View of the beach from the beach bar. Photo via: Alex Ambrose

As a dear retreat guest shared with us in our closing circle, I’m often amazed at how what Vivekan and I touch often turns to gold. This last yoga retreat of ours was nothing short of gold. And tho I’m biased as the coordinator of it all, it was the best I’ve ever been on–including ones outside of Bodhisattva Yoga. It’s a bold statement but one that deserves it. Here’s why:

The People~

Photo via: Jess Root/BodhisattvaYoga.com

What do you get when you put a big group of people who hardly know eachother into a shared environment for a week’s time? Make fun of me all you want but MTV’s the Real World comes to mind. People tend to break off into bite sized cliques, start cat-fights, backbite and/or don’t put much effort into making others feel welcome.

I wasn’t so concerned about this happening on our retreat as I’m a pretty laid back person who doesn’t tend to worry too much but I did know that a handful of newcomers were coming along with us for the wild ride. None of whom we had met in person before or whom had studied with Vivekan. (I had given them phone screenings.) I was still curious how the group dynamic would formulate. From our first day to the last, I was in constant awe as I watched all of our retreat guests form bonds, friendships and friendly exchanges–during travel time (arduous for those who got delayed by the blizzard), beach time, bar time, meal time and of course, yoga time.

The lovely and fun yoginis, Katie and Marj. Image via: Katie Schottland

A special shout out goes to those of our retreat guests who despite getting delayed by snow, arrived in good spirits. Those are the types of yoga practicioners taking their work off of the mat and we were proud to host you!

Some of my favorite standout moments:

–Meredith, Allison, Alex and Suzi making a train trip from NYC to Cleveland to catch a flight to Mexico (after JetBlue’s snow storm cancellation.) That’s dedication and we love you for that

–Our group salsa dance (or various versions of) to Rosa’s live drumming session at Zamas

–Bill’s utterly and completely infectious laugh (often heard during deep relaxation!) and his seamless ability to bridge and form friendships

–Some of our retreat guest’s willingness to truly follow our “Judgment-free” retreat motto and take advantage of the clothing-optional beach

–Alex, Allison and Meredith demonstrating their mad Bananagram skillz– these guys are serious

The Yoga~

Photo via: Katie Schottland

In short, Vivekan’s attentive, safe and playful teaching method is off the chain. I wish I had tape-recorded my practice three years ago so you can see where it is now. He took a large group of varying levels of experience and created beautiful, challenging sequences that led us into deep heart openers by week’s end. I felt proud seeing some of our strong Basics level students bridge over to Intermediate and make tremendous strides over the course of a week. (Go Melissa!)

The Food~

Photo via: Jess Root/BodhisattvaYoga.com

As a connoisseur of Caribbean/Mexican food I confidently proclaim the supreme deliciousness of our meals. Guacamole, pico de gallo, fresh fish, tortilla and lime soup, flan, nutella crepes… so good that Bill and Rosa were spotted licking their plates clean. No joke!

Photo via: Jess Root/BodhisattvaYoga.com

Without rambling on forever I’ll make quick mentions to everything from the incredibly charming beachfront accomodations that we never wanted to leave, the friendly staff at Cabanas Copal, the dope spa services that left me feeling like heaven and general awesomeness that all of these parts and pieces collectively created.

“…Form is emptiness, Emptiness is form…” to quote the Heart Sutra.

Which bring me to, you; our dear retreat guests turned our retreat into gold. Yes, Vivekan and I add our own special touch–but it’s really all due to the amazing people, places and things we attract. A massive thanks to each and every one of you who came on the retreat, making it as fabulous as it was. We hope to see you on the next one–if not before!

xo Jess

PS — Click over to friend Bodhisattva Yoga’s Facebook page. We’ve got more retreat photos to check out over there!

Image via: Flickr.com/Abhijit Tembhekar

Why does an apple a day keep the doctor away? New research supports famous health adage. A ScienceDaily article summarizes recent findings suggesting that pectin, a naturally occurring form of fiber in apples, lends to a pH in the gut which assists the development and functioning of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract.

Many of us have heard of the horrific, natural disaster that has struck Haiti. I feel a personal connection to Haiti. It shares the island of Hispañola with its neighboring nation, the Dominican Republic — from which my parents came. My earliest childhood friend, with whom I am still in touch, is of Haitian descent. Lastly, my venerable mentor and friend was born in Haiti. This disaster feels as though it struck as close as my neighbor and friend’s home. It is easy to become despondent in times like this. However, we can do something, and however small and indirect it may seem, it does have an effect. To help you perform the activities of a bodhisattva, I have done here what I can to direct you to a resource that you can rely upon. (I got it from “WhiteHouse.gov”.) Click on the link below to find out how you can help:

Also, Jessica, Bodhisattva Yoga’s manager, mentioned in today’s newsletter that we are placing a box, here at Bodhisattva Yoga, in which supplies can be collected and sent within the week to Haiti.

Perhaps, while doing what you can for our fellows in Haiti, you may want to make the firm resolve espoused by the great bodhisattva, Shantideva: “As long as space remains, as long as sentient beings remain, may I too remain, and dispel the miseries of the world.”

Remember, we are but a global village on this planet. Helping a stranger, is helping family.

Delicious salad. Note, not to be confused with the Vivekan Salad.

As we welcome in a new year, I know many are trying to incorporate improved dietary choices into their lifestyle. Though there are many differing opinions on what is a “good diet”, most agree that a fresh salad is not only highly nutritious, but wholesome and minimally processed.

Being largely a lacto-ovo vegetarian, over the years I have experimented with my own salad, and I have arrived at a creation ready to be shared. It is a salad tasty enough for the kids, and hearty enough for the man’s man.

This is, the Vivekan Salad (and, it is a lot healthier, and lower calorie than Caesar’s or Cobb’s formulations):

Mixed greens, fresh-cut corn, fresh red, orange or yellow pepper, cherry tomatoes, fresh diced mango (small), avocado, grated carrot, feta cheese, raisins, and a hard-boiled egg (ideally all would be organic &/or as locally produced as possible). Toss this with extra-virgin olive oil and a little sea salt and pepper to taste.

This salad offers healthy fats, proteins, and only naturally occurring sugars; it is chock full of vitamins and minerals, and a whole lot of good taste.

Give it a try and post your thoughts here.

- Vivekan :)

Ps. If you use this salad, kindly give credit where due.

Cynical that sitting in sweat-free stillness could actually prove healthy for the heart?

Check out my post over on TreeHugger about meditation and its cardio-positive qualities!

xo

Jess

It’s official—our party celebrating the International Day of Climate Action was a success!

From the generous spread of food and drink, to mine and Vivekan’s brief discussion emphasizing the importance of 350 but most memorable—the smiling faces and good conversation from those of you in attendance.

Thank you from the depths of our very green hearts!

But more than the great food and fun, we should all feel proud for holding our world leaders accountable and for participating in an international movement supporting a fair, equitable and binding climate treaty that’s based on the most recent science…

The party might be over, but don’t be shy about spreading the number 350’s importance with friends, family and our state representatives:

Rep. Yvette D. Clarke — (718) 287-1142

Senator Chuck Schumer — (212) 486-4430

Gratitude is owed to the following yogin’s for making the party a whole lot tastier:

Ellen for lending us the *re-usable, waste-free plates and glasses. Thank you!
Tracy for your help assisting the evening
Meredith for your vegan peanut-butter chocolate rice crispy treats
Stefanie for the decadent chocolate cake
Alex and Elizabeth for the guacamole wars!
Hope, Ellen, Eric and Sara for the wine

And last, but certainly not least to our event sponsors, Union Market for the generous and delicious vegetarian food donation—and Prospect Park Wine for your helpful assistance. We appreciate both of your stores’ generous amount of local, organic offerings!

(If I missed anyone– thanks to you, too!)

Our pictures from the party can be found on Bodhisattva Yoga’s flickr page.

To continued climate action,
Jessica + Vivekan

If you haven’t heard about our upcoming party on Saturday, October 24^th, listen up!

In the spirit of Dana (Skt. generosity) and giving back to the community and world at large, Bodhisattva Yoga is hosting an evening of good conversation, wine and food. Environmental experts Jessica and Vivekan will be informally sharing eco-facts and suggestions to increase your environmental awareness.

With the big United Nation’s Climate meeting in Copenhagen just around the bend in December—the time when leaders and politicians from around the world conjoin to create a climate treaty—this party comes at a crucial tipping point.

350 is the Most Important Number in the World!

This party is inspired by the work of the very smart and savvy environmentalist Bill McKibben. His 350.org campaign aims to deliver this message: 350 is the most important number in the world. Why? International scientists agree that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels above 350ppm (parts per million) would incur planetary climate disaster—leaving us, our children and grandchildren without a safe, stable home.

Fortunately, if we act now, it’s not too late! We can get our world’s leaders to wake up and pay attention. Effective, trans-regional policies can get crafted at Copenhagen that will get us back on track to keeping greenhouse trapping carbon dioxide levels to safe ranges.

Join us Saturday, October 24^th from 8-11PM to party, participate and get informed.

RSVP to Jessica@BodhisattvaYoga.com by Wednesday, October 21 letting us know if and how many guests you plan on bringing and if you’d like to bring a beverage or snack to share!

We look forward to partying with you!

Jessica and Vivekan

Dear Friends,

President Obama is attempting to bring all of us Healthcare reform. While our practice may help us live preventive lifestyles, this may not be enough in case of injury. It is important to contact your legislative representative now (before you, or a loved one, are in a health crisis), and tell them to support our President’s wish to provide Americans, let alone, low to moderate income Americans affordable, quality Healthcare. Avoid falling for the misinformation that those with vested interests are disseminating. For the facts on this matter see: www.WhiteHouse.gov.

In health,

Vivekan

Do you have friends that tell you how much yoga helps them manage stress? Well, now you don’t have to rely on anecdotal evidence: an article in Science Daily points unmistakeably to the benefits of yoga and meditation, and in this case, at the workplace. If you are a workplace administrator, &/or have the ear of one, Bodhisattva Yoga offers yoga and/or meditation for the workplace. Contact us to discuss your workplace needs, and how a Bodhisattva Yoga teacher’s (in office) instruction can help staff manage stress, and  improve productivity in your workplace.

This past weekend’s RRR retreat was absolutely fabulous. Though perhaps as brilliant, it was a departure from the funny Jennifer Saunders series. Everyone enjoyed the great weather, the beautiful setting, the healthy & tasty (largely) local food, the fun company, and if I dare say, even the yoga instruction. Forces seemed to hold the weather in place just in time for the start of our retreat, on through its completion, after which, heavy rains resumed. It was a delight working with such an eclectic, interested, and overall easy-going, and quick to have fun, group of practitioners. However, I feel that this brief note from Alex, one of the many great-hearted people on the retreat, captured my wishes and goals for leading this past weekend’s RRR retreat:

Thanks for organizing, leading and nurturing such a memorable past weekend. There wasn’t a single element or moment that i could qualify as unproductive, that didn’t lead to purposeful self-reflection and the general creation of well-being. Just a brief note to express gratitude for a weekend that didn’t have to happen but that we’re all the better for because it did. Why isn’t Lippy [a.k.a., Susan, director/owner of Heathen Hill Retreat Center] cooking me meals EVERY night?! Thanks again, and I know my gratitude was shared by my carmates.

Andrew, another of the group’s great personages, shared some photos from the retreat. There is already great anticipation for next year’s Relax, Rejuvenate & Revitalize retreat.