URBivore

Korean lunch boxes

Korean lunch boxes, originally uploaded by BKMD.

I was strolling through Korean town in Manhattan, 32nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

If I wasn't carrying enough, and running some errands, I would have bought some kim chi.

Cast iron teapot

Cast iron teapot
Originally uploaded by BKMD

This was the Christmas present from my sister Camille, along with a generous assortment of teas.

It holds a whole 32 ounces (one quart in my estimation), which is fine by me because I never limit myself to the standard 8-oz. cup.

This TeaTimer is a useful widget for adjusting the steeping time and water temperature for different types of tea. You can download it at the Adagio teas Web site.

I recall I had a ceramic teapot, but this is in an entirely different league. It'll probably withstand the end of human civilization, so that an alien race, arriving at our planet Terra some far off date in the future, will dig it up and think: "Hmmm...they must've loved their tea."

A Christmas present from my sister Jane starts a new adventure

From Jane
Originally uploaded by BKMD

She's a yoga instructor certified in the Sivananda style, and she gave me my first class first thing Christmas morning at her house in New Jersey. I'm hoping to continue with the classes here in NYC.

I could manage most of the asanas (positions) to some extent, but I did have difficulty with "downward facing dog." The graphic on the right is a screen capture from an animation on ABC-of-Yoga.com. My arms began to tire while Jane was trying to get me to rotate my elbows back towards my feet.

So, now I've got to do the costume right.

Here's a recommendation.

Yeah, it turns out that my Calvin Klein brown check pajama bottoms and Bill Russell gray t-shirt worked for my first class, but Jane suggested during a long phone conversation tonight that I get something more clingy. The point being that in the near un-anticipated future, where I might be prompted to stand on my head, I wouldn't want this loose clothing flopping down around me.

And, wouldn't ya know this opens a number of non-traditional way to celebrate New Year's 2007. At Laughing Lotus on 19th Street:

Monday, December 31st 10pm-Midnight
New Year's Eve Midnight Yoga Celebration with Edward $35

Welcome in a Joyful 2008 with music, laughter, and awesome community at our annual New Year's Eve Midnight Yoga Extravaganza led by Edward. Begin your year with a spirited physical practice, moments to reflect and let go of the past, and inspirational, intention-setting visualizations for the year ahead. Join us for all this-and many other surprises-as we rock in '08 Laughing Lotus-style! Cake and a sparkling toast at midnight!

Or at Cyndi Lee's studio:

New Year's Eve Class with Cyndi Lee

December 31, 2007
from 5:30 - 8 pm

Cost:
$40

Come join Cyndi Lee for an OM yoga New Year's practice that will help slough off the stress of the season, ground you in the now and open you to the potential of what's to come.

OM yoga is a vinyasa style of asana practice, which invites us to experience everything as a continuous process of arising, abiding and dissolving, with each dissolve morphing into an arising of what's next.

Vinyasa is also sometimes defined as "placing things in a  logical sequence".   With these notions of vinyasa as the ground for our practice, we  begin to understand that each inhale and exhale is a vinyasa -- each day turning into night, every season, each passing year, each life is a vinyasa.

What a perfect way to spend New Year's Eve!  We'll integrate the beautiful, awakening practices of asana, pranayama, meditation, contemplation while surrounded by candlelight and inspired by the brand new OM yoga Mix 2 CD -- hot off the press!

You can come and detoxify before you toxify! or use this class as a reminder of the in-between.  (Treats will be served!)

All levels of experience or non-experience are welcome.  Bring your kids, your parents, your spouses and your best friend.

Or, at even here:

JIVAMUKTI 19TH ANNUAL NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION
Jivamukti opens its doors to provide a yogic place of refuge for all. Mauna, the yogic practice of silence, (yes that's right: no talking) will be observed from 9:00pm-12:00am. All the practice rooms will be open and available to provide a space for individual reflection on this special evening. At midnight we will break the silence with chanting and elevated messages lead by Sharon Gannon and David Life.  The evening will conclude with an ecstatic Kirtan lead by Lokah.  The band Lokah was recently created by to visionary artists, Sri Michael and Uma Nanda Saraswati.  They will be accompanied By Roderick and Anisa Romero of Sky Cries Mary.  Lokah's debut album, The Ivy Ceiling is a groundbreaking work, which fuses musical elements from across the globe; bringing together ancient Sanskrit mantras and hip modern beats.  The Famous Jivamukti New Year's Eve Yummy Vegan Chai will be served, along with assorted vegan snacks.

I like the idea of raucous chanting instead of the time-honored practice of getting pickled, alcoholically that is, and then finding the right person to kiss at the stroke of midnight.

Could this new adventure be transformative? It certainly isn't business as usual.