A Voice for "Happy Holidays" and the Unselfish Message of Joy

Every year on my facebook and social media feeds I start seeing posts and status updates bemoaning the "PC-fication" of Christmas. Things like "Put the CHRIST back in Christmas" or articles poking fun at the overly polite use of "Happy Holidays". "Just call it Christmas!!!!!!"

I will admit that I am one of those "Happy Holidays" people. And yes, it is mostly because I am not Christian. That said, there are other reasons and I thought I would take a moment to be one of the voices FOR "Happy Holidays".

Firstly, lets all acknowledge a few facts.

1. Not everyone on the planet, in your country, in your province and in your town is Christian.
2. This means some people actually celebrate something different than Jesus and God. Yes, they may even celebrate the Goddess (ahem).
3. These lovely people may even have their own holidays around their beliefs... that do not fall on the 25th of December. (Yule is on the 21st)

When you say "Merry Christmas", I would say the point is to wish that person something good and joyful and share in this spirit. Sure, it could be specifically, I hope you have a Merry Christmas where you will celebrate in all the traditional ways... including the birth of Christ, and if that is the case, in that your purpose is to pontificate, all the power to you.

I do understand that many parts of "Christmas" are cultural and not religious. As a family, Andrew and I are fairly comfortable with certain traditional accoutrements. Such as the tree (which is decidedly pagan in origins) and some admittedly selfish aspects such as my DIY advent calendar. I adore traditional Christmas music (ESPECIALLY religious choir arrangements). I am not "anti-Christmas".

I just wish when someone wishes me a Happy or Merry something, they would do so with a legitimately wishing that I celebrate my holidays in a joyful manner just like they celebrate theirs. That it not be about you, or YOUR beliefs, that it not be a selfish sharing of spirit.

When you say "Merry Christmas" to me you are:

• - ignoring that I may have different beliefs than you, or,
• - making it clear that you don't care that I may have different beliefs than you,
• - diminishing my religious and spiritual beliefs
• - sending a clear message that my beliefs and traditions are "lesser" than yours
• - closing the door to open and respectful communication.

So. When I see you, and I know you celebrate Christmas, I will tell you, with all the Joy and Spirit that I sincerely wish you a most Merry Christmas. And perhaps, when you see me, you will wish me a most Merry Yule.

And if we meet, and I don't know what you celebrate, I will wish you, from the innermost bits of my heart, a most Happy Holidays to allow you the space to share in my message in the way that speaks to your beliefs.

Texting is Rude: Social Etiquette on Living with a Smart Phone

It's time to talk about cell phone etiquette.

Yep, I said it, and yes I mean you.

The past few years have seen a tremendous rise in cell phone usage and ownership. Even in Canada, where the rates for cell phone packages are among the highest in the world, everyone and their dog has a cell/smart phone.

Andrew and I were probably among the last of our friends to bite the cell phone bullet. There were a variety of reasons, and I'm glad we made the decision. About six months ago we cancelled our home phone and upgraded to the coveted iPhone status.

And now I am available 24/7... I'm finding myself frustrated by a variety of aspects of Life With a Smart Phone. I'm also getting pretty.damned.annoyed with how we, as a society, are allowing our smart phones to intrude into our social lives. I realized just how much it bugged me when my FATHER, who turns off the tv in the living room, demands we all sit at the table together to eat and that there never be hats on at the table, was texting during our meal last week. When I pointed out just how rude he was being, he was surprised.

I think that our social etiquette for smart phones just hasn't caught up to our everyday reality. So I thought I'd share a few tips, suggestions and thoughts on Living with a Smart Phone:

1. Texting is not an alternative to a conversation.
It took me a few months to figure out why I was so effing annoyed when receiving texts. Seriously, there is NOTHING more annoying than constantly being interrupted in your day by someone trying to have an actual "what're you doing" conversation via texts. I HATE IT. If you want to text me for a quick, fact check- like "what time will you be here?" or "do you want to go to the movies?" that is fine and dandy. But please don't disrupt my every day life with a stilted, texted conversation forcing me to be tied to my phone for an hour. CALL ME. You are holding a phone that is capable of that, you know.

2. Know how to use social media appropriately.
Don't text me when an email or facebook message would have been better. Texting is immediate and disruptive. And no matter the "just turn your phone on vibrate" the expectation is that a response would be immediate. If you don't need an immediate answer, just email or facebook me, mmmkay?

3. Texting in a social situation is RUDE. 

Yep, you know how if you take a phone call, or ignore a person while chatting or socialization is rude? Guess what texting is? Texting or checking social media while hanging out with friends implies that a) You are bored b) You're not listening or c) You're not interested. Phone use during social situations also literally means that you have decided to have a separate, MORE IMPORTANT conversation with some other person instead of who you are out with. Just because it's silent, does not mean that it is ANY different than chatting on the phone AND chatting with your friends.

4. Texting during an appointment is RUDE. 

Look, I understand that as a parent you need to have your phone on in case of child-related emergencies (yoga teachers, this one is for all the posts on how terrible it is when the phone rings during a yoga class. You have no idea if that phone call was because a child had a seizure, is projectile vomiting at daycare, or has a fever of 102 and needs to be taken to the hospital- don't judge). HOWEVER, texting is NOT for emergencies. The sad reality is that it happens weekly that I have parents, during a parent-training session, who text. I mean, we're sitting at the little kid table, I'm explaining test results, or demonstrating a therapy technique with their child, and the parent has their phone out and is texting. I'm considering having a clause in our therapy contract regarding texting during therapy sessions, it has gotten so bad.

5. Don't Smart Phone and Drive!!! 

It's dangerous and kills people. Don't believe me? Watch this ridiculously moving 20min doc by famous filmmaker Werner Herzog. I dare you.

How to be a Polite Smart Phone User

When out with friends, at a party, at a pub, at a restaurant or friend-family meal (wherever that may be) try the following with your phone:

1. Put it on "Do Not Disturb Mode" so that it only rings or texts when pre-approved family or emergency-type members call or text. This way, if there are certain numbers you really can't miss if they call (and they likely will only call for an emergency or something urgent) you are covered. 
2. If DND isn't an option: put your phone on vibrate.
3. PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY. Seriously. Why do you need your phone in sight? Having the phone on the table visually shows that you potentially may have more interesting people to chat with or things to do. Just Put.It.Away.
4. If you can't put your phone away for whatever reason: Pile all the cell phones on top of each other in the middle of the table. The first person who reaches for their phone pays the bill. Yep. You heard me. If you can't be polite enough to be interested in your friends, then you can pay the bill.
5. If you receive a text... IGNORE IT. The world will not implode if you don't check the text and you know what- the text will still be there later...I promise. Even though the sound is disruptive, by ignoring the text you are showing your friends and family that THEY are more important.

Still need convincing? Check out this sad, but true, short video on just how disconnected we are becoming and I *doubledare* you to deny that you haven't witnessed, or done most of these Rude Smart Phone Acts. It's time we take a step back and get real people; no one wants to be the Lame-o SmartPhone Friend. Let's take a breath and Connect in Person instead. I swear it's better.

GPB: My Thoughts on Arbonne

After my Lush post earlier this week I got some comments and questions about my passing comment regarding Arbonne.

So... I wrote a blog post about my thoughts on Arbonne over at the Green Phone Booth today. Go check it out!

Arbonne: The Misdirection and Smoke & Mirrors Approach

Ten Things you NEED to Tell Yourself (a big EFF YOU to Dove)

The Yoga Culture is a tricky place to navigate when it comes to body image and self-acceptance. The very activity of yoga attracts naturally bendy, lithe, young and slim bodies and the multi-billion dollar clothing and accoutrement industry (like typical capitalistic patriarchal companies) rely heavily on bombarding consumers with a "yoga body type ideal" that is unrealistic (and arguably detrimental to women's sense of self worth and acceptance).

The recent Dove commercial "Real Beauty Sketches" have been making the rounds on facebook, with their fair share of criticisms (please read Little drops post on this, it's like she read my mind.... creepy). If you don't feel like reading the awesome post at Little drops, needless to say I find the video ridiculously patronizing and that it perpetuates the damaging social culture of external beauty above all else for self worth.

Ugh, can't we step out of the box for a second Dove? I wouldn't be so disappointed if so many people weren't attaching themselves to the video as if it were just so 'GOOD' of them. As if they weren't just continuing an external self-worth which conveniently allows them to sell their product (which will make our skin so beautiful). And do I have to point out that Dove is owned by Unilever... who also owns AXE- a company that produces THE most offensive patriarchal and sexist advertisements? (and has been criticized for their highly polluting and toxic products).

Women are often made to feel like we shouldn't go on about how awesome we are, it's often about what we give... about others (our children, our partners, our friends and family). As narcissistic as the next bit may seem, Eff it. We need this.

So. Here is MY "Real Love" challenge to you, readers. (it's a two part'er):

1. List TEN things you love about yourself that have nothing to do with your physical external self (in the comment section, or write a blog post and share it here)
2. Compliment 3 female friends on something INTRINSIC to their personality that you love.

Here are my top 10:
I love...
1. My Passionate Self.
She's the reason for my feminism, my commitment to the environment and my refusal to be discriminated against because of my genitals. She effing rocks.

2. My Opinionated Self.
All the haters can eff off, having a strong opinion makes me a strong, leadership-driven, person.

3. My Sensitive, Emotional Self.
Whatever, I love that I cry at ridiculously sappy commercials (or topics). It helps with my ability to be empathetic and it balances out my awesome Opinionated Self.

4. My Geek Self.
I adore science fiction (Dune, Star Trek, Star Wars- it is all awesome). That makes me ridiculously interesting.

5. My Voice.
For singing, for talking (with my soft Acadian French accent that's barely discernable).

6. My Silly Self.
Yes I may be 31 years old, but I think it's fantastic that I don't take myself that seriously, that I love to dance terribly in the kitchen, make silly faces or laugh at myself. I know I'm smart and successful, I don't have the urge to constantly remind others of that.

7. My Intelligent Self. 
Yep, I am a smart lady. I have finally grown into my smartness, and love that it is balanced by my silliness.

8. My Raunchy Foul Mouth. 
It's fun to swear. What else can I say?

9. My Acadian Self. 
I am so proud to come from such a rich and strong cultural heritage. Despite the haters, I ADORE my Acadian French, including the fact that I can codeswitch like nobody's business. That takes skill.

10. My Friends and Family. 
I know this seems external, but my friends, husband and family make me so incredibly happy and complete. My love for them is something I treasure. It's cool to actively LIKE (and LOVE) someone without shame, without reservation.

Ok, your turn!

An Honest Gander at the Rising Cost of Yoga Classes

"I am getting my butt back into a yoga class."
That was my plan end of December... I could feel the need to learn something new, and since I don't have it in my budget to attend weekly in studio classes, my hope was to find a class that was meaningful. That would add to my yoga skillz.

And then I had a quick peek at drop in class prices... "Holy crap! They've gone up"... In Halifax a drop in class is 20$ at most studios.

I think it's time we had an honest discussion about the cost of yoga.

Typically there are two camps in this (long suffering) debate: a) those who rail against the hypocrisy of costly classes that pander to an increasingly exclusive class of yogis and b) those who defensively justify the rising costs of running a studio and the offensive suggestion that yoga teachers give away their time and skill set.

Neither camps are very productive, both have points and finally, neither are good at examining the issue objectively.

The reality remains, regardless of your 'camp' : yoga is getting prohibitively expensive. By raising class prices, no matter the legitimate justifications, has consequences... Mainly that those who are able to access yoga in reputable studios by qualified teachers are those who can afford to drop over 100$ a month on yoga.

Oh, often studios wax poetic about the alternatives and flexibility of pricing... And perhaps we need to look a bit more closely at the options.

1. Karma classes: often, if a studio offers karma classes, they are at a limited time (typically not convenient for people's work and life schedules) and often times by teacher trainees. It's not very conducive to growing a yoga practice if you have limited choice in time and quality for your learning.  Let's be honest, the message is clear: if you can't afford a regular class, you can't complain with the time, quality or even style of yoga we give you.

I need something more than a random yoga class at this stage in my practice, and karma classes definitely leave quite a lot to be desired for my practice.

Lululemon offers community classes- but who wants to practice in a giant commercial on a Sunday morning?

2. Energy exchange: I've done this. For about six months, while working a full time, emotionally exhausting job, I spent one full afternoon cleaning a yoga studio in exchange, hour-hour for yoga classes. I eventually had to quit, since after four hours in that studio I no longer had the energy or desire to be there any other time during the week. I wanted yoga, not another physically demanding job.

Honestly, I think energy exchange yoga to be a bit of a cop-out. Firstly, the assumption that I had time in my busy, working full time schedule, to then work more for two classes of yoga a week was laughable. Do we really believe that people who can't afford yoga have spare time to take on another part-time job? Further, the 'energy exchange' isn't really a bartering system- as it typically only applies to cleaning or reception. I put together a proposal for exchanging a teacher training workshop on providing yoga classes for people with communication difficulties (children with special needs, adults with hearing loss) and was met with a big nothing.

If we were honest, those who do energy exchange are usually young, without children and often university students...

I will admit there are a few yoga classes in the city, generally ashtanga, that are a 10$ drop in fee. I've attended a few and they're usually in community centres or at the Y. They're fabulous, and most likely work because the teachers aren't offering the classes out of hugely swanky studios that have to pay expensive rent. However, if I want another style of yoga, it's not that straightforward to find and I have limited choice on teacher and level of class.

And maybe that is the solution... perhaps it's time to recognize that, although the aesthetics of our western studio are lovely, it's not conducive to offering affordable yoga.

Or, perhaps there is another solution that keeps the integrity of the yoga offered while paying a fair wage to the teachers. What are your thoughts or ideas?

The Hypocrisy of the 'Yoga Cruise'

Wanna go on a 'Yoga Cruise Ship'?

(a typical sight in our harbour every summer, these ships are seen above most buildings.) 

(Photo from 'Cruise Halifax')

Yep, the Yoga Industry machine has reached new levels of irony and hypocrisy with this trend, touting 'holistic' and 'sustainable' which are utterly negated by the following word: 'cruise'.

All summer Halifax receives a weekly change up of various, disgustingly large, cruise ships from around the world. I watched them come in, spewing black clouds of pollution, larger than McNab's island, every week from my office window. I heard the ridiculous 'When You Wish Upon A Star' horn from the monthly Disney cruises. The shear pollution that each ship represents is staggering and disgusting.

Small Floating Cities... of Pollution:
Cruise ships are like 'small floating cities'; and the waste and pollution they generate are comparable as such. In one week, a typical sized cruise ship generates around 210,000 US gallons of sewage, 1 million US gallons of gray water, 130 US gallons of hazardous waste, 8 tons of solid waste and 25,000 oily bilgy water (wiki and EPA). Except these cities pass the same path of ocean over and over again all season long.

Sewage dumping:
Cruise ship waste control regulation is flimsy, poorly regulated and filled with loop holes. Unlike the air travel industry, cruise ships are allowed to dump waste water, sewage, runoffs into the ocean. How ironic that these same cruises depend on the beautiful, clean ocean waters to attract customers while they pollute each time they pass through.

Increasing the Dead Zones:
Some steps have been taken to help regulate waste dumpage, but it's far from ideal and food waste is still a free for dump (David Suzuki, 2010). As Dr. Suzuki explains, at about 10,000-25,000 leftover meals being dumped each day, the food decomposes and acidifies increasing nutrients that starve the ocean of oxygen and help create 'dead zones' (scary 'dead spots' in the ocean where nothing lives, these spots are growing).

3x Carbon Emissions:
Then we have those monstrous, black smoke spewing stacks. According to a 'Friends of the Earth' report by Dr. Ross Klein, cruise ships tend to discharge 3 times more carbon emissions that airplanes, trains and passenger ferries. Certain cruise lines (for example Alaska) are attempting to decrease sulfur air emissions by a laughable 0.1 percent.

All this just for ONE WEEK of vacation.

Yoga Cruises?
After reading all the damage a cruise does to our environment, oceans and planet health, the phrase 'Yoga Cruise' is almost laughable in it's irony.

Instead of tag lines like 'Holistic Holiday at Sea', 'Gourmet vegan meals' and 'meditate in a quiet serene environment' they should read:

'Come practice asana while beneath you tons of raw sewage is being dumped into the ocean'

or

'Meditate on how we're all connected while the black sulfurus clouds reach all others'

Seriously? Who are they kidding? 

If you really want a Caribbean get-a-way, consider an eco-resort and offset your flight's carbon emissions. Or put on some fabulous Caribbean music, make some delicious organic fruit trays and chill in your flip flops at home. Whatever floats your non-cruise boat.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

I am tired of "Living Authentically"

*warning... yoga book rant coming up....*

I'm trying to read some yoga philosophy. I've been slogging away at a few books for months now. I just can't handle the fluff of yoga platitudes that are so PRESENT (to use a "yogism") in every single concept, discussion, sentence.

I have always had some serious reservations of packaging and presenting information in a completely esoteric, unreachable, untenable and impractical manner.

You might say, "Read _________, he's extremely political and so relevant!"... except... that IS the book I'm trying to get through. I just have some difficulty agreeing with paragraphs of repetitive "oneness" and comparisons to psychoanalysis (newsflash, Freudian Theory is no longer accepted in Western Psychological practices- mostly cuz the guy did coke... and it's been disproven).

Yes, recognizing the interconnectedness of each being will bring important realizations regarding how we see our everyday lives, but I have to say that David Suzuki did a much better (and more concise and clearly written) job of explaining this in his book "Sacred Balance". The discussion points were clear, the explanations weren't circular and the examples were directly relevant and backed by research. AND he had a good smattering of spirituality to top it all off.

I really want to read how we can use yoga teachings in everyday, practical situations. Sure, give me the history, the philosophy (clearly written though! no muddy, circular discussions!) but then actually discuss how this can have practical implications instead of simply a sentence about living mindfully and authentically through honesty is the TRUE representation of Satya. Or something like that. What does that even MEAN?? We rarely talk about how to apply these teachings in everyday life.

So instead we may get a bunch of people talking about "living authentically in the deliciousness of life" while simultaneously laughing at a person's writing skills, writing agressive emails regarding yoga in the park, or choosing to only support community yoga initiatives if they directly benefit your studio.

I feel as if this is where often yoga philosophy falls short. There is so much metaphorical language that when practical every day situations arise we actually have no real concept of what "living authentically" or "speaking our truth" really means.

I don't feel that we each need our cookie cutter idea of how to live the niyamas and yamas (or yogic philosophy), or that metaphor and philosophy doesn't have an important place in a person's learning, but lets please cut out the "yogisms" that, let's be real here, actually have no meaning whatsoever. They just make us sound "yogic".

But then, I've always been a fairly practical kinda gal... Anyone have any non fouffy, practical yogic philosophy suggestions that don't involve authors with initials M.S.?

(ps- related to books and reading, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this initiative by Neil Gaiman called "All Hallow's Read": the *new* tradition of giving a scary book for Halloween to your loved ones! OR, how about hosting a scary story reading complete with decorations, treats and perhaps even some wine for the grownups? OH YEAH!!)

Don't Buy Yoga Mat Wash

I am a smelly, prepackaged, totally judges the book by it's cover, kinda gal. Yep, the more pretty, sparkly, clever, and yummy smelling it is the more I am drawn to it. This was one of the first impulses I had to break when entering eco-hood. It's something that Crunchy Betty discusses with regards to smell in her most recent post (don't know her? you should, she rocks!).

Especially in the Yoga-verse, marketing and manipulation is key. For the most part, us North Americans (which I can speak to) are cultured into the consumerism mentality, we have been since we were old enough to watch tv (which shouldn't happen before the age of 2 years old... just saying).

It's been years that bloggers have denounced yoga's entry into mass consumerism and obviously, as yogis, we're really just not that great at saying "Gee, I don't think I really need those specialty yoga socks that are made in China from petroleum based products such as nylon and shipped overseas polluting our oceans and packaged in mountains of plastic wrapped in plastic. Thanks though!". Since the ________(insert random useless yoga gear) industries remain a thriving part of Yoga. I mean, you can even get a Chakra oat bar (first ingredient is love...) for goodness sake!

Something that you should never, ever need, is specially made yoga mat cleaner. We've talked about this before. Quite a bit. It's irritating to me when I see yoga studios selling them, as if they are somehow an essential part of yoga mat care. If I'm honest, the truly disappointing part is that by selling something so completely unnecessary, the studio is inherently buying into the "consumerism culture" that manipulates individuals into believing a product is needed.

Let's take a look at what these prepackaged in virgin plastic and shipped all over the world truly have that is so special for yoga mat cleaning.

Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser:
The actual cleaning ingredient here is castile soap. Which is ridiculously easy to purchase (for cheap) at any local health store and would be laughably easy to add to a water mixture in an old spray bottle yourself. Or you could pay 50$ for a refill.

Manduka's Mat Restore:
This cleanser is vinegar based. So.... you could pay money and waste plastic, or you could add half and half with some thyme oil for bacteria and be good to go. If you'd really like, add some castile soap for extra "cleaning" goodness.

Gaiam Yoga Mat Wash:
This doesn't even have an ingredient list. The "refreshing scent" could be anything from synthetic essential oils which can be irritating to the lungs and eyes to hiding harmful toxic chemicals (such as formaldehyde  behind "fragrance".

Just because you're yoga mat cleaner comes in an old spray bottle, with a slight hint of vinegar, and requires you to actually rinse and air dry your mat in the bathtub, doesn't mean it is any less effective than a wasteful, unnecessary, prepackaged bottle of vinegar and essential oils.

I don't Need to be Peer Pressured to Smoke my 'Intention' Joint for Yoga, Thank you very much

I'm trying really hard to respect yoga. Or perhaps I should clarify, I'm trying very hard to respect yoga's practitioners. After seven years of practice, I feel as though yoga has a lot of offer. As the boom of popularity seems to have peaked, I'm feeling a bit of a tipping of the scales.

It's funny, but my views on yoga have changed over the years. At first it was an almost blind adulation. Yoga's cure all for every single ailment; psychological and physical. Yoga instructors had special knowledge and were automatically trusted to be more enlightened... or something.

A few incidents cured that line of thinking fairly quickly. I don't really have the thickest skin you see.

So a tiny thread of caution entered my yoga practice. Learning yoga (or those who teach it) can hurt, a pulled achilles tendon and emotional in class bullying testified and adjusted my course.

Surprise at just how disconnected many practitioners and instructors were with yoga and the real world prompted the beginning of this blog. I was flabbergasted that so many could just rattle of yoga platitudes of the yamas and niyamas while drinking their starbucks coffees out of disposable cups, practicing on petroleum based yoga mats and over heating their studios adding to our world's pollution.

Follow that up with a few years of failed attempts at connecting the Halifax yoga community and you now have quite the cynical yogini. Oh, I'm sure this too will pass, but for the moment I'm entering an almost grieving of the loss of yoga's respectability.

I'd really like Yoga to be taken seriously as a Health System. There are so many fabulous instructors and so many valuable teachings. In order for this to happen, Yoga needs to fit, somewhat, into the basics of a Health Culture that is already quite established in the Western World. At the very least, those who have the power to make this paradigm shift need to accept and respect Yoga.

Unregulated instruction and training pumping out hundreds of barely qualified instructors into classes to prattle off one liner pop psych 'secrets' while barely guiding students isn't going to help. Neither does having a High Profile Yoga Instructor deciding to publicly lead students to roll intention joints and smoke their way into 'bliss'.

Reasons why this 'mudra' was disappointing and not well thought out:
1. Not everyone will make that connection. And let's be clear: pretending to roll and then smoke a joint IS about weed. The metaphor would have never been used if the act of smoking weed didn't result in a high...which was being linked to 'bliss' and directly to a yoga 'mudra'. It's not like they pretended to hammer an intention nail. This metaphor *only* works if you make the connection between getting high and bliss.

It's truly disappointing that as a high profile and well established teacher can't take a step back and realize that when teaching a class not everyone present will have any basis to make that connection. Yoga isn't directly or automatically connected to the marijuana subculture. In fact, what I LIKE about the culture is that, for the most part (at least since high school) I have never felt pressure to partake. It's a faux-pas to peer pressure others. You offer and then you pass. At least, unless you're a commenter reacting strongly to the implication that smoking weed might not be cool for some. And then you get high school-esque comments like telling another commenter (for example, perhaps myself) to take the 'stick out of your ass'.... Nice.

2. Having an activity so directly linked to a substance that, regardless of your opinions, remains illegal to be publicly photographed and witnessed just doesn't help others take yoga seriously. As a high profile teacher, there are responsibilities that are inherent to that role. He has accepted the path to lead hundreds and thousands of students along the road of Yoga, implicitly representing Yoga to other disciplines and potential students.

You can argue that he's not accepted that as an official role, or it wasn't explicitly stated, but the reality is that when a person becomes 'yoga famous' that is part of the deal. Without regulation or official organization, it's the 'famous' who become our culture's Leaders. It's beyond the control of those in the role, and those on the sidelines.

So. I'm disappointed. But then, for something that really should have never been THIS big of a deal, it has taken on quite a bit of mental space as I dealt with the reality of placing my opinions on an internet forum to have my own self attacked and pressured. Of course, this is all about me really, and less about the actual event of rolling an 'intention joint' and 'smoking to my bliss'.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Why I "Unfriended" You on Facebook

I've started deleting "friends" from my facebook. Yes I have become that person.

A few months ago I saw my "friend" number... it was almost at 500. Seriously? Are these people really my "friends"? It was ridiculous. I was dreading sharing pictures because of the amount of people who would see them. Basically strangers had access to photos of my wedding, of my kittens! All attached to my name, where I live, where I work.

I had a moment where I thought- what the eff am I doing? Since when do I need to share that much information with that many people who really don't care about my life?

So I started deleting. Criteria was pretty amorphous at first. If someone posted something on my facebook that I found offensive: I'd delete them (racist rap videos? spamming my feed with offensive slurs? buhbye!). Most of these people were acquaintances from elementary and high school anyway. Offensive ex-boyfriend: why the heck was he on my facebook anyway?

Then, someone on twitter pointed out that if they wouldn't be friends with them in real life, why bother sharing that much information on facebook? Perfect. People who had been random acquaintances from long ago, delete!

Now, I definitely have had twinges of guilt. Like: what if they notice and are offended? What if they reacted like the "why I was unfriended because of an elephant" post?

But then I realized... facebook isn't a place for me to share a ton of personal information with random people I hardly know. These people aren't my friends, they are barely acquaintances. I should be able to choose who I share my personal space with. Being "unfriended" by someone you weren't friends to begin with isn't rational. It's missing what true friendship means.

Facebook is an extremely useful connecting tool. I use it all the time for organizing yoga in the park, communicating with friends, connecting with people who live far away and sharing my life with family. For myself, it is not a place where I *have* to share these things with every single person walking through the realms of my past or my present life. It's becoming a sort of weird social etiquette if you delete or turn down a friend request- no matter the request-ee.

I love writing my blog, and I love sharing and connecting on Twitter.

I do feel that it is my choice should I want a small part of my online "life" to remain somewhat more secluded, a tiny bit more private. And that is what facebook is for me- a way to share more intimate parts of my daily life with people who are truly friends and family.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Fifty Shades...

Short break from the environment to chat about reading....

Everyone was talking about it. I knew it was Twilight fan fiction (meaning a fan, not an author, wrote a spin or "alternate" based on Twilight) sans vampires, and I may have truly despised the Twilight series, but I thought "Hey, I read fluff novels, I can handle poor writing!".

I was wrong.

While reading the first book on Andrew's kindle I went from derisive to frighteningly angry that I actually wasted money on this piece of written crap that offended my sensibilities as an intelligent feminist.

If you want to read erotica, there are about a million options out there that are actually well written and have strong, kick ass female characters. You know, women who aren't emotionally and physically abused.

But who am I to say all this?

If you really want to know what the Fifty Shades reading experience is like- check out the most HILARIOUS review on Goodreads I have ever read. There are pictures. And come back here to let me know what you think.

How To Not Hate Your Body

(caution: please excuse the moment of drama- am feeling it today!)

How to not hate your body:

- accept that the medical test results are right and that you are perfectly healthy.
- therefore, accept that you will menstruate every 1.5 to 2 weeks for at least 10-12 days straight.
- accept the fact that the doctor informed you that "this is the way you're built".
- don't imagine kicking the doctor in her shins. That's not nice. Maybe imagine it a little.
- be happy that you don't have cancer, or fibroids, or a missing uterus.
- be angry that you don't have cancer, or fibroids, or a missing uterus.
- go back to being very relieved, guilty that you even thought the angry-cancer part- and repeat.
- acknowledge that your body is strong and capable of running and a vigorous yoga practice.
- be excited that you can build muscles- it will come in handy when you become a superhero.
- celebrate that you can make babies in your non-missing uterus.
- go rock in a corner at the thought of pregnancy and child birth and what that would do to your now present uterus and other bits.
- get back on track and think of positive things about your body.
- like how you don't have ugly feet.
- and you don't have to pluck your eyebrows anymore cuz wouldn't you know, your mom was right: they stop growing after you turn 25.
- your vocal folds are pretty darn fantastical as they allow you to sing without people cringing.
- your brain and heart, although sensitive, allow you to be creative, enjoy fantasy novels, create music, to laugh and to love the wonderful man who is your husband. Excellent.
- And the giraffe neck is perfect for wearing ridiculously long and dangly earrings.

Basically, how not to hate your body is to be grateful that you have one.

(me-not hating my body while we dance to LMFAO at 1am at the cottage last weekend)

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Hot Yoga: Polluting the Planet One Class at a Time

A Bikram Studio opened in Halifax recently. Another heated yoga studio. At this point, it's actually difficult to find a non-heated yoga class in the city. Two Moksha studios, a Bikram studio and a quick look at Halifax Yoga reveal 3 to 4 heated classes per day.

Heated and Hot Yoga remain trendy in our yoga-verse with hundreds of yogis sweating it out every day. The spread of heated yoga classes to non-hot specific studios is purely a reflection of demand- by paying for your 75-90 minutes of getting your sweat on, you're directly participating in a carbon heavy industry.

As climate change is a real phenomena that is impacted by greenhouse gas emissions (caused by carbon emissions from a variety of sources, one being coal powered heating), practicing hot or heated yoga directly supports an increase in carbon emissions. It's kinda like driving a Hummer... or choosing only energy INefficient appliances... or littering. It's terrible to say, but let's 'fess up here- choosing hot and heated yoga is choosing a carbon emitting, polluting yoga practice.

Of course, there are levels of energy usage for your heated practice.

Bikram: 
Rooms are heated to 105 F... for all classes. Think about that- these rooms are kept heated at 105 F for hours on end during summer AND winter seasons. Unfortunately there isn't any information online on how the studio is insulated and what type of heating is used. From pictures you can see there are windows... and I would hope they were extremely well insulated and sealed as most of our heat is lost there. At 3 classes a day you already have a studio being kept at 105 F for over four hours, minimum.

Bikram yoga studios also expend quite a bit of water energy on showers, laundry and cleaning all that sweat. Imagine a studio having 20 yogis per class, 3 classes a day. Most of these yogis will either shower in studio or at home. That's 60 extra showers a day. That's 15-30 litres per minute per shower (Ecoholic Home, 2009). If each person took a 10 minute shower, that's 9,000-18,000 litres of water.

Moksha:
Rooms are heated between 90 and 100 degrees. At the Halifax studio there are on average 10 classes a day. That's over 10 hours of keeping those rooms heated. Unfortunately, heat escapes. It's unavoidable and extremely obvious if you ever walk by the studio (the windows in the front lobby are constantly fogged up).

Similarly to Bikram, water usage (and waste) has a significant potential for impact. Let's say for 10 classes (assuming that daytime classes will run 5-7 people and evening classes upwards 10-15) you have, conservatively about 90 people a day. That's 13,500 to 27,000 extra litres of water a day. What is different is that Moksha uses energy star rated laundry appliances, in floor heating that decreases it's energy use by a potential of 40% and uses natural cork flooring and low VOC paints.

That said, 40% less energy leaves 60% extra energy just to heat a room for yoga.

"Heated/Hot" Yogas:
These are the "heated" classes you see around town. Generally heated using portable floor heaters, these classes are arguably just as wasteful as full out hot yoga. I know for a fact that certain studios "pre-heat" their class rooms up to an hour before class starts, turning on these energy sucking heaters for an EMPTY studio. Several heaters are needed for one classroom, I generally see at least 3-4 per class.

Further, these classes are in studio spaces that are not specifically made to keep the heat in. Windows and classroom doors with rolled up towels underneath do a poor job of insulating. On top of that, they also usually have showers and the water usage that goes with it.

Yogis talk the talk about going vegan/vegetarian, buying an eco friendly mat or biking to class to decrease their carbon footprint, but honestly it all seems a bit hypocritical if you step into a hot yoga class.

• Instead, support local studios who don't heat their classes. 
• Ask for more "non" heated classes in the schedule. 
• Explain your choice to either 
• a) not frequent their studio or 
• b) not frequent their "heated" classes by voicing your concern to studio owners about the environmental impact their heated yoga is having on our planet.
• Practice the original "Hot" yoga: outside in the sun during a local Yoga in the Park.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

If they don't die they could buy- a Rant

Another post at the Green Phone Booth! (a favour for a fellow Boother :) ).

All my Canadian peeps- heard the Executive Vice President of Loblaws (Superstores, SaveEasy etc) give a talk last night: Go read my rant on the corporate green spinning of the Environment and the two most important life lessons that I have learned from the experience!

Happy Ostara!

Eco Yoga Mats Don't Suck

A little birdie over on another yoga blog site created some discussion regarding the usefulness of investing in an 'eco' yoga mat. The perspective was really two-fold: that eco yoga mats are of poor quality compared to pvc and thus won't last long and that owning an eco yoga mat is an empty eco-gesture.

I claim false on both accounts.

Let's take a closer look shall we?

Myth 1: Eco Yoga mats are of lesser quality than pvc.


Firstly, I'd have to say that those yogis who report cycling through their 'eco' yoga mats within a few months or under a year of practice have a few things they should elaborate. Stating what type of 'eco' mat is important. There are some poor quality rubber mats out there (just like there are some crappy pvc mats). Also, exposing your rubber mat to the sun will further increase the breakdown of the rubber. TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) yoga mats aren't even truly 'eco' (check out 'My mat is made of copolymers' for more deets on TPE greenwashing), also accelerated flaking from sun exposure and are of lesser quality.

However, Jade Harmony (and my prAna revolution mat) are both higher quality and if cared for properly should last the length of your yoga practice.

Further, for the most part they're yoga instructors who partake in a full daily practice (or even several times of day). Hold up your hand if you practice a vigorous, hand gripping, foot sliding and body jumping asana 5 to 7 days a week (or more). Keep your hand up if you're a yoga instructor. Although becoming a yoga instructor is becoming the new 'it' thing, they remain a small percentage of yogi practitioners and do NOT represent the typical yogi.

The slippery complaint really just has to do with the first few practices and use. It fades away and I only ever notice a bit more 'slip' after I wash my mat- it goes away after the first post-wash practice.

Myth 2: Eco Yoga Mats are an empty environmental gesture and don't really make a difference.

According to different sources (most recently npr) between twenty and thirty MILLION people practice yoga in the United States alone. If we're conservative and add another 10 million for Canada, maybe another 10 million globally and take the lower USA number- that's 40 million people with a yoga mat. 40 MILLION YOGA MATS. (and that doesn't include studio mats and those people who have two, or three mats)

The Manduka black mat weighs 7lbs.

That's 280 million pounds or 127 005 metric tonnes of PVC. 

Polyvinyl chloride (pvc) yoga mats last forever because of just that- plastic lasts FOREVER. By this I mean not one piece of plastic ever created that hasn't been burned (releasing toxic flames into the air we breathe) since the 1960's has yet to disappear from this world. Every single piece of plastic is still in existence, either in complete original form leaching chemicals into the soil where it rests, off gassing into the inhabitant's home or has been transformed into tiny plastic bubbles (nurdles) that are being ingested by aquatic life and thus eventually humans (The World Without Us, Alan Weisman).

Since as far as we can tell plastic will last forever, and pvc is one of the most difficult plastics to recycle (Greenpeace) many pvc mats will end up in the landfill. Often landfills catch on fire, and once pvc burns it releases an extremely toxic chemical called dioxins. These chemicals have been found to be extremely dangerous to humans (known carcinogen) and bioaccumulate- discovered in the majority of American women's breast milk (wiki and Ecoholic 2006).

Your pvc yoga mat will continue to pollute this earth after you and your yoga practice move on to the next part of your spirit journey.

During her amazing lecture at Dalhousie University on Monday, Dr. Vandana Shiva spoke of the social culture of 'individual vs community' in response to the question: "How can we make a difference?". She answered that the competitiveness and corporate culture of the western world has encouraged the false belief that we are alone. That we are individuals.

This isn't true. We are not single individuals; as a social being we interact, we communicate, we create change. We are part of a community of ever increasing circles in this pond we call our home.

280 million pounds of toxic pvc isn't insignificant. Making the decision to bring your yoga practice into alignment with ahimsa (non-harming) of our planet and our health isn't insignificant.

Instead of fostering a feeling of helplessness, or isolation, we need to start recognizing our amazing ability to connect and foster change. 

And that's why Eco Yoga Mats Don't Suck.

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

PETA Supports Violence Against Women on Love Day

Being eco-friendly on Heart day is kinda tricky. Although there are more "do" type activities (such as eating out, consuming local wine, watching a romantic movie or going out and doing something- such as a burlesque show which my local coffee barista said he was doing tonight!), there are still the pesticide sprayed flowers and slave labour chocolates to consider.

Of course, being vegan or vegetarian has always been touted as being the penultimate planet friendly activity with PETA being the poster child for the 'right-wing leftist movement'. If that makes sense.

As a rule, I do not support anything PETA does, because of their sexist and misogynist use of women in their ads and publicity stunts. Using a female body to 'sell' something (product or philosophy) is never cool, regardless of the end-point (see this article on why being a feminist and PETA supporter doesn't mesh).

I'd like to point out the latest stunt, just in case you've heard- the 'BWVAKTBOOM' or 'boyfriend went vegan and knocked the bottom out of me' ad. This video not only makes light of violence against women, it's insulting use of such a serious and very real problem (violence against women) in order to promote veganism is worrisome on a social scale.



In Canada it is estimated that 1 of 3 girls is sexually assaulted before the age of 18 and First Nations women experience spousal violence that is three times higher than the non-First Nations Canadian average. Between 2000-2009 there were 738 spousal homicides with women more likely to be killed by separated spousal partners. Women report more serious forms of violence than men, three times more likely to report they had been sexually assaulted, beaten, choked or threatened with a gun or knife. Please note- this is *only* what was reported (stats canada 2009 report).

Young women are more likely to be victims of abuse than men and between April 1st 2009 and March 31st 2010 numbers of women admitted into Canadian shelters for abused women exceeded 64,000 (Canadian Status of Women).

Victims are also less likely to report the incident to the police than in the past. The recent report in 2009 indicates that numbers of violence have been stable since the last report in 2004... as in it's not getting better. (stats canada 2009 report).

When we continue to support a culture that normalizes and justifies violence against women, the objectification of women's bodies to sell a product or philosophy, we also are supporting countless men who sexually assault, abuse and kill their female partners.

Instead, on this Valentine's Day, support a cultural change of equality, safety, respect and Love. 

If you choose veganism, do it out of respect for all living creatures and keeping our planet and Selves healthy.

Don't support PETA.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Thoughts on Lululemon and Their 'Bottom Line'

The beginning of 'Salutation Nation'- the International 'Ohm' Lululemon sponsored yoga event this Saturday, the ambassador leading the class intro'd with a little speech about Lululemon.

This speech, although I was strangely surprised (I shouldn't have been, Lulu was hosting it), brought up some interesting points of consideration. Many of which I do not agree with... even though I was there and took part in the event, since it was free.

Our first spot w Miss Veronica and Andrew's bike, Mr Manelli (he's not very original). Unfortunately, softball games were everywhere and a ball actually flew into the crowd almost hitting a yogi... so we moved. The second spot was actually better :)

Firstly, before I get into the good stuff, here are some positives of Salutation Nation:
- It did bring over 200 yogis, practicing together. Although mostly university aged students, there were mothers and their children as well as some guys and a few 'post-university' yogis.
- Practicing with that many people outside was pretty darn neat to see!
- Everyone was pretty positive, the overall message was positive (if not somewhat 'foofy').
- It provided an opportunity to practice yoga for free- woot!

- While over 200 yogis were lying down for savasana, I stuck out like a sore thumb in my seated meditation. I made sure to take off my sunglasses to make it more obvious that I was meditating and not just being difficult. I was SO nervous- I knew the ambassador could see me... sitting up amidst a sea of corpses. I closed my eyes and just tried to breathe, mentally preparing for when a helper instructor would come up and ask some questions. Instead- I felt a leg against my back and an instructor's hands opening my shoulders as if I were in savasana. Such a moment of honest and open acceptance brought a few tears to my eyes. I was (am!) so grateful to that instructor that I actually said 'Thank you' out loud (without opening my eyes) after she finished.  

Our final practicing space- those empty green spots quickly filled in!

Alright, the points of contention. 
The ambassador's opening speech went something like this: 'Lululemon is a fantastic company that does so much for our communities across the globe. They're manifesto is 'Elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness' (this is their 'vision statement' actually)...' and continue onward with 'Yay Lululemon is so great and wonderful' speech with how their main purpose is to bring together community and a healthy lifestyle. It was a serious 3-5min of gushing, an 'Ode to Lululemon'.

I get that as an ambassador OF Lululemon, at an event that is hosted by Lululemon would begin by thanking the company for organizing and sponsoring the event. I expected a short something thanking them.

However. To imply that Lululemon's *main purpose* is to support community is ridiculous. Lululemon, a company with CEOs, lawyers, accountants and PR-planning committees, has as it's main goal to make money and sell clothing. That is the ultimate goal. Sure, they have many 'community' based events (for the most part in their store- where participants can see all the wonderful products waiting to be bought), but this isn't Lululemon's bottom line. We all know this. Lululemon doesn't set up shop in the most impoverished and in-need neighbourhoods, countries and cultures globally. They have stores, set up to sell costly clothing (not even made in that country) to upper middle and upper class women and men. The community events aren't geared for the homeless, or the impoverished, but to the market of people who could potentially purchase their clothing.

Cynical? Perhaps a bit, but I'd be surprised if the upper circle of the company thought differently.

What would make them a truly inspirational company?

- If they invested some of that time, energy and money into creating and manufacturing all their clothing from environmentally sustainable fabrics in low or ZERO carbon footprint and pollution factories.

- If they manufactured their clothing IN the country they sold them, instead of factories located in impoverished countries with lower health, environmental and work policies as well as workers that made a pay we'd find unacceptably low.

- By investing in local, Canadian (or American) factories, they'd lower the carbon footprint created by the huge container ships they need to use to ship the clothing, as well as *truly* be investing and supporting local communities and economies.

- Instead of community events in their store, wouldn't it be beautiful if they sponsored health and yoga events for those who are actually in need; such as the homeless, women's shelters, those who struggle with mental health or illness. (Supposedly each store has 'charitable giving' that the consumer's choose local charities to 'give back'- when I searched the Halifax store site there was no information. I have never ever heard of Lulu hosting a charitable event in Halifax, Montréal or Kelowna- where I've lived. If they do, it's the exception and not the rule).

Hey, I own some Lulu clothing and obviously am willing to take advantage of a free yoga class they've organized. However, I'm not going to pretend that this Business's bottom line is something other than making money and selling clothing.

There are so many other local companies that invest and actually do give back to our communities (like LoveMe Boutique who sells only Canadian Hand Made products, or Bhavana who offers Canadian and American, sustainably made yoga clothing) who truly have more than 'selling clothes' as their bottom line.

I am not 'Anti-Lulu', I'm more of a 'let's be real' kinda yogini.

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

I Reject the External Yoga Ideal; It's Time to Stop Blaming the Individual

I have a problem with "If you just try hard enough you'll be____" insert unrealistic and externally determined physical attribute. It bothered me when I became aware of the negative effects of body image and the media and it bothers me when it comes to yoga.

Yep, I am comparing the two.

 (Although this ad is 13 years old, it's still relevant today... and I heard it's making the news again recently, which is weird since it's so old...)

I'm wholeheartedly against fitting a person's physical body in a predetermined box. Our media tells us (mostly women, but also men) what the ideal body type and look should be... and we're expected to strive for this. We know, anatomically, that only 5% of the female population, even with dieting and cosmetics, will ever fit the ideal body type. And yet still we get the message: "If you only try harder, workout more, wear a certain kind of makeup/clothing/hair style you'll look better and thus be happier". Every single media advert is based on making us believe that it is OUR fault that we look the way we do (so we should buy their product to help fix it).

I've finally made a connection with why I am so uncomfortable when I hear yoga instructors tell me that someday I will reach= a certain level of flexibility/posture/strength. It's the exact same concept of: "You can't do it now because you just haven't been practicing long enough/trying hard enough/practicing often enough", a blame the individual mentality.

Oh, for the most part it's done with only the best of intentions in mind, to motivate and reassure the student that progress occurs for everyone. At the same time there is a certain extent where I've found some (not all!) yoga instructors believe that their level of flexibility/strength/stamina is achievable by ALL students. Which implies that the only reason the student isn't there yet is due to their own internal faults.

I am a prime example. I'm thin, so I find people automatically assume I should be flexible. Ummm, far from it- as I've said many times it took two full years of regular practice to be able to *just barely touch my toes*. And yes I push myself adequately, thank you very much, I've learned the difficult way just how inflexible my body can be. Due to my extremely non-gumby body, I can easily pull and tear muscles and tendons when pushing through asanas or when they're overheated (um- hot yoga is a no-no for me). Sure I've made progress, but it is completely unreasonable to assume that even after a decade of practice (which will be three years away) that I will be able to fold forward completely in standing forward fold or seated forward fold, even if I practice every.single.day.

And I'm ok with that.

I've accepted that for me, my yoga doesn't have to fit a preconceived physical notion. I also know enough about anatomy and physiology to understand that not every person's bone and muscle structures are exactly the same, and therefore neither should their asana yoga outcomes should be the same. I resent the fact when I'm made to feel like I a) haven't been practicing often/hard enough b) haven't been pushing myself enough (umm several injuries should just be ignored right?) or c) I've just been doing it plain wrong. (Can you tell I had an experience at class last night?).

Last evening I had an instructor inform me that I can go further in "parsvottanasana" (intense side stretch), while she pushed on my back. When I informed her that "Nope, that's as far as I go" with a follow up of "It hurts" when she insisted, she informed me that I still had a curve in my lower back. Yep, that's my slightly curved spine she pointed out, how nice of her. A few more insistent adjustments and loud suggestions ("Why aren't you doing upward dog?" to my baby cobra's followed by insisting on upward dog stating that I would be hurting my lower back more with a baby cobra than an updog), resulted in my practice becoming about letting go of disappointment and anger and fighting the impulse to push my body harder.

I've had enough injuries that way and would hate to pull my achilles tendon or have intense lower back pains from too many strenuous upward dogs and savasanas.

When I approached her afterwards to thank her for her suggestions and time during class, it was to recognize for myself that she assumed even the most basic yoga postures were achievable for everyone and only meant well. (As if one hip opener is really enough to "open up the hips" for ridiculously tight people haha).

Her response was to point out that I had a consistent lower back curve in almost all forward folds and that what was holding me back: "You just have to work on not jutting your bum out". Um... My acknowledgement of "Yes, I actually have quite a natural spinal curve to my lower back" was cut off with: "Yeah, you gotta just work on tucking your tail bone in more".

At that I just thanked her and walked away. Obviously, it had never occurred to this veteran Ashtangi that some people actually have spines that are over-curved. No over tucking my tail bone is going to change the bone structure of my spine- it's not muscle habit that I stick my ass out, it's an actual spinal formation. I resent the fact that she implied I just hadn't practiced hard enough, long enough or pushed myself enough to achieve some external "perfection" that she felt would be the penultimate experience of the yoga pose.

I'm happy with what my body has achieved in the miniscule steps it has taken over the past seven years of regular, dedicated (mostly!) physical practice. I firmly reject the idea that all yoga asana is achievable and accessible to everyone should they just try hard enough/long enough.  

Each person should not strive to achieve an "external yoga ideal" but should find what yoga looks like for them.

Blessings


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

I want to tell you a myth about an Elephant: Should Yogis be careful with Cultural Appropriation?

Imagine: You're in a yoga class, sitting on your mat and getting emotionally and mentally ready for class. You sit cross legged and patiently wait for the teacher to begin, anticipating a quick intro and maybe a few 'aums'. The teacher enters, sits on his mat and welcomes you. All is good. Then the teacher begins:

'Today I want to tell y'all a story. It's about this dude on my shirt here, you see? He's on a cross. Anyhow, it's really a myth about a shepherd and his flock of sheep. This dude on my shirt? His name is Jesus and he told this story about the shepherd. You see, there was this shepherd who had like a 100 sheep. One day, one of his sheep ran away, which of course upset the shepherd. He loved every one of his sheep. So, he of course left the other 99 sheep and went searching for the one that ran away. When the shepherd found his lost sheep he had a party and everyone was happy...'

Alright, feel uncomfortable yet? What about the choice of words: 'Myth' and 'story'? We can agree, perhaps, that the more politically correct term would be 'religious parable', and that the general pretense of a religious story prior to a yoga class not otherwise specified as such (i.e. religious) feels a bit strange (to say the least). Did you feel a bit perturbed that the teacher also didn't specifically connect his 'story' with the religion of Christianity, or at least acknowledge that this 'Jesus' fellow is a religious deity for Christians?

How about we change the teacher's story to one about Ganesha... and the 16 phases of the moon. Leave the words 'myth' and 'story' as well as the extremely casual tone of the telling and lack of any reference to Ganesha being a Hindu deity. Now how do you feel?

This is not a post to say that Yoga shouldn't involve anything remotely Hindu in nature- that would be ridiculous. It is to voice my growing annoyance with individuals who co-opt certain aspects of Hinduism in an otherwise secular yoga practice. My yoga practice is spiritual and personal and does not involve Krishna, Buddha, Jesus or God for that matter. Since I can't shut off my ears, roll up my mat and leave or voice my concerns during a yoga class- it is the perfect setting to take advantage of a 'captive' audience and share their spiritual;co-opted views.

Of course, most yoga classes are not like this. Which is fabulous. Nevertheless, I am simply not a fan of appropriating parts of a religious or cultural movement as your own... so this event completely irked me.

Thoughts?

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com