In memoriam

Saturday morning 9/22/18 my first cousin, a woman that I grew up with like a sister died from her injuries from a domestic violence attack. No one thought something like this would ever happen in our family or in our quiet Jewish community. She leaves behind two amazing teenage boys. Our family is coming together to support one another and find a way to take care of them, and muddle through this tragedy. Hundreds of people have reached out to say how my cousin touched their lives; it’s heartwarming. I’m so privileged to have developed such a close friendship with her; my heart is broken. I’ll be flying back to Chicago tomorrow morning. Life is so fragile; huh  your loved ones tightly.

Lookin for Yoga Nidra? Try Bonnie Tomeoni's Class

Yoga Nidra Meditation by Bonnie Tomeoni

Thursdays 6:30-7:30 & Wednesdays 12:30-1:30pm

hosted at A Gentle Way Yoga

https://agentleway.com/yoga-events/yoga-nidra/

Yoga Nidra  is an ancient form of body-mind meditation that is typically done in a lying down position. It is the art, science of conscious, deep relaxation that balances the body and mind.

Yoga Nidra consists of gentle stretching, breathing exercises (pranayama) and guided meditation to put you in the deepest possible state of relaxation while still maintaining full consciousness. This state of consciousness (yoga nidra) is different from meditation in which concentration on a single focus is required. In yoga nidra the practitioner remains in a state of light withdrawal of the 5 senses (pratyahara) with four senses internalised, that is, withdrawn, and only the hearing still connects to the instructions.
Benefits Include:

• Relief from Chronic Stress
• Decreases Inflammation
• Reduces blood pressure
• Physical and mental balance
• Improves and stabilizes mood 

Bonnie Tomeoni has been a yoga practitioner for over 30 years and recently completed out 200-hr Teacher Training Program. She is a certified Yoga Nidra Guide.

Cost: $18/class

Location: A Gentle Way Yoga Center
8274 Parkway Drive #102, La Mesa, CA 91942

Sarcasm can be demotivating

Edited from a Facebook meme (cursing removed):

My thoughts: choose your words wisely if you like good company, good behavior, good friends. Few things are as demotivating being darned if you do, and darned if you don't. This rang so true for me as a parent, as reflecting back as a child, and in a family where some members cannot resist being snarky, either as an attempt to be funny, offer back-handed insults, or even be passive-aggressive (or all). My armchair psychologist stood up sharply and said "Oh my, I never thought of this way! It makes so much sense!" 

Do no harm, the yogis say - to oneself, and to others. Do we not see ourselves in others? Can we not forgive small transgressions? Can we be uplifting instead of destructive? Must we always tear down to release our own frustrations, or can we (use yoga) to dissipate that built up tension in other ways (more about that in another post).

I am guilty of being party to participation in this activity, and also been victim of it. I think we all have. It's time to recognize that, and work to be better. On both fronts, fully acknowledged.

United National Committee for IDOY - Light on Light Magazine

Jo-San Arnold and I are so proud to have been asked by the International Day of Yoga Committee at the U.N. to contribute to the special world-wide edition of their Light-on-Light magazine about sharing Accessible Yoga with the community, and the International of Day of Yoga.

Click this link
https://tinyurl.com/y72pjwhd
to read both articles (the images below might not show clearly)

(NOTE: There is an error in my article. My class is not at Casa de Oro, it is at El Cajon Library; click here for details)

Here is a link to the entire magazine for your reading pleasure: https://issuu.com/unityearth/docs/lightonlight_un_idy

I want to extend special personal thanks to the following people for inspiring me to learn about yoga and share the knowledge:
Jivana Heyman Karen O'Donnell Clarke, Judith Hanson Lasater Shelby Lafrinere Kaitlyn Asken Melissa Anne Booker Matthew W. Sanford Jivana Heyman Leslie Kazadi Steffany Moonaz Anne Joseph Gretchen Mallios Amy Wheeler Yoga Rachel Krentzman Shawnee Thornton Hardy Jodi Komitor Debbie Williamson Chelsea Roff Shakta Khalsa

Support for caregivers

Be your own best advocate. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/caregiver/