As they say . . . it’s all in the perspective.

As some of my fellow yogis and yoginis know, my husband and I returned from an extended Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans and just needed to share a different perspective with you.

My husband is a huge New Orleans and Saints fan, and I’m just a sucker for a story with spirit, hope and celebrations so we made the late decision to watch the Super Bowl with the locals in New Orleans! For me, not being a big sports fan, I went with the perspective of a special weekend away with my husband. With two tween daughters at home, we were taking advantage of a generous offer of my sister to babysit so wanted to grab the opportunity. With expectations of only a good time away, I was amazed at the experience that I think will touch your spirit as well .

Coming from New York and now living in Boston, I thought I had lived with incredible sports fans, but for New Orleans the team is so much more. This Super Bowl is hope for a way of life, recognition for how far they have come and confidence that they will succeed despite what life has brought their way. The spirit of the city from the service workers to the business owners was just amazing. They could relate to the struggles of their team, and could see themselves in the hearts and minds of the entire franchise with their ability to overcome. Win or lose — they were just so happy to have the positive energy and success of their team to date, and winning the Super Bowl was just icing on the cake. The city was planning a major celebration regardless of the outcome to recognize their accomplishments and efforts — not just focusing on a win. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all celebrated the efforts of life as much as the results?!?! to read the remainder of Janice’s post click here

This week is No Name Calling Week at my children’s elementary school.  While the kids worked diligently with magic markers on the design of posters declaring, “It’s Not Nice to Call People Names,” we decided as a family to expand the idea by encouraging each of us to be more mindful of our words and actions at home.  No name-calling, no insults and certainly no hitting or pushing for the next 7 days.  Any offense is punishable by a drop of 50 cents into the jar on the counter, with proceeds to be sent to a Haiti Relief fund.  For one week we agree to choose our words with care and to ask one another for help when we have difficulty in finding “kinder” words to use.

All of this got me thinking again about ahimsa.  Translated loosely as non-harming, it is the first of Patanjali’s yamas (restraints), which form a code of conduct along with the niyamas (or observances.)  Certainly in our modern times, most of us no longer need to be reminded against using brutal force in order to resolve disputes.  But what weapons still remain in our arsenal?  In our advanced society we have the wonder of technology to help us sharpen our tools – our words – to make to most impact.  Our responsibility, however, as enlightened beings (or at least fellow travelers on the path) is to be aware of the impact of our words and actions.  Are we making a difference or just adding to the fray?

Drop in to the last 2 classes of this series for $50 this Friday Jan 29th!

Fridays: January 22nd, January 29th & February 12th 7:00pm – 9:00 pm
$75 for 3-week series ($15 discount before 1/15/10) or $25 drop-in fee/class

As we begin a new year, embrace the idea of awakening from a deep sleep, stepping into a bright, new world of unlimited possibility.  Release yourself from the limiting thoughts which hold you captive.  Come and experience a new way of thinking, feeling and being.  Yoga is the means to release tension and reduce stress from the body and mind, while building strength and openness.

This 3-week workshop series will provide tools for you to remember your most authentic self – one that is happy, healthy and joyful.  Using the yogic techniques of asana (yoga poses,) pranayama (breathing exercises,) and mantra (chanting,) we will work together to open and amplify your body and spirit.  Learn
tools to expand this current version of you and gently emerge into your best self.

Each class will include:

• Centering & simple meditation.
• Warm-up and stretches designed to release tension in the body.
• Yoga poses which strengthen the body and restore its energy·
• Simple breathing techniques to ease stress and reduce anxiety.

The little country of Haiti has found its way into everyone’s heart. It is unfortunate that such a horrible event needs to happen before people respond in a united, heart-centered and generous manner. Hearts and wallets all over the world are cracking open to help Haiti recover from its most recent disaster, and that is a beautiful thing.

Just a couple of days after disaster struck the small island country, we sat, my husband and my two nearly six-foot boys, in the middle of the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant in Providence.  I watched a steady parade of platters mounded with pounds of pasta, heaping bowls of salad, and mammoth plates of cakes topped with little mountains of whipped cream,  being marched from the kitchen to the multitude of tables to be consumed by lucky customers.  That’s when it occurred to me just how prosperous we were. We spent nearly $100 on one meal!

I am sure many of you have experiences like this weekly.  That makes us truly fortunate.

A few years ago, I set up a non-profit 501C3 charitable organization just for this purpose – Earth Preservation & Human Relief Fund.  Please, if you feel moved, click on the link above to make your tax-deductible donation via paypal or simply mail us a check made out to: EP & HR Fund, c/o Khalsa, Franklin Yoga & Wellness, 1256 W. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038, and we will send your donations to Haiti to be put to use in some wonderful way.

This is a terrific time for us to count our many blessings for living here in New England, in the USA.