#yinandjustice: a yin yoga IG offering and reflection with Kimani McDonald

SUPER stoked to be co-labing with the inspiring Kimani McDonald (@kimanimcdonald) for a special new moon yin offering,  closing one year and opening another with intentions and reflections. What better medicine in these hours than stillness mixed with consciousness! I am rocking along the poses at @lovelightyoga. Join us for #yinandjustice.  Some real talk, mixed with real poses. 

 Last year on the last new moon of 2015, I rocked out a series of 15 yin poses til the full moon, it was the first LLY offering like that and also a series of Jamaica. You can peep it here!   Kimani rocked everyday of the #newtofullmoon yin series virtually with us,  a Jamaican mama in Seattle studying to be a DR, me writing posts in Vancouver rocking events and education,  the LLY images taken in Jamaica ....yoga in direct international action. Linking the community! It was SO RAD to have a cyber style sister circle in the yinning realm. It was such a joy to journey and be reflection while in collaboration.  We thought what better thing to the create an offering together to UP the potency of this yin practice, than to mix it with meaningful and impactful themes to meditate upon!   Kimani and I  reason often about our interests and actions in natural wellness and diverse communities. What is the greater scope of yoga  and its impacts on the world? What does justice look like in action? How are we participating in our daily lives and working to cultivate communities that reflect our knowings and gifts?  How do we act and what are our reactions? Looking at all the connections between the large, the small and all the spaces in between and sitting with it....yin medicines! Together we are planting a pose with a topic to contemplate, to reflect, to sit intentions and actively direct change with these offerings. 

Kimani is studying to be Naturopathic Medicine Doctor and has as  been teaching yoga for many years. Kemetic Yoga and her vegan lifestyle informs her work, as well as her years of living in Jamaica and Africa with her family. Her commitment to natural livity is her life.   She is currently studying in Seattle, WA at Bastyr University and if you feel called to support her work you can contribute to her campaign here,  as she waits for her loans. As an international student, she does not qualify for student aid and needs to raise $5000 by next week. She can not currently register in her final year, as she awaits her Jamaican loans. #schoolrebel she will attend and do her work. You can check out her original video for her call to support her commitment to health and wellness. 

from Kimani's last newsletter:  "The picture above is the Ancient Egyptian yoga pose, Sobek. Sobek (the crocodile) embodies the qualities of chaos and fierceness that can either be totally destructive or harnessed to be incredibly powerful and protective.

My personal "chaos" right now is that a hold has been placed on my registration at Bastyr until a payment is made toward my fall tuition (!).

All last quarter I have been in the process of applying for a student loan in Jamaica and.. GROOOAANN...lets just say this process has been... slow. This means that I cannot register for classes or clinic for winter quarter (which begins next week!) until I find another way to pay while we wait.

Of course, I will still show up for classes next week with entitlement and confidence that it will all work out, but I really am in a sticky position... until a payment is made I won't be able to access my online class portal, receive credit, do my clinic shifts etc. Ish just got real...!I need your help for another big fundraising push! My goal is to raise $5000 in the next 2 weeks. Can you help me? "

Join us, in the #yinandjustice journey and see how it extends out into the world. Investing in the leadership and education makes a massive impact on many people and this sister's work will reach far!    Kimani's experience and interests in culturally appropriate healthcare and accessibility will be revolutionary.  If you love these offerings, you can make a donation here. 

The theme of the annual LLY Yin Yoga Training in Jamaica for 2017 is Yin and Social Justice, Feb 16th to March 2nd. You can apply here.  We have scholarships opportunities and we are also accepting donations towards the scholarship fund if you want to support teachers. One of our co-teachers is Dia Penning, who  joins us from World Trust, an Oakland based organization that uses media for race, gender and equality work. We also have a local teachers  and elders sharing about history, culture, the art and local medicines.  The event meals are vegan, we have natural adventures to take you on and reals talk to have, with a mix of sacred, silent and social times. Come and met and make new soul family.   Yin Yoga twice daily and reflection, this training is both a yoga and leadership training and is for all levels. Link up.

Each day from Dec 29, the last new moon of 2016, I will offer up a yin yoga shape, some thoughts on variations and some benefits of the shapes. The images are all from a series that our friend Niesha Brown and I did in Jamaica last year.  The images are are from the stunning botanical gardens in Kingston and at Bob Marley Beach. What a blessed photo journey, I spent 4 non stop months in JA and ended it with this photo art adventure. Giving thanks for reflections, memories, friendship and artists on the path!   Kimani will be adding a theme and reflection each day that will go with the pose, on themes of social justice, or 'inner justice' You can pair these together and share up your thoughts. #yinandjustice is the hashtag. We will run from the new moon to full moon. Yin Love and blessings. Don't forget to support Kimani @kimanimcdonald #schoolrebel

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Plastic Free Yogi: Small efforts make a big impact

GOING PLASTIC FREE

• Carry a big bag/purse/backpack!  I always have a huge purse so that  I am always ready for any surprise find, or a sudden grocery stop, a markets farmer or a wild forage find.  Check out the mushroom section for paper bags in grocery stores,  I use these for bulk foods as well if I forget or run out of my own. Encourage your grocer to stock more paper products.

• Always carry a mason jar, or TWO! Its great for water, tea, left overs,  take out and bulk shopping.

• Carry your own cutlery and say NO to straws ALL the time. Tell your friends to say no to straws. Even write your fav restaurant and encourage them to stop using straws. Really, ask questions...like why does know need a straw? Love them? Get a metal or glass one at Soap Dispensary and carry it around. All cool like.  

• Have a  new mantra/chant: No CUP, NO drink. Its EASY...if you love your cafe drinks and stick to this mantra, you eventually ALWAYS remember. SEE. Yoga in Practice. Practice makes perfect when you stick to NO CUP, NO DRINK. If you can train a puppy to do cute tricks you can retrain your habits too.

• Eat in season, shop at the farmers market and buy local. Stock up on squash, carrots, potatoes and things to roast, fry or soup.  Eat natural foods and cook at home. All of the convience of packaged food and take out is only easy for YOU...its SUPER hard on the plant.

• BULK! We refill our dish soap, laundry soap, cleaning supplies and buy jumbo boxes of TP that have no plastic! YEAH. Its money up front, but its actually cheaper and super cool to only think about it about every 3 months. We rock this at Soap Dispensary in Vancouver mostly.

• SAY NO!  I want those organic potatoes...but they are in a plastic bag...hmm, walk 8 blocks to the organic bulk place! Want something, but keep seeing and then buying the opposite? Don’t support it! Your dollars vote.  Make requests at your local market to shift their waste practices and buy things as plastic free as possible..or GASSPP, go WITHOUT!

• Bulk beauty! Soap Dispensary in Vancouver has bulk natural toothpaste. I use coconut oil as an everything moisturizer, I don’t wear deorants, but sometimes essential oils in my pits. I am realllly into clay masks, you can give that in block both at SP and Quiddittas on the Drive. I use either bulk Dr. Bronners or I have many friends that make amazing bar soap at home. YEAH. The bulk toothpaste there is so so good.

• MAKE IT! Want hummous? Buy dried chick peas, soak over night and then crockpot. Add fresh lemons, loose garlic and some bulk refilled oil and BOOM. Hummous in bulk...waste free and cheaper! LOVE Kombucha...make it! Like peanut butter...invest in a blender and bulk buy those nuts. Stop making excuses and get creative. I know you can. You really CAN.

• DIVA CUP and Lunapads, so excellent and a life changer...so epic….shy? CHAT with me. I am such an adovacte for these things and really believe your moon should be as natural as possible and def not making waste in the world. Pretty much all my sisterfriends use these products and all of them say they will never go back. TRY. Small steps, new spaces and places.

• Change your habits...love chips? You gotta get into bulk popcorn that you pop and add lots of salt! Yum, I love a triple dose of nutritional yeast on there too. BOOM. Pretty close to the chip family and way cheaper! I get mine at Eternal Abundance or so many bulk food places love the corn.  LOVE a certain candy in a wrapper...learn to shift your snack needs and love another food.   Love a certain tea...see if they have it in bulk in another place or better yet. GROW it. I grow enough mint for the year.
   

• RELAX. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to be totally plastic free, so relax the stress and do your best. This is a world that is build on waste and  we need to shift those patterns and make new plans, products and get creative.. Start to see it and make it happen as you can. Any effort and attempt will make an impact...and once you start, the easier it can get. Martin Luther King said you have to take the first step before you even see the whole staircase.

I REALLLLY don’t like shopping.

I don’t need things. I HAVE so so many things, things that have been gifted to me, left in our community home, found in free boxes, rescued from thrift stores that have simply appeared in our temple home. But really tho, do you think about your stuff, who made it, where did it come from? If you have ever spend time in my home I know your eye wanders around all the garage finds and many alters, gifted crystals, found beads, textiles from around the world, worldly travels in small objects Mason jars filled with home grown herbs, art supplies bulk donated from old art school friends. STUFFF. I love the stuff, I love...but it’s not necessary. And in this time of year, all I think about is the source of the things, the places of consumption. The powers that make the stuff! The businesses that benefit from the stuff and what they do with their funds and how it affects this world. I think we are so disconnected to the process of things that we forget only where they come from…. but also where they will end up!

This time of year, peeps are alllllways feeling the need to get things for people. Why? When do we say enough is enough?  I encourage you to YIN this season and mellow on the consumption in all forms and simplify presents, diets and output. IF you feel the need to out, let me suggest a few of my favourite Vancouver offerings.  Don’t be afraid to say, lets not buy things! Or just don’t...cause any great cause or shift in the world has a fearless and bold leader that took a step or made a sound that was different. BE this. Its worth it, in fact...if there is a call for change deep in you...its the gift you have to dig out and offer up to the WHOLE world. You can. Start now and vote with your dollars in conscious ways if you must!

I encourage you to support the veggie restaurants, they all have gift certificates and food is an excellent gift to give.  If you know me you know I LOVE, like LOVE Bandidas. Oh swoon, the menu is perfect (you can vegan ALL OF IT), the business ethics are RAD and the radical women that run this are some ladyboss idols of mine with great vision and excellent community building. Thank YOU. I serious would not have suffered many years of full time teaching all over this city without that Ronny Russell burrito.

And hey, LADY BOSSES, another powerful sister in the world, Madeleine Shaw is one of the super shero behind Lunapads. Her business, worldly efforts and big dreams are all female power centered with a perfect dash of revolution for dessert. LOOK out, so many great things brewing with her and the teams behind Lunapads and G day for Girls.  I am a SUPER fan of Lunapads and Diva Cups. I have been waste free period goddess for about seven years and I would never look back. I can’t believe there is even a disposable industry in relationship to menstruation.  Interested in learning about cups? I have wanted to run a workshop on this for so many years….would you come to this?

For many years I have been an ambassador for the ever epic Shanti Uganda. I love this vision and dream and I LOVE the textiles that are created in their women’s generating income project.  Yoga mat bags, sling bags, totes, laptop bags and beads. I have a handful of colours right now and there is a selection of them at Stretch in Vancouver right now with my LLY yoga line.

Have a peep at my clothing line here. Love Light Yoga. Made in East Van, bamboo and organic cotton and made for so many different body types. YEAH to baggy and comfy clothes. I have been making these for the last seven years and started as just a dream to have cool, comfy and ethical clothes, both to teach, dance and hustle in.  Patterns for real bodies, the best fabrics you will ever feel and all cycles and parts from small local East Van businesses.  You can peep my props and some of the calabash I brought back from Jamaica at Dharma Temple on Main Street, and also my clothing is on display at Stretch in Chinatown. Peak and let me know what you think!

East Van Roasters! I LOVEEE this cafe and chocolate making place. They have sipping coco, the best ethical bars, coffee gifts for your friends and are amazing business model that supports the community and creates low barrier jobs. The selection of chocolate is divine and you can peak into the bar and bean rooms. What sweet joys. Stay tuned for our co-labs brewing up.

Eternal Abundance! One of my FAV places on The Drive. It’s a vegan deli and grocer, its plastic free and so RAD. My friend Alex’s store is so great, please check it out especially for the super foods, powders and spices in glass jars. OH the SIGH, I love anything natural in a glass jars all lined up. It’s important to rock out added super foods and spices in these times. Think useful and regular if you have to get a gift...I would drool over jars of excellence, as my future healthy self would be so stoked.

Soap Dispensary!! I can’t highly enough of this super shop and so stoked that have continued to grow and expand. IF you know you me, you know I am big advocate of waste free living and this shop makes it so possible. We group buy as a house here and they carry every single size container, jar and tin you can think of….these kinds of stores are my dream spaces and places. Thank you for the visionaries that make them! HEY, get aboard our Plastic Free Yogi efforts this year. Share up your thoughts and tricks for the radness of making a waste free efforts in your life and world.

Sponsor something/someone badass. WE have a scholarship fund for support Jamaican yoga teachers to take our Social Justice training, we have SO many applications this year, your donation would make a big difference You can donate to any chose cause that fills your heart. I would suggest reading about Sacred Trust here or buy from a local makers like my friend Andi.

I know loads of my friends do really bad ass things...in fact, we are hosting a pop up shop in Vancouver to host some local makers.....would you be down? I think as a community we can re imagine what it means to make, gift and gather. Love to hear about your favourite places and things that are important to you in these times. You don’t need to shop or create waste getting wasteful things. Think creatively and community based. BLESSINGS

A Little Black History on Black Friday

Guest Blog from Atum Walker, a LLY friend and will be joining us for the Yin and Social Justice Leadership training in Jamaica in February. Come and join us, this program is a creative and collective reasoning, great change occurs when community gathers and works together.

All around us we are saturated by advertisements, promotions and marketing campaigns geared towards getting us to spend more money. If we were to follow the psychology behind a lot of these ads, we'd spend more and more frequently and end up consuming a lot of things we don't actually really need to live, or even to thrive in our environment. Black Friday is the epitome of the consumer culture that drives a lot of the economic inequality and environmental degradation that is responsible for so many of our problems today. SO, instead of joining the race to get the most impressive sales, we thought we'd instead focus on a more grounded idea of Black Friday. Although every day should be Black History day, in light of the Thanksgiving holiday across the US and what that represents or should represent, let's focus our attention on recalling some of the greatest black leaders to impact our history here in the Americas, and offer up a giving of thanks for their lives and the great works they have done. Here are a few who have inspired me, and I share in the hopes that they might inspire you too:  

Marcus Garvey

A popular man, and even more so important figure in the struggle for equality and the establishment of a united and truly independent Africa, Marcus Mosiah Garvey is a name that still resonates within black communities around the world today. Founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, the Black Star Liner and the Negro Factories Corporation among many other successful organizations in their prime; Garvey held firm to the mission of reuniting blacks spread across the world in the African Diaspora with their continental homeland. Starting in 1914 with the UNIA as a Black Nationalist centre from which various other groups would spawn, Garvey set out to establish for black people their own means of economic empowerment and social welfare. Although his vision would not be realized in its fullness in his time due to racist strategies and the infiltration of the movement he had stirred by his opposers both black and white, much of his ideologies live on today and have deeply affected the social consciousness of Africans at home and scattered abroad. He has arguably been the greatest leader to achieve uniting these scattered peoples around a common goal.  

Angela Davis

A true academic, Angela Davis has been a prominent face and reminder of the Civil Rights Movement of the USA in the 1960s. Davis emerged as an activist and close ally to the Black Panther Party at the height of its organizational success, bringing to popular culture the militarization of resistance or rather the arming of black civilians in defence of their humanity, rights and freedoms against organized white supremacists and where necessary, the state. Angela co-founded Critical Resistance in 1997, which is a grassroots organization focused on building a critical mass of unified people working to eradicate the prison-industrial complex, which she has long criticized for its unfair and inhumane targeting of Black and Native Americans as well as other "minority" groups. Through Critical Resistance, Davis and her allies have successfully lobbied against unfair laws such as Proposition 21, the privatization of prisons and the school-to-prison pipeline. Throughout her life Angela Davis has also strongly advocated for gender equality and is a retired Professor of the History of Consciousness and Director of university feminist studies.

Kwame Nkumrah

Another great father of the Pan-Africanist movement of Garvey’s time, Kwame Nkumrah was a nationalist leader of Ghana who led the struggle for the liberation of the ‘Gold Coast’ from Britain. In December 1945 Nkumrah founded the West African Nation Secretariat, just after the fifth Pan-African Congress in Manchester, England. This organization would successfully mobilize Africans working towards the decolonization of Africa and eventually led to the 1949 formation of the Convention People’s Party under which Nkumrah garnered the support of cocoa farmers, trade unions and women. The support of these groups was critical and Nkumrah organized civil ‘disobedience’ or rebellion against the colonial forces including boycotts and strikes. This rebellion led to his arrest not long after in 1950 and he was sentenced to be imprisoned for three years. The following year, 1951, due to international pressure and internal civil unrest, the British were forced to leave the Gold Coast and organized the first general elections. Nkumrah from behind bars, was successfully elected Ghana’s leader and was released. By 1952 he was declared Prime Minister, and then by 1957 after much investment and strategy he declared Ghana free and successfully lobbied for independence from Britain. By 1960 he and his fellow lawmakers successfully amended Ghana’s constitution and Kwame Nkumrah became the first President of the Republic of Ghana. Under his presidency, Ghana’s modernization began and the industries of forestry, fishing and the production of cocoa expanded greatly. 

Audre Lorde

Self-described as “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Audre Lorde spent her life and creative energy dedicated to confronting and addressing the injustices she faced, namely racism, sexism and homophobia. Deeply concerned with modern society’s need to categorize or box in groups of people, Lorde fought against the marginalization of people categorized as “lesbian” and/or “black woman” and challenged her readers to react to the prejudices in their own lives. Although Lorde was targeted by those who opposed what has been described as her ‘radical agenda’, she undauntedly continued to express her individuality and refused to be silenced. Lorde did not see her conversations as merely about sex and sexuality or even obscenity, but rather revolution and change.

While expressing freely her opposition to racial inequality and injustice, Lorde also spoke on feminist issues and occasionally criticized black men for playing a role in perpetuating sexism. A big theme in Audre Lorde’s work is also the parent-child relationship and in many of her poems she recalls feelings towards her mother and father, as well as her own daughter. Many of the themes reflected in her work can be seen to represent or extend to similar struggles faced by black families in an American reality, and created a space for difficult but necessary conversations to be had. In the late 1980’s Lorde co-founded Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, which was focused on expanding the reach of the writings of black feminists. Lorde would also later create Sisterhood in Support of Sisters in South Africa and was an active voice on behalf of women who suffered during apartheid. 

Walter Rodney

Last but not least on this short list is the late great Walter Anthony Rodney, Guyanese educator and revolutionary, recognized as one of greatest Caribbean scholars of all time. After completing his African History PhD in 1966 at just 24 years old, successfully challenging many assumptions about African history and culture, Rodney returned to the Caribbean where he actively challenged the post-colonial status quo. While in Jamaica as a history professor, Rodney joined with others to object the actions of the still young government; engaging the poor and working class, including Rastafari brethren who were deeply marginalized in Jamaica. He educated large groups of people at-a-time, any who were willing to listen and be engaged on the lies and propaganda they had been told of Africa and indeed of themselves, and began to empower these groups with self- and social awareness. A collection of his speeches and lectures in these communities were published under the title Groundings with My Brothers, which although banned by several governments, has been critical reading in many grassroots organizations and black power groups. While attending the 1968 Black Writers’ Conference in Montreal, Rodney found he was banned from re-entering Jamaica, cited as being a threat to national security, which led to civil unrest, particularly on the UWI campus where many of Rodney’s students staged protests remembered today as the “Rodney Riots”. Although ill-treated by his own government, Rodney retuned to Guyana in the 1970’s where he was a leading figure in the resistance movement against authoritarian leadership until his assassination in 1980. Walter Rodney lived with constant threats and police harassment and through it all he still managed to publish academic and children’s books and liberate the minds of people around the world. 

While this is by far no extensive list of names or full descriptions of the great works these and so many other great black leaders have accomplished, I hope that it may spark an interest in knowing more deeply who we are as a people, and the power we have to inspire change. There is so much more out there to know and to share so I encourage you this week to find a leader who inspires you and share their story with someone. Social Justice works better when we all commit to realizing its full potential. Love and blessings until we meet again, Atum. 

Yin and Social Justice in Jamaica with Dia Penning

 A guest blog from my excellent co-teacher Dia Penning. Join us in Jamaica Feb 16 to March 2nd. 

As the Director of Curriculum and Education for World Trust Educational Services, I travel around to support people in learning about inequity and the systems that hold it in place. One thing that I often focus on is the idea that privilege isn’t free. It’s costing someone something.

When you travel you are invoking many privileges. Unexamined, you can potentially do harm in the places that you land. As a leader you have a responsibility to examine the ways that you impact others from your interpersonal relationships to investigating how we support structures and policies that keep inequity in place. Like the systems in your body, the systems around inequity work together to keep things moving. When you make changes and focus attention in one area, you are able to put pressure on other systems

Over two weeks in Jamaica we will

·      Learn to embrace that many contradictory things may be true at once (e.g., someone can be both a loving parent and a racist)

·      Develop a framework and vocabulary for talking about inequity

·      Practice thinking and speaking about inequity with all kinds of people

·      Identify resources to support deeper and long term inquiry about inequity

·      Identify strategies for interrupting inequity  

In our time together you will get to practice critical thinking as well as creative problem solving. Some of these conversations might make you feel uncomfortable. And just like yoga these moments are part of the process of moving toward being a more reflective human. You are joining us in the goal of creating a more reflective, just and equitable world.

You get to start here, and we will develop the tools to KEEP MOVING.

Steaming: Breathing for Healing

Guest Blogger Atum from Kingston, Jamaica. Atum will be joining us for the Yin and Social Justice Training this year to share about steaming, culture and his favourite natural adventures. Giving thanks for the humble brothers in the world. We are looking forward to our reasonings with Atum over the 14 days. 

Atum and his Queen enjoying a supreme steam. 

Breathing is essential to life, so much so that saying so seems almost redundant, doesn’t it? But it could surprise us to learn how many of us nowadays don’t actually remember how to breathe properly, with the changes in development and particularly lifestyle in the past few centuries. So let’s talk about breathing. A lot of the diseases and ailments that have manifested in our lives can be attributed to us no longer breathing as deeply as we once did. In fact, almost all “lifestyle diseases” can be reduced to the point of non-existence with proper breathing techniques. ‘Pranayama’ is a Sanskrit word meaning “control of breath”; “Prana” refers to the energy which sustains our life force, which we inhale while breathing, and “ayama” refers to extending or drawing out. Together these terms literally refer to the extension or control of the breath. So what does this have to do with steaming?

Steaming is a safe, all-natural way to use herbs as medicine. Steaming herbs can prove to be a great complement to our practice of yoga and pranayama, or breath control. The first time I used a steam chalice, I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into; but half-an-hour later I was sure I was never turning back. I first came across steaming while on campus at university, in a time when I was becoming more aware of herbal medicine and began replacing a lot of pharmaceuticals with natural plant based “alternatives”. I use the word ‘alternatives’ loosely since herbs are the original medicine, before we had pills and syrups, the way of our ancestors.

A steam chalice usually consists of a few simple, natural parts that have been crafted from any combination of: clay, bamboo, calabash and/or coconuts. All from the earth. In fact, all the four elements work together in the process. A small clay pot, called a kutchie, holds the herbs and a small filter called a gritty, which separates the herb from the fire. This separation ensures that heat travels down the kutchie evenly and draws vapours from the moisture in the herb but does not ever burn it. If the herb is burned in your kutchie, you may be pulling too hard or loading the kutchie with too much herb. Water cools and purifies the steam, making the essence soothing to inhale and clean enough to only have positive healing and growth effects on the lungs. The fire is created by lighting activated coconut charcoal which is created first by burning dry coconut shells. After burning the shells and waiting for them to turn red hot and fully activated, some shells can be wet and left to dry for later use. Jamaican Locust or ‘tinkin toe shells can also be used and provide a unique essence. It is helpful to know that activated charcoal is the remedy used in hospital ERs to treat alcohol and food poisoning. It can be chewed, which whitens the teeth, or broken up and swallowed with water. It will make you want to use the bathroom so stay nearby, and use wisely. Coconut charcoal is a powerful antioxidant and is able to neutralize a majority of toxins including arsenic. It is not recommended that regular wood charcoal be used in the body or in the steam chalice. Air is the most important element here, since breath control is the catalyst that heats and dehydrates the herb --bubblin’ up the chalice. Combining breathing techniques like long, slow inhales and exhales and suspending the breath can greatly enhance the efficiency of steaming and working the lungs.

Any kind of herb can be used to steam. Its most common use has been with ganja as a spiritual meditation and healing practice. Popularized by Rastafari brethren, it has become a thing for people around the world looking for healing. Loading up, lighting and really properly steaming a chalice is a ritual in and of itself and will help engage a meditative state readily.  Ganja has been found, with proper breathing techniques to significantly reduce if not eliminate symptoms associated with shortness of breath and asthma by helping to stretch and repair the lungs. Many other herbs are being used for their medicinal properties which include anti-inflammatories like ginger root and turmeric to pain and fever relievers like basil, lemongrass and peppermint. Rosemary is used to improve memory and cognition.

The benefits to steaming are pretty endless, and at the risk of not making this a medical journal. I can say with certainty that it has brought tremendous healing to Iself and so many others around me who have embraced this ancient practice. So sit around the fireplace & let’s sip some steamers.

Peace + blessings,

Atum.

True Queens Truly Steam

Join us in Jamaica Feb 16 to March 2nd for our annual Yin and Leadership Training. 

Hey, want to steam in Vancouver? Link up with Danielle, she has some steamers for sale and use.  Interested in placing an order?  Danielle@lovelightyoga.com 

steaming medicines at bob marley beach, the evening before departure. 

Atum: part of the LLY team in Jamaica

Greetings! I am Atum, my family (and you also may) call me Adam. Both these words, although slightly different in their origin, mean the same thing; beginning, the rise from nothing to something, the formation of life, you could even say the first breath. I'm excited to be a part of the Yin Social Justice and Leadership training that's going to take place in February especially since it will be in my beautiful home parish of St. Mary, where the best fruits and herbs in Jamaica grow wild and abundant in the hills. Since early childhood I have always taken refuge in writing. Growing up I had (and still have) my fair share of challenges navigatingthe society we've inherited through history, and I've been able to express myself most freely through pen and paper to find a way to cope with that. I started very young with poetry and journaling, and even though I may not write every day in either of those two ways, they've stuck with me to this day and are my primary means of expression through life's peaks and valleys. In the last couple of years I've found myself practicing yoga, originally just as a form of fitness and physical therapy, but what I've found as my practice developed has been much more than that. Breath is life, and so many of us don't breathe the way we sould. The mindfulness and breath control that I've been able to hone in on have changed the way I do everything from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night and I feel healthier, stronger and more aware than I ever have. The journey through yoga and breath have also shattered many illusions and preconceptions I had before based on what I knew growing up and learned from my environment and indeed I believe there are many more channels to be opened as the journey continues to unfold. In recent times I've decided to share my expression more openly, and this is a part of that sharing. I look forward to meeting the light beings that will be joining us on this retreat in February and the energy we will share as we commit to healing and building each other, and sometimes just being in the stillness. I intend to make the most of this beautiful opportunity, and to share its gifts with my community both at home and at wide, to spread love and acceptance and healing. Another love of mine, which goes hand in hand with mindfulness and breathing is steaming. In the latter part of 2014I started a business with my life partner called SteamChaliceJA, which is centered on spreading awareness of the breath and herbs as medicine. Far beyond your typical smoke shop and just 'getting high', we've made a commitment over the past couple years to redefining how we look at medicine and meditation and ritual. It has been such an eye opening experience so far and the rewards of seeing others learning to embrace natural healing and the power of the breath has been a joy to witness.  I have no doubt that intuitively all people will return to the Source. All the elements can combine to our benefit if we tap into that potential. I love nature, and usually in my free time I can be found not too far from a fireside or a river, steaming or just sitting and basking in the beauty of the great natural gifts of the earth. I love to share in the joys of good food, good music and good vibes.  I can't wait to share my knowledge of my little rock Jamaica and learn so much more from everyone else out there who is willing and able to share. Communication is key to our advancement. Peace and blessings until that time... Atum.

Reggae Music

I love Jamaica for a long list of amazing reasons that call to all the parts of my heart, life and character. But my first exposure was via the music… even before I met the inspiring people, ate the excellent fruits, walked the endlessly beautiful lands of Jamaica while learning and bowing to experiences that shift everything, learning and listening to leaders and elders, seeing sheer energy of the island… was the music. I was always a curious student, so I feel a responsibly to self educate, study and never stop learning and sharing. Music is a way to share stories, moments and experiences, extending to massive groups in subtle ways. To me, this beauty of musical art and moments in time are captured in historic images of Bob Marley and the heart soothing rhythmic sounds of reggae.

It was actually through the music of Sublime that I begin my research and interest in reggae music. 5446 was not an original, like other Sublime tunes which I know now were covers!  Little did I know it was an old reggae song with a message (Side note, my cell number still ends in 5446, and not its not by accident #thatsmynumber). I got curious about this music that had a message and call to action, a message of courage, strength, power and history telling, uprising, calling for hearts near and far.  A beat that calmed the soul and sparked the spirit.  I didn’t understand when I was younger how revolutionary reggae music was, as this message music, nor did I truly understand its reach and impact until much later in life.  I am still in awe of its impact and influences, and my understanding has really just begun! BOOM! Still today, as new waves of artists continue to spread the calls to action, the reminders of what has always been a baseline under the beat of movements of this time of leaders leading, rebels rebelling and calling out truths that are real, raw and roaring.  The courage and inspiration to create what is to be.

Think for a moment, Reggae was born in Jamaica. A small island with a powerful presence, and a genre that is all over the world and has inspired inner and outer revolutions of all kinds. Start singing “One Love….” Almost anywhere in the world you will get a sing along.  Small villages in Morocco, in Prague, small towns in France… all places I have heard the reggae beat. Reggae is more than music; it’s a lifestyle and an attitude and examination of the world. It’s a call to call, a plea, a story, a poem and praise. It is many forms.  Of course, it’s also a large genre of music that is always in transition, and this is my short opinion in written words. Long voice reasoning would be more in depth and layered. Nothing but honour.

My big love is Roots. Roots to me are a positive vibration, a deep and steady beat, conscious lyrics and my favourite genre of the past. The artists were poets and prophets, putting lyrics and beats together in a manner that would slide straight to your heart. My other love is Dub. Nothing like the sounds of intertwining instruments, giving a layer to the sounds and a flavour to the air. Dub holds attention in a beautiful state, making the sounds dance that moves your body in such a mellow and natural way.  Today’s artists of the Roots and Culture vibes, or what some are calling the Reggae Revival are carrying forward these anthems of action and knowledge even farther. The ambassadors and artists of these movements are traveling far and wide, the love of reggae is always present in the big festivals and more and more people are looking for the music that inspires great change.

Last year in Jamaica it was a total honour to participate and share yin yoga at an event at Rasta Village with many talented artists, great family, and excellent friends. It was a great privilege to hear the inspiring Chronixx sing (peeps a little video here). I saw so many of the artists that I love play on this same trip like Jah9, Jesse Royal, Kabaka Pyramid and of course one of my all time favourite in sound, Vaughn Benjamin rocking this newest project called Akea Beka. My teenage heart is still beating in the blessings of seeing and hearing music that has inspired my movements and the current versions of me are more than grateful to be in the presence of such magic and medicine

Sundays in Kingston also mean the joyful evenings up at Dub Club. A long standing night of upfull vibes, the best sounds, irie eats and the most excellent and royal company…not to mention the best sound system that rolls right into your bones. Bless up the medicine music and the makers and holders of these spaces and places!  Gabre, a long time leader of sound and truth and the visionary of this space. A place to gather is an important thing in this world.

There are not enough words, gratitude or thank yous for all the reggae artists in the world, or there are not enough bows in order for the immense peace, joy and strength I get from my many months each year in Jamaica and the opportunities and moments I have the honour of experiencing. Life is a praised blessing and a deep gift in both the smooth and difficult moments. The music medicine and the lovers of this music fuel me and my work from depths that are indescribable. Love and endless blessings to my Jamaican soul family, that have take me on some epic adventures and shared some specially brewed offerings that have truly rooted me and offered my spirit so much. BOWS. LOVE to those on the path of great change, hearing the calls of the creation rebels for a new order, a new time and new ways of being. Bows to those that have changed their lives to serve this genre. Its not easy being an artist in this time, the endless efforts and offerings are often confused and not acknowledged. RESPECT to the keepers and holders of vibes that make these messages and moments possible. Great shifts are brewing and the drums and hearts are beating.

I love to share the names of my favourite artists and also help shift stereotypes or idea of what reggae music is and can stand for. It’s funny also how quickly we place things and people in categories. All art forms will always go through different movements and moments. New eyes to new things to hear and see for yourself without prejudice.  Nothing like singing and sharing my favourite songs, the makers of music and players of instruments too. These are the songs that inspire my movements in the world. The music that has carried me and many others along challenging times. The music of not giving up, but carrying on and serving love and consciousness in the world. The music of rebels, leaders, lovers and wisdom carriers.

Social Venture Institute

This was my second time attending this event, and I have to stay the second time is the best time. The first year was epic. I signed up after a nudge from my friend and mentor Madeleine Shaw from Lunapads to get on board and go go go for some business with heart inspiration, and travelled to Cortez Island, BC by floatplane! This time I took the Transformation Projects bus with my friends Adrian and Andrea. Think school bus that has been transformed to a sauna party bus, with kitchen, shower and rolling wifi. Have you ever made hot chocolate for 12 while flying down the highway, so FUN!

I was honoured to share up a handful of yin yoga classes. I love this practice so so much for the potency, simplicity and its ability to easily make an impact. What a joy to hear feedback from a handful of newbie’s about how much they loved this style and how it really gave them a renewed moment. SVI is so much fun, but also very full. It’s a whirlwind of beauty, energy, excitement and top skill sets and dreams that are literally rocking a revolution on this planet.

My favourite part is the human aspect. Where else in the world can you share a breakfast with a millionaire visionary one moment, a not for profit dreamer and do-er at lunch and then a table of bankers and artists for dinner. The diversity is so beautiful because our common vision is the same: we all truly believe its possible to dream, create and participate in a better world where money is a force for good and alliances are magic. We have a chance in this day and age to really connect and align with each other to produce nothing short of what seems impossible.  Our value is in our humanness and our ability to see and support each other.

I love this event. Last year I made the greatest connections in the most comfortable and common ways. I built a slow alliance around me and we continue to support each other. This year I feel more so. Knowing the comfortable vibe allowed me to show up as me and fully joy the time, instead of racing to attend all parts and pieces.  I took time for one-on-ones, conversations with leaders that inspired me and planted seeds of greatness for projects to come.  

The ferry road back was pretty much the best travel trip I have had in a long time and that is a bold statement as I spend a lot of time on the road! Nothing like a bus with a subwoofer, blasting same of my favourite sounds (check out the mixtape were rocking!). We danced for nearly 2 hours in the bus, had tea and crackers and made new friends. WHY, cause the revolution of good action not only needs a good sound, but a good people and having a GOOD time. Fill your cup and change the world, make friends while doing it. BOOM! Can’t wait til next year’s SVI, please come and join me or ask about if you are interested and curious! 

Yin Sequences in Squamish

What a sweet joy to host this training in Squamish at North Yoga. For a place so close to Vancouver, I haven’t spent much time there at all! The wind is medicine, the food is amazing, the cafes are are filled with sweet people and I have a handful of hardworking, yin loving friends there. Giving thanks for invitations to share what I love with people and that these great teaching invites make for wonderful adventures and beautiful insights. I am currently booking some winter dates and summer 2017, so please get in touch if you would like to organize a yin training near you.

Please enjoy these practices as a taste of what we experienced in Squamish this summer:

Day One AM

1. Laying on back, bolster under the knees: 10 minutes
2. One knee bent into chest, on back: 4 minutes each side.
3. Forward Fold with Bolster: 5 minutes
4. Childs Pose: 6 minutes
5. Reclined Butterfly (Laying on your back, feet together, knees wide) 3.5 minutes
6. Shoelace: 4 minutes
7. Toe Squat: 2.5 minutes
8. Seated Butterfly: 4.5 minutes
9. Reclining Hero: one leg at a time. 3 minutes each side.
10. Yogis Choice, 4 minutes each side

Day One PM

1. Feet Wide/Knees Together : 5 minutes
2. Crescent Moon: 3.5 on each side.
3. Eagle Arms: 2.5 minutes each side.
4. Cross Legged Seat andfolding forward: 3 minutes
5. Ham String Stretches on your back: 3 minutes
6. Supine Twist: 4.5 minutes

Day 2 AM

1. Square Pose: 4.5 minutes each side
2. Squat: 5 minutes
3. Dragonfly (seated legs forward and wide): 4 minutes
4. Swan: 6 minutes each side
5. Seated Forward Fold with Ankles Crossed: 3.5 minutes each side.
6. 10 minutes Rest

Day 2 PM

1. Rest 10 minutes
2. From your back, hands and feet in circles in the air
3. Butterfly, feet together and knees wide:  6 min
4. Ankle to Knee Pose: 5 minutes
5. Half Happy Baby: 3 minutes each side

Day 3

1. Legs up the wall:10 minutes
2. Butterfly on the Wall: 4 minutes
3. Ankle to Knee Pose on the wall:  4 minutes
4. Heart Opener on the wall
5. Twisted Child’s Pose: 3 minutes each side
6. Cat pulling its tail: 4 minutes

Day 4

1. Seated Forward Fold: 5 minutes
2. Seated Twist each side: 4 minutes each side.
3. Flat on belly, head turned to one side: 3 minutes each side.
4. Sphinx:3 minutes
5. Flat Peeing Dog (From belly, right knees slides up to right arm pit):  4 minutes
6. Supine Twist: 4 minutes each side

Jamaica Dates, Save Them!

Hey. Save the dates! We have February 16 to March 2nd rocking out at the beautiful sea for Yin Yoga and Social Justice: Structures and Systems of Change. 

Application is coming, and details soon. 

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