Becky Tarbotton of RAN.org Inspiration 1973 - 2012

Yes she is gone but surely not forgotten. These words strike the balance between science and faith, the importance of perseverance. the necessity of passing the torch, looking hard at the reality of our failures while appreciating the importance of victories. Neither Apathy, Cynicism or Idle Dreams stopped her. For me this address is pure inspiration and and a continued call to action for Earth. Rest in peace somehow does not seem appropriate. Her spirit is so strong! It feels as if she has just lifted off to do MORE! Thank you Sister!!! Surely you are dear to the Creator's Heart for all the gratitude you expressed via action. Let us do the same. Read her Vision for the Future here rans-vision-future

The Book Keeping Company of New York City Hosts Sleepinar

This is a recapitulation of a SLEEPINAR  for the employees of The Book Keeping Company of New York City held on Wednesday December 19, 2012 at their offices located on 27 West 20 Street in New York City. 

Practical Tool; Take the True Health Assessment
Thank you for liking and leaving your comments on http://www.facebook.com/sleepinar I conducted with Karen Yanku of Karina Yanku Healing Arts. It was an absolute pleasure speaking with all of you.  Let's keep the conversation going. Healthy & Prosperous New Year to You! - Ekayani

There are multiple factors that contribute to poor sleep.
According to Dr. Breus "the sleep doctor" some of the benefits of sleep are
* lower blood pressure
* better memory
*increased energy
*slimmer waist lines
*strengthened immune and endocrine system
* increased lifespan
Your B Vitamins help convert tryptophan to seratonin a hormone that effects sleep and mood.

Later Bedtimes = Weight Gain
*Try going to bed at the same time every night - at least as often as possible!
* Late night snacks and later bedtimes prevent weight loss
* Eating at 10PM a no no. If you must eat consume fresh fruit salad, health salad, or a smoothie/protein shake
* Eat breakfast and lunch so you are not starving by dinner time
Sleep Deprivation Leads to a Shift in Hormones that boost appetite and less of the hormone that signals fullness
* The body can't burn calories during the day
* Compromised immune & endocrine system
* Premature aging (and who wants that??)
*Weakend heart

Tips and Strategies to Improve Sleep

* Unplug and Unwind. Turn off all electronic devices in the bedroom
* Sleep in a darkened bedroom. Light keeps you awake as we were made to get up with the sun. Digital clocks, nightlights, iPads, cell phones, TVs, etc. interfere with your sleep pattern
* Hazards of EMFs and  Box springs - like sleeping in a microwave oven all night as the emfs are attracted to the metal springs in your bed. This is running through you body all night long when you should be repairing oxidative damage you were exposed to during the day. Give your body a chance to heal and avoid cancer
* Get bedding made from natural organic materials if possible. CocoMat, Hastens, Savoir, Futon beds
* Use cotton organic sheets
* Off gas your solidified petroleum bed once a week. Open the windows, air out the room.
* Caffeine & Alcohol - Cut back. An up and down cycle is started. Your drink coffee for the jolt in the morning but more than a cup after 3PM is going to keep you up at night. So what do you do? You go for that cocktail to unwind. When you wake up at 3 AM from a fitful sleep the cycle starts again.

Begin a Bedtime Routine of Self Care
You deserve it! Start to turn inward by setting out your clothes for the next day, preparing your lunch or breakfast. Make your to do list so you don't lie awake all night. Take a relaxing bath, get a massage of perform self massage. Increase your melatonin intake,increase your magnesium intake, make a sleepy time smoothie like this
http://thelivingconnection.blogspot.com/2012/08/111th-birthday-celebration-bernando.html

Your Nutrition Your Health Your Productivity
Optimal nutrition is the most important factor in staying healthy & having a functioning immune system that can beat cancer,anxiety,depression,fatigue,heart disease,obesity, diabetes and more. And it begins with your CELLS! Your body is made of 50 trillion cells that all have an excretory, respitory and reproductive system. Your body REQUIRES 45 vitamins,minerals and nutrients on a daily basis to remain healthy. For the sake of being targeted to your needs here at TBC of NYC I am focusing on just four (4) today.
They are
Vitamin D
Melatonin
Magnesium
Vitamin E or Omega 3 Fatty Acids

VITAMIN D The Sunshine Vitamin that is really a hormone
Vitamin D is a miracle. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends 2000 IU per day for adults. Notoriously absent in 70% of the US population including children the benefits of are too long to mention here but include normal brain development , function, cognition. Cancer prevention, mood upliftment (I've got sunshine on a cloudy day!), immune system boosting against the common cold. If you are an office worker, night shift worker or live in a big city where we spend the majority of our time indoors you need to look into this. If the winter is one long cold and flu season check into this. Dark winter months, shorter days, lack of sunshine can be counteracted with a high quality Vitamin D supplement. Usana makes an excellent version of this. Spending 30 to 45 minutes in the sun daily without sunscreen is ideal. Sunlight needs to hit the skin directly to produce D.

MELATONIN the Sleep Hormone and Free Radical Scavenger
 Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that decreases with age. By promoting sleep and inactivity while your cellular activity is at it's highest while you sleep it allows the odys natural antioxidant defenses to overcome the oxidative stress that occurs during the day from stress,sun,smog,emf's. Remember the body repairs itself at NIGHT not during the day. An excellent source of melatonin is PURE REST. It's not a sleeping pill and it's non addictive.
 
MAGNESIUM for Energy Metabolic function Nerves Skin Bones Nails 
Magnesium is required for more than 300 metabolic reactions many of which are important for brain function. Energy levels, good skin, solid nerves, strong nails and bones need magnesium. It works in tandem with Calcium and unlocks calciums ability to do it's job. Magnesium is the "keys to the car". Your cells cannot convert food into energy nor can they excrete waste matter properly without this fuel. Deficiencies can appear as muscle spasms, muscle cramps, menstrual cramps,tremors,acne,eczema, and "flying off the handle". Usana has a non shell fish or no bones sourced  vegetarian friendly bio available form of this.

VITAMIN E or OMEGA  Fatty Acids the Fat Soluble Anti Oxidant
 Protect your eye sight andbrain function with adequate in takes of Vitamin E. Vitamin E helps maintain the cells that maintain the retina. They help protect against damage to the sensory nerves, help maintain with balance and coordination. Also the moisture in the skin. For vegans and vegetarians this can be found in the oils/seeds of sunflower,pumpkin,chia,flax and olive oil. Cold water fish such as salmon,sardines,mackerel. It can also be obtained in a mercury free triple distilled supplement BioMega by Usana Health Sciences.

 

Imagine No Fracking Comment Period Ends Jan 11. 2013

Sign of the Times;  Imagine No Fracking by Yoko and Sean Lennon

In Williamsburg on  December 8th, 2012  I was biking to a get together when I spied this sign Imagine There's No Fracking Love Yoko and Sean . This is the new battleground and after seeing LINCOLN I am ready to type out my comments daily until January 11th . Why January 11, 2013 you ask?
January 11th is the day that the comment period that didn't  hear about up till now closes. The Governor the DEC , the Mayor of New York  really need to get a lot more serious on this and wake up to the fact that poisoning water is a dead end.  Really this should be a non issue...but it's not. I found this approach presented by UNITED for ACTION  to be a very creative way to reboot and send back to the netherlands with a resounding NO  the inadequate approach to poisoning our water supply. Drinking, bathing, cooking,swimming, gardening, recreational, habitat for wild life...life itself - all those things I appreciate and need.  Don't you? Come on New York let's do it again.. The consequences are death. Don't Let the DEC grinch ruin your holidays or your water supply

Thanks for sharing on google plus,twitter, linkedin and whatever social media you use.
Make beer? Have a farm? Love your children? Into the outdoors? Get concerned, get informed,get busy. It's up to us.

Meet Your Sleepinar Team - Profiles of the Experts

Meet your Sleepinar Team!  Sheryl Rosenthal AADP , Karen Yanku,Lmt, Maher Benham, certified JivaMukti teacher and Martha Graham dancer, and myself Ekayani Chamberlin Sense skin care expert. It's clear that North Americans are not getting enough sleep.Find Sleepinars on facebook.

The Art of the Lullaby - Getting Your Child to Sleep Through the Night an interactive for children and parents with Maher Benham

An interactive session for parents and children! Learn how music, dance and creative movement can calm and soothe you and your infants and children preparing the family for a sound and restoring sleep. Bring your family and join us for fun and relaxing session!

About www.hummingbirdsinstitute.org

Maher Benham is a certified JivamuktiYoga Teacher, a Martha Graham dancer, and the Founder and Artistic Director of Coyote Dancers, a modern dance troupe.Martha Graham gave Maher her permission to teach the Graham Technique anywhere in the world in her name.  Maher is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Shakti Raja Yoga and The Hummingbirds Institute, a program of dance, yoga and music for people with special needs.  She is now establishing The Maher Benham School of Dance and Yoga in Soho.

Effective Treatments for Restorative Sleep with Karen Elaine Yanco, LMT

Interactive: Learn simple self massage techniques for a better night's sleep.

* How A Bad Mattress & Pillow Can Harm Your Body

* How Effective Massage Can Mimic Restorative Sleep

* Circadian Rhythms - How Sound  Music Affect Sleep

* Color Therapy for Sleep

On the Web  www.KarinaYanku.com 

Karen has been in practice for 15 years. She finds that three of the most profound healing elements on Earth are sound, rhythm and touch. They are the most primal forces we humans resonate with, regardless of race, gender, age and culture.  A warm, reassuring touch or the sound of beautiful music can literally restore and lift your spirit, grounding you and letting you know that you are safe and loved.The mission of Karina Yanku Healing Arts is the discovery and creation of new ways to merge these powerful energies of massage and music to affect an even greater sense of balance and well-being.  Whether it is Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hawaiin Lomi Lomi, massage accompanied by live didgeridoo, vibrational sound therapy, or composing exclusive musical scores for OANAMASSAGE ®, she seeks to provide increasingly innovative healing therapies for the 21st Century, specializing in touch, rhythm and sound for the body, mind and soul.

The Importance of Sleeping in a Toxin Free Environment

   with Sheryl Rosenthal owner Broadening Horizons, CHHP, AADP 

Sheryl will be giving an introductory talk on positive changes you can make in your home and lifestyle to support your sleep, including an interactive meditation exercise.

* Are hidden toxins in your environment sabotaging your sleep?

 * Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Health and Wellness

* Setting Up for Sleep Success

On the Web  www.BroadeningHorizons.net

Sheryl Rosenthal is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Sheryl trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Columbia Teachers’ College. As a NYS licensed Special Educator with a Masters in Educational Psychology and certification as a Music Therapist, Sheryl has over 25 years of experience helping children, adolescents and adults improve their quality of life through step by step individualized plans based upon their bio individuality and lifestyle.

Night Renewal & The Care of Your Skin- Restoring the Look of Youth While Mending the Look of Aging

with Ekayani Chamberlin, Sense Beautiful Science Usana Health Sciences

Your skin is the largest organ in the body and is the barrier between pathogens and your internal organs. Protecting your skin from sun, smog, smoke, and stress during the day is just half the picture. Night time is the right time to reverse the signs of aging on our skin. Proper sleep and the right ingredients that hydrate, protect against oxidative damage and supply topical nutrition for the health of your cells are critical to younger looking skin that’s truly healthy from the inside out.

* Learn About the Importance of Beauty Sleep

* Learn How RegenisomesTM Enzyme Technology mends the look of aging

* Learn About the Harmful Effects of Parabens and the wonders of Self -  Preserving Technology

* Learn How to Protect Your Cells from Oxidative Stress

* What Does Nutrition Have to Do with Your Skin?

On the Web: www.ekayani.usana.com

Ekayani Chamberlin is a Sense Skin Care expert for Usana Health Sciences  a, pharmaceutical grade company that specializes in internal and external nutrition for optimal health. Her passion is educating both men and women about the importance of the nutritive value of what they ingest through the skin, the body's largest organ. Now 49, Ekayani got her start in fashion where she was exposed to many of the "top" products and found them to be expensive and ineffectual. A third generation healer, Ekayani's foundation for healthy living comes from her 111 year old grandfather, author, lecturer and chef Bernando LaPallo, who impressed upon her benefits of optimal nutrition, exercise and a positive attitude.

Miami Weekend with Synergy Yoga Castle Beach

It's been two months (September 29th, 2012)  since I performed a funky and healing house music from our album Yoga on the Dance Floor and Sanskrit Mantras (Glide Recordings) at Synergy Yoga Miami's new center housed in the massive Castle Beach on Collins Avenue. Aside from the usual report back on show attendance (good), level of engagement (great), level of enthusiasm (fantastic!), devotion (thanks Victoria!)  there were added layers to the entire weekend that were sweet, healing, mystical, cooperative, delicious. The wonderful thing about going on tour is the chance  to steep myself in the locality and the culture of the people. By nature it is short thus intense and for that reason more memorable. My four day jaunt to Miami and SoBe has been on my mind ever since I got back to Brooklyn so why has it taken me so long to write about it?  It is in part because I feel like I am still there savoring every moment. The above photo is of the view to the ocean behind the Castle Beach condos. A throw back to the days of 1950's idea of luxury it is large, massive and eccentric even with the valet parking.

  Healing Moonlight Meditation with Arjan Kaur

One of my new friends Arjan Kaur, a teacher at Synergy Yoga Miami was about to set up for a Moonlight Meditation. We rode up together and my usual reservations about participating dissolved.

Arjan on left & Ekayani

This was going to be my first one and it was outdoors on the beach. The weather was perfect. 86F with a slight breeze a huge yellow moon that looked more mystical than usual due to it's being draped with clouds floated above the water. In fact the entire time I was following along doing "kriyas" or movements with Arjan and the gang I couldn't help but feel I was getting a glimpse into one of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's past times, the enormous personality of paramount mercy who is compared to a Golden Moon. He was in fact the reason why I was in Miami. Singing about paha dui jana had gained me entry so witnessing this golden moon suspended above the ocean seemed to me to be non different from Sri Caitanya.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu in an ecstatic mood mistaking the ocean for the Yamuna river

As I had had a very late night Saturday with the concert and the (hilarious) drive home, my body was feeling the stiffness from extended travel and little sleep. I bowed to Arjan whose Greek wedding style shoulder movements had helped loosen my spine and made my way inside the Russian Turkish Baths the Floridian counterpart of New York's East Village bath house. Outlandish as it is with Roman statues, red glass chandeliers and labyrinthian corridors leading to various hot rooms, it proved  both relaxing and amusing. I was in good company with a show attendee who delivered a healing invocation that I had been hoping for regarding healing our waters. Read about that in Heart Technology here

Cranking Sound Collective Efforts Delicious Vegan Food Stuffs

Hire Chef Amanda Resto for your next groovy event. You'll be glad you did!

Being a non traditional performance venue the challenge in a yoga studio is getting a club worthy PA system.  Big thanks to Ray at 7th Circuit from the Moksha Family who donated a sound system that did the job . With  Len donating the club lights, Tato on set up, Serge who set up the projector we had a real disco! The joke was on Victoria Brunacci and myself who got to  the center at Castle Beach  ten minutes before the doors were set to open to a crowd waiting for the doors to open! So much for the general wisdom  that "everyone always comes late" in Miami. With the good graces of Vegan Chef Amanda Resto of Flameless Foods we had a feast that was out of this world! Sadhu (who posted the video below)  had purchased us a live pizza replete with black olives that I happily devoured along with her delicious apricot chia sweet balls reminiscent of laghlu's a specialiy from Jagganatah Puri. I enjoyed a walnut humus that was a welcome departure from the classic chickpea and Amanda's  delicious uncooked flax seed squares.
Hire this lady by finding Flameless Foods on facebook!
Enjoy this clip from the party. Ekayani on the mic while Victoria does asanas to our track Third Eye.

Relaxation Station or How I Threw a Sense Foot Care Spa Party

Tools for a Spa Pedicure

Who says business has to be boring and staid? Business is all about having fun with people you like to spend time with. Enriching peoples lives through self knowledge and a better understanding of the miraculous machine they are inhabiting known as the human body is very satisfying to me. To prepare for my Holiday Spa Foot Care Party I sent out  hand written invitations three weeks in advance by post asking everyone to RSVP 4 days before the event. This gave me plenty of time to pick up extra things I might need and adjust recipes. It also made the invitees feel special. Which they are. In North America today with rising insurance costs and a sub par medical system strained to the limit, there is an ever expanding audience yearning for real simple solutions to solid everyday health. Sharing this info can be as creative as you are with your special stamp on it. For example, I wanted a cozy fire but since we don't have a fireplace a Yule Log "burning" on the DVD complete with sound effects provided a soothing and amusing atmosphere while serving as a  backdrop for my Sense display. At the end of the party everyone was given the instruments we used plus an Usana magnet to gaze fondly upon every time they pass their fridge, a Winter Product catalog to shop by and a snowflake to decorate with.

Yule Log DVD Display

 What to Eat? Serve Healthy Snacks!

Get your hands off my vegan bars!

 Inspired by the holidays I served guests what I like to call Un-Egg Nog and Ginger Snap originating from Usana's Test Kitchen whipped up by the brilliant Diana Yin. Just using extracts and a few spices blended together with   French Vanilla Nutrimeal  I was able to offer everyone a complete meal replacement disguised as a decadent beverage without the sugar rush and insane amount of calories. It also opened peoples taste buds to a food based protein shake that didn't taste like chalk! Nutrimeal boasts only 250 calories per 10 ounce serving if made with a water  base. In bowls I placed an antioxidant trail mix of almonds (which are great for your skin) along with organic dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds making for a colorful and yummy low cal treat. Of course, Usana also makes a delicious version of this with the new vegan Go Nuts and Berries bar that is as satisfying as it is good. A great stocking stuffer or treat for the kids! Get them on the good stuff young.

Relaxation Station for Your Feet!

We have been through a lot here in New York City with Hurricane Sandy so I wanted to do a holiday party that was warm, comforting and inviting. The advantage is that it is easily worked into a weekly self care routine if not daily. Your feet carry you every day through life while suffering the indignities of wearing shoes that are too tight, hidden away from air, sunlight and the feel of the green grass. In the Big Apple our feet look like they have been run roughshod. Bunions, callouses and dry heels are the norm. Everyday you see people struggling painfully to walk up flights of steps from the subway because their feet are hurting them so badly. The concrete sidewalks are rough stuff and seems to have a way of showing how unkind it is no matter how fancy the foot wear. Using a simple tub procured at the 5 and dime,  guests placed their feet inside it  while I poured warm water with the antioxidant Energizing Shower Gel  over them. After a soak for 15 minutes, a gentle exfoliation with the metal scraper of the all - in - one home pedicure tool took off an initial layer of dead skin.

Guys Need Pampered Feet Too

After a rinse, a liberal amount of Sense Rice Bran Polisher was applied to the dry areas including the tops of the toes and heels.
The papaya enzyme is an exfoliator so it was allowed to sit on the feet for 10 minutes or so before being gently massaged in with the pumice stone. The rice bran polisher is full of orzaynol very rich Vitaman E  to further soften the skin and hydrate it. The beadlets gently removed more dead skin with the action of the pumice stone. Another rinse and my guests were marveling at how smooth and soft their feet were feeling and how relaxed they were feeling! After toweling their feet dry Sense Night Renewal Cream (that has extra emollients of A C & E in a shea butter formula) was applied.  If they felt their heels were particularly cracked Serum Intensive was applied which penetrates deeply into the layers of the skin. As a finishing touch everyone got a dab of Intensive Hand Therapy which Vanessa Soto, LMT, says is "the best hand cream"  she' s ever used. It's rich and absorbs readily into the skin leaving hands feeling nourished and protected without parabens.

Deck Your Halls with Usana 

 I placed gift ideas around the room add to the cheer and inspire thoughts of the specific needs of loved ones in the guests lives.  A trip to the 5 and dime revealed  lovely and inexpensive holiday bags and papier de soie embossed or printed with reds and golds. A Men's Shaving Kit with Rice Bran Polisher, Gentle daily Cleanser and Hydrating Toner to replace burning after shaves were just one of the ideas.

Paiges's Perfections Aromatherapy Candles

Inviting a special vendor who makes a complimentary product for guests to try and buy is a plus as it provides a well rounded selection that enhances what you are trying to accomplish. I invited local artisan Paige Graham who brought some of her seasonal creations like Red Berry Spice, Winter Spruce and Blueberry Cobbler along with her classics Earl Grey, Hot Chocolate, and Natural Lavendar candles. Paige's Perfections warmed up the room and added another dimension to our relaxation. Her candles are non toxic, hand poured and made from soy. Organic cotton wicks are used and no lead with a life of 40 hours. Check her out here : Paiges Perfections

Send Thank You's Send Info Shared

Finally don't forget to thank your guests with a note or an email no more than a week after the event. Include the information you shared during the party so they have that reminder at home. Provide links to recipes, tips and photos of your guests having fun. Providing sincere and quality service will grow your reputation for delivering what's good and expand your business through word of mouth. When someone has had fun with you it's easy to ask if they'd like to do it again or if they'd recommend you to anyone. Share the good life and be happy!

Share the good life and be happy!