thanks to my awesome friend sasha for sending this one over…and at a perfect time, seeing as our YogaWoman discussion at the student forum was chock-full of brilliant arguments like those, which this blog cultivates.
(via mermaidyoga)
Mindful May: Energize!
The Lineage Project, phenomenal organization (stay tuned for a post on yoga organizations that are making an impact!) that brings yoga to disadvantaged youth in New York City. The following is their mission from the About page on their website.
The Lineage Project uses mindfulness practices to break the cycle of poverty, violence and incarceration in New York City.
We take youth from the most challenging life circumstances and give them the tools to value themselves and become contributing members of their communities.
Through yoga, meditation and other powerful techniques, we go inside youths’ hearts and minds. We prevent young people at risk of incarceration from ending up there, and we help those already detained from having to return.
We take our proven model inside juvenile detention centers, alternative-to-incarceration programs, public schools for struggling students — anywhere we can reach those who are vulnerable.
Our students, ages 10 to 24, come from New York City’s 15 poorest neighborhoods. Sixty-percent of our students are African American; 35 percent are Latino. The majority have had substance abuse or alcohol issues, 75 percent are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and 75 percent of the females have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused.
We go inside to keep them out.
This month, The Lineage Project is undergoing a fantastic fundraising effort to reflect exactly what their project does (I’m an English major and thus ABSOLUTELY ADORE when form mirrors content). This fundraising effort is called “Mindful May” and is intended to be a mutually beneficial way of encouraging seva-minded people (“seva” means “service” in Sanskrit) to be more mindful in their day-to-day in May, to commit to it, and to earn money for the Lineage Project through staying accountable for their actions.
I knew I wanted to participate in Mindful May upon seeing this video and receiving this month’s Lineage Project newsletter, but I did not know what to contribute of my actions. I lead a relatively mindful life…because I practice and teach yoga and surround myself with incredibly uplifting people. In addition, I did not want to eliminate anything from my life because I believe in the power of positive psychology and adding, rather than subtracting in terms of inspiration.
And then, I had a weekend of highs and lows, of the roller coaster of health and wellness. I felt phenomenal after taking Dana Flynn’s Revival class. Then, we went out for burritos because it was Cinco de Mayo and I felt depleted afterward. I had trouble focusing…and trouble teaching. That was when I knew what I wanted for Mindful May: to cultivate those habits that energize me and to let go of the ones that don’t.
In brief, here is what I am doing this May:
ENERGIZE: LETTING IN
- lots of water
- inspiring conversations with new and old friends
- new experiences
- service opportunities - teaching
- green juices
- salads
- yoga - especially inversions
- long walks in nature
DEPLETION: LETTING GO
- white flour
- lack of sleep
- red wine
- things that I check out doing (mindless tv and web surfing)
But I can’t do any of this alone. Furthermore, neither can The Lineage Project. Please support their endeavors and this amazing organization by contributing this Mindful May. Click here to make a difference and to support bringing yoga to juvenile detention facilities in NYC.
“There are seven chakras that go up the body. Each pool of energy has a purpose, and can be blocked by a specific kind of emotional muck.”
- Guru Pathik
(via yogachocolatelove)
WIN A (full 4-day Sage) TICKET TO WANDERLUST FESTIVAL!
This is my contest, everyone!! It’s called “Do Something Different” and in the video I explain how it’s going to go down, so please watch that (IN HD pleaaaase).
The nitty gritties:
It’s a photo challenge that starts THIS FRIDAY, MAY 10TH! The idea is to take your yoga practice OUTSIDE and somewhere DIFFERENT and to share your b e a utiful photos. You can do this challenge on INSTAGRAM or TUMBLR (don’t wanna exclude here). You have 20 days to take 10 photos, and if I see your 10 photos (use the tags I describe in the video!!!) then you’ll be entered in my contest pool 3 TIMES.
Another option which you can do in addition to the one above is to REBLOG THIS POST :) And I’ll enter you in 1 TIME. So hey… you have the ability to be entered 4 times, and those are some pretty good odds.
Why, what is this magical Wanderlust, you say? … the best place in the entire world. Possibly better than Disneyland (well definitely better than Disneyland for me, that place kinda freaks me out). It’s a yogi’s and music lover’s playground. Check out the website here and a video I made of my experience last summer working as a volunteer and gallavanting around the festival having the time of my life.
NOTE: I want to make sure you all know that even if you KNOW for sure you won’t be able to make it to any Wanderlust Festival, that I still would LOVE to have you doing this challenge with me. Like I say in the video, this is something I’ve been thinking about doing and extending to the blog world for a while. It’s a different kind of yoga photo challenge- something I haven’t seen before- and I want as many people taking their asana outside as possible!!
<3 <3 <3 Message me if you have questions about any of this, otherwise… SEE YOUR PHOTOS STARTING ON FRIDAY!!
Happy yoga-ing!
Will definitely be doing.
And this summer I get to meet Ari and that is the best thing ever.
Hellz to the yeah! I so enjoyed doing a volunteer shift with Ari, another college yogi (!!) at Wanderlust in Tahoe last year. So excited to do this challenge and grateful to be able to start it all off by practicing AND teaching outside today!
A good friend once told me, “Sometimes, it’s better to be kind than right.” It doesn’t mean being a doormat. It just means choosing your challenges with a kind heart.
