For me, Chinese New Year is a nostalgic time. It brings back warm memories of my extended family gathered together, eating dumplings, drinking tea, laughing, feasting and receiving new clothes and red envelopes filled with money for good luck. The anticipation of Chinese New Year also brings about a feeling of excitement for the abundance and opportunities to come in the New Year.
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Over the holidays, I was particularly excited to receive a new compost bin from Wei and Gregor of Arogya. I know… this doesn’t sound like the most glamorous gift, however it will play an invaluable role in nourishing my gardens and a small but still important part in combating global warming.
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A few days ago, I published a blog about my recent visit to the Deenabandhu Trust Children’s Home, an organization in Karnataka, South India that’s committed to building brighter futures for orphaned and destitute children. Today, I’d like to expand upon the giving efforts of Anouk Prop, a psychologist, yoga teacher, and trauma-healing therapist from the Netherlands who has been volunteering at Deenabandhu for the past four months. I feel so fortunate for the time I spent with Anouk and the ability to witness her work.
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Over the past 10 years, I have been very fortunate to visit India 11 times. The purpose of these travels has been to volunteer, study yoga and meditation, and, most of all, explore and soak in the rich experiences this massive land has to offer. There is one place in India that has influenced my life more than any other. This is the Deenabandhu Trust Children’s Home, an organization in the rural town of Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, South India that provides care, shelter, education, and emotional support to over 80 orphaned and destitute children.
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Autumn is a magical time of preparation, transition, and integration. As the days become shorter, I notice that my skin is calling for more hydration, I’m craving more sleep than I do in the summer, and I’m catching myself contemplating the mysterious cycle of life as I see each burnt-colored leaf hesitatingly twirl towards the deep lull of Winter. Because the Fall can be very busy for most people, it is essential to listen to our bodies, and to honor what it is calling for.
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It’s a bold statement, but this DIY natural shower scrub made from a few common household items has changed my life. In addition to effectively battling mildew and grime, this cleaner is non-toxic and free of nasty fumes. Plus, it’s super easy to make. All you need is baking soda, white vinegar, and water.
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July is a very special month for me. Perhaps because I was born in the midst of winter, I can see this time of year from a perspective of craving the longer days, the warm sun, the sense of Nature’s vitality, and the relaxed pace of life in the summer.
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One of the countless things I love about summer is how the added heat and humidity makes my yoga practice feel even more cleansing, relaxing, and opening than usual. With the additional warmth and sun, however, also comes added precaution to take on the yoga mat as we’re at a greater risk of dehydration and overheating.
We hope the tips outlined in this blog can help you maintain a full and healthy practice all summer long.
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Though I grew up in Fairfield County, CT, I had no idea about the abundance of Ruby-throated hummingbirds that venture up this way for the summer. This changed when my younger brother, Charlie Plimpton, completely opened my eyes to an incredible world that exists right in our backyard. Charlie, who is completing his bachelor’s degree in wildlife and conservation biology at the University of Rhode Island this winter, has loved hummingbirds since he was a boy. Initially, he began hanging sugar-water feeders around the yard for these magnificent little creatures. A few years ago, he began cultivating a passion for gardening, which led him to create an ever-expanding oasis of hummingbird friendly flowering plants.
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For most of us, the mind can be a difficult thing to focus when we meditate, especially if you’re newer to a practice. Here’s a technique that can help rein that wandering mind in: the use of japa mala beads.
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