Yoga Without A Mat: A How To Guide

Yoga Without A Mat: A How To Guide
Featuring Two Guest Posts from Kathryn Hudson and Alaha Ahrar. 






The great thing about this week's post is it doesn't cost you a thing. You get to save your money and be at peace.  The good news is contentment and the sense of tranquility that comes with increased awareness and wisdom - is only a click away.

"After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." ~Aldous Huxley

The first action in practicing yoga without a mat is, (re)discover music. No mat or yoga toys required, all that is needed is a piece of music that inspires you. In the lyrical words of Jeff Tweedy in his latest tune with Mavis Staples, "open up this is a raid, I wanna get it through to you, you're not alone."

Last weekend I gave a short concert at the North Carolina Seafood Festival.  It featured some of the best musicians in the area, including a backup gospel choir.  We all shared some amazing songs with the enthusiastic audience during the 90 minute set.

One fan in the audience wrote me afterward, asking if she could use my name in her blog. Her being a novelist, I was enthusiastic to read her post, and I quickly obliged after reading her words.

What she wrote about was her epiphany that arose from attending my concert.  You do not need a mat to do yoga.  My concert had been the yoga (aka healing) she needed for the day.  According to Kathryn, my performance lifted her up to another place, to a higher level of awareness.

Her experience is exactly why I believe that music, perhaps, has a more profound capacity to heal than all the decades of my training & practice in physical therapy, medicine, yoga, Pilates, and Ayurveda combined.  The spoken, written, and sung word hold untapped potential for healing.

"Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history."  ~ Ion Plato

The second step to practicing yoga without a mat is, embrace the written word. The birthday of the great Afghan poet, Rumi, was celebrated last month.  Rumi's work transcends the ages, and as the Indigo Girls wrote in their song Virginia Woolf, here's (a young person) on a kind of telephone line through time, and the voice at the other end comes like a long, lost friend...and so I know I'm alright."

Rumi brings us a pertinent, timely message as applicable today as it was in the 8th century. His work has been studied and promoted by those of all spiritual backgrounds.  The post of a dear friend, Alaha Ahrar, a young Afghan poet and woman whose courage should inspire all women, is one I would like to share with you.  Alaha's Post, is uplifting, coming from a very brave woman who writes in spite of the danger and violence that women in her country suffer.

In Review: Practicing Yoga Without A Mat

1.  Listen.
Researching music which works for you - is free.  Pandora, an internet radio station that has been a big source of my musical research, is a great place to peruse endless songs and all genres of music. 

2.  Read. 
Alaha's Rumi Post
You may want to go out and buy a book of poetry for inspiration; however, the internet and the library are both great resources to help you determine WHAT and WHO inspires you.  A good place to start, for those of all belief systems, is Rumi. 


To learn more about my work, go here.
*The photo was taken while I was "yogaing" at Stonehenge, in June 2010, on a road trip across the UK with my husband.

Musicians for Missions: Haiti 2010 Concert

Over 450 concert goers attended my first fundraising gig for the children of Haiti. I performed 2 sets with an absolutely incredible group of diverse, professional musicians. Together we were able to transcended genres like a graceful yogi moving from pose to pose.

From modern day classical music from the likes of Karl Jenkins to bluegrass and African spiritual traditionals to jazz, folk, and pop/rock - & even a Chamber Choir - M4M artists did not disappoint.

The group of artists, based throughout the great state of North Carolina, traveled to the small coastal town of Swansboro, NC in support of Ginger's mission to provide for the orphans and children of Haiti.

In a little over 2 hours, over $7000 was raised for the children. These numbers are early estimates, and we anticipate raising more, in addition to holding future M4M Concert Events.

Read concert reviews from professional musicians and concert goers at: M4M on Facebook, Website, and on Ginger's Facebook and Website.

Stay tuned for future M4M Concert Events

The Bell Tolls In Haiti and America

My heart is broken.

Last week I received some photos taken by our very own team of aid workers who were in Haiti on the day of the earthquake. When I opened the photos, I was not prepared for what I would see.

My hands reflexively flew up in the air - I gasped – I bowed my head and I shook it back and forth and shouted “no” – before I even knew what I was doing.

Then came tears.

What could I do, as one person?

Like many, I was stunned on January 12, the day of the earthquake, especially since I knew we had aid workers/missionaries working in the field in the area of Port-Au-Prince. I had been leading an effort, Haiti Initiative, since May of 2009. A few months before the quake, I founded Musicians 4 Missions, a concert for the children of Haiti.

But I thought to myself...what can I really do, as one person? What can I or anyone else do to make up for the loss of so many children's lives? No amount of money can make right what has happened.

But seeing the photos made me resolve to take what I had planned to raise and multiply it 4 fold – for the children. Knowing that there may well be a "generation of amputees," when the children of Haiti were already so disadvantaged - seemed and does seem more than is fair for a country in such poor condition.

We need a “Feed the 5000” fish/loaf miracle of Biblical proportion to help the children in Haiti. But we can all help, domestically and abroad - we can and must help all children.

Many Americans claim we should not help Haiti, we should instead help our own people. However, the devastation in Haiti requires help of the immediate and long term kind - children are dying from infected limb loss, women are still giving birth - and in worse conditions than before - Haiti had the highest infant and mortality rate before the earthquake - and now? What about this generation of amputees? There were no sanitation or building codes prior to the quake...

Haiti is a country devastated - and as 16th century poet John Donne' wrote "any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind...do not send to know for whom the bell tolls, the bell tolls for thee." Do not think we are not affected by Haiti's loss. Indeed we are more affected than we know.

What is your service to the children of this world - today?

*Pictured is the response by missionaries and fellow neighbors, after a building collapsed on several children, none of which survived. Families were able to identify and claim all but one child's body. No one claimed the remaining child, so the missionaries named him Joseph and saw that he was laid to rest, at least, in a handmade box. A funeral is expensive by Haiti's standards, costing $300. When the average person barely clears $750 a year, families cannot afford to bury their own dead, much less an unclaimed child crushed by the rubble from a falling building.

Haiti Update: January 23, 2010

Haiti Update: Raleigh, NC January 23, 2010

Doctors and Nurses Desperately Needed

Doctors and nurse volunteers are needed to serve in Haiti.

CARE is making flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Cap Hatien, Haiti, for weekend volunteer work at the Cap Hatien hospital. The hospital was not damaged in the earthquake. There is no fee for the flight.

In order to volunteer, the doctor or nurse needs a valid passport.

To/From transport from the airfield to the hospital is provided.

Flights will occur on an as needed basis according to the number of people flying.

This is a wonderful way for local doctors and nurses to contribute time and possibly a way to send more goods to those in medical need, quickly.

If you would like to volunteer or want more details, please contact:

Patrick Tormey
cell: 919-394-6055

Email: pattormey@yahoo.com

We Cannot Wait For Peace

"If you want world peace,
go home and love your family."
~Mother Teresa

Today, the Washington Post has announced 8 more troops were killed in southern Afghanistan this morning. Some one's son or daughter has been lost forever to war, in the name of freedom. Laying down one's life for another is the ultimate sacrifice.

We cannot stop war by simply shouting "peace!" We have to do something. Just as each of the 8 troops gave their lives today - an individual can make a difference. Their deaths were not in vain. Those who would argue differently, try saying that to the parents of those who gave their life. Our thoughts and prayers should all go out to those parents and families, with words of comfort and support.

We can "be the change."
There is widespread violence against women throughout Afghanistan and other countries across the globe. Nurture peace by helping women who are standing in the crossfire of war and are many times over the victims of horrific crimes in the name of "war."

Ways to "be the change."
On September 21, the Peace X Peace (pronounced Peace By Peace) non profit organization launched a campaign. Here is what they pleaded for:


"Women around the world have been patient long enough. We have been nice and polite long enough. We need to start getting in the way, whenever and wherever violence rears its head. Each of us is stronger than we think, and together we are strong enough to do anything - even end this bad human habit of war. It starts with me and you, together, today. I have made up my mind and planted my feet, and I WON'T wait for peace."

1. A simple act of solidarity for all women. Acting in peace for women everywhere by joining Peace X Peace today. It is free, only takes a minute, and is a way to stay connected with other women who are advocates for peace in our time.
2. Follow Mother Teresa's advice. Let's all make sure we go home and love our family today. If the whole world did that, could war be an option?
   

Stop Stress In Its Tracks, Day 3

Okay ladies, here are my last "real time" stress busters (for this week anyway).

1. Stress scenario: There is not enough time in the day to get everything done.
2. Solution: This is a tough one, but we must tackle it.

Identify time wasters:

• Cut out TV. Completely. Even get rid of your TV. We did in 2004. We only recently got a small one so our kids can watch their DVD's. Public television is the only channel my children watch now. My husband and I only watch State of the Union addresses, or in the case of an election year, we watch the political debates. Instead of wasting our time with TV, if we want to watch something important, we will order it via our Netflix account. In addition, there is no TV during any family time, such as dinners, and no more than 2 PBS shows or 1 movie (i.e. the time it takes to watch a movie) a day.
  
• Cut back on Internet. We connect to the world via the Internet, so we get what we need and not what we don't (ads, silly pop culture, violence on the evening news, etc.). I use the Internet for reading news, work, shopping, and some social and professional media (once/week usually). However we can still have the tendency to surf the net too much. Now we observe the following: No Internet or computers during the dinner hour, between 5-8 pm. No Internet during any family time. This means no texting, no cell phones, no TV, no outside interruption. Same goes for email. As I mentioned previously, try to only check your email two times a day. Hovering over your email all day is not productive.
  
• Get rid of your land line & then don't answer your cell phone. I stand by my Grandfather Garner's philosophy. "Say what you need to say, and get off the phone." Yes, even as a teenager, I stood firm on this philosophy. If you do not need a land line, then get rid of it. It will also save you some money each month. I only use my cell phone when I absolutely must. My whole family knows I do not like to use the phone. Now my cell phone rings only when the caller has something important to say.
• Don't buy tabloids or fluff magazines. Yes, I have been known to read a copy of House Beautiful as intensely as I teach a yoga class. However, our society should know better than to fuel pop culture demand for gossip magazines. You know, the ones that discuss celebrity's private lives and make us feel either good or bad about our self image. It's easy. Just don't do it. Put that money you would spend into your children's' stock portfolios.
• Don't overdo a task. This is similar to talking on the phone. Only do it if you must. Think about what you are going to do before you are going to do it. For example, making a grocery list. I have this nifty list that divides whole foods into categories, so you can check a box and then go straight to that section in the store. No time wasted and no impulse buys.
  
• Get rid of the clutter. This applies at several levels.
  

1. Don't bring junk mail into the house. Stand at your recycling bin and toss it as soon as you take it out of the mailbox. We all know physical clutter, this includes extra body weight, can create mental clutter. Better yet, take action to reduce or eliminate receipt of junk mail altogether.
   
2. Get rid of one item for each new item you purchase. This especially applies to clothing and furnishings. Stop consumerism.
3. Don't have a junk drawer. I don't. Every drawer in my house has a purpose. There is no need to waste a drawer, or any storage space, to hold junk. Either the junk can be re purposed, given away to someone who won't consider it junk, recycled, or trashed.
   

• Make things hover. I know this one is strange, but it is my favorite. My husband can vouch for that. Carefully plan your rooms. The more things you have sitting on the floor, the more cluttered (and less usable) a room feels. For anything that remains in one spot more than a week, you need a designated place and storage method for it. Mail, laundry (dirty and clean and the stuff that is in the "holding" area to be put away, ironed, or taken to the cleaners), reusable grocery totes, hats, shoes, wine. I try to create proper storage so things can "hover" - that way, I can whisk around the room and tidy up in a flash. Shockingly, I have no problem with my family, including my husband, leaving things all over the house. If you create a practical, user friendly method for organization, then it will be easier for your family to use that that to leave it on the floor. Trust me. Making things hover really works.
  

1. Stress: Immediate overload. You need help now!
2. Solution:

• 10 minutes of Yoga. I used to practice for 90 minutes a day on average. Now, I actually practice for no more than 30 minutes 4-6 times a week, and am in better shape. (yes, I know. less is more.) Some days though, especially when my children were infants, I only got 10 minutes. It still got my pre-baby body back, and I had instant stress relief. Follow me on You Tube to get fit.
  
• Time away from kids, or your job, etc. This can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 10 days! I know it is obvious, but as women, we never have time away. Take it today. Recharge.
  
• Pray. Return to your spiritual roots. Faith and hope are our greatest weapons against burnout and stress. Believe. Meditate. Begin your day with hope. You can do it anywhere.
  
• Volunteer. The surest way to help yourself is to help others. I observe my boundaries (see day 1 and 2 blog), but because I have identified and eliminated time wasters, I still have time to give. And, I am teaching my children a valuable lesson about helping those in need.
  
• Focus on relationship building. We are not created to be independent, solitary, isolated creatures. Human beings were created for relationship. Cultivate them.
• Count your blessings. Recognize milestones. Look at what you have accomplished, rather than what you have not. You are amazing!

3. Overall Benefits: More time for You. More time for Others. A Greater Appreciation for the human race. A second (or third) chance to Live and Love Life. A great way to Live in Gratitude.

Now I am going to settle into my own stress relief mode. Starting today, I am unplugging from technology for 1 whole week.
Yes, I am practicing what I preach.
"See" you in 1 week.

Women! Own Your Tough Mind & Tender Heart

Just this past week Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in her 7 country trip to Africa, has made statements which suggest she will make women's rights one of her signature platforms. I am joyous about this move, as women all over the globe, and right here in America, suffer horrendously and unjustly. Click here for the full story: www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=4105

In an excerpt from Martin Luther King's book, "Strength To Love", published in 1963, he wrote:

"A French philosopher once said, No man is strong unless he bears within his character antitheses strongly marked." the strong man or woman holds in a living blend strongly marked opposites. The idealists are usually not realistic, and the realistic are usually not idealistic... Seldom are the humble self-assertive, or the self-assertive humble. But life at its best is a creative synthesis of opposites in fruitful harmony. The philosopher Hegel said that truth is found neither in the thesis nor the antithesis, but in an emergent synthesis which reconciles the two. He goes on to say that Jesus often spoke of needing to be as wise as a serpent but as gentle as a dove."

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, as a woman and a leader of our country, could be said to exemplify having a "tough mind and a tender heart", especially as she brings much needed attention to the horrible conditions, violence, and wrongs perpetrated against women in the Congo, for example. She has stood her ground, risen to one of the highest leadership positions in our country, and is not forgetting that fellow women desperately need help, education, adequate health care, and most importantly, a voice.

Women are often berated for being "tough", as Hillary as been along her journey upward, yet men are exemplified for doing so. I believe women are ideally suited for high positions of leadership BECAUSE and not in spite of the fact that they are women, BECAUSE and not in spite of their backgrounds in multiple areas, including their trained profession, childbearing and rearing, and management of the home. Our unique backgrounds should not be a hindrance in rising to positions of importance in the business and political world, they should be a benefit. Women possess a unique ability to own a "tough mind and a tender heart", even more so than men.

Martin Luther King, Jr. used the word "softminded" as an opposite of the "tough minded" person, and describes that person as someone who "thinks", does not fear change, and is not swayed by "superstition, traditionalism, and the media." He says a "tender heart" is also necessary, because without it, a person comes to be a "cold, detached, crass utilitarian" who views people as "cogs in a perpetual turning wheel."

Women across the globe are joining together now, in what King called "nonviolent resistance", on their quest for freedom. King calls "nonviolent resistance" the ultimate combining of "toughmindedness and tenderheartedness" which will work to oppose injustice and at the same time "love the perpetrators of the system."

To support organizations who support and report about women's freedom, rights, and health, visit the following links:

The Initiative to Educate Afghan Women
Womens News
Mothers Center
Peace X Peace

Women can join arms, and act to claim their own freedom with King's "nonviolent resistance", which he used with success in his "walk for freedom" in Montgomery, Alabama, which resulted in desegregation of buses. Women everywhere must do this, to stand up against any and all injustice which is being perpetuated against women in our world today.

*image is a yoga session for young Afghan women I taught in December 2008; these women had suffered immensely under the Taliban rule, and for many of them, this was their first introduction to yoga. Many of the young ladies did not want to be photographed for security fears, so our photo was taken of only a few of the women. the founder of IEAW (see above link), Paula Nirschel, is also included in the front row of this photograph