GPB: Violence Against Women and Violence Against Our Planet

I am a feminist... and an environmentalist.

After reading an interesting interview of Eve Ensler's views on how climate change, feminism and violence against women are all interconnected, I felt like sharing it with you.

Go on over to the Green Phone Booth and share your thoughts, comments, observations, opinions! (of course, always mindful of being respectful :) ).

For my Atlantic coastal peeps: stay safe and warm this weekend during the scary winter Blizzard!

Casseroles for Environmental Rights

No one likes to read blog posts about politics and voting. No really, it's true (I have stats and minimal comments to prove it). Which is unfortunate, really, since by plugging our ears and shouting 'lalalalala!' on the increasingly depressing Conservative government we're allowing our country to do a whole slew of nasty things to our health, women's rights and the environment.

Yep, I will admit that I honestly hate hearing about what the Harper Government has in store for us each day. I no longer see myself in the political and social stance that my country's government is setting in place. For whom did Harper government back out of the Kyoto Agreement? Or cut thousands of environmental protection and Parks Canada jobs? Or put forth in a sneaky bill a drastic reduction in environmental regulation, policing in conjunction with mass scientist muzzling?

Definitely not it's citizens. Not for me.

Bill c-38, which the government is trying to push through WITHOUT citizen input or debate includes five scary changes and reasons to speak out (from BlackOutSpeakOut ou SilenceOnParle and why The David Suzuki Foundation is Speaking Out):

1. While they are cutting funding left and right to environmental protection agencies, the Harper government is funding 8 million dollars into the Canada Revenue Agency to police and audit charities and non-profit organizations (such as the David Suzuki Foundation)... making it more difficult for them to exercise their right to advocate for environmental policies and change. (um, don't see them upping the policing for oil companies now do we?).
2. Our participation in a democratic system is being completely ignored. Supposedly there is a well established process for citizen involvement and debate when it comes to such sweeping changes (unfortunately, my political involvement is really only since the days of a conservative minority government, so having an open democratic government almost seems utopic to me). Shockingly, the government has put forth these drastic changes in one massive budget bill... that doesn't allow any citizen input. At all.
3. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be replaced... with something that has much less policing and investigation of new projects and new substances while allowing the government to 'ok' whatever new projects come their way (i.e. money making, polluting Big Oil projects). This means that our government will no longer be adequately protecting us against toxins and pollutants nor will they be safeguarding the country we live in and the resources that we depend on. 
1. Americans, this implicates you as well. Harper's push to get the oil sands piped to the US? That was WITH the current environmental assessment procedures lobbying against the decision. With less policing projects that affect our climate, oceans and forests will most certainly affect yours (it's not like the air, water or trees give a crap about borders).
4. Funding for environmental testing and safety are being cut or completely removed. Jobs in Oceans and Fisheries are being cut by the thousands (while our military budget for an imaginary war doesn't seem to have a lot of money woes...). 'Nuff Said. 
5. This bill would effectively muzzle government scientists and restrict their ability to communicate and speak out regarding their findings. This is so beyond shocking, that I can't even begin to articulate how disappointed and ashamed I am that my government is trying to restrict and control scientific exploration, discovery and debate. 

As you can see on BlackOutSpeakOut's web page, hundreds of environmental charities and organizations are joining together to fight this colossal step back in Canada's democratic and societal history. (SilenceOnParle pour le site français).

Today is Ocean's Day... and Canada has THREE Oceans (personally the Atlantic coast is my favourite- so powerful and majestic). 

Yes the government is frustrating, yes we feel helpless to create change, but THIS is a reason to be angry. Bill c-38 is a reason to get up in arms. Regardless of your political leanings. Regardless if you're a hardcore, tree hugging hippie or not. 

We can take courage and inspiration to become agents of change from the Casseroles in Québec (and now rippling across the country and internationally). As Québec citizens step outside to fight for their right to speak out and protest, so to should we not allow this blow to our political rights as Canadian citizens (read Mr Suzuki's comparison between the Québec protests and the implications on our country and government).

(these nightly 8pm protests have been happening for the past two weeks- and continue to do so)

Together, we can take our pots and pans, write letters (or send pre-written letters), sign petitions and gather our democratic right to protect our country, health and to be heard. 

Sign the BlackOutSpeakOut Petition (international readers are able as well)

Send a David Suzuki prepared letter in honour of Oceans Day to Stephen Harper

Send a letter to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty

Send a letter to your local MP

Or to... Stephen Harper himself: stephen.harper@parl.gc.ca 

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

The Electric Car- A Miracle Cure or Mirage?

A confession? I have an un-eco obsession with gas guzzling cars/trucks. Although speed is great, it's not lamborginis or Ferraris that do it, but those ridiculously large, duel-y diesel engine, quad cab pick-up trucks that make me drool. I want to drive one. I park my little fuel efficient jelly-bean of a car next to them. I have spent years mourning the loss of ever owning one (the Planet isn't worth it).

an example of my dream truck. I am a rural girl at heart.

Initially, like many environmentally conscious peeps, I was quite excited by the prospect that our second vehicle (once the Yaris goes caput in, say, another 5 years) will be electric. Nova Scotia is *so* car dependent that it's difficult to function outside of university without a car. Recently, it appears like perhaps the electric car is doing the whole "Phoenix from ashes", with governments and eco-organizations touting this rise as the miracle cure to all our carbon spewing woes.

(Nissan LEAF)

You don't have to give up your car-dependancy lifestyle- just plug 'er in! Guilt and carbon-free!

Except... is it really that simple?

According to Ecoholic, the average car produces between 10,000 and 12,000 pounds of climate-changing carbon dioxide every year. Along with carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons this toxic mess contribute in a big way to "smog" (which kills thousands a year in large cities).

The Nissan LEAF (recently introduced in Canada) has a grand total of ZERO emissions while operating. If we switched the majority of cars to electric vehicles we'd be saving our lungs from breathing in thousands upon thousands of pounds of toxins.

Beyond all the logistical "arguments" that I've heard (cost and lifespan of lithium battery, charging stations and infrastructure) which all have fabulous answers (at the end of the lifespan of the battery, 8-10 years, batteries will be cheaper, customer demand will result in infrastructure plus you can charge the car in a 120 voltage outlet anyway), there are some pretty serious *big picture* issues that need to be honestly addressed.

We are much too dependant on single occupant vehicle transportation. Despite all the progress with electric vehicles, the industry still needs quite a bit of research (longer lasting, more easily accessible and cheaper batteries, infrastructure etc) and lets be honest; the industry will take a good 10 years to make a significant switch. Do we really have 10 years to keep on our merry, polluting way?

It's concerning that so much energy be placed on the electric car as our climate change saviour- but at some distant future. Instead, our government could be encouraging use and improving public transportation and/or bicycle lanes. If the average driver travels less than 60 km a day, than a public transportation system that was efficient, clean and reliable would do just the trick.

Finally... we do conveniently forget where that electricity comes from. In Nova Scotia, most of the electricity is generated from coal plants. Although other provinces have better track records (New Brunswick actually has a few nuclear, zero emission, plants), we're far from "clean" energy.

(for a fantastic discussion on this topic, head over to radio-canada's Christiane Charette with Pierre Olivier-Pineau, professor at HEC and expert in energy politics as well as co-founder of Quebec's Green Party, Daniel Breton. The catch? It's in French...)

I am not anti-electric car by a long shot. I'm looking forward to the day when Andrew and I will have a single vehicle family electric car. However, the tempting lure of a miracle pill that would allow my lazy bum to continue driving, continue consuming is too misleading. A mirage in our floundering climate desert.

Start bicycling, start walking.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

The House Hippo Life Lesson

Oh the House Hippo. I blame lost socks, papers and weird creaks on our House Hippo inhabitants.

House Hippos are an important lesson on critical thinking when it comes to the media. It most certainly was one of my first lessons on critical thinking just before university. How to ask the right questions.

House Hippos can teach us about many things.

Such as Greenwashing. Just because it's written, just because our media tells us, or just because you here it on the cbc doesn't make it true. Just because you read it on this blog (although... I AM pretty much an expert on House Hippos...).

They can teach us to question Body Image and how our media and society want us to *think* we should look like.

House Hippos can even teach us about Yoga. How it's portrayed in the media, how it's used and even sold.

The best House Hippo lesson? How to take a moment to examine and thoughtfully consider seemingly well-meaning, cyclic explanations and products. Like biodegradable coffee cups,  Clorox 'Greenworks' cleaning company, or tree-planting neat unnatural rows of soft woods to replace clear-cut rich and diverse forest.

Everyone needs a House Hippo.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

The Potential Exclusive Message of Yoga, Blogs and Movements

I have always loved to read, I've always adored school and language has never been a problem for me. Getting fabulous grades and excelling academically wasn't ever an issue. I know I'm a smarty pants.

My problem has always been sounding like one. Or should I say- not really sounding like one.

Coming from a small village, growing up tromping in the woods, catching frogs and riding four (and three!) wheelers since I was six years old doesn't really suit the use of a higher level vocabulary. Why would I want to use words and phrase structures that others around me would find weird, snobby or not understand? I wanted to communicate, not preach (or pontificate).

Yoga in the park- circle warrior III hands from inside the circle. All students- practicing together!

I think this is an invaluable lesson when trying to articulate your thoughts and form ideas and opinions to be shared. The way a message is packaged, the vocabulary, speaking and reading level, has always been a point of contention for me with academia, feminism and blogs.

It became increasingly clear that those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to afford university do not represent the population as whole. Even less so at the graduate level. I can't understand why movements like the feminism movement, would package ideas and theories at a language level so completely foreign to so many. If we want cultural and social change, shouldn't we be spreading the message in a way that makes sense to everyone? So even my grandmother, who didn't go further than grade 7, would be able to read and relate? (I was kicked out of that book club passive-aggressively, they changed the date and place so I wouldn't know where they were meeting...).

The same applies to the environmental movement, yoga and my blog. Over the past few years I've gone to several public environmental lectures at Dalhousie University. They've all been very interesting and informative. Unfortunately, they've all been wrapped up and presented in an extremely intimidating academia-speak... and predictably the only people there were students and academics (and us). 

These people already get the message, they already buy in to the bottom line. They already know.

At times I find yoga blogs, articles and 'speak' to be similar. In the sense that it's either packaged in an intensely scriptural way, quoting the Gita or Sutras and throwing in countless sanskrit terms. It's not that I don't see the value in using appropriate sanskrit terminology for asana, nor the value of sharing 'parables' and spiritual insights. I just don't feel that it's the most inclusive way to share a message. Honestly, most people are not going to relate. It all depends if that's a goal or not. 

A great example is a recent commenter's use of the word 'proprioception'. I used 'spatial awareness' to describe my inability to know where my own body is in space. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I know the official 'Occupational Therapist' terminology for this is 'proprioception', which was kindly pointed out in the comment section. I might know this, but 'spatial awareness' will not only be much more self-explanatory (who wants to copy and google a word while reading anyhow?), it will get my point across in a much more inclusive fashion. 

I might also know that our 'ear drum' is technically called our 'tympanic membrane' or that our 'vocal cords' are actually 'vocal folds', and having trouble swallowing is 'dysphagia'. Just because I know this doesn't mean I have to use it in my regular every day speak, or while trying to dialog with an unknown group of readers about a message I think is important to share (like the importance of avoiding q-tips while cleaning your ears, proper use of voice while teaching a yoga class or how to help protect your father's lungs while he eats after a having had a stroke).

When I don't know who my listeners are, I can't assume either way.

When I started writing this blog, it was for the purpose of sharing some environmental insights that I see as being a primordial aspect of Yoga and my Spiritual Pagan path. 

If I want someone to make a small change (or a big one) I could go three ways:

• intimidate the crap out of them with a very formal science speak. 'I use big words, hear me roar!' Some people prefer this type of rhetoric, but you peeps are the minority.
• be completely silly and use very low vocabulary and simple explanations. This can be entertaining, but it's never my goal to assume that the reader can't understand a concept- it's insulting. Which isn't my goal.

- Find the balance of an appropriate reading level, humour, approachableness, likeability and respect while still putting forth the information and ideas in an organized manner.

This is the hardest thing. Finding this balance. I do believe that this precarious balance (or failing to find it) is the reason why so many scientists have trouble communicating theories, ideas and science to the rest of us... and why so many people still believe that Climate Change doesn't exist. 

What do you think?

(** ps- I DO think there are a lot of fabulous writers and communicators out there who do an amazing job in yoga, feminism and the environment. Usually, sadly, there's a backlash from the more academic community- think Gloria Steinem, or even Al Gore- for 'betraying' or playing to the media and being lifted up to the 'face of_____insert movement here' as a default of no one else stepping up.)

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

What Star Trek Taught me about the Keystone Pipeline

Star Trek teaches me a lot, like today how Captain Picard's crew had to accept the fact that their continued use of warp travel was damaging the corridors of subspace. Decades of a way of life, and now space travel will have to change. Sound familiar? (Oh Star Trek, you are so clever).

Just like the Federation shares space with multiple civilizations and species, we have to share our planet with multiple countries. And, as subspace doesn't care whose federation each star system is touching, our water and air really couldn't be bothered to stop at country borders for a body scan.

The XL Keystone Pipeline has been a disheartening and disappointing piece of news for Canadians. I don't have a lot to comment regarding Obama's apparent amnesia with regard to his promise for 'green' policies, but I do feel that there are valuable and essential discussion points that should be addressed.

The discussion in the media has become an 'environmentalists against the economy' type rhetoric, which really misses an essential point- the economy is a human-created, not oil-dependant abstract concept. The environment is a true, delicate and concrete organism that is absolutely necessary for our survival as a species. We can't exactly live without water or air, but we can most certainly live with an economy sustained and nourished by something other than oil. As David Suzuki has said, the economy is a made up.

Instead of focusing our money and energy into unsustainable methods of fuel and energy consumption, we should be directing our energy to creating and fostering reusable, sustainable energy. Developing better (and cheaper) electric car batteries and infrastructure, wind and solar power. Arguing that it's either a pipeline or giant refineries misses the mark. What about neither? We have the capabilities, the science and the resources if we direct them responsibly.

The transcanada organization claims, as do our governments, that it's safe and measures are in place to protect our precious farm and water ways from oil contamination. Didn't they say that about the BP oil spill? According to David Suzuki, earlier this year Alberta has already had a huge oil spill that has contaminated kilometres of necessary water and earth.

On Q (cbc radio show) on Friday, a few notable journalists commented that the big issue for discussion should be whether we allow the US to dictate our energy and environmental policies. This journalist stated firmly that other countries had no right to tell us how to treat our planet.

I disagree. It's absolutely ridiculous to stand like an immovable tadasana with the misbelief that air and water we treat here in Canada stops at this magical invisible barrier at our borders. The air I breathe, you have breathed as well. The water I drink, you have drank as well. We don't have special Canadian air or water here. Water evaporates and cycles through the system, moving as rivers, oceans and clouds across continents. It makes complete sense that we should work together to protect our most primordial resource- our Planet.

As yogis, we have a responsibility to connection. With each other to work together as Nations and peoples to protect and respect the Natural World, as well as beginning to take those measures needed to stop our addiction to consumption and oil. The tough stuff, like bicycling more, taking public transit, eating locally and stop buying STUFF. The really tough stuff, like writing our government and exercising our right to civil disobedience. Like voting for your Health and the Planet first before your pocket.

Tonight is the New Moon, the perfect time for new beginnings and new commitment. What will you do?

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

"The Planet Can Suck It" Yoga Class

You know they're out there... sippin' starbucks out of their disposable cups...

Costume: Lululemon (made in China, shipped to North America or the UK)
Eco-reality:
Shipping products across oceans make up 3% of global carbon emissions. The ships endanger marine wildlife and pollute our oceans. Non-organic cotton uses 10% of the world's pesticides and 25% of it's insecticides (Ecoholic 2006) and whole crap load of water (256 cubic gigameters a year). That stretchy yoga feel? Yep, plenty of petroleum (ahem oil), water, water and more carbon.

The Gear: PVC Yoga Mat with a fancy synthetic bag.
Eco-reality:
PVC is what Greenpeace calls one of the most harmful plastics on the planet. The water, energy and carbon emissions required to create this polyvinyl chloride beauty is ridiculous all on it's own. Did you check to see where it was made? Shipping is a b*tch. Slap that plastic polluted mat into a fancy shiny nylon (aka petroleum based) mat bag and we're good to go.

The Ride: "Um, my car?"
Eco-reality: 
Driving= carbon emissions. "Nuff said.

The studio/class: Heated yoga (yep I'm including Moksha here, despite offsets)
Eco-reality:
The energy required to heat a room to 95-102 degrees F all day long is ridiculous. That "cleansing" sweat yogis rave about sure isn't cleansing our planet. Generating that much heat means a huge amount of carbon emissions are being spewed out into our atmosphere. You're skin may feel "cleansed" but your lungs, health and planet sure don't.

The Perks: Foam yoga blocks, packaged yoga mat cleaners, accessories and cute trendy clothing, bottled water for purchase.
Eco-reality: Foam blocks may be cushy, but they're made from synthetic petroleum based products, require more water and energy and spew out climate changing carbon. Ick. We also really don't need to be spraying our mats with chemical enhanced yoga mat cleaners when water and vinegar will do just fine. Water is a fundamental human right and shouldn't be bought or sold. A water cooler should do just fine (especially if you reuse the jug and refill it from your filtered tap at home).

Most of us are a bit beyond the "Planet can suck it" phase when it comes to yoga, but sometimes we can convince ourselves that our little ole yoga practice can't be *that* harmful... can it?


article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Alberta will 'Tell it Like it Is' via Pro-Oil Commercials

We now have a television. After two years sans tv, Andrew has finally won the battle- we compromised at a 37 inch (seriously, our first marital compromise). It stays off for the majority of the time, but we have discovered magical cable hook-up.... which means commercials. Which is the starting point to this post.

Have you seen the pro-oil sands commercials lately, fellow Canadians?? I almost spit out my coffee the first time I saw one. I think I actually told the tv to eff off. These commercials have 'everyday' working folks, like you and me (hah), talking about how proud they are to be working for Alberta oilsands, a company that is harvesting energy responsibly. Cue happy music and environmental backlash.

(credit: Rainforest Action Network via Flickr)

You know what's really sad about these commercials? They're funded by the government of Alberta. Go unbiased provincial representatives! Woo!

The website has a whole slew of 'The real story behind Alberta's tar sands' from videos of cultural and environmental sensitivity to 'facts' and 'statistics' stating that No really, we're not the bad guys here! It's scary and makes me throw up just a little... in my mouth.

I suppose we can't truly expect a province's government officials to be unbiased about a venture that brings in BILLIONS of dollars each year in revenue. Which also follows that their website isn't going to be the most trustworthy resource of non-manipulated 'facts' and information. The province of Alberta has an invested interest in keeping the tar sands (sorry 'oilsands') running and convincing people that they really aren't that big of a deal.

If the oil sands really aren't that harmful, then other people should be saying the same thing right? Let's go have a look-see!

David Suzuki Foundation.
He has quite a lot to say about the tar sands, all of it not so rosy. According to their site over 600 square km have already been cleared, mined or disturbed and one-fifth of Alberta's landmass is already leased for further bitumen mining. This stuff makes up approximately 10% of sand extracted and requires around two tons of sand for ONE barrel of crude oil. Average emissions for oil sand extraction and upgrading (per barrel) are 3.2 to 4.5 times greater than for conventional crude oil.

On average 1.5 barrels of a processed substance of water, clay, sand and contaminants is generated for every 1 barrel of bitumen produced and 200 million litres of it gets dumped into tailing ponds every day. Currently the area for these ponds is 130 square km, projected increase to 310 by the year 2040. We've got local First Nations people suffering from higher rates of cancer, contaminated rivers that supply the rest of Alberta, oil sands that produce 5% of Canada's total carbon footprint and impacted forest and waterfowl (Stop the Tar Sands! David Suzuki Sept 2010).

World Wildlife Fund.
According to the WWF, the Alberta tar sands are the highest rising source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. They go on to state that mining and processing the bitumen produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all the cars on the road in Canada... and it's expected to triple or quadruple over the next 20 years (great). Although clean water is one of Canada's largest natural resource, huge quantities of it are used to process the bitumen extracted (Tar Sands Impact-WWF).

Greenpeace Canada.
According to Greenpeace, along with the above mentioned information, the tar sands use more water than a city of 2 billion people every day... with a runoff of 11 million litres of contaminated run off per day in local waterways. Awesome. Further, according to Greenpeace, 3 out of 4 jobs created by the tar sands are in construction and once the job is finished those jobs disappear....

Tar Sands; Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent. (2009)
According to Andrew Nikiforuk, author, approximately 50% of Canada's energy comes from the Alberta oil sands and that over the course of 10 years Canada has quietly become a petro-state. He states that the huge political and economical dependence on the tar sands has impacted our dollar (2 billion barrels of oil get shipped south to the USA daily) and as a result our efforts to fight climate change. Any sort of climate change national statement is simply a token offer... not a serious effort so long as we continue on the Tar Sand bandwagon. He argues that without Canadians actively engaging our government officials about the tar sands, the government will act like oil executives and not our governmental leaders.  Check out his website for fabulous key documents and
(I especially like his response to accusations from the Energy Resources Conservation Board- BAM).

Currently we are 4-1 on the Tar Sands=Bad Bad Bad. Hmmm... my four resources are not funded by oil companies while the Alberta Government is. I wonder who I'll choose to believe?

We so desperately want our energy issues and climate change to be an easy quick fix without any sort of life changes required on our part. Unfortunately, we need to take a step back and start making those changes ourselves, demanding that our government work for us and critically analyzing anything claiming to be a disposable, quick fix. We can do this together, just don't let that greenwashing get to ya.


article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Eco-Shock; Blowing Children Up for the Planet

We interrupt my next two 'fire-water' element posts for this little bit of environmental and yogic frustration. 

Have you heard of 10:10? It's a now international movement to decrease your carbon emissions by 10% over the entire year of 2010. I love the idea- it's fabulous to have a goal with a nice support structure to decrease our carbon emissions as a movement. I also think it's fantastic to start considering about carbon emissions in it's entirety instead of changing a light bulb here and there.

However. I have to say that I'm quite disappointed with their advertising tactic. 10:10 aired internet ads (not television I have to point out) a few weeks ago and there was such an outcry that they quickly pulled it. I'll give you the premise in case you don't really want to watch it, but in case....



The first one is the most shocking. A school teacher asks her students, in a very 'Monty Python' type attempt at humour, if they'd like to decrease carbon emissions... 'No pressure'. When two children don't volunteer, the teacher again claims 'no pressure!!' and before they leave the classroom she pulls out a box, pushes a button and the two children actually explode- blood and guts everywhere.

Ummm.

I find this type of advertising frustrating on a few levels. At the moment, the environmental movement isn't really 'cool' anymore... a rising level of backlash has been mounting, with the recession taking priority of 'doom and gloom' environmentalists. Also, there is an entire stigma attached to environmentalists, where quietly we're being portrayed as an 'us vs them' group. This ad, exploding children, one isn't funny, it's just gross, and two simply enforces the already growing backlash that environmentalists are 'us vs them'. Follow us or we'll just blow you up.

I also am just not a fan of gratuitous violence and gore. Never was. I happen to agree with the rising number of studies showing that becoming immune to violence on television (and the internet) can be damaging for our youth and social functioning. 

Finally, a very interesting discussion around this video occurred on the French radio-cbc podcast- Christiane Charette recently. The commenter, an author of a book proclaiming the value of encouraging children to experience nature, indicated that more than any other movement, the 'green' movement is placing responsibility on our children to change the world. We're teaching our children how to recycle, how to turn off the taps, how to drive less and walk more. Our children are hearing about how our world can end from pollution, environmental leaders are shouting from the rooftops that we're ruining the world for our children. They grow up with this apocalyptic future of a pollution doomed planet hanging over their head.

At the same time 80% of our population lives in cities... away from nature and trees. An important theory postulates that children cannot wrap their heads around an amorphous thing called 'Earth' when they're never exposed to nature. Instead of encouraging our children to play outside, learn and explore in trees, dirt and bugs, we're telling them a completely alien world (to them) is ending. And expect them to care.

This advertising, if geared towards children or teens, totally misses the 'why' they should care and skips straight to catastrophic persuasion. With violence. 

I'm sorry, but blowing up children just isn't cool.

10:10 has released a statement apologizing for the ad and indicating that they would be investigating as to what went wrong with the ad creation. 

What do you think about the ad? 

Air

In honour of David Suzuki, I've decided to do a little "Four Elements" eco-impact. As a pagan, this paradigm just makes sense. Considering all four elements plus spirit is essential as part of our practice as yogi(ni)s. As biological beings we are inseparable from our planet and it's elements. Read 'Earth'.

 (Wind!)

Do you know THE reason why we have vocal chords? So we can breathe (well, to protect our lungs from aspirating food or liquid, so we can breathe). Seriously. Something we do 15 times a minute and we rarely even think about it... unless something goes wrong.

Last night during David Suzuki's lecture he gave a beautiful example of how we're all connected using our breath. Supposedly some researcher dude wanted to know if he could follow the path of a breath. Since we actually physically absorb the oxygen molecules directly from our lungs to our blood stream (basically) there is a large portion of the air we breathe that doesn't get released when we exhale. BUT, Argon a chemically inert molecule, gets exhaled and is traceable.

With every exhale we release about 30 quintillion (yep QUINTILLION) of these little argon molecules that immediately mix in the air around us, within minutes everyone in the room has inhaled argon molecules that you yourself has inhaled. Open the windows and within a year those argon atoms have traveled the planet to be inhaled by all human beings, past and present.

To think that air in one city, country or region could be isolated from the rest of our planet is just plain ridiculous. As the argon thought experiment shows, what I breathe in my lungs has been breathed by you- my fabulous reader- no matter where you are on the planet.

The layer of air surrounding our planet, essential for our body and brain survival, took millions of years of plants sucking in carbon dioxide and spewing out oxygen to form. If our planet was reduced to the size of a basketball, the layer of air we depend on to live would be no thinner than a sheet of paper.

In an extremely short period of time the levels of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases in our atmosphere has risen sharply. The leading climate scientists across the globe agree- humans are responsible for these toxic increase in carbon and chemicals in the air we breathe. 

The average car produces 10 to 12,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year. Add the mining pollution required for the parts, chemicals used to coat the insides (mmm toxic new car smell molecules directly inhaled onto your delicate lung's alveoli) and the ridiculous amount of petroleum used to run them.

 (Toronto smog, source Spacing Toronto)

In Canada one of the leading causes of air pollution is agricultural practices and toxic winds and air currents from the United States. During winter months we Canadians burn a LOT of fuel and wood to keep ourselves warm, adding to the fumes and carbon we then inhale. Acidifying agents spewed into the air create acid rain, which is especially concentrated in my tiny little province of Nova Scotia because of air currents from the states. Yay.

Each decision we make when we purchase a new plastic gadget, piece of clothing (um, cotton is the most energy intensive plant grown today), decide to drive our car instead of walking or bicycling, buy wood that was not sustainably harvested... we contribute to the risen, choking levels of chemicals we ourselves are breathing.

Instead of continuing to believe that what we dump into our air can be limited, controlled or corralled into one place or city, we need to accept that each of our actions and inactions contributes.

David Suzuki pointed out in his lecture last night that no matter how much the politicians and corporations decry the 'economic' cost of fighting climate change, humans cannot live without air, water, soil and energy. We can live without this latest version of 'economy'.

How to help:
- Bring your awareness during your yoga practice this week to your breath. Practice deep and mindful breathing, visualize the air entering your lungs and bloodstream uniting yourself with all other humans with each breath.
- Make the decision to decrease your car emissions. This might mean walking or bicycling to get places, looking into carpooling services or carshares. Not only will you save the planet, but you'll save money at the same time.
- consider where your clothing is made and with what. Buying organic cotton assures that your shirt isn't responsible for spewing harmful gases in the atmosphere.
- Go vintage. Second hand clothing is cool and fun- and extremely low carbon footprint.
-Let your leaders know that a carbon tax is an extremely successful method in decreasing our carbon footprint. There are fantastic examples (Sweden for example) with successful carbon tax implementation along with huge economic growth. Money is nice and all, but not very useful if our planet is shot to hell.

As Dr. Suzuki pointed out: "We call ourselves intelligent, but what intelligent species would use the very air they breathe as a toxic dumping ground?"


article copyright of ecoyogini.blogspot.com

How Much is Enough? David Suzuki and the Next Step

Have you noticed a certain lull in the presence of "eco-ness" around you? I sure have. The "newest green trend" has definitely peaked in consumer markets from my very scientific observations (ahem) and I'm saddened to hear less discussion on the radio, less excitement from businesses and readers. 

It was speculated that environmental priorities would get put aside once the recession hit and it's becoming a bit concerning that it's not a temporary lull...


David Suzuki is doing his "Legacy" book tour and stopping in Halifax this Sunday. I'm extremely excited to have the opportunity to meet this Canadian Environmental Legend and listening to what many are considering his final stage of lectures. One aspect that is amazing about Dr. Suzuki is his seemingly never-ending energy and commitment to changing our world and to advocating for our Planet and the human race.


After decades of lobbying, lecturing, protesting and rallying David Suzuki has witnessed the obvious disconnect between the urgency of the climate/ecological mess we've gotten ourselves into and the acceptance and willingness to change our lifestyles in the population. 


A wonderful forward by Margaret Atwood eloquently sums up why he is so awe inspiring:

"It seems that David Suzuki has always been with us. He's lived in the tradition of the great prophets- those whose messages go unheeded because they tell us things we find uncomfortable. Time after time he's gone up the sacred mountain, listened to the voice, understood that it is what it is, and brought the hard but true words back down, only to find us cavorting around shiny gods of our own devising...
It's a wonder he never gave up on us. But he didn't: after each potato flung his way, he trudged up the mountain again, rearranged the words to make them more understandable, and gave us another try." 

(Foreword by Margaret Atwood, The Legacy, An Elder's Vision For Our Sustainable Future by David Suzuki, 2010).

What I find so inspiring, is that no matter the fact that being "doom and gloom" is considered uncool, non-popular at this time, David Suzuki hasn't given up on us. Although I agree that a balance must be given, I think we've dallied quite long enough on the comfortable middle steps without really *seeing* the urgent changes we all need to make for our children and for our planet.


What are your next steps on sustainable choices? What beyond changing your light bulbs, using reusable bags or recycling your plastic have you taken?


Some next steps for those "middle" people:
- instead of recycling plastic, purchase items that have no-plastic packaging. 
- Let the manager of your local grocery store know that you want broccoli that isn't wrapped in plastic.
- stop driving your car. Seriously look into investing in non-exhaust carbon inducing transportation- such as bicycling, walking or at least public transit.
- Stop buying new things. It's time we reduce our consumption and relish in what we do have. 
- Enjoy the moment. Spend time away from your television, computer etc and communicate with family and friends. Take a walk outside, your local park or have a games night with friends.
- Use your power as a voter to let your government know that your planet matters to you. Write a letter, give them a call and vote for representatives that have the environment as their priority. And let them know that this is why you're voting for them.
- Inform businesses why you're not purchasing products from their company anymore. Whether it's because of their packaging policies, lack of local or fair trade labour or wasteful energy uses.


What are some other next steps we can take together?

Pre-Hurricane cooling thoughts. Why A/C's just aren't cool (pun intended)

I started writing this post, sitting on our building stoop, escaping the heat of our apartment. We watched as for the first time all week clouds marred the sky and a nice cool breeze soothed our skin. We even brought Atreyu (kitten) out in his cat carrier to enjoy the cool(er) air.

 view from our stoop earlier this evening

Of course, this breeze will tonight turn into hurricane force winds as Hurricane Earl comes blustering through Nova Scotia, first of the many hurricane season storms.

Wind was something I missed while living in Vernon BC. Nothing sounds the same as the wind passing through leaves, or the feeling of home when the wind makes the window panes whine and howl.

It's the heat that I cannot stand. This summer has had periods of hot, unusual for coastal Nova Scotia and this week gave us humidity of 40+ (celcius). Andrew and I do not have an air conditioner, only one lonely fan and three windows. Although tempting, we won't be getting one anytime soon.

Air conditioners are catastrophic polluters. Everywhere you look in the city you see the ugly boxes and huge contraptions suck huge amounts of energy as they give you the privilege of having cooler skin. Although most a/c's no longer have icky CFC's in them, their replacement isn't all that better. Many pump HCFCs into our air, which deplete the ozone layer and contribute to climate change through their coils. The "greener" alternative, HFCs are still considered a greenhouse gas.

A fan moving air across your skin will allow the sweat on your skin to dry and the body to cool itself. We've become so accustomed as a nation to feel cold all day, that coping in mid-twenties weather and using alternative means to cool our systems seems impossible. I'm not saying that a certain level of heat isn't dangerous, when you're elderly or a young child... or walking directly under the sun. But simply dealing with a week of heat a few times a year isn't worth the energy suckage and carbon emissions produced.


Sure, "cranky children" and "a bad night's sleep" aren't ideal... but then the reality is that neither of these things compare to destroying our climate. Sorry.


So, how to decrease you're addiction to the a/c?


1. Buy a fan. Fans use 90% less energy than a/c's and like I mentioned above, cool your body naturally. A few fans well placed can really make a huge difference. Especially at night.


2. Keep the window's wide open at night, allowing cool(er) air to flow through your home and shut your blinds and windows during the day. I was flabbergasted at how much cooler our apartment was the days this week that we kept the blinds and windows closed.


3. Drink a LOT of water. Seriously. Cool brita filtered water will immediately help cool off your body while hydrating your system with healing water. We really don't drink enough of it.


4. Make home made popsicles. We use smoothie juice with less sugar, but you can make your own smoothie mix from local fruits and berries. Now is the season!


5. Freeze your magic bag. Every night Andrew went to the freezer, took out his magic bag (cloth bag filled with beans) and used it to help fall asleep at night. Works like a charm.


6. Can't go cold turkey? For home systems turn your thermostat up to at least 26 degrees (celcius). Every half a degree below 25 degrees ups your energy consumption by 8%. Program your thermostat to start cooling only an hour before you get home from work.


7. Box a/c: try slowly adjusting the temperature each day to gradually get used to warmer indoor settings. Introduce a fan and start trying some of the alternative cooling strategies (like popsicles, yum!).


8. Reversible window fans are amazing at pulling the air and creating a much better cooling breeze!

9. Invest in non-hcfc air conditioners that are energy star- at least they use significantly less energy that conventional a/c's.

10. Check your coils- make sure that your a/c isn't leaking harmful ozone depleting chemicals into your home and planet's air.


For more fantastic tips check out "Ecoholic"; her website, or look into ordering her books (Ecoholic and Ecoholic Home).


Although Andrew would tell you right now that he would kill for an a/c, two weeks a year really isn't worth it for us. Even for the two years we lived in semi-arid Vernon BC, no a/c was had and we survived just fine.

Atreyu chillin' out on our floor- he might be warm but he still had the energy to go all "kitten" on me and attack my fingers. thank goodness he drinks about a cup of water a day. I heart that cat fountain.

Now, my yoga practice and productivity (ahem, wedding is t-minus 5 weeks) definitely suffered this week. But then, Yoga will always welcome me "home" when I return :)


Safe wishes to all my Atlantic Eco-Yogi(ni)s out there! I'll be enjoying the powerful beauty of the Atlantic Wind.


article and photograph copyright of ecoyogini.blogspot.com

The Revenge of Gaia

Sounds pretty scary eh?
 
It's actually the name of a book by James Lovelock; a British inventor, independent scientist, environmentalist (to put it lightly) and futurologist.

I honestly bought the book for the ridiculously awesome title, the look (what can I say, I'm a superficial book snob) and an extra bonus- the theoretical premise. Ah, ok, the premise was kinda essential.

Sadly the writing is not that fantastic- it's wordy, very defensive and a bit over the top with analogies. It really feels like I'm reading a spoken transcription of some random conversation-monologue he may have had. I can actually *hear* his British accent while reading. It's a bit creepy to have an old British man in my head.

Besides that, the actual 'Gaia Theory' is mind boggling and perfect. If that makes sense.

James Lovelock, with the support of the IPCC, has formulated a theory of how our Earth works. Essentially, instead of viewing our planet as a non-reactive, material based object in which living things use in a one-way relationship, the Earth is a reactive, dynamic 'organism' which influences the carbon based life forms just as they influence it.

The Earth has a system and essentially self-regulates for optimal living environment and has been keeping it this way specifically for billions of years. He even goes on to postulate that an Earth System completes a Darwinian approach to evolution: Life forms are selected not only for their ability to survive, but interact directly with their material world and are influenced in an evolutionary sense by it.

If that sounds confusing, it's because I still haven't quite wrapped my brain around it.

Despite my personal mental space for this theory, viewing our world as a system that influences each part dynamically as a whole has always been commonsensical. Our world is filled with so many unknowns. Why would we even begin to think that by understanding one portion in isolation of it's climate, it's resources, it's surroundings and the way they influence each other would accurately reflect natural functioning is ludicrous.

In one of his recent books, A Sacred Balance, David Suzuki discusses how everything is interconnected (not quite at the macro level as the Gaia Theory) in a much more eloquent manner. Examples ranging how our Red Wood forests actually depend on salmon spawnings each year to survive... how our ocean algae affects our land animals and crops. 


James Lovelock, with the Gaia Theory, takes it a step further to draw connections between geology, climate and atmosphere with the living organisms. Although we know that climate affects living things, I never thought about how an animal or plant may be essential for our Planet.


Mr. Lovelock actually believes that it is too late to save our planet from becoming devoid of life in any form. Those limits that are thrown around by the IPCC, the carbon limits in the atmosphere? Yep, he believes that we've surpassed the point of no return. The book, if nothing else, is a strong message that we need to do something extreme and immediately.

Now if only I can get past the fourth chapter....

Blessings

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com




 

Yoga and the Soul Sucking of Environmental Activism

 Our evening spontaneous bike ride to Yoga in the Park tonight... even though it was humidex of 35 degrees... Andrew is a good sport :)

 

Yoga... connection and spirit. I've mentioned in passing how Yoga is a way for me to connect with my belief in the Divine Goddess. A commenter once asked me how I do that... or why or something. It's just like moving prayer. Seane Corn speaks about how her yoga practice is like praying with movement. During my practice I connect with myself, my surroundings, my Earth and my Goddess. I dedicate each movement with awareness to Her. 

My new 'zoya' eco-friendly yogi toes... and the sail boats :)

 

Maybe that's a bit weird... but I have a funny feeling lots of yogi(ni)s begin purely physical and with time connect with their inner selves which in turns transforms their practice into something a bit more spiritual.

what downward dog looked like tonight... although it was upside down for me

 

Being an environmentalist, or Planet Addict, kinda goes against all the yogic connection in a sense. There is a lot to be worried-angry-upset-sad about lately when it comes to the health of our Mother Earth. What Ted Grand mentioned last week, about feeling like being an activist was eating away at his soul (or something like that) and how Yoga helped focus his energies in a positive manner... that resonated with me. And it didn't.


I think it's a fine balance to let go of what moves us to make change. 


And fellow Yogi(ni)s, we are in need of a change. It is Time. Ya know? The pictures of the oil gushing for miles and miles in our precious ocean, the ridiculous amounts of plastic being dumped into landfills to languish *forever*, the chemicals we expose ourselves and our children that cause cancer, developmental disorders and health risks, genetically manipulating our food, peak oil.... ok I could go on.

on the ride home... self bicycling shadow

So ya, I'm not really a fan of directing my 'love' vibes as a way to direct my eco-energy. I believe that change happens through action, through some sort of activism, through strong energy and motivated passionate people. 

However.


So much negative energy truly *is* soul-sucking (kinda like Eric on True Blood... sigh... oh Eric...). It's extremely important not to let yourself become a cynical, burned out ecoyogi(ni)... you've heard them around 'I've been fighting climate change forever...' or 'those capitalist b*%st#rds will never change!'.... etc.

The train getting in our way...

 

We need hope, we need passion and we need love... all while keeping up the good fight.  Which is why I shy away from posting really down posts, like how the oil spill is spewing out of control, or how our use of gas-burning transportation is eating up our air, or how our addiction to consumption is trashing our planet. You'd have to live in a hole to not be cognizant that our actions are basically 'shitting where we live'. You know that. 

We just need to take a step back and realize that maybe it's time to do the difficult changes. Not just replace our cleaning supplies with vinegar and water, or buy eco-friendly beauty products, or switch to CFL lightbulbs. The Big Stuff. Like decrease our driving and walk-bike more. Decrease our plastic consumption and shop at the farmer's market (or CSA). Buy Less Stuff. Seriously. Invest in renewable energy to power your home. Ya know. Hard stuff.


Letting go of material wants and my external self does not mean disconnecting from what makes our world beautiful. My inner Light connects with the Light of the Sacred Earth... which forces me to recognize how each of our actions will influence the whole.

There are ways to be Eco-Warriors (Eco-Vira's) without exploding into fiery phoenix's of negative energy. We simply need to find that path.


You with me? :)


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

"Can't You Feel Their Pain?"

I have moments where I come across the realization that perhaps I am a bit "different" than others... you know, beyond liking Star Trek, comic book movies and listening to Tool. I mean, I think Fern Gully was written and produced with ME in mind. If that makes sense.

Winter is always a bit more difficult, with the snow and gray covering most of the Life. It would appear that by the time the snow has melted I've forgotten just how "different" I seem to be. And then the tiny buds push up and out and I get all "can't you feel their PAIN?" on ya.

Throughout the spring months so far, on our walks home from work Andrew agreed with my constant distracted comments of "ouuu, look at THOSE flowers!" or "wow, that tree looks like fairy dust is about ready to bust out!" (I'm REAL poetic). I think I forgot that this slow and steady reawaking of obsession for all that is Nature isn't exactly typical.

It's easy to forget in the city, surrounded by cement and exhaust fumes, that our Earth (in this hemisphere) is stretching Her arms and getting ready for summer.

Today I had a massive, maybe I should keep my weirdness to myself, moment. Walking to work with Heather I had to point out, or blurt, that I was marveling at how beautiful the trees looked that morning. Right after she stated she was annoyed at the misty-rainy day it was. ("yeah but, the trees looks EXTRA beautiful with their dark wet bark today!"). ahem.

During lunch today, I thought it would make great professional lunch conversation to bring up this fact as well. I got some really off-put looks... and felt a bit silly. What, no one else notices the trees, leaves, bark, grass, flowers on their way to work? Wish I had some pictures to share how stupendous they looked today.

My mom told me once, that she blames herself for my strange obsession with all things natural. As a toddler, she used to point out all and every little natural thing while claiming "Ouuu, look how pretty THAT is!". 

Maybe. Or perhaps I was just meant to love our world. Even though I don't really understand others who don't seem as enamoured with her vibrancy, I keep on truckin' with this feeling of connection.

Which is why I am continuously surprised by any who would willingly harm our one and only planet that gives us Life. When you are surrounded by such beauty, how *could* you drive your car when you could walk? It makes me take a moment and accept the part I played in the oil disaster that is damaging our oceans. My role in supporting, purchasing the oil. Our role, as a society that is dependent on oil and unable or unwilling to let it go.

at the expense of our delicately balanced ocean. At the expense of the Life that thrives there, essentially supporting all other life on Earth. We are equally to blame.


article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Sounding out the Bell for Bicycling

Recently A Green Spell posted about her struggles and adventures as a bicyclist. After a year of wishing and dreaming about how "green" I would be *ifIjusthadabike*, I finally have joined the bicyclist club. Am I biking? Nope.

First off, why do I feel that bicycling is an important step in my earth-friendly yogic lifestyle.

At this point in our society we can safely say that oil-gas reliance is going to be increasingly difficult. Peak Oil, the point where we slowly (or quickly) run out of oil-gas resources, if it already hasn't, is arriving. Decreasing our consumption of an energy source that is finite is a necessity- we won't have a choice at one point. Therefore, the more I'm used to using alternative means of transportation (like walking and bicycling) the easier it will be.

After the most recent oil spill disaster, our addiction to oil is damaging our planet and our health. Every time we use our cars, our oil power sources, plastic we are eroding the air we breathe and our most important water source: the ocean. 


Every time I step on my mat to practice yoga, I thank the Goddess for my health, my family and dedicate my practice to enhancing my connection with each link in our cycle. There is no way I could spend all this time recognizing and validating our interconnectedness and turn around in the next moment and damage this very circle.


So why am I not biking ALL the time?


One huge reason: the weather. It's been cold, rainy and chilly most every evening these past few weeks. Instead of hopping on our bikes to go to the coffee shop or get groceries, we're chickening out and taking the car.

Yoga in the Park last night at our new location and you guessed it- we drove

Another reason is the shear amount of time it actually takes to bike around Halifax. We avoid main routes due to traffic. Andrew and I are both unwilling to risk our lives just to get to a coffee shop- Halifax isn't the most bicycle friendly city, cars drive and park in the bike only lanes. So we take quieter roads, which results in a 45 minute bike ride just to get to the park. I'm sure with practice we'll find better routes... but riding our bikes requires time and planning.

Finally, I still don't have a basket for my bicycle. I have a basket rack, which is a step and it was quite flattering to see all the Bikes by Dave people drooling over my vintage beauty... However, I kinda need a basket to carry stuff (like groceries) and I really don't feel like spending a ton of money. Ideas?


Obviously these are excuses, we need an ACTION PLAN for bicycling. I'm also hoping that maybe our awesome bloggy-community can help support each other in our adventure at changing our habits and our lives.


Lisa and Andrew's Bicycling Action Plan 2010:

• Find a basket. This is essential.
• Map out regular bicycling routes in advance, print them out and have them ready for perusal at any given date. This way, when we want to go biking, the route will be already planned out.
• Plan to bike at least once a weekend. This will decrease overwhelming feeling of needing to bike ALL the time, and allow for practice!
• Attend a Critical Mass in Halifax. Cuz it's cool.
• Get a really COOL bell:

• DringDring bells are made in Montreal, hand painted using non-toxic solvents and water based paints and are NOT plastic!! I want one. (image from dringdring site)

Any other ideas for our biking plan? Suggestions for this wimpy, wannabe biker?

**UPDATE: Thanks to Environmental Soul for pointing out this ridiculously awesome Bicycling resource: "An Adventure Called Bicycling". This woman is AWESOME and I ADORE her videos on bicycle safety (especially that she put Daft Punk in there!) Her tips on Commuter Biking are also great. Seriously, go check it out!


Blessings!


article and photograph (unless otherwise noted) copyright EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

The hidden carbon emissions of a yoga class

We've chatted about ways to greenify our yoga practice from the best eco-mat (rubber!) to sustainable gear. But we never really talked about how we GET to yoga class. Doesn't it feel a little hypocritical, with our local eco-yoga stuff, to drive down to class in our gas guzzling cars?

Unfortunately, walking to yoga in Halifax is a bit tricky- most studios are at least a 40 minute walk (closest) and although a small city, there is a lot of sketchy stuff that happens after dark here. Public transit is also catastrophically terrible, with evening buses that only run on the half hour... unreliably.

So maybe a quick drive isn't that big of a deal?

According to this site, a small car emits 0.59 lbs of carbon per passenger, per mile. Say I go to Breathing Space Halifax studio, 2.17 miles from my apartment, pretty close. Also, that I go to yoga class twice a week for three months... that's 61 lbs of carbon. Add Andrew and we double that number ***NB: I'm not sure WHY they state this...***

Also according to this source, a medium sized car emits approximately 1.1 lbs of carbon per passenger, per mile. For the same studio, same times that means 114lbs of carbon in three months only.

Think about what that means for a regular class of yoga and how much carbon just getting there that would represent. Per class. 

A solution?? A bicycle! My wonderful friends Kevin and Heather found me an amazing vintage bicycle that is PURPLE and in perfect condition. I love her (she's already named Veronica btw). All she needs is a basket and a lock, and say goodbye to driving to yoga class. 

Don't get me wrong, the thought of driving in this non-bicycle friendly city scares the poo out of me. I have decided, though, that at the many scary intersections we will simply get off our bikes and walk through on the cross walks.

Wouldn't it be amazing if yoga studios offered incentives for those students who chose alternate, greener, means of transportation to enjoy the yoga they offer? Here are some clever options to assure that the services enjoyed at your studio aren't helping the destruction of our already beleaguered air supply:

1. Have bicycle racks in front of your studio! Such a simple solution and I'm sure there would be cheap or used options available from the city. You never know, HRM may have some old or used options that they would sell for cheap.

2. Allow students to bring their bicycles inside the studio if you don't have a bike rack. Make this policy extremely public- send emails and have easily visible posters. I'm not going to ride my bike all the way to the studio and *hope* it will be alright.

3. Offer discounts for those yogis who arrive via green transportation. You could even have a sliding scale- a certain percentage for public transit and higher for bicycle or walking. Since we're all tight for money, the discount could be to encourage yogis to go above and beyond carpooling. It's time we did more.

4. Another option, give out punch cards (or keep track on your computer system) for green transportation- after so many the student gets a free class or a discount.

5. Be PROACTIVE with spreading the word. Have posters, talk to your students about this, many students may not necessarily peruse your website or read your newsletter.

6. Yoga for cyclists and yoga for walkers-runners classes... with the prerequisite that students arrive to class via that mode of transportation.

Although there are challenges, our Yoga practice can help us connect with our planet and our community. (don't I look dorky with my biking helmet?? hehe)

 

Blessings and Happy Weekend!

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