Category Archives: true life 2008

Keeping up with the Yogis

disclaimer: I swear this post isn’t directed at any of our friends who teach Yoga. I point this out explicitly since I think 90% of our friends teach Yoga.

Having said that, last month’s Self magazine had an article, “Keeping up with the Yogis” that certainly reminded me of some people I’ve met.

More and more, I’ve noticed that people who practice yoga—which literally means “union”—are anything but united. They’re divisive and persnickety. Take one yogic experience I had in New York City several years ago. I was new to town and decided to check out a class offered a few blocks from my home. I walked in and headed for the studio when a guy snapped, “Excuse me,” in a tone of voice that clearly suggested I was the one who needed an excuse. Staring pointedly at my sneaker-clad feet, he said, “We don’t disrespect the earth by walking on it in our shoes.” I whipped mine off, but inside I was thinking, How the hell was I supposed to know?! Then I thought, Jeez, is it yogic to be so snooty to a newcomer? And disrespecting the earth? Puh-leeze. It’s linoleum.

Why would an activity that’s supposed to be noncompetitive and inward-focused turn people into such judgmental loons? My theory is that our culture has gotten so cutthroat that even spirituality has become competitive. And because many of us don’t belong to a tight-knit religious community, yoga has become a substitute for spirituality, a word thrown around like a medicine ball. Feeling spiritual used to mean more than simply treating one’s body like a temple; it suggested a call to social action, the determination to be a better person and, in some cases, to be closer to God.

Now there is only the body. And we persist in kicking each other’s asanas because we’ve convinced ourselves that exercise, which is not about fixing the world but about fixing one’s abs and thighs, is a higher form of truth.

And before you tell us in the comments that you only talk about exercise form X because it’s the best and you think everyone should know, do think about this:

More innocently, perhaps, when we natter on about the revelations of yoga, or any exercise fad, guess what? Everyone wants us to shut up. Because when you imply that there’s one correct way to do something (or when your husband goes on about the only way to clean one’s keyboard, not that I’m naming names) or you boast endlessly about a personal discovery (the way Tom Cruise raves about the virtues of Scientology), listeners cannot help but get hostile.

I’m not certain how long content stays up on the Self website and I didn’t want to lose those bits so I probably pulled out about a third of the article. Hopefully it will stay up in the free archives, it’s worth the read.

Greetings, St. Louis

It’s been so lovely to have so many nice visitors to my blog from Missouri. I’m a little slow in mentioning it, but I was pleased to have been linked by a blog from the Riverfront Times (the free alternative weekly for the St. Louis area) back in October. Even if it was to a post wherein I admitted that I’d spent my life thinking Sky King was a dog.

Aimee Levitt’s post, “Cooking for Your Cat: Sky King’s Marrow Bones” is extremely amusing, especially if you’ve ever tried to cook for a cat. The content of the Riverfront Times seems to be much more entertaining that the Washington City Paper these days (even pre-bankruptcy filing).

Foodbank challenge

Recently, PunditMom celebrated her 50th birthday by pledging to donate $1 to the Capital Area Food Bank for every comment left on her site that day. At the end of the day, she donated $110. I promised her I’d be matching her gift and issuing my own challenge. So here’s my challenge to you:

Do something.

If you want to match (or exceed) our donations, that’s fantastic. If you can’t afford that, give what you can (to a foodbank, not to me).

Issue a challenge to your friends, your co-workers, your readers, and your family. Set your own goals. Choose your own beneficiaries.

I could rehash ideas like skipping your Starbucks run once a week and putting the money aside, but you’re (mostly) grownups so I’m sure you can think of ways to set aside some part of your budget to help other people.

Although foodbanks are in the spotlight during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, hunger is a daily crisis. So, that means that although I’m issuing this challenge to you right now, you can act on it at any time and in any way you’re able. And you can do-good without even telling anyone if you don’t want to spoil your cranky image. The point isn’t to be virtuous, the point is to help someone else because you can. You can be virtuous if you want, I want stop you, but it’s not required.

If you’re fortunate enough to not have any idea how to find your local food bank, Feeding America has a food bank locator that’s very easy to use.

Feeding America also makes it easy to find ongoing volunteer opportunities in your community, so even if you don’t have any extra money you can still make a big difference to some very vulnerable people. They also have an extensive links list of local and international relief organizations.

Don’t forget the Hunger Site, which continues to grow and expand and has a store of amazing remade and recycled products that would make great gifts and help others and the planet.

Here’s another great idea that won’t cost you any money – look up your local Turkey Trot. Chances are good it’s a fundraiser for your local foodbank. Go volunteer. It’ll get you away from your family for hours.

Bonus.

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edited to add: Domestic violence and homeless shelters don’t necessarily show up in the foodbank database. I’ll write another post later in the week with suggestions for finding other local organizations, but a google search is probably your best approach. Remember that shelters for battered women rarely list an address, for obvious reasons, so you’re looking for their donation address and not their physical location.

hypoallergenic dogs

Allergists aren’t pleased with President-elect Obama’s search for a “hypo-allergenic” dog. The up-side is that it’s giving a boost to an issue that’s long vexed some animal-protection/animal shelter advocates – unethical breeders selling so-called hypoallergenic dogs to desperate families, many of those dogs then ending up abandoned or neglected.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology has issued a statement that includes this advice:

According to the AAAAI, it is a common misconception that people are allergic to a dog’s hair, and it is falsely believed that a dog that sheds less will not cause a reaction. However, allergies to pets are caused by protein found in the animal’s dander (dead skin cells), saliva or urine.

These proteins are carried on microscopic particles through the air. When inhaled, they trigger reactions in allergic people. As all dogs posses these proteins, there is no allergy-free dog.

Though some dog breeds are considered more allergy friendly, it is likely because they are groomed more frequently – a process that removes much of the dander.

[read the entire statement, which includes some advice for allergy sufferers]

The AAAI website also links to WebMD’s Hypoallergenic Dogs and Dog Allergies FAQ

Hypoallergenic dogs have gotten a lot of buzz lately as the Obama family searches for a dog to bring with them to the White House — without triggering dog allergies in older Obama daughter, Malia.

A quick glance at the Internet shows lots of web sites devoted to “hypoallergenic dogs” and “hypoallergenic dog breeds.” But no dog may be free of potential allergens, cautions allergy and asthma expert Corinna Bowser, MD, of Havertown, Pa.

WebMD talked with Bowser about hypoallergenic dogs and dog allergies — and what the Obamas might consider to help avoid triggering Malia’s dog allergy.

[read the whole FAQ]

The number of news articles that have sought advice from the ASPCA and allergists instead of some of the shady dog-breeders who make ridiculous claims is a positive sign. The ASPCA has made good use of this national platform to try to quell the spread of misinformation.

“No breeds are completely hypoallergenic. However, some breeds have a tendency to cause fewer problems — mostly those that don’t shed and need to have their coats trimmed regularly, or those that tend to shed less, said Stephen Zawistowski, an executive vice president for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Relatively common no-shed breeds include poodles, bichon frise, Portuguese water dogs and Maltese, but these breeds need professional grooming, which can be expensive. Other breeds that have a tendency to shed less are Schnauzers, Westies (West Highland white terriers) and Scottish terriers, Zawistowski says.”

I cringed when I heard President-elect Obama refer to hypo-allergenic dogs, but perhaps the public education campaign that has resulted has been worth it after all.

Happy birthday, Tracy!

I’m a day late in wishing Tracy Lee happy birthday. What’s worse, I spoke to her no less than 3 (possibly 4) times yesterday on the phone and never once wished her happy birthday. I knew it was her birthday, even. ah, well, if Tracy doesn’t know I’m a bit scatterbrained by now she never will!