Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts

Karma Yogi IV: March is for Women!

February was a celebration of Black History. Now we move from one aspect of who I am to another...Women's History! March is Women's History Month as well as National Women/Girls HIV/AIDS Day on March 10th. So let's do this Karma Yogi session with a little celebration and links for you to get into the spirit of celebrating Womanhood:

Neighborhood Inaugural Ball

Let's not lie to ourselves and act like Michelle Obama is NOT history in the making! The first black First Lady of the United States? Come on now. It will start with her but it surely won't end with her. ;)

If you are in Brooklyn, you can celebrate Women's History Month with First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum. If you are in NYC on Saturday and love Hip Hop, you can celebrate Women's History Month with this jam.

Americans Go To The Polls To Elect The Next U.S. President

It's so crazy how much history was made in a couple of months! 100 year old Black women got to vote for and elect a black president. This may not seem like much to most but when your family has been slaves for the past 300 years, this is HUGE. Especially for those who have lived through slavery and segregation. Bless them!

Now let's move onto March 10th...

According to the HIV/AIDS Awareness Website:

In 2005, women represented 26 percent of new AIDS diagnoses, compared to only 11 percent of new AIDS cases reported in 1990. Most women are infected with HIV through heterosexual contact and injection drug use.

Women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for Black women ages 25 to 34.

You can get involved in your area by clicking here. In NYC, from 3/6 - 3/13, Womens and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day will be celebrated here. If you can participate, please do. (youpi)

Now, even though we are celebrating Women's History this month, I truly believe that in order to respect the past, we must use the lessons learned then for the future. With this in mind, I'm going to give you links to a couple of websites and blogs that I think are doing a great job in helping women in the present and for the future:

kiva.org --> Micro-lending at its finest. It allows you to loan to the working poor around the world. I don't know why but it works. I'm going to lend to someone in need by the end of the month. You can lend in increments of $25 or more.

International Women's Day is March 8th. You can help out not only by participating with kiva.org but also with seva.org. Seva means "service" in Sanskrit. Karma Yoga is based on seva and goes beyond that in regards to the manner in which you perform your service. According to the website,

Working in nine countries in addition to the United States, Seva Foundation supports projects in the area of health and wellness, community development, environmental protection and cultural preservation.
Working with children and parents in the United States, lend4health is a blog that does micro-lending to benefit those that need help with their health and wellness. Spawned from kiva.org, lend4health is currently helping out children and adults dealing with autism spectrum disorders. For more information, click here.

The last website that I'm going to talk about is called Off the Mat,Into the World. Created by Yogini Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, and Suzanne Sterling, OTM takes Yoga and Seva to new levels with their Humanitarian tours. For more information, please click here.





































I think this is it for now...we need to celebrate women everyday - the past, the present, and the future. Women need to celebrate their bodies, their mindset, and what we do for this planet and humanity. No more of this "secondary but necessary" business. Once and for all, let women feel and rise up to the word equality. Respect from others can only come when we start to truly respect ourselves.

Until next time...stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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Movements XVI: Things are looking uP!



It's been a while since I really posted something up of substance. Now that the filler has been placed, it's time for me to get off of my self-imposed vacation and get back to giving you the latest and greatest information that will enable you to see and be better health!

First, I hope you like the pic. Kyla Jolene is a great photographer and I have been watching her work from afar. I wanted to put her photos on my blog for sometime and I'm glad I finally am able to do so. If I don't put up more of Kyla's pics, it's only because she asked me not to. I don't know her personally but good work is good work and it can't be denied.


I have updated one of my blogs. Please click here for the latest information on herbs that will help you in dealing with Uterine Fibroids. Please note that hops is a good herb to use for Breast Cancer as well.

My Yoga schedule is back in full swing! First up...I'm going to teach a 4 week course called the Fundamentals of Hatha Yoga. If you're in NYC and would like to learn the basics of Hatha Yoga and an Integral Yoga Hatha I Beginner's class, then this course is for you. For more information and to register, please click here.

I'm also going to teach a Hatha I Beginners Class every other Sunday at 6:15pm, starting March 15. If you click on the link above, you'll also find more information on Integral Yoga.


That's it for now. Please provide feedback by posting a comment or by emailing me at drea@dorightforyourself.org

One more thing, I have been doing this blog for a long time. What started out as a homework assignment for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition has become something much more. I need to stop acting like I'm not an accomplished Holistic Health and Nutritional Consultant and Yoga Instructor. Sooner than later, I'm going to put up links and give more information for my consultations and packages. Spring time is coming. I can provide you with the best in nutrition, fitness, and over all wellness. Now it's really time to get it together. All of us.



Until next time...stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease! (and thank you so much for keeping up with me and your health and wellness)



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Movements XV: Where I have REALLY been!

Hello everyone!

As you can see, I have been very busy with this blog!! My blogrolls are now on a separate page! At the linkbar, click "Do Right Blogroll" and go to town! I have to thank MommyDoodles for providing the insight for this to happen. Now I can give you more or what you're looking for - the path to health and happiness - without me having to worry about how many blogs I can fill a page with! No more distractions!  

Ok...so, where to begin...ah yes, with my regularly scheduled routine!


Went to both jobs on Thursday & Friday. Both days were an arduous task because I had to get juices for LT46's next phase of our Legacy Project. I had to go to both jobs and then lug @ least 4 huge bottles home! Gotta love NYC...cabs are everywhere and for some reason, the fares were pretty decent (considering).

I know all of my new viewers are wondering, "what is LT46? Legacy Project? What's that?"  
I created a post in Oct 2008 explaining the Legacy Project that I share with my Leadership Team from Momentum Education, LT46. Click here for that post. Now we have gone into "Phase IIa," by showing a movie at the shelter we raised money for. Here is a picture of the flyer that was put up at the Shelter:

 

It was a great event! About 70 people - men, women and children - attended. They all enjoyed the movie as well as the pizza and beverages we provided. I got the beverages, which consisted of  apple juice, pineapple, mango, grapefruit, and pear juices and water- all organic, of course.  I got 3 large apple juices, 7 bottles of the other juices and 3 one gallon bottles of water. I made a conscious choice to buy these kinds of juices to see if there would be a difference to their behavior (in comparison to drinking soda or juices with a lot of processed sugar in it). I am very happy to say that the crowd was very plesant and patient and kind. Even the children were relatively calm (I loved to hear the children give ask their parents where the juice came from!) and there were moments of virtual silence during certain parts of the movie. I'm not going to attribute all of this to drinking organic but I KNOW that if I had offered soda, it would have been a madhouse at that Shelter.

What made the event even more special was twofold. First, Liz Murray came to speak to the guests and I'm sure it was great (unfortunately, I had to go to work so I had to leave early). I know Liz personally and she's an amazing lady. If you would like to meet her for yourself, check this out:





Liz Murray: Homeless to Harvard 

The other thing that made the event amazing was seeing my family. You see, my brother and his family live in a shelter. It was an amazing coinky dink that the shelter LT46 chose to support was the same shelter that my brother and his family are in! I got to see my neices and nephew and it was so great! Right before I left, I explained to one of my friends that my brother and his family will have to stay in the shelther a little longer due to unforseen circumstances. Well, I must say that today, my sister-in-law had a healthy baby boy and right after I spoke to my friend, I called my brother and he said they would be out of the shelter very soon!!  

The next day, I taught two Yoga classes - one private and one at IYI. On Monday, I taught another Yoga class.

Before this weekend, I wrote up a post on the Uterus Diaglogues on Yoga and Fibroids. It was a general post and I will write something more specific really soon. If you would like to read my post, please click here. If you are affected by Uterine Fibroids and Ovarian Cysts, I ask that you become a member of this site and share their experiences, past, present and future. Sharing is caring. My friend and fellow IIN graduate, Simone Turner is also a part of this network. She is a Holistic Health Counselor that also specializes in Women's Issues, more specifically fibroids. Tell her that "Drea from IIN" sent you!

Well, that's it...for not. I have a lot of catching up to you and I must admit, I'm becoming addicted to twitter. Hello My Twitter Friends!!  

Enjoy your night. Until the next time...stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!







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Movements XIII

Hello everyone!

As you can see, I have a brand new look. It seems like spring time in NYC right now. I know it's going to go back to winter but I feel like celebrating Brooklyn (where I'm from) hence the Brooklyn Bridge in what looks like a typical winter day without snow in New York City.

I still have to get my blog list back together. That should be done by Tuesday, if not sooner. I'm going to do a 4 week Introduction to Yoga course in March...definitely more details to come. That's it for now. Talk to you soon.

BA

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Movements XII

Greetings everyone!

I hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl. I, myself, did not get to see it. I taught my first "official" class at Integral Yoga and it was great. I would like to thank all of those who attended my class and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

My next class is on Feb. 15th. That is on a Sunday, at Integral Yoga Institute. The cost for the class is $12 and it's a Hatha I Beginner's class. If you stop by, mention that you saw this on my blog. I'd really appreciate it.

Another thing I have done is update one of my old blogs. My Essential 4 Series: Bad Posture can be a Headache is one of my most popular blogs. I have updated it with some new information that you may find useful. Click on the link to access that post.

I plan on doing this with other previous posts with time. I'm still working on putting some other posts up that are way past due. I'm not going to speak on them now. I'm just going to put them out there and get it done.

As I get my schedule together, you will hear from me and then you may not. Regardless of my state of affairs, I trust that I can always count on you to...

stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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Movements IX: 2009 is Mine!

Well hello there!

I just wanted to tell you all really quickly that my qualifying was a smash and I graduate from Yoga Teacher Training on Saturday. I'll make sure to take lots of pictures and put them on my facebook page.

I'm still doing the lecture on Yoga at the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York City. Details will be posted tomorrow, since it is on Jan. 16. Everything is being finalized now.

I'm just so excited about what is to come for me. Clients are forming, even in this downturn economy...and I'm talking about Health/Fitness Counseling clients! Yoga classes will come very soon - private and group classes.

I also have a bunch of ideas in my head (besides my book and other posts... LOL) that I'm going to start working on. These are past ideas as well as new ones that need to come to fruition. I didn't plan on working on them so soon but I'm ready to do something to serve my community. The human community.

I love being human. Sometimes I don't like people. But that's ok too. It's balance. ;)

2009 is MINE! It is MY Time to SHINE!

Say that in the mirror once a day...if there is any positive affirmation to put into your brain, it is this one. No matter what they say about the economy, or the state of the world as it is, we are change. Each one of us can make a difference. Each one, teach one, reach one.

Stay mindful and aware. Keep your intentions positive and full of love. Talk to you soon...and my birthday is on Jan. 13. I feel and look like a 25 year old. Thank goodness I don't think like one (luv you 25 year olds...you'll understand what I'm saying when you reach 30!)

Until next time...stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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Movements VIII

Greetings Everyone!:)

I always have a lot going on (as you can see in my other Movements posts) but a lot of them have not come to fruition as I have expected. So I decided that I would keep the Movements post to a minimum - I don't want to give out plans that may have fallen through, on my account or due to changes beyond my control.

With that in mind, it's time for me to give you some of my movements and these things are going on or will happen right now:
  • Yoga Teacher Training is almost over. I graduate on Jan. 10 and my qualifying is on Jan. 5. I just finished my written final and right now my biggest challenge will be on Sunday, getting Yoga Nidra and Pranayama right.
  • On Jan. 16, I will be doing a lecture on "The Science of Yoga." This will be held at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), in New York City, and is sponsored by Circle of Voices, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides multi-cultural, artistic, and informative events for women of color and African Descent. This "Do Better, Live Better" series is geared towards Lesbian and Bi-sexual Women of Color but all are welcome. More details to come shortly
Well, that's about it folks...so far, so good. I still have a lot of things to catch up on regarding this blog (like the last part of this Breathing Series...I'm ready to talk about Water! ) as well as cleaning more of my house but everything will occur in due time. I'm going to let "Divine Consciousness" take my hand and lead me where I should be at this point in time. I hope you do the same, every once in a while.

Until next time...stay strong, stay healthy and fight dis-ease!

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Random Thoughts II

New York...this one is for you!


My city is one hell of a town. In an effort to clean out one of my mailboxes, I stumbled onto this article. I had to laugh, as I remember one of my friends telling me, the day before yesterday, that they still sell sodas and the like in vendor machines at her son's public school. Gotta love it.

OBESITY AND DIABETES RISING FASTER IN NYC THAN NATIONALLY

New York City Adults Gained More than 10 Million Pounds over a Two-Year Period;
Empty Calories from Soda and Other Sugary Drinks Contribute to City’s Obesity Epidemic


...sorry. I forgot to mention...this article was done in March.

I have a couple of quick remedies to help you curb your sugar cravings. I won't lie...I have a chocolate craving myself. Although I am gaining new insight as to why I have these cravings (I will share with you very soon ), I now substitute my sugar cravings for something more organic...organic chocolate is so good!! hehe

This doesn't mean that I have to cut out chocolate totally. Of course not. All I have to do is cut it down to a level where I will not feel its effects. For me, those effects vary...especially around the time of my menses (PMS or PMDD...whatever it is today, it's the worst ). It's the same for you. If you realize that you drink too much soda or other sugary drinks (including flavored water and fruit juice), then do an elimination diet. For one week, take in 50% less of your average sugar intake. That means cut your candy consumption, snapple consumption, and other sugary foods/drinks (including fruit juice) by half. No soda for one week. Drink water and lemon water (real lemon squeezed in water....people don't realize how bad High Fructose Corn Syrup is!) for this week. Add Stevia instead of regular sugar or sugar substitutes (even worse than regular sugar) if and when you can. Then after that week, go back to your weekly routine. Notice the difference. I guarantee you, you will realize that you felt a lot better after doing that...maybe lost a pound or two.

Don't worry....I will get into this deeper as time permits. I have a lot to cover and I know you're patiently waiting to hear what I have to say in regards to meditation and Tai Chi. I'm getting there. Today is the first day of a long cycle (women should understand what I'm saying wink) but I'm focused and ready to get this out to you. I just need to make sure that what is in my mind/heart/soul can transfer to paper in the manner it needs to. My research is extensive, as there is so much information to cover.

Count on me.
Stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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