Farmer's Markets are for Making Friends

One of the most profound differences between farmer's markets and grocery stores (besides the obviously locally grown/made vibe) is the strong social aspect. Grocery stores are less social, most people adhere to the "ignore everyone else" pretense. Farmer's markets are inherently social, where growers, producers, chefs, musicians and discerning shoppers mix and banter, sharing pieces of themselves as well as exchanging goods and money.


Here's my new friend Mauri and I, Mauri is all positive energy!! She is the artist behind Sistahs Vintage Aprons (www.sistahsvintageaprons.com) in Albany, NY. I will be rocking Mauri's colorful and feminine aprons in my cooking videos for youtube.


If you've never been to a farmer's market, a well-rounded, well-established one, such as the Schenectady Green-Market is a lovely way to be broken in (held all year, inside Proctor's until the weather warms up, then in front of City Hall, centered right around the fabulous and hip Jay Street).


Happy exploring! Love~ laura

Everything is Consciousness

Let us guide our lives in a way that honors the Consciousness that is in everything and all forms. If we remember that everything in the world wears the gentle smile of consciousness, we cannot be so callous with human and animal lives, so quick to slice down a tree that has lived two hundred years, to toss our faithful possessions around and abuse them like ingrates and to treat the intricately living Earth like merely inputs to be manipulated.

We all felt the "aliveness" in the world as children. We are not wiser or smarter for forgetting. We are colder and duller, a little bit dead when we give up acknowledging the beingness of all that is.

Life is vibrant and miraculous when we live with wonder, gratitude, patience, and respect for life itself, and everything that manifests within our experience.
To know this and live this is surely a path of yoga.
May all beings be free from suffering and have total happiness! May existence clearly sparkle once again in the eyes and hearts of all conscious beings!

Exciting News: interactive community calendar and farm-stay retreats

NEW COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF HOLISTIC/NATURAL/ART HAPPENINGS
Linked to our calendar page ( http://www.enlightenamsterdam.com/calendar.html ) is a new, open community calendar. Not only will I list the ongoing classes and other events at Enlighten on it, but other relavent community events as well. Not only will I list events, but it's open for YOU TO POST relavent community events ON IT as well!
All are welcomed and encouraged to post uplifting, eco-friendly and family friendly events on it: farmers' markets, art/music events, village wide garage sales, festivals, and family events at local farms or historic sites. If you aren't sure, email naturalmethodyoga@gmail.com to make sure that your event fits in. It probably does. I want us to be able to share important happenings in our area.

HOW TO POST:
Follow the link from our calendar/schedule page. To post a one-time event, click right on that date. A box pops up- enter time, event + location and click save. For ongoing events, click on the little circle on the top right area of the square for the start date. Make sure to set if it is a monthly or weekly reoccuring event. You can set an end date, such as in the case of farmers' markets, for example.
If you wish to share information such as your favorite local park, trail, historic site, restaurant (for vegan dining), energy healers/massage therapists, museum or other local "something holistic" or "something fun to do" that doesn't really fit in on a calendar listing, please email that to the above address. I will be putting together a holistic/natural resource, both for locals and those coming to town for a visit.

FUTURE SUMMER RETREATS IN THE WORKS:
We will be offering Summer retreats for locals and for those coming in for some r+r or a yoga immersion (especially those coming from Albany, Schenectady, NYC...).
We will offer one or two weekend retreats in June, July and August. They will be more for basic rest and relaxation. Then there will be one or two week long immersions offered in natural Yoga, aimed at integrating a Yogic/natural perspective in daily life.
We will be partnering with one or several local farms that will host our visitors/participants, providing rooms and delicious vegan meals with lots of local ingredients.
It is likely to be next Summer or the following which will begin this exciting experience, but we will be looking for farms to partner with right away, forming a strong relationship in the meantime. To suggest an organic/natural farm, email naturalmethodyoga@gmail.com
namaste!

Hindu temple~ Albany ~ tour + storytelling

Wednesday March 23rd, 6:30 pm
Hindu Temple, Albany Shaker Road, Albany
Tour the temple, then hear Hindu storytelling, and an open interfaith storytelling + listening circle.
What a beautiful experience- I'd surely love to be there if I wasn't teaching!
Namaste!

The power of Community

Community, the gathering of like-minded individuals, is important on the path. We infuse each other with strength, confidence and encouragement. We teach and learn from each other. When we practice together, our energy magnifies.


In Yoga, the term "satsang" is used, meaning "in the company of saints or high-minded people". In Buddhism, the Sangha or community of monks, nun and lay-practitioners is a fundamental component of practice in which we "take refuge" or find strength.


The Irish say, "it is in the shelter of each other that the people live" and when we open ourselves to the real give and take that is community, we find we are truly fortified. We grow stronger spiritually both in learning to give or sacrifice of ourselves and in surrendering and taking help when we need it. We see the inter-being of all things in action. We are one with the universe and each other. We are more whole then ever.
English is not always the most poetic language, but the word "community" is beautiful. Co- as in together, and unity- we come together to experience unity. It is also lovely the Om is in the center!


We are just Love in the service of Love, some say. When we become community, we see love and peace in action! Namaste!

Special Workshop Event: Simple Ways to Transform Your Life- protect your health + the earth at the same time, this April at ~ Enlighten ~

On April 21st, from 4-8 pm we are conducting a special workshop to raise funds for Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary (www.woodstocksanctuary.org).

We will explore our topic- Simple Ways to Transform Your Life: ways to protect your health and the earth at the same time.
We will begin with a gentle yoga practice and meditation for 90 minutes, then talk about the vast and amazing benefits of regular meditation + yoga practice. We will talk about simple changes you can make in your everyday choices to help the earth and protect your health at the same time. We will talk about the most profound way to protect yourself and the earth- through dietary habits. Learn what foods harm and what foods heal, learn how to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight without having to ever count calories or starve again. This workshop will give you powerful tools and information to protect your health and help the earth at the same time- and for the most part saving money too.
Our suggested donation is $50, which includes tea during the last half of the workshop. As with any of Enlighten's offerings, pay only as you can afford, so no matter what, if any, donation you make you will be treated equally.
Wear comfortable exercise clothing. Bring a notebook and pen to take notes, and those who would like a booklet e-mailed to them with the workshop info can request it at the end.
We are using this workshop as a way to serve the well-being of our community and at the same time raise funds for Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and their good work. They rescue and rehabilate and provide life-long care for the animal victims of factory farming. They give enjoyable and educational tours, allowing people to see and form true connections with the sweet and sensitive farm animals which have survived the egregious cruelty of the modern food system.
Tell your friends and co-workers, clients and aquaintences about this transformative event! For more information, e-mail Laura at naturalmethodyoga@gmail.com or call/text 518 866 3621.
Namaste!

Great Family Storytelling Event- fun for St. Patrick's day!

Told by professional storyteller Marni Gillard...

THIS Saturday, March 12, 2 p.m.
Troy Public Library
2nd Street (one way) and Congress St. (by Russell Sage)

We’ll travel with a young Finn McCool into his destiny.

We’ll tip our hats to Molly Malone in Dublin and see what her song/tale has to tell us today.

For sure we’ll meet up with Brigit who had a thing or two to teach her rich landlord.

We may help the Dagda retrieve his magic harp or watch the Children of Lir turn into swans
(with grand appreciation to my friend Bairbre McCarthy for help on these wonderful old tales).

All ages welcome.