Friday, I'm in Love: Fresh Air

I love fresh air. I love inhaling it, and exhaling it. I like it at the beach, laced with salty mist, and in the mountains, cut with the scent of pine. I like it whooshing through my ponytail on a morning run or lightly clanging the shades against an open window as I drift off to sleep.

It seems like the simplest of pleasures-- a huge, deep breath of unfussy air. It's accessible, easy, and best of all, free . . . Or is it?

What if you live in the inner city, without the means to retreat to areas without pollution, noise, traffic, or even violence? This is a reality for many children and adults.

In my mid-20s, I worked in an inner city community as an English teacher/academic coordinator for a nonprofit program at the now defunct Dorchester High School, a Boston Public School serving at-risk youth until it was disbanded in 2004 in favor of a different education model and administrative structure, known as the Dorchester Education Complex.

I loved my students and was fortunate enough to spend time with them outside the classroom through individual tutoring sessions, small group work, and, best of all, extra-curricular trips like Red Sox games, an outdoor adventure course, a whale watch, and even a day trip to Cape Cod, where I grew up. It was in these moments, out in the open air, with little asphalt, traffic, or public transportation in sight, that I remembered that my students were, in fact, still kids. Suffice to say, my students (ranging in age from 15 to 18) were mature, sometimes too mature. They'd seen a lot. Been through a lot. Overcome a lot.

I admired this about them, but it also saddened me that their maturity often came at the price of a fully experienced childhood. Long before childhood obesity was declared an epidemic, my students were often painfully aware that they did not have access to safe playgrounds for socializing, basketball courts for pick-up hoops, and sidewalks for double-dutch, hopscotch, and the like.

If we want to do something about childhood obesity, kids need to experience the freedom of playing outdoors. If we want our children and teens to enjoy being children and teens rather than world-weary young adults, we need to foster opportunities for them to relish simple pleasures like fresh air, shoeless afternoons, star-filled skies free of light pollution or smog, and space enough to run fast, jump high, lounge happily, or slow down to feel nature's pace.

I love fresh air, and I also love the Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit organization that has provided inner city youth with summer vacation experiences through host families and special Fund camps since the late 1800s. I first learned about the program as a lifeguard on Cape Cod during college when this program would bring kids to the Cape's beaches for an afternoon or more. Not long ago, I received an email to OmGal.com (rebecca@omgal.com) requesting support from the New York City based nonprofit. The organization had no idea I grew up in a beach community where some of its programs take place or previously worked with at-risk youth in Boston. They knew only that my readers have an altruistic bent-- a karmic drive that inspires many of you to reach out and help others when possible.

If you'd like to support the summer vacation of an inner city youth through the Fresh Air Fund, you can donate here.

Issues Weighing on a Yogi's Mind

From my earliest days as a yoga teacher in health clubs in the early aughts, I became accustom to fielding questions from students after class. Typically, they went something like this:

Why does this hurt when I do that?

Why do I sweat so much?

Why can't I do wheel?

What does namaste mean?

Why are my handstrings so tight?

Is it OK to do yoga if I have my period?

How do I practice yoga on my own, at home?

Why do I hate half pigeon so much?

I came to enjoy and anticipate these questions and many others. I loved how eager my students were to learn and the feeling of sharing helpful hints to make their practices more pleasant and productive. If I didn't know an answer, I researched it so that I could offer better information in class the following week or the next time someone asked.

Then, the oddest thing happened. A very simple question stumped me.

What do you eat? The question came from an earnest 20-something female student.

Huh. Did she mean for breakfast? I wracked my brain . . . A massive smoothie and a granola bar en route to class I recalled. After my marathon teaching stint that morning (two classes in two different locations with a 40-minute walk in between), I planned to meet a pal for a Thai lunch on Newbury Street, where we'd share my all-time-fav fresh rolls, and I would likely order a bowl of tofu, vegetables, and noodles the size of my head. Is that what she meant? Did I get the answer right . . . What do I win?

I searched the woman's face for some hint of information. What. Do. I. Eat. Why was this so perplexing? And, why is it interesting to her? Then it hit me: she probably wants to become a vegetarian! I talked about ahimsa in class today, and she's curious about how to put that guiding yogic principle into practice as it relates to her diet. I was thrilled to help, albeit a tad sheepish. Predominantly vegetarian since the age of 9, I'd recently wandered into exceedingly pescetarian territory. I worried the vegetarian police might be lurking and not wanting to mislead, I copped:

Um, well, I'm mostly vegetarian, but lately I've been eating dairy and even some fish . . . energetically that seems to work better for my body. Ultimately, I think people need to make mindful choices that work best for themselves . . .

I trailed off upon noticing the boredom that swept over my student's face. This was not the response she was seeking.

No, I mean, what kind of diet are you on, she clarified. Admittedly, I bristled at the word. Diet? I don't know, the eat-when-you're-hungry diet?

It was the age of Atkins, and I wanted as much distance from that sort of harebrained, extremist nutritional nonsense as possible. (Sure, eat a bacon double cheeseburger sans the bun, but don't have a piece of fresh melon because there's too much sugar or carbs or whatever? WTF!). Having only recently graduated from college in the debutante filled south and previously boarding school in New England, pressure-filled environments where eating issues among impressionable women can run rampant, I knew all too well the sensitivity of situations wherein one woman (intentionally or unintentionally) pedals her eating habits, insecurities, or beliefs upon others. I can't remember precisely how I answered my student's hunger for dietary advice, but hopefully, it included something like this:

Yoga helps us appreciate our bodies as being vehicles of the spirit. We learn to practice compassion toward our bodies and feel present within our own skin. It's certainly possible to lose weight by doing yoga, through the exertion of asana practice but more likely by making mindful lifestyle choices, including what to eat and when. If we're present in our bodies, tuned into our emotions, and thinking clearly with the help of yoga and meditation, then suddenly, eating a pint of Chunky Monkey ice cream after a bad day doesn't make much sense. It doesn't make your boss more bearable, absolve your parking tickets, or fix your relationships, does it? That's not a diet, merely awareness.

But more than likely I cracked an awkward joke and recommended lots of vegetables. Some eight years after grappling with a student who hoped to learn the magic bullet of weight loss through a yoga lifestyle, I still feel uneasy when I hear students and teachers promoting and evangelizing specific diets, nutrition regimens, detoxes, cleanses, fasts, and so on. It's not that I don't think they can be done safely and have myriad benefits, it's just that I worry about the intentions behind anything so rigid or absolute as not eating whole categories of foods, permanently swearing off meals cooked above a certain temperature, or subsisting on liquids for multiple days. Instead, I prefer the simple advice of the likes of Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Or, my mom, "Don't eat just because you're bored." Or, my own initial instincts, "Eat when you're hungry." What do you think?

Have you experienced any of these feelings in conjunction with your yoga practice? Have you ever worried that students or teachers around you were being motivated by unhealthy intentions? Do you think yoga studios and/or teachers should attempt to influence students' eating habits? Please share your thoughts by commenting. As always, I am grateful for your willingness to share.

Kicking Asanas & Taking Names: Forward Bends

We like to kick asanas and take names around here, and by that, I mean we like to kick it in our favorite asanas and then share the names of those yoga poses via posts by yours truly and comments by you, the best readers in the blogosphere. It's true; the Academy voted on it and the award was accepted on your behalf at an earlier ceremony hosted by Cameron Diaz . . . Congratulations!

Being Monday and all, I thought I'd highlight forward bends, as this class of poses is especially soothing for frayed nerves and settling to a distracted mind, which occasionally arise in response to the first day of the week. According to the classic yoga text, Yoga: The Iyengar Way by Silva, Mira, and Shyam Mehta, seated forward bends are credited with "removing fatigue, refreshing the brain, and soothing the nerves. They regularize blood pressure . . . aid recovery from illness . . . and promote healthy sleep."

Some of my favorite forward bends include the above Upavista Konasana and Pascimottanasana. Please add your own!

Reader Query: A Yogi Gal Who Wants to Groove to the Music

Hi Rebecca,

I met you after the [focus group] last Sunday*. . . I really enjoyed your class and I especially liked that you played music as we went through a few series of sun salutations. I have never practiced to music, and I would like to incorporate that element into my home practice. I can't remember what music you played but thought it fit the asanas very nicely. What type of music do you suggest listening to while practicing? What music do you like to listen to when practicing?

Namaste,
Erica

Hi Erica:

I am so happy you enjoyed the tunes! I don't use music all the time when I teach, and you'll notice that even when I do, it's only for a song here or there, rather than a consistent soundtrack throughout class. In general, it's important for students to experience external and internal quiet during practice, to listen to their breathing and tune into themselves instead. However, the right song combined with a great sequence can be complete bliss. And music during a home practice is a wonderful way to add a dose of inspiration to ordinary surroundings. If my memory serves me correctly I played one song each from the following three artists in that class: Matisyahu, Reema Datta, and Cat Power, each soulful in his/her own way.

The song I played during sun salutations was One Day by Matisyahu, which experienced a recent boost in popularity due to its association with the Olympic Games. It's a really uplifting song and fits the energy of sun salutations well. That, and the energy of, say, stomping a McTwist a la Shaun White, but we mere mortals will just have to settle for the accessibility of sun salutations, I guess. [Insert sigh].

Reema Datta's album would be a great addition to your home practice, as the kirtan vibe matches an asana practice well. My friend and CEO of YogaEarth, Dan Cook, turned me on to Datta, and I've been incorporating her music into the latter half of classes or sivasana a lot lately. [Disclosure: I am on the advisory board for YogaEarth].

I was a bit late to the Cat Power craze, but she's among my favorite artists right now. I have a feeling I must have played Lost Someone when the class was doing floor work. She rocks, pure and simple.

You might enjoy and gather more suggestions from a few other OmGal.com posts related to the topic of music, here:

Hey Yoga Teacher, Play That Funky Music

Am I Still a Yogi If I Listen to Gangster Rap?

Happy grooving.
-Om Gal

*On Sunday, February 28, I taught a special class in conjunction with a focus group of experienced yogis for a company researching innovative yoga products.

Thank You Runners, Yogis, & Runners/Yogis!

It was a full house at today's Yoga for Runners Workshop! Thank you to the fun, spirited, and strong group of athletes and yogis who attended, Stil Studio for hosting, and Puma for its stylish trunk show. A few pics for those who couldn't join . . .

What the heck am I doing here? Anyone?

Demonstrating Dolphin Push-ups, a great way for runners to counter-balance the over-emphasis on the lower body that running creates.

Playing dress up in a piece by Alexander McQueen for Puma during the boutique's trunk show. Rest in peace, Mr. McQueen. The Puma peeps and many more miss you and your talents.

Quote: Never Imitate

"Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life's cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another, you have only an extemporaneous, half possession. That which each can do best, none but his Maker can teach him. No man yet knows what it is, nor can, till that person exhibited it. Where is the master who could have taught Shakespeare? Where is the master who could have instructed Franklin, or Washington, or Bacon, or Newton? Every great man is an unique . . . If any body will tell me whom the great man imitates in the original crisis when he performs a great act, I will tell him who else than himself can teach him. Shakespeare will never be made by the study of Shakespeare. Do that which is assigned thee, and thou canst not hope too much or dare too much."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance*

*The Norton Anthology of Literature, Fifth Edition, Volume 1

Reader Query: I Need a Yoga Retreat!

Hi Rebecca,

I recently started following you on Facebook & have been reading your blog. I find you really inspiring and have great insights about health and well being.

I am turning 30 this year and am interested in going away on a yoga retreat for a couple of days, and wanted to get your opinion on places that you would recommend. I have been practicing yoga for about five years locally here in the Worcester/Framingham area. I split my time in Worcester & South Boston, and am looking for a place that is drive-able (w/in at least 3-4 hours) around here... any recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help!
Andrea

Hi Andrea:

This might be weird because we don't know each other, but TAKE ME WITH YOU! Sorry, let's focus on your question . . . Apologies.

Celebrating 30 with yoga, meditation, wholesome meals, fresh air, and plenty of rest was the best gift I've ever given myself. I am thrilled to hear that someone else is contemplating doing the same. Considering your geography, a few options in New England, ranging from rustic to ritzy, include: Karme Choling in Vermont's Green Mountains, Kripalu in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, and Canyon Ranch, with multiple locales nationwide including one in the Berkshires. While I've heard raves about Karme Choling and Canyon Ranch- the former for its authentic, organic atmosphere and approach; the latter for its elegance and sanctuary- I only have personal experience with Kripalu. Coincidentally, my first visit was- you guessed it- on my recent 3-0. From Worcester, it's an easy trip; hop on I-90 and keep driving!

There are two basic choices for your agenda while at Kripalu, and I recommend either one. First, you can register for a guided program by a guest teacher (March and April feature visits from experts such as Rodney Yee, Dharma Mittra, Bryan Kest, and Caroline Myss), or you can book a few days of the "Relax and Renew" program, which allows you to create your own itinerary from a wealth of in-house classes, seminars, and activities offered daily. Typical options include yoga classes, Ayurveda lectures, cooking demonstrations, chanting, dance, and more. It bears mentioning that Kripalu yoga classes are not very vigorous if you are a seasoned, intermediate student. They are enjoyable and taught by quality teachers; however, if you are aiming to take your practice to another level, it's better to register for a program with that kind of focus, say, the workshops by Yee or Kest. If you want to come and go as you please, opt for bodywork with a healing arts appointment; hike, eat, meditate, and do yoga at will; then Relax and Renew is a perfect fit to fete your 30th. Accommodations run the gamut at Kripalu, from shared, dormitory style rooms, to private rooms with a private bath (example above), and prices vary accordingly. You can book online or call and speak with the attentive and caring (just look how well they treat the St. Francis of Assisi statue outside!) staff via phone.

Best of luck planning your trip and a very blessed, happy birthday to you.

Om shanti,

Rebecca

[Photos: All original, taken by me. Kripalu, 2009].

Fun with a Foam Roller!

Among my favorite yoga and exercise props or pieces of home equipment is the simple foam roller, largely due to its versatility. When rolled along tight muscles, it serves as a poor gal's massage. It also creates some great abdominal workouts, a la Pilates. Finally, I like to use it as a companion for certain asanas, similar to a yoga block, when practicing at home or stretching at the gym. Check out the simple hip series below, beginning with a low lunge (a.k.a. a runner's lunge) and progressing into a supported half pigeon on the roller. This is a perfect little sequence for athletes, runners, desk jockeys, or anyone else with tight hips. Try it, and tell me what you think!

Start by lunging over the foam roller. It's nice to place your hands on it, for added support, similar to having a yoga block under each hand. Breath, here, deeply for 5-10 breaths.

Toe-heel your foot across the top edge of your mat, so that you are sitting on the roller. You'll notice it fits snugly into the crook behind your knee.

Walk your hands forward and start to move your torso toward the floor.

Eventually, you will fold forward completely, as in half pigeon pose. By rocking slightly forward and back along the roller, you'll feel added support and emphasis in your hip, hamstring, and outer thigh. The roller will also help adjust your shin toward parallel with the top edge of your yoga mat (the fullest expression of the pose). Be sure to flex your front foot to protect your knee, and if you feel any twinges in the knee, back off right away. Hold for 10 breaths or more on each side.

Enjoy!

Yoga for Runners

Experience a fun workshop at a new studio! Runners, yogis, and runner/yogis of all levels are invited to join me for a special, personalized class to complement your current athletic training. See how yoga prevents injury, creates opportunities for purposeful rest, enhances body awareness, and provides a mental edge in competition.

What: Yoga for Runners Workshop

When: February 27, 2010, 2:00-4:00 p.m. (preceded by an Alexander McQueen for Puma Trunk Show)

Where: Stil Studio, Legacy Place, Dedham, MA

How to Register: www.stilstudio.com

Will YOU Be My Valentine?

Dear Readers:

I love you. There, I said it. You're loyal, warm, and witty. You listen. You communicate. And, I don't mean to gush, but you inspire me.

We've been together for a while now, going on 3 years (if you can believe it), and I think it's high time we made it official:

Will you be my valentine?

Instead of a sappy card or ho-hum flowers, I have a few yoga experiences and prizes up my sleeve to show you how much I care (and- full disclosure- to highlight a few cool OmGal.com partners this month). Enjoy!

Enter to win 2 tickets to this week's 1st Virtual World Yoga Conference (value = $197.00 per ticket), where you'll enjoy the inspiration, personal development, and access to some top names in the yoga and meditation field without the travel of a conventional conference. No schlepping your yoga mat through airport security, splurging on a hotel, or navigating your way around a strange city. Heck, you can even run a load of laundry while logging on from your home computer. Here's how to enter this week (the winner will be selected on Wednesday; the conference runs from the 19th through the 21st):

• Post a comment on the blog = 1 entry
• Become a Fan of OmGal.com on Facebook= 2 entries
• Follow Om Gal on Twitter= 3 entries

Be sure your name/screen names are easily identifiable and you can be contacted if you win.

Take a Free Class with Me, and Influence a New Yoga Brand. A few gal pals of mine are starting a company that will produce high performance yoga props, and they want to hear feedback from insightful yogis like you. To apply to participate in this fun focus group, which includes a free class taught by me and compensation in the form of a gift certificate to a topnotch yoga-inspired apparel store from this yoga start-up, take the survey in the upper left-hand corner of the blog. (The class will be held on Sunday, February 28th, at Inner Strength in Watertown, Mass.; space is limited.).

Win Bling Like Om Gal's or Make Your Own Design. OmGal.com reader Sarah Clayton of Tag You're It Designs is a crafty little thing, as evidenced by her line of customized jewelry. Choose meaningful, words, dates, or initials and keep them close to your heart, in the form of her disc necklaces. Enter to win your own "tag," simply by visiting her website. Go to the Giveaway page, and enter keyword: OM GAL. I chose the words "karma" and its English translation "action" for my design (pictured above). Get creative with your own and good luck!

xo Om Gal