Samhain Tarot Card Reading!

Halloween, Samhain- my favourite holiday of the year. It always has been, even before I recognized my "pagan" or "wiccy" tendencies. Something about the spooky magickal time when as a child anything seems possible. As I'm not well versed in traditions or history, I thought I'd just share a Samhain tradition with you! (ugh, 10 swords!)

While in grad school I began to read tarot. I have to admit that initially I was quite skeptical. I am an academic afterall. A hopeful academic though... and I secretly loved the idea of "magic".

So it was a surprise to find out that in four daily readings I pulled similar cards from the 78 in the deck. With increasing fervor they were indicating that a heart ache was to occur, and to get on with it. That very night I broke up with my two year boyfriend. I pulled the three of swords each time...

After a few crazy years in Montreal, I bought my very own deck, pretty wooden container and some protective and clearing stones. I don't read every day and I've only recently begun to understand the broader or more deeper meanings of the cards for myself. I find they are a nice, ritualistic way for me to take a few moments of self-reflection, centering myself and asking some questions that I may have been keeping tucked away. They typically never "tell" me anything that I don't already know, but allow me to consider some aspects of my question or life as it is, confronting a few realities. (my set up with the little "witch" handmade birthday card H. and K. gave me!)

Samhain is a nice time to read the Tarot, as the veils between the spirit and 'here' world are thin. I'll be reading my tarot again tomorrow night and perhaps Andrew's as well, if he wants.

Here's a general overview of my reading tonight. I set three candles on the table- Brown and Red as they are Autumn colours and white beeswax for purity. Usually I read on the floor, there's just so much more space, but I figured that might make for awkward pictures... lol.

I held the cards in my hands and breathed deeply, imagining my energy moving from the Earth up through the cards. I always feel the most silly when other people are around and I do this. However, I'm a firm believer in energies and how we affect ourselves and others... so there you have it.

I spread the cards out and slowly build the celtic cross reading, thinking of the meaning of each card position and moving my hand over the "rainbow" until I feel it tingle.

One by one I turn the cards and review their meanings with my trusty Tarot book (what you thought I just "know" each card?? lol, I totally read the book). There are four suits and 22 major arcana (I think of them as "power" cards). I have a general feel for the meaning of each suit and some major arcana are more familiar than others, mostly because I tend to pull the same set each time.

Tonight I asked about my future-job life. Pretty general and very obvious, it's up in the air right now. As you can see (hopefully) I pulled mostly swords (not so great) and four major arcana. Here's the breakdown:

Influencing factors: Justice (upright)

past influences: 10 swords (up) Question: Nine of Wands (up) Future: 8 swords (rev)
Obstacle:The Chariot

Root of issue: 5 swords (rev)

How I see myself: Temperance (rev)
Others see me: Wheel of Fortune (rev)
Hopes/Fears: Ten of Pentacles (up)
Final outcome: Page of Pentacles (up)

What I "saw" was a preparation for a difficult situation (job interview coming up?), with some purpose and willingness to help me along. Of course there's an indication to be patient as I hate not knowing my future, with a sense of balance wanted/needed in myself as well as others seeing my life as paused... with a hope for security and a message of "keep on truckin'"!

A few cards are slightly embarassing, the 8 of swords reversed, Temperance reversed and the 5 of swords... but then I knew I was out of balance and it's a gentle reminder to be patient and open to the change that will occur. I'll finish by sorting and cleansing (by gently fanning them) the cards and placing them back in their container.

Hope that was fun for you :)

Many Blessings to everyone this Samhain!

article and photos by EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Eco-Shampoo in GLASS bottles!

Out of all my "eco" changes, the cosmetic-y, beauty stuff has been the most difficult. It would seem that I really like what all those chemicals did to my hair, eyelashes and face! By far, shampoo and conditioner have been a total eco-adventure.

I used to be an avid Aveda-fan. I had their shampoo, conditioner, allll their face stuff (cleanser, toner, moisturizer AND exfoliant), body lotion and wash and hair styling products. Aveda uses wind power and they push their products as being "natural" and healthy. I honestly assumed that because it's implied that they use "pure" and "natural" ingredients that their products would have less synthetic chemicals...

Then I read the ingredients on the back of my shampoo bottle. Their Color Conserve has a nice purple sticker on the front that says: "Made with Organic Lavender". On the back, after we get through the 10 plant extracts (whoa!) we see: ammonium lauryl sulfate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, lauramidopropyl betaine, cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride (wtf??)... ok the list goes ON. We have some PEG's and some parfum's (i.e. formaldehyde).. not so natural. Check out my post for more discussion on this sad break-up.

Check out Skin Deep's online cosmetic ingredient rating system to find out what YOUR shampoo's ingredients may be doing to your health.

So, I needed a natural replacement that would keep my hair just as shiny and clean. I really wasn't ready for the "no-poo" shampoo of washing with apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Getting through two weeks of icky hair just makes me cringe. There must be another alternative.

I started with the obvious- Green Beaver's shampoo. I love their body lotion and wash, why not their shampoo? Well I think I lasted about three days and my hair was so greasy and disgusting that I passed the shampoo along to Andrew and moved on to Giovanni. Unfortunately, Giovanni isn't the "cleanest" (term for chemical-free) shampoo out there and still it wasn't that wonderful. On to... you name it I've tried it. (ok maybe! I tried a lot let's just say).

Finally I gave up, I was tired of constantly having crappy hair, so back to Aveda it was (hence having the ingredients handy). At least Aveda's products were made with recycled plastic (although it says right on the bottle that recycling the shampoo bottle is limited...so what am I supposed to do with that?). Ideally I wanted something with no or better packaging (i.e. a bar or glass). I tried a few shampoo bars and wasn't a fan. Even Andrew, who had been the garbage disposal for all my shampoos over the past three years (aww- he's so cute and supportive of my non-wasteful ways!) hated the shampoo bars. Also, since I am not a fan of Lush; too much scents, hidden synthetic ingredients, I was stuck.

Until one fateful day my parents were up to visit and I decided to "show" them our local organic grocery store (hehe, I am such a geek!). While I gave them the "tour" I happened to spot new shampoo GLASS bottles... BISH! I had heard of a local hair stylist in Halifax who was making his own shampoo and conditioner. I think perhaps a little "WOO!!!" slipped out, scaring my parents just a tiny bit. As I oohhed and ahhed over how they were in glass bottles, no synthetic ingredients, made in Halifax, smelled pretty.... my dad and Andrew slowly inched away.

The hair stylist, Kevan Bish, formerly worked for L'Oreal and was tired of their non-eco production habits (btw, L'Oreal owns Aveda...). Five years ago he opened his own salon here in Halifax (The Swanki Guru...I KNOW) and began making his own shampoo and conditioner. My friend's mother who is a hair stylist uses all his products as she recently had breast cancer and decided to completely cut out chemicals from her hair salon.

I emailed him as soon as I got home to see if he did bottle exchanges and to find out if his shampoo was actually bottled here in Halifax as well. His response was that yes, he does accept bottle exchanges and that they are made (the bottles I'm assuming?) in Winnipeg but that he was hoping to find a local producer soon. Which I'm assuming his bottles them himself in his lab. COOL.

The verdict?
I've been using this shampoo for about a month now. So far I have lasted four consecutive days before my hair becomes slightly dingy. It took a week to figure out that I was squirting WAY too much and it was cloggin' up the hair pores or whatever. Ick. After four days I switch and use Aveda for one or two and then immediately go back. BISH smells phenomenal and leaves my hair nice and soft. I'm wondering if I push it and after a certain time frame my hair will reach that turning point of gross to nice that so many "no-poo" shampoos have... I'm not sure.

I also have been using the conditioner as a shaving lotion and it's AMAZING. Better than any other lotion I have ever used (method, soap bars, even chemical-creams!). It leaves my legs super smooth. The shampoo can also be used as a body wash (which I have).

I feel as if finally the perfect eco-shampoo and conditioner are within my grasp (cue maniacal laughter...).

What do you think? Think I should just go beyond the four day mark and see what happens?

Blessings!

article and photos copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Adventure takes a turn at Letting Go

Personal Practice. When I began the Adventure series, my intention was to nourish a sense of sacred solitary space within myself and my practice. The intention that I set was simple and most likely to result in success: one solitary yoga practice a week. I viewed this adventure as being malleable and flexible with a journey that others could join should they feel the pull. At the time I was practicing at the park and at the Breathing Space Studio Karma class as well as beginning a "Friend" at home yoga practice.

It worked, setting a weekly day for my solitary practice with the intention and some fun links has helped me make myself at home on this section of the lily pad hopping path.

However, I think I'm getting a little heavy here. Water is seeping onto my green oasis as my solitary practice becomes heavy and burdensome. Breathing Space has canceled their Karma class (not sure when it will begin anew) and yoga in the park is in hibernation for the winter. Replacing those two yoga practices with more solitary practice felt horrifically unfair. Really, I wanted to stomp my foot and proclaim that yoga should be for everyone! Why is it so darn expensive to deepen and continue my practice? I just want to continue to learn.

These self-perpetuating thoughts made my practice heavy. I was sinking. Enter that pre-birthday conversation with Krista, owner of Bhavana Yoga Boutique. She asked me where I was practicing these days... no yoga instructor had ever asked me that. Asked in a manner that assumed that "well of course you're a yogini". I don't know why but it was what I needed to hear. I had started to feel that perhaps yoga was not in the cards for me, I was too much of a feminist, too passionate, too quick to react, too weak and unbendy. After five years of practice I can still just barely reach my toes in seated forward folds.

Along with a few flashes of insight, Krista also suggested I try an online membership to video yoga classes. My initial reaction was... um no thank you. I have such a block on following a dvd or video and I really hate committing to monthly payments of any kind. At the same time, I had given this considerable thought, but was put out by the amount of research necessary to sort through the good from the crap.

Krista's recommendation: YogaGlo. She brought it up on her mac right there in the store- you can choose the style, the instructor (with some big names) the length of class and the level. You can even watch online lectures on the Sutras. For 18$ a month you have unlimited video access and the first 15 days are free. The biggest turn around for myself though, was her recommendation. She loves it. It was interesting hearing her perspective; a more "senior" yoga practitioner in the city who has been having difficulty finding a suitable instructor to actually help her practice grow.

Halifax is filled with young instructors (some excellent!), but I could see how justifying the cost of attending a studio class would be tricky for long time practitioners. It also reminded me of all the "Babies teaching babies" discussions I've been reading around the yoga-blogland. But seriously, I am so done with the cyclical, no solution, negativity. So I didn't bring it up with Krista. :)

In any case, I am signing up. YogaGlo will be a nice in between for myself while waiting to hear whether I will actually be employed in February 2010. Once I get another contract, then I can consider investing in studio memberships. Also, H. offered to go half on the cost per month! Since she often practices with me here at the apartment, we'll both benefit from learning and she'll now have the option to practice on her time without depending on my schedule!

Finally, you may have noticed that the banner is new! I just couldn't seem to be happy with a traditional "Fall" picture. Yesterday, for my official birthday, Andrew and I took advantage of the 16 degree (celcius) fluke weather and had a picnic at a local "beach". I decided that some yoga could be fun and the pictures turned out great. It was so completely grounding and the ocean was just so powerful. I cannot believe I actually survived two whole years in the Interior (BC). As I type this I'm sitting out on our balcony, bundled up as the temp dropped again, home sick with a flu (not THE flu, but a head cold) and I can feel the ocean in the wind, always wind.

I'll leave you all with a (grainy and poor quality) video of the ocean I took with Andrew's camera. Just imagine the colours in the photos... only in the video as well. :)

How are you all doing with your Adventures?

Blessings!

photos, video and article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Bonne Fete a Moi!

I heart birthdays so very much. Always have. As I've grown older I have kept the firm belief that birthdays should be celebrated with childhood abandon even as we transform and that innocence slips away. Birthdays are meant to celebrate your awesomeness, your friendships and your family. (check out the dude with the sign in the background... more on him later in the post!)

That being said, this year wasn't shaping up to be the best birthday... I was down, scattered unbalanced and stressed. The birthday party fell through completely (simply life got in the way) and my favourite cake wasn't being made anymore (The Royale while I lived in Montreal, Jane's on the Common's Chocolate Hazelnut Torte here in Halifax).

So Saturday I decided that pre and during birthday (Sat and Sun) would be "me" time. Saturday morning a few friends went to the community class at 108 yoga and for the first time I experienced Yoga Nidra. The class was supposed to be an immune booster- nourishing type class... unfortunately the instructor didn't give a lot of info about Yoga Nidra... so it was more of an interesting experience.

That afternoon we went to Bhavana Yoga Boutique and chatted with the ever gracious and kind Krista (the owner). She was so helpful and grounding and while talking with her I realized that perhaps feeling this scattered and out of sorts each moon wasn't something I had to tough out. Suddenly, it became apparent that I had missed something in my "naturalization" process with my cycles. I had cut out the synthetic hormones that were destroying my cervix.... but didn't think that perhaps "a la naturel" would need some thought. Now it just seems ridiculous that I wouldn't want to incorporate (my choice...of course *wink) scents, meditation, more music and yoga for these times.

I left her space feeling renewed and decided: I will be adding more guitar playing, quiet and grounding yoga to my personal practice adventure each month.

I also was the new owner of a Sam-Sara bag and wallet. (the purple monstrosity on my shoulder in that pic) Oh my they are BEAUTIFUL. I have never owned TWO wallets at the same time, nor have I ever owned more than TWO purses at once! Sam-sara is the latest venture of Matt&Natt bags and means rebirth in sanskrit. Based out of Montreal, all bags are 100% Vegan and for each bag sold one dollar is donated to the charity of the consumer's choice (Canadian non-profit organizations). You can see on their site how much money has already been raised for each organization and the countdown is until the checks are cut with four new charities each year. They also have a bag recycling program where your "gently-used" bag will go to someone who is working to overcome poverty. Krista also inquired as to why their bags were made in China- according to MattNatt, that is only place production of the Vegan material can be accomplished. I'm sure it's something similar to the issues faced by Klean Kanteen and other stainless steel water bottles: no processing plants in North America.

In any case, I heart my bags even though they are made from synthetic materials (i.e. petroleum) and MattNatt align themselves with PETA (I'm not really a fan of their tactics... at all).

Follow this shopping escapade with a stop into Halifax's Climate Change Action Day event! It was COLD here yesterday so a hat, mittens, scarf and winter jacket was a must. We got to the commons just in time to line up in the 350 photo line, get handed a Stop Global Warming sign and half heartedly chant "hey hey, ho ho, climate change has got to go" hoping no one could hear me lol. At least it had stopped hail/raining long enough to take the picture. We also saw this fantastic older dude (at least in his late 60's) holding a sign that said: "The End is Near".... YES! Although it was supposed to be an important global event, I kinda feel like a photo isn't really enough... so I'm thinking of writing Mr. Harper. Missed out on the 350 Climate Action day fun? Why not write a letter to your government leader informing them that the planet and it's civilization actually DOES matter and that you hope they represent your interests at the December Copenhagen Climate summit. Also, check out the awesome photos on 350.org of people around the world who support action against climate change.

Finish this up with a Clary Sage bath (step one in centering), some singing, a slight fever, a few friends and a homemade cake... YUM.
(my favourite pic on 350.org: Australia)

And now, my actual Birth Day, the entire day is open!

Blessings!

article and photos copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Spiral Arteries and Ashtanga Moon Time Restrictions

This is my "moon time" and I am having some difficulty keeping my happy smile up. Since I've shed my estrogen-pee habits these times have become more trying. At least I can say it's natural.

Why am I sharing this? Because I am on my period and I still practice yoga. Gasp. It would seem that we talk a lot about menstruation here, with my copious praises to the Diva Cup... however I do firmly believe that menstruation is something that isn't talked about enough in our society. We hide it, continue to view our periods as dirty and *gross* when 50% of the human population (between 11-55yrs) has this week-long phenomenon monthly. So why are we still ashamed? Perhaps the thousands of years of cultural negativity has some blame. Just maybe.

I remember when I first started my period, I thought my life would END for the entire week. I shouldn't go hang out with friends, couldn't swim, couldn't do too many physical activities... What if I didn't get to a bathroom in time? Being a teenager sucks, especially a monthly bleeding one. Now, although I had grown considerably (many many feminist readings, classes and empowering friendships later), when I started to practice yoga this period-stop your life- theory applied. I had SUCH difficulties with those ridiculous tampons. They weren't comfortable, they leaked, they caught... I hated them. I hated practicing yoga during my moon time, it gave me pause to seriously consider punking out each month.

The Diva Cup completely changed that. Now, moon times mean no rush to the store, no leaks, no worries for the entire day (12 hours!), as much physical movement as I would like! Oh the freedom! Now my yoga is not dependent on my menstruation.

A recent comment has reminded me why I have resisted reading specific texts in detail... It was asked whether I was aware that Ayurveda recommends never placing plastic in the vagina, including tampons. Actually, no I wasn't aware. But now that I am... my answer is: The Diva Cup is silicone.

I agree, plastic (with it's petrochemicals and leaching BPA properties), especially chemically bleached cotton, should never have graced my beautiful vaginal walls. Just like that new chemically dyed pink breast cancer toilet paper won't come within ten meters of my bum. I am so happy that I have found a safe and chemical leaching-free alternative.

Now, if the theoretical reason behind this "no plastic in the nether regions" has to do with some sort of no-obstruction rule... than I have to say that I disagree. And this is where the ancient texts study "block" comes into the picture. For practical reasons I cannot see why I would want to use a diaper-styled apparatus to "catch" my flow. I find them uncomfortable and restricting. I don't want to be restricted by the fact that I menstruate. Further, as far as I have read there has been no overall scientific data stating that catching the flow with a silicone cup is damaging in any way to the vaginal walls or overall health of a woman.

These thoughts started me thinking about how in certain practices, women are either restricted completely, discouraged strongly or told to practice a modified sequence while on their period. The theory (and please clarify if I've interpreted too loosely as I haven't read actual theoretical Ashtanga texts) is that it should be a time for rest.

Like my body stops functioning properly when I'm on my period. Right. Menstruation has actually been found to be a time of heightened activity, intellectual clarity, feelings of well-being and general happiness. (Woman: An Intimate Geography p.107). The theory that shedding our endometrium lining is calorically expensive (i.e. that bleeding decreases energy levels) has been refuted by several scientists in recent decades. Keeping UP our rich caloric-eating uterine wall would in fact be MORE costly than shedding and regrowing once a month (Strassmann, B; Human Nature 1992). From this we can infer that women should in fact be MORE tired pre-post menstruation than during.

Furthermore, I'm always cautious when interpreting medical texts. The Western medical system has been fraught with misogyny and patriarchal roots. Modern medicine has always been a "man's" world and subsequently the study of female anatomy and physiology was either minimal, or biased. It has only been in the past two or *maybe* three decades that science has taken a more feminine spin. Also, we need to remember that most traditional texts were written by men, from a culture with a history of hundreds (if not a thousand) years of patriarchy. Blood was viewed as a reason for concern, and instead of being celebrated was often thought of as some sort of injury, malaise or "wrongness" (to name some nicer terms).

Now I may be more clumsy, I may have a bit less balance (personally trying to practice Tree pose during my moon time is wobbly!) and I may choose to practice more soothing postures... but the key word is "choose". As there is no anatomical nor physiological reason why practice a sweaty vinyasa practice should somehow "damage" my uterus, should I feel inclined I will.

The theory that inversions during menstruation could be harmful has also been poorly supported empirically. Kinda like the theory that a tampon could get "lost" up there. Up where? It's not like the menstrual stuff is going to tip up and leak back in. The cervix takes care of that.

Menstruation is most definitely NOT a passive process. We don't passively leak out from gravity's influence. Menstruation is dynamic. Our spiral arteries (three) feed two superficial layers of the endometrium. Pre-period these arteries grow longer and tightly corkscrewed and circulation to the endometrium slows down. 24 hours prior to the flow, they constrict tightly and blood flow ceases completely. As a result, the endometrium tissue starts to die, followed by a release of the arteries and blood flows again, pooling beneath the lining and forcing it to separate. A few more start and stops and essentially we have menstruation.

Where in that active process is there any indication that blood flow is controlled willy-nilly and could be redirected elsewhere (by say, an inversion?). I'd say that if you hold an inversion for long periods of time and start to feel wonky... perhaps it's because you'd held the inversion for a long period of time... and not because you have a uterus that sheds.

For all of that, I have no problem with other women choosing to: wear pads or not practice during their moon times. My wish is that we can make these decisions based on solid non-biased information as opposed to traditions that imply something lesser or restricting.

Many Blessings!

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Personal Practice Adventure: Needing some Creativity!

Yogi/nis I must confess that I have been TIRED with my personal practice adventure. I have still been practicing alone at least once a week, often twice with my regular community/friend yoga... and after a few months I have to admit that balance needs to be key. It is time for a fantastic class. It is time to learn and grow.

Unfortunately, classes cost moneys and we most certainly don't have a lot of that. I can't even justify an "unlimited per month" or ten class pass. Saving ten dollars, or spending 130$ for a month of unlimited yoga is still 130$ a month. Which I do not have extra. Also, community classes seem to be at the worse possible times (Sundays, Saturday mornings early, Wednesday nights at 8pm...).

Thank goodness Leanne (Acro-Anusara Yogini extraordinaire!) informed us that our first class at 108 was FREE. YAY!!! Tonight we attended "Strength and Length" and it was phenomenal. It's a good thing that we went, I was about to burst into a zillion Lisa pieces (ew!). However, this did not happen. Instead a beautiful opening and strengthening practice helped soothe my scattered brain. Balancing was a little wonky... the "dark moon" was tipping me off my game.
(acro-yoga with Leanne last weekend (I'm flying), cider+yoga=awesome)

Although this class was fantastical and all that (did a supported hand stand!! WOOT!), it was a gentle reminder that I need to freshen up my home practice while waiting for the magickal Yoga-money-class Fairy to pay me a visit.

Well Personal Practice Adventurers (wow I chose a really long label for that!) I have found a new sequence resource! The Joy of Yoga.

This "new" blog is filled with posts of different sequence ideas for so many various types of practice. Emma, the author-yogini, is writing a book on yoga sequences and decided after watching Julie and Julia that it was time for some seva (selfless service)... and to share her wonderful knowledge and ideas with the yoga blogomunity! I put new in quotations because she's already posted so many useful sequences and seems to be like the Never Ending Story- a forever well of creativity!

It does involve a bit of translating and thought if you aren't used to the sanskrit terms for asanas, but she always adds the English name in brackets and a fun intro!

THIS is exactly what my Personal Adventure needed. Thank you so very much Emma! Please go check her site out- it's fantastic.

On other fantastic news... I won a painting!!! Lovely Lille over at Woodstock Lily had a contest a few weeks ago on naming her new house. I voted on Lily pad with several other peeps and the other day she announced that my name had been chosen. "Yay!" I thought- "Lily pad is a great name, I'm glad that it was the one!"....
(an homage to my excitedness- "walnut" pose!)

Well... I guess Lille actually meant "MY" name had been chosen...*blush*. Oops!! My life has been a little ridiculous lately, with job and life stress combined with sickness and moon cycles... I guess I've been a little spazzed. SO- Wonderful, patient Lille kindly gave me a little nudge today to wake me up and I am so excited! I've never won ANYTHING, not even those little bingo things my Grandmere used to win all the time. I did a little dance in my office, thank goodness no one was around to see!

Creative and giving Lille has contacted me and will be painting a wonderful, one of a kind creation, just pour moi!!! OUUU! I honestly cannot wait. I also LOVE getting mail, and personal art is the epitome of perfection, so this is perfect! I promise to take pictures whenever it arrives and to post them. Thank you so very much Lille! Her blog is fab, so filled with inspirational and uplifting posts, they always make me smile.

Many Blessings!

article and photo copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Greenwashing: "compostable" coffee cups

Mmm Sunday coffee, how I ADORE my fair trade, organic moccaccino from JustUs! a local coffee roasting company/cafe. I started drinking coffee out of necessity while in grad school; studying until midnight on a Friday night in a local coffee shop away from all the distractions in my apartment. If I was going to sit there for hours, I better drink something, and the most non-coffee/coffee order was a chocolate laden espresso heaven. YUM. Of course, they are ridiculously expensive so I gradually moved to daily cup of coffee, home ground and french pressed with a twice a week "fancy" coffee allowance.

JustUs! is a fantastic company, extremely community oriented and firmly entrenched in the fair trade and organic coffee/coffee accessory industry. The owners began importing fair trade beans by driving themselves down to Mexico, purchasing directly from the farmers and roasting them here in Nova Scotia. They now sell fair trade organic sugar, chocolate, teas and serve only local vegan/organic food.

When we come to drink coffee here (like we are today!) we usually order our coffees for here, even if it's only to drink in five minutes. According to "Sustainable is Sexy" 23 BILLION coffee cups will be used in 2010... most created by cutting down precious trees (9.4 million to be exact) and dumping them in the landfill. There is nothing more frustrating than walking into a coffee shop and seeing every single consumer sitting down, sipping their coffee out of a "to-go" container. I don't need my coffee to be the cause of felling more trees, using more water and spewing out more carbon. I get my coffee for here.

That being said, there are many times where I would like to drink my coffee while on the go, and a cup just won't cut it. This brings me to the "compostable" cup issue. JustUs! has been touting a "compostable" coffee cup for the past several months. They used to have a sign (no longer up), their staff pushes the cup as such and I've seen them several times dumping their compost bin filled with cups for city pick up. The hitch- these cups aren't "really" biodegradable.

This is the issue with supposedly biodegradable single use products, many of them cannot be processed in a backyard compost nor are they accepted by most municipal composting facilities. So... they all get tossed into the landfill. The liner is most likely made from bioplastic such as a corn-based polymer which requires those special processing facilities. According to Climate Change Corp, only 1% of bioplastics in Europe and the US were actually composted, the rest were sent to the landfill to release toxic methane gases. We also need to consider the corn-soy issue: by supporting bio-corn/soy plastics we are also supporting a ridiculous toxic industry where monocultures of genetically engineered corn/soy are grown using polluting pesticides and machinery.

Biodegradable/compostable products will NOT break down buried under piles of plastic bags without oxygen or sunlight... i.e. in the landfill.

When I asked for a "to-go" cup several months ago and voiced my guilt of getting it "to-go" the worker announced: "Oh, but these are compostable- so no worries!". To which I replied: "Yes, but are they compostable in HRM?" and he responded with a sheepish "no". Seriously? I do NOT need to be misled about the environmental choices that I make. How many other coffee drinkers think that they don't have to invest in a reusable mug as the compostable cup will do just fine?

Although the idea is fantastic, unfortunately Halifax's organics system definitely does NOT accept these (or any other single use "biodegradable" product) cups. For a short period of time several local businesses made a (completely impractical) decision to simply ignore this fact and to serve their coffee in bio-plastic, bio-containers (Smiling Goat Cafe and Pete's Frootique) in the "hopes" that the system will cave under the pressure. Right. Instead they misled hundreds of consumers into thinking they were making an enviro-choice while all the while continuing to add to our ever-increasing landfills. At the same time these companies could have been lobbying WITH it's consumers, educating their community and rallying petitions and letters to encourage HRM to improve it's recycling and composting facilities.

I finally decided to write JustUs! to voice my disappointment on their obvious "greenwashing" of their cups. The response although somewhat hopeful was also a disappointment. I'd like to point out that it seems unlikely that the sales manager had no idea about HRM's policy when the staff at the cafes informed me about (with their: "ya we just had a meeting about that") at least six months ago...

Thank you very much for your letter. I was recently made aware that the HRM does not actually compost coffee cups, but that the VWM in the Valley does. We have been talking about the possibility of pulling the cups as part of a petition campaign to HRM. Firstly though, I will contact the proper authority at HRM on this matter and determine the appropriate steps from there. I appreciate your interest in the issue and will let you know how things unfold.

I eagerly await to hear about how they are shipping the cups to the "Valley" (Annapolis Valley, about two hours away from Halifax). In the spirit of transparency, however, I would prefer if JustUs! would no longer advertise their cups as being compostable when they are in fact NOT (in HRM) and instead advocate for change through petitions, information sessions and rallies. I'm not sure how pulling cups that are already being sent to the landfill will result in a petition campaign against HRM... In the mean time, I get my coffee for here, or in my reusable mug.

My take home message: instead of continuing our habits in this disposable life, encouraging consumers to move toward reusable lifestyle is a more sustainable and environmental goal. I will choose glass, paper or plastic I know is accepted over "biodegradable" products that will simply end up in the landfill.

Blessings!

Article and photos copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Punk Rockah Yogini

Tonight Andrew and I are going to see Flogging Molly; a Punk Celtic band from the West Coast. Andrew is a Punk Rockah and has introduced me to various bands including the classics Bad Religion (my FIRST punk concert ever!) and Lars Frederickson from Rancid. I must admit that I am definitely not a Punk music fan overall, not usually heavy enough or well played musically enough for my tastes. Flogging Molly, however, kicks bum; lead singer from Ireland, awesome maritime-y music with enough of a heavier sound to make me VERY happy :)

This Punk themes fits in perfectly with my analysis of the Lulu love-hate issue. Why exactly (beyond their most certainly questionable "made in china" practices) do I sneer at them so? Svasti's comment on my previous post made something clique. I am a Punk-Rockah Yogini.

As Andrew has taught me, being Punk has nothing to do with the "look" and everything to do with attitude and belief systems. Specifically Anti-Establishment, Anti-Culture. Lululemon is most definitely "The Establishment" in the corporate/popular yoga world today. It's everywhere and that annoys the crap out of me. Part of the reason why I don't like the brand is the popularity itself. I don't want to be a lemming, I want to be original, different, PUNK. Part of me says: "Eff that popsicle stand" while at the same time walks right in (grumbling under my breath of course).

With some birthday moneys promised from my mom (awww- I think that stops when you have your own kids right?? lol) I threw all restraint into the wind and guiltily walked into the Halifax store. Avoiding eye contact with all workers there I finally saw this AWESOME bomber jacket. Tried it on and was immediately accosted by a super-duper happy employee (thanks for the Times link Vegan!):

"Did you know the jacket was made with recycled plastic bottles and is water resistant??"
Ugh, I SO do not want BPA plastic near my body. I wonder how much carbon it takes to make fabric from plastic?

"Oh really?" alarmed look followed by a sniff on the jacket: "What is it treated with?"
"Oh!! Hah, don't worry! Nothing bad for you I'm sure!"
Right.

Walk up to the cash with my cute cute, guilty purchase and ask the cashier what chemicals it's treated with.
"Ummm, wait let me ask.... DWR!" BIG smile.
"Ok... what does that stand for?"
"Ummm... wait- Durable Water Repellent!" BIGGER smile.
Sigh "So essentially that tells me nothing."

To that I got a confused look and I had to explain briefly at her confused and awkward "Oh no this customer is going to be difficult" look that it was ok, I would google it when I got home. This was followed by a week of googling and emailing Lululemon with the response that actually Lauren, the GEC (Guest Education Consultant), didn't *think* it was treated with anything! Super!

Upon further thought, if I were a Punk-influenced Yogini, this would explain other random thoughts and opinions I have about yoga. For example my dislike of Bikram and Hot Yoga. Part of this reaction, if I were to be honest with myself (and you!) is because it has become SO popular. "THE" yogis go to the local Moksha studio. Hot Yoga is the money maker in this city. I don't want to be part of the crowd, one with the masses. I want to practice "MY" yoga. Of course, it's not blind dislike- I do believe that practicing in that kind of heat can be dangerous both for the individual's muscles and respiratory system. The fact that it's a studio where new yogi/ni's attend makes me nervous.

My weird aversion to the Yoga Loft could also be attributed to an Anti-Establishment attitude. This studio is one of THE most popular studios in the city. Going there bugs me, I feel like one of many. Of course, my terrible experience with the owner of the studio, combined with rude studio etiquette and the type of yogis who attend may factor into the equation. Sigh- honestly- my rebelliousness definitely lurks behind many thoughts.

Finally, musical choice hangs out there as well. I've always hated those musicians that despised a band-genre of music simply because it was popular. Perhaps in this area I've been a bit less Punk and a bit more balanced, most likely because I'm a classically trained musician myself. If it's fantastic skill and sound I usually don't care about the popularity of the artist. Great music is just that. However, I'm starting to wish I had other "yoga" music besides Krishna Das. He's fantastic and his music speaks to me but it speaks to everyone else too.... lol.

All that being said; I do believe it is important to retain a balanced, critical and informed view on choices, likes and dislikes. Which means that this whole Punk attitude isn't rational or what I feel very proud about admitting. After the heated discussion over at "it's all yoga, baby", (here, here and here) I feel that this sub-culture or underlying influence of Punk Yogis definitely exists beyond myself.

We want yoga to become popular, yet we want complete control as to who, what, where and how. And when it does spiral out of our "niche" control it's upsetting and disconcerting. We're no longer special or unique. Others are defining and shaping yoga to suit their purposes, which may not always be what we want or adhere to. All of a sudden, the counter-culture movement of yoga has become The Man (Woman). So us Punk Yogi/nis are categorizing in order to remain true to our Yogi-selves.

Any other Punk Rockah Yogi/nis out there?

Blessings! I'm off to bee-bop along to celtic punk!

article authored by EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Lulu Lemmings

I am going for honesty here. I figure since I pontificate on the dangers of carbon emissions, chemicals and bottled water I should 'fess up to my short falls. I hope you all still like me...

Just as a preface before I start: I've been thinking a lot about the "branding" of yoga and how corporations are jumping onto the increasingly popular and lucrative yoga train. My yoga doesn't really have room for sexist advertisements or corporate manipulations. That being said, I don't like practicing yoga in regular clothing... and I am an admitted consumer (recovering!). If push came to shove I'd declare myself "Anti-Lululemon" as it would fit better with my distrust for all things ginormous and corporate-y (see SIGG). This post is meant to begin the upfront and honest discussion I need to have.

Lululemon. I have a ridiculous love-hate relationship with you. You are my kryptonite and SO clever in your marketing genius. Perhaps a little bit of background on my lulu relationship (most likely similar to all of yours):

I was introduced to Lulu while living in Montreal, umm, five years ago-ish. My friend S., from B.C., introduced us during the pivotal "we should do yoga" part of grad-school. At that time Lulu was definitely moving towards being annoying in B.C., but JUST becoming popular in Montreal. Such a pretty store, with nice sayings on their bags and they even carried "organic" materials! S. assured me that although I was paying a ZILLION dollars for the top and pants that I'd never have to buy yoga clothing again. Sigh. How I wish that were true.

Fast forward two years when Andrew and I moved to BC. At that point, if you wore Lulu you were bordering on being a branded fluff lemming. One of the gaggle of women who wore it for the symbol and not a "true" yogi. I gained ten pounds and no longer fit in my standby top. Yay, more shopping! I discovered "Oqoqo", Lulu's "organic" and sustainable line and salivated over their flagship store in Vancouver.

Introducing "eco" life change and little things started to become apparent. I started noticing that their "Proud to be Canadian" clothing was deteriorating in quality. Their pants were no longer thick and well-made and their "eco" TPE mats shed within days of use. The culmination of our first "break up" was noticing the "Consciously formulated in Vancouver, Made in China" B.S. on their tags. Seriously, what?? Every single time I read that tag I am insulted. As if I'm stupid enough to believe that stating it was designed in Canada but made in China really makes any difference. Finally, the majority of Lulu's shares were sold to an American company and they are no longer Canadian at all.

Now that we live in Halifax, my relationship with Lulu has changed once again. The store drives me crazy. People drive from all over the province (and sometimes from New Brunswick) just to go to that one store. The result; it's filled to the brim with pushy Lemmings 100% of the time.

At the Halifax store they also have some fantastic poster info on their "workshop factories" (ahem) in China. Some day I will brave the masses to subtly take a picture of this "info-board". I'll get Andrew to pose with a bandana or something ridiculous and pretend to take a picture of him. On this board the company goes on about how wonderful the working conditions are at their factories, complete with cutesy pictures of the female Chinese workers at their sewing stations wearing matching pink hair bands. I didn't see a lot of smiles. It was creepy. Consciously formulated in Vancouver my a**.

However. Sigh. Lulu has a FANTASTIC community presence here in the city. Three and sometimes four free classes per week! Much more than the local studios. They also almost completely run the show for yoga wear in the city. Thank goodness I discovered Bhavana Boutique and was able to try on different companies such as Karma, Tonic (which are both actually formulate and MADE in Canada) and Cura clothing. Unfortunately I have yet to find a top by another company that fits as well as my Lulu tops. I think this is due to my body type and that I hate shopping online.

This is my downfall, I hate shopping online. Especially for clothing. If I'm going to spend that much money I want it to fit. This leads me to my jacket purchase which shattered my "I'm never shopping at Lulu again" resolve a few weeks ago. Thank goodness I have valiantly been avoiding all "yoga-apparel" based stores in the past few months. We don't "need" special yoga gear to practice. Though I'll be the first to admit that practicing yoga in jeans just isn't the same.

No matter the marketing suave of Lulu, my jacket purchase is the epitome of my love-hate relationship and represents perfectly how they manipulate (me) the consumer. Especially us "green-yogis". Story to follow shortly. :)

How do you feel about Lulu?

Blessings!

Article copyrighted by EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Autumn Bloggy Banner Search!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (or Columbus Day for the American Eco-Yogi/nis!). A nice break and I am ready to research! Thanks to those that posted such supportive and kind comments, it was greatly appreciated and helpful.
Andrew and I spent our Thanksgiving in Saint John New Brunswick! Here are some pictures of our wanderings in the park- we were looking for a nice Autumn Bloggy Banner, but didn't really come up with anything I feel fantastic about as of yet. What do you think, favourites or keep looking? :)

Blessings! (ps- Greenspell, I watched the Trailer for Eastwick and I am SO watching the pilot episode. I agree with you, I was not a fan of the movie but am PUMPED for this!).

Tree on a rock (wow, I look SERIOUS, I was trying not to fall over!)

Leafy covered pathway (it had been windy)

Beautiful colours

The lotus dealy that I can do- my toes were COLD

Thank goodness the tree was there to support me- the stump was slimy... ack.

Article and photos copyright EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Stepping back

I have this weird trend where I post every second or third day. This is the type A in me popping up for a visit (HI HI!!!). It keeps me motivated, I get little butterflies after I hit "post" and for the next few days I get excited with every single comment I receive. Weird?? Yes. I like Mel's "Blogging without Obligation"... but I also know that I need this routine to stay on track. However, there are times when I have a zillion ideas swimming around in my cerebral cortex, but the energy of a little puddle. Today is one of those days; five clients, two phone consultations, charting, home programming, no time to breathe and headache. My last client left late and I missed the yoga class I wanted to attend (108 Yoga!).

Tonight I could have blogged about how I received an email back from JustUs! Coffee about their "compostable" (but not accepted by HRM's Organics system) cups.... but since that would involve some research and more thought than this liquidy puddle of a vibe I got going, I am going to take a step back from obligation.

I am going to unplug and reconnect with myself. There's been a lot of passionate talk in the yoga-blog world about consumerism, culture, and branding of yoga. It's been a powerful and interesting discussion, but it's made me want to take a step away from this computer. I miss my guitar. So tonight, I will play my favourite songs, belt out the lyrics while sitting on the floor in front of the couch. My papers spread all around, the window opened up and my voice and the guitar drowning out all other sounds and thoughts.

I will leave you with two I love to sing and play: Francis Cabrel's La Corrida (about the Bull fighting from the Bull's perspective... beautiful), and zombie.

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving Weekend my Canadian Eco-Yogi/nis!

Our "Eco" Venue!!!

As frivolous as this may sound but: The Knot has announced that I have 12 months until our wedding. Sigh. Why did I sign up for The Knot in the first place?? (right, to help a colleague who wanted the silly lists they have on that site). (the view from the balcony)

Andrew and I went to our *new* venue with my parents last weekend. And as per my experience on Thursday, a migraine was my added bonus. Yay! Thank goodness the drive was beautiful and I only became mildly angry at slow tourist drivers and buses (not one fist shake!). Peggy's Cove truly is phenomenal and although I muttered at the tourists stopped at the edge of the road in my head, I really should have stopped to take some pictures. The view wasn't the lighthouse, but the funky glacier dropped boulders, peppering the landscape. Alli over at Ocean's Treasures has FANTASTIC pictures from her August hike- go on over to see!

Finding Oceanstone was a little bit less straightforward than I expected. We had previously google mapped it (which of course off-estimated the time by at least 20 minutes) and didn't bother printing off the directions. You go on the old highway until you get there. It's past Peggy's Cove, check. Seems that every single bed and breakfast and Inn was named "ocean+something". Turn the bend and OMG/ess, TURN!!!! Needless to say I was took several swigs of my coffee from my mug in the car, wishing it wasn't rude to bring it along the tour with us.

The place is gorgeous. All the cabins are close to the main property and nestled within the maritime forest. All we could hear were birds and the ocean. We could smell the ocean as well, good thing I think it smells like home as I could see that at low tide it would be a little stinky... (the reception area set up for a wedding that day! the ceilings are vaulted)

The main hall is so perfect, round tables and big windows facing the ocean. The conversation with the on site planner was a friendly reminder that we will have to clearly explain our "eco" wedding from the very beginning. She was friendly and sweet and didn't seem to understand that when asked about colours, we really didn't have any. No really, we don't have a theme. "So you'll just tell me about your colours, probably reds and oranges, and we'll set it up just for you!" Umm.... lol. How do I explain that even her, although well-meaning, comment of putting up candles for a "minimalist" type decor makes me cringe? I will have to start collecting some beeswax candles for the following year!

When she finally seemed to have an inkling of what I was implying (she didn't really acknowledge that I said I was successfully growing succulents at home- "so the reds and oranges?" said succulents waiting to be propagated) she informed me that "at least!" we need to have a gift table. I didn't have the heart to tell her that we were going to encourage guests to donate to a charity and try to decrease actual gifts (the wrapping paper!!! ack). I've already begun created a list of "eco" questions which will probably scare the poo out of her, but she's sweet I'm sure she will manage.

Our ceremony will take place right on the ocean- the grounds meet the stony beach one foot from where we will be standing. Of course, fisherman's daughter that I am, my first thought was we'd have to look up when high tide would occur and plan accordingly (Currently tides in that area reach 7.2 feet in height). (the twig-trellis which we can take down and the shore at mid-tide)

My absolute favourite part of the venue though is the fire-pit. YAY for having a place to roast marshmallows and spider weiners while drinking some beer!! The perfect way to spend the pre-wedding night with immediate family members and friends. The cottages allow for easy stumbling to bed access after! This also decreases driving under the influence (which is a common occurrence in rural Nova Scotia) and emissions between ceremony and reception.

Although we are currently on "frugal-mode" as I will currently be unemployed come January (cross my fingers that it won't actually happen!), I am excited that we found this as our *new* venue! The fact that it has space for yoga, the ocean AND a fire pit seems like FATE. As you might remember, our previous venue fell through in August and after crazy traveling + fighting with the in-laws over our co-name change we decided on Oceanstone based solely on....gasp... the internet. (the chairs are all around the fire-pit!!!)

**Update on the in-law- we can't believe our son will hyphenate his last name with yours- situation. After our venue fell through we asked that they stop calling to "discuss" the situation as we were stressed and didn't want to handle one other thing. Since then, I still haven't spoken to them over the phone, and they haven't officially apologized, but they have completely dropped the issue from all conversations. I know it will come up again, but at least they are letting it be for now and hopefully they will become more comfortable with the idea in time. Hopefully. :)

Blessings!

Article and photo copyrighted by EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

A Walk for Oranges

My personal practice Adventure has changed slightly over the past week to involve more napping and less... practice. As most places I've read recommend to avoid yoga practice if you feel achy and fever-y, all of last week I have been healing. Today, I was torn between the vestiges of the sunny weather and practicing in our apartment. The sun and Fall colours won out! My mission (as I'm terrible at walking just because) was to find true Maritime Fall colours. (The only orange tree I could find near our apartment- the potential! Most trees outside the city are like this)

I never truly appreciated our Fall colours in Nova Scotia until I moved to British Colombia. Where the leaves only turn yellow. Yellow?? Where are the oranges, rusts and reds? How I missed the cacophony of colours as if the entire forests were on fire. Instead, I saw green pine trees (with many burnt orange pine trees that died from the pine beetle infestation) and yellow birch.

Having grown up in a tiny village, I had no idea that Halifax was the exception to the beautiful reds and oranges of the province. Instead I see that most of the trees have these ugly brown spots on their leaves, almost as if the pollution was eating away at the green. In the spring all the leaves are a fresh new green and within a few months they have all transformed into the brown freckled version. In the Fall that translates as no reds, oranges or yellows. Just mostly browns. (The brown dying leaves)

After a preliminary search online I only found some references to leaf blights and an entertaining 1979 Halifax Field Naturalists Newsletter. In the newsletter they reported that citizens were noticing Brown spots on some of the elm leaves and were debating the merit of spraying with insecticides all the trees in the city. It's almost ridiculous the logic and blind faith the article has in the toxicology and safety of these insecticides. Here's a quote:

"The whole debate is basically a matter of a minor point of aesthetics concerning a small proportion of the city trees with conspicuous brown patches on their leaves. versus a feeling of unease that a few people have about a mixture of chemicals being blown about the streets. A chemical mixture which moreover has been certified as safe for use in these circumstances by experts on chemicals."

Oh my, so interesting to read that article (which ultimately came to the conclusion that long term safety was unknown and thus unsafe) and realizing how much they didn't know. Which naturally leads to the ridiculousness of our current claims of safety and artificial "cures". There is so much we don't know about our world and our influence.

One of the downfalls of modern science is it's micro-approach to each individual question. This narrow, SUPER specific study often misses how each component interacts dynamically and thus is ultimately unable to predict reliable outcomes. For example, in BC there are areas where trees flourish and thrive in relatively nitrogen deplete soil. It has long been known how the salmon depend on the cool shaded rivers for nutrients and safety, however just recently it was discovered that the trees need the salmon too. The wildlife eat the salmon and distribute the nitrogen rich remains throughout the forests as a result, nourishing the trees themselves (p. 194 A Sacred Balance by David Suzuki). (My favourite picture- I love how you can see the cross between the branches)

Despite my sadness at missing the Autumn colours, I took the time to listen to all the chirping birds, hidden away but being noisy and full of life. It was great. I must have looked like a huge weirdo with this goofy smile on my face, randomly stopping to snap pictures while the rush hour traffic inched by.

Blessings!

Article and photos copyrighted by EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Endo-Yoga and how we influence a slippery mat

I adore my rubber yoga mat and unless it has recently been cleaned and absorbed all the water, creating a surface for my sweat to hang out on, I haven't had moments of slippage in about a year. As an update on how I wash my mat, I have discovered that as long as I let my mat air dry for at least two days it was fine! No slippage at all! During the drying time I used Andrew's mat, after which I told him it smelled like bum and he FINALLY washed it. (the view from our wedding venue!!)

Recently, as my downward dogs have improved, I've wondered if part of the non-slipping has to do with my FINALLY using the right muscles (abs-bhandas) during practice. My shoulders no longer hurt while holding downward dog, so I'm assuming that I'm not putting all the weight and pressure on my arms anymore. YAY.

My suspicions are correct, I just read Om Shanti's post regarding the student's part in the ever present "slippery mat" syndrome. It is an insightful and informative read, I highly recommend it! I think I'll give his downward dog with blankets a try! His post reviews how our core muscles create the strength that allows asanas like downward to stay in place.

What I like about this perspective is the intrinsic, or "endo" aspect where it's not just about finding the perfect mat that will never slip. Although I find the whole 'western yogis are spoiled' mantra annoying, in this situation I do believe that a part of our consumerism comes into play. We expect to have a mat that will be absolutely perfect, no slippage and no flaking (sigh I am guilty of both complaints!). If a mat is slightly slippery than we must move on, buy a new mat, buy special sprays, special 'grippy' blankets or towels...

Of course there are mats that are less slippery than others and I'm not suggesting that taking care of your mat won't help with stickiness. However, I do believe that as we use our inner core during practice as opposed to 'muscling' through the posture (i.e. pushing with our shoulders in downdog) we will feel more secure and stable. When it comes to products, things that we purchase or invest extrinsically, often we seem to switch into 'exo' mode, viewing our practice as disparate pieces. Instead we could try to remember that we dynamically interact with our environment and always have some influence.

The next time your trying out a new "eco" mat in a studio and there is slippage, take into consideration your part. :)

Blessings and welcome the Blood Moon today!

Article authored and copyrighted by EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com