Last November, I discovered a caterpillar crawling around on my parsley plants in the backyard. The plants were in pots, so that I could bring them inside to the screened-in porch if I discovered any caterpillars. And there she was … a chubby, happy black swallowtail caterpillar. The previous year all the caterpillars got eaten and completely [...]
These were the words repeatedly spoken by George Floyd, while lying face down on the pavement, his hands handcuffed behind his back, as police officer Derek Chauvin pinned his neck to the pavement with his knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, killing him. Clearly, he was of no risk to the officer who committed [...]
Greetings, Our planet is currently facing an unprecedented climate crisis, which threatens a sustainable world for our children and grandchildren. Greta Thunberg, the 16-year old Swedish climate activist, sparked an international movement of youth speaking up and fighting for their future. They are calling on world leaders to listen to the scientists, recognize our Climate [...]
If you wanted a life of meaning and significance … you’ve hit the jack-pot! Most of us reading this know that we are in a climate emergency. We’ve read the reports that say the greenhouse gasses we’ve put into the atmosphere are the highest in 400,000 years. Our weather is getting more [...]
There is a powerful groundswell of energy rising up to address our climate crisis! We have an (undeclared) climate emergency and young people, even children, are recognizing this fact. They see that unresolved climate issues could wreak havoc on their futures. The newest, youngest, and most powerful voice on the global stage demanding the world [...]
Greetings! Reading the headlines about the heat waves and fires enveloping the globe with records being broken for the highest temperatures in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, we are seeing the effects in our weather due to climate change. Our backs are pushed to the wall, and it’s not looking good for the “Home Team”! [...]
EARTH DAY 2018 is Sunday, April 22! The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970, nearly 50 years ago … and the response to it was massive! Twenty million Americans showed up to participate in demonstrations, rallies, and educational programs all around the country! That was 10% of the population! It’s amazing to look back [...]
As a yoga and meditation teacher since 1973, I am getting many questions about why I’m talking about climate change and civic engagement these days instead of yoga poses and philosophy. To my mind addressing climate and being involved in our collective life is yoga! It’s taking yoga off the mat and into the world, [...]
In 4 days, on December 19, the Electoral College will vote, choosing the next president of the United States. Clearly President-Elect Donald Trump has broken his campaign promise to “drain the swamp”. Instead has filled his cabinet with three men from Goldman Sachs and appointed people to head agencies who are on record saying those [...]
The entire world was stunned last week by the results of the US Presidential election. How could the wealthiest country in the world, one that professes democracy, have elected a man who runs counter to what the majority holds dear? How could we elect a climate denier, who used racist, sexist, and xenophobic language throughout his [...]
Calling all those who know the world is One Humanity!! All those who know we sink or swim together, whose hearts are filled with courage and resilience, who are willing to step up to what’s now required for our future. No, no, you protest, you are not ready!! None of us feels ready when we [...]
I love that Yoga challenges us to take our consciousness practices off the mat and into daily life. If we both pause and listen to The Call of The Times, we can respond with a contribution for the Good of all. Clearly we are going through a time of major economic, social, environmental, and political [...]
Our Common Home, the Earth, is facing a crisis. The basic situation with the climate is this: Enough solar energy reaches Earth every hour to meet the power needs of the entire world for a full year. A Stanford University study has shown the U.S. could convert to 100% renewable energy by [...]
“This Changes Everything” In early November I attended a screening of the documentary film, This Changes Everything, based on the book of the same title by Naomi Klein. She makes the case, so succinctly, dramatically, and clearly that the way our economy runs, promoting profits above all else, increases environmental pollution and the amount of CO2 put [...]
“The Road to Paris” is a term climate activists are using to call attention to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) held in Paris this coming December. The intention is to secure a legally binding global climate agreement to dramatically curb carbon emissions and accelerate the planet-wide shift to clean energy. Diverse groups, organizations, corporations, businesses, and citizens, [...]
“Do-Over” Pope Francis issued his Encyclical on Climate on June 18, a document reserved for only the most pressing of global matters. The Pope said that protecting our planet is a moral and ethical imperative, and that a bold cultural revolution is needed to save the planet from Climate Change and Consumerism. Sometimes people are surprised [...]
Solutions Abound, but First … Solutions abound to respond to the Climate Crisis, but first we need to acknowledge the extent of the problem. We need to see and accept how dire the climate situation is … I know, people don’t want to read these words, or stop long enough in their busy schedules to [...]
“Houston, We Have a Problem …” There was no other way I could think of to start this other than with those iconic words we all remember from the early days of space travel … “Houston, we have a problem…” And we do have a problem, a significant problem: the Climate Crisis is much more [...]
Raging Grannies & Warrior Spirits Needed! On February 14 I’ll be engaging in a new endeavor! I’ll be marching with a group called the Raging Grannies in the 9th annual Moral March on Raleigh. The march is to express love for qualities of life that we all hold dear: Justice, Education, Climate, Economic Sustainability, Worker’s [...]
Beautiful & Powerful Poem I have recently discovered Drew Dellinger, speaker, poet, activist, writer, and founder of Planetize The Movement. He has written an exquisite poem, shared below: “it’s 3:23 in the morning and I’m awake because my great great grandchildren won’t let me sleep my great great grandchildren ask me in dreams what did [...]
Finding Stillness … There is great wisdom in finding stillness in a busy world … The many gifts include rest, insight, clarity, energy, and renewed enthusiasm for Life. Sometimes the gift of a weekend away or a retreat is the most deeply nourishing experience we can give ourselves. It offers you the opportunity to slow [...]
Cutting Edge Research – Bruce Lipton Just in case you’ve been curious about the new field of epigenetics or wondered how the newest science in genetics and biology interfaces with real life, here is a great lecture for you! It’s by Bruce Lipton, cutting edge researcher in the field of biology and genetics and author [...]
Aging with Passion & Significance I read an interesting research finding on aging recently: the best way to have a great life, as well as to reduce the risk of the deterioration and typical markers of aging, is to have a Purpose … something bigger than our individual self to be involved in. Your Purpose [...]
One Billion Rising One great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is to support a movement working to eradicate violence against women and girls. I’ve said in my yoga workshops for a few years now that I think this is going to be the Century of Women! I see the power of women to stand up, [...]
” … governed by your inferiors.” Now is the time… “Yoga says to first be a responsible world citizen” … one of my favorite (and surprising) quotes by Douglas Brooks. Part of our spirituality is to participate in the world and make it a better place. Therefore, in my humble opinion … Now is the time to get involved [...]
The Emotional Body: The Next Frontier I’ve spent the greater part of my life working on the physical body, from competitive swimming as a kid to practicing yoga poses since 1972. I have also spent a great amount of time focusing on the mental body, completing a Ph.D. in sport psychology and having a regular [...]
The Issue is Integrity There have been many comments recently about John Friend going back to teaching and the quality of his teaching. That’s NOT the pertinent issue. It’s not about whether JF is a good teacher, or whether he’s charismatic or passionate or sensitive or teaching better than ever. It’s about integrity. It’s about [...]
A Yoga of Engagement An interesting thing has been happening during yoga class. While we were deepening our breath and refining our Triangle poses a group of the super-wealthy has hijacked our country! Little by little, as we have focused on inner peace and transcendence, the super-wealthy, the 1%, has been buying up Congress by [...]