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Ana Lopez and Joanna Davis practice their meditation techniques at Riverwalk Park.

Kylie Hendrickson

Kylie Hendrickson

Ana Lopez and Joanna Davis practice their meditation techniques at Riverwalk Park.

Kylie Hendrickson, Reporter March 16, 2017

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Throughout the past few years there has been a surge in selfdiscovery with people wanting to learn more about yoga, meditation, and the metaphysical. It has become easier and easier to find classes that cater to these demands in most cities.

Specifically, with meditation, there are various types of techniques that accommodate with what the person seeks or needs. Mindfulness meditation, guided visualization, transcendental meditation, heart rhythm meditation, kundalini, qi gong, and zazen are just to name a few techniques available to learn. Meditation has been around for many thousands of years, and there has been numerous studies stating its effectiveness with stress and mental health.

The simplest form is merely just sitting with eyes closed and focusing on breathing, while holding your breath for a few seconds and exhaling.

Crystal Gonzales, 30, from Bakersfield, is a freelance makeup artist and wardrobe stylist, and has been practicing meditation for four years.

I believe that meditation helps me focus on the direction of my life. I set my intentions while meditating, I focus my thoughts on positive outcomes, and I guide myself, she said.

Gonzales said she practices her meditation wherever she can. I practice meditation on my own in my car, in my room, or really anywhere I can focus my thoughts, she said. Rachel Winn, 28, from La Grande, Oregon, is a photographer who also specifically encompasses her three years of experience with meditation.

I started attending a Buddhist gathering on a monthly basis. I had a lot of anxiety as a college student, with a new relationship that included being a stepmom, and my Buddhist teachers recommended that I try meditating on a daily basis to start my day off positively, she said through social networking.

Winn proceeded to express her thoughts on how meditation has personally helped with her anxiety and stress.

Meditating helps me relieve anxiety and helps me feel grounded. It improves my mood instantly, which in turn makes me a better partner, mother, and business owner, she said. It helps me clear my mind of all the negative voices and focus on the positive and the silver linings of lifes roadblocks.

Whether people want to practice meditation on their own or in class, there are plenty of options. Enchanted Cottage is just one place in Bakersfield that holds classes monthly and offers different types of the aforementioned meditation techniques. Every Saturday morning from 10-11 a.m., and every Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. These classes are $5 each session and are held by two different instructors.

Marcia Cox instructs the Saturday morning classes, which are specialized in guided meditation, and Wednesday evening classes are held by Tracy MacLaren who teaches Zen mindfulness meditation. Mudras are also involved in some of these techniques, which is a certain way the hands and fingers are placed during meditating. Mudras are believed to affect the flow of energy in the body and unblock chakras.

Chakras are also a big presence within meditation and are used quite often. The seven chakras are believed to be the centers in our bodies in which energy flows through. During meditation, these chakras are visualized when practicing the breathing techniques to create a positive flow of energy within oneself. Enchanted Cottage can be found in Bakersfield at 30 H Street and can also be found on Facebook to view their monthly events and classes available.

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Enchanted meditation techniques - Renegade Rip

What better way to unwind than a mass meditation with over a thousand other peoplefrom across the country?

The Big Quiet, an organization that brings meditation to the masses, is hosting a mass meditation and sound experience event in New York City on March 19 that sounds as relaxing as it does awesome; but dont book your plane tickets just yet. While the real-life event takes place at the One World Observatory atop One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere the Historic Third Wards Kimpton Journeyman Hotel brings the event local on the hotels rooftop Sunday evening.

The meditation trend is no foreign concept inMilwaukee. Recently,West Milwaukee Intermediate School implemented Mindful Mondays and now frequently begins classeswith a mindful minute. At local non-profit Growing Minds, instructors guide their young students through sun salutations after they sing in unison about their chakras.More and more wellness studios are popping up around the city than ever before.

Milwaukee is one of seven North American locations to host The Big Quiet via livestream. The night begins with a community-led meditation followed by a live streaming of the NYC event around 9 p.m. Later in the evening, enjoy a reception featuring music by local string musicians and locally-made tea provided by Urbal Tea.

Third Ward athleisure boutique Kit and Ace (which also has NYC locations) is collaborating with The Big Quiet to make the event possible. The brand, an offshoot of Lululemon Athletica, is a natural fit for the mass-meditation event; their online magazine The Antefeatures stories such as How to Use Mindfulness to Break Your Bad Habits and How to Meditate Anywhere.

The group meditation at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel is free and open to the public, but attendees must make reservations through Eventbrite.

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Feeling Antsy? You Can Meditate with a Thousand Other People This Sunday - Milwaukee Magazine

Linda Cohen, Special for The Republic | azcentral.com 11:35 a.m. MT March 15, 2017

A woman is in a sitting meditation on the grounds of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) Retreat Center in Barre, Mass.(Photo: Insight Meditation Society/Associated Press)

Question:

I am very upset right now. I am 22 years old and doing well in my career. I'm a capable and intelligent woman, but I'm having a difficult time with my family.

We are a close extended family and get together often for family dinners.At one of these dinnersI told the family that I'm doing a lot of meditation with a group and love it.The family went ballistic when I said this and the reaction was over the top.They accused me of joining a cult and likened it to the Jones Massacre of many years back.It wasn't just a few in the familybut the entire group that jumped on it.

I told them I wasn't changing my religion (and the family isn't very religious), but that the benefit to me was feeling relaxed, grounded, more energetic, and increased decision-making skills.

This made no difference to my family.I get phone calls several times a week giving me lectures, and I've even declined dinner invitations because I feel bullied.I might mention that as a family we don't generally have this kind of behavior so it's of great concern to me.

MORE FROM LINDA:Is my son-in-law an alcoholic?|Boy is taking dad's breakup hard|Mom feels sacked at Super Bowl party

I am the baby in the family and don't know if that makes any difference, but I feel like lying about the whole thing and telling everyone that I've quit the group.

By the way, the people in the meditation group are all educated and successful people and do practice their born religions while embracing the practices of meditation.I don't know what to do but I feel a lot of condemnation from the people I love the most.

Meditation Madness

Dear Meditation Madness:I admit the family is behaving in an emotionally "over the top" manner and seems to be totally ignorant of the benefits of a meditative practice (I'm a practitioner myself).It's safe to say that billions of people globallypractice meditation, and in most of these countries there is a high "happiness quotient."This is the case in Bhutan, which is a country noted for its Gross National Happiness and where meditation is a way of life.

Have you asked the family why they are so against this practice? I can't imagine a response that would justify their extreme reaction.

You must feel so disappointed because you were trying to share something meaningful to you with people you care about.

Here's the kicker:You are an adultand don't need the approval of your family to follow what is important to you and your well-being.I suspect that your family's opinion has weighed heavily in other areas of your life. It's fine to listen to opinion, but in the end YOU have to make the decisions that benefit your life.

If the subject is raised at the next family gathering, just be assertive and let everyone know that you will follow your heart and that the subject is closed.

I might even suggest inviting them to a meditation session, or download some meditations from the Internet (there are many choices).If only one of your relatives follows suit and sees the benefit the rest might just let it lie. All you need is one ally and the whole situation will be history.

Remember, you are an adult and don't need approval from anyone but yourself.

Linda Cohen is a Scottsdale life coach and Arizona licensed professional therapist with a specialization in marriage andfamily therapy. Do you have a question about life challenges?Send it to "Ask Linda," c/o suzanne.lambert@arizonarepublic.com. Questions will be published anonymously.

Read or Share this story: http://azc.cc/2mK4egm

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Family goes beserk over practice of meditation - AZCentral.com

JOHN BOYNTON

Last updated09:52, March 17 2017

John Boynton / Stuff.co.nz

Tess Moeke Maxwell has written a meditation book and launched an app inspired by her partner Nette Scurr's breast cancer journey.

NetteScurr was in search of peace.

After being diagnosed with grade three breast cancer in 2015, Scurr wantedclarity before she underwenther mastectomy surgery.

Scurr, who lives in Waiuku with her partner Tess Moeke Maxwell, is a nurse who hasbeen part ofbreast cancer research projects and has also worked in palliative care.

JOHN BOYNTON/FAIRFAX NZ

Tess Moeke Maxwell, left, and her partner Nette Scur. Their new resources mix New Zealand's natural landscape with meditation readings and Maori mythology.

Despite fearing she had breast cancer, Scurr waited a long time before going for a mammogram.

After shewas diagnosed, Scurr started to meditate withMoeke Maxwell to help ease her anxiety.

"She found her mind calmed down by doing the simple meditations and daily affirmations," Moeke Maxwell said.

On a sunny afternoon, while drinking coffee in a central Auckland cafe and reading their meditationbook, Scurr said something that struck Moeke Maxwell.

"I looked over at her and she saidTessI'm the happiest I've ever been."

Moeke Maxwell said Scurrwanted to shareher story about how meditation helped to calm her mind and the idea to write Stars of Aroha was born.

The book was released last year, and the full version of the app launched this month.

Every meditation in Stars of Arohaisbased aroundthe New Zealand environmentand includes Maori mythology stories, meditation readings and original music.

MoekeMaxwell has a background in psychology and womenand gender studies and said she was raised with a strong sense of spirituality.

"We were big believersin wairua and the continuation of life - for me that's just a natural part of who I am as a Maori woman."

Stars of Aroha,Moeke Maxwell saidcould help a range of people - from those suffering with illness,mental health issuesor people with anxiety.

"Ordinary people who are just struggling with the everyday challenges that lifebrings - problems with relationships, problems with kids, financial stresses, stress with jobs."

She turned to kaumatua for advice on the book and said shemixed her personalviews as a Maori womanwith acontemporary sense of spirituality andmeditation discourse.

"I felt it was a taonga and I needed to nurture it.

"I'm not a tohunga, I'm not a kaumatua or anything like that but I listen to my tupuna and they guide me."

In October last year, the couple's phone started to ring off the hook when Moana Te Oriwa Papa shared her story with The Listenerabout how the book had helped her cope with meta static breast cancer.

Te Oriwa Papa died last month, and the couple never got to meet her.

"We cried - I still cry," Maxwell Moeke said.

"To write a little book and to help a beautiful woman like that."

Moeke Maxwell said she hopedthe book couldhelp others along their journey.

"We're new at this so I think we're trying to present something in a very simple way.

"Trying to help people that are unfamiliar with trying to calm their mind."

-Stuff

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Waiuku couple launch meditation book and app in quest to help others find peace - Stuff.co.nz

CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) - The Air Force has identified a Novi airmen as one of the three killed during a training exercise on Tuesday in New Mexico.

Capt. Andrew Becker, from Novi, was killed in the training accident in eastern New Mexico. The 33-year-old pilot was killed along with 29-year-old Capt. Kenneth Dalga from Goldsboro, North Carolina, and 26-year-old co-pilot, 1st Lt. Frederick Dellecker from Daytona Beach, Florida.

All three were assigned to the 318th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon.

The cause of the single-engine U-28A's crash near the Clovis Municipal Airport is under investigation.

Col. Ben Maitre, commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing, says the unit's thoughts and prayers are with families and friends of those killed.

Col. Maitre said during a news conference Wednesday that it would be premature to speculate on what caused the crash. He said there was no indication of any problems with the plane, and weather reports for the area suggested clear skies.

"Right now, we're working to secure all of the data from the wreckage and the documentation that went into the preparation and conduct of that sortie," Maitre said.

Investigators also are reviewing maintenance records for the plane.

Maitre described the U-28A as reliable, saying that type of aircraft is used thousands of hours a year and that crew members fly hundreds of hours annually to maintain their proficiency with the plane and its systems.

Capt. Brandon Baccam, chief spokesman for the wing, said the crew was assigned to the 318th Special Operations Squadron, part of the 27th Special Operations Wing based a Cannon.

The wing's units use several types of aircraft to perform missions that include personnel transport, combat support, aerial refueling of helicopters, close air support and drone operations.

Officials said use of the Clovis airport was part of the training mission, but additional information on the mission and circumstances of the crash itself were not immediately available.

The crash caused a fire that was extinguished by local firefighters, officials said.

Two large pieces of the aircraft, including the tail section, were visible Wednesday morning at the crash scene.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss within our Air Commando family," Maitre said. "Our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends affected by this tragedy, and our team is focused on supporting them during this difficult time."

Cannon has about 5,800 military personnel and civilian employees.

It has been several years since the base has had a fatal crash, Maitre said.

The last deadly crash involving a U-28A occurred in Africa in 2012 as the plane was returning from an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission for the war in Afghanistan. Four airmen were killed.

An Air Force fact sheet says the U-28A is used for tactical airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of special operations forces. The plane typically has a four-member crew of two pilots, a combat systems officer and a tactical systems officer.

According to the fact sheet, the U-28A "evolved from commercially available aircraft that were purchased and then modified with communications gear, aircraft survivability equipment, electro-optical sensors, and advanced navigation systems." ___

Davenport reported from Phoenix. Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Originally posted here:

Novi airman among three killed in New Mexico training excercise - Fox 2 Detroit

New Year, New Beginnings Hari Aum,

We hope that everyone has enjoyed a relaxing holiday season and some time in the sun now that the New Zealand summer has begun. New Year is often a time of new beginnings, we've welcomed 2017 with the re-launch of our Parnell studio and laid the foundations for many exciting things to come as we journey through the year. What new beginnings or intentions have you set out for yourself? What seeds of intention have you planted?

On February 1 we re-opened out doors of our new collaborative space that we share with fellow yogi's at Yogatech. We are super excited to plant our hands and feet back on the mat and it's been wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces. If you haven't been to visit our new studio join us this weekend 11-12 February for EXPLORE Yoga, a medley of classes from both studios. Or pop in for one of our regular weekly classes.

Coming Up in February & MarchWe've a whole host of exciting workshops and masterclasses happening in Auckland and some re-invigorating retreats taking place in Ohui. Scroll down to see what we've got in store. Level 1 Teacher Training Intensive has also kicked off in Ohui this month, with our Part-Time Teacher Trainings soon to follow. Want to know more about becoming a teacher or taking a teacher training to deepen your practice? Come to our TTC Intro where we'll give you a taster and answer all your burning questions.

Sannyas is being initiated into the process of developing freedom of mind, recognising the means to develop this through renunciation. For many people renunciation means to not have lots of acquisitions and attachments to these acquisitions. But sannyasin is not limited to the physical realm of attachment, so rather than working exclusively on this level it's within the mind where we free ourselves from attachments. There is nothing wrong with spiritual aspirants being fully involved in worldly life, but still be aware of their possessiveness and attachment to whatever and to be quietly working away towards realising their essential nature. Read more

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Ashram Yoga | Bringing People Together - Home

On this occasion of Krishi Unati Mela 2017 inaugurated in Delhi on Wednesday by the Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh Ramkrishna Ashram, Nimpith District South 24 Parganas, Sundarbans won the regional level Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Protsahan Puraskar.

The total sum of this award is Rs. 50 lakhs in which there is a provision of one award of Rs 25.00 lakh at national level and 11 awards of Rs. 2.25 lakh at regional level every year will be awarded.

The decision of winners of this award was taken by the selection committee on the basis of nominations received from all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country.

The other winners at Krishi Unati Mela 2017 were Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) Dhanori Roorkee; KVK Badgaon, Vidya Bhawan, Udaipur; KVK Saharanpu; Divyayan Krishi Vigyan Kendra run by Ramakrishna Mission Aashram, Morabadi, Ranchi.

Awardees also included KVK, Mayurbhanj, Shamkhunta, Odisha; KVK Teok run by Assam Agricultural University Jorhat, CU; College of Horticulture & Forestry, Imphal; KVK run by College of Horticulture & Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh; KVK Baramati, Malegaon, Maharashtra; KVK Uttar Bastar, Kanker at KVK, IGKV, Raipur; KVK Virinjipuram, Vellore, (Tamil Nadu) run by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) Coimbatore and KVK Malappuram (Kerala) run by Kerala University.

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Ramkrishna Ashram bags Pt Deen Dayal Award - Indian Cooperative

You know exercise is good for you, but if you're over 65, which is best? A study from Mayo Clinic found that high-intensity aerobic exercise can actually reverse aging on a cellular level.

High-intensity aerobic exercise or cardio includes running.

Mayo researchers compared high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training and combined training in a 12-week study. They monitored molecular and metabolic changes in adults divided into age groups of between 18 and 30 and between 65 and 80.

All types of training improved lean body mass and insulin sensitivity, but only high-intensity and combined training improved aerobic capacity and mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle.

Mitochondria are tiny energy-producing structures inside cells. They change with age and activity, and tend to decrease, both in content and function, as we grow older. One result is we have less energy.

In the study, high-intensity interval training also improved muscle protein content that not only allowed cells to create more energy, but to also cause muscles to get bigger, especially in older adults.

The ability of the mitrochondria to generate energy was increased by 69 percent among the seniors and by 49 percent in the younger group.

"We encourage everyone to exercise regularly, but the take-home message for aging adults that supervised high-intensity training is probably best, because, both metabolically and at the molecular level, it confers the most benefits," says Dr. K. Sreekumaran Nair, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist and senior researcher on the study.

Study results are published in Cell Metabolism.

2017 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.

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High-Intensity Aerobics Can Reverse Aging Process - Newsmax

Whats next for Highland Park? A vegan beer hall apparently, operating under the name Hinterhof.

The news of the upstart operation comes from The Eastsider, who got ahold of some city paperwork to track down owner Matthias Brandt. A Glassell Park resident hailing originally from Germany, Brandt tells the publication that he hopes to soon open a 2,100 square foot indoor-outdoor beer garden that serves vegan German comfort food. The space, based on renderings provided, could end up looking like a big glass box of sorts, with string lights and the usual picnic tables outside and plenty of tall windows inside.

The space for Hinterhof sits on York, just off the core strip that includes the Hi-Hat, Town Pizza, and gastropub The York. Its a little-used former walk-up stand that has been off the market for quite some time, and now Brandt says that if he can get full city approval the place could be up and running by the end of the year.

Hinterhof 4939 York Blvd. Los Angeles, CA

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The Greatest Trick Highland Park Ever Pulled Was a Vegan Beer Hall on York - Eater LA

SAM OWENS | Gazette-Mail file photo

Tomi Bergstrom serves food during last years Meatout Monday supper at Bluegrass Kitchen on March 21, 2016.

The spring equinox marks the start of a new season. It brings about new life in nature and, in some cases, makes a great time to try something new.

On Monday, Bluegrass Kitchen at 1600 Washington St. East in Charleston is giving the community a chance to try veganism.

The annual Meatout Monday event is a part of nationwide Great American Meatout events, billed as cruelty-free dining experiences.

It takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Chris Higgins, a member of the Kanawha Valley Vegan Potluck group, said its great for someone who isnt vegan to try it and for those who are vegan to hang out together.

Vegans used to just have one or two options on places to shop and eat, he said. Now, you can go to a supermarket and they have a whole aisle dedicated to natural foods.

The entire menu that night will feature meatless, dairy-free foods and items prepped without the use of animal products. The food is all plant-based.

Open-mic night performances of live music or poetry will be held, and there will be coupon giveaways.

Bluegrass Kitchen also will run the feature specials all week long. Reservations for Meatout Monday are recommended.

The Kanawha Valley Vegan Potluck group correspondingly will have its annual MeetUp Monday at Bluegrass Kitchen the same evening. The group typically meets for potlucks to share food created by its members. Around the spring equinox each year, the group has a larger outreach event such as Meatout Monday.

This is for all ages and just a bigger chance for people to get together, Higgins said.

Reach Anna Taylor at anna.taylor@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4881 or follow @byannataylor on Twitter.

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Meatout Monday offers vegan menu for all - Charleston Gazette-Mail (subscription)