colliding head on.

Thanksgiving a vivid reminder

2010-11-23T04:03:00.000-08:00

Let's all admit that sometimes we all lose site of helping others as we get caught up in daily life. Thanksgiving is always a vivid reminder to refocus, give thanks, and give back. Even though we all love Thanksgiving for its abundance of stuffed turkey or tofurkey, candied yams, and cranberry sauce, our favorite Thanksgiving memories always involve the true spirit of the holiday: Giving Thanks. We can all think of ways to give thanks or give back this holiday, volunteering at a soup kitchen to give back to the community, teaching a free yoga class to give back to our students, giving back to the charity of choice, and simply telling all the people that we love why we are so thankful that they are in your lives.

Clothes 4 Soles and Soles 4 Soles

2010-11-09T17:19:00.000-08:00

Shoe charity offers volunteers and supporters hands-on experiences in four countries for the coming year. Soles4Souls announced their 2011 shoe distribution trip schedule with 8 opportunities for the general public to join the charity and take part in helping those in need. Participation in distribution trips will offer groups and individuals the opportunity to experience first-hand the impact a pair of shoes can truly make. The shoe charity unveiled eight trips for the 2011 calendar year including trips to Haiti, India, Peru, and Honduras. Soles4Souls’ strong relations with International and American volunteers have provided many open doors for service worldwide. The international teams will be supported with ample translators and personnel during participants’ stays. The trips will focus on serving people in need by working on various projects and providing individual attention in fitting them with shoes- the first pair many will own.

Soles4Souls has donated more than 11 million pairs of shoes worldwide, and has distributed more than 1 million pairs to the victims of the Haitian earthquake in 2010. You can learn more about the trips, locations, and costs by visiting http://www.clothes4souls.org/get_involved/travel/

Chynna & Vaughan - "Everyday Miracles"

2010-11-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Visual Affirmations for August and September 2010

2010-08-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

I found these lovely illustrations a few years ago and waned to share them with you. Positive Affirmations are a very popular, proven and effective method of Life-enhancement. The method for receiving affirmative messages is visual rather than auditory and is one of the quickest route to the sub-conscious.

As visual designer for different media, I believe that you can control your own neural programing and enhance your life with positive messages which in turn generate positive results. Simply being exposed to positive messages on a regular basis enhances mood, and neural networks in the brain.

We "all" want and need that positive boost some days don't we?

TASK: Trenton Area Soup Kitchen

2010-07-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

TASK began by feeding sixty hungry people in the basement of a Trenton church in January 1982. Last year they served more 180,000 nutritious meals (more than 3,400 each week). In addition to meal service, TASK offers various programs to encourage patrons' self-sufficiency and improve quality of life. TASK depends predominantly on the community at large for support.

Since TASK does not receive significant government funding (it's currently less than 3% of their budget) and does not have a substantial endowment, each year they must raise the vast majority of its operating funds. With this in mind, TASK's board of trustees has decided to launch the Keeping the Bowl Full Endowment Campaign to raise $2,000,000 in endowment gifts by December 2012, which will mark the 30th anniversary of TASK.

"The Keeping the Bowl Full Endowment Campaign will ensure their ability to fulfill their mission for years to come. Some might say that this is not a propitious time to launch a major Endowment Campaign. I disagree. The increased demand for their services triggered by the economic crisis emphasized how crucial it is that TASK be there to feed whoever becomes hungry in our community," indicates Jim Parker, Chair of TASK's Board of Trustees.

For more information, or if you would like to make a donation to TASK's Endowment Fund, please click here to download the Endowment Brochure and Donation Form. Please write checks out to TASK. All forms and checks can be sent: ATTN: Endowment Fund, TASK, PO Box 872, Trenton NJ 08605

If you have any questions, please contact Jaime Parker, Community Relations & Development Associate at (609) 695-5456 x 105 or email jaimep@trentonsoupkitchen.org.

Bioremediation: Cleaning the Gulf Oil Spill

2010-06-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

Bioremediation Via MICROBES Can Clean The Oil Spill.

Microbes occur in nature, some decompose plant matter, others help break down toxins. Scientists have been able to find and ‘harvest’ these naturally occurring oil-eating microbes and increase their reproduction cycle so that trillions are now available!

These microbes have been tested successful on large oil spills around the world. They can be supplied immediately in large enough quantities to ‘bioremediate’ the oil that is now washing up on the beaches and in the marshes of the Gulf Coast. Once applied to the oil, the microbes eat it - leaving a natural waste product that is harmless to marine life. Their waste is non-toxic and can actually be beneficial to the plants and sea creatures that feed on it.

Bioremediation provides a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation processes that occur in nature. Depending on the site and its contaminants, bioremediation may be safer and less expensive than alternative solutions such as incineration or landfilling of the contaminated materials. Check out these links: http://www.answers.com/topic/bioremediation
http://www.biobasics.gc.ca/english/View.asp?x=741

Gulf Wildlife Rescue Unit

2010-06-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

Gulf Wildlife Rescue Unit is devised of local United States Coast Guard Approved Captains that have the ability to increase the rescue efforts by their local knowledge of water ways. These Captains have worked with scientist worldwide for many years on a variety of marine species and now want to help in the BP oil spill with all wildlife rescue efforts. GWRU believes that the Gulf fisherman should be 100% involved in nursing our ecosystem back to health. Many of the Captain's with GWRU have Environmental and Marine Biology Degrees and will assist in overseeing entire Captain's fleet in rescue efforts.

To contact the Gulf Wildlife Rescue Unit please call (504) 710-2950 or email gulfproductions@aol.com

Wildlife Affected by Oil Spill
According to the Audubon Nature Institute, it is anticipated that the greatest number of animals affected will be sea turtles as the Kemps Ridley species is currently migrating to the beaches of Mexico to nest. However, as seen below, pelicans and other natural wildlife in the area are being affected as well. See Fish Toxicity Proposal

Gulf Sea Turtles

Gulf Pelicans

You're Never Too Old To Practice Yoga!!

2010-05-22T16:07:00.000-07:00

Barbara Lyon on-the-job teaching yoga and interviewed in this movie by Lee Glickstein, www.speakingcircles.com.

The Dalai Lama thoughts on Inner Peace

2010-05-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

Transcript below of Dalai Lama's Speech on Inner Peace:

Ultimately we want happiness.

We do not want suffering – everybody – every sentient being. Now we are actually creating more unnecessary suffering.

I think it’s very important to make clear to the public – we are not talking about religion. ‘If we have more compassion, God will be pleased’ – we’re not talking about that. ‘If we, as Buddhists, have more compassion, Buddha will support us’ – I’m not talking about that.

If we are more compassionate I will get benefit. – I will be a happier person – that’s the point.

Here – one million check! – one million dollars… But here (hand on heart) no peace! That one million dollars will not bring inner peace – happiness.

This money brings more frustration, more suspicion, more anxiety, or sometimes more jealousy.

So inner peace is the ultimate source of happiness – joyfulness.

I think people do not understand that.

That’s my point.”

H.H. the Dalai Lama: Inner Peace, Happiness, God and Money
From the film “Dalai Lama Renaissance”

The Nashville Flood

2010-05-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

I encourage you to put yourself there, in the shoes of the suffering, see from their eyes and imagine what you would do and how you would feel. Keep them in your hearts as we unite in an effort to help the suffering. There are so many different ways to give and support through the Red Cross, etc. Each of us can do our part.

The Meaningful Life Center

2010-04-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Meaningful Life Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to personal, societal and global transformation through presenting the universal wisdom of the Torah as a blueprint for life. The Center is built on the belief that life is precious and that every individual has a unique and indispensable contribution to make, which affects everyone and everything, now and forever

The Center provides a warm, non-judgmental atmosphere for people of all backgrounds to explore their spirituality and build a personal, loving relationship with G-d.

The Meaningful Life Cente r offers a wide variety of live and published programming for people at all levels. The dean of the center, Rabbi Simon Jacobson, is the author of the best-selling book "Toward a Meaningful Life."

The Law of Attraction

2010-04-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like and what you think about, and even more importantly, what you feel and therefore vibrate, you attract to you. If you are feeling bad, you attract more of that feeling to you. If you are feeling joyful and prosperous, you attract more of that to you. We are vibrational beings, putting off a vibration depending on how we are feeling, what we are thinking, what our beliefs are, what we allow in to our lives. We literally attract things to us that match our vibration, like a magnet.

So..I wish you tremendous success!

Rodney Yee My Inspiration to Begin Practicing Yoga

2010-03-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

In 2001 I bought a series of Videotapes below called "Power Yoga" the complete workout for Stamina, Strength and Flexibility. I was 44 years old and tired, I had gained so much weight and couldn't even recognize myself. So what I decided to do was to just practice in my design studio everyday until I lost about 25 lbs, then I decided to join a gym. Subsequently the gym had yoga classes every other day and I religiously attended them. I still practiced with Rodney in my private time because I felt a sense of peace and there was no competition, it was just his guidance and my determination to get healthy.

I choose Rodney's videos over the other yoga instructors because I sensed an innate wisdom in his spirit. He was pretty honest about being human and having frailties, that no one is perfect and there isn't the perfect body or the perfect pose. He taught me to honor my body for what it could do at the time.

His gentle way and his strength were a dichotomy and it was just that combination that interested and propelled me to learn more and to get my 200 hr RYT teacher training. Today I only teach part time other women that do not want to attend a gym and feel as though they are being laughed at or judged because of their frame or because they just don't want to compete with 20 and 30 year old students. These are women with serious issues of self esteem, stemming from abuse either from their spouses or from a long life of childhood abuse and trama.

So Rodney, you are my hero and it took all these years for the technology to catch up to this thank you.

There is a book published by Gaiam entitled "Yoga The Poetry of the Body" In the forward Nina Zolotow has a discussion with Rodney about why to practice yoga. This dialogue encapsulates how most yoga students and yoga instructors feel but never really talk about in class.

Rodney: So now you can do a headstand....Do you feel like some of your goals have been achieved?

Nina: Yes, I do feel stronger physically, and it makes me- I don;t know that I feel stronger emotionally, but I feel more confident.

Rodney: Confident is not strong emotionally?

Nina: There's a certain part of me that feels really fragile-

Rodney: Well, why wouldn't someone want to feel fragile? I think fragility is one of the most underrated things as a human being. I believe that we're doing yoga so that we can be strong enough to be fragile. I mean , we are fragile and we're living in a society where we could easily be destroyed-psychologically, emotionally, and physically-so why shouldn't we feel fragile? Life is on a silk thread hanging like a cocoon from a tree, and it's a fragile thing. I didn't think yoga is to keep you from feeling fragile, I think it's to enable you to be consciously fragile but feel like, "I'm fine with this fragility."

Link here to Rodney Yee Fan Club--all things Rodney Yee

Who Switched Off My Brain By Dr. Caroline Leaf

2010-02-25T12:16:00.000-08:00

A book on how the mind can affect health and how positive thoughts and negative thought produce different chemicals in the brain. Also in the book are some insightful formulas for the thoughts that you realize and want to change.

http://www.drleaf.net/

In Search of a Miracle---A Broken Life Reflects

2010-02-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

Everyday I sit and pray or should I use the politically correct term for prayer and call it meditation? Well today was an especially difficult day for me. I lost a member of my family a few of months ago to full blown cancer and I miss her so much. She was a joy to be around, always making people laugh and never letting on how painful her life really was. She showed our family how to laugh in the face of adversity and how to put that game face on when faced with challenges. I miss her playful spirit. The earth really did lose a huge spark. So while I was praying I asked the Big Guy upstairs to show me the way.

Sometimes life can get so tough. I put a word out to the Big Boss that I need a full blown miracle. Yes, I have had many miracles in my life and yes I do believe in miracles or I wouldn't be on this earth. There had to be a force that was protecting me. Since a child (2 years old) I was shuttled from one home to the next, I felt unwanted and unloved. There was abuse--verbal, physical and mental in all houses until I left for college. The only solace I had was my artwork. I would shut the world out and just create. Art became my one and only true friend. I didn't and couldn't trust anyone.

So as I sat praying today, reflecting and thinking about how one soul can effect so many people either for good or bad, I asked the Big Cheese if I could do the same? You see my art has always been how I communicate to others but I needed more. Maybe I can write about my life as a child, all the good and all the bad. Then I finally realized that this blog is the perfect pulpit, an honest venue and living testimony of miracles of an ordinary young girl.

I hope in some small way this blog helps others that have gone through some very broken times in their lives and are broken in soul and spirit. It really doesn't have to be that way.

I have included in this entry a documentary film you might enjoy and also some books that might get you out of a self abuse syndrome. We all know that when a child is abused in any way that they accept that abuse as normal. Well the hell with that, let's just call it what it was a heinous sin that was perpetrated on an innocent soul. When we get older we see it for what it was a raw deal, a hardball thrown at us to make us stronger, but yes folks...it can just make you realize you need another miracle to get through.

Experience what some have called the modern miracles of Israel through the eyes of a seasoned journalist and documentary director, Michael Greenspan, who explores the question: Why has Israel survived against all the odds? This 13 part dramatic television series, appropriately tilted, "Against All Odds: In Search of a Miracle", takes a fascinating journey into the documented stories of supernatural phenomenon, which birthed and preserved modern Israel. Eyewitness accounts and commentary by high ranking government officials, generals, soldiers, foreign leaders and rich dramatic recreations compel the audience to ask, are these events miracles? You decide...

While producing his documentary in 2005 " Against all Odds" , Greenspan was touched by the Israeli people who told their stories. He was skeptical in the beginning and as the documentary progressed these same ordinary individuals had him convinced that their lives were touched by a miracle. In the hour of their greatest need , when they were beyond their own resources, and all the odds were against them, and there was no hope outside of a miracle. Whatever happened, it changed their lives. They were never the same again. Faith became part of the air they breathe, the way they see all of life. They all seemed so sure of who they were and their purpose for living.

If any of us search long enough and honestly enough we will find the truth, it will be very personal And it will be our miracle. Are miracles real? Do they happen to everyday people? Is there a miracle waiting to happen in our lives?

You decide.

Link here for a five star review of the movie.

:)denise

Craft Hope for Haiti

2010-01-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

post below by http://tryhandmade.com/ on JANUARY 19, 2010

By this time, everyone has heard about the devastation in Haiti. People all over the world are doing their part to send their support in whatever way they can. And our craft community is no different.

Crafters are some of the nicest people I know. Our community seems to accept everyone, make room for everyone, no matter what their level of expertise. The community also has some pretty big hearts and some have found a way to work within their resources to do what they can to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

And you can be a part of it.

A group of crafters have created their own Etsy store at Craft Hope for Haiti. Dozens of people have donated their products to the site and 100% of the proceeds goes to Doctors Without Borders for Haiti Relief. The prices are reasonable and the giving feels good

Indie Fixx is holding a Haiti Relief Fundraiser. There are new additions daily that you can bid on and know that should you win the bid, you can feel great about 100% of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross to help them reach their 1 million relief goal.

Stripping all the Gurus in 2010

2010-01-14T07:02:00.000-08:00

Download the entire book "Stripping the Gurus" here for free in PDF form!

Armed with wit, insight, and truly astonishing research, Geoffrey Falk utterly demolishes the notion of the enlightened guru who can lead devotees to nirvana. This entertaining and yet deadly serious book should be read by everyone pursuing or thinking of pursuing the path of guru devotion.

—John Horgan, author of Rational Mysticism

No one involved in contemporary spirituality can afford to ignore this book. It exposes the darker side of modern spiritual movements, those embarrassing—sometime vicious or criminal—reports which the leaders of these movements prefer to hide. With wit and humility, and without abandoning the verities of religion, Falk has provided a corrective critique of groups that peddle enlightenment and transcendence. A must!
—Len Oakes, author of Prophetic Charisma

This gripping and disturbing book should be read by anyone who finds themself revering a spiritual teacher.
—Susan Blackmore, author of The Meme Machine

Geoffrey Falk's delightful but disturbing unmasking of religious prophets and preachers who command a vast following is a welcome contribution to the literature on the gurus and god-men of all religions.
—Dr. Narasingha P. Sil, Western Oregon University

Every Girl Is Beautiful-Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty

2009-12-10T12:11:00.000-08:00

Young girls redefining beauty in their own words and see the difference self esteem programs are making in the lives of little girls all over the world. No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted. Take part in the Dove Real Beauty Workshops for Girls. Dove believes that strong self-esteem is at the heart of feeling beautiful. Women who are truly beautiful feel good about themselves. They are unlikely to feel insecure, compare themselves to others or believe people who put them down. Instead, people who are happy and confident truly embrace life.

Dove believes that every woman is entitled to feel this way and to celebrate her own beauty. That's why Dove is committed to making a real difference in women's lives by working with organizations and programs that foster strong self-esteem and by developing tools and resources that will help individuals and groups make a difference for themselves.

"Women and girls have their self-esteem undermined every day in our culture. Consider the following statistics: Body image dissatisfaction has been consistently found in girls as young as nine years old. Several studies have demonstrated a desire to be thinner in girls as young as seven.

Only two percent of women globally consider themselves beautiful. Sixty-three per cent of women strongly agree that women today are expected to be more attractive than their mother's generation.

Here are some tips for those struggling with these issues at any age:
1. Face your fears - challenges seem scary but your fears are usually exaggerated. Facing your fears increases your confidence and boosts your esteem.

2. Forget your failures - learn from them. Avoid making the same mistakes again but don't limit yourself by assuming you failed before so you can't succeed this time. Try again, you're wiser and stronger. Don't be trapped in the past!

3. Know what you want and ask for it.

4. Reward yourself when you succeed. Make a list of your successes and focus on the positive.

5. Talk - We often make assumptions about a situation or person which are not true. Your attitude and behaviour can be negatively affected so if you have any doubt or question ask and don't assume you know why or how.

Denise Urban is a registered facilitator of Dove's Self Esteem Program. If interested in holding a self esteem seminar for young girls at your local community center, church, girl scouts or yoga studio call 609-865-6527 for areas Princeton, Princeton Junction, East Windsor, West Windsor, Plainsboro, Hamilton, Mercerville, Allentown, Trenton, Lawrenceville and Ewing.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

2009-11-26T16:04:00.000-08:00

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them. Disagree with them. Glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world Are the ones who do. "

--Jack Kerouac

Human Trafficking: Abuse in India

2009-11-03T04:39:00.000-08:00

These two boys attend one of the local slum school S.O.S. supports.

Photo: Hannah Weehunt

Girls are especially vulnerable to exploitation because of poverty or other social circumstances.

Photograph by Hannah Weehunt

A child sleeps on the streets of India

My goal and prayer is that those who read this blog today will find it in their hearts to change one of the darkest corners of sexual abuse on earth today. It is not easy to suffer sexual abuse as a child and live a long life to tell about it, many die from disease or addictions.
See and hear first hand of the degradation that children around the world suffer. As you read this post, some little girl or boy is suffering both physical and sexual abuse in some dark part of the world whether India, Cambodia or Thailand.

Can you imagine living among one million people...in a single square mile? I heard about Kamathipura, a section of Mumbi , where approximately 100,00 women and children live in sexual slavery. The number of trafficked persons is difficult to determine due to the clandestine nature of the crime, but the Indian government claims that there are about 3 million prostitutes in the country and 40% are children.The young women working in the brothels red light district of Mumbai in Kamathipuraare forced into prostitution by human traffickers. The thought of forced prostitution, especially for children, brings an element of criminality and debauchery that confounds the senses. It’s the equivalent of daily rape and pedophilia -- all for sale in the slums of Kamathipura.

Their are stories of young women who escaped the sex trade and now live in the care of the missionaries. One lovely girl, the daughter of a prostitute, told how she had been raped every day by her mother’s owner. The abuse, which her mother witnessed, began when she was only nine years old and continued daily until the man sold her at the age of seventeen.

Others were kidnapped from their families and imprisoned for months or years. Children are literally kept in cages, like animals at a market. One girl described her torment: “I was raped and beaten daily--then put back into my cage.” Filthy, narrow streets, rats over a door frame as you enter brothels. Inside, each girl is filled with torment.Their weary eyes filled with tears as love flooded their prison.

Santoosh, a 7 year old orphan. He lives in the Dharavi slums of Bombay, India, a city of 20 million people. He's one of thousands of abandoned and malnourished orphans who watch rats run through the shanties they call home. Raw sewage flows outside in the alleys and streets where they scavenge for food and water. He lost his mother five months ago to disease. His father, too, is gone. His father's picture hangs on the wall as a lingering memory. Santoosh often cries while staring at it, for at just seven years old, he knows he is alone in life. Santoosh represents the "forgotten children" of Dharavi square. But they are not forgotten by G-d.

David recorded the heart of the Father in Psalm 68:5-6. He is, "A father of the fatherless...G-d makes a home for the lonely." He lost his mother five months ago to disease. His father, too, is gone. His father's picture hangs on the wall as a lingering memory. Santoosh often cries while staring at it, for at just seven years old, he knows he is alone in life.His grandmother does her best to make ends meet, but her job only pays 40 cents a day, so Santoosh often goes hungry. He has no extra clothes. No shoes. No education. No medical help. There is no running water in his house. Clean water is not available in these slum areas. So Santoosh often goes hungry. He has no extra clothes. No shoes. No education. No medical help. There is no running water in his house. Clean water is not available in these slum areas.

Today I decided to give a donation to the Life Outreach Minitries. Life Outreach along withS.O.S. International facilitates and operates compassion outreaches to India, with a focus on social development. They are committed to searching for and developing not only sustainable life-saving solutions, but also truly life-changing ones to the problems the poor face every day.

Please open your hearts...

Sowers of Seeds

Life Today Outreach

global giving

The Miracle Foundation

The Weight of Silence: Invisible Children of India

by Shelley Seale

St. Francis Inn Ministries in Philadelphia

2009-10-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 19:17 (King James Version)

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

According to the early church, October 4th is celebrated as St. Francis of Assisi day. I was born not only on October 4th the very same day, but at St. Francis Hospital! What are the chances of that happening in some one's life?? While waiting at the hospital for me to arrive, my father went to the gift store and bought the only gift item they had, guess what that was? .... a statue of St. Francis!

St. Francis Inn Ministries in Philadelphia

One of my favorite charities is St. Francis Ministries. When you give to them you know that the donations go strictly to feeding at least 300 individuals a day!

St. Francis Ministries is a Eucharistic community called to minister with the poor and homeless of Philadelphia. Formed in the spirit of the Gospel and inspired by the life and compassion of Francis and Clare of Assisi, they try to meet the immediate daily needs of the people they serve with food, clothing and hospitality. Furthermore, they empower persons to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty and address structural injustices. St. Francis Ministries seeks to build relationships with those that they serve by respecting their human dignity and by helping them to restore hope in their lives, and by living simply among them.

St. Francis Inn Ministries could not possibly do its work without the help and generosity of so many people sharing their time and talent.If you would like to donate or volunteer they offer a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. For information on current volunteer needs contact Sr. Leslie, volunteer coordinator, at (215) 423-5845 or email Leslieosf@aol.com

The story of St. Fancis

Francis was one of seven children born to Pietro di Bernardone, a rich cloth merchant, from France. Pietro was in France on business when Francis was born, and Pica had him baptised as Giovanni (John) in honor of Saint John the Baptist in the hope he would grow to be a great religious leader. When his father returned to Assisi he took to calling him Francesco, in honor of his commercial success and enthusiasm for all things French. Although many biographers remark about rich friends, street brawls, and love of pleasure,his displays of disillusionment toward the world that surrounded him came fairly early in his life, as is shown in the "story of the beggar." In this account, he was selling cloth and velvet in the marketplace on behalf of his father when a beggar came to him and asked for alms. At the conclusion of his business deal, Francis abandoned his wares and ran after the beggar. When he found him, Francis gave the man everything he had in his pockets. His friends quickly chided and mocked him for his act of Charity. When he got home, his father scolded him in rage.

Founding of the Order of Friars Minor

Francis heard a sermon that changed his life. The sermon was about Matthew 10:9, in which Christ tells his followers they should go forth and proclaim the gospel, that they should take no money with them, nor even a walking stick or shoes for the road. Francis was inspired to devote himself to a life of poverty. He was soon joined by his first follower, a prominent fellow townsman, who contributed all that he had to the work. Within a year Francis had eleven followers. Francis chose never to be ordained a priest and the community lived as "lesser brothers."

The brothers lived a simple life spending much of their time wandering through the mountainous districts of Umbria. In 1209, Francis led his first eleven followers to Rome to seek permission from Pope Innocent III to found a new religious order. The Cardinal, who was the confessor of Pope Innocent III, was ympathetic to Francis and agreed to represent Francis to the pope. Reluctantly, Pope Innocent agreed to meet with Francis. After several days, the pope agreed to admit the group informally, adding that when G-d increased the group in grace and number.

Every Thought You Think is Creating Your Future

2009-10-01T09:20:00.001-07:00

"Every Thought You Think" by D. Urban

"As I Say Yes to Life" by D. Urban

"He Who Rages" by D. Urban

"Zen Garden Collection" by Denise Urban

I find that relaxing and observing creation and the act of "creating" provides a Zen-like experience. Alleviating the days burdens and clearing the mind during stressful times. So where did this word "zen" enanate from? It's hard to believe that a word as Asian as Zen is ultimately an Indo-European word. Zen, which has been in English since 1727, is the Japanese pronunciation of Chinese chán, "quietude." Chán comes from Pali jhānam, from Sanskrit dhyanam, "meditation," from the Sanskrit root dhya-, dhi-, "to see, observe." The Indo-European root behind the Sanskrit is *dheia-, *dhya-, "to see, look at." This root also shows up in Greek, where *dhya- developed into sa-, as in Common Greek *sama, "sign, distinguishing mark." This became sema in Greek, the source of English semantic. Buddhist preferred way to express cosmic beauty in worldly environments is inextricable from Zen Buddhism.

Everyday we walk by unique elements of nature not noticing their beauty. It could be a wild flower by the side of the road or a twisted branch of a tree in your back yard. But you never really notice them. My Zen garden Collection is never the same and always changing with the seasons. Hence the collection is never the same and never really finished. The Zen gardens collection can be complex or extremely abstract representing miniature landscapes also called "mind-scapes". Hence, my "Zen Garden Collection" is never the same and never really finished.

Being Absolutely True to Oneself

2009-09-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Illustration by Denise Urban

For the first few years of practising yoga in 2001, I was determined to learn as much as I could from as many yoga instructors as I could. So I did what you’re supposed to do: Study mentors, devour books, attend yoga workshops … watch, listen, and learn. I gained invaluable exposure and information to infinite methodologies, theologies, and ideologies. I admired many yogis and their methods. And then I made a critical mistake: I tried to be just like every single one of them. My only desire was to be teachable. I often wound up confused and overwhelmed. I wanted to teach and lead like this guy, and administrate like that other gal.

Sometimes we as students and teachers indiscriminately gather various components of different methods from the yoga community and slap it all together. As a result, we don’t wind up building much of a yoga practice at all. We wind up building a phoney practice. Since my yoga certification in 2006, in these last 3 years I’ve gotten better at the fine art of filtering. The filtering process happens as I internalize: What worked at that studio may not work here. What works for that instructor may not work for me.

G-d has wired us all in ways that are unique and intentional. And there are both tangible and intangible considerations, that play into how he works in a given situation, or through a certain personalities.

Consider your circumstances. Size up your strengths. Learn from everybody. Then leverage the stuff that works in your world. Leave alone the stuff that doesn’t. Inspiration without it being an integral part of your nature is imitation. Being true to oneself combined with inspiration equals one life full of impact!

Healthy Living Blogs

2009-09-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

On these blogs, you’ll find scrumptious recipes for healthy snacks and sensible meals.

Vegetarian and Vegan
Those on a vegetarian or vegan diet will love these blogs, full of recipes, photos and tips for smart shopping.

Fat Free Vegan Kitchen: Go through the recipe index to discover meals like vegan omelets, crustless tofu quiches, enchilada casserole and even macaroni and cheese.

Tinned Tomatoes: Tinned Tomatoes is maintained by a Scottish blogger and features vegetarian recipes and photos for meals like Balsamic Beetroot & Chickpea Salad with Mint.

A Veggie Venture: Find recipes for vegetarian meals like warm German potato salad, and feta-stuffed zucchini. You can search by vegetable, the author’s favorites, weight watchers and low-carb meals.

Veggie Meal Plans:From chocolate sesame cookies to spinach and artichoke filo pastries, this vegetarian food blog has tons of great recipes.

Veg Cooking: From nondairy ice cream to pineapple curry, this blog keeps vegetarian cooking fun and interesting.

Andrea’s Easy Vegan Cooking Blog: Finding vegan recipes and ingredients is easy when you turn to Andrea’s blog for ideas.

Eat’n Veg’n:Find Get recipes and vegan shopping tips on this photo-packed blog.

Vegan Deserts

Healthy Recipes: Browse through the archives to get recipes for for blueberries, meals packed with fiber, and even leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Food View Blog: Discover three years’ worth of yummy light and healthy recipes on this blog, from breakfast, dessert, dinner and more.

Healthy Eating: Recent recipes on this site include summer salads and inventive recipes that introduce avocado into your diet.

Healthy Snacking
Instead of reaching for candy or chips, stock your desk or your refrigerator with healthy snacks like these.

The Healthy Snacks Blog: Recent healthy snack ideas include honey wheat pretzel sticks and cottage cheese, pineapples and strawberries. You’ll also find product reviews of popular snacks.

Healthy Diet Snacks Blog: This new blog has low-calorie snack ideas that are still yummy.

Vital Juice Daily: This resource is packed with great ideas for being healthy all day everyday.

The Office Diet: If you’re known to snack all through your work day, read this blog for healthy snack ideas and motivation to stick to your diet.

The Chocoholic Health Blog: If you reach for the chocolate every time you want a snack, read this blog to learn about satisfying but healthy alternatives.

Fitness
Really Useful Fitness Blog: Get ideas for healthy snacks that complement your fitness plan here.

Competition & Comparison in the Yoga Community

2009-09-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight I thought for hours about writing a piece about Competition & Comparison so here it is. This article is for the all those that judge harshly those students and teachers that don't conform to the hard body, push til you drop " look at me" yoga.

I was at a point a few months ago, where I was completely disillusioned with the yoga community I was a part of. It was a see-and-be-seen atmosphere, a “Who can do a handstand in the middle of the room? Oh, you have to use the wall? That“s a shame.” vibe, and there have been more than a few times where I would get comments like.."she needs to loose a few pounds before she attempts that pose!"... that was pretty much my final straw. I have taken a hiatus from the yoga world, disillusioned with the cost and the competition of the yoga world and community in general. I too have been shocked by instructors and students in a yoga community who judge one another so harshly.
For all their pontification on being non judgemental they are the most hypocritical of all!

Yoga is usually presented as being noncompetitive. At its heart, this is true, but that doesn’t mean yoga is free from competition at all times. As you get more deeply into yoga, the competitive aspect of mind must be looked at, for if you don’t explore it, competition can occur automatically, and take you over unawares. Either you channel yourself toward
accomplishment, ultimately resulting in injuries, or you try to suppress competitiveness, which closes you to the learning that can only come through comparison.

If you look very carefully at competition, you will find that its roots lie in comparison, which is a basic mode of thought. The very notion of “progress” implies comparison. You may say that you can be competitive with yourself without comparing yourself to others.

At one time a yoga instructor talked about how shallow her yoga community was, because everyone was in competition with everyone as to who could hold a position longer, but it seemed that what she was really complaining about was that she consistently ‘lost’ in the competition. She later said that she had become disillusioned with the yoga community and yet when she spoke about yoga it was usually in the vein of competition, showing off, all of these external benefits that i really didn't care about.

How much of your life do you spend feeling either “better than” or “worse than?” What thoughts bring these feelings? We use our minds to control how we feel as best we can. Often controlling how we feel gives immediate relief or gratification, but causes more severe long-term problems. For example, if I am envious of you and also think envy is bad, or a sign of how unevolved I am, I suppress it with thought. I talk myself out of feeling it consciously, or pretend I don’t feel it at all, and hide it from myself by burying it deep within the body’s tissues. This is the stuff of tension.

I'll delve into Transformation Yoga through private practice in the next couple of weeks.

Giving Back to the Community

2009-08-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

Urbandigits has been donating their time and resources free of charge to local charitable causes for nearly a decade. We have the distinct pleasure of creating brochures, posters, videos, displays and other collateral for Chabad of the Windsors, Family Resource Center, Princeton Alliance Church and Living Hope Church. Click here to see all the projects we have created for our charities.

Non-profit organizations do so much to help our community, but they can't do it alone. As members of the community, Urbandigits believes wholeheartedly in social responsibility, helping those that are less fortunate and contributing in some very small way. It has been a constant disciplined practice of ours to donate approximately 20 percent of our income to charitable organizations. Some years, we admit, this has been a lot less money than other years, but every little bit truly helps when it comes to good works (mitzvahs).

When our business was entirely in the red and we weren't able to give money, we gave our time, volunteering with local charities that were able to use our design skills. There are so many organizations that need a pair of helping hands - especially a pair of "designing" helping hands that are regularly available. Giving back to the community gives us a feeling of connectedness and the satisfaction of trying to make the world a better place.

Urbandigits completed in January 2009 a postcard forChabad of Lawrenceville The project was a postcard to be mailed to the congregation informing of them of a " Wine & Spirituality " event.

Today wine is more popular than ever. Wine is meant to be enjoyed with others, so spend time with your friends or community tasting a variety of wines from all over the world. Rabbi Yitzak Goldernberg of Chabad of Lawrenceville and his wife Dina, were to host Rabbi Shmuli Lewis was to lead the Chabad group in exploring the fascinating world of wine, in a way that will inspire spiritual growth and meaning.

We also completed designing specialty T-shirts for Caryl McFarlene of Princeton Alliance Church. Caryl needed two logos this year: one for the Trinidad Missions team shirts and one for the Summer Camp we will be running in Trinidad. We used a logo with the Trinidad Flag for the team shirts and also designed a t-shirt for the summer camp in Trinidad, the theme this year was: Hiding? Not from God (The focus is the book of Jonah) Ages: 6-11. Click here to see the video of the Trinidad experience!

What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?

2009-07-04T08:22:00.003-07:00

"What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding" is a 1970s song written by English musician Nick Lowe and recorded in the best-known version by Elvis Costello & The Attractions. This song resonates with me. It's about what we all envision life could be if we all got along on this earth. Below are the lyrics to that song.

As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin for light in the darkness of insanity.

I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
Whats so funny bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
Whats so funny bout peace love & understanding?

And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

Cause each time I feel it slippin away, just makes me wanna cry.
Whats so funny bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
Whats so funny bout peace love & understanding?

So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

cause each time I feel it slippin away, just makes me wanna cry.
Whats so funny bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
Whats so funny bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
Whats so funny bout peace love & understanding?

Inner Journeying through Art and by Blogging

2009-06-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Journaling through art projects and by blogging introduces a holistic journaling process that combines art, art therapy, design theory and spiritual direction in order to attain personal balance, awareness of one's own inner processes, resolution of internal conflicts and enhanced wellness. It is up to the writer to be as candid or forthright as they want.

Journaling by blogging daily as a therapeutic intervention and as a meditative tool is a significant tool to anyone interested in holistic healing, and of special interest to arts therapists, counsellors, spiritual directors, and anyone dealing with people who are encountering loss, grief, resistance, or discernment issues. It will also be helpful for the individual looking to add holistic journaling to his or her own meditation, prayer, or inner exploration practice.

Since journaling, my life has been enriched somehow. Being a part of an ever-growing spiritual community of like minded people, we meet other souls to discuss our spiritual paths. We share our most profound and transformational personal experiences and talk about ways to incorporate spirituality our lives.

May the Lord richly bless you always!

:) denise urban

Yoga and Stress Reduction

2009-06-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

The feeling of stress is a combination of our perception of events or situations and our body’s physiological reaction. Work issues, difficulties, challenges, obstacles, deadlines, papers, tests, athletic events, performances, family problems, and tragic events are only a few of the situations that can instigate stress. Even joyous events like holidays, weddings and new additions to a family can also exacerbate stress. Natural disasters, world conflicts, tragedies, and stories of suffering and heartbreak, even those occurring on the other side of the world, can have wideranging impacts, affecting people’s mental health.

One of the ways in which we respond to stress is through our fight-or-flight response. This is a combination of the activation of our sympathetic nervous system and specific hormonal pathwayswhich result in the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands. Cortisol is one of our primary stress hormones, and is often used to measure the stress response.

Stress in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. Immediate, or acute stress, can often be as motivating, as it can be activating. We hear stories of people being able to accomplish physical feats in emergency circumstances because cortisol increases blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar, as well as increasing mental focus. But too much stress, or constant stress with no respite for the body and mind, can interfere with numerous physical and mental abilities. On a long-term basis, chronic stress can be damaging. Stress hormones including cortisol decrease the responsiveness of our immune system. They also increase blood sugar levels as well as blood pressure and heart rate, helpful in a crisis, but not for long-term health and wellbeing. This is where how we respond to stress can have a significant impact.

The practice of Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body, and has been found to lower cortisol levels. People feel more relaxed after practicing Yoga. The asanas are helpful for reducing muscular tension, which reduces stress. We have a tendency to store stress not only in our nervous system, but distributed throughout the musculature and other tissues of the body; our digestive system, for example, responds very quickly to stress. Yoga can be a valuable and effective tool for releasing this stored stress. This can be true even for post-traumatic stress and recovering from the after-effects of traumatic events.

Yoga, the Breath and Stress
Working with the breath can be a particularly effective method for treating a negative response to stress. When we are experiencing stress, our breathing tends to become shallow and rapid. Shallow and rapid breath further stimulates the body’s stress response, and we can become caught up in an ineffective breathing pattern that only causes more stress. Many yoga techniques emphasize slowing and deepening the breath, which activates the body’s parasympathetic system, or relaxation response. Just by changing our pattern of breathing, we can significantly affect our body’s experience of and response to stress. This may be one of the most profound lessons from yoga practice.

Selected Research Investigating Yoga and Stress Studies of Yoga have demonstrated that Yoga practice has the ability to reduce stress. As mentioned earlier, Yoga can reduce cortisol levels, documented in the October 2004 issue of the journal, Annals of Behavioral Science. In the June 2004 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology, researchers found that caregivers for people with dementia improved physical and emotional functioning after practicing Yoga. February and August 2005 studies published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine analyzed the breathing techniques of a specific Yoga practice, Sudardhan Yoga Kriya, which the authors maintain reduce stress, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Another Yoga-based program that has been widely studied in the use of stress reduction is the mindfulness based stress reduction program (MBSR), which is taught, studied and popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The mindfulness-based stress reduction program includes guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices, yoga and gentle stretching, inquiry exercises to enhance awareness, individual instruction,
group dialogue and home assignments. Kabat-Zinn and colleagues found that people who practiced a meditation technique while receiving treatments for the skin disorder psoriasis had skin that healed faster than people who did not listen to the meditation tapes during treatment.

Selected References
Brown, R.P. and Gerbarg, P.L. Sudarshan Kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part I-neurophysiologicmodel. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2005; 11(1):189-201.

Brown, R.P. and Gerbarg, P.L. Sudarshan Kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part II: clinical applicationsand guidelines. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2005; 11(4): 711-7.
Kabat-Zinn, J., Wheeler, E., Light, T., Skillings, A., Scharf, M.S., Cropley, T. G., Hosmer, D., and Bernhard, J. (ABSTRACT

Psychosomatic Medicine
http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/bibliography/ abstracts/abstracts9.cfm) 1998; 60: 625-632.
Robert-McComb, J.J., Tacon A; Randolph P; Caldera Y; A pilot study to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based stress-reduction and relaxation on levels of stress hormones. Journal of Alternative andComplementary Medicine; 2004; 10(5), 819-27.

Robert-McComb, J.J., Tacon, A., Randolph, P., and Caldera, Y. Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood,symptoms of stress and levels of cortisol. Psychoneuroendrocrinology. 2004; 29(4): 448-74.

Waelde, L.C., Thompson, L., and Gallagher-Thompson, D. A pilot study of a yoga and meditation intervention for dementia caregiver stress.Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2004; 60(6): 677-87.

Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Web site: www.umassmed.edu/cfm.

How The Way We Talk Can Change The Way We Work By Robert Kegan

2009-06-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

With an inspiring mix of organizational analysis, worksheets, and sample dialogues, the authors of this revolutionary new paradigm, show how all managers and executives are actually leading "language communities".

The workplace, they reveal, is a community where certain ways of talking are encouraged and others made apparently impossible. But by using the seven new workplace "languages" presented in this book to reveal the underlying feelings and motivation in one-to-one and group discussion at work, leaders can concentrate individual and social energy to transform communication and culture in the workplace.

This original approach to organizational change shows how to:

1. Convert complaining into an honest statement of underlying belief and mission

2. Stop blaming and take responsibility

3. Transform broken resolutions into serious commitments

4. Convert myths about the organization into realistic progress

5. Replace flattery and artificial rewards with ongoing regard

6. Change "constructive criticism" to courageous dialogue from differing perspectives.

Miracles Happen Every Day

2009-06-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

This article was written by Peter F. Duncan.

You may hear about them or not, but they do happen.
Miracles are not really miracles. They are manifestations just like any other manifestation the law of attraction brings.
The reason they appear to be miracles is our belief. It is hard to imagine certain things happening ... or because it happened so quickly, so it must be a miracle.

To the law of attraction manifesting is manifesting. It is no harder to manifest a miracle versus something considered smaller. Everything is easy to the universe.

Problem is you. You have been programmed that life is tough. That you need to struggle. That you need to work hard.
All you really need to do is ... ask. Then allow.

Asking is easy. Allowing is more difficult.

To allow things you need to either take your focus off your topic of interest or keep your focus on having your topic (and not the lack of having). That is all that is required. No doubts, no time pressure.

Ask, and it shall be given.
So when you are desperate for health or money or whatever you need a miracle for ... all you need to do is ask and allow.

One of the best ways I know of is to quiet your mind. Get into a sleepy, drowsy state. Then ask. Ask with your affirmations or your visualizations or your imagination. You can repeat an affirmation in a drowsy state for several minutes.

The key to this method is not vain repetition, but feeling the power of your words. Your work is to feel the manifestation of the miracle before it has manifested.

How do you do this if you are not in good health and you are asking for an improvement? Same process.
You need to take your mind OFF YOUR PROBLEM. You must focus on the SOLUTION or at least take your focus off the problem.

I remember several times in my life, when my healings seemed to take a long time. I remember soreness lasting weeks. Then it was gone.The key was taking my focus off the problem. The body knows how to heal. Stop blocking your healing.

If you get a cut, your body heals it. You do not will it to heal. You know with complete faith that it will heal. It is the same process for any ailment. Your body knows what to do, it always has. Get out of the way and let it do it. Or focus on already being healed.

Another great method is affirming such as: "thank you father for my healing". Or "thank you father for my riches".
You fill in the blanks "thank you father for my ________".
You get the picture.

Believe in miracles.

They exist and you deserve one today.

Surtex Show! Be Sure to stop by booth 402 and 404!

2009-05-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

My encouraging and highly respected art rep Suzanne Cruise and her ultra organized creative coordinator Liz Handlen, will be located in booths 402 and 404 on the main floor of the Jacob Javits Pavillion in NYC! Suzanne will be speaking at Surtex conference on May 17th about "Working with an Agent...Do it the Right Way." She is the owner and President of Suzanne Cruise Creative Inc. and a well -established veteran of the design industry. Her company is one of the top licensing agencies in the country. Stop by and see all the prolific work being created by her bevy of super talented artists.

Be sure to check out just a few of my collections at the show: Namaste Collection, Shanghai Blossom Collection, Scribbles Collection, Dinnerware Collection, textiles, and product designs at booth 402 and 404 at the Surtex show from Sunday May 17th to Tuesday May19th at the Jacob Javits Pavilion.

Namaste!

Fundamentals of Emotional Intelligence

2009-05-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

I came across an article that I saved as research during my time studying for my master of fine arts. The article was published in USA Today around 1995. It peaked my interest once again only because I always use my gut instinct to make important decisions and when I don't, I'm really sorry that I didn't listen to that initial voice sooner.

The article written by Daniel Goleman is an interesting one with science backing up his theory of Emotional IQ. he states in the article that the he discovered during his High School reunion the person that became the most successful member of his class wasn't the valedictorian or the star of the football team, it was a certain fellow that had the ability to put people at ease and a certain social poise. He goes on to state that an abundance of qualities make for emotional intelligence lead to greater drive and self-discipline, caring and cooperation-all off which make our lives better. But deficiencies in EQ-impulsivity, lack of empathy and emotions like anxiety or rage run amok destroying lives and communities.

The hallmarks of EQ are the abilities to know what you and those around you are feeling and to handle those feelings skillfully. Decades of research on key parts of EQ such as empathy and managing anxiety, make it clear that these skills sometimes matter more to our destiny than our IQ.

Jack Bloch, a psychologist during 1995 at the University of California at Berkley found that pure intelligence alone made for the stereotypical nerd. While purely high IQ people are ambitious and productive, they also tend to be cold, condescending, inhibited, unexpressive, fastidious, and uneasy with sensuality. By contrast those with high EQ abilities tend to be poised, outgoing, and cheerful. They have a strong commitment to people and causes, to taking on responsibility and to an ethical outlook. They are sympathetic with others. In short they are comfortable with themselves and the people around them.

IQ abilities like mathematical, logical reasoning and verbal sharpness are governed by the neocortex. The neocortex came last as the brain's evolution. The brain's emotional areas lie deep within the center, in structures ringing the brainsteam, which sits atop the spine. This area, the limbic system, is far more ancient than the neocortex. In an emergency, the EMOTIONAL brain hijacks the THINKING brain during bursts if rage, fear or other emotional alarms. The emotinal brain comandeers the thinking brain in emergencies when we might lose too many precious seconds waiting for our rational faculties to decide what to do.

This emergency hijack is set in motion by the "amygdala," a walnut shaped structure deep in the limbic system. When something scares or upsets us, the amygdala is at the center of the brains cuircuts for stamping that moment in memory. And thereafter, when something seems to resemble that original moment of distress, the amygdala recognizes the similarity and dictates our response 100th of a second, even before the thinking brain has had time to fully mull over what is going on- or what the consequences of our reaction will be.

If you would like to find out about your EQ and enjoy taking the test link to psyhtests.com, ivillage.co.uk, The Institute for Health and Human Potential or helpself.com

Thinking Great Thoughts

2009-04-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

I went into New York City for a Print Textile show and picked up a free newspaper called Metro that day. There was an article by Luke O' Neil in the Careers & Wealth Section. His article was entitled " Keep on Thinking Great thoughts" I tore out his article from the newspaper and kept it for a few days.

Here is the synopsis of the article: Visualization can help you up the career ladder. That's what Gini Graham Scott Ph.D., and author of the new book " Want it, See it, Get it! Visualize Your Way to Success" says is so easy. Basically, you just visualize very clearly what you want-something realistic. Then you visualize the steps you need to get it. It is a series of techniques about visualization, planning ahead, and working that plan through the powers of visualization. As you work on it you develop the skill more and more. You may want to talk to yourself. Visualization is the key to what artists do all the time. It's a way of seeing more clearly. Some individuals are more analytical. This skill is an alternate way of imaging different scenarios. It is similar to being a movie director seeing a scene playing out right in front of you,
visualizing different alternatives. It is a way of playing out, in advance things that you would like happen. Artists, Musicians and Athletes use some of these skills.

So imagine yourself going on that interview. What are you going to say? It is a more intense way of experiencing what's going to happen. Create different scenarios of how the interview might go. It might not go exactly as planned but if you apply waht you learned you might have different answers prepared.

Moving Forward

2009-03-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Take responsibility for the people and circumstances you have attracted thus far. If you continue to believe that forces outside of you are responsible for your relationships and your circumstances, you'll remain stuck.

Once you accept that YOU are the cause of your present situation, you'll make different choices moving forward, which will attract new people and new conditions.

Stretch beyond your comfort zone. You must engage life and feel capable. When you sit on the sidelines and refuse to explore the limits of your potential, you feel stifled. You know there is more you can experience in life, and yet you're backing away. This lowers your self-esteem.

Jump start your self-esteem by challenging yourself to move beyond the familiar. Learn a new skill. Take a public speaking class. Apply for a position in your organization that you've always wanted but were afraid to pursue. It doesn't matter whether you're successful. You will raise your self-esteem immediately by "getting in the game."

Change your vocabulary. You can't have high self-esteem when you continually put yourself down. What you say about yourself matters ... as does what you allow others to say about you.

For instance, from now on, whenever someone pays you a compliment, respond by saying "Thank you." If you reject the compliment, as many people do - "oh, it was nothing," they say - you're telling yourself that you don't deserve the praise and you'll attract people to confirm your low feelings of self-worth.

Respect yourself. Until you respect yourself, nobody else will respect you. Thus, when someone makes a verbally abusive comment to you or puts you down, make it clear that you won't accept that kind of language. You don't have to argue or prove that the other person is "wrong."

As you show more and more respect for yourself, you will find that you don't attract abusive people into your life anymore. You're operating on a higher "frequency" and you now attract others who will value you instead of criticizing you. It's the Law of Attraction at work!

We're all human magnets, and our thoughts and feelings attract certain people and circumstances into our lives. As you value yourself more, you'll enter a new world of possibility. Exciting times lie ahead!

•	Eat meat-free for the day or throughout the month
•	Learn how a vegetarian diet can benefit you personally
•	Try the meatless options available at local restaurants and eateries
•	Discuss vegetarianism with your interested friends, family and co-workers
•	Host a meatless meal or potluck for your friends