Free Yoga DVD
Hurry and get a free 20 minute morning practice DVD from Yoga Journal (+$3 shipping) ! www.yogajournal.com/dvdsampler
Yoga Journal also has a free weekly yoga class on podcast
you can check it out here : http://www.yogajournal.com/podcast/
If you look around, you'll see they also have Yoga Journal TV.

I know a lot of people think yoga is too expensive (I paid $9 for a yoga magazine today -- ridiculous !!!) -- but there are ways to cut costs and I have written about it in past posts... Rodney Yee's classes (I looove Rodney) on podcast for a monthly subscription, Yoga For The People.... etc etc... so scroll around my past postings.

It looks like the next wave will be yoga television programs . I know Rodney Yee has a TV show in the works and it seems Yoga Journal is starting something with their Yoga Journal TV.

Hmmm... I always wanted my own studio.. maybe I should forget about that and go straight to TV !!

Money and Finances ....
not my favorite subject by a long shot, but there are some ways on the internet that make learning about it more fun.... this Investopedia website not only has tutorials, financial news and more, it also gives you access to simulated financial "games" -- where you can invest pretend money and see in real time if you picked the right stocks. Try it out... you might be the next Wall Street Wizard -- hopefully, a yogic one.

http://www.investopedia.com/

Perfect Action -Bidding for Good
You can go online to buy your Holiday gifts and benefit many various charities at the same time ! Click on the link below and scroll around ... you can buy everything from tickets to a Broadway show to a Calvin Klein cashmere coat to a luxury trip to Jamaica or Hawaii.... and the money you bid goes to help others. All merchandise/travel is donated by companies for on-line auction and you can take advantage of it and do good at the same time, which makes it a perfect action (very yogic) .
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/BiddingForGood.action

Kirtan with Kamaniya and Tommy Be

Chanting from the Heart and Soul
Friday, Nov. 21 • 8.00 p.m. at Integral Yoga in Greenwich Village $15 (children under 12 are admitted free)
.... the chanting Goddess is back at IYI !!

Thanksgiving for animals too
Try having a vegan or vegetarian Thanksgiving celebration meal. There are lots of vegan recipes on the web. Just click on the link below for a whole festive meal plan with delicious recipes.

Millions of turkeys are slaughtered for Thanksgiving Day. Why continue this sad tradition ? Make your gathering a happier way of celebrating and eating this year -- make the vegetarian meal your new annual tradition.

http://www.mercyforanimals.org/thanksgiving_recipes.asp

World Society for the Protection of Animals
There is unspeakable cruelty towards animals in this world and this is an international society that works to prevent cruelty, create new animal protection laws and educate people. Animals are tortured to the death for human entertainment : bear baiting, bull fights, pit bull fights...
You can become a member of the Animal Rescue Team for a contribution of just $14/month. You can help.

https://www.worldsocietyprotectionofanimals.org/bear/?e27=1007&e28=4042&e29=105000012

May all sentient beings be free of suffering
May all sentient beings know and experience
what is good and beautiful in Life.

Teaching Schedule
Looks like I am teaching a Hatha II/III at Integral Yoga
on this Wednesday (tomorrow) Nov 5th at 6.15PM.
If you want to work on your headstand, this is the class !!

Quinoa
Vegetarians are so clever at finding ways to add protein to their meals. Quinoa is a grain from South America that is packed with much more protein than other grains -- and I can vouch that it is light and delicious ! It's easily available at supermarkets or your health food store. Use quinoa instead of rice. The New York Times gives a recipe on cooking quinoa. Just click on the link.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/health/nutrition/03recipehealth.html?em

Halloween...

Please remember to keep your pets safe and inside the house during Halloween.  Be aware that Halloween can be a scary and dangerous time for your pet. 

Chapel of Sacred Mirrors

Artist Alex Grey has painted extraordinarily detailed pictures of humans at their most divine - he shows not only anatomical detail but also the flow of energy through the body. These paintings are fantastic and mystical and a mirror of yourself. After hours, the gallery hosts chanting, drumming circles, full moon gatherings, yoga and lots more ! They are located at:

542 W 27th Street Tel: 212 564-4253 http://www.cosm.org/

I hear they are closing soon -- (so call before you go) do try and visit the gallery before it's gone. Just $5.00 donation. I think you will find it well worth the trip.

Sharon Salzberg Meditation Class at Tibet House

Sharon Salzberg is a bhuddist nun and master meditation teacher. She makes meditation techniques easy and accessible. I have gone to her classes year after year and she always teaches me so much more.... $10 suggested donation.

Nov 18, 25 and Dec 2, 9, and 16 meditation starts at 6pm, instruction starts at 7pm.

Tibet House 22 West 15th Street, NYC. www.tibethouse.org

(cats meditate, to0)

Tibetan Healing Chod at Tibet House

This is a special 3 part Tibetan healing starting Nov 10. You need to attend all 3 sessions - probably about 90 mins each.

The ritual is that all participants lie on the floor and a group of Tibetan monks and a holy Lama chant a healing ceremony with the intention of healing your karma. This chod ritual has existed for thousands of years. This is a very popular ceremony so book in advance and arrive early to get your space on the floor. Bring your own cushion or blanket. By the way, the chant is not melodic -- so dont expect something like kirtan.

www.tibethouse.org

Tibet House 22 West 15th Street, NYC

Kirtan with Jai Uttal 

Jai Uttal will be chanting at Integral Yoga Oct 24 and Oct 25 at 7.30PM.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Jai is a Grammy nominated artist and he comes to IYI just once a year.  This is your opportunity to join in and chant with a master !!!  

You can check out his website :  www.jaiuttal.com 

"If you judge someone, you have no time to love them"  - Mother Theresa

Judith Lasater sent this quote to me in an email.  

The simple truth of it is striking. 

Alchemy in Movement 

There is a place on 17th/3rd Ave called Sal Anthony's Movement Salon and they give pilates, yoga, gyrotonics and Alchemy in Movement (AIM)  classes.   I went there yesterday and it's pretty amazing!  The teaching staff are serious, well trained and very attentive.  They have lots of introduction packages to get you started and they even give you 30 minutes for free so that you can gain a level of comfort on the machines before you start.  The prices are reasonable and for a lot of their group classes, they limit class size to just 4 people (you need to book in advance). 

I recommend trying this place out -- I did the AIM (kind of a hybrid of yoga and pilates) and the pilates machines yesterday and I am soooo sore today !!! my abs hurt me every time I move !   It's a good thing.  : )   Here's the web info:   www.movementsalon.com  or  call 212 420-7242

Raw Food Restaurant

Interested in trying a raw food meal ? Pure Food and Wine is an excellent and elegant raw food restaurant on Irving Place/17th St -- perfect place for a date ! 

If you want something more casual, Pure Food has a take out shop around the corner called One Lucky Duck.  They have raw chocolate truffles, raw cookies as well as meals and snacks. 

Vegan Makeup

Urban Decay cosmetics is kind to animals !  Not only do they not test their makeup/cosmetics on animals, they have lots of items that are actually vegan -- cosmetics made with no animal derived products (like lanolin) or cruel animal testing.  So now you can practice Ahimsa (non -violence, do no harm) and still look smoking hot ! 

Personally, I love their super sparkly vegan eyeliners   : ) 

check out Urban Decay at Sephora  or their website : www. urbandecay.com/vegan.cfm 

Make up brushes - Cruelty Free

Most make up brushes are made from  animal fur.  The Body Shop carries a lovely line of cosmetic brushes which are 100% synthetic and they are soft and wonderful and they work. They are easy to wash too.  

It's an easy way to be mindful, to do no harm.

KIRTAN

Deva Premal and WAH! are in NYC this month !

Scroll down to get the info from 

my previous posting

Be there or be square. 

Yoga Retreat 

I know I told you Rikard and I are planning a yoga weekend retreat -- but we are having a bit of a problem finding an Autumn location -- close to NYC, not too expensive etc, etc.... 

Ananda Ashram is offering us Jan/Feb dates (See?  we really do have to plan far in advance !) so unless we can find somewhere soon, that might be the plan.   But we are still working on finding somewhere sooner than that. 

By the way, Rikard is teaching at IYI now.  Ask for his schedule at the front desk.    

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and Chase Bank

If you sign up for a Visa card through the Best Friends website by Dec 31, 2008, Chase Bank will donate $100,000 to this animal charity.  And every time you make a purchase with your card, Chase will donate money to Best Friends. 

go to : www.bestfriends.org

Best Friends took it upon themselves to  rescue 4,000 abandoned dogs in New Orleans after Katrina and continues to do lots of good work as a sanctuary for homeless, abandoned and abused animals of all kinds. 

Help Best Friends continue to help other helpless animals.  

You are going to use a Visa card anyway... use one that helps others !!