Blog Archives

We are going on the road!

12/27/2016

Tribe of love and peace,Just a quick reminder that we are NOT meeting this week (Dec 28th), and our next gathering is a special event! Join us at the Delta Plex to do yoga before the Grand Rapids Drive basketball game! This is a pay to join event if you'd like to do yoga with us. Please sign up and get your ticket ahead HERE.

With a ticket you get access to the yoga session from4:15-5:15 and then a discounted ticket to the bball game! Proceeds benefit EmbodyGR <3

*** REMINDER: Our next weekly gathering at Fountain Street is January 11, 6:30-8:00pm.
(We are off this week 12/28)

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

12/22/2016

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by Peri

If you are feeling anything like me you might be a little burnt out from the inevitable chaos of the holidays. Christmas is always a nostalgic time for me as tradition is strong in my family. There is something incredibly comforting about predictability isn't there? As the end of the year approaches I know that I will be doing A. B. and C with my loved ones. Occasionally there is the random awkward interaction or argument but overall its written in the history books time and time again as an enjoyable and loving experience. As soon as the trees went up, the baked goods were in ALL the ovens, and as consumerism began, I immediately started thinking of all my HQ family

We discussed their plans and most of them weren't anything relatable to my life experience. Many did not have any plans at all and everyone else that I talked to were going to see 'chosen' family or an Aunt and Uncle. The overall energy surrounding the holiday was one of indifference and sadness. I immediately began to contemplate my privilege as I often do in these situations. It can be so easy to take these moments for granted, we all have done it

A young man attempted to take his own life at HQ last month and then immediately after two young men declared that they were going to commit a crime against a young woman. It has become clear that most of them if not all are living from a place of survival. Getting them to sit for small increments of time has been the only way to access these small moments of peace. If we do longer periods of time they get incredibly uncomfortable, this is when we use the rest of the time for discussion and reflection. Their lives are anything BUT predictable, which leaves them in an almost constant state of unease.

The happiest moment I saw them this month was painting. They are all incredibly creative individuals and it has been a driving force behind the mission of bringing them yoga and meditation. Through music and creative expression we have built relationships and trust and therefore are able to have those more vulnerable quiet moments.

Love,
Peri

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Time to Decorate Some Cookies!

12/19/2016

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Dearest tribe...

What a year 2016 has been. Through its ups & downs I must sincerely offer my gratitude for you being part of EmbodyGR, the life of our greater Grand Rapids community, and a light in my life! Without YOU I could not do what I do and we could not impact our world, making it better for so many people. It is only in relationship that we can know "self", and it is together that we grow & navigate this journey called life.

As the darkest day of the year approaches let us remember the light that resides within. We are the ones who tend to the hearth fire. We are the ones who kindle the flame. We are the ones required to keep a last ember aglow. As BKS Iyengar said with his words and life's testimony, "Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame."

Let us take BKS's words seriously. This Wednesday join in community, in practice, in celebration of the light within. And please, please, please... I have but one request of you at the holiday. Give the gift of our community to a friend who may struggle, especially at this time of year. Isolation is a terrible burden, so invite them to Wednesday night and share the light of EmbodyGR. No financial cost is required so allow the gift of EmbodyGR be one that can keep giving all year long, each and every week, to the next new person in our circle of care.

Important Reminder: Carolyn Koebel will be our special musical guest at our solstice celebration Wednesday! What a way to wrap up 2016! Immediately following our gathering we will be decorating cookies while sharing in tea and conversation. Bring a dozen cookies or frosting & toppings if you are inspired.

With love and light,
Dana

Upcoming Events

Dec 21, 2016
**We have child care! Sign up on-line.

Who: YOU & all yo people
What: Winter Solstice Celebration w/ Carolyn Koebel
Where: Fountain Street Church Social Hall
When: Wed. Dec 21, 2016 6:30-8:00pm
Why: Celebrate the light within!

Bring: Cookies, frosting and/or toppings if inspired!

December 28- NO EmbodyGR

January

January 4th - Grand Rapids Drive Yoga Night!
Yoga before the basketball game! 4:15-5:15pm @ the Delta Plex. $15 discounted reserved tickets.

January 20-21- Women's March On Washington- cost $150 chartered bus through FSC March DC:

Quote for the Week

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” ~ Albert Camus

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Exploring Gratitude

12/15/2016

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November & December are difficult months for many due to the holidays, and this is especially true for those who struggle day to day on the streets of Grand Rapids.

Everyday our homeless in GR face challenges of basic needs survival, yet at the holidays there is an added element of isolation and stress.

Though I cannot personally change their situations, I offer them tools each week that assist them in coping with daily life.

One tool is gratitude. We discussed its importance as a practice and that is how we opened our circle each week. I asked every participant over 2 months for what or whom they are grateful which they then shared with the group.

The answers were similar:

‘I am grateful I woke up and took a breath.’

“Grateful for my relationship with God.’

‘Grateful for hot coffee.’

Simple, yet profound gratitude that unites people. From a place of gratitude, everyone was able to take a deeper breath in and a longer exhale out. People found a way to access inner peace amidst a chaotic outer environment. I taught them a meditation taught to me by Gabby Bernstein “peace begins with me.”

Utilizing the practices of gratitude, breath, mantra meditation, and simple movement people softened their edges, relaxed the furrow from their brow, and found a sense of ease in their bodies if only for a few moments. All participants reported feeling better. One man came out of meditation exclaiming “I am clean of mind and spirit.”

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Are you making the right choice this holiday?

12/5/2016

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Happy December! As 2016 winds down, let your commitment to yourself and your personal work amplify. When the holidays tend to drain people, let your community and the practices of yoga, meditation & service fill you up! Let us not simply "survive" the holidays, let's "thrive" by giving ourselves the gift of experiences for body, mind and heart. Only then can we withstand any struggle that likely will come our way gracefully and fully celebrate & appreciate all the moments of goodness! Choose joy! As Larry Wilmore says, "Joy is an act of resistance." Let the flame of joy burn brightly! As the days shorten and become darker, may your soul's fire burn more brightly! Shine on!

Won't you choose YOU this holiday season?

With light & joy!
dana

Upcoming Events

Dec 7, 2016
**We have child care! Aubrey is back! Sign up on-line.

Who: YOU and your beloved
What: EmbodyGR FREE yoga, meditation & service
Where: Fountain Street Church Social Hall
When: Wed. Dec 7, 2016- 6:30-8:00pm
Why: Stoke the fire of joy!

Dec 14, 2016
**We have child care! Sign up on-line.

Who: YOU and friends
What: EmbodyGR FREE yoga, meditation & service
Where: Fountain Street Church Social Hall
When: Wed. Dec 14, 2016- 6:30-8:00pm
Why: Feel better do good

December

December 21- EmbodyGR Solstice Celebration with special guest musician Carolyn Koebel

December 28- NO EmbodyGR

January

January 4th - Grand Rapids Drive Yoga Night!
Yoga before the basketball game! 4:15-5:15pm @ the Delta Plex. $15 discounted reserved tickets.

January 20-21- Women's March On Washington- cost $150 chartered bus through FSC March DC