Blog Archives

What Does Home Mean to You?

9/26/2016

My heart overflows with enthusiasm for this huge announcement! EmbodyGR is starting its first outreach program into the heart of our great city, Grand Rapids. For the next year, Peri Jill Phillips and I, will be teaching a weekly class at Heartside Ministry and HQ Runaway & Homeless Youth Drop-In Center. Our intention is to expand EmbodyGR to offer community-based social impact programs that freely offers the healing practices of yoga & meditation to those who struggle with housing stability/homelessness. Teaching these powerful tools can help unlock real change in individual lives and in our community. We celebrate the opportunity to connect and serve in this capacity.

To begin our year-long journey of awareness, education, and action around the issue of homelessness, we have current ArtPrize artist, Loren Naji , coming this week to EmbodyGR! He will share the story about his installation Emoh (which is home spelled backward). His unique creation is not only art to be viewed; Loren is living inside his 8-ft. spherical globe made out of debris from demolished homes for one month. Emoh represents "our earth and the backward system regarding homelessness, vacancy and the fragile environment."

Be sure to show up for this special evening that will conclude with a walk to Emoh with the artist to view his globe home and continue our learning first hand.

So happy we are all on this "feel better do good" journey together! See you soon.

Big love,
Dana

September 27, 2016
***IMPORTANT: WE DO HAVE CHILDCARE. We will gather in the "TREE HOUSE!"

Who: YOU and friends
What: EmbodyGR free weekly gathering with special guest ArtPrize artist Loren Naji!
Where: TREE HOUSE - Fountain Street Church 3rd floor & Emoh 146 Monroe Center by Rosa Parks Circle
When: Wed September 27, 2016- 6:30-7:30pm speaker & yoga/meditation; 7:30-8:00 Emoh installation
Why: To feel better do good.
Bring: Your beautiful self.
Upcoming EventsSeptember

September Aquarian Sadhana w/ Susanne Schmidt & band- FREE!
What: Kundalini yoga, chanting & live music
When: Friday, Sept. 29 6:00-8:30am
Where: Overlook docks Reeds Lake Blvd
Bring: a yoga mat, a warm blanket, a meditation cushion, a natural cloth to cover your head according to tradition, and water or tea.

October
Heartisde Ministry- free yoga & meditation for all
When: Monday, October 3- 9:00-10:00am
Where: 54 Division Ave S. Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Bring: a yoga mat if you have one :)

"Frequently people think compassion and love are merely sentimental. No! They are very demanding. If you are going to be compassionate, be prepared for action!" ~ Desmond Tutu

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Art is the Prize

9/21/2016

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Yoga, meditation, service opportunities, music, & goodness.... all for free!! That's the EmbodyGR movement. Come on out this week and join Peri as she leads in my absence. You will be glad you did!

Important reminders:
- It's ArtPrize and parking is at a premium so be sure to leave enough time.
- We are in the "tree house" for the next 2 weeks!
- Sign up online for child care & be sure to cancel early if you can't make it to leave space for another.

Hold space for me and I will see you on September 28!

All love,
Dana

September 21, 2016
***IMPORTANT: WE DO HAVE CHILDCARE. We will gather in the "TREE HOUSE!"

Who: YOU and friends
What: EmbodyGR free weekly gathering
Where: TREE HOUSE - Fountain Street Church
When: Wed September 21, 2016- 6:30-8:00pm
Why: To feel better & do good!
Bring: Your beautiful self!

Upcoming Events

September

September 23-24: Oktoberfest West Michigan FREE!
When: Sept 23-24 from 12pm-11pm
Where: John Ball Park
What: Dance, eat, and drink! The event is free to attend including access to the festival grounds, music tent and food vendor area; however there is a $5 cover for an "Over 21" wristband which will be required to drink alcohol at the event.

September 24: Soul Pose
When: Saturday, Sept 24 8:30am-11:30am
Where: Devos Place and Performance Hall
What: A more pricey event than we usually advertise, but I didn't want to NOT mention it :)

The cool glow of blacklight creates the perfect setting for people of all experience levels to try something new with yoga. Participants will be connected by wearing the SOULBAND, an LED bracelet that allows you to become a part of the light experience. Each yoga session is led by a world-class instructor and mixed with fresh music, choreographed lighting, and a bit of lighthearted fun.

September 24: Ladyfest at the Lakeshore 2016 FREE!
When: Saturday, Sept 24 from 2-11pm
Where: Grand Armory Brewing - 17 S. 2nd Street
Grand Haven, Michigan
What: Ladyfest at the Lakeshore is an inclusive celebration of women and girls, focused primarily on the rich diversity of authentic female voices in the Midwest. We seek to raise awareness about global issues regarding women and girls, while growing a community of local and regional talents and perspectives.

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September LOVE

9/14/2016

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Ahhh September... You come into focus so slyly. One moment it's all things beach balls, bbq's & sunscreen, with summer's ease gently settling in day by beautiful day and then, seemingly, all of a sudden, bam... "back to school" items are on the shelves and we find the leaves are turning.

September is an invitation to shift energy, focus & intention. This is a month filled with reestablishing routines, reevaluating goals and recalibrating to shorter days, lower temps, and a new rhythm to our lives. It is a time of important focus- it's National Yoga Month & National Suicide Awareness Month. And in my opinion it's no surprise they are in the same month; I believe they go hand in hand. Over 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a mental illness at the time of their death. Depression is the most common mental illness. The practices of yoga & meditation are shown to play a powerful role in helping alleviate depression & enhance well-being. These practices are a pathway to approach anxiety, depression, physical illness/injury, isolation, and loneliness. Breath linked with movement, grounded in intention, practiced in community, is a perfect prescription for feeling better in our whole being- body/mind/heart. Please remember it isn't a "cure all" so if you personally struggle keep up with what your professionals advise while adding yoga, meditation, and service in community to your Rx for wellbeing! Yoga heals!

Since many of us directly suffer or have been indirectly affected by mental illness and even suicide, let us be open and honest about this reality. Though it can carry stigma and shame, both of which exacerbate stress and dis-ease in the body & mind, we at EmbodyGR work to open the conversation honestly, with compassion & a focus on healing. This work is crucial. We ground in love and belonging. We collaborate with the Mental Health Foundation, learn more aboutiUnderstand, get certified in mental health first aid. We do our best to show up for ourselves and others, we ask them if they are okay, and we do our best to offer hope and healing.

I am uber proud of all of us at EmbodyGR who, on September 10, lived out our mantra "feel better, DO good" at the Walk to Stop HIV. Many of us showed up to volunteer, support, practice yoga & walk. Some of us even sponsored walkers and donated money. It was good times for an important cause. As Ghandi said, "In a gentle way, YOU can shake the world.” And yes, we did shake it up with breath, movement, laughter, tears, a 3.2 mile walk... all in community. Together it is easier to do our part knowing we are not alone. That our efforts make a difference. That we become better people while doing good for others.

I wish you a smooth transition into our new month, an invitation to continually show up for yourself, and a collective call to being present for others to offer words of love and encouragement especially when life's challenges seem to large to face alone. Together we rise!

All love,
Dana

Upcoming Events

September 14, 2016
***IMPORTANT: WE DO HAVE CHILDCARE this night!!

Who: YOU and friends
What: EmbodyGR free weekly gathering
Where: Social Hall - Fountain Street Church
When: Wed September 14, 2016- 6:30-8:00pm
Why: To feel better & do good!
Bring: Your beautiful self!

September 23-24: Oktoberfest West Michigan FREE!
When: Sept 23-24 from 12pm-11pm
Where: John Ball Park
What: Dance, eat, and drink! The event is free to attend including access to the festival grounds, music tent and food vendor area; however there is a $5 cover for an "Over 21" wristband which will be required to drink alcohol at the event.

September 24: Soul Pose
When: Saturday, Sept 24 8:30am-11:30am
Where: Devos Place and Performance Hall
What: A more pricey event than we usually advertise, but I didn't want to NOT mention it :)

The cool glow of blacklight creates the perfect setting for people of all experience levels to try something new with yoga. Participants will be connected by wearing the SOULBAND, an LED bracelet that allows you to become a part of the light experience. Each yoga session is led by a world-class instructor and mixed with fresh music, choreographed lighting, and a bit of lighthearted fun.

September 24: Ladyfest at the Lakeshore 2016 FREE!
When: Saturday, Sept 24 from 2-11pm
Where: Grand Armory Brewing - 17 S. 2nd Street
Grand Haven, Michigan
What: Ladyfest at the Lakeshore is an inclusive celebration of women and girls, focused primarily on the rich diversity of authentic female voices in the Midwest. We seek to raise awareness about global issues regarding women and girls, while growing a community of local and regional talents and perspectives.

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Volunteers Needed for Red Project Event for AIDS Awareness

9/7/2016

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Would you like to help make the Walk To Stop HIV a huge success? We can use your assistance before, during, or after the walk!

Haven't registered yet? Do that first and support the Grand Rapids Red Project for the 24th annual Walk To Stop HIV!

If the above link doesn't work for you, please copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://redproject.org/walk-to-stop-hiv-register/

When and where?
September 10, 2016
Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids
Event begins 10 AM

We need volunteers for:

Setup: 8am - 10:30 am
Registration table: 8:30 am - 11 am
Route signs setup: 9 am - 11 am
Cheering squad along route: 9 am - 12 pm
Clean up: 12 pm - 1:30 pm

Please email Brian at brian@redproject.org or call 616-726-2785 to sign up as a volunteer or ask any questions.

And just a reminder - Red Project wants everyone to know:

There is a pill to prevent HIV called PrEP.
That a person living with HIV and in successful treatment is unable to transmit HIV to an intimate partner!
Syringe access reduces HIV transmission, and we've seen it's success in Grand Rapids!

Visit us to learn more, and I look forward to seeing you at the Walk To Stop HIV :)
Thank you,
Brian Keeley
Development Coordinator

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What Does Home Mean to You?

Art is the Prize

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September LOVE

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Volunteers Needed for Red Project Event for AIDS Awareness

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