Namaste to All! I wanted to introduce GaiamTV. which is a new website where you can watch a wide variety of yoga, wellness, fitness, inspirational and so much more! The best part is that you can watch these videos anytime, anywhere. You can use your phone, computer, tv, ipad.If you need a dose of mind, body, spirit you can simply log in and get what you need in the moment! They’ve put together an amazing collection of over 2000 high quality videos. Whether they are live, taped or acquired, they were hand selected based on the positive impact on you and your life!

This offering comes to us from Gaiam, a leading lifestyle media company. The site is a representation of the exceptional and expansive catalogue they have worked so hard to provide for us! They are a trusted resource for some of the best: health, fitness, wellness and spiritual development in the industry.

Catch one of the many yoga classes from short practices to long ones. Log in to practice with top yogis, such as: Rodney Yee, Seane Corne, Shiva Ray, Kathryn Budig, Tommy Rosen, Kia Miller and Suzanne Deason. Gaiam TV also features today’s most influential spiritual teachers, such as: Deepak Chopra, the Dalai Lama, Wayne Dyer and Jack Canfield.

In addition, they offer expert health information for many conditions from renowned Mayo Clinic™. Here you can find many wellness videos, http://www.gaiamtv.com/category/wellness-center.Don’t forget to check out a collection of uplifting and inspirational films as well as fitness and science videos.There is so much to choose from! There is definitely something for everyone!

Right now, they are offering a 10-day free subscription. Members pay just $9.95 a month for unlimited access. For more details and to check it out; click over to http://www.gaiamtv.com/?v=b

FREE GIVEAWAY!! 1st person to email me at: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.churchill1  wins a FREE  3 MONTH MEMBERSHIP to GAiamTV !

Next, I will be taking some of the classes and sharing some reviews. Let me know if you find any classes you like!

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.

It occurred to me that a Zen experience can be created through appreciating and enjoying a nice bottle of wine. Designing all of the parts that come together (time, environment, wine, company (or not)) to savor wine and fully embody the time and space.

*Zen emphasizes experiential Wisdom in the attainment of enlightenment.*

How to get into the Zen of Tasting Wine… Even if you are not a wine connoisseur; let your intuition lead you in choosing wines. First, choose a bottle: mostly based on the overall vibe, including: label, grape, region, bottle shape, year and price. Then, look at the back & read the summary. I know it is silly; but if you “feel it“ or “get into” there is a better chance you should buy it. Try to envision the wine and its experience before you even taste it! Imagine a wine expert evaluating this statement, no don’t. Also, look to see if it is has Sulfates =not good (headache). Be a little adventuresome and travel to different parts of the world & get to know them through tasting the qualities of their wine.

The terms and knowledge are useful to deepen the experience of drinking it but not a requirement. How would some one find the Zen in Tasting WINE?

It is like anything you savor, recognize and bring your awareness to in the moment. Completely appreciating all it has to offer you.

Once you have the “right” bottle, take it to the “right” place and put it in the “right” glass. Open it in a mindful way. You can straighten your spine, open your chest, put your hand on the base of the glass swirling it around to “open the bouquet”, lift the glass, take a few deep breaths absorbing all the wonderful aromas, then sip enough that you can still swish it around your mouth. Think about what is happening to your taste buds. Finally, swallow and enjoy!! If the bottle is good and to your liking; you are in Heaven and should Repeat Responsibly!

Whatever works for you and your company, menu & atmosphere is the “right” bottle. There are so many different types of wines that you can become overwhelmed. Read, ask or simply go with your educated guess until you have “mastered” buying the “right wine” and it becomes a simple and satisfying process.

*As such, it de-emphasizes theoretical knowledge in favor of direct realization through meditation and dharma practice. *

If you want a little direction on how some of the wine experts base their experience use these four stages to wine tasting:

The appearance of the wine ? How it looks in color. After you swirl a major change means the wine is more complex wine. No changes mean it is a simpler wine.

How does it smell in the glass? Detect hints of familiar smells. You want to note the things you smell for the next step.

What sensations does it produce when held in your mouth? Try to note the full flavor of the wine and see if you pick up the hints of flavor that you smelled!

What finish – or aftertaste – does it have? Was it light, medium, or full-bodied? What is the flavor impression – fruit, butter, oak? How long did the taste last?

These four things combine to establish the properties of a wine, such as the complexity, character and suitability for drinking.

* The more wines you taste, the better you will become with this entire sensory process. The Ahhhhhhh moments are what it’s all about in the end! Not being an expert can add mystery and suspense to the art of buying and tasting wine. Remember it is all an opportunity for growth. If you have any wine wisdom and care to share it would be wickedly intoxicating to hear your take on the Zen of wine tasting!!

*Zen*

In the right state of mind with the right light of day you can sense that you are at peace & harmony within and around you. Clarity and ease in every thing you see, do, speak or touch. This lightness of being is an incredible state of enlightenment that permeates your world and makes it a magical life. This might be the result of living a Mindful Life.

How do we get there, how do we stay there and is there a special formula for this state of being? In reality there is no magic; unfortunately, bringing peace, clarity and simplicity to all parts of your life will take most of us some time. You can start by paying more attention in these places:

Being mindful of the way that you think.

Being Mindful of the way you speak.

Being Mindful of the way you act.

In every aspect of your life you can bring awareness and consciousness to your “habits” or ways of “being” and approach rounding out the edges or repaving the roads that are created through years of being less focused on the brilliance or shining ability of your mind, body and spirit.

How to create a life practice that can help you attain a mindful life?

You might try writing a list of how you would want your life to be in a state of heightened mindfulness. Then, make a list of all the things you think are least mindful or conscious habits or ways of being. By doing this you can see what in your life is holding you back or casting a shadow over your light. You might think of it as adding certain things and subtracting others to create harmony.

Things to consider incorporating into your life:

• Meditation

• Reading Spiritual Books

• Practice Yoga or Eastern Exercise Form

• Eating Whole and Natural Foods

• Refraining from Excess of Everything

• Wearing comfortable, natural clothes

• Having Silence in part of your day

• Observing what kind of music you are listening to and possibly incorporating peaceful sounds/music in your day

• Observing what kind of shows you are viewing and making sure they are not full of violence, obscenities and vulgar behavior. (You can still watch a little reality TV if you need it.)

• Get good quality rest

• Talk with friends about your improved or new outlook and philosophy; trying to enlist them to support you and possibly incorporate these elements in their own life.

• Being able to monitor yourself in your life and correct the places you know you want to improve or change.

Rome wasn’t created in a day so try not to judge or become frustrated if things are not going exactly as you wish. Just as it took a while to become less than mindful it will take a while to be “living a Mindful Life.”

Build upon the small moments of mindfulness. Recognize and appreciate the areas of your life you are mindful and then fill in the gap to become more complete. Acknowledging change and your desire for it is excellent as you continue on your path to becoming more aware, conscious and mindful of all that you are and do in your life.

So it is 2011..

Another year, they seem to be flying by sooo fast! I am LIVING in the MOMENT.

But, I am still not able to FULFILL ALL My Greatest Desires, Dreams & Visions.

Welcome to Reality for Most.

As I ponder the past year, I can feel Good about how my Life is being lived in a lot of ways, I :

• Ate more of a plant-based diet
• Achieved a higher intention for myself
• Deepened my understanding about how to cultivate a relationship w/G-d
• Realized how hard it is to succeed (or not) in this world
• Removed my focus on the physical more
• Supported a lot of friend & family relationships
• Stepped back
• Took more deep, long breaths
• Appreciated life
• Experienced LIVING..
• Tried to Smile whenever possible..
• Ate more grains, beans & nuts
• Drank less alcohol
• Ate less meat
• Consumed less
• Lessened my carbon foot print
• Got regular exercise most of the time
• Took time to learn with & from others
• Helped more often
• Listened deeper
• Connected more
• Was nicer to people

What will 2011 hold for me, is: creating time specific Goals to get “things” done, studying with my talented & amazing Sifu, Chik Mason. regular Chanting, Studying more Knowledge that HELPS Me GROW SPIRITUALLY & in ALL other Ways. I Hope WE can Share some of this HERE in 2011!

It is a FRESH, New Year ..  What are some of your New GOALS?

Will YOU be able to keep them and say you accomplished some of these things at the end of 2011.

2012 is just around the corner, The Time is NOW!!

YOU HAVE TO BE QUICKER THAN YOUR OWN MIND by  Selim Aissel

When you see yourself analysing or negatively judging what you observe in yourself, whether it’s a thought, emotion, or attitude, be more clever than the one who is judging or analysing. Step back into the observer; observe the judge and don’t judge him. The judge becomes the object of your observation. Remember to make every disturbing element the object of your observation; in this way, the observer goes more deeply into observation each time, whereas if you see what comes as an obstacle to observation, it becomes one.

What is more, this is easy; it’s always the same mechanism that is observed, but compared to it, there is the grandeur of the observer that each time steps backward. Nothing can touch it. Observe, for example, the “I’m a wretched observer”; otherwise you’re taken in by the tricks of the mind that foil you every time. Each time, observe what is trying to trick you, with the knowledge that each time you observe, it is going to try to trick you. You have to be quicker than your own mind. It’s a tough game, and for a long time you’re going to lose.

It’s like a game of chess: when you move the first piece, a real chess master already knows exactly how he is going to beat you. Afterward he has to wait longer, and the number of possible combinations decreases. Your mind is a master; he’s going to beat you every time, for a long time. Unless you observe how he beats you, and one day you’ll know his ten thousand ways of beating you. Then there is you and him, and you can use your mind because you know everything he does. With one advantage for you: you are more than he is, you have a soul, a spirit, while he is just a mind.

Your mind is like a chess master; you’ve got to learn his game, and you can only learn it because he puts you in check. Each thought that comes is a new trick of the mind that is trying to carry you elsewhere; but one day the observer is as strong as the mind, both of them watch the game, and you can use your mind, you know what he is going to do, you’ve become quicker than him. Then you’re the one who decides.

The more you are in the observer, the less importance the object you observe has. When you are in the state of the observer, which is not the state of the dreamer, you observe what you decide to observe and are awake to the rest; otherwise this state of concentration leads to emptiness, but to a hollow emptiness. True emptiness is the emptiness of the observer who is detached from the mechanism and capable of taking in everything. Thoughts come and go in your emptiness, and it remains empty because nothing remains attached to it. The observer sees everything, it remains tranquil, there are no negative emotions. Everything is handled rightly. Things pass, the observer can take them seriously or lightly, it is identified with nothing. Judgment belongs to the world of things that pass.

True silence is what can welcome any sound. Immobility is what can welcome any movement, and the movement is always just. Observe by stepping back further and further, or like in Charlie Chaplin’s films, by each time climbing up one more story. In the assembly line down below, there’s bustle and commotion. On the story above, men are drawing the plans. One more story above, the big boss, the one who says what’s going to be done with the plans, is leaning back on a comfortable couch, leisurely smoking a big cigar and watching all this commotion on a television screen.

The work of observation I propose allows you to climb up a story each time. The commotion is going on, but as for you, you watch it. Sometimes the mechanism is already too strongly in motion and you’re not able to enter into the Work; but sometimes you’re quicker than it is. Then a space of freedom opens for you; you know what’s going to happen next, so no need to play it all over again.

Excerpt from the book:

The Path to our Essence: Practical Spirituality for our Time

by Selim Aissel

Order from Amazon

School of Psychoanthropology: www.epag.org

Wellness week is a great opportunity for someone to take a tour through the opportunities that your local communities provide for you to take better control of your health. Whether it is to learn about new treatments/classes, find a practitioner or have a sample treatment before you commit to the full service these events are designed to introduce you to the people and their talents, training and gifts from G-d. People who take care of your mind, body and spirit love what they do and are more than Happy to share their knowledge with you!

Health translates into overall daily wellness and cumulatively that turns into vitality. As we age we should pay more attention to the things we put in our bodies, how we treat our body, what our mind is doing and saying, how we feel in general and specifically treat little aches, pains and dis-comforts in the beginning so that we stay well. There are amazing recovery stories of all sorts of people who have suffered from certain illnesses and diseases and have cured themselves with the help of alternative and conventional health care providers, diet, exercise, rest, meditation and so forth. Health and wellness is a huge business but is also a unique time in history to have so much knowledge at our fingertips, so many people in these industries, so many opportunities and choices as to how to take care of our health.

A community yoga studio is the perfect place to find good quality practitioners who are waiting for you to come say hello! Recently it was wellness week at Studio 34. This yoga studio in West Philadelphia is a rustic, warm, peaceful studio nestled close to Clark Park & all the best restaurants in the area. They offer tons of classes each week, workshops, bodywork, reiki and have tons of resources. I went over and had the pleasure of meeting a lot of different wellness providers. I was able to chat with several practitioners and get to know what they do best. They had art therapy, massage, raffle tickets, a sand box and great natural food. I even won a massage, can’t beat that!

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.                                                                        

Practicing Yoga Off the Mat by Being:

• Grounded in your own body, w/nature, & the bigger universe

• Present moment- focus on the period of time now occurring

• Connected to the mind, body and spirit.

• Compassionate, Peaceful with an Open Heart

Yoga has a lot of terms, if you practice yoga, you might have heard the term” practicing off the mat.” One of the Greatest things about yoga is it Can Go EVERY WHERE w/you (& you can even practice any where ). Yoga is so exciting to me because it HELPS TREMENDOUSLY with living a better, more happy, balanced, fulfilled life.

Some people are in better balance before they begin yoga & others are striving to find the way to balance through the practice of yoga. Either way here is are some results you can incorporate into your daily life:

Grounded- While practicing yoga our feet in the Earth, equal weight placed in the ball, heel, left & right side of the foot we can quiet the mind and begin to pay attention to the Earth & our place of connection to the Earth. We settle the body and open ourselves to the miraculous wonder that is the Universe. We are lengthened to the Heavens through our strong, sturdy spine. As we expand our chest with new breath energy. We are where we are NOW.

Present- Being in the moment is -Totally Hard -in this crazed world, nuff said. If you apply yourself, stick with it and desire to receive the many benefits of yoga that it offers on the mat when you leave the mat you will slowly find yourself in the moment fully engaged and present. You will listen to what is being said, done and maybe even meant at the present time w/the present company (if you have any.) There is nothing like absorbing all the stimulus of the environment, the words, the expressions, your mind, your body and your soul on a constant basis. Find a way to Stay Present through yoga.

Connected- Yoga can help you find the connection to the mind, body and spirit. Then you can begin to monitor them. After you begin monitoring the mind for its business or emptiness at work, at play & at yoga you can evaluate where you are & where you want to be. The same goes with your body in terms of: strength, flexibility, connection to mind /body, openness to new postures, flows, teachers, theories your coordination, balance, etc. if you study with a teacher who incorporates a spiritual element into their teachings it is a perfect time and space to check out of your “normal existence” and cultivate the quiet and open spirit. A proper yoga practice can create a way to let your mind rest; so that your body can relax & then your spirit will be at peace. Just say, AHHHHHHHH!

Open- In life, some people grow up smelling roses & others feeling thorns. Some have it easy; others have it hard. Some people stay the same & others change. Whatever the case may be; you can find an open heart in and through yoga. I had to create mine through years of practice to be able to let go of my childhood difficulties that led me in search of spiritual enlightenment. The more we can cultivate peace and tranquility, steady and focused energy that is positive in nature the more we will be compassionate and understanding of others. It feels GREAT!!

No matter where you are in the scale of being happy, healthy & balanced in mind, body & spirit. Yoga practiced regularly will improve and strengthen these attributes and as the become part of you your yoga travels off the mat with you more and more each day. Trust me.