Hot Yoga Done Right: Moksha Yoga and Ted Grand :)

As most of my regular readers know, I gave 'hot' yoga a good try. From Moksha to Baptiste a half dozen sessions resulted in my acceptance that it is alright to actually not like a certain style of yoga (perhaps my pitta-vata self?).

Heated yoga, in all it's versions, is quickly becoming one of the trendiest forms of yoga out there. Everyone is doing it. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Until you start thinking of the sheer amount of energy (and oil) used in order to heat those studios.

Which is why I am very excited to share with you a special opportunity I was given last week! Ted Grand is one of the founders of Moksha Yoga. An passionate environmentalist and impressive 'yogi-background', I 'met' Ted for the first time via an interview with Jian Gomeshi on Q. It was a fabulous interview and I was extremely impressed with how well he answered challenging questions and discussed the conundrum of yoga and business with Yoga Inc film and book author John Philip.

Moksha Studio Halifax taken today on my lunch break :)

 

Moksha studios do a lot to negate and lower the impact of their energy usage. Unlike other studios, Moksha actually has a written environmental contract that they require all their studios to sign. They use heating panels and systems that can decrease energy usage by 40 to 50%, sustainable building supplies (from cork or bamboo flooring to low-energy lighting and low VOC paints). Most studios use Bullfrog Power; a company that will take your coal energy and put sustainable energy back into the grid. If the province or state does not have Bullfrog, then they will offset their use or carbon throught 'zerofootprint.net' (or an equivalent organization). Rooms are insulated to keep in the precious heat and decrease actual energy required for heating.


Halifax has a beautiful studio which I have had the opportunity to practice in and Dartmouth will soon be opening their very own. Both studios have many environmental benefits, the most impressive being the heating panels and use of Bullfrog Power.


Ted was kind enough to accept my request in answering a few questions and I am so happy to share his thoughtful answers with you! So without further ado:

1. First things first: as an environmentally conscious blog, featuring Hot Yoga would seem a bit counter intuitive, but as per the description above, Moksha Studios do a LOT to counteract their carbon footprint. I feel Moksha is the best eco-Hot Yoga organization out there. As someone with an environmental activism background, why did you choose heated yoga instead of another, less energy intensive style?

The reason we chose to go with heated yoga was primarily due the effects it had when compared to practicing asana in regular-heated class settings.  I had never felt anything like the sense of feeling cleaner and less weighted down - I slept deeply, my digestion was better and my mental clarity was greatly improved from practicing asana in a heated room.  Certainly there are advantages with the heat in terms of increasing flexibility as well, but the sense of clarity and detoxification was what kind of rocked my world.

That said, I have also had crappy experiences in hot yoga.  I have been to studios where the air quality is very poor, where there is carpet that absorbs or holds the sweat of others, and where the instructors encouraged students to fight through all the warning signals that the body gives when it is overheated.  So with Moksha we took all the things that were great and ditched all of those variables that we felt were not so good.

As for the environmental aspects, we were hyper-aware of the energy consumption that occurs in most hot yoga studios, so we went waaaaay out of our way to design the best eco-studios that we could.  The heating panels we use, the light fixtures, the plumbing, the office supplies and the cleaning products are all chosen specifically for their diminished impact on the earth.

2. Is Moksha continuously striving to lower the impact of heating so many studios? If so, in what ways and are there any obstacles?

As a community, Moksha Yoga is continually looking for ways to decrease our carbon footprint, but it can be really difficult.  One of the great things about there being 40+ Moksha studios is that we have that many more people out there looking for the greenest avenues towards constructing and managing the studios.

Some studio owners have looked into solar panels, some have considered geo-thermal heating/cooling, and some have done research on what the best bamboo is for flooring.  Some of the technology needs to get to the next generation of sophistication and affordability in order for small businesses to embrace them, so that is a big variable.

I do have to say though, I think that time is getting close.  The insulation we are using for example, is so much better than it was 10 years ago - there is some really great soy foam that a lot of the studios are using, and one studio uses insulation made from old blue jeans.  I think in the near future we are going to see some amazing innovations in green building because the government is now recognizing that if businesses are greening themselves up, then everyone benefits.

3. Moksha does so much to make yoga accessible, which is interesting as it is (like discussed on Q) becoming a trendy option. Why was it important to offer affordable yoga and how were you able to make it work in the studio business model? 

For a guy who is so involved and interested in the yoga world, there is a lot about it that drives me crazy.  Though things are changing now and more and more communities are getting involved in yoga, it has traditionally (in the West) been a pursuit of image-obsessed caucasians with disposable income.  Quite simply, yoga is not accessible to everyone, both in terms of what it costs and where it is offered.  So all of the Moksha studios have in place ways that people who could not otherwise afford it can do as much yoga as they want.  First of all, there is a trade system in place whereby students can clean the studio, do administrative work or do odd jobs, all in exchange for unlimited yoga.

The average studio has about 15-20 'energy-exchangers' and some of the bigger studios can have as many as 50 people on 'trade'.  We also encourage studio owners to give free yoga or greatly discounted classes to those who just can't afford it.  We also support and help sustain the New Leaf Yoga Foundation (Moksha Yoga teacher Laura Sygrove and Moksha Yoga co-founder Jess Robertson founded the organization), which goes out to youth detention centres and offers yoga to the inmates there.  The success of New Leaf is massive and their reach is expanding daily.

We also have weekly 'karma classes' at every Moksha Yoga studio, whereby people anonymously pay what they can.  The money raised through the Karma classes goes to local and progressive charities and causes in the studio's local area. 

4. How does Yoga as a discipline fit with your environmental views?

Quite frankly, yoga as a discipline and the philosophies inherent within it are what have kept me sane.  I have gone from being in environmental clubs to fundraising for environmental groups to protesting to blockading roads to hanging off of ships to getting arrested, but it all caused me more and more suffering and sadness.  

For every environmental victory that served as a step forward, there were multiple ongoing travesties that felt like 10 steps back.  The injustices and the manipulation involved in forestry, mining, manufacturing and politics were really getting to me and I was getting more and more radical to match the intensity with which I felt things.  Of course I eventually burned out and realized that I needed some help if I were going to remain in a place of caring and compassion, and this is how meditation and yoga came into my life.  

Through the tools and techniques that can be cultivated in a yoga practice, I found myself less reactive and angry and more focused and peaceful.  I will never forget one day I was blockading a road into a mill, and these guys would bring their cars up to the gate and spin their wheels to have me choke on the dust. 

They also decapitated a pigeon and put it right in front of me. When I was hanging off of the ship, the workers were trying to shake me off of the rope even though I would likely have been crushed by the ship had I fallen. 

What I am trying to say is that my anger and efforts and resistance were met with acts of greater anger and acts of resistance.  I was not making the world a better place, only perpetuating and amplifying anger in the world.  

To be clear, I am still a big fan of civil disobedience and non-violent direct action, but I know that if I want to make a difference, it is in cultivating peace in people's lives, so that they are less inclined towards anger, reactivity, conspicuous consumerism, and abuse in all forms.  This is my activism, and it is as sneaky and subversive as it ever was, cause it looks all peaceful and non-threatening!

5. I've read that you're the father of three lovely girls (congratulations!), how has that changed your perspective on yoga, life and the environment?

My girls are my world.  Just writing this out brings tears to my eyes.  Parenting has taught me how to be an activist through storytelling, kid science, and illustrating the principles of cause and effect.  In no ways am I trying to brainwash them - I just want them to see how magical and infinitely fascinating the earth and the universe are, and how blessed we are to be a part of this web that gives life.  And it is so cool that the girls and I can try to play (in the woods and waters) and eat (no animals) and love (all peoples and creatures) with reverence and empathy, because as they say in yoga, it is illusory to think that we are fully separate from anything else.  

The more we feel we are separate from the earth, the universe and the mechanisms that work together to give life, the unhappier and more disillusioned we will become - and I would love it if my kids grew up to be curious, connected and inspired.  Ultimately, this is what I hope to achieve in and through both my parenting and my yoga practice - to see how harmony and peace is created in nature and focus my efforts towards replicating that in my actions and in my home.

Inside of the lobby of Moksha Studio Halifax where I was able to officially meet Joanne- studio owner, in person! Unfortunately there was a class going on, so no pictures of the pretty cork flooring! But trust me, it's there :)

Exactly! This was such a wonderful experience for myself. I will say that I am *very* impressed with all the Moksha Studios have been doing from an environmental perspective and am excited to see where it will lead them in the future. I hope you were touched by Ted's answers as much as I was.

Again much thanks to Ted Grand and his willingness to help a heated yoga skeptic see the positive.

Blessings!

ps- this article is dedicated to my friend JenP who ADORES Moksha and my fellow bloggy-friend Callah who is currently taking her Moksha Teacher Training. :) 

Yoga as Community and not as Marketing

Yoga outside... it seems so essential to my practice now, I can't imagine a Yoga practice without it. All through the winter months my Yoga Soul slowly starves, shedding it's chakra leaves with the trees, becoming cold and bare.

Spring arrives and that first practice surrounded by the trees, the ocean, the birds and even the flies, I feel something loosen.

Practicing yoga outside, I strongly believe, is the best and most effective way to  use your practice to reconnect with our Planet. To instill that sense of true connection and community. A yoga practice encased by six 'walls' (around, above, below) with stale air, removed from the elements is a very tangible example of how we've subverted Yoga to become something removed. Separate. Like how we live in urban centres, in our tiny boxes of apartments. Removed and separate from each other and Life.

Today was our weekly 'Yoga in the Park' day. When I moved here, Halifax did not have a regular 'Yoga in the Park'. At all (a hint at the lack of Yoga community). Setting out to change this, we created a facebook page and approached several yoga instructors about coming out, and practicing with us. 

A monetary, donation based system of instructor involvement was suggested. The students discussed it and voiced their strong feelings of keeping Yoga in the Park about community, about practicing together because we wanted to and not because it was a 'job'. It was stated that out in the park, in the open space was not the place to set up a personal money jar... .

 Our new spot- Tour Site 10 at Point Pleasant Park

Unfortunately, several instructors met, decided that although the students wanted Yoga in the Park to remain about Community they wanted something different. The students were informed: 'You can just practice somewhere else' as they wanted the time, place and date. So in fact, the original Yoga in the Park has been co-opted and changed into an event promoting an individual yoga teacher's venue and business and is no longer about Yogi(ni)s meeting outside to connect and practice together.


Our group still meets every Saturday and sadly we are left without actual instructors to lead us. All are welcome and no personal funding is required. We meet, we practice and I lead as best as I can. The facebook group is in fact 100 yogi(ni)s strong... despite new comers being few and far between. I'm considering shutting it down...

My 'Yoga in the Park' crew practicing their favourite poses in the rain

Today we practiced in the rain and it was beautiful. In our new spot, directly facing the ocean we reached up in our Warrior I's feeling the droplets on our faces, our mats, our hands. 


We saw a few yoginis from the other group walking out, their yoga obviously being canceled due to rain. Looking over our group; a father, his 9 year old son, Andrew and I, Jen and Chris and Lori... we were a much more varied and non-typical group compared to the young, white female lulus walking out. 


I have never felt so connected to Yoga or to the Earth as I moved through the postures and felt the rain on my face.


Much Blessings.

The Anchor along the way to Tour Site 10 this morning

*****Check out Roseanne's post at 'itsallyogababy.com' today about the corporatization of Yoga- a 'macro' example of trying to build community through capitalism.****

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

Reusable Mugs and my Coffee

Us Yogi(ni)s, we like our coffee... (or tea). We've chatted about how to 'green-i-fy' your coffee drinking (ahem, fair trade organic, reusable mug) and the 'slave trade' that is the regular coffee industry. 

I haven't really talked much about mugs. I have now morphed into mug-brigade. I have serious guilt pangs whenever I happen to buy coffee 'to go' (because my mug is dirty or at home) and give all paper 'to-goers' hardcore stink-eye. Yep, I am *that* woman. I'm working on the whole, yogic non-judgingness. It's a process. However, I still have serious issues with ordering in a to-go cup and then proceeding to sit and drink out of said paper wasteful death cup.


Ahem. Sorry.


I have had my reusable mug since my first year in grad school... umm... six years ago. It's a stainless steel starbucks mug (yes before I watched the Café Femenino Doc which changed my life) with a beautiful clip handle and awesome pull lid. I honestly was worried that I wouldn't get the 25$ price tag's worth... six years later and I have saved a TON of money on home French-pressed coffee (with sprinkled fair trade chocolate yum!). Silly grad school me.

A few years ago I thought I would share the wealth. I bought Andrew a reusable mug as his Birthday present (I know, I am awesome). It's plastic, but it was the only 'manly' mug available at the time (nice poop-brown colour). Everything was fine and dandy until Andrew and I watched 'The Disappearing Male', a cbc documentary on plastic and it's sperm destroying affects happening RIGHT NOW. The things they had to say about ingesting foods surrounded by heated plastic...

Andrew turned to me with a concerned look and whispered: 'Lisa, I really don't want to drink coffee out of my mug anymore...' And he didn't for about two weeks, until the memory of the dying sperm faded away. (Canadians click here to watch, non-Canucks click here).


Ever since we've been on the search for a new, stainless steel coffee mug. We really didn't feel comfortable supporting Starbucks by buying another one of their mugs. Let's just say my trust factor for that company is pretty darn low. I would look at my Klean Kanteen and wish there was a coffee version... that would be sweet.

 Klean Kanteen vs Starbucks... umm definitely looking hard

 

Well folks, THERE IS!! Yep, for a few months now Klean Kanteen, a fantastic company, has been selling this beautiful insulated reusable mug. It's sleek, is double wall insulated AND has a stainless steel lid (bottom) option. Simply Authentic has already given hers the A-Ok (although I can't seem to find her post on it...).


Andrew had bought an 'Eco-Flask' for his tea and coffee.... and hated it. The bottom fell out, it leaked all over the place... basically it was terrible. We returned it and with the credit purchased a new Klean Kanteen mug! With the wide mouth it can hold cold and hot drinks AND function as a soup-type container. 

 ouuuu stainless steel lid, and smooth easy to clean edges.

 

What I love the most? The easy to clean, smooth edges. My mug is difficult to clean down at the bottom and the little ridges are all gucky and a bit crassou...ick!


So now I am quite 'le jealous' as Andrew has his beautiful new mug which should last for years to come (which really is essential to offset the amount of energy and resources required to mine steel...). I'm thinking my mug is coming to the end of her days, with the plastic lid chipping away and the outside paint flaking off. I'll hold out though, as much as I'd love a Klean Kanteen of my own, I really shouldn't spend the money when mine still works.

Passed the 'leak' test! (That is Andrew's 'I am so happy you're taking a picture!!' face. Really.)

 

Looking for an eco-replacement for your nalgene-plastic mug? Klean Kanteen is kick-butt. I highly suggest (especially for you Haligonians) to order online. The price at P'lovers is just a wee bit much. Plus, you could order the café cap... lovely!

Tomorrow is 'Smiling Goat Coffee Day' where my once a week coffee fix is ridiculously expensive and tasty organic Mocha, with organic chocolate milk. Yep, once a week MAX. :)


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

An Urban Garden Success Story: Laitue!

The rain today has washed away all hopes of a mid-week evening sunset Guerrilla Yoga... which was disappointing. However- it did mean that we had more time for supper preparing and balcony garden discovery!

Although supporting local, sustainable farmers is all great and good, my ultimate dream is to grow my OWN food... and I wholeheartedly believe that it is possible to grow edible food on a tiny city balcony.

This year's strawberries so far... similar to last year!

Last year was our first attempt at food growing (ever!) and it was a lovely experience. I adored watching the tiny seedlings push up and flourish. I also watched the garlic and peas whither away and shrivel up. Although a learning experience, our 'garden' really didn't produce anything more than a handful of strawberries, three pea pods and a few carrots. Not exactly meal conducive.

This year I was determined to grow a TON of food and use better soil. We attended a local talk on urban garden at the downtown library. I learned about a local urban and community gardens and beehive keepers (VERY cool! Rooftop beehives!!) and that potted soil should be 75% compost-type and 25% regular soil. 

So surprised they actually grew back this year, survived snow!

 

We reused our pots and bought a ridiculous amount of organic worm poo, ordered organic and non-GMO carrot, broccoli, lettuce and radish seeds. Sadly, we found a balcony-handicapped but otherwise perfect dream apartment.

radishes... see the skinny roots?

 

I ultimately decided to plant our lettuce, radish and broccoli seeds anyway and throw caution to the wind. We'll find new homes for the plants. Hopefully.

LETTUCE!!!

I am so excited to announce some success!


Although the radishes are kinda skinny and the strawberries (actually grew again this year!) are only producing a smattering of berries, the LETTUCE. Oh my.


Lettuce is a staple in this household for vegetables. Pair my anxiety around new vegetables and Andrew's anti-vegetable stance and you get a lot of non-adventurous salads. 

Forest of Lettuce- enter dramatic classical music.

 

Last week, for three days I picked little leaves for my sandwich. As it was baby lettuce I figured they were ready. Didn't really think they would continue growing, even though I left a bunch of little tiny leaves. I felt like a strange urban gardener, out there each early morning in my work clothes, delicately plucking little baby leaves and swearing whenever I accidentally pulled them out by the roots. By the end of last week they were looking quite razzed and I assumed that would be that.


Fast forward to today and cue leaf motherload!! It was as if *I had never even been there* (duh duh duuuuuuh). YES! Look at those beautiful fluffy green leaves. Half of the planter produced two bowls of salads, and I only took the biggest leaves... hopefully allowing the smaller leaves to continue growing.

 Le Bol de la fameuse Laitue!

 

I'm so sad to have to consider giving such a bountiful plant away! I'm considering keeping the lettuce up next to one of our windows in our new place... 

If you live in the city and have a balcony, all it takes is a pot, some dirt and worm poo and a few seeds. Take that step into becoming a self-sustaining yogi(ni) and use your outdoor space to grow Life.


I tell ya, lettuce rocks.


(one week and we'll be in our new place!! WOOT!)


Blessings from rainy Halifax


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

Two Aspiring Locavores: A Conversation on Local Food

Happy Summer Solstice-Litha, the longest day of the year! In the spirit of connection, Yancy of A Green Spell and I have a 'foodie' discussion for you. Please check out her space to see her lovely picture of her local farmer's market. It would be great if you could join in on the discussion with a comment!



Yancy= Blue
Lisa= Green

Although most of the stuff in this video wasn't a surprise, I really felt that it was extremely well done. I like graphs, statistics and charts, especially when they're entertaining. Nova Scotia may not have a huge amount of farmlands, but it's being threatened pretty significantly. I always find it so frustrating when I see that local grocery stores import foods we grow right here such as potatoes (ahem- Prince Edward Island anyone??), broccoli, lettuce and carrots from the USA. Unless I head over to the farmer's market, currently there is virtually 'no' Canadian produce in regular grocery stores. It sucks.

I loved the video, too, and it seems to have come to my attention at the same time as other sources talking about food miles. I totally understand what you mean about seeing all the non-local foods when we are both close to some very luscious farmlands. Like your area, Central Oregon is not farmland friendly due to its extreme temperatures, short growing season and sandy, volcanic soil. I'm only about 150 miles from the Willamette Valley, though, one of the most fertile areas in the Western U.S., and yet, I consistently see food from Mexico and Canada in our grocery stores. Even the farmer's market closest to me regularly sells Canadian produce!

I am currently reading a book called Plenty: Eating Locally on the 100 Mile Diet, and even though I'm on the second chapter, it is enlightening, a little discouraging and completely upsetting. For instance, the average distance that food travels to our plates is 2,500 miles. Why should that be?! Further, it mentions a 2001 study that found that food shipped nationally (not even internationally which is just as common these days) "uses seventeen times more fuel than a regional food system." I find that kind of waste shocking and completely unnecessary.

just how far our food would travel from me to Yancy

What truly give me pause, is that you find there are more Canadian produce in grocery stores in Central Oregon than local produce. How does that even make sense? I spent so many months assuming from the amount of California, Washington (USA) produce at our local Sobey's that Canadians must *need* this extra produce... or we'd just keep it here in Canada! Similarly, why wouldn't your local grocery stores at least source their produce from California as opposed to Canada?

I agree with you, though. Shopping nationally also doesn't really make sense. Which is where I feel the Hellman's ad falls short. Sure I could buy Canadian apples... but then I might be buying apples shipped all the way from British Colombia, 6000km away. I'd much rather buy apples grown two hours away.

When Andrew worked at Safeway in the Okanagan Valley BC, he informed me that apples grown in Kelowna were shipped 6 hours away to Vancouver, processed in the plant there and THEN shipped BACK six hours to Vernon. Basically, instead of shipping apples from the farm to the store an hour away, they spent 12 hours (or more) in a truck and labeled 'local'.

I am also surprised by the amount of produce we get from Canada. Dare I hope that it is at least from British Columbia (closer to me)? And I think you're right about buying nationally. It is one thing when you're talking about Europe, for instance, but when you are talking about the 2nd and 3rd largest countries in the world, buying nationally isn't necessarily green. Buying regionally is really the only thing that makes sense.

So here's my question: Why are we doing business this way? I assume it's either cheaper and/or more profitable for agribusinesses to export food, or ship out to processing plants and then BACK to their original regions (as you mentioned with Andrew's experience), but how is that even possible? Why are our governments and business models built around these illogical and wasteful practices? Why aren't we supporting and creating a system that makes more sense - keeping crops as local as possible, saving fuel, cutting out the middle men?

Imagine a world in which we had farms in every region, growing crops sustainable for that landscape and climate, and no under-paid migrant workers - instead, the locals could come and pick their own food. Summer programs for kids could include having the kids do volunteer work at the farms, as well as other interested citizens. And college students could intern there....imagine!

Exactly! Imagine such a world. After discussing the 'why' with Andrew briefly, we both came to the conclusion that it must be politics. Some weird trade agreement between the US and Canada regarding how much we export and import. Lame, but probable. The Hellman's commercial is right- in order to make change we need to start asking and demanding for local foods. Sighing inwardly and wishing the store had more local stuff just won't cut it (they aren't psychic!). Writing local grocers and organizations, asking to speak with the manager of the particular store, informing the neighbourhood store why you're shopping at the farmer's market and not at their business... etc.

Of course, if we could grow our own stuff... now that would be a beautiful world. :)

I was just reading about trade agreements. I found something on the USDA website that says: "In 2007, Canada and Mexico were, respectively, the first and second largest export markets for U.S. agricultural products. Exports to the two markets combined were greater than exports to the next six largest markets combined." It goes on to describe trade agreements and is very enlightening - and frustrating.

I totally agree that we need to make ourselves heard within our own communities by making our preferences known to grocers. I have some hope, as last fall, during apple season, there were signs all over the grocery store that said, "Oregon apples." We have a lot of apple orchards in this state, so it was really awesome to see that most of the apples in our store were from Oregon. They may have traveled back and forth, like what Andrew described, but at least they were from our own state!

Here's my question to you: How are you working this "locavore" stuff into your own life? For me, I have had a lot of trouble with it. It is easy in some respects - we're doing a CSA this year, and the farm is only about 8 miles away from us. And I'm trying to buy things from Oregon companies, like Tillamook Diary (though more on that in another post!). But, there are some things I have a hard time with. I love having banana-cacao smoothies in the morning. Love it. I don't really like bananas that much, but in smoothies, yum! And chocolate....oh chocolate. There are all kinds of foods out there that are being marketed as "superfoods" that mostly all come from below the equator. And I indulge in them from time to time. How are you dealing with your non-local food/beverage cravings?

Halifax (crowded!) market

Oh, that is a DIFFICULT dilemma. Honestly, I am feeling very guilty about not going to the market more often (which this conversation and your recent food traceability post has reminded and reaffirmed my motivation). Honestly, we stopped buying most 'tropical' fruits... which included bananas. Sad, I know. I have been eating a LOT of apples over the past few months.

I'll be upfront though, since we don't can or preserve fruits (but may be looking into a preserving-pickling CSA!!) I have caved and bought frozen berries, pears and plums from... well... not Canada. However, recently my parents (who are crazy) have informed me that they've picked 22 quarts of strawberries locally and will be picking MORE for us (although not organic... ick!). Also, they pick wild, low bush blueberries every Fall. This year I'm going to try to freeze more fruit and berries to eat later in the season.

About the chocolate and coffee... I try to buy fair trade organic on these two because of what I know regarding the slave and child labour practices. After watching the Café Femineno documentary, I wince at buying non fair trade organic coffee, sugar or chocolate. I feel pretty decent about this, I'm supporting the farmer's directly and 'voting' with my money for better labour and trade practices. I try to let-go of too much perfection, small indulgences are minor if your overall staples are local. :)

I am totally jealous about the strawberries. We've had no luck with them in the cold weather, and bought a pound at the supermarket last week (from California - organic, too, as I'm worried about pesticides) - which went fast. Yum!

I'm honestly having a bit of a hard time localizing my purchases. Like the monthly banana binges I mentioned, lol. And it is just hard to find Oregonian foods - so much of our market supply is imported. And don't even get me started on things like flour and noodles.

But I'm trying and I'm learning. That book I mentioned is opening my mind to all kinds of possibilities. And of course, my CSA provider is teaching me so much. I'm hopeful about all that. And with my purposeful indulgences (as opposed to the lazy indulgences), like chocolate, almost all the chocolate I eat is fair trade and organic cacao powder, butter, and nibs from Oregonian supplier (though not producer, of course) Mountain Rose Herbs - just like what you mentioned with coffee/chocolate. There again, I'm trying to do the best I can with things I'm not ready to give up.

I think it's a slow progression, though, but I also think that that's okay. It is all such a learning process!

Thoughts, comments?

article copyright of Yancy, agreenspell.com and EcoYogini, ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Francesca the Green Queen Yoga Mat

A sweet package has arrived!!!!

After writing about Mr. Crumbles (ahem, yoga mat issues) something amazing occurred and I decided to wait to write about my mat choice until it arrived. Today, the hottest day of our summer so far, it has!

First, let us chat about my choices and why I chose the mat that I did.

We all know that TPE mats (or thermoplastic elastomers- sound sketchy? That's because it is) are sad, greenwashing attempts at an 'eco' yoga mat. Not truly 'biodegradable' in a safe manner (since we don't know the specifics as to what elastomer has created the TPE, nor the dyes), I find it frankly a bit insulting as to how much they are pushed as a green alternative. Plus, they also flake. For a more in-depth discussion, check out my post.

The Manduka Black Mats are often touted as a 'green' alternative, because you'll only ever buy ONE mat. However, that one mat will last forever... and beyond. I for one do not relish the thought of my yoga practice contributing to the mess of oil and plastic on our planet.

So, rubber it is.

Manduka Eko mats were the first I looked into. They're sold at the yoga studio I was energy exchanging and every single Sunday after scrubbing the studio I would haul out the Eko mat and practice. I can honestly say that it's not that grippy and the little string binding was fraying like Mr. Crumbles. Also, one of the instructors whispered to me that the colours bleed... not really worth 70$+ and I wasn't that interested in purchasing a 'lite'.

Jade Yoga Mats are reportedly sourced from sustainably harvested rubber trees and they plant a tree for every mat purchased. I have heard (from comments and other yogi(ni)s) that they also tend to flake away. Still, the price isn't that bad and the mats are pretty (although dyed synthetically). Jade also has a new mat that is made with post consumer rubber- the Encore Mat.

Unfortunately when I went to order online, I noticed that Canada wasn't among the (dozens) of countries listed for shipping. Nope, if you want to order a mat you have to actually email their 'Canadian' contact. No first name, minimal information, basically just an email address. Um. After emailing them their response was; 'Yes! Simply email our Canadian rep!' which they forwarded my email to him without my permission. Ummm. No thank you.

My first choice all along was really prAna Revolution. I was very excited about their 'no string thingy' binding method of using non-toxic glues, their use of rubber and their labour policies. I was also excited about the reviews on performance and customer service. Although it took over a week for Jade to respond to my email, prAna responded within 48 hours.

I inquired about prAna's sourcing of their rubber and whether they used synthetic dyes in their mats. The director of sustainability, Nicole, actually responded personally to my email. Her response was open, honest and respectful. She reported that my question had sparked an interest in determining the rubber source beyond their 'rubber broker' in Malaysia, assessing the rubber's traceability. I look forward to hearing about the results.

The dyes, she responded, were synthetic (as the majority of rubber mat dyes are) and she even went as far as to give me some ideas on how to re-use or recycle my mat (in the distant event that it may have passed it's time). I loved her honest and authentic response.

I was also very excited about the Revolution mat's actual physical SIZE. Which is silly, since I'm not a tall person and don't really need a lot of space on a mat. But I heart space... and six one Andrew would benefit from 'borrowing' such a mat.

Sadly, with wedding budgeting and job insecurity I just couldn't justify spending the money on the mat...Peaking out excitedly!

Then- I got a facebook message from a prAna rep saying they'd read my 'Mr Crumbles' post and were offering me a 50% discount on a mat of my choice!!! WEEE!!!!!! I did a little dance (mostly to 'peanut butter jelly time' in my head) and said 'OH YEAH!'. A phone call later and my mat was ordered in green.

It has arrived today. And it is MASSIVELY awesome. And massive. hah.

The packaging was alright- cardboard box, taped up not too much. The box was padded with some brown paper (no plastic bubbles) which will be perfect for packing our dishes. One down side- the mat was in shrink-wrapped plastic... Sigh. I wouldn't have doubted it's 'newness' if it didn't have plastic... as it was also wrapped in (100% post consumer) paper.

Andrew holding it up to it's full length (mine was folded slightly)

The mat smells like a new rubber mat, which I'm used to from Mr Crumbles. A lesson I learned from him- air out the mat for 48hours, that smell can really make you dizzy! Conveniently it's warm out, so we can leave the windows and balcony door open. Of course, since it's rubber, direct sunlight isn't ideal. So it's hanging on the computer chair (our one and only guest chair besides the couch).

I rolled it out and gave a few test runs... and holy it is so beautiful. Sticky and not too thick (I love to *feel* the ground beneath me) it feels like I am dwarfed in my practice, that I have SO MUCH SPACE to practice. My Malasana actually remains on the mat- no toes on the floor! My downdog is NOT moving, the luxury.

Francesca supporting my Triangle...which is actually a pretty wide triangle for me... :)

I had a sudden thought- 'I hope this fits in my yogoco mat bag'... ummm.... nope! Something I hadn't even considered, the mat is about 4 inches too wide! I'll need another strategy... which is kind of a bummer. Instead of buying another bag, I think I'll modify an old Lulu mat bag with a drawstring that I haven't been using.

Also it is majorly heavy- so not ideal for long walks or bicycling to the park. Since Mr. Crumbles was going to be delegated to 'park' duty, I'm not too concerned about that.

What I am a bit concerned about is how I'll feel showing up to a class with this sucker. She deserves a name- like Getha, or Francesca... the First. In any case, I hope I don't feel like I'm rollin' up in my Hummer on a tiny cobbled 'ruelle'... ya know? As a yoga instructor, what are your honest thoughts on such a situation?

I am pretty aware that for many (myself included) the price tag of a prAna Revolution mat is a bit steep (90$). However, when you consider the price of a Jade mat (79$ in a studio, 100$ Bhavana for the wide equivalent), Manduka's 70$ Eko and 90-100$ PVC Black Mat, the difference really isn't that much. Since my goal wasn't to collect mats, but to find the *one* that would last a lifetime of practice without damaging our planet, I probably would have saved for a few months and bought the prAna mat.

Despite the small issue of synthetic dyes (considering most rubber mats have them anyway) I am very pleased with my choice and feel extremely blessed to have been given this gift of Francesca, the Green Queen of Yoga mats :)

Andrew's choice of asana... savasana which fits his entire six one frame.... Guess we'll be fighting over who gets to use the mat!

Many many thanks to André of prAna and their beautiful generosity!

Blessings and Happy Weekend!

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

No longer an 'eco' wedding, but an Honest Wedding

Countdown, T minus uhhhh, wait gotta do the math-just under 4 months. Oh dear Goddess. I am getting married.... for REAL.

Hah, well I know what you're thinking. But after being engaged for almost two years, the whole wedding planning thing kind of loses it's shiny sparkly appeal, along with it's sense of reality. After a period of 'I will just ignore all this wedding crap until the FUN gets put back into Wedding-Fun', we had a crash re-introduction back into the planning storm.

Planning an environmentally friendly wedding has definitely been very interesting and not at ALL what I expected. For some reason I thought that planning a 'different' wedding would mean that the two year engagement would be kick bum. That I'd need all this extra time to source my eco-STUFF.

Haha, 'stuff'? Looking back I can see I really have come a long way in my environmental journey. I assumed I needed to find the cheapest, most eco-friendly wedding everything and that we would buy or DIY. *shakes her head*

At this point, with friends who are planning, I feel like I'm forgetting something. Friends are scurrying around, frantically getting everything together. And I'm well, alright. We just decided that the most important aspect of our wedding was the fact that we were getting married.

Basically the essentials are in place. I have my 'made in Canada' dress (being altered as we speak), we have a meeting with the Minister in July (yes, God is making an appearance, in French AND English!), our invitations are basically done and hangin' out in the mac's 'Pages' waiting to be printed on recycled paper, a venue and a guest list.I've decided that I'd leave decorating to the lowest priority. Sounds a bit crazy huh? It's what most brides obsess over- the details. But I figure, I really would drive myself crazy and I already have enough white wine bottles for random flowers. I also found about 16 HUGE mason jars at our local Value Village, perfect for the handmade beeswax candles that will circle our on the ocean alter. My mother agreed to making apple pies and freezing them for the wedding with local apples instead of cake (sigh, she makes such YUMMY apple pies).

I'm thinking of purchasing some handmade slippers for shoes on etsy... Favours? After both of our recent family experiences with cancer, we decided to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society in their names instead. Our venue should be decoration enough- ocean, fall leaves... what more could I ask for?

Last weekend my mother came up and together we found a beautiful dress for her to wear and she looked fabulous. The icing on the cake? It was made in Canada.

All my 'we're having a sustainable wedding' really has changed into the realization that we're having a meaningful and honest wedding that reflects us and our values. Instead of buying 'eco' things, we're leaving all the extra 'stuff' for what really matters. Of course getting Andrew's brother to donate his Guitar Hero (and possibly playstation3) and Rock Band for the reception is also honest and meaningful. Cuz who DOESN'T like rockin' out?

Blessings! article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Overshare: IBS and Yoga

Overshare alert. Again. (sigh, I am a sucker...hah) I have IBS or 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome'. Lots of Type A people do actually and according to the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, IBS affects approximately 13 to 20% of Canadians. So I know that in this overshare I am not alone. Trust me though, my stomach issues are definitely not something I like talking about.

Ok, first things first. I need to clarify what it means for myself as each and every person may experience similar symptoms along with very different results.

IBS is basically an array of symptoms that some researchers think is linked to improper motor-sensory neurological signals sent from the brain to the stomach. Instead of telling the stomach to process food as it normally would, these signals will tell the stomach and intestines to process food NOW. The typical peristalsis (squeeze-push through) muscle movements are changed to sporadic and intense muscle spasms. The opposite is also true, at times inhibiting food digestion.

Sounds wonderful eh? There are many possible triggers for IBS, from certain foods, lifestyles, antibiotics to hormone fluctuation. The management of IBS is equally as vague and unique to each individual.

For myself, I can say that for as long as I can remember I have struggled with digestion. As far back as clutching my belly on the way home from elementary school. I was a picky eater (still am) and from my clinical experience and education (SLP's work with individuals who have eating and swallowing difficulties) I can confidently say that my food anxieties most likely stemmed from digestive struggles as early as infancy. Eating has always been painful.

My main triggers are stress and dairy. But honestly anything under the sun could do it if my stomach was 'in the state'. During my undergrad and graduate degrees the stress was high and I lost a *lot* of weight coupled with a few trips to emergency. (Side note, breads with whole grains and seeds are NOT a good idea).

Practicing Yoga with IBS poses some pretty significant challenges and benefits. First the good stuff:

Yoga has become my main source of stress management (along with music). Although I have been pretty fantastic at pranayama and correct breathing since I was 13 (singing lessons), Yoga has allowed me to focus and calm my anxiety ridden mind. It wasn't an overnight miracle, or lightbulb moment (far from it!) but after 5 years of practice I can firmly say that Yoga keeps my stress under control. The journey has slowly allowed myself to explore ways to peace, acceptance and letting go. And continues to do so.

Yoga has also allowed me to find physical activity in relative safety. Planning events and sport activities can be stressful for individuals with IBS. Planning the yoga class around MY schedule allows some sense of control. Also, I could simply take a class in the safety of my home.

Staying physically active also helps with body health and ultimately digestion of food. Although the 'twists' and such to help improve digestion really have no relevance for me (as I have doubts they would for most sufferers, if my stomach is hurting twists are NOT going to help), simply being active helps.
The tricky parts of Yoga and IBS:
Attending class can be ridiculously stressful. Although I am now at a point that I'm managing my IBS, flare ups happen and often without prediction. Going to yoga classes is an anxious event for me. Showing up, hoping the teacher will be good, trying not to let the whole 'lulu' atmosphere of the other yogis affect me, what if I can't find a spot? What if the teacher makes me have a panic attack (like last time?)... All internal to my own issues, but all pretty effective at worsening an already delicate balance.

Cuz once you're in that class, running full out to the bathroom while clutching your stomach WILL get noticed. It's really a pretty big etiquette no-no.

Many Yoga postures can actually be painful and counter productive for IBS. Such as any sort of chest opener or back bend. Stretching out and moving around when all you want to do is curl up in a ball really isn't ideal.

Not eating before yoga class is actually the best way I can stave away any risk of 'bad times'. However, we do need to eat and sometimes 2-3 hours digestion time, for someone with IBS, doesn't cut it. The doshas are great guidance systems, but really were not created for an individual with IBS in mind. I say this because I would have some serious health consequences. This isn't to say they aren't appropriate for others, I would simply caution anyone with digestive concerns from taking on an Ayurvedic diet without first consulting their medical doctor AND more importantly Dietitian-Nutritionist.

Here are some things that I have learned that work for me. (please note the 'me', they may not be best for you. Please consult your doctor and Dietitian).

Vegetables: essential for good health but dangerous suckers. Eating raw vegetables may be tasty (I *hate* cooked vegetables) but our stomachs are not geared to digest and break down plant cell walls. Steam your vegetables- this will break down the cells while retaining most of the nutritional value. I once had a Dietitian tell me that if I wasn't steaming my vegetables than I shouldn't complain about stomach pain and bloating.... (right).

AVOID whole grain bread, sharp seed-y things, granola with whole flax seeds etc in your regular diet. Remember the spastic muscle thingys?? Imaging a sharp seed ripping through there. Yeah. Not so great. Imagine where the bleeding would end up.... Whole wheat bread is fine. Really.

Certain fruits definitely contain a LOT of acid and can cause a lot of pain. Like strawberries and apples (ok strawberries are berries, but ya know). I still eat them, cuz eating local means eating apples, but I deal with the pain. If you have alternatives, research them.

Probiotics are great, but in the form of Yogurt can be scary (ahem, dairy). I have slowly accustomed my stomach to Yogurt and have felt better from my homemade live cultured yogurt than ever before. Honestly not fool proof though... :S caution is warranted.

Eating smaller portion sizes, regularly. This one is really hard to accomplish with my work, and has slipped. But I notice a definite improvement when I eat more often in smaller portions. This allows me to eat more sketchy veggies (ie that cause pain and bloating) in smaller bits, getting nutrients without shocking my belly.

Please avoid 'restrictive' diets such as internal 'cleansings'. Your intestinal and digestive system is sensitive (and we know that fruits and vegetables can be harsh on your stomach). Changes should occur gradually and in a manner that they can be incorporated into your life. Not a two week 'cleanse' that may upset an already unbalanced system. Should you really want to try a system cleanse- please please consult a Dietitian. Eating healthy isn't about restriction.

My favourite soothing remedy is definitely not Yoga but Peppermint tea. Yoga is preventative and not remedial to symptoms. But Peppermint tea? THAT can help keep my belly calm.

Coffee and alcohol are bad. Coffee especially. I love coffee. Each season around this time I start drinking iced mochas. My stomach rebels for the first... oh... four. And then succumbs by sheer WILL I tell you. Or brute force. Not sure which one. For myself coffee is worth the pain. But trust me, there is pain.

Andrew's birthday present from friends H. and K.: his favourite book ever. Although I don't tell him about my poo, is it weird that he wishes I did?? lol

If you're having a bad 'stomach' day, maybe a public yoga class isn't the best idea for you today. And that's ok. Acceptance is key in letting go of expectations of what you 'should' do and how you 'should' be. Simply ignoring your IBS won't make it go away. Your friends, family and partner will still love you (if they are of any value) and have accepted you for who you are.

Manage your stress. This is the number one issue. I use Yoga and music. Find what works for you and that will be the single most momentous realization of your life. Seriously.

And to end with my friend Margaret's book title quoted to me many moons ago: 'Lisa, Everybody Poops'.

Blessings

article copyright of EcoYogini at EcoYogini.blogspot.com

A Natural Oven Cleaner that Actually Works

I have found a random 'natural' cheap cleaner that actually works!! GASP- I know, it is ridiculously amazing. I mean this- Andrew and I have been ouu-ing and ahhing over the entire concept.

It's an oven cleaner. Yep- our oven needed cleaning. Like I mentioned before, we're clean people... but I never lived somewhere long enough to worry about things like cleaning an oven. Until now. Our apartment is getting a 'pre-moving inspection' tomorrow. Sound scary? I agree. So we are furiously cleaning around the boxes in the hope they will deem the *tiny* finishing nail holes insignificant.

Our oven hasn't been cleaned in TWO years and was pretty darn gross. Andrew and I discussed the best way to clean the oven. We really didn't want to use chemical cleaner.

There is nothing more disgusting than cleaning what you cook or eat your food off of with toxic chemicals. Why would we clean what we bake our food in with nasty chemicals? Um. Yeah.

So, we turned the oven on to 500 and baked the sh*t out of 'er (excuse the language... trucker-yogini is slipping out). Hmm... not exactly the final answer.

I had read in Ecoholic Home that a supposedly effective cleaning method was to put on a paste of baking soda (bicarbonate) and water, let sit for a while and scrub off. We've read about coating baking soda on and leaving it overnight, but honestly who has the time for that?? 30min, 60 TOPS. Honestly, we both didn't really think it was going to work. We had the whole 'resigned to using chemical cleaner' in the back of our minds.

30 minutes later Andrew takes an exploratory scrub... and holy crap it works. Not only does it work, but it actually required minimal scrubbing and seemed to just fall away!! This is TWO YEARS of food, baked on (at 500 degrees hah) easily scrubbing away. Our disgusting Oven. See that white paste? That's the GUNK coated with baking soda. Where the green sponge is? That's where the gunk (piled high) used to be...

Lesson learned. Baking soda as oven cleaner= awesomeness.

Blessings!

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

The Wonders of Recycling and Composting in the City

Ahh recycling and composting. Definitely NOT a glamorous aspect of the 'green' movement... but kinda essential.

I've talked before about how Nova Scotia really does everything to make composting and recycling pretty darn easy. While we lived in BC we had a garden composting (ok, the landlord of our basement apartment had one) so I do remember the beauty of non-municipal composting.

Basically, it's so easy that I really don't understand the excuses given by local Haligonians. You'd be surprised how many people and businesses simply ignore the provincial *law* mandating composting and recycling.

Since sometimes I read about how many individuals say they would recycle, but living in the city-apartment-takeyourpick prevents them, I thought I'd share how Andrew and I have figured out our urban recycle-compost system. :)

Our leak-proof bags. love love them.

First off, the composting. So many people assume that having a kitchen compost would stink... but with the proper container it really shouldn't (and even without!). We have lots of friends who simply use an old icecream container lined with a paper bag, or a bucket. But... we really don't empty our compost every day. Mostly because we're lazy. So, essentially we decided to suck up the extra few bucks every once in a while and buy a nice compost container that clicks shut and some leak-proof compostable bags.

Our bin, it even SAYS Fresh... marketing at it's best.

Seriously, as long as the compost bin is shut there is zero smell. The only thing that sucks is when we wait wayyyy too long to empty it. Then it's gross and disgusting.

The innards of our recently emptied and clean bin :)

The city provides every.single.apartment building with an array of large bins for pick up. Our apartment has: an organics bin, a paper recycling bin, a blue bag (plastics, glass, cartons) bin and cardboard bin.

Our apartment's recycling spot. Two bins on right: paper and plastic, bin on left is corrugated cardboard only.

How do we empty our compost? Walk down the hall, two flights of stairs, out front, precariously lift the lid, DONOTINHALETHROUGHNOSE, and dump dump dump. We mostly take turns on this chore- since it's pretty gross (mostly because like I said, we're lazy and it gets disgusting). Easy!Our organics bin- this sucker gets STINKY in the summer.

Recycling is a bit more complicated actually. Halifax has strict rules on how to separate recyclable materials and what can and can't be accepted. We basically have three 'blue bag' systems. (please disregard mess...lol)

1. Old garbage bin turned blue bag container. This is where milk cartons (or any carton) #1, #2 plastic and glass live. We try to keep plastics to a minimum, so this bag only needs to be emptied (for our two person home) every two-three weeks.

2. Random blue bag. This one is actually for the 'dry organics'. Halifax requires that any regular cardboard (such as cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls) be composted. Instead of trying to collect a pile, combined with our 'laissé faire' attitude, we just collect them in the blue bag and periodically do a combo- wet-dry compost run.

3. Regular paper blue bin. This gets emptied every few months or so, since we try not to waste a lot of paper.

We've also been collecting caps in an old tupperware container. They aren't accepted in regular plastic recycling, but Aveda will take them and send to special recycling facilities. I've been collecting for months now and need to make my first trip to the Aveda store downtown.

Since we started all this recycling and composting our actual 'garbage' bag has greatly decreased in size and there is no smell at all. We go through a small kitchen garbage bag every two weeks or so, depending.

That's it! So easy, I have no idea why anyone in Halifax wouldn't recycle or compost. After chatting with HRM's Organic's rep at the last 'eco-fair', I realized that although many businesses claim that they are exempt from the entire affair- they are in fact not... and are breaking a whole host of by-laws. Unfortunately, it's near impossible for HRM to track these infractions... so they get away with it.

I make a point of asking businesses where their recycling-composting bins are... and commenting on their answer. Annoying? Hah, well businesses tend to respond best to customer feedback. There's mine. :) The sign on our garbage bin... so fantastic.

How's your system? If you don't have municipal composting, would you consider vermicomposting (wormy goodness?). I can say that I most definitely would...

Blessings!
article and photograph copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Yoga in the Park sans Skin Cancer

This past week the weather here has finally begun to feel more like summer, mid to high 20's (celcius) and sunny sunny skies. Sunny weather of course means... Guerrilla Yoga in the Park!

Our last Yoga in the Park happened two weekends ago... and I only remembered that I might need sunscreen when we got there. One hour of practicing yoga in the hot sun next to the ocean and you can be assured I had some key red spots! My arms and shoulders were actually sore for about three days. Skin cancer is not ideal.

The reason we didn't get sunscreen this year was my want for something sans chemicals.

Sunscreens and sunblocks don't just provide a friendly 'stay away please' to UVA, UVB rays, they often contain potential estrogenic mimicking chemicals such as parabens. The Environmental Working Group assessed over 800 sunscreens and proclaimed only 16 percent to be both safe for our health and environment and effective. Oxybenzone, found in 400 products, is a weak hormone disruptor found in the urine of 95% 6-8 year old girls tested... with some freaky ovary producing, oxybenzone showing fish near sewers. Not to mention the loads of other unstable chemicals present in sunscreens and sunblocks (Adria Vasil, Ecoholic).

So instead of protecting our skin from harmful skin cancer, we're slathering on chemical filled creams that are absorbed into our bloodstreams and-or wash down into our waterways creating ovary toting fish (which of course eventually gets re-consumed by us via water system). According to EWG, the FDA failed to finalize it's 1978 safety standards, resulting in an understudied industry.

Here are some pretty troubling EWG statements on sunscreen:

1. There's no consensus that sunscreens prevent skin cancer.
2. There's some evidence that sunscreens may increase the risk for cancer
3. Although there are more higher SPF products out there, there's no evidence proving they're better.
4. The common ingredient in sunscreen, vitamen A, may speed up skin cancer.
5. Free-radicals and other skin-damaging chemicals are by-products of sunscreen.
6. Choosing between nanomaterials and potential hormone disrupting chemicals...(click on the link for detailed discussion on each).

EWG have conveniently put together their 2010 sunscreen guide with an easy rating system. Erin, over at The Conscious Shopper, has recently tried out a sunscreen (and found it wanting). The EWG's FAQ section has a ton of information regarding sunscreen safety (who knew it was so complex??).

Sadly, most of the 'safe' sunscreens are difficult to find in Canada. As Adria Vasil of Ecoholic points out, simply buying a sunscreen from a Health store doesn't assure a free pass on chemical-ville.

Quick tips to keep your Guerrilla Yoga easy on the environment and your health:

• choose sunscreen with key ingredients zinc oxide, titanium dioxide. If the cream isn't white, than it probably has nano particles... which may be a bit sketchy, but EWG basically thinks they probably aren't. Read their description as to why.
• Wear protective UVB, UVA clothing (Patagonia has some pretty awesome stuff).
• Choose sunscreens of SPF 15 or 30. Don't choose anything over SPF 50.
• Avoid sprays or powders (yum, inhaled chemicals!)
• avoid ingredient 'retinyl palmitate' (vitamin A) as it may speed up cancer.

The one sunscreen I recognize... Jason's sunscreen. I'll be looking around this weekend for my anti-skin cancer friendly to the trees sunscreen.

Strangely enough, that day practicing in the sun, my face was absolutely fine. Not even a bit of pink. And wouldn't you know I was wearing my mineral powder? Yep. Sunscreen protection. (please don't judge makeup wearing prior to outdoor yoga... it's one of my personal journey processes...).

I hope everyone enjoys the sunny weather and Yoga in the Park! (For those Haligonians reading- Sunday June 13th, Point Pleasant Park Tour Site 10 at 11am :) )

Blessings!

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com