tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66382987505215618462024-03-05T16:27:54.505-08:00gaiaplanetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-34115767865379447872012-03-23T06:15:00.000-07:002012-03-23T06:17:45.238-07:00Why to eat fruit?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyT1IrQszdjxfgOVdoy6fAVfS5dkY-voe6GNsNiR9jXFWsPu3ftrC_WNZeP6fpyMKd_CGO4w9DpXUZcREy0ORuKC0d9hX8UrJLKJPTFPS7RAK4GFDezEOr70RSZi4idJtFQzGqRyqdFZ3/s1600/fruit.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 158px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723081030774686514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyT1IrQszdjxfgOVdoy6fAVfS5dkY-voe6GNsNiR9jXFWsPu3ftrC_WNZeP6fpyMKd_CGO4w9DpXUZcREy0ORuKC0d9hX8UrJLKJPTFPS7RAK4GFDezEOr70RSZi4idJtFQzGqRyqdFZ3/s320/fruit.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-65249511634652928462012-01-14T08:29:00.000-08:002012-01-25T06:41:25.019-08:00ActivismWe totally suggest you take a look to the following associations and activists' campaigns who fight for a better world all around the planet!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/">http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.charlizeafricaoutreach.org/">http://www.charlizeafricaoutreach.org/</a><br /><br /><br /><br />A great foundation thanks to which a <strong>100%</strong> of the money raised goes to charity!!<br />A marvellous tale for you children but also for adults!!!!!!!<br /><a href="http://www.justlikeyoufoundation.org/">http://www.justlikeyoufoundation.org/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-42245530334911254492011-07-25T09:39:00.001-07:002011-08-02T02:36:51.565-07:00NutritionWhat’s in a nutrient?<br />written by Kate Gardner, MS, RD<br /><a href="http://www.kategardnernutrition.com/">http://www.kategardnernutrition.com/</a><br /><br /><br />The globalization of trade sparked a new food environment worldwide. Food environments traditionally based on locally procured items have expanded to offer a wide array of options from every corner of the earth. An increasing number people no longer eat to live but rather live to eat. Whereas girth was once considered a sign of wealth, it may now be a risk to one’s health. But amidst all of these delectable options, do you always need to choose the healthy item? When and how often is it ok to indulge?<br /><br />Obviously, eating is necessary to sustain life – we have to eat in order to get energy, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients that enable our cells to function normally. But there’s more to it than that. There are many reasons to eat healthy, but the biggest and most obvious is that you’ll feel better. You’ll feel happier, more energetic, and more able to focus your attention.<br /><br />Eating healthy has value in and of itself and as a means to an end. Great, you’re convinced. Now, how do you do it? Here are, in my opinion, the top 5 principles to guide your food choices:<br /><br />1. Eat a variety of nutrient rich foods (aka get your fiber and vitamins). We were all taught the 5 food groups (fruits, vegetables, dairy, proteins, grains) so you probably have a basic understanding of your needs. Have a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables, eat lean proteins, choose low fat dairy, and select whole grains. There is no single food that is nutritionally leaps and bounds above its counterparts.<br />2. Eat as ‘close to the earth’ as possible (aka reduce processing). When a new ‘magic’ extract from the pituitary gland of jumbo shrimp hits the market this fall, don’t jump on it. You don’t need it. Eating is much more intuitive than laboratory synthesized (or even than highly processed) foodstuff. Foods with less processing, grown organically, or raised naturally are generally good selections.<br />3. Eat moderate portions (aka don’t overeat). You can indulge in any of the highly refined treats that you want, but, they should be treats – consumed occasionally in small portions. We’re all allowed a certain number of discretionary calories – calories needed to maintain our weight but that don’t have to be healthy if the other foods we’re eating are nutrient rich.<br />4. Maintain balance (aka be aware of what you eat). Every food, every meal, and every day doesn’t have to be a succession of “perfect” foods. Instead, balance your choices. If you didn’t eat any green vegetables today, have some tomorrow and don’t worry about it.<br />5. Enjoy your food (aka derive pleasure from eating)! People who savor their food and don’t rush though meals tend to be more satisfied. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to sense that your stomach is at a comfortable fullness, so slow down when you eat, have lots of water and enjoy it. Learn to love the food you eat and eat the foods you love.<br /><br />Oh, and for the record, shrimp don’t have pituitary glands – don’t buy into the marketing schemes! You’re smarter than that and a more sensible eater.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-17092371071265469772011-06-13T02:50:00.000-07:002011-07-13T03:21:24.698-07:00Yoga Workshop with Sri Venudas in GreeceYoga Workshop with Sri Venudas<br />in the island of Samothraki, Greece<br />3-9 August 2011<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hPL26Fz7HImzGRt2-SxxH1FT0rHmCb6VsE7KUU-0ctwn4AMo7QAFINw-T_Ixk9LkmrRw2V2Zp1xyd5iN4f3vEIUAN-3g-_BI0gHFF6ZynRZlKHvDRsIPoiHNlXKr_2w2OtVJGQi6nlnZ/s1600/c%252Bdemory%252Bvenudas14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hPL26Fz7HImzGRt2-SxxH1FT0rHmCb6VsE7KUU-0ctwn4AMo7QAFINw-T_Ixk9LkmrRw2V2Zp1xyd5iN4f3vEIUAN-3g-_BI0gHFF6ZynRZlKHvDRsIPoiHNlXKr_2w2OtVJGQi6nlnZ/s320/c%252Bdemory%252Bvenudas14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617796296781999410" /></a><br />Photograph:Clarisse DEMORY<br /><a href="http://www.clarissedemory.com">clarissedemory.com</a><br /><br />Sri Venudas is born in 1970 in Keralam, Southern India.<br />He started his studies at the tender age of 3 years old under his Guru and grand-father: Sri Vasudeva Perumal. He learned both Yoga & Music through a traditional way « Guru Kula» : transmission from Guru to disciple. Living by his grand-father in the forest, he learned the yogic way of life near the nature. His knowledge is deeply rooted, with tolerance and intuition.<br /><br />He began to teach at the age of 14 years old in India and still continues in his country and all over Europe and America for the last 28 years. Nowadays he is based in Paris where he transmits Hatha Yoga and Southern Indian Classical Music. After all these years of observing and teaching, his transmission is imbued with kindness and generosity.<br /><br /><br />Schedule of the Workshop<br />This experience is an intensive 7 day yoga workshop, which includes Hatha yoga asana<br />practice, meditation and mantra singing.<br />It demands the full commitment of the participants as well as respect of the timetable.<br />Participants are kindly requested to avoid smoking and are invited to prefer organic<br />vegetarian food during this 7 day practice.<br />All participants need to arrive at least one day before the beginning of the workshop to take the necessary time to settle and have a first meeting with the island and its particular natural environment.<br />There will be a meeting of all participants with the teacher in the evening of the 2nd of August.The opening ceremony begins at 08.00 in the morning of the 3rd of August.<br /><br />The daily schedule includes<br /><br />Morning<br />08.00 - 09.00 meditation<br />09.00 - 11.00 hatha yoga asana practice<br /><br />Evening<br />17.30 - 19.00 hatha yoga asana practice<br />19.00 - 19.30 mantra singing<br />19.30 - 20.00 meditation<br /><br />The practice of the group will be in the nature.<br /><br />Number of Participants : 10-20<br /><br /><br />Samothraki Island<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mad4mMj88nD2NzJngnTTTunw3ANgebG6X-lcFkFhlumX0BuHYUFOiV26zjRcs8sRfVcPjhXPocRds-dyU_yzHhfPq80MmQo5lQyz1_dA109jN8pNN_22c7Uu4xEhrdEGTyzRJwrdpva2/s1600/354954-work-Samothraki_161.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mad4mMj88nD2NzJngnTTTunw3ANgebG6X-lcFkFhlumX0BuHYUFOiV26zjRcs8sRfVcPjhXPocRds-dyU_yzHhfPq80MmQo5lQyz1_dA109jN8pNN_22c7Uu4xEhrdEGTyzRJwrdpva2/s320/354954-work-Samothraki_161.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617797517806716738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxwgY9cJKI7Cv5Ua4x5WlwxTx-CFPjC2TtMOf5CwKvw-odd01W8l1ExkoBUsTLRmQmrYxgUkMi6G771J8dAoA2VDq5pnLRcgku5khus4AefAsino9lo2ai2Q_G4oQkLd2WrP_iht-66A7/s1600/Samothraki_Hieron.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxwgY9cJKI7Cv5Ua4x5WlwxTx-CFPjC2TtMOf5CwKvw-odd01W8l1ExkoBUsTLRmQmrYxgUkMi6G771J8dAoA2VDq5pnLRcgku5khus4AefAsino9lo2ai2Q_G4oQkLd2WrP_iht-66A7/s320/Samothraki_Hieron.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617797507184388306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fUeXIF57AaDoC0fK81AzTTY63uMG1gOrFw4qefqUXL40RZH18Tw8fI6Q1lHhcI27Htx7KzYZrzEJ_fusP4oBhgmyc2X1dBJx6a28Y9aKizicerQOYB3tHZNACmROuh8RUa8J34i09YB-/s1600/northaegean_samothraki_beaches_agelada.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fUeXIF57AaDoC0fK81AzTTY63uMG1gOrFw4qefqUXL40RZH18Tw8fI6Q1lHhcI27Htx7KzYZrzEJ_fusP4oBhgmyc2X1dBJx6a28Y9aKizicerQOYB3tHZNACmROuh8RUa8J34i09YB-/s320/northaegean_samothraki_beaches_agelada.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617797502446305698" /></a><br /><br /><br />Samothraki is a beautiful, particularly green greek island with rich vegetation and wild nature. It is situated on the northern aegean sea. The Saos mountain, where according tothe ancient legends Poseidon used to sit to watch the Trojan war is the highest peak of the aegean sea and gives birth to many little rivers and waterfalls with crystal water. This island with few sandy beaches, it is mostly known for the beautiful lakes and waterfalls.<br /><br />Samothraki is known from the antiquity for the mystic ceremonies worshiping the Great<br />Gods that took place in the island, called “Kaviria Mistiria”. Those were the only mystic ceremonies of the antiquity open to all - men, women, greek and non greek people.<br />Olympiada, Alexander the Greatʼs mother is said to have conceived her son during one of these ceremonies.Samothraki is difficult to reach, and its wild nature attracts mostly ecotourists and discourages the city people from going. This makes the island a precious destination for a peaceful retreat near the nature.<br /><br /><br />Accommodation<br /><br />The yoga practice will be in the nature, near the Free Municipality Camping of Samothraki;which is a forest area near the sea where you can camp with your own tent. The camping provides water and showers.<br />Next to this camping is situated the Organized Municipality Camping of Samothraki; whichalso provides electricity and more comfort.<br />We clearly recommend the Free Camping area, where you can camp in the forest.<br />The Workshop activities will be happening around this area.<br />Prices are around 3 euros per day for adults and 2,5 - 4 euros per day for a tent, depending on the size of the tent.<br /><br /><br />You can find here some links with photos of the camping and additional information.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.samothraki.com/htm/indexf_g.htm?../nutzer/camping/freecamping/freecamping">http://www.samothraki.com/htm/indexf_g.htm?../nutzer/camping/freecamping/freecamping</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23004334129&v=info">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23004334129&v=info</a><br /><br /><br />There is also a possibility to rent a room, the village of Therma which is situated 15 minutes on foot from the camping.<br /><br />links to hotels and rooms to rent<br /><br /><a href="http://calypso.gr">calypso.gr</a><br /><br />Food<br /><br />The participants will be free to eat wherever they want for lunch. There are many beautiful taverns on the island, you can also cook in the camping if you have the necessary equipment. The workshop organization team will arrange for a vegetarian meal in a beautiful tavern of the island, for a “Menu” price.<br />Dinner will be cooked after the evening meditation, by the fire next to the seaside with the participation of everyone. We bring the ingredients, we prepare the food and eat together.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Transport<br /><br />There are many ways to get to Samothraki:<br /><br />- Take a plane to Alexandroupolis (Olympic or Aegean airlines, escale in Athens) and then take the boat to Samothraki (3 hours).<br /><br />- Get a plane to Thessaloniki; then take the train or a bus to Alexandroupolis (4-5 hours);then take the boat from the port of Alexandroupolis to Samothraki (3 hours).<br /><br />- Get a plane to Istanbul; then take the train or a bus to Alexandroupolis (5 hours?)<br />then take the boat from the port of Alexandroupolis to Samothraki (3 hours).<br /><br />The boat to Samothraki leaves from the city of Alexandroupoli everyday. The cost of the ticket is approximately 15,10€ fixed price.<br /><br />The Greek Railway Company is called Trainose (ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ). The prices for the tickets<br />are fixed and you can buy your ticket at the guichet some days before your journey or the same day. There is recently a system to buy online tickets but this is not a common practice. <br /><br /><br />You can consult the website<br /><a href="http://tickets.trainose.gr/dromologia">tickets.trainose.gr/dromologia</a> <br /><br />or call for information at +30 2310 59812 (Thessaloniki railway station)<br /><br />The journey is quite long, but this is one of the reasons why we avoid tourists and city people. Samothraki only accepts those who are really motivated to get there...<br />The beautiful landscape will reward you.<br /><br /><br />Contact<br /><br />For reservations from France and international<br /><br />Ingy Ganga<br />ingyvolando@gmail.com, 0033 (0)679 056 022<br /><br />For reservations from Greece<br /><br />Xanthoula<br />dxanthoula@hotmail.com 0030 6934795926<br /><br />Cost : 200 for working people<br /> 150 euros for students, unemployed, couples and greek people<br /><br />Send your check to Ingy Volando, 12 rue Leon Jouhaux, 75010, Paris<a href="http://www.clarissedemory.com"></a><a href="http://www.clarissedemory.com"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-43379940959595377772011-06-12T05:54:00.000-07:002011-06-13T02:24:42.508-07:00MarathonMarathon<br />by Sonia Karim<br />BSc. Hons Biochem <br />3 Times Marathon Finisher: New York, London, Rome<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />“From long distance running I learnt just how constricted we are by consensus and limiting belief systems. Being “out there” for hours does not simply test the physical stamina, it is a serious challenge to mental abilities. It becomes a process of self discovery that totally changes your perceptions and your idea of what is possible as doubts and fears just dissolve. It is incredibly soothing. You learn to construct your own reality by changing your thoughts and this positive mental attitude endures in other areas of your life. In running my first marathon I learnt to trust; I discovered the body is limitless and capable of achieving any feat by sheer will driven by desire. You learn to appreciate and listen to your body like never before. To just let go and venture into an unknown and not hold back. Moment I did, the physical discomfort jolted me. With running you get so involved that nothing else seems to matter: a state of mind when consciousness becomes harmoniously ordered. Something that cannot be taught, it must be experienced. It teaches in a short period just what life tries over decades.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-29431613541159524682011-04-26T04:03:00.002-07:002012-01-17T04:21:27.299-08:00Tashirat foundation in Mexico<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5t5dLiy87F7Al2ThX1ymuzaMSDGQsyv1tAVnEGlykLI3PFQvYY7MX7n1Vy53WrzIWWhmYE7XH8evRSCdUaAwDgtziw9ixwLybdUsqcTFMTrSQUxcZS8_F1YqbfcAO2JbjhAjj50Pjnba/s1600/IMG_8806small-219x300%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 219px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5t5dLiy87F7Al2ThX1ymuzaMSDGQsyv1tAVnEGlykLI3PFQvYY7MX7n1Vy53WrzIWWhmYE7XH8evRSCdUaAwDgtziw9ixwLybdUsqcTFMTrSQUxcZS8_F1YqbfcAO2JbjhAjj50Pjnba/s320/IMG_8806small-219x300%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599846760637406898" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-58673161603091727062011-04-26T04:03:00.001-07:002012-01-17T04:21:27.300-08:00Tashirat foundation in MexicoTashirat Kids Newsletter – March/April 2011<br />Dear Family and Friends,<br /><br />It’s the height of the dry season, and things are getting pretty dusty around here. There seems to be no way of keeping the kids clean, short of keeping them indoors, which frankly, would be too cruel when there is so much nice, chocolate colored dirt around to play with! They also love grinding different rocks and bricks into “chile” powder, and playing “restaurant” with it, but after an hour of two, they are hardly recognizable!<br /><br /><br /><br />Our teen boys have been diligently building a cement paved bike track, advancing a few meters a day. It's hard work though, so thankfully our recently returned volunteer, Kao, has recruited all the younger boys to join in too, and they are advancing at triple speed. Since everyone is into riding bikes, we can’t wait until it’s finished. Many of the girls also recently received a donation of bikes from friends and family. Thank you Pimi Gill, Tina, Kao and family for their great bikes!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A couple of months ago the children were fast asleep, when smoke from a nearby forest fire forced us into an emergency evacuation of the entire orphanage! As ambulances and police trucks poured into Tashirat, the children huddled together in their pajamas, wide eyed, watching the mountain close behind our bungalows smolder.<br /><br /><br /><br />We piled them and their bedding into the awaiting rescue vehicles, and were taken to our friends Anneke and Adrian’s house. When we arrived at our friends’ house, there were loads of beds already laid out, but the kids were having so much fun by then that it felt much more like a pajama party than an emergency evacuation!<br /><br /><br /><br />The next morning, the smoke was better but the kids were having too much fun playing in our friends’ garden and enjoying their gracious hospitality to want to go home.<br /><br />Other exciting news: we received a new little girl in February, and a new little boy just last week! The girl’s name is Joline and she is 4 ½ years old. She was abandoned when she was two years old, and has spent the last two years living in the big government foster home in Cuernavaca. Jolie was very timorous and insecure, and spent the first few days here sleeping and talking to no one. She is getting happier by the week though and is starting to run, play and gain confidence in herself.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />When Jolie first arrived, she behaved much like a two year old. Fortunately, she has started to mature again and seems to be developing the equivalent of a few months every week or so. Surely by the next newsletter she’ll be a very different little person!<br /><br />Juan Diego is also four years old, and basically grew up in the government foster home since he was abandoned at 6 months of age. He is a very easy kid, who is naturally extroverted and curious about everything that is going on around him.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Juan Diego is always pointing everything out and saying or asking it's name. We think he is going to prove to be one of the easier cases we have taken. He is lacking gross motor skills for a child his age, but we think he may normalize with age and lots of physical activity.<br /><br />We are also hoping to take more Special Ed in the near future. Recently, we went to the visit the child welfare agency and were begged to take 6 more very special cases, between 5 months and 4 years old. One of the main reasons is that they have seen how the Special Ed. children we have taken in the past, have ended up normalizing a lot in our care. Plus, it is hard to find orphanages who will keep disabled children after they reach age 18, so these cases will probably end up in a government home all their lives, as they will never become 100% independent.<br /><br /><br /><br />Also, many of the children we took were on up to 4 medications and suffered from many physical problems when they arrived and none is on medication nor do they suffer from those same problems now. The changes in our other children have also been positive; even the youngest of our children give these special children so much affection and love. It has really opened our kids’ hearts to love and care for others who need their love, as well as to receive love from all of us.<br /><br />The biggest thank you to everyone who has stuck with us in an effort to help our children live a new life!<br /><br />Happy Spring and best wishes to all,<br /><br />Tashirat kids and staffUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-77566613371819443802011-04-01T01:00:00.000-07:002011-04-01T01:06:07.196-07:00Posture of the month<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0yWc0qHFq63vbyJxUtY-N2OuOrqcwuKwZm7jiGg2JHL2W-acJIjngwNgtHDLzOZPBWe8izuXhHvODjdlAEr1hYgO88xNQJrkPcqRu6tdznrR5t8q5POG9QGiwW3slE5VX0PsrmUA8kg-/s1600/n618787194_2059295_5731.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0yWc0qHFq63vbyJxUtY-N2OuOrqcwuKwZm7jiGg2JHL2W-acJIjngwNgtHDLzOZPBWe8izuXhHvODjdlAEr1hYgO88xNQJrkPcqRu6tdznrR5t8q5POG9QGiwW3slE5VX0PsrmUA8kg-/s320/n618787194_2059295_5731.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590522836704966194" /></a><br />Posture of the month – <br />Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward Facing Dog<br /><br />Namaste! <br /><br />As we move into Spring we enjoy the re birth of nature around us and begin to feel more alive and rejuvenated. Our yoga practise changes too becoming a little more physical and dynamic. Having enjoyed a slow, thoughtful and restorative practise during the winter months , deepening the meditative aspects of our practise and letting go of unwanted patterns, we now awaken to fresh energy.<br /><br />Adho Mukha Svanasana, the Downward Dog is a prevelant pose in yoga and used to enhance our strength and awareness of breath.<br /><br />With Spring in the air and the warmer months insight why not enjoy a yoga class with friends either take a class together or roll out the mat in the garden and enjoy a gentle practise in the sun.<br /><br />Primary aim:<br />• A resting pose for the entire body and all its functions<br />Secondary benefits:<br />• Stretches and strengthens the shoulders and upper chest<br />• Releases tension from the trunk<br />• Stretches calves and Achilles tendons<br />Set up:<br />• Go down onto all fours<br />• Activate core muscles, bandhas and breath freely<br />Performance:<br />• Inhale curl toes under and lift sit bones up to the sky<br />• Press fully into the hands, straighten the arms and legs<br />• Lengthen through the spine and neck<br />• Exhale, lower the heels to the floor<br />• Relax the shoulder blades away from the spine<br />• Position the ears between the arms<br />• Gaze at the knees<br />• Breath freely<br />Avoid:<br />• Squeezing the shoulders into the neck<br />• Rounding the back<br />• Forcing the chest to the floor<br />Modifications:<br />• Bend the knees to avoid pressure on the lumber spine and hamstrings<br />• Lift the heels a little off the floor to release Achilles and calf muscles<br />• ‘Walk the dog’ to release lower legs and massage hips<br /> <br /><br />Cathy Underwood is the founder and creator of the award winning YOGA4MUMS. To find out more please visit www.yoga4mums.com<br />www.facebook.com/yoga4mumsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-36927054750555673962011-03-23T04:56:00.000-07:002012-01-17T04:22:42.681-08:00Arcturos FoundationWe thank the representatives of the arcturos foundation<br />for the courtesy of sharing this inforamtion with us, which belongs to the main website of the foundation: http://www.arcturos.gr/en/default.asp<br /><br />The Myth <br /><br />According to an ancient hellenic myth, Callisto was the daughter of Lykaonas, the king of Arcadia. As a young girl, she vowed to the goddess Artemis to be forever faithful and devoted to her. She was to remain a virgin forever in order to serve and accompany her while hunting animals in the forest. However, one day, Zeus, the father of the gods fell in love with Callisto and forced her to sleep with him. Callisto gave birth to a son whom she named Arcadian. Zeus knew that if Hera, his wife, learned of his disloyalty she would be angry with Callisto, so in order to protect her he transformed her into a brown bear. Callisto, as a bear, roamed around the forest looking for her son, Arcadian. After years of searching she found Arcadian who was now a grown man. She finally ran into him and happy as she was she stood on her back legs and tried to embrace him. Arcadian however did not recognize her and thought he was being attacked, so he drew his sword trying to defend himself. Zeus, watching everything, as usual, felt sorry for them and in order to prevent this tragedy he transformed them into constellations (Ursa major and Ursa minor) and placed them near to him in the sky. Hera, who was still furious, asked the Ocean, the river that surrounds the earth, not to permit them to wash themselves in his waters; therefore these two constellations are always seen high in the night sky. Moreover in order to protect them from Hera's jealousy he placed another star near to them, called Arcturos, which means the guardian of Arctos, the bear. It protects and accompanies them for eternity.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Reality <br /><br />ARCTUROS was founded in 1992 in order to put an end in the phenomenon of the 'dancing bear' which was at the time a common sight around Greece. Since then ARCTUROS has been actively working for the conservation of large carnivores both in Greece and around the Balkans. Through applied research it gathers information that allows dynamic intervention in cases where important habitats are threatened or destroyed by large technical works such as roads, dams, quarries and so on. At the same time it carries out Special Environmental Studies in areas of high ecological significance. Over the last 15 years ARCTUROS has developed initiatives based on legislative provisions previously not put into action, which improved existing regulations or the establishment of new provisions.<br /><br />http://www.arcturos.gr/en/default.aspUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-82592479242596261562011-02-28T02:22:00.000-08:002011-02-28T02:26:07.461-08:00Posture of the month – Navasana, The BoatPosture of the month – Navasana, The Boat<br />By Cathy Underwood<br />www.yoga4mums.com<br />www.facebook.com/Yoga4mums<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrr2C-ZJYyLN5CmZKJIiu4gzyYBAWNHIo7XykdmJbi_PhjJ6Qr-yQ4rh0uVE0BvvlAgvtvg33ixEzfkATalSnp-diSMYZELe1azGtHSYiKAM2xDjRn6UUnlEouhyphenhyphenFrQfnDw2HFfy2jRbz/s1600/navasana.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrr2C-ZJYyLN5CmZKJIiu4gzyYBAWNHIo7XykdmJbi_PhjJ6Qr-yQ4rh0uVE0BvvlAgvtvg33ixEzfkATalSnp-diSMYZELe1azGtHSYiKAM2xDjRn6UUnlEouhyphenhyphenFrQfnDw2HFfy2jRbz/s320/navasana.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578684609820505442" /></a><br />photo by Nicolas Lapite<br /><br /><br />Our posture this month is with spring in mind. The Boat helps to maintain the strength and support about the spine, improving posture and mobility. So with the cold winter months behind us, let’s stand tall and enjoy the great outdoors!<br /><br /><br />Primary aim:<br />• To strengthen and condition the muscles about the spine<br /><br />Secondary benefits:<br />• Aids balance and focus<br />• Strengthens core muscles and Quadriceps<br /><br />Set up:<br />• From sitting, bend knees, place hands on the shins, rock back on to the sit bones. <br />• Performance:<br />• Breathing freely lift the feet off the floor<br />• Lift the chest and lengthen through the spine and neck<br />• Draw up through the centre of the body<br />• Extend the arms parallel to the floor<br />Avoid:<br />• Rounding the back<br />• Holding the breath<br />• Modifications:<br />• Straighten the legs<br />• Bend the knees<br />• Place hands on the floor for more stabilityUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-51971252813679221182011-02-03T07:11:00.000-08:002011-02-05T04:20:25.130-08:00The state of EaseThe State of Ease<br />from Doc Childre, founder of HeartMath®<br /><br /><br />One of the first things most of us do when children (or adults) are overwhelmed with inner turbulence is: we instinctively try to calm them down into a state of ease before starting to sort out solutions. Why do we do this? Because we intuitively sense that the state of ease helps us to get back in our heart which helps to re-stabilize the mind and emotions—this re-connects us with our reasoning capacity and clear view. As we grow into adults we occasionally remember the wisdom of such practices, but it’s often after the fact and after much personal energy drain. This article suggests a few advantages of accessing our state of inner-ease, not just for bailing out of emotional turbulence, but to use throughout the day for maintaining connection and coherent alignment between the heart, mind and emotions.<br /><br />More and more people share that they are feeling an intuitive nudge to add more heart warmth and deeper connection within themselves and with others. At the speed of life today, operating with low heart energy is often compared to a vehicle that’s operating low on oil, which increases the vulnerability to stress and malfunction. Learning to address life from the state of ease can help increase the heart/care connection in our interactions and can especially help reduce and prevent much stress.<br /><br />Our personal space of “inner-ease” can be accessed with minimum practice and a little time spent. When operating in the ease-mode, it’s easier to choose less stressful perceptions and attitudes and re-create “flow” in our daily routines. Practicing inner-ease creates “flow” by helping to regulate the balance and cooperation between our heart, mind and emotions—coherence. Increased coherence promotes more intuitive connection with our higher potential for effective reasoning, discernment and people interactions. The lack of coherent alignment between the heart, mind and emotions generates resistance to “flow,” resulting in stress from anxiety, indecision, frustration, impatience, anger, self-judgment and much more—the familiar list. One reason the “flow” is often hard to access is because increased time pressures and overload exaggerate the mental and emotional angst we can often experience—this jams the connection with our heart’s intuitive input. When our heart connection fades, the mind and emotions often become chaotic and drive us at a faster pace than our heart’s intuitive guidance can assist us. Most all of us are aware of how being stuck in this loop increases self-perpetuating stress and what that brings with it. Shifting to our inner-ease space at the onset of stressful feelings helps to prevent many stress-typical scenarios and creates a much easier transit through challenges and resistances. (Dread and anxiety are examples of what I mean by resistances.)<br /><br />Practicing inner-ease is not intended to instantly dissolve all of our challenges on the spot. Yet it creates an extra time-window, allowing deeper discernment for competent choices—conscious choices that can help prevent and resolve many unnecessary challenges and unwanted predicaments. The state of inner-ease helps us attune our mental and emotional nature to the most reasonable and effective way for responding to each situation that life brings us—challenging, normal or creative.<br />Operating in the ease-mode does not suggest that we move through the day at the speed of a snail nor is it a sleepy-time relaxation state: It’s about slowing down our inner body language—the mechanical mental and emotional reactions that we often regret at the end of the day; the ones that cause avoidable mistakes, compromise friendships, create “under-grumble” and excessive internal drama. These examples and others can drain much more of our energy than a hard day’s work and then follow us to sleep to compromise our rest. Such experiences don’t happen because we are bad or inept; they’re just highly predictable outcomes when our mind and emotions rush through a day without the connection to the heart’s guidance and the practical facilitation it brings. Practicing inner-ease increases our conscious memory to include our heart, as our mind and emotions navigate through daily choices and feelings that decide the quality and direction of our life. Inner-ease is like a quiet doorway into our Presence, while also being a simple reflection of our instinctive common sense.<br /><br />The following steps for accessing the ease-state can be used when you are experiencing stress or for the general maintenance of balance and resilience in your mental and emotional system. The ease-state is especially helpful and effective when used to “prep” before engaging in potentially stressful situations, projects, communications, complex decisions, etc. You can use it in the morning to prep for the day—and remember to reboot the process occasionally.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Basic steps for accessing the State of Ease</strong>:<br /><br />Inner-Ease™ Technique<br /><br />(1) If you are stressed, acknowledge your feelings as soon as you sense that you are out of sync or engaged in common stressors— feelings<br />such as frustration, impatience, anxiety, overload, anger, being judgmental, mentally gridlocked, etc.<br /><br />(2) Take a short time out and do heart-focused breathing: breathe a little slower than usual; pretend you are breathing through your heart or<br />chest area.<br />(This is proven to help create coherent wave patterns in your heart rhythm—which helps restore balance and calm in your mental and emotional nature while activating the affirming power of your heart.)<br /><br />(3) During the heart-focused breathing, imagine with each breath that you are drawing in a feeling of inner-ease and infusing your mental and emotional nature with balance and self-care from your heart.<br />It’s scientifically proven that radiating love and self-care through your system activates beneficial hormones and boosts your immunity.<br />Practicing will increase your awareness of when the stressful emotion has calmed into a state of ease. The mind and emotions operate on a vibrational level. Slowing down the stressful vibration helps re-establish the cooperation and balance between heart, mind and emotions.<br />(Like an old electric fan that rattles until you turn it to a slower speed,which often quiets and restores the unbalanced vibration.)<br /><br />(4) When the stressful feelings have calmed, affirm with a heartfelt commitment that you want to anchor and maintain the state of ease as you re-engage in your projects, challenges or daily interactions.<br /><br />It’s okay if a disruption takes you out of the ease-state through the day; just reset your intention with a genuine heartfelt commitment and move on. You’ll have to reset your commitment periodically; yet soon you can remain longer in the ease- state and with lower maintenance. In a short time you won’t need to labor through all the steps; you will be able to skillfully and consciously just “breathe” yourself into the ease-state. But first, practice the steps for awhile to increase the awareness of when you have effectively shifted to the state of ease, which is often a little deeper than your first few attempts achieve. Some emotions take longer for the vibrational rate to slow down; just relax with it, no force. Remember, you’re not trying to fix the emotion; the ease-state helps to quieten the significance within the emotion so you can reason and discern with objectivity. This reduces stress and inspires creative and practical solutions for handling or adjusting to situations.<br /><br />This article regarding inner-ease is not intended to re-invent a concept that most all of us are already familiar with, from childhood on. Its intention is to illuminate the stress reducing potentials and energy balancing benefits of practicing ease.<br /><br />I would like to recall six of the principal benefits of the state of ease:<br /><br />(1) Practicing inner-ease creates “flow” by helping to regulate the balance and cooperation between our heart, mind and emotions. It allows us an extra time-window to discern effective choices, reactions, decisions, and how we respond to life and to others. Clear choices prevent much energy drain from mistakes and “re-do”.<br /><br />(2) The state of ease helps us to attune our mental and emotional nature to the most reasonable and effective way for responding to each situation that life brings us—challenging, normal or creative. Ease helps to maintain the cooperative alignment of the mind and emotions with the balancing energies of our heart.<br /><br />(3) Practicing ease will help to prevent and eliminate much personal stress and facilitate quicker recoup from unexpected stressful occurrences that we all encounter. This benefits our health, well-being and quality of life.<br /><br />(4) The ease-state is especially helpful and effective when used to “prep” before engaging in potentially stressful situations, projects, communications, complex decisions, etc.<br /><br /><br />(5) Shifting to our inner-ease space at the onset of stressful feelings helps to prevent many stressful scenarios and creates a much easier transit through challenges and resistances.<br /><br /><br />(6) When in the ease-mode, it’s easier to include the heart’s intelligence in all interactions. When the heart is open, it allows for a warmer, more genuine connection with our authenticity and with others.<br />If you are not already practicing techniques that include the values of ease, then hopefully this content may inspire experimentation.<br /><br /><br />With Deep Care<br /> Doc ChildreUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-33415851020661161452011-01-26T09:23:00.000-08:002011-01-26T09:28:58.072-08:00Posture of the month<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe3aO-NH9u6Yh38jNKk0nucfq0GcQ97tZGjk4Jd-ZaTsab3lbZhKhhHraSX4Nt7ibopatOODZuN7DniHE_S7tiUhK-DbUBlBpCFs9kGBgJtGixhod5987dGx8_kqFQzHPSp2-5EA7__pZ/s1600/GetAttachment%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe3aO-NH9u6Yh38jNKk0nucfq0GcQ97tZGjk4Jd-ZaTsab3lbZhKhhHraSX4Nt7ibopatOODZuN7DniHE_S7tiUhK-DbUBlBpCFs9kGBgJtGixhod5987dGx8_kqFQzHPSp2-5EA7__pZ/s320/GetAttachment%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566547883577054610" /></a><br />Posture of the month by Cathy Underwood<br />Creative director of the award winning YOGA4MUMS<br /><br /><br />Great Posture<br /><br />The Economist featured an interesting article this month entitled ‘The power of posture’ drawing on research compiled by the University of Illinois. The piece suggests that how you hold yourself affects how you view yourself.<br /><br />With over 20 years of experience teaching fitness and yoga techniques my first reaction was ‘well duh!’ To me it seems obvious that to stand tall makes anyone feel better as it brings the body into correct alignment, one can breathe better and it is an active stance that inspires confidence.<br /><br />The article concludes that ‘those who walk around with their heads held high not only get the respect of others, they seem also to respect themselves’<br /><br />Inspired by these words our posture of the month has to be:<br /><br />Samasthiti – the equal pose<br /><br />Primary function:<br />• To begin and end the sun salutations, also used for stabilising before and after other postures<br />Secondary function:<br />• An opportunity to correct alignment and restore free breathing<br /><br />Set up:<br />• Stand tall with feet together<br />• Spread your body weight evenly across both feet<br />• Find neutral spine<br />• Activate core awareness and breathe freely<br />• Gaze ahead<br /><br />Performance:<br />• Energise posture rooting down through the feet, arms, hands and fingers<br />• Draw awareness to the core/ bandhas<br />• Imagine energy lifting up through the spine and out through the top of the head<br /><br />Avoid:<br />• Fallen arches, locking knees, looking down<br /><br />Modifications:<br />• Separate the feet and soften the knees for more stability<br /><br />Final point:<br />• Smile, you’re awesome!<br /><br />For more information about YOGA4MUMS please visit our website www.yoga4mums.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-51603609124455119002011-01-24T11:48:00.000-08:002011-01-24T11:57:48.809-08:00Tashirat foundation in Mexico<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ax-4WRG24yxEq7pcECAXltmHLU8YLh5MIHn_O8L6cpRiyo5DofrOz-NArQBGlHEOms07O-9gtAvdVownF2xUFbHgKie0VGJSkdQ9xWjFpis1JnoPhrVP7JsKeAH4rMTk4A_7kjcZLF3U/s1600/IMG_6794-501-300x200%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ax-4WRG24yxEq7pcECAXltmHLU8YLh5MIHn_O8L6cpRiyo5DofrOz-NArQBGlHEOms07O-9gtAvdVownF2xUFbHgKie0VGJSkdQ9xWjFpis1JnoPhrVP7JsKeAH4rMTk4A_7kjcZLF3U/s320/IMG_6794-501-300x200%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565842440042501154" /></a><br />Dearest Friends and Family,<br /><br />Christmas has passed but we are still left with a lot of beautiful memories of the Christmas pageant which is now officially Tashirat’s end of the year highlight. This year was our 3rd annual “Pastorela”, which is performed by many of our Tashirat children and students from the Ixaya School. We uploaded many video clips from the Pastorela. They are all located at our You Tube Channel: www.youtube.com/tashiratkids<br /><br />One of our favorites is our angel Melina on the "telas" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lawt1JgZfss but you can find all of the videos at http://www.youtube.com/tashiratkids if you'd like to see the whole show . <br /><br />It’s not as good as the real thing, but it will give you a glimpse! The best part of the show was really seeing the kids feel so good about themselves for what they accomplished, and their parents with tears in their eyes as they watched them perform.<br /><br /> This year Rubi and Sami portrayed Mary and Joseph, and Melina, Tanya, and Misha performed acrobatic dance on the telas. This was Misha’s first “telas” performance, and a big event because just two weeks before the performance she wanted to drop out! She couldn’t perform the routine as fast as her partner, but within a week of the show, she picked up speed and come show night, she did a beautiful job. Melina and Tanya are already becoming seasoned performers; since Shana has been too busy with high school, the younger generations are getting intothe spotlight more than ever!<br /><br /> Many of our younger children danced and sang along with their classes; for Atair, it was his first ever performance ever. When he got his costume, he was so excited, he just couldn’t stop giggling and grinning – and he didn’t want to ever take it off!<br /><br />Following the pageant we all sang “the piñata song” as we broke a bunch of piñatas with Ixaya students and their families. Having been used to our more tame piñata parties, with only our little children, we watched in horror as a mob of 30 kids dive-tackled the fallen piñatas. Although it looked a lot like a football pile up, everyone came out with huge, piñata-crazed grins and hands full of fruit, peanuts and, the ultimate prize: pieces of the piñata to store their loot in!<br /><br />Christmas was spent with our official Tashirat grandpa and grandma, Tom and Kristen Bissinger. They have been coming for years and really cultivating a relationship with each one of our children, even as their clan of grandchildren ballooned from 9 to 19 to 30 children! Christmas was especially festive with “granma and granpa” here to share it! A big thank you as well to all of your who sent such beautiful gifts down for the kids this Christmas!<br /><br /><br /><br />On three Kings Day, the traditional day for giving gifts here in Mexico, we invited the government home for abandoned senior citizens to Tashirat. It is like the home our children once lived in, but for seniors, many of whom remain in the home until they pass on. It was really beautiful to see the kids interact and give of themselves, spending time playing board games, sharing cookies they had baked, probing them with questions and just listening to their stories.<br /><br />Now, the Ixaya school is back in session and everyone is really excited to be back! <br /><br />As for our high school teens Shana, Antar and Julio, we have found an amazing on-line, virtual high school which is based in Miami, Florida. While it is specifically made for Spanish speakers, it will provide them with a diploma that's valid both in Mexico and the United States and give them a lot more time to pursue their various interests. Other advantages are that they can complete their high school studies in just one and half years, instead three, which is important because Shana and Antar are already 2-3 years behind in their schooling , because of all the years they weren't sent to school before the age of 11. They also will have more time for the extracurricular activities such as dance and music and Antar's electronics course, all of which they had to give up when starting the local highschool this fall. The schooling there was very intense for them, with many, many hours of homework and long hours at school. After two semesters in the local highschool, we saw they really needed a more practical education – in large part because of all the years they didn't go to school. The are really excited to have enrolled in this on-line school,as it really meets their needs and academic level better, and has allowed them to pursue all of their interests at the same time. Of course, all of this would never have been possible for them if not for Georgie's Computer Lab, where they are currently taking all of their classes! Thank you again Georgie and Jak; you have opened a whole new world of possibilities for our children with this amazing gift!<br /><br />Wishing you all a wonderful 2011!<br /><br />With much love,<br /><br />Tashirat kids and staffUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-10411464907479636802011-01-06T08:06:00.000-08:002011-01-06T08:13:20.444-08:002011Try to make 2011 a year to remember, full of generosity, creativity and wellbeing.May it take you closer to your dreams and to your inner self and may it be full of positive surprises.May you listen to those you love and mostly to those you do not understand and may you be heard from those around you..<br /><br /><br />From all of us of gaia-planet to all of our readers who encourrage us to go on,<br /><br /> <em>HEALTHY NEW YEAR </em><br /><br />Namaste!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-77590486806482688152010-12-31T02:20:00.000-08:002011-01-02T12:50:00.595-08:00Tidy TempleTidy Temple<br />written by Rob Ginnivan<br />founder of Tidy Temple<br /><br /><br />Tidy Temple is a complimentary online educational and motivational health & well being service. Have you ever heard the saying "my body's a temple? Or "the world is a temple? <br /><br />In this day and age where we are seeing alarming statistics around the topics of cancer,heart disease,obesity,diabetes,mental illness, climate change and pollution it is time to change some habits and take a preventative approach towards life.<br /><br />In doing so we increase our chances of feeling better,living longer, and making the world a better place to live in. It is important to focus on taking care of our mind,body,spirit and environment surrounding us.<br /><br />So I encourage you to subscribe to the free weekly Tidy Tips and encourage your loved ones to do the same by visiting www.tidytemple.com. Stay in touch with tidy temple for updated information and a window to the holistic view towards better health and well being.<br /><br />Take care and keep your temple tidy,<br />Rob Ginnivan<br />Founder, Tidy TempleUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-75324636368087906472010-12-01T02:13:00.000-08:002010-12-01T02:18:26.990-08:00Tashirat kids and the Ixaya school<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s20VPKPqEBu0T97q5ufdiCRtqthSUaNDaNfrKCU7mHkyTYbYOCJQX9E7sOResPvzaxJYnFRcX3lblyilVjNZJ3R_PyZraaGK17t7gOYLUac0Mj7QCs0VDiI0q1PV9opM0KM5cVKWdv8c/s1600/IMG_1628-for-newsletter-300x225%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s20VPKPqEBu0T97q5ufdiCRtqthSUaNDaNfrKCU7mHkyTYbYOCJQX9E7sOResPvzaxJYnFRcX3lblyilVjNZJ3R_PyZraaGK17t7gOYLUac0Mj7QCs0VDiI0q1PV9opM0KM5cVKWdv8c/s320/IMG_1628-for-newsletter-300x225%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545656029422697090" /></a><br />Hello Everyone,<br /><br />Autumn is here and in Mexico that means corn on the cob and all its variations!<br /><br /> We celebrated our annual corn festival with an outdoor corn roast, and a month later, the Day of the Dead, which is always a colorful celebration. This year the 1stand 2ndgraders won first prize for their unique ecologically themed offering to the animals of the world in danger of extinction and a group of secondary students created a puppet show for the rest of the school.<br />Everyone had a lot of fun dressing up and visiting each others inventive offerings, as each was full of their own surprises!<br /><br />Our students really love to organize these events. Just last month, two of our 2ndgrade girls had the idea to plan a goodbye party for our annual volunteer from London, Jamal, who was their gym teacher during his stay. They organized – without much if any direction from their teacher – for their whole class to bring cake and fruit to share (and chile powder of course because in Mexico, all kids like their fruit with a little – or a lot – of sour, spicy chile!). The two girls also brought costumes for all the girls in the class, so they could perform a little song and dance for Jamal together. They made and posted notices around the school inviting other classes, and organized all their classmates to jump out of hiding when Jamal walked in. Ximena, the 7 year old mastermind behind all of this, was so pleased with herself after pulling off this event that she just kept saying “I feel so happy today, I don’t know, but I am just soooo happy! This is the best day!”<br /><br />We are just about to begin practicing for our annual Christmas show. So far we have a group of very enthusiastic students who are practicing acrobatic dance on the “telas”, which are 4 meter lengths of cloth hanging from the ceiling. We also have some boisterous second graders whose everyday antics make them natural clowns, and the cutest first grade group who is learning to sing in English. Somehow by mid December this year, we will have developed these and other talents that the children have for dance, yoga, acrobatics and music, and put them into a very artistic version of a traditional nativity play!<br /><br />We are also busy preparing for our Christmas bazaar, where the children will show off what they are learning in the workshops given at the end of each school day. These workshops currently include carpentry, crafts made with felt, bracelet weaving andjewelry making with colorful stones and recycled glass, candle making, and painting classes. We just finished a photography workshop in which these second graders made cameras out of oatmeal containers and developed the photographs they took.<br /><br /><br /><br />Other workshops include ecology and agriculture, and yoga. We also hope to squeeze in a baking workshop, where they will learn to make their own whole grain bread.<br /><br />We have a whole new group of very enthusiastic first graders this year. Recently, we had a new little boy come to try out our first grade class. At first he wouldn’t even come into the classroom, no matter how many times the other first graders called and waved to invite him in. Finally he did make it into the classroom, and within a few hours confidently marched up to the teacher and announced “My parents told me to see if I liked it here, and I just wanted to tell you – I do, I do like it!" The first graders get excited for just about everything, but one of the things they love most is working in the green house. Our goal is to keep their spark of joy and excitement for learning alive, and for those children who have lost it, to fan their love of learning.<br /><br /><br /><br />The biggest thank you to Tom and Gisela Rodgers & Tom and Kristen Bissinger for once again supporting our projects so generously. We cannot thank you enough for completing the missing funds we needed to keep the school open for the remainder of the year and for both of your tremendous support over the years. A big thank you as well to all of you who have continued with your sponsorships. It’s is because of you that we still have a school. <br /><br />With love and appreciation,<br /><br />Tashirat kids and staff and the Ixaya schoolUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-18027888902551975362010-11-22T08:34:00.001-08:002010-11-22T08:34:59.032-08:00<a href="http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/lifestyle/society/" title="All About Us. Awarding Winning Human Society Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory"><img src="http://www.blogcatalog.com/images/buttons/blogcatalog7.png" alt="All About Us. Awarding Winning Human Society Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory" style="border: 0;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-71668878532985031802010-11-11T01:50:00.000-08:002010-11-11T01:55:33.421-08:00Posture of the monthPosture of the Month<br /><br />By Cathy Underwood Radan<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8Kuv-cXLr-x8B2ngjpw4EeSC39KBLfmZYyjcN8gW8rcxemaEWvGAMVqVgAjAngLjCvK1j31yyLD8wdKczqxBb-kkObPmv3vZwut5nGm1JfDWg6khNqacLLTAdgTBjNHBTxBY5sbzHIrR/s1600/YFM+85.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8Kuv-cXLr-x8B2ngjpw4EeSC39KBLfmZYyjcN8gW8rcxemaEWvGAMVqVgAjAngLjCvK1j31yyLD8wdKczqxBb-kkObPmv3vZwut5nGm1JfDWg6khNqacLLTAdgTBjNHBTxBY5sbzHIrR/s320/YFM+85.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538228060775098738" /></a><br /><br /><br />Utthita Trikonasana – Extended Triangle Pose<br /><br />This posture helps to maintain the strength in your legs and ankles. It nourishes the hip joint and releases tension from the pelvis and chest.<br /><br />Always remember to practise this posture after your sun salutations to ensure you are connected to the breath and the body is warm.<br /><br />• Standing at the front of your mat, inhale and step out to the right into a wide triangle pose. Arms sweep out parallel with the shoulders. Pause and exhale<br />• Imagine you have a line running down the centre of your mat and place the insteps over that line<br />• Inhale, turn in your right foot <br />• Exhale, soften the right knee and take your right toe with your index and middle finger<br />• Inhale, straighten the knee pressing the toe down onto the fingers. Lift your left hand up to the sky so that the arms are in along line<br />• Exhale turn your head to look up towards your thumb, draw the navel in and lengthening the spine away from the hips<br />• Remain here for five deep thoughtful breaths<br />• On the exhale look at your right foot bend the knee and as you inhale come back to centre<br />• Repeat on the other side<br /><br />Avoid locking your knees in this posture and collapsing in the hips<br /><br />If you need to modify try resting the hand lightly on your shin or thigh with the knee soft<br /><br />Om shanti!<br /><br />Yoga4Mums<br />Yoga4Mums is an award winning business that inspires mum and her family to get back into regular exercise and back into a social network. The business was created and founded by Cathy Underwood Radan who has recently won the WNF, Business Growth Award. For more information please go to http://www.yoga4mums.com<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZejCzrjB4H00chBb-Cgg3wNXrcMFfC2uHQEx-CHmgW2PY6v39XKorcLDe1iQIS2lKkgbm85TArlkOlcZNNKZJwfGG1XGPAASpdNMhtAs3vzgogkgKSPMQ8SxvRlsqcrwTE7v8x-6t7hb/s1600/S1486_092.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZejCzrjB4H00chBb-Cgg3wNXrcMFfC2uHQEx-CHmgW2PY6v39XKorcLDe1iQIS2lKkgbm85TArlkOlcZNNKZJwfGG1XGPAASpdNMhtAs3vzgogkgKSPMQ8SxvRlsqcrwTE7v8x-6t7hb/s320/S1486_092.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538228424189161938" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-27425719818069610602010-11-06T08:42:00.001-07:002010-11-06T08:44:54.413-07:00Tashirat foundation in Mexico<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmySJKoGESO5gEAnWiUdnqURqGT_pZPCscemMSYykEMVkWPms1x3-wZ40pI6y3LsejgMcPpj6J8tCI6Jre-Vg6StU0wtsz3ho6OjueGwIehgp1M9KIkKbhnHrq3az2y9O0g7kkvysNxXmx/s1600/Bike335-225x300%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmySJKoGESO5gEAnWiUdnqURqGT_pZPCscemMSYykEMVkWPms1x3-wZ40pI6y3LsejgMcPpj6J8tCI6Jre-Vg6StU0wtsz3ho6OjueGwIehgp1M9KIkKbhnHrq3az2y9O0g7kkvysNxXmx/s320/Bike335-225x300%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536462995554077810" /></a><br />Dear Family and Friends,<br /><br />This past month we celebrated the inauguration of our first ever computer lab, replete with 10 new computers, and a great central building here in Tashirat! This most amazing gift came to us in a very heart-warming way, through a donation from our friends Georgie and Jak, who are sponsors to three of our Tashirat children. As a surprise to Georgie for their 10th wedding anniversary, Jak decided to give something big to all of the children in Georgie’s name! Thank you Georgie and Jak for spreading your love to all of our children and students on your special day!<br /><br /><br /><br />We have also just officially opened a health food cafe/juice bar and nutrition center! The café is also a kind of community space for our Learning Center. The Center continues to give daily yoga and meditation classes to the community, as well as courses. In the last weeks prior to the grand opening, the older children helped build herb and vegetable gardens around the café.<br /><br /><br /><br /> Most of our boys spend their afternoons riding bikes – it’s officially the big boy craze around Tashirat. Everywhere you look there are little boys on their bikes (or tricycles), often traveling in packs. They not only spend a lot of time riding them, but also decorating them. Each bike is outfitted with old CD’s stuck in the spokes and plastic bottles over the tires, in order to create the biggest “VROOM” sound possible!<br /><br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NGKmCvn5YnKp1vUPlAkX0qnjgPN7yYZ6jwQWxQrgYr21GqS4dqcMTuMBRDB8OjNRbVlo9SyzOeUQ6a_6FD9z8X1DgKU2BHjd5So2gZkJQmlk9bzbc1UrIojSEz2c4qtSZmG7-m0gkITV/s1600/10-8-2010-12-31-23-PM%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NGKmCvn5YnKp1vUPlAkX0qnjgPN7yYZ6jwQWxQrgYr21GqS4dqcMTuMBRDB8OjNRbVlo9SyzOeUQ6a_6FD9z8X1DgKU2BHjd5So2gZkJQmlk9bzbc1UrIojSEz2c4qtSZmG7-m0gkITV/s320/10-8-2010-12-31-23-PM%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536462758297607202" /></a><br /><br /><br />Three of our teenagers, Cristian, Blanca and David, are now in high school and really enjoying their new social life and classes! Their only complaints are the many hours every night they spend doing homework and getting up at 5:30 in the morning for school! Otherwise, they couldn’t be happier with their exciting new school life. For many children in our area, making it to high school is considered quite an achievement. For our 18 year old Cristian, who’s been here 7 ½ years and was clinically labeled autistic before coming to Tashirat at age 11, it is a real triumph that he now attends this regular high school and has his first girlfriend, a really beautiful girl. Over these years he’s become a wonderful, normal, real “cool” kid.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-13963054433356291042010-10-19T04:47:00.000-07:002010-10-19T04:50:26.228-07:00Great ways to save on your home energyToday more than ever all of us need to find ways to save on our home energy!<br />One of the greatest manuals that will help you undestand how to own an eco-friendly home an how to save on your bills!<br /><a href="http://c1e41ickm8lfaq4dyce4qwfw2x.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_top">Click Here!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-19463536506511140622010-10-17T05:45:00.001-07:002010-10-17T05:54:15.091-07:00simple yoga secretsDo you think it is possible to relax your mind body and spirit every day,even though it seems you do not have enough time to do what you would like?<br /><a href="http://6efabacggehs3kai4043dy1n8v.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_top">Click Here!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-61735586684524188672010-10-04T03:10:00.000-07:002010-10-04T03:13:21.427-07:00Yoga posture of the monthYoga posture of the month - The Deep Seated Warrior Pose <br />by Cathy Underwood, Creative Director of award winning Yoga4mums<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidusA73siJAalfkbA8Ogs23QGgci9K40pwuLOUgB4bLR6RD9m2oYGHK7NrNeKdLyUa6staHzC6WJ43enFKMMwVxokHmtAevDSK5zpFB2_5q1uLgfuaUtHOvof4sfwrTgwJZ_BTvIuoH5GW/s1600/YFM+113.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidusA73siJAalfkbA8Ogs23QGgci9K40pwuLOUgB4bLR6RD9m2oYGHK7NrNeKdLyUa6staHzC6WJ43enFKMMwVxokHmtAevDSK5zpFB2_5q1uLgfuaUtHOvof4sfwrTgwJZ_BTvIuoH5GW/s320/YFM+113.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524131658924542994" /></a><br /><br />Namaste! Welcome to the first in a series of yoga postures offering tips and ideas to help you live a flexible, tension free life! <br /><br />So, I’m sitting in front of my computer deciding which posture to offer you and I’m wondering which would be the most practical and useful? Then it dawns on me that we’re probably sitting in exactly the same place, in a chair at a desk? This is great as it perfectly demonstrates the reason I have chosen the Deep Seated Warrior Pose as my posture of the month. A posture to stretch, open and alleviate tension from the hip flexors and help improve postural alignment.<br /><br />In our modern society, most of us spend a fair amount of time sitting — sitting at the computer, watching television, driving in the car. In the seated position, the muscles of the hip flexor are in a constant state of flexion and this causes the muscles to shorten. When the hip flexors are tight the pelvis tilts forward, limiting the muscles ability to fully extend and causing an imbalance in the hip area which in turn can lead to lower back and postural problems. <br />The Deep Seated Warrior Pose is just one of many yoga postures that helps stretch and create space about the hip flexors. Try this posture daily to help prevent the many problems that afflict us, from lower back issues to neck and shoulder complaints. Why not stand up and try this one now? There’s no time like the present!<br />• Stand up and take a couple of deep breaths, stretching the arms up over the head on the inhale and releasing them down to your side on the exhale<br />• Find a space and come on to all fours aware of the breath and gently zipping up through your core to support the spine<br />• Place your right foot in the space between your hands, under the chest. Be sure the foot is flat and the knee is sitting directly over the ankle. If the supporting knee is sensitive try placing a blanket underneath it for comfort<br />• Inhale and lift the body, leading with the heart, gazing forward. Relax your shoulders and gently guide the hips forward a little. Breath freely and noticed the stretch and release about the front of the hip and into the front of the thigh<br />• Stay in posture for five deep and even breaths. When ready repeat on the other side.<br />If you experience any pain or discomfort or should you have any hip related injuries please consult your GP before continuing yoga exercise. <br />Om shanti!<br />Cathy Underwood is Creative Director of Yoga4Mums an award winning business that won the Barclays Innovative Business of the Year Award 2009 and she is a finalist in the Barclays Trading Places Award 2010. For more information please visit www.yoga4mums.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-59470781250290930232010-10-01T00:32:00.000-07:002010-10-01T00:33:58.547-07:00Stem Cells and….ClocksStem Cells and….Clocks<br />by Anastasia Sideri<br />Biologist-Biochemist (PhD)<br /><br /><br />Stem cells are precursor cells found in all multicellular organisms. They are characterized by the ability both to renew, through cell division, and to differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types, which is, also, known as plasticity. The balance between self-renewal and differentiation is finely tuned, so that the stem cell population is maintained.<br />Stem cells are at the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of cellular therapy. The scientific developments in stem cell research contribute to our knowledge of how an organism develops from a single cell, and most importantly, how healthy cells may replace unhealthy or damaged cells. The medical field dealing with the replacement of damaged cells by healthy ones is called Regenerative or Reparative Medicine. Scientists are continuously discovering new, promising applications of stem cells that could prove revolutionary for the treatment of human disease in the future.<br />There are generally two broad types of stem cells:<br />•Embryonic stem cells: Derived from up to 5th-day fertilized eggs (blastocyst stage). Due to their origin, they are highly controversial and the subject of many bioethical debates in the media. <br />•Adult stem cells: Adult stem cells are isolated from newborns, children and adults. <br />There are adult stem cells throughout life in essentially all tissues of the human body, such as brain, bone marrow, liver, brain, heart, pancreas, retina as well as hair follicles, amnion and endometrium. There are differences amongst the stem cell populations that are specific to a tissue. Over time, these populations tend to decline in number, but their presence is important for restoration and/or regeneration of local tissue damage. <br />The most extensively studied adult stem cells are hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that differentiate to blood and immune system components:<br /> Red blood cells, which transfer oxygen to all other cells of the body. <br /> White blood cells, which contribute to immune system defense against infections. <br /> Platelets, which contribute to blood coagulation. <br /> All progenitor cells, which compose human blood.<br />Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can be isolated from bone marrow and peripheral blood in adults and children, as well as, umbilical cord blood in newborns (the blood that remains between the umbilical cord and placenta following birth). There are currently many publications on the successful differentiation of HSCs in neural, pancreatic, myocardial, hepatic and other tissue cells, both under laboratory conditions (in vitro) and in humans (in vivo).<br />HSCs reside in a specific region in the bone marrow, also known as stem cell niche, and only a minor percentage circulates in the peripheral blood under steady-state conditions. Following medical treatment with mobilization drugs, however, the stem cells can be forced from their niche in the peripheral blood. They can, then, be harvested from the blood, via a process that is less invasive and painful, compared to their isolation from the bone marrow. <br />It was recently found that release of HSCs from the bone marrow is regulated by a highly conserved, across species, set of genes encoding the “core circadian regulatory proteins” (CCRP). The CCRP act as molecular biological clocks to direct the oscillatory circadian (rhythmic) expression of genes that are essential for key metabolic events. CCRP expression is affected by light:dark cycle changes, feeding and physical activity pattern. Stem cell release from the bone marrow undergoes circadian oscillations in humans, emerging from the bone marrow into the bloodstream at higher concentrations at night than in the day. The opposite applies to mouse HSCs, since the mouse’s time of rest is daytime. Circadian oscillations have, also, been observed in bone marrow stem cells in vitro, by interfering with their growth conditions. Scientists verified that these physiological cycles are maintained during treatment of patients with mobilization drugs, too. The number of stem cells they were extracted from cancer patients who underwent the mobilization procedure before 12:30 pm was lower compared to that of patients who underwent the procedure before 3:30 pm. Circadian oscillations have been observed in adult stem cells other than hematopoietic, too.<br />The physiological significance of this observation is not fully elucidated. Biologists have observed that cell division in normal cells in species ranging from unicellular organisms to humans peaks at specific times of the day and consider this as indirect evidence that the process is regulated by their internal biological clocks. Cells in the human mouth, for example, tend to divide in the evening, just before nightfall. This could be explained evolutionary in the sense that ultraviolet light is one of the primary causes of mutations. Since cells are particularly vulnerable to mutations during cell division, cells that divide at night confer a selective advantage to the organism. It is, therefore, not surprising that the malfunction of biological clocks, in such a way that there is no control in cell division, is, also, implicated in the transformation of healthy stem cells to cancerous, since there is growing amount of evidence suggesting that cancer-initiating cells are indeed malfunctioning stem cells. The circadian, neutrally-driven release of HSCs during the resting period may promote the regeneration of the stem cell niche and possibly other tissues.<br />HSCs are commonly used to replenish a patient's stem cells, which are depleted during cancer therapy. Interfering with circadian oscillation could be valuable in clinical practice, since stem cells are currently harvested during the day. A simple change in hospital procedures to collect the stem cells in the afternoon or evening could, therefore, significantly increase the stem cell yield that is available for therapy. The biological clock pathway could be an effective target for anti-cancer drug development, by restoring the control of the biological clock over cell division.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-16191855569221026192010-09-26T01:45:00.001-07:002010-09-26T01:46:09.317-07:00gaia-planet's authorsdear readers,<br /><br />we have decided to add a hit counter only today,after having received such a great feedback on your behalf.<br />All the authors of gaia-planet would like to thank you for the support and for keep reading us the last two years!<br />We all hope that you will help us pass on the information to those around you,dreaming of a better world to live in!<br /><br />warmest regards<br />the authorsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638298750521561846.post-41735497116022930792010-09-03T04:19:00.000-07:002010-09-05T01:37:10.222-07:00Ndoro Children's Charity OrganizationWHO WE ARE<br /><br /> Ndoro Children's Charity is an independent non-profit organization which was officially launched on the 10th of July in the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London, with the aim to help underprivileged children with a particular emphasis on orphans to HIV/AIDS, in remote parts of the developing world.<br /><br /> Ndoro Children's Charity is actively involved in attaining universal access to education for children in need. The organization’s current major project is the construction of an orphanage home, school and clinic in Zimbabwe - a country with the highest number of orphans per capita and the lowest average life expectancy in the world. Factor in political chaos, hyperinflation, droughts and a population where 1 in 4 are HIV/AIDS infected and you can find children without hope.<br /><br />The Charity's common aim is to assist through education, health, community development and research; to bring preventative measures to halt and reverse the spread of HIV. Thus effective strategies are built on providing suitable accommodation, schools and clinics for the children in need. <br /><br />There are many ways you can get involved such as becoming a volunteer [in Ghana , Zimbabwe, South Africa, London or New York ], join the campaign or raise funds for an event for the charity or making a financial donation. It is very important to underline that by becoming a donor or sponsor you become a partner with the school. You will be informed of the progress in detail, from the construction of the building to the graduation of the children.<br /> No matter the way you will choose to support the organization, your contribution will be fully appreciated and many children will be able to benefit from your efforts and live a productive life out of poverty.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ndorocc.org.uk"></a><br /><a href="http://www.anr-international.com"></a><br /><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/ndoro/Donate"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0