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.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer event on the Art Museum steps, Sunday, May 16th, was a bigger success than they thought. Over 1,000 people converged to practice yoga and to raise $$$ and awareness for breast cancer. They raised $190,000 to help those receive prevention, treatment and support in dealing with breast cancer.

I am very excited to let you know the Totally Zen team had 16 people come out to practice yoga and we raised $1,500 for breast cancer. We reached our personal goal.

It was an amazing ENERGY FILLED event!!! So moving to be part of the solution! Imagine all those people: of all different backgrounds and fitness/yoga levels coming together to BE as ONE?? 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.

THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT HELPED Totally Zen RAISE MONEY, AWARENESS & PRACTICE YOGA WITH ME.

You can still donate $$$ to help them reach their goal!

PLEASE DONATE at this site to help LBBC reach their fundraising goal.

Your presence was deeply appreciated!

NAMASTE!!!

Introducing a Brand New Reiki Program at Brio Vim taught by Danielle Stimpson. Reiki Level 1 course offering at Brio Vim will take place Thursday evenings 6-9pm February 5 to April 9, 2009 and is currently enrolling.  

I got the opportunity to meet Danielle and her sweet, soft, enthusiastic energy immediately started to rub off on me. In fact, she gave me an intense reiki session that made my back feel stimulated by a warm, smooth energy. We talked about Reiki, her background and the fact that she is offering you a great way to take care of yourself, friends, family and others with a skill that you can take with you wherever you may be!

Danielle and I agree that being able to heal or heal someone is such a blessing! Once you become a healer you understand. Before that it’s like anything in life when someone says, “You can’t really know or identify unless you go through it yourself.” Healing others is BIG JOY and you get better at your skill and it gets more rewarding as you continue your practice.

Danielle had always known she wanted to be a healer originally a nurse. After becoming a pharmaceutical consultant it was clear to her that this was not the place for her. So, she let her hair grow, pierced her ear & wears casual clothes. By the third Reiki I class she knew she wanted to be a reiki master. She trained at 4th Street Reiki St., to become a certified reiki practitioner in 2006 and just recently became a teacher of Reiki in August. Congratulations! She gives treatments at Brio Vim and the Philadelphia Community Acupuncture.

PRESS RELEASE

Reiki now available in South Philadelphia and for the first time at sliding scale Philadelphia, PA January 5, 2009 – Reiki Master Teacher Danielle Stimpson is expanding her offerings of affordable Reiki treatments & training to South Philadelphia through a partnership with Brio Vim.

Reiki is a Japanese bodywork & natural healing practice that stresses the importance of self-development and responsibility. Practitioners are trained to use their hands to direct healing energy into their client. Palm healing in various forms has been practiced for thousands of years and by numerous different cultures. Reiki is safe and has no side effects or interactions with medical treatments or medications. Ms. Stimpson’s practitioner training program is currently thriving in West Philadelphia, having completed a successful first offering in November.

Danielle offers Reiki treatments and classes on a modest sliding payment scale in support of her mission to bring Reiki to people and communities who may not otherwise have access to it. Her approach is very cost effective, limiting overhead in a number of ways and passing the savings directly on to the students. According to Danielle “The practice of Reiki connects us with our body’s natural ability to heal itself, physically and emotionally. When the cost of treatment and training becomes unaffordable, we limit who can benefit.” Additionally, students will practice their skills in free and low cost public clinics to develop their confidence while supporting their community.
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Brio Vim, located at 1543 S. Mole Street in South Philadelphia, opened its doors September 27, 2008. It is a hub for Philadelphians working for our environment, public spaces, conscientious eating, holistic health, the arts, and grass roots organizing. Founders Prana and Sean Jacobs feel the addition of the Reiki program will compliment their existing offerings of pay-what-you-can Yoga, Vegan feasts, and workshops including healthy eating and zero-impact crafts. Prana says “The practice of Reiki exemplifies Brio Vim’s mission to spread DIY Good Living-it is simple, powerful, effective, and motivated by compassion” and adds “Studying Reiki changed my life in ways I could never have foreseen. When you realize the power you have, the connections you have to the people around you – nothing is impossible.”

Danielle Stimpson stated, “I am excited to ally myself with Brio Vim’s already remarkable movement. Together, we will bring holistic wellness to more people in Philadelphia.” Sean Jacobs responds “Brio Vim is thrilled to bring Danielle Stimpson into our family. She gets what we are all about.” There will be a free introductory workshop on Saturday, January 10, 2008 from 2:00-4:00pm at Brio Vim where the public will be invited to learn about Reiki and experience it’s effects with complimentary mini-sessions, drinks, and snacks.

Private treatment sessions are now available, and the first Reiki Level 1 course offering at Brio Vim will take place Thursday evenings 6-9pm February 5 to April 9, 2009 and is currently enrolling. Level 2 training will soon take place in West Philadelphia, dates and times to be announced.

To learn more, contact Danielle Stimpson at (267) 974-4093 or on the web at www.daniellestimpson.com or Brio Vim at (215) 476-1231 and www.briovim.com.

Moving through the Five Fundamentals of Yoga for a basic yoga practice: Posture, Breathing, Meditation, Intention and Repetition; we arrive at the idea of repetition. Repetition in yoga is necessary to: create a connection to what you are doing in the beginning, allow you to build your energy and find your way to a more advanced practice.

When you first begin, the postures are awkward, uncomfortable and you probably feel weird or bizarre for putting your body & your self in the positions, the class or the practice itself. Once you get past these obscurities the only thing that remains is to: keep exploring the openings, releases, intricacies, miraculous ness, awe inspiring system called yoga. Oddly, the only way you can get to that end is to take time to practice yoga.

We all practice yoga for different reasons and there may be many different things that you discover along “the way”. Whatever the reasons you are drawn to practice yoga you must continue to practice in order to get to the real beauty of yoga. Going deep has never felt so good or free!

All the other fundamentals we have discussed in the prior part of this series (Posture, Breathing, Meditation, Intention) are necessary and best when practiced, in repetition, to carve a pathway to the true meaning of each individual characteristic’s singular meaning(s). Then, we can begin to layer and combine the other elements in order to arrive at an honest, correct, meaningful yoga practice.

As with any skill we want to learn in life we will improve as we practice. We get better the more we repeat the undertaking. In yoga, repetition is your practice.

In the beginning of one’s yoga practice I recommend twice a week minimum. Three or more times a week being optimal and proactive in pursuit of a solid yogic connection. After some years it will begin to feel obvious that yoga practice has become embedded into your daily living. Then, it might not be a daily yoga session; but it might be 9 deep breaths, a deep stretch, a neck rotation, a pause, recognition of the light or a feeling of bliss. These limitless benefits begin to surround you and become part of you as you move through your day, night, and life.

Repetition is the manifestation of hard work, determination and perseverance. Working hard towards a goal is rewarding and fulfilling. Seeing change, feeling change, being change is a special reward. Yoga unlocks and leashes the mind, body and spirit. Once you begin to do this regularly you can definitely be a greater benefit to yourself and others.

The positive energy abounding yoga practice found through repetition is a worthwhile conquest and one that should be taken seriously as a definitive positive force and presence in your life and the lives of those you touch around you.

My appreciation of yoga continues to build with each new moon. The benefits of yoga in my world, in my soul and in all that is my life are new blessings that I value every day.

Repetiton can make a habit, a benefit, a world of change.      

Breathing allows us to live each and every day. But, did you know that the breath could train the mind? In meditation we train the breath to clear the mind. The first step is a strong, constant breath. Then, building your concentration to clear the mind by breathing white light or breath without thought. There are many forms of meditation but they are all tools to quiet the mind and be one with your true self.

Another concept for breath training that facilitates mind training is using the breath to create positive thought, intuition.

In a breath cycle we have an inhale and exhale. What if we used each part of the breath to create intention?

When we breathe deeply we send new oxygen, energy, and vitality to the whole body. If we attach a message to that breath the mind, body and sprit receive this message and can integrate it into your consciousness.

For example:

If you want to become aware of the energy you create, you can breathe in to receive energy and breathe out to give energy.

If you are feeling run down you can use a cleansing breath to renew your energy. Breath in white light and breath out grey light.

If you feel you need good things to enter your life. Try and breath in what is good and breath out what is bad.

If you want to be surrounded by positive energy; then, breathe in positivity and breathe out negativity.

To balance your energy, you can breathe in the force of yin and breathe out the force of yang.

To connect yourself with the Universal energy all around us, you can breathe in to absorb energy and breathe out to emit energy.

With all these slightly different messages you can send your brain to help develop and/or sustain a balanced, positive approach to life.

Most of us have become familiar with the concept of the laws of attraction. We can use our breath as a way to develop our mind. It will help to reinforce the positive forces you want or have in your life.

Breathing Exercise:

Take time in your daily life to breathe in one or all of these qualities.

It doesn’t matter where you are, if your eyes are open or closed or if you take 1 breathe or 15 minutes to breath in these powerful messages.

You can look at the list while you do your breathing exercise or learn the intentions and go through them in succession. This will build a balanced mind and energy field around you.

Try one round and then build up to 9 breaths of each. 9 is the number of completion in Chinese.

If you think one message serves you better focus to that repeteviily.
This will enhance the intention ad strength of this message.

You CANNOT go wrong with breath, mind training. In fact, the benefits are endless!

Breathe In:                                                      Breathe Out:
                 Receive energy                                                   Give energy
                 White light                                                          Grey light
                 What is good                                                      What is bad
                 Positivity                                                             Negativity
                 Force of yin                                                        Force of yang
                 Absorb energy                                                    Emit energy

Once you accept and realize healing of the mind, body or spirit is an interconnected and related process you can begin to see how to truly heal yourself, help others heal or heal that which needs attention in relationships. Therefore, we must not rush the healing process.

How many times have you been injured and then begun to live your “normal” life again only to fall back into the injured state or hurt something else as a result of your weakened state? Or ignored signs in relationships that might have allowed you to work things out before they were unrepairable? How long can you feel “not so great ” internally or externally before you do something about it?

We could look at wounds as blessings. This is a different kind of mentality and one that might not make sense at the beginning of moving from injured or hurt to well. But, wellness is a journey and not a destination just like life. If we have patience for the mind, body, and spirit when they are not well then we can learn how we are changing and transforming with each new experience good, bad and indifferent.

Once we are feeling off balance, isolated, injured, depressed, repressed, lonely, angry, sad or fearful we have an opportunity to go within. If we start to look at the cause and effect then we can make sense of our experience and reaction. There may or may not be a reason for everything that happens to us but we can choose to look at these experiences for the valuable lessons they provide us on our way.

I recently hurt my back and am on the mend. My body is “talking” to me and I am choosing to listen to it. I am caring for my back because it is necessary and important that I give it the love, support and attention it demands. I do not want to spend the rest of my life in back pain. I made a choice to listen, learn and act in a way to facilitate my healing path. Some might ignore the signs, not accept the seriousness of the incident or convince themselves there is no problem or blame or hate or be miserable due to their misfortune.

When something happens to you in one area of your life it can be a signal for something else. I try to find the relationship between the different facets of the self and life to fit them together so they may work more efficiently, openly and honestly in my total existence.

I look to my back injury I might be able to trace this to other parts of my world that were calling to me but I was too busy to hear. Stopping what is your routine, changing the way you think, act or live takes lots of time, patience, determination, love, respect and honesty.

If you cannot be honest with where you are, how you got there and how you want things to be then you cannot change with any real effect. I look at changing as healing. I change the way I lift heavy objects because I hurt my back. I change the way I feel when I Iook at the sunshine. I change the way I look at life when someone dies. I change the way I look at people differently when some one helps or hurts me. I look in my eyes to see that I am alive inside even when life gets hard.

Being healthy is a choice and it takes time, energy and effort. This week I made sure to indulge and educate myself by attending local events that are good for the mind, body and spirit.

Hanging around like-minded people has an energetic effect on the soul. Whenever you leave a gathering of people who join for a common purpose don’t you feel intensified? It is amazing how you can add strength, direction and commitment to your goals by being around others that feel the same way. Seek out publications, events, groups that promote the things that you want to exist and thrive in your world.

Brio Vim, a new health and community wellness center in Center City Philadelphia , hosted its First Sunday Vegan Brunch today. A few friends and I went over to check it out. Prana, one of the founders, greeted and served us. She was warm, friendly and didn’t let you wait until you needed something to bring it right over.

The food was fresh and the portion was hearty. They hydrated us with juice, cider, tea, coffee, H2O. It was great! The meal started with a pumpkin, white chocolate muffin or maple, nut bread that were both yum yum! They served vegan eggs w/ sun-dried tomatoes, grilled tempeh and a pear, cranberry, walnut salad they were all delicious.

Looking a bit ahead, they are hosting a vegan Thanksgiving Feast on Saturday, November 22 from 5-8pm. Everyone is encouraged to bring a beverage, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. On New Years Day, Brio Vim is hosting a Hangover Yoga class from 2-3:30pm followed by Make Your Own Juice Cocktail Hour (hair of the dog optional) from 3:30-5pm.

Check out their website, briovim.com, for Pay What You Can Yoga schedule, Feel Great at Work Yoga and Wellness, sliding scale massage and bodywork and all other events. I think I will go back and try their yoga and massage services!

Then, my friend and I headed over to Voorhees, NJ to see what was happening at the Healthy Living Expo. They put together regional health fairs to help educate their communities. You could find practitioners and experts to educate you on healthy alternatives, yoga, wellness, natural products and sustainable living to name a few. I found out more about solar power, efficient light bulbs, aromatherapy, natural house cleaners, super foods. All in one location which helps makes it fun and hassle free!

Today, I did something good for my health and wellness. I was rewarded by meeting some good, knowledgeable, nice people who furthered my learning on the healing path.

VOTING PROCEDURES - something to remember before you go into the booth. REMEMBER TO VOTE AT ALL COSTS!! Bring your id & a HOPE for CHANGE!!!!

Voting a STRAIGHT TICKET information:

IF YOU Vote Choose a Presidential Candidate by name & then,                    

PRESS – STRAIGHT TICKET..                                         

YOU NEGATE YOUR VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                      

This is considered DOUBLE VOTING!!!

DO NOT DO BOTH!

EITHER:

Choose each candidate by hand

OR:

CHOOSE STRAIGHT TICKET

I repeat::::: DO NOT DO BOTH!

Check out the info here:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/straightticket.asp

Did anyone catch the rally in Philadelphia for Obama a few weeks ago??

I did & the energy, passion and enthusiasm for a new outlook was overwhelming!

As we continue to discover more about ourselves through the practice of yoga we are able to get deeper into the practice itself. Meaning the practice moves from the external to the internal.

When we begin, most of us are so focused on the body, trying to learn or “do” the postures. Once we secure some knowledge and familiarity with the form we have space to integrate other aspects as to what the practice can be for ourselves.

Unblocking, unleashing our true potential bit by bit is a process that requires us to be present in the mind, body and spirit. This is where the true learning begins and, hopefully, evolves until we reach enlightenment if we are so fortunate.                                                      

Setting an intention before you practice yoga helps you keep focus on what you feel is most important at that time. Practicing to bring: healing, understanding, consciousness, love, G-d, peace, light to yourself or others are all beautiful intentions.

Some Masters feel the practice of yoga is insignificant to the intention. Meaning the mind can do the healing without the body. This really hones in on the aspect of how powerful our minds and how without intention yoga is just an exercise. With the power to control your mind you we can do miraculous things.

Channeling your intention to the place you feel connected reveals part of your true nature. If you want to make changes: you take note of where, who and how you are and; then, visualize the intention and practice thinking and behaving in this fashion.

As you continue to set intentions you become more aware and conscious of how the intention of your action follows the course of its unraveling. Setting up your practice or your life through positive, pure intention can have great benefits to the quality of your life.

Whether you practice yoga or not being a positive force in this world has to be created and maintained in the mind. Yoga practice is a vehicle, a space to allow us the time and freedom to express that intention. Making time to slow down the mind, clear the head and listen to your inner self will empower you to become full of light.

It is hard to hide and be in the dark when the light is shining on you.        

Set an intention today and the next day and next day and watch how all these positive intentions link up to fortify your existence in a warm, affirmative way.