In honor of George Carlin.
This article was given to me once and credited to George Carlin.
Since he passed this week I thought I would share it.
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips,disposable diapers, throwaway morality, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
There is a new website whyilovesouthcounty.com
They have included a few videos of local business owners and one is of me (Joan)-- to see it click here and go to featured businesses.
They have included a few videos of local business owners and one is of me (Joan)-- to see it click here and go to featured businesses.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Congrats to Cathy Cesario
and the 2008 Graduates of Spirit Tree Yoga Teacher Training.
It was an honor to have you all hereIf you would like to see a s very sweet video that Effrem created of the graduation party. Click here.
It was a great group!
:
It was a great group!
:
New at All That Matters Raindrop Therapy
Are you prone to colds and and sinus infections? Do you get headaches on a regular basis? Do you suffer from emotional tension and stress? Are you living with the daily challenges of arthritis? Do you experience chronic neck and back pain? Are you looking to improve your health? Consider investing in a Raindrop Therapy Treatment!
Raindrop Therapy is a powerful technique that boosts your immune system and melts away stress. It incorporates modalities such as Aromatherapy, Vita Flex Reflexology, Traditional Massage, and Hot Stone Massage. This blissful-smelling treatment centers around the relaxing application of high quality Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils to areas of the body, especially along the spine, with the goal of clearing energy centers and bringing back structural and electrical alignment. These essential oils are well known for their anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, and antioxidant qualities. They enter into the body's cells within 20 minutes of application and remain there, providing benefits, for up to 10 days. Raindrop Therapy is the perfect solution to seasonal illness and is fantastic when used as a companion therapy to cleansing routines! Make an appointment with Kelly -- your body will thank you!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
this article can be found in the latest RI Monthly
Q+A with Joy Bennett, All That Matters Yoga Instructor
Joy Bennett struggled with depression for years until a regular yoga practice helped her recover. Today, as a LifeForce Yoga instructor, she visits studios from Lincoln to Wakefield to share a yoga style designed specifically to manage mood.
How did you discover yoga?
Quite by accident, actually. A number of years ago, I was in the throes of a deep depression and started attending a gentle yoga class on Thursday mornings, mainly because I was sick of being alone all day. After a few classes, I noticed that Thursday became the one day of the week that I did not cry. So I kept practicing yoga, and I kept getting better. I realized that going to class was not about accomplishing the perfect posture but learning to build a new relationship with my body and spirit. It made such a difference in my life that I eventually decided to reach out to others who are suffering—first becoming a yoga teacher and then studying further with LifeForce Yoga Healing Institute founding director Amy Weintraub.
What is it about this type of yoga that helps relieve anxiety and depression?
The breathing techniques work to bring prana (life force) into the body. Depression is an absence of prana. Working through the postures and the breathing, the person is able to let go of obstructions and drop some of the loss or grief stored in the body. Yoga can also balance the biochemistry of the brain and stimulate the endocrine system to create a state of healing relaxation. There are aspects of the class you might find in others, but Amy took the things that are most powerful for balancing the mood and packaged them into a greatest hits line-up.
Doesn’t all yoga help mood to some extent?
Not necessarily. Some styles are very vigorous and practiced in a heated room, which can actually exacerbate an anxiety attack. For someone who is depressed, I think there are two speeds of yoga: slow and slower. A relaxing style is going to do more for them than a vigorous class with demanding postures, which could set them up for failure and bring them over the edge.
If someone’s in the depths of depression or on the verge of a panic attack, what is something simple and effective they can do that might provide some relief? First, I’d tell them not to forget to breathe. At this point they might not be ready to do a more complicated posture, but here’s a helpful pranayama technique: Count the beats of your breath with a pause at the top of the inhalation and the bottom of the exhalation. So, you might inhale for four counts, hold for another four, exhale for six counts and hold it out for two. You can tailor the counts to what feels best.
Should people practice LifeForce Yoga on its own or in conjunction with other treatment methods? LifeForce Yoga can be an important component of mental health, but I encourage my students to explore all the resources available, which also include medication and talk therapy. My husband is actually a psychiatrist, and I help out in his office, so I’ve seen the positive affects of medication, too. Some people who try this type of yoga think it will help them get off of their medication, but I think it can all work together.
—Jenna Pelletier
for another glimpse of joy click hereThursday, March 06, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
We now offer NIA and Pilates Classes
NIA New Series will Begin March 4.
Celebrate the mind, body, spirit connection with The Nia Technique. Choreographed to great music, routines combine martial arts, healing arts & dance arts to create a unique form of fusion fitness. Whether you're looking for an energized workout, to round out your yoga practice, cross train for any sport or just like the feeling of moving to music, Nia will teach you how to experience the "Joy of Movement" and the benefits of moving "Your Own Body's Way."
Suitable for men & women of all ages and ability levels. Wear comfortable clothing & bring water.No shoes required. For more information about Nia see: Nianow.com
The only way to see what it's all about is to try a class!
Celebrate the mind, body, spirit connection with The Nia Technique. Choreographed to great music, routines combine martial arts, healing arts & dance arts to create a unique form of fusion fitness. Whether you're looking for an energized workout, to round out your yoga practice, cross train for any sport or just like the feeling of moving to music, Nia will teach you how to experience the "Joy of Movement" and the benefits of moving "Your Own Body's Way."
Suitable for men & women of all ages and ability levels. Wear comfortable clothing & bring water.No shoes required. For more information about Nia see: Nianow.com
The only way to see what it's all about is to try a class!
Pilates Mat Classes
A fun and invigorating workout focusing on your core.
Teaches the basic principles of Pilates
Enhance your strength, flexibility, control, balance, and posture.
Create long lean muscles.
Strengthen your body and your mind.
Improve the way you look and feel!
Pricing: $10/ $12/$14 series/ open pass / drop-in
A fun and invigorating workout focusing on your core.
Teaches the basic principles of Pilates
Enhance your strength, flexibility, control, balance, and posture.
Create long lean muscles.
Strengthen your body and your mind.
Improve the way you look and feel!
Pricing: $10/ $12/$14 series/ open pass / drop-in
Tuesdays 4:45pm & 5:45pm
ALL LEVELS WELCOME. Offered by:
Tracie Kedzierski Certified Pilates Mat Instructor
ALL LEVELS WELCOME. Offered by:
Tracie Kedzierski Certified Pilates Mat Instructor
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
This article was in SORI magazine in Feb 2008
Say “Namaste” to Yoga
The atmosphere at Wakefield’s holistic Mecca All That Matters is simply divine, the aura as soothing as soft South County sand on bare feet. But one of the first things yoga instructor Coral Brown tells me is that “anyone that can breathe can do yoga.”
Having just put out a cigarette, this may not be true. Yet despite the whole breathing thing – Brown’s soft, calming voice, the wafting incense, mellow music and candlelit ambience in the practice room – have put me at ease, and I am ready to say “Namaste,” a traditional greeting, to yoga.
The class consists of men and women of all different ages. We bow hands at heart to begin and I soon find myself moving on the mat, my legs, arms, back and body transforming in and out of poses like the appropriately named downward-facing dog to the Power Ranger-like Warrior II. The tingling inhales and the relaxing exhales of my breath ebb and flow as I work my way, somewhat awkwardly, from pose to pose. I stumble. I get up. I balance. I contort. I sweat. I adjust. I breathe. I am relaxed, yet I am working out.
Yoga, it turns out, is quite individualistic. There is no rush to keep up with the group, no sense that my inexperience is a hindrance. My workout is what I make it; I define my own pace. At the end, the class is given ample time to explore poses on their own. Some stand on their heads, others practice stretching in ways I could only achieve by accident and with great personal injury resulting. I enter into Savasana, the corpse pose, which allows you to lay still, eyes closed, your body in total relaxation. Now this is a pose I can master.
Having never stepped barefoot into a yoga class before, I am told I fared pretty well. And despite some loudly creaking bones, a pound or two of sweat and the occasional stumble, my body, Brown tells me, is actually quite balanced. “Yoga is the union of opposites,” Brown explains. “The body wants to be in balanced. Yoga brings us back to balance.”
And it is the balance that Brown says keeps all types of people coming back to yoga – the liberating union of physical health and the mental state of realizing that all that usually matters – if only for a brief and fading hour – does not.
The atmosphere at Wakefield’s holistic Mecca All That Matters is simply divine, the aura as soothing as soft South County sand on bare feet. But one of the first things yoga instructor Coral Brown tells me is that “anyone that can breathe can do yoga.”
Having just put out a cigarette, this may not be true. Yet despite the whole breathing thing – Brown’s soft, calming voice, the wafting incense, mellow music and candlelit ambience in the practice room – have put me at ease, and I am ready to say “Namaste,” a traditional greeting, to yoga.
The class consists of men and women of all different ages. We bow hands at heart to begin and I soon find myself moving on the mat, my legs, arms, back and body transforming in and out of poses like the appropriately named downward-facing dog to the Power Ranger-like Warrior II. The tingling inhales and the relaxing exhales of my breath ebb and flow as I work my way, somewhat awkwardly, from pose to pose. I stumble. I get up. I balance. I contort. I sweat. I adjust. I breathe. I am relaxed, yet I am working out.
Yoga, it turns out, is quite individualistic. There is no rush to keep up with the group, no sense that my inexperience is a hindrance. My workout is what I make it; I define my own pace. At the end, the class is given ample time to explore poses on their own. Some stand on their heads, others practice stretching in ways I could only achieve by accident and with great personal injury resulting. I enter into Savasana, the corpse pose, which allows you to lay still, eyes closed, your body in total relaxation. Now this is a pose I can master.
Having never stepped barefoot into a yoga class before, I am told I fared pretty well. And despite some loudly creaking bones, a pound or two of sweat and the occasional stumble, my body, Brown tells me, is actually quite balanced. “Yoga is the union of opposites,” Brown explains. “The body wants to be in balanced. Yoga brings us back to balance.”
And it is the balance that Brown says keeps all types of people coming back to yoga – the liberating union of physical health and the mental state of realizing that all that usually matters – if only for a brief and fading hour – does not.
I was the guest editor for the Feb issue of SORI- if you did not get to read the write up- here it is. Joan
As resolution time has come and passed, now’s a good time to ask, “How is your health? Your time management? Your daily energy? How are you enjoying life?”
If after a bit of soul searching you come up with a resounding “Great!” my guess is that you are investing in some form of preventive or holistic health practices. If you come up with a so-so rating, some of the articles in this issue might inspire you to begin to explore.
Preventive health cannot just be penciled in for January 1 -- it is a lifestyle that more and more folks are adopting. And not just because they want to be free of disease, but also because they want to be excited by life, feel their vitality and do great things.
Each person’s food, rest, community and exercise requirements are different. Getting to know your body’s needs is the first step to being well. Feeling better does not come from adhering to one doctrine, set of beliefs or teacher. It is an individual path nurtured through turning inward and listening to your own inner wisdom.
“Easier said than done,” you might say. That is true. In this fast paced world we live in, the emphases is on doing and producing, not on breathing and being. So it takes a bit of courage, curiosity and determination to etch out the time to learn and invest in daily practices that support your health. But I can guarantee that it is worth every bit of courage you can muster up.
We keep hearing about these “new” or “alternative” treatments, but there is nothing new about holistic health. It synthesizes ancient wisdom, proven practices, health discoveries and fresh insights for world traditions. Meditation, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and herbal remedies have all been around for centuries. They are tried and true practices.
So even though resolution time has come and gone, find the time to really invest in yourself. Whether it be a massage that brings you to a deeper place of relaxation, a yoga class that opens new doors of awareness, or a book that jumped off the shelf, the process of self-discovery and healing is activated. Just remember, nurturing yourself is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
Joan Dwyer is the owner of All That Matters in Wakefield.
If after a bit of soul searching you come up with a resounding “Great!” my guess is that you are investing in some form of preventive or holistic health practices. If you come up with a so-so rating, some of the articles in this issue might inspire you to begin to explore.
Preventive health cannot just be penciled in for January 1 -- it is a lifestyle that more and more folks are adopting. And not just because they want to be free of disease, but also because they want to be excited by life, feel their vitality and do great things.
Each person’s food, rest, community and exercise requirements are different. Getting to know your body’s needs is the first step to being well. Feeling better does not come from adhering to one doctrine, set of beliefs or teacher. It is an individual path nurtured through turning inward and listening to your own inner wisdom.
“Easier said than done,” you might say. That is true. In this fast paced world we live in, the emphases is on doing and producing, not on breathing and being. So it takes a bit of courage, curiosity and determination to etch out the time to learn and invest in daily practices that support your health. But I can guarantee that it is worth every bit of courage you can muster up.
We keep hearing about these “new” or “alternative” treatments, but there is nothing new about holistic health. It synthesizes ancient wisdom, proven practices, health discoveries and fresh insights for world traditions. Meditation, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and herbal remedies have all been around for centuries. They are tried and true practices.
So even though resolution time has come and gone, find the time to really invest in yourself. Whether it be a massage that brings you to a deeper place of relaxation, a yoga class that opens new doors of awareness, or a book that jumped off the shelf, the process of self-discovery and healing is activated. Just remember, nurturing yourself is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
Joan Dwyer is the owner of All That Matters in Wakefield.
Friday, January 25, 2008
What is Sound Healing?
Sound Healing, as the name implies, is the use of sound to create balance and alignment in the physical body, the energy centers called "chakras", and/or the etheric fields. The sound may be applied by an instrument or by the human voice.
The use of sound as a healing modality dates back to the earliest cultures, when the shaman chanted and drummed to heal people. In the ancient mystery schools of Egypt, Greece, India, and other centers of knowledge, the use of sound and music for healing was a highly developed sacred science. Today sound healing is in the forefront of alternative therapies. More and more people are finding relief from sound therapy from stress, anxiety, pain, depression and much more.
This weekend at All That Matters we have 2 exciting workshops to experience the powerful benefits of sound to balance and open the chakras. Read below for details.
In addition, once a month we offer Sunday Chanting Meditation and the popular Gong Bath Meditation Circles on the third Friday.
Remember that you carry with you at all times your own sound healing tool- your voice. So shift your vibration with a good belly laugh or whistle a happy tune, sing in the shower or car and most of all remember to take time to BREATHE!
Sound Healing, as the name implies, is the use of sound to create balance and alignment in the physical body, the energy centers called "chakras", and/or the etheric fields. The sound may be applied by an instrument or by the human voice.
The use of sound as a healing modality dates back to the earliest cultures, when the shaman chanted and drummed to heal people. In the ancient mystery schools of Egypt, Greece, India, and other centers of knowledge, the use of sound and music for healing was a highly developed sacred science. Today sound healing is in the forefront of alternative therapies. More and more people are finding relief from sound therapy from stress, anxiety, pain, depression and much more.
This weekend at All That Matters we have 2 exciting workshops to experience the powerful benefits of sound to balance and open the chakras. Read below for details.
In addition, once a month we offer Sunday Chanting Meditation and the popular Gong Bath Meditation Circles on the third Friday.
Remember that you carry with you at all times your own sound healing tool- your voice. So shift your vibration with a good belly laugh or whistle a happy tune, sing in the shower or car and most of all remember to take time to BREATHE!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Here are our 7 January Health Tips!
Beginning a new year always has us reflecting about the improvements we want to make for our selves in the coming year. Choosing a healthier lifestyle is always one of the biggest improvements people chose to make because the benefits are so far reaching in every aspect of our lives. Often this idea can be a bit daunting...how and where do I begin? Do I need to look at a wellness retreat in the mountains or a spa vacation in the tropics to get me started? These are some wonderful considerations AND what if we told you it is easy than that and you can start right now?
At All That Matters we are all about living a health lifestyle and offer many options to meet you right where you want to begin or continue.
Here are 7 Tips and Options for Support that can get you started right now and establish the behavior to keep you on track:
TIP #1.
Choose foods that are fresh and free of additives and preservatives . When shopping at the grocery store- read the labels- if you don't know the source of an ingredient or better yet can't pronounce it- make another choice.
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Making Good Food Choices
At All That Matters we are all about living a health lifestyle and offer many options to meet you right where you want to begin or continue.
Here are 7 Tips and Options for Support that can get you started right now and establish the behavior to keep you on track:
TIP #1.
Choose foods that are fresh and free of additives and preservatives . When shopping at the grocery store- read the labels- if you don't know the source of an ingredient or better yet can't pronounce it- make another choice.
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Making Good Food Choices
TIP #2
Plan your meals ahead, this helps to cut back on eating out and binge or empty calorie eating. Don't under estimate the value of good home cooked meals. Take the time to sit down and chew (30% of digestion goes on in your mouth) be mindful around what,when and how you are eating.
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Whole Foods Cooking Classes
Finding Your Natural Body Weight
Every Bite is Divine
TIP # 3
Keep Your Body Moving.Walk, dance, practice yoga and tai chi, take up a sport. Whatever exercise you chose, it will keep the body and mind limber and flexible and support your vitality.
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
40 Yoga Classes to choose from each week along with specialty workshops
Tai Chi classes
Belly Dance classes
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
40 Yoga Classes to choose from each week along with specialty workshops
Tai Chi classes
Belly Dance classes
TIP #4
Quiet Your Mind. Stop and take a breath, sit down with a good book, learn to meditate, take a yoga class. In this fast paced world we live in, the emphases is on doing and producing, not on breathing and being. Choose to start somewhere- the benefits are worth it!
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Monthly Gong Bath Meditation
Monthly Book Group
Monthly Zen Meditation Circle
Foundations of Meditation
Establishing A Home Yoga and Meditation Practice
Quiet Your Mind. Stop and take a breath, sit down with a good book, learn to meditate, take a yoga class. In this fast paced world we live in, the emphases is on doing and producing, not on breathing and being. Choose to start somewhere- the benefits are worth it!
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Monthly Gong Bath Meditation
Monthly Book Group
Monthly Zen Meditation Circle
Foundations of Meditation
Establishing A Home Yoga and Meditation Practice
TIP #5
Express Yourself through dance, song, writing, painting, drumming, and joining in community with like minded folks. Nourishing your creative side and having outlets for expression is crucial in rejuvenating the spirit. How do you express yourself?
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
The Artist's Way
Writing from the Heart
Belly Dance or Tai Chi
Community Yoga
TIP # 6
Support your health and healing. Explore the many benefits of acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, therapeutic massage, reflexology and many other complimentary health services to maintain your wellness or speed your recovery from illness.
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Schedule a Health Service Appointment
Exploring a Homeopathic Approach Wellness Series
Saving Your Sight
Juice Cleanse for Health and Vitality
Free Wellness Talks
Express Yourself through dance, song, writing, painting, drumming, and joining in community with like minded folks. Nourishing your creative side and having outlets for expression is crucial in rejuvenating the spirit. How do you express yourself?
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
The Artist's Way
Writing from the Heart
Belly Dance or Tai Chi
Community Yoga
TIP # 6
Support your health and healing. Explore the many benefits of acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, therapeutic massage, reflexology and many other complimentary health services to maintain your wellness or speed your recovery from illness.
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Schedule a Health Service Appointment
Exploring a Homeopathic Approach Wellness Series
Saving Your Sight
Juice Cleanse for Health and Vitality
Free Wellness Talks
TIP # 7
Explore something new or learn a new skill. Whether you are looking to increase your skill sets or experience life from a new perspective, inspiration and motivation enlivens the mind, body and spirit, reduces stress and creates more fulfillment in life. The resulting benefits are many.
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Certification Programs
Self Discovery Workshops
Explore something new or learn a new skill. Whether you are looking to increase your skill sets or experience life from a new perspective, inspiration and motivation enlivens the mind, body and spirit, reduces stress and creates more fulfillment in life. The resulting benefits are many.
OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT:
Certification Programs
Self Discovery Workshops
Monday, December 31, 2007
"The test of literature is, I suppose, whether we ourselves live more intensely for the reading of it." --Elizabeth Drew
Mind Matters,The All That Matters book group, began in June with The Alchemist and finishes the fall with The Faith Club in November. In between we also read A Thousand Splendid Suns; Eat Pray Love; Life of Pi; and Three Cups of Tea. Our guiding principle is to find compelling stories (fiction or non-fiction) that are insightful, inspirational, and educational without being overtly preachy or didactic. At the meetings so far we've had an enthusiastic group of book lovers who often have differing opinions on the selections. Our lively and thoughtful discussions, however, deepen everyone's personal experience of the book. If this sounds like your "cup of tea," there's room for you at our table.
While at a reunion in Texas recently I told my family about this club and my sisters, aunts, and cousins all wanted a copy of the book list. So it seems within my clan at least we'll have a cyber-subgroup along with the brick-and-mortar one here in Wakefield.
----Marna Krajeski, local author, book lover, and Mind Matters facilitator
Sneak Preview of the 2008 Mind Matters Book List
Start the new year with us as we discuss love, loss, and spirituality.
Jan. 22, 2008 Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa This historic work reveals the inner spiritual life of one of the most beloved and important religious figures in history.
Feb. 26, 2008 Peony in Love by Lisa See By the author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, a historical novel of an arranged marriage in 17th century China explores love, redemption, and letting go.
Mar. 25, 2008 The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion The author's intensely personal memoir of grief after the loss of her husband and illness of her child.
Apr. 22, 2008 Kabbalah: A Love Story by Lawrence Rabbi Kushner A contemporary novel of seeking, finding, and opening oneself to love.
May 6, 2008 The Reading Across Rhode Island Selection (to be announced.) Join us as we participate in the "One State, One Book" discussion and event.
Start the new year with us as we discuss love, loss, and spirituality.
Jan. 22, 2008 Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa This historic work reveals the inner spiritual life of one of the most beloved and important religious figures in history.
Feb. 26, 2008 Peony in Love by Lisa See By the author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, a historical novel of an arranged marriage in 17th century China explores love, redemption, and letting go.
Mar. 25, 2008 The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion The author's intensely personal memoir of grief after the loss of her husband and illness of her child.
Apr. 22, 2008 Kabbalah: A Love Story by Lawrence Rabbi Kushner A contemporary novel of seeking, finding, and opening oneself to love.
May 6, 2008 The Reading Across Rhode Island Selection (to be announced.) Join us as we participate in the "One State, One Book" discussion and event.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Tips on coming to your first yoga class
1. Wear clothes you can move in. A t-shirt and lounge pants are a good bet for most classes, but if you're trying a power class you'll probably want to wear a tank and shorts. Yoga is done barefoot.2. Use a yoga mat- our studio provides them. After your hooked you will want to purchase your own! We give ATM yoga students a $10 discount on their first mat.
3. Eat only lightly before class. It's not wise to practice on a full stomach. If you're famished, a small stack an hour or two before class is should be enough to fill you up without weighing you down.
5. Stay hydrated. Like massages, some postures release stored toxins in the body, so it's a good idea to drink lots of water before and after class to help detoxify, and to replace H20. If you coming to a hot class- bring water, a towel and your own mat.
6. Arrive early. Honor yourself and the class by showing up about 15 minutes before the scheduled class time. That will give you ample time to check in, find a comfortable space, gather proper props like strap or block and start to center yourself.
7. Check in with the teacher, if necessary. Let your instructor know if you have injuries or limitations so he/she can be sure to show you modifications or clue you in to postures you'll want to avoid.
4. Listen to your intuition. Don't worry about what other people in the class are doing, and don't push yourself beyond what feels right for your body.
8. Rest if you need to. It's okay to take breaks throughout class. Just transition into a resting pose, like child's pose.
9. Don't give up after the first class. It's normal to feel uncomfortable for your first class or two, as you learn the postures and get used to the yoga style.
10. Try something new. Yoga styles and instructors can vary widely, so if you've tried a few sessions and you're still not feelin' it, try switching to another type of class or teacher.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Going Green with Products from the
Store at All That Matters
CLOTHING:
Prana works on new ways to fold sustainable fabrics such as hemp and organic cotton into every thing they make. “Everything we make is inspired by our passion for nature and an endless desire to blend beauty and function” says Beaver Theodosaki, Founder.
Their “Earth Conscious Offering” (E.C.O.) Yoga Mats are biodegradable and made with non-toxic materials.
Also, in an effort to create clean energy awareness, Prana began a Natural Power Initiative to offset electrical energy at all of their retailers, preventing the emission of 22,112 tons of greenhouse gases per year. Learn more at prana.com/naturalpower.
Beckons Clothing uses the finest organic cotton and sustainable fabrics and partners with its domestic manufacturer to create eco-conscious garments.
Be Present Clothing A small family owned business that values close relationships with their customers, Be Present uses environmentally friendly practices. Every item is proudly made in the USA.
YOGA PRODUCTS:
Jade Yoga Mats are made with natural rubber, a renewable resource, have no PVC products, and in partnership with Trees for the Future, Jade Yoga Mats plants a tree for every mat sold.
Yogitoes Mats and Towels are adhesive free, hypoallergenic (no latex or PVC), and recyclable. Toxic free production from beginning to end means good for you and good for the planet.
SKIN CARE:
Dr. Hauschka Naturally and ethically obtained natural pigments and therapeutic botanicals from organic and biodynamic farms are blended to create luxurious, certified BDIH natural skin care and cosmetics.
Pharmacopia is inspired by traditional healing and rejuvenation remedies culled from herbalism, aromatherapy, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It remains true to ancient methods by creating gentle herbals infusions with oils, herbs and plant based ingredients.
Weleda Body Care pioneered the use of biodynamics and organic ingredients in body care and medicine to promote natural healing and health. Free from any synthetics, preservatives, fragrances or colorants.
Badger Balms use pure, natural products based on simplicity and thoughtful preparation with the intention to soothe and heal. 100% natural, organic ingredients
CANDLES:
Quoteable Candles are made from 100% natural palm wax and cotton wicks for cleaner burning.
Big Dipper Beeswax Candles are made from handcrafted 100% beeswax, with natural essences for aromatherapy benefits.
Bluewick Candles are made from 100% US grown soy wax.
OTHER Cool Items
Envirosax Help stop the consumption of paper and plastic by shopping with these re-useable bags for shopping or your yoga mat. Great colors, including an organic cotton line.
All That Matters Water Bottles Roll up and re-use your water bottles with these great for the planet water bottles from Platypus
Some Green Titles
· 365 Earth From Above
· Nourishing traditions
· Healing With Whole Foods
· 365 Ways to Save the earth
· One Planet
Here at ATM we recycle all of our plastic bottles and packaging materials and paper, and use recycled paper products.
And, 100% of our centers energy is offset by certified green-e wind generated power thanks to Prana Clothing.
Store at All That Matters
CLOTHING:
Prana works on new ways to fold sustainable fabrics such as hemp and organic cotton into every thing they make. “Everything we make is inspired by our passion for nature and an endless desire to blend beauty and function” says Beaver Theodosaki, Founder.
Their “Earth Conscious Offering” (E.C.O.) Yoga Mats are biodegradable and made with non-toxic materials.
Also, in an effort to create clean energy awareness, Prana began a Natural Power Initiative to offset electrical energy at all of their retailers, preventing the emission of 22,112 tons of greenhouse gases per year. Learn more at prana.com/naturalpower.
Beckons Clothing uses the finest organic cotton and sustainable fabrics and partners with its domestic manufacturer to create eco-conscious garments.
Be Present Clothing A small family owned business that values close relationships with their customers, Be Present uses environmentally friendly practices. Every item is proudly made in the USA.
YOGA PRODUCTS:
Jade Yoga Mats are made with natural rubber, a renewable resource, have no PVC products, and in partnership with Trees for the Future, Jade Yoga Mats plants a tree for every mat sold.
Yogitoes Mats and Towels are adhesive free, hypoallergenic (no latex or PVC), and recyclable. Toxic free production from beginning to end means good for you and good for the planet.
SKIN CARE:
Dr. Hauschka Naturally and ethically obtained natural pigments and therapeutic botanicals from organic and biodynamic farms are blended to create luxurious, certified BDIH natural skin care and cosmetics.
Pharmacopia is inspired by traditional healing and rejuvenation remedies culled from herbalism, aromatherapy, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It remains true to ancient methods by creating gentle herbals infusions with oils, herbs and plant based ingredients.
Weleda Body Care pioneered the use of biodynamics and organic ingredients in body care and medicine to promote natural healing and health. Free from any synthetics, preservatives, fragrances or colorants.
Badger Balms use pure, natural products based on simplicity and thoughtful preparation with the intention to soothe and heal. 100% natural, organic ingredients
CANDLES:
Quoteable Candles are made from 100% natural palm wax and cotton wicks for cleaner burning.
Big Dipper Beeswax Candles are made from handcrafted 100% beeswax, with natural essences for aromatherapy benefits.
Bluewick Candles are made from 100% US grown soy wax.
OTHER Cool Items
Envirosax Help stop the consumption of paper and plastic by shopping with these re-useable bags for shopping or your yoga mat. Great colors, including an organic cotton line.
All That Matters Water Bottles Roll up and re-use your water bottles with these great for the planet water bottles from Platypus
Some Green Titles
· 365 Earth From Above
· Nourishing traditions
· Healing With Whole Foods
· 365 Ways to Save the earth
· One Planet
Here at ATM we recycle all of our plastic bottles and packaging materials and paper, and use recycled paper products.
And, 100% of our centers energy is offset by certified green-e wind generated power thanks to Prana Clothing.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Good for You! Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
Mix together:
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or white)
1teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups dry oatmeal
Mix together:
2 eggs
½ cup fresh maple syrup (honey can be substituted)
½ cup corn oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix well wet and dry ingredients above and add:
1 cup of chopped walnuts
½ package or 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
Drop heaping tablespoons full of batter onto lightly oiled baking try. Press cookies down to flatten and bake 20 minutes till lightly browned.
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
Mix together:
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or white)
1teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups dry oatmeal
Mix together:
2 eggs
½ cup fresh maple syrup (honey can be substituted)
½ cup corn oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix well wet and dry ingredients above and add:
1 cup of chopped walnuts
½ package or 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
Drop heaping tablespoons full of batter onto lightly oiled baking try. Press cookies down to flatten and bake 20 minutes till lightly browned.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
INTRODUCING THE THREE MINUTE EGG
.
Thanks to its unique ergonomic shape, the 3-MINUTE EGG offers a range of applications never before experienced in the ancient practice of Yoga.
On Wednesday October 24th, and Thursday October 25th,
Jason Scholder will be at ALL THAT MATTERS introducing his versatile and ergonomic yoga and fitness prop, the THREE MINUTE EGG.
Invented to provide a comfortable spinal stretch and alleviate back pain, the THREE MINUTE EGG has proven to be much more widely applicable than initially expected. Yoga teachers and physical therapists are finding endless news uses for the EGGS in working with their clients.
Be among the first to learn the power of the THREE MINUTE EGG, with private instruction from the inventor himself.
Here’s what people are saying about the THREE MINUTE EGG:
The THREE MINUTE EGG will change the way you do yoga. It is the ultimate body prop which brings much needed support for new yogis and invigors workouts for experienced ones.
Nearly every Yoga pose can be enhanced by use of the THREE MINUTE EGG. Restorative poses bring more blood flow to the organs, extended poses experience longer, healthier stretches, and traditional poses are held in better alignment.
Thanks to its unique ergonomic shape, the 3-MINUTE EGG offers a range of applications never before experienced in the ancient practice of Yoga.
THREE MINUTE EGG. It’s not just for breakfast anymore!
.
Thanks to its unique ergonomic shape, the 3-MINUTE EGG offers a range of applications never before experienced in the ancient practice of Yoga.
On Wednesday October 24th, and Thursday October 25th,
Jason Scholder will be at ALL THAT MATTERS introducing his versatile and ergonomic yoga and fitness prop, the THREE MINUTE EGG.
Invented to provide a comfortable spinal stretch and alleviate back pain, the THREE MINUTE EGG has proven to be much more widely applicable than initially expected. Yoga teachers and physical therapists are finding endless news uses for the EGGS in working with their clients.
Be among the first to learn the power of the THREE MINUTE EGG, with private instruction from the inventor himself.
Here’s what people are saying about the THREE MINUTE EGG:
The THREE MINUTE EGG will change the way you do yoga. It is the ultimate body prop which brings much needed support for new yogis and invigors workouts for experienced ones.
Nearly every Yoga pose can be enhanced by use of the THREE MINUTE EGG. Restorative poses bring more blood flow to the organs, extended poses experience longer, healthier stretches, and traditional poses are held in better alignment.
Thanks to its unique ergonomic shape, the 3-MINUTE EGG offers a range of applications never before experienced in the ancient practice of Yoga.
THREE MINUTE EGG. It’s not just for breakfast anymore!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
This article on Elsie's Yoga class was in the Providence Journal
For the Moment by Rita Lussier: Yoga’s tranquil language is a mind-bender
09/26/2007
Today is a beginning for me, not unlike kindergarten, complete with mats and pillows and blankets. I push open a door and catch a glimpse of a whole new world, a different way of thinking.
Credit my friend, Sharon, for inviting me here to All That Matters in Wakefield, for trying the beginner’s yoga class, first herself, and then letting me know she thinks I would like it, that it would be well worth my while.
Choosing a mat at the back of the room, I figure, could very well be the best move I make for the entire session. Not only am I inconspicuous, but as I soon find out, the wall behind me comes in very handy if — okay, make that when — I lose my balance.
Elsie, our instructor, stands at the front of the class, talking us through every movement, every breath, every stretch, every position. Her voice has a whimsical quality, soft in timbre and surprising in range.
As it turns out, her voice holds the key to my introduction to yoga. It’s not so much her instructions, which are specific, articulate and easy to follow. But what keeps echoing over and over again in my mind long after she says them are the words she is choosing to guide us, a curious counterpoint to the vocabulary of my everyday routine.
As your body allows…When you’re ready… If you feel
like it …
“This is not about performance,” Elsie says, as I sit on my mat, fold myself in half and try touching my head to my toes, even though it will only go as far as my knees. “It’s about practice.”
Maybe you can … As long as you’re comfortable … If you’d like …
While we’re stretching every muscle — and I do mean every muscle — Elsie is asking us to concentrate on our breath, the way we inhale, the way we exhale. Despite the fact that I must have been breathing all those years since I had children, my breath is something I haven’t thought about since, well, Lamaze class. Not that it did any good. But that’s a story for another time.
I take a lot of things about myself for granted. How every muscle, every bone, every cell work together every second of every day, just so I can exist. And yet, unless something goes wrong, I never give it another thought. Until now.
Awareness … Balance … Centering …
As we near the end of the class, we do something that I suspect I will be particularly good at. We lie down on our mats with our pillows and blankets. So far, so good. But then comes the meditation.
My body might be still, but my mind is racing. “I need to get air in my tires.” “When will the painters be done?” “What time am I supposed to pick up my daughter?” “Don’t forget we need Woolite.” “Did I leave water out for the dog?” “How can I stop thinking about these things?”
Practice … Not perform-
ance …
All too soon, we are getting up and getting ready to go back to our day, back to our lives, back to reality. I feel as though I’ve been on another planet, and now, all too quickly, I’ve got to function in this one.
You know. The planet where “Balance” means a washing machine with each pound of laundry carefully placed. Where “Awareness” has less to do with your breathing and everything to do with a gas gauge flashing EMPTY when you’re still five miles from the school. Where “If you feel like it” takes a distant back seat to, “If you don’t, you’re going to wish to God you had.” That planet.
I read once that yogis in India can make their heart rates slow right down just by saying the same word over and over again. I’m hoping there’s a word in yoga that could do that for my life. Maybe at the next class.
Rita Lussier can be reached at ReetsAL@aol.com or by mail c/o Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.
http://www.projo.com/lifebeat/content/RITA26_09-26-07_5B78IOR.1c219bd.html
For the Moment by Rita Lussier: Yoga’s tranquil language is a mind-bender
09/26/2007
Today is a beginning for me, not unlike kindergarten, complete with mats and pillows and blankets. I push open a door and catch a glimpse of a whole new world, a different way of thinking.
Credit my friend, Sharon, for inviting me here to All That Matters in Wakefield, for trying the beginner’s yoga class, first herself, and then letting me know she thinks I would like it, that it would be well worth my while.
Choosing a mat at the back of the room, I figure, could very well be the best move I make for the entire session. Not only am I inconspicuous, but as I soon find out, the wall behind me comes in very handy if — okay, make that when — I lose my balance.
Elsie, our instructor, stands at the front of the class, talking us through every movement, every breath, every stretch, every position. Her voice has a whimsical quality, soft in timbre and surprising in range.
As it turns out, her voice holds the key to my introduction to yoga. It’s not so much her instructions, which are specific, articulate and easy to follow. But what keeps echoing over and over again in my mind long after she says them are the words she is choosing to guide us, a curious counterpoint to the vocabulary of my everyday routine.
As your body allows…When you’re ready… If you feel
like it …
“This is not about performance,” Elsie says, as I sit on my mat, fold myself in half and try touching my head to my toes, even though it will only go as far as my knees. “It’s about practice.”
Maybe you can … As long as you’re comfortable … If you’d like …
While we’re stretching every muscle — and I do mean every muscle — Elsie is asking us to concentrate on our breath, the way we inhale, the way we exhale. Despite the fact that I must have been breathing all those years since I had children, my breath is something I haven’t thought about since, well, Lamaze class. Not that it did any good. But that’s a story for another time.
I take a lot of things about myself for granted. How every muscle, every bone, every cell work together every second of every day, just so I can exist. And yet, unless something goes wrong, I never give it another thought. Until now.
Awareness … Balance … Centering …
As we near the end of the class, we do something that I suspect I will be particularly good at. We lie down on our mats with our pillows and blankets. So far, so good. But then comes the meditation.
My body might be still, but my mind is racing. “I need to get air in my tires.” “When will the painters be done?” “What time am I supposed to pick up my daughter?” “Don’t forget we need Woolite.” “Did I leave water out for the dog?” “How can I stop thinking about these things?”
Practice … Not perform-
ance …
All too soon, we are getting up and getting ready to go back to our day, back to our lives, back to reality. I feel as though I’ve been on another planet, and now, all too quickly, I’ve got to function in this one.
You know. The planet where “Balance” means a washing machine with each pound of laundry carefully placed. Where “Awareness” has less to do with your breathing and everything to do with a gas gauge flashing EMPTY when you’re still five miles from the school. Where “If you feel like it” takes a distant back seat to, “If you don’t, you’re going to wish to God you had.” That planet.
I read once that yogis in India can make their heart rates slow right down just by saying the same word over and over again. I’m hoping there’s a word in yoga that could do that for my life. Maybe at the next class.
Rita Lussier can be reached at ReetsAL@aol.com or by mail c/o Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.
http://www.projo.com/lifebeat/content/RITA26_09-26-07_5B78IOR.1c219bd.html
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