As Buddha said, impermanence is the nature of the human condition.  This is a truth we know in our minds but tend to resist in our hearts.  Change happens all around us, all the time, yet we long for the predictable, the consistent.  We want the reassurance that comes from things remaining the same.  Yoga philosophy offers an alternative to these tendencies.  It is to embrace the powerful truth: the power of living in the unchanging, eternal present.

We can even look to our yoga mat to watch the attachment pattern play itself out.  We often find ourselves attached to a never-ending process of “improvement” in our asanas. They do improve quickly at first—in the beginning, we are on a honeymoon of discovery; we grow by leaps and bounds in ability and understanding.  After a couple of decades, however, our poses change much less.  Oftentimes, we can no longer practice certain poses because of age or injury, yet we feel agitated because we assume that the poses of our youth should be the poses of our middle and old age.

What gives life its juice is the ability to mourn anything fully and simultaneously know it doesn’t ultimately matter.  In other words, we can live to the fullest when we recognize that our suffering is based not on the fact of impermanence but rather on our reaction to that impermanence.

Source: Yoga Journal

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

“Gender equality and women’s empowerment are fundamental to the global mission of the United Nations to achieve equal rights and dignity for all… But equality for women and girls is also an economic and social imperative. Until women and girls are liberated from poverty and injustice, all our goals — peace, security, sustainable development — stand in jeopardy.”

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Many challenges to gender equality and women’s empowerment require urgent attention

• Little progress has been made on reducing maternal mortality rates.  Every year, 536,000 women and girls die as a result of complications during pregnancy, childbirth or following delivery, the overwhelming majority in developing countries. Most of these complications are largely preventable and treatable.

• Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic, with up to 70 per cent of women experiencing violence in their lifetime. The problem remains universal, with women and girls affected by violence in every region and every country.

• Access to labour markets and to decent work remains limited for women.  Women are more likely than men to have low-paid, low-status and vulnerable jobs, with limited or no social protection or basic rights.

• Serious challenges persist to women’s full and equal participation in senior decision-making positions. These include negative stereotypes about women’s leadership roles and potential, a lack of commitment by political parties and men leaders, inadequate funding and training for women candidates and government officials, and discriminatory selection processes in all sectors and at all levels.

• Women continue to be excluded from or seriously under-represented in peace negotiations, peacebuilding and disarmament processes.

Why do so many challenges remain?

• The prevalence of negative gender stereotypes based on societal beliefs and attitudes affects women and men and constrains their opportunities and choices. Stereotypical assumptions about women in the labour market lead to occupational segregation and a gender wage gap, while the stereotypical view of men as breadwinners limits their involvement in family life.

• Limited involvement on the part of men and boys restrains advances towards gender equality in all areas. Focusing attention on gender issues and building support for social change can only be achieved when men and boys are engaged, for instance, in measures to eliminate violence against women and overcome stereotypes.

• Women’s under-representation in decision-making positions in all sectors limits the incorporation of gender perspectives in public policies and programmes. For example, the absence of women in top positions in peace processes limits the attention given to gender in peace agreements.

• Violence against women represents an obstacle to progress in many sectors, including health, education and employment. Sexual violence at and on the way to school, for instance, is a major impediment to girls’ participation in education.

• Women continue to be responsible for most domestic and caregiving work. This unequal sharing of responsibilities negatively impacts their educational and employment opportunities, and limits their involvement in public life.

In order to progress, governments must give priority attention to addressing the challenges faced by women. It is not enough to adopt laws and policies; they have to be effectively implemented.  Measures to help ensure successful implementation include training public officials, raising women’s awareness of their legal rights, and allocating adequate resources.

Source: United Nations

For further information and resources on International Women’s Day 2010, visit:

International Women’s Day

United Nations

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The three doshas are: vata, pitta and kapha.

We are all made up of a unique combination of the three doshas.  Although we all have some of each, most of us are more of one or two.  This combination is your own personal blueprint, or prakriti (nature).  As you go through life, the balance of each of the three doshas constantly fluctuates depending on your diet, your environment, the time of year, your age, and many other factors.   Ayurveda can be seen as a system of energy management.  As you move in and out of balance, the doshas can affect your health, energy level and your mood.

Determine your dominant dosha by selecting the trait below that most applies to you.  (A) responses correspond to vata, (b) to pitta, and (c) to kapha.

Height

1. Tall or very short
2. Medium
3. Usually short, but can be tall and large

Frame

1. Thin, bony, good muscles
2. Moderate, developed
3. Large, well-built

Weight

1. Low; hard to hold weight
2. Moderate
3. Heavy; hard to lose weight

Skin Luster

1. Dull or dusky
2. Ruddy, lustrous
3. White or pale

Skin Texture

1. Dry, rough, thin
2. Warm, oily
3. Cold, damp, thick

Eyes

1. Small, nervous
2. Piercing, easily inflamed
3. Large, white

Hair

1. Dry, thin
2. Thin, oily
3. Thick, oily, wavy, lustrous

Teeth

1. Crooked, poorly formed
2. Moderate, bleeding gums
3. Large, well-formed

Nails

1. Rough, brittle
2. Soft, pink
3. Soft, white

Joints

1. Stiff, crack easily
2. Loose
3. Firm, large

Circulation

1. Poor, variable
2. Good
3. Moderate

Appetite

1. Variable, nervous
2. High, excessive
3. Moderate but constant

Thirst

1. Low, scanty
2. High
3. Moderate

Sweating

1. Scanty
2. Profuse but not enduring
3. Low to start but profuse

Stool

1. Hard or dry
2. Soft, loose
3. Normal

Urination

1. Scanty
2. Profuse, yellow
3. Moderate, clear

Sensitivities

1. Cold, dryness, wind
2. Heat, sunlight, fire
3. Cold, damp

Immune Function

1. Low, variable
2. Moderate, sensitive to heat
3. High

Disease Tendency

1. Pain, inflammation
2. Fever, edema
3. Congestion

Disease Type

1. Nervous
2. Blood, liver
3. Mucous, lungs

Activity

1. High, restless
2. Moderate
3. Low, moves slowly

Endurance

1. Poor, easily exhausted
2. Moderate but focused
3. High

Sleep

1. Poor, disturbed
2. Variable
3. Excessive

Dreams

1. Frequent, colorful
2. Moderate, romantic
3. Infrequent, disturbed

Memory

1. Quick but absent-minded
2. Sharp, clear
3. Slow but steady

Speech

1. Fast, frequent
2. Sharp, cutting
3. Slow, melodious

Temperament

1. Nervous, changeable
2. Motivated
3. Content, conservative

Positive Emotions

1. Adaptability
2. Courage
3. Love

Negative Emotions

1. Fear
2. Anger
3. Attachment

Faith

1. Variable, erratic
2. Strong, determined
3. Steady but slow to change

Totals

1. ____
2. ____
3. ____

Source: Yoga Journal

Here are some of my current favorites to practice to…

Wah!

Bachan Kaur

Deuter

Anugama

Snatam Kaur

The news from Haiti’s January 12’s massive earthquake is horrific. Estimates of the death toll are staggering and continue to rise. Following is a list of reputable organizations to which you can donate to help (you can even donate via text—it can’t get much easier than that):

• Partners In Health: www.pih.org, 617-432-5256
• Doctors Without Borders: www.doctorswithoutborders.org, 888-392-0392
• Oxfam America: www.oxfamamerica.org, 800-77-OXFAM (800-776-9326)
• Yéle Haiti: www.yele.org or donate $5 by texting “YELE” to 501501
• Unicef: www.unicef.org, 800-4-UNICEF
• American Red Cross International Relief Fund: www.redcross.org, 800-RED-CROSS, or donate $10 by texting “HAITI” to 90999
• International Rescue Committee: www.theirc.org, 877-REFUGEE, or donate $5 by texting “HAITI” to 25383
• AmeriCares: www.americares.org, 800-486-HELP
• UUSC/UUA Joint Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund: www.uusc.org

Source: Integrative Yoga Therapy

When I decided to turn my living room into a yoga studio, the furniture was replaced with some yoga mats, blankets and blocks.  The couch was rarely used anyway, except when guests came over.  Now, when we have guests, they are a little hesitant to sit on the floor, but after sitting on a blanket for awhile, they are surprised at how good it feels.

Spending more time on the floor in your daily life can have some real benefits. People living in floor cultures have more supple joints and stronger backs, and far better posture.  So try spending some time today on the floor—squatting, kneeling, or just sitting. It might seem uncomfortable and awkward at first, but if you spend a little time doing this each day, try to do a little reading on the floor, you’ll find your joints begin to loosen, squatting will become more comfortable, and you’ll see your yoga practice improve.

Source: Yoga Journal

For me, my yoga practice has been the perfect place to observe my habits.  Each time I come onto my mat, I begin by focusing my attention inward and becoming interested in the space inside me.  By becoming aware of the quality of my mind and body at that moment, I am able to move from a place of deep connection.  Initiating each movement with the breath is a great way to move through your practice mindfully.  Without judgement, our yoga practice can be a tool that allows us to not only relax and open up, but to recognize our habits.  We all have physical habits, whether it is favoring one side of the body, forcing ourselves to “get into” a pose, or maybe not allowing ourselves to really let go.  In the end, it’s about becoming aware of our habits and working towards creating as much evenness and balance as possible.  It’s about finding that balance between effort and ease in yoga and in life.

This New Year, focus on becoming aware of your own, personal habits on and off the mat.  Start fresh, set new goals… and enjoy the balance of energy and ease your practice will bring.

Here are some of the most popular goals in the U.S.

• Lose weight
• Get out of debt
• Become more organized
• Maintain a diary
• Save money
• Improve grades
• Get a better job
• Get fit
• Eat right
• Get a better education
• Drink less alcohol
• Quit smoking
• Reduce stress
• Take a trip
• Volunteer to help others

Here are some of my personal goals for 2010

• Learn to speak Spanish
• Commit to writing in my new Standard Diary each day
• Omit high fructose corn syrup… as often as possible
• Eat seasonally, locally grown food
• Seva (selfless service)… find something I’m passionate about and have time for and do it regularly

“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden.”

Goethe

Establishing a rhythm is easy at home, where you control your schedule and can settle into a comfortable routine. But when you’re traveling (for business or for pleasure), that rhythm is disrupted, which can throw you off-kilter. To set yourself at ease on any journey, learn how to ground yourself.  Staying grounded away from home really comes down to being mindful and centered regardless of changing environments, time zones, and meal plans.

Here are some tips to help you stay grounded during your travels

Create a harmonious space

Cluttered surroundings can make you feel unbalanced and anxious. Unpack your belongings as soon as you arrive and take the time to arrange your room so it feels comfortable. Buy flowers or set up personal photos to make you feel more at home.

Invigorate with oil

Like candles, essential oils stimulate the sense of smell, which can influence how you feel. Ayurveda prescribes lavender oil for vata imbalance, jasmine or sandalwood for pitta, and eucalyptus for kapha. Add two drops to a bath or mix a few drops with almond, olive, or sunflower oil and massage into your skin.

Light a candle

To refresh your senses and calm your nerves, try one scented with lavender, lemongrass, or musk.

Detach from results

It’s natural to harbor dreams of perfection when you travel, because you’ve invested time, money, and effort. But when the inevitable mishap does occur—like missing a connecting flight, getting sick, or being stranded without a hotel reservation—yoga philosophy can help.

So what would Patanjali do? He’d probably remember the second of the eight limbs of classical yoga, the niyamas (observances). Cultivating two of the niyamas in particular, Ishvara pranidhana (the practice of surrender) and samtosha (contentment), can help remind you that oftentimes, the joy is in the journey, whatever unexpected form it may take.

Modify your usual yoga routine

You may not have the time, space, or energy for your full yoga practice, but sticking to some form of it will make you feel better. Try to meditate for a few minutes, and practice mostly standing yoga poses.  By grounding your feet, you’ll automatically feel stable.

Source: Yoga Journal Article By Karen Asp

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for renewed support for international family planning and reproductive health programs in a speech from the U.S. Department of State.

The event commemorated the 15^th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).  In 1994, 179 representatives from around the world gathered for the ICPD conference in Cairo and agreed to achieve universal access to reproductive health services by the year 2015, a goal reinforced in the Millennium Development Goals.  Cairo was the first global forum that recognized the connection between women’s health, the quality of women’s lives and human progress.  Now, 15 years later, too many women still have little or no access to reproductive health services.  Secretary Clinton’s statement marks a return to U.S. leadership on international family planning.

Clinton emphasized that “reproductive healthcare is critical to the health of women, and that women’s health is essential to the prosperity and opportunity for all, to the stability of families and communities, and the sustainability and development of nations”.  There is an urgency of the need for increased access to women’s health services – every minute of every day, one woman dies in pregnancy or childbirth, and each year six million more suffer injury, illness, or disability.  In addition, Clinton highlighted the ties between equity, rights and health care, stating that “… we cannot accept the marginalization of half the world’s population.”  Women Deliver’s motto, “Invest in Women- It Pays” was emphasized in Clinton’s speech as well, as she told the world that “… investing in the health of women and girls is the smartest investment we can make.”

Watch Secretary Clinton’s speech here.
Read Secretary Clinton’s speech here.

Books can be a source of inspiration for the new year.  One of my favorites is a book called Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison.  It’s a book that any new or experienced yoga practitioner can enjoy.   The book includes 365 meditations that integrates yoga teachings into everyday life.  Get off your mat and cozy up with a good yoga book!

If you’re like me this year, in effort to save money, I am getting creative and crafty with my gifts.  A simple idea is making a lavender sachet.  You can purchase lavender buds (naturally organic) and make your own sachet to hold the fragrant lavender flowers to scent your linens, drawers and pillows. Lavender has many uses.  If applied to the temples, lavender oil soothes headaches. In pillows, lavender seeds aid sleep and relaxation.  I like to place the sachets in my drawers to add a soothing scent to my clothes.

How to make Lavender Sachets

This season, enjoy shopping and crafting… and always remember to give yourself a little time and self-love.