You can help ...
This is like a Doctors without Borders type of organization, but they specialize in surgically fixing cleft palates for free in 3rd world countries. It is a simple, routine surgery and it changes someone's whole life. If you donate, you can help these doctors continue their good work.

http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer

Movies with a spiritual and compassionate leaning ...
The Spiritual Cinema Circle (owned by Gaiam) is a subscription service that sends you monthly DVDs of indi movies that you might never see elsewhere and that are thought provoking, inspirational and spiritual. Movies like "What the Bleep" usually dont make it to the local movie theatre, but film makers keep producing them and you can watch them via this service. Subscription to The Spiritual Cinema Circle costs about $25/month and they send you 4 movies on DVD to keep. You can cancel at any time.

Part of your subscription fee is donated to help indi film makers (such a brilliant idea) --so you get to support the artists too. If you go to their website, you can get a free trial subscription and see if you like their movies. http://www.spiritualcinemacircle.com/

Yoga deals ...
Sonic Yoga 754 Ninth Ave / 51st St
Sign up with a monthly membership by Aug 31 and get 3 months of yoga at 50% off. If you dont like it , you can cancel. http://www.sonicyoga.com/

Bikram Yoga NYC - many locations
Intro special $23 gets you one week of unlimited yoga. Warning: Bikram yoga is practiced in rooms that are heated to over 100 degrees. NOT for people with high blood pressure problems. They charge $5.00 for mat rental. $1.00 for a towel. http://www.bikramyoganyc.com/

Integral Yoga Institute- 227 W 13th St
They are having a $99 special for a month's worth of yoga !! and mats are free ! Best deal by far. 212 929-0586

WAH ! kirtan in NYC     October 18, 2008   8.00PM

OM Yoga Center  826 Bway / 12th St  NYC    212 254-9642  www.omyoga.com

Deva Premal Kirtan in NYC   October 11, 2008

The Path of Yoga Conference at the Sheraton NY Hotel- 811 Seventh Ave /53rd St

Organizer : Omega Institute Tel : 877 944 2002 for reservations. $25.00

Krishna Das Kirtan in NYC    September 21, 2008 at 6.00PM

Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew 86th St and West End Ave $15.00

buy tickets online at : www.iyiny.org/workshops_events/Kirtan_with_krishna_das

Free Yoga Passbook
Go to this website and get at passbook to many yoga and pilates studios all over NYC. You pay a flat fee of $75 and you get 600 free passes ! It's a good deal and you get to try out lots of different schools.
http://www.health-fitness.org/ny.html

Vegan shoes and accessories
In keeping with AHIMSA (do no harm) and vegetarianism, you might consider using less leather and wool in your life -- there are lots of good, comfortable synthetic alternatives now.

Designer Stella McCartney produces cruelty free vegan shoes and so do many other companies. Last winter I was admiring vegan snow boots at the new Whole Foods downtown on the Bowery.

Here is a link to MooShoes... this is a shop on the Lower East Side that sells only cruelty free shoes, clothes and accessories. One can order online, as well.
http://www.mooshoes.com/about.html

Lessons in Buddhism and Meditation

A Chinese Buddhist temple in Chinatown has an American monk in residence who gives talks on Buddhism and meditation. Fee is by donation.

Saturdays at 4pm

Grace Gratitute Buddhist Temple, 48 East Broadway NYC (chinatown)

212 925-1335

Laws of yoga
In yoga, we have our own version of the 10 commandments. Generally referred to as yama and niyama. These are laws that you are supposed to take with you out into your daily life -- a yogic attitude to living.

There are many branches to yoga: Yama (suggestions for social behaviour), Niyama (suggestions for personal disciplines), Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breathing exercises) Pratyahara (sense withdrawal) Dharana(concentration) Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (Super consciousness).

I have written about Ahimsa (non-harming) many times on this blog. But I thought I would list the Yamas and Niyamas for you as food for thought and you help you in your practice :

Niyamas:
*Saucha - Cleanliness. Not only a means of keeping our bodies clean and healthy, but a practice of keeping a clear mind.
*Samtosha - Happiness and modesty. To be happy with what you have, instead of being unhappy over what you dont have.
*Tapah - Keeping the body fit and healthy through healthful eating, exercise (asana) and kriyas. *Svadhyaya - Meditation and self awareness. This can be done through the repetition (japa) of mantra or the reading of the scriptures.
*Isvarapranidhana - Surrender. knowing that you have done your best and that you offer your actions to the Universe.

Yamas:
*Ahimsa - Non violence. Do not kill. Do not harm anyone by action, word or thought. Do not show cruelty to any sentient being. Treat every life with respect and compassion. Do not cause injury by your spoken word -- do not gossip, do not lie, do not insult. Do not use other people or animals.
*Satya - Truthfulness/honesty. Do not mislead people through lying or half truths. Do not mislead by omission.
*Asteya - Non stealing. It's not referrring to stealing just material things. It means do not steal somebody's time (dont be late, dont stay in a relationship with people in whom you are not sincerely interested), do not steal somebody's trust, do not steal somebody's love.
*Brahmacharya - Sense control/ restraint. Most typically, this refers to sexual abstinence. However, it means do not lose your path -- act responsibly towards moving towards your Truth. Do not allow sensual attractions (e.g. over-indulging in eating, smoking, drinking, shopping) to distract you.
*Aparigraha - Do not hoard. Clear out your closets. Do not take or use more than is necessary (dont buy something just because it's on sale, dont overload your plate at a buffet, dont drive a gas hog). Do not exploit others for your gain. Do not grasp onto money -- grasping blocks the natural flow of energy. Give away what you dont need or use.

Volunteer to Help Homeless New Yorkers
The Coalition For The Homeless (www.coalitionforthehomeless.org) is the oldest non-profit advocate of the homeless and low-income populations in the city. Among its various activities is its 'Grand Central Food Program,' which delivers meals throughout the city every night.

The Coalition is looking for immediate volunteer help on Sunday evenings, specifically for drivers with clean records and the ability to handle a van. Three vans go out seven nights a week, one each to the Bronx, Uptown Manhattan/Harlem and Downtown Manhattan. Approximately 750 to 1,000 individuals and families are served each day through this program. New volunteer drivers will be given printed route directions and will also be accompanied by at least one other volunteer that is familiar with the route.

If you are interested in volunteering , please contact Derron Lee at derron.lee@gmail.co

Weekend yoga retreat
Rikard and I are talking about doing another weekend yoga retreat in the Fall (maybe October --seems a long way off, but we need to plan) --so if you think you'll be interested in coming with us, or if you missed the last one, please send me an email so we can get an idea of how many rooms we will be needing from the ashram. Thanks !

email: quietyoga@msn.com

Summer Vacation with your pet
I almost always take my cats with me when I travel (they love it ) and I find hotels where we are all welcome. There is a free publication around town called City Tails (www.CityTails.org) and they have a great article on hip hotels for you and your pet - from high luxury to budget hotels. Another link is www.tailsinc.com

And do I have to remind you of this ?
NEVER leave your pet in a car during the summer. The inside of the car (even with the windows open) can reach unbearably high heat in just seconds and kill or severely brain damage your animal. The windows intensify the heat and turn your car into an instant oven. Just dont take the risk -- protect your pets and never leave them alone.

Pet Pedicures

A lot of people have problems clipping their pets nails -- and it can be very painful and dangerous for your pet. here is a new gadget that files down (not cut) the nail and is painless for your pet. It's $30. Check out the web : http://www.peticure.com/

I have no problems clipping my cats nails -- but now that I know that the just the pressure from the clippers can hurt them, I'll be buying this nail filer for them.

Nada Yoga is the Yoga of Sound Vibration 

I love Diksha's Nada Yoga meditation.  She leads this meditation every Wednesday evening.  I try to go as often as I can and I LOVE her meditation den !  It is so small and sweet and at the same time sooooo exotic and spritual.  Wear comfortable, loose clothes since you will be sitting for the whole meditation (no asana ).  

As a Fulbright scholar, Diksha spent several years in India studying Eastern Music.  She is a professional musician by day, and an IYI yoga and meditation teacher the rest of the time.   

JAI Diksha !!   She has a CD too to guide  you through a chakra sound meditation and it's one of my favorites.  Well worth buying. 

The Meditation Den  -- 415 W 44th Street, NYC  (buzzer #8)  $15 donation       

Wednesdays 7pm      www.yogavanimission.org

A REAL Unicorn !!!
Check this out !! She is beautiful and she's real and living in Italy !!!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4116471.ece

Yoga with Rodney Yee at home
Another way to practice yoga at home via the internet. Now yoga master Rodney Yee has an online yoga class and you can join for $5 a week. Check it out... no more excuses to avoid doing yoga ! www.gaiamyogaclub.com

Moving with Sound into Bliss Hatha and Kirtan

This is a yoga class led by Swami Ramananda (President of IYI) while Anjula chants devotional mantra.
I highly recommend this class. Ramananda is an amazing teacher and doesnt give this class often so please take advantage of it. You will leave the class in a haze of peace.

Saturday, July 19 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $24
Integral Yoga Institute W. 13th Street between 7-8th Ave /Greenwich Village

New Teaching Schedule

IYI has changed my teaching schedule.
Effective Fri June 6, my intermediate hatha class at IYI will start at 6.00PM

Cats do yoga too !!

On Line Yoga $16 per month
I keep trying to find ways to make yoga affordable for everyone.
Try WWW.Monthlyyogadvd.com -- Another affordable way to bring yoga directly into your home and into your life ! You get to choose different teachers and different styles of yoga. You can even get your yoga class on your cell phone when you're on a business trip !

When you subscribe to MonthlyYogaDVD.com's video classes you can log on and watch the classes right on the website . Or you can download a podcast to your desktop and watch it when you’re ready. It’s simple: $16 a month or $160 a year.

Just do yoga !!!

Body Rolling
Rikard and I both love this. You roll on balls and it realigns your whole body, creating space in your joints and massaging your muscles and fascia.

They also have amaaaziiing yoga mats !!! super dense and comfortable. $110 (!) -- I may have to buy one because they are that good.

Yamuna Body Rolling 132 Perry St.New York, NY 10014
http://www.yamunabodyrolling.com/

Chant with Deva Premal in NYC
Date: Oct 11 2008 730PM $25
Location : Sheraton New York Hotel 811 Seventh Ave/ 53rd St
Register by phone : 877 944- 2002

And for my yogi friends in London .... July 12 7PM at Kensington Great Hall !