An empty lot, rare in the center of Philadelphia’s business district, has suddenly transformed from grass and weeds to 32,000 square feet of produce, flowers, and trees. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS),  Independence Blue Cross (IBC), and Brandywine Realty Trust introduce “PHS Pops Up” at 20th and Market Streets, a showcase for PHS’s community greening program and for IBC’s commitment to the health of our community.

“Independence Blue Cross is excited to partner with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society on this project that combines greening and improving the community’s health in a unique way,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of IBC. “The pop up garden beautifies this Market Street corner and offers an original way for thousands of workers, residents, students, and families to learn more about nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. We hope people take advantage of this fun and engaging garden and incorporate what they learn into their everyday lives.

At the pop-up garden, PHS is growing vegetables, herbs, grains, and uniquely manicured topiaries to garner support and awareness for its City Harvest program, which provides fresh produce for underserved residents.

The garden will be open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. throughout the summer and early fall, when free, on-site programming will include horticultural workshops on container gardening, cut flowers, organic pest control and other topics. Tours, special events and family programs are also planned at the garden throughout the summer and early fall. A complete listing of activities is available at PHSonline.org.

Independence Blue Cross (IBC) presents “Yoga and Nutrition in the Garden,” a FREE healthy eating and yoga foundations class for the public that offers a break from the ordinary day – in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s (PHS) Pops Up Garden at 20th and Market Streets. Sessions will be offered on three consecutive Mondays: August 15, 22, and 29 over lunchtime. The garden will be dismantled in late October, but will bloom again next spring in a new location.

Members of the public are invited to enjoy the peaceful environment of the Pops Up Garden for a brief nutrition presentation and discussion beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed by a half-hour of standing yoga instruction, starting at 1p.m. Together, these healthy education elements, part of the IBX Healthy Steps program, will provide soothing tranquility and wellness for the mind, body, and spirit.

The classes are free and open to participants of all fitness levels. Participants can experience the physical and mental health benefits associated with gentle yoga and learn simple and effective ways to achieve a smart diet with emphasis on fresh vegetables and herbs.

“Standing yoga can safely stretch your muscle groups and relieve stiffness, tension, and overall fatigue,” said Dr. Richard Snyder, chief medical officer at IBC. “Yoga can also lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, which can favorably impact the health of those with high blood pressure and heart disease. For many people, standing yoga offers anti-stress benefits as well, so it may be a great mid-day opportunity for center city Philadelphia workers, residents, or visitors.”

The Pops Up Garden offers a great location to learn or practice standing yoga. Focusing on effective yoga breathing techniques as well as precise alignment, standing yoga poses can be done in the comfort of a home garden or just about any exercise space. Participants must be at least 18 years old, must sign a waiver upon arrival, and are advised to bring bottled water. Appropriate shoes and clothing must be worn and yoga mats are not required.

Please join Venerable Losang, the Tibetan Association of Philadelphia, and our center, for the first annual Philadelphia Tibetan Festival of the Arts - a celebration of Tibetan art and culture – at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church [22nd and Spruce St.] on Sunday, July 24th from 4 – 7PM.   Sponsored in part by our friends at the Philadelphia Folklore Project, it’ll be a night of Tibetan inspired entertainment, including traditional chanting and prayer, Tibetan dance (audience participation required!), a crash course in sand mandala painting, local Tibetan artist vendors, light refreshments, raffle for a great variety of gift baskets, musical performances from some of our very own, and more.  We want to make this an annual event, and so we hope as many people as possible will support this cause so close to Losang’s heart.  This will also mark the second in our series of events celebrating the TBC’s 20th anniversary!  So it’s a little bit of a big deal.

Tickets and Beneficiaries

Tickets are $15 (or whatever you can afford, as always) and will be available at the door, in advance at the center, or (preferred method) by credit card or Paypal, below! Proceeds go to the Tibetan School Fund for language studies and the TBC’s Capital Campaign Fund.

A Chance to Welcome and Say Thank You to Losang-la’s Teacher, Venerable Thupten Choepel

We will also be welcoming and hosting one of Venerable Losang’s own spiritual teachers at this event, Venerable Thupten Choepel.  (You can read about him in Losang’s book.)  Bring your parents, children, friends, and your dancing shoes and help our dear teacher, Losang-la, and the TBC celebrate 20 remarkable years in Philadelphia, supporting this important cause so close to his heart.

Gift Baskets

We’ll also be raising money through selling raffle tickets at the door for a nice variety of gift baskets prepared by our wonderful members and friends.  Would you like to offer a basket?  It can be for services, retail items (new, only please), just about (just about) anything! If you’d like to help support our event in this way, please email Eloise Gibby, for more information.

Purchase a Ticket (or just make a donation) Here!

You can purchase your ticket(s) right here via credit card or Paypal!  Just click on the button below, and choose which one.  There should be a prompt to let us know your name, and we’ll have your ticket waiting just for you, at the door.  Tickets are $15 each, and come with one extra raffle ticket for any of the fabulous gift baskets we’ll be auctioning off on the 24th.  Thank you, very much.

Thank You Everyone who participated in 2011 Yoga on the Steps!! We had an Awesome Team out this year! We were able to raise $4,000 dollars for Living Beyond Breast Cancer. We had a special donor that matched the contributions we raised and this generous donation was able to make a significant fundraising effort for the Totally Zen Team! Each person was excited about being a part of this noble cause and committed to raising money to contribute to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, an organization that does such exceptional work!

Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) is dedicated to assisting you, whether you are newly diagnosed, in treatment, recently completed treatment, are years beyond or are living with metastatic breast cancer. They are also here for your family members, caregivers, friends and healthcare providers to provide breast cancer information and support.

As a national education and support organization, our goal is to improve your quality of life and help you take an active role in your ongoing recovery or management of the disease, regardless of educational background, social support or financial means.

Their sincere, diligent and outspoken approach is educating and inspiring more local companies and individuals to get involved, participate and make a difference with them!

I have been a proud part of organizing a team for the event the last two years. I feel it is a perfect time to join with others in our community and try to increase awareness and commitment to helping our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends at a time when their life is confusing and challenging.

Each year, on the day of the event, the resident yoga instructor, Jennifer Shelter always offers such a heartfelt, uplifting practice that includes the mindfulness and appreciation for those we honor. The speakers seemed to be extra open and heart centered this year. Something new and super touching was a short story from ten survivors

They shared words about what happened, what they learned and how they have evolved from their experience surviving breast cancer. Their contributions moved many of us to tears!

If you have not ever participated in Yoga on the Steps, please, mark your calendars and make it a point to come out, raise money and awareness!  See you next year !

Come Out on May 15, 2011, Sunday, at 8:30 – 12:30 to the Art Museum to Practice Yoga on the Steps for the Benefit of those who need your support to manage, heal and overcome Breast Cancer!!!!

YOUR HELP CAN Make a DIFFERENCE!

I know it is early! But, It is a Hair Raising, Overwhelmingly Positive Energy Flowing event from Start to Finish!!! Imagine 600 people: some who have breast cancer, some who are in remission, some who’s family or friends who have been affected by breast cancer or others, like me, who want to show their love and support. It is a great event & lots of fun!!!!!

Totally Zen wants you to Help Show Your Support as a Team! Totally Zen has signed up to organize other people to come together for a Very Worthy Cause!!! PLEASE sign up at the following link to be a part of the Totally Zen Team. We will meet at the Art Museum & practice yoga together as a team and part of a larger WHOLE to HELP OTHERS IN NEED!!!

We  plan to give away TOTALLY ZEN t-shirts to those who join the team. I will contact you once I receive notice from LBBC that you have registered. I will get your size and color preference. I am willing to OFFER 100 PEOPLE a FREE T-SHIRT!!

PS. -It would be GREAT to SEE YOU WEAR the TZ t-shirt the day of the event!

Join and Donate the Team:

http://lbbc.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=454660&lis=1&kntae454660=1A9765A7ABF84D5B9E041665BFCB5FAA&supId=0&team=4128948&cj=Y

If you cannot make it, PLEASE DONATE at this site to help Totally Zen reach their fundraising goal:

http://lbbc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=454660&lis=1&kntae454660=1A9765A7ABF84D5B9E041665BFCB5FAA&supId=324195377

Please note:

• The event will be held rain or shine

• The Healthy Living Expo will be open throughout the event

• Please bring your own mat and/or towel

Schedule

• 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Registration & Check-In

• 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Program & Yoga Class

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Closing & Health Expo

If you do not pre-register online, please come early.

Registration & Fundraising

We need your help! Every participant who raises $75 or more will receive a Yoga on the Steps for LBBC T-shirt.

THANK YOU & NAMASTE!!!

“Rumi fell into ecstasy and felt as his own soul began to whirl. He who had never danced before, who had never practiced the Sama, began whirling round and round in the goldsmith’s shop. For the first time he recognised his own soul, which, like the soul of Shamz his master, rose up majestically from his body, lifting him toward the heavens.”-Idris Lahore, “Rumi and the Soul of the Goddess Samadeva”  (from Dervish Yoga for Health and Longevity)

Inspired by the science of movements taught for centuries in secluded Dervish brotherhoods, and also yoga, tai chi, and more recent methods like eurythmy and stretching, Dervish Yoga or Samadeva Gestural Euphony is a new art of movement that stimulates and harmonizes all our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual resources, allowing us to be more at peace, more creative, and more joyful in our daily lives. Consisting of slow, meditative movements that mobilize and strengthen our powers of attention and dynamic, dance-like movements that fill us with a new energy, Dervish Yoga brings deep harmony to every level of our being. It relaxes and invigorates our body, harmonizes our psyche, sharpens our mind, and we learn through our body to listen to ourselves, to our profound inner being.

Effects of practicing Dervish Yoga

Dervish Yoga has beneficial effects on our muscles, eliminating our unnecessary tensions and giving us the energy we need for our active lives, and also on our physical and psychological equilibrium, the quality of our sleep, our concentration and memory, and all the organs of our body. Practicing Dervish Yoga, we’re relaxed physically and psychologically, and this makes it a superb anti-stress method, helping us stay healthy and fit with just a little practice every day.

Health

We’re healthy when all our organs are functioning harmoniously and when we’re in a state of psychological equilibrium, with a clear mind, ready to adapt to whatever situation life presents us. Like all systems in the universe, we have a self-regulating force, or vital energy, that maintains the equilibrium between our different constituent parts, between the organs of our body, our mind, and our emotions. This self-regulating force keeps us healthy, but troubles start to appear when it’s not circulating correctly. Traditional Eastern forms of medicine like acupuncture, Ayurvedic, Tibetan, and Yunani medicine aim to rebalance this energetic circulation, and certain movement techniques like Dervish Yoga also have this effect of rebalancing our body’s energy flow.

Movements

The Seven Major Arkanas are the cornerstone of Dervish Yoga; this specific series of movements (with evocative titles like “The Cascading Fountain,” “Reeds in the Wind,” and “Sparks of Fire”) has a profound action on all our organic systems and our energetic circulation.

Emotions

Every emotion has two sides, physical and psychological, what we feel and how it manifests. This means it’s possible to rebalance our emotional life by having an action on our body. Above and beyond what we usually perceive, our movements and gestures are the expression of our emotions and our deeper inner movements, and the same is true in the other direction; our movements have an influence on our emotions and our inner life. Practicing euphonic movements like Dervish Yoga has a harmonizing action on our emotions and also a positive action on our unconscious.

Attention

The most important thing when we practice Dervish Yoga is our attention – our attention to our movements, our positions, our breathing, our emotions, and our thoughts. Practicing Dervish Yoga is a privileged moment for returning to ourselves and for being present to other people; with time and practice, it helps us bring into our lives an art of moving, feeling, and even thinking that is in total harmony with the reality of the present moment.

Neurobiology

Recent discoveries in neurobiology shed scientific light upon this ancient knowledge. The effects of attention, asymmetrical movements, and music, and the connection between our movements and our emotions have been studied; new connections in our brain are created, permitting more appropriate movements, more harmonious emotions, and an improved capacity of concentration and memory. The science of psychoneuroimmunology has revealed the molecular connections between our psyche, nervous system, and all the systems of our body, substantiating what the most ancient medical traditions tell us.

Who can practice Dervish Yoga?

Anyone interested in or enthusiastic about different forms of body expression, and also anyone who feels alienated from their body and wants to come back into relationship with it. Dervish Yoga is practiced in very diverse settings: yoga centers, fitness studios, schools, businesses, hospitals, centers for the physically and mentally handicapped, and retirement homes, to name a few. Dervish Yoga stimulates our forces of healing and so is also for anyone who wants to regain or maintain their health, as a complement to medical treatments (that it does not substitute).

The model session

Dervish Yoga or Samadeva Gestural Euphony can be discovered during weekend workshops and classes, and also during weekly model sessions lasting between an hour and an hour-and-a-half. The model session, the heart of Dervish Yoga, always begins with a moment of meditation to clear the day’s problems, followed by stretching exercises to prepare our muscles. The dynamic section includes different forms of traditional dance that coordinate our head, arms, and legs, while the central part of the model session is the Arkanas and Meditative Movements, slow movements that mobilize our capacities of attention. The session concludes with a meditation, a relaxation, and a short verbal exchange.

Order Dervish Yoga for Health and Longevity by Idris Lahore, Ennea Tess Griffith and Emma Thyloch

]]> http://www.totallyzen.com/dervish-yoga-the-sufi-secret-of-eternal-youth.html/feed 0 http://www.totallyzen.com/learn-about-energy-consumption-350-philly.html http://www.totallyzen.com/learn-about-energy-consumption-350-philly.html#comments Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:52:32 +0000 Stephanie http://www.totallyzen.com/?p=783

On 10/10/10 people all over the world in 188 countries at 7,347 events joined together to show how they respect the Earth, want to help heal, preserve and sustain it through multiple avenues. People are becoming aware of how harmful our current lifestyle & consumption patterns are killing the atmosphere and in turn our planet.

Learning more about the real situation will startle you! The question is are you motivated to start changing to try to Save Our Planet? You might not think this is so bad but scientifically it has been proven we are over the tipping point. How, When Will We Wake Up & make this an important matter is up to us!

What is 350*?

*350* is the most important number in the world—it’s what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Three years ago, after leading climatologists observed rapid ice melt in the Arctic and other frightening signs of climate change, they issued a series of studies showing that the planet faced both human and natural disaster if atmospheric concentrations of CO2 remained above 350 parts per million We are now at 392. In the past, it took us close to a decade to raise 2 million parts per million. Currently we are breezing through that proportion in a year.

Everyone from Al Gore to the U.N.’s top climate scientist has now embraced this goal as necessary for stabilizing the planet and preventing complete disaster. Now the trick is getting our leaders to pay attention and craft policies that will put the world on track to get to 350*. *

Please, tune into your consumption, make a commitment to do something beyond what you are doing now, try to get involved in your local government and beyond. It will be too late once all the ice glaciers have melted & are flooding our lands. All the polar animals are dead & we are suffering massive heat waves. Extreme thoughts are said to become reality if We Do Not Wake Up & TAKE ACTION!

Daily efforts are needed by everyone to change from consuming to conserving resources. We should all be interested in increasing clean energy sources and using naturally occurring elements such as sun and wind as power. These elements are a necessity!

In Philly, 350*Philly, we had a firey group who demonstrated their commitment through loud roars of the crowd, signs, costumes & speakers who educated us as to what the facts are and what our responsibilities should lead us. It was fun, try to make it out next year!

Think About it; this is our home!

*CR -http://www.350.org/

In the midst of the concrete jungle sometimes we are fortunate enough to pass upon a mystical plot of land designated for local people to “get their garden on”. This is an excellent opportunity to practice awareness and really absorb the beauty of nature in all its spectacular forms! It is special to see the different types of plants, vegetables, herbs grown in different degrees of success, intensity and organization in your cities community gardens.

If there isn’t any space to grow plants, community gardening may be an option for you. Most cities have some kind of community garden program, where residents can rent a plot of land for a small fee (sometimes free). There are about 10,000 community gardens in the U.S..

In a community garden, the residents share in the responsibility of maintaining and managing the garden. There you can find a group of like-minded people, who utilize a single space to build community, contribute and connect to the Earth. This is a great way to get to know members of the local community, reduce stress, share knowledge, grow your own food and beautify your community.

This last weekend I had the pleasure of stumbling upon a community garden. They had gathered to have a picnic and garden. Everyone seemed happy and active with eating, talking and gardening. A perfect fall day! Their garden had some awesome fall staples like: broccoli, red Swiss chards, spinach, kale, peppers and carrots. The flowers were inspiring in their magnificence! I spoke to Kaki, Jackie and Karen (who gave me a tour of her plot) everyone was so welcoming!                                                                                                                                                                                                      

I am a BIG FAN & SUPPORTER of GARDENING!! I love my garden, plants and herbs. Once you get some soil under your nails, dirt on your knees and witness the growth of something alive that you are responsible for it can be addictive. Some great Ahh moments take place in the garden. Finding time for yourself and the things you like to do, your connection to nature and Earth, great conversations and tremendous rewards when you grow healthy plants!

Find out if your city has a community garden in your area or start one: the American Community Gardening Association. In Philadelphia,http://www.ngalandtrust.org/.

I was at the lovely , Capitolo Community Garden, capitologarden@gmail.com.                                                                        

Remember to continue to support your GREEN artists, businesses, causes by joining in the festivities of their events!

Find out what is going on in your community in your local publications and make an effort to stop and spend a bit of time, energy, even a little bit of money( to help others). Besides buying gifts from these communities makes the vendor, the recipient of your generous giving and you feel GREAT! Warm fuzzies everywhere..

You could choose to spend $$$ on holiday gifts as our gift giving season ramps up. Celebrate Life & People’s CREATIVITY, even Independence by buying their wares!!!

Last Saturday I went to the EastFalls Art by the River Festival where I heard some cool music, met some interesting people, saw tons of great arts and crafts, bonded with a friend.. Not bad for a perfect Fall Saturday.

Buy Local, Go Green, Support Sustainability!!!!!!!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Have Fun, Be at Peace, Give Joy!!

If you want to refresh yourself on some startling statistics, suggestions & information on going green, check out a previous TotallyZen post:

http://www.totallyzen.com/getting-green-is-a-continual-process.html

Handmade Philly in conjunction w/ VolkLibre will be hosting a Swap Meet on Sunday, August 29 from 3-6pm.

Check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133718756670385

Swap, trade is great for recycling and reusing old stuff or new stuff you don’t use or want..Why use money when you can lighten your load and acquire new things as an exchange?

Start setting aside those things you want to get rid of! And start daydreaming about all the lovely things you will find, that will soon be yours..

Lots of people will be milling about looking for finds and they look forward to having you be a part of the action.!

You are all invited.

Admission: $3/ per person

What to bring?

All the stuff you no longer want:

Art supplies

Books

Clothes

Art

Handmade Stuff

Etc.

Potluck: beverages and food – bring something to share!

Address: Robin’s Books / Moonstone Arts

110 S. 13th Street (2nd floor!), Philadelphia, PA 19107

Humane League of Philadelphia is joining with Dhyana Yoga for an upcoming yoga class that will be held at their Old City location, 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, on Sunday, August 8 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Come join animal rights activists, vegans, yogis, conscious minded people and more for a Vinyasa Yoga class. All proceeds will benefit the Humane League’s work to save animals. It’s welcome to everyone–from yoga novices to an experienced yoga enthusiast! The class will focus on breath and will include meditation.

Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged, and any interested participants can pre-register by emailing dhyana.staff@gmail.com.

A $10-$20 donation is requested and every dollar goes to the Humane League’s life-saving work for animals!

FIND OUT MORE about and how to get involved with Humane League of Philadelphia We strive to create a more compassionate world for animals through education, campaigns, and rescue. Because 98% of the animals that are abused and killed in this country are farmed animals, our primary focus is on working against the cruelest methods of factory farming and in support of vegan eating. We also deal to a lesser extent with issues of animal testing, fur, and companion animals.