Author Archives: Jackie, The Baseball Bloggess

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About Jackie, The Baseball Bloggess

Loves the 4-6-3 and the serial comma. All baseball is good baseball, but when the Orioles or UVa 'Hoo's take the field, it's great baseball. Baseball historian ... because baseball touches everything. www.thebaseballbloggess.com And, for the Yoga ... www.peacefulhands.com

December 22, 2012 ~ Do Yoga & Benefit The Wildlife Center of Virginia!

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On SATURDAY, December 22, 2012 join me for a special morning Yoga class in Orange to greet the Winter Solstice and warm your internal holiday lights!   Join in some joyful yuletide Yoga flow!

9:30 a.m. at Peaceful Hands Yoga Studio our NEW location in the historic Silk Mill: 307A Madison Road in Orange.

This class will benefit
THE WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA! 

Your class “cost”?  1) Make a cash/check donation to the Wildlife Center of Virginia or, 2) If you prefer, bring a bag filled with helpful supplies for the Center.  Please choose items from this list:

Paper Towels w Tissues (no lotion) w Glad/Hefty Trash Bags (all sizes) w Dawn Dish Detergent (blue) w Ziplock Bags wDishwashing Gloves w Safety Glasses/Goggles w 10-gallon Aquarium wTuna/Sardines in Water w Canned Dog Food w Large, heavy duty “Kong” toys w Pillowcases w Basic office supplies: 20 lb. white paper, pens, padded mailing envelopes, dry erase markers & erasers.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia depends entirely on the generosity of individuals like us to support their life-saving work.  They’ll care for more than 2,600 wild animals this year.  Please join us & please be generous!

To learn more about the Wildlife Center of Virginia, their animals, and to watch bear cubs, owls, eagles, and more on their “addicting” online LIVE Critter Cam, visit them at Wildlife Center of Virginia
We’ll have a little OPEN HOUSE in the new studio following class from 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  You can pick up a nice last-minute stocking stuffer from my new line of Peaceful Gifts (including, finally, my hand-blended massage oil in take-home bottles!), enjoy some hot apple cider and a little sweet treat, and see the “OM-azing” space that is our new Yoga home.

If you have questions about this special benefit Yoga class please email me at peacefulhands@gmail.com or call 540.672.9528.

 

Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 2

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In “Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1”, I told you about the blessing that guided our Thanksgiving Yoga Savasana, our time of deep relaxation that comes toward the end of a yoga class.

But, you knew I couldn’t let class end without just a few more words about gratitude.

After all, each week I am filled with deep gratitude for the people who take time out of their busy days and lives to join me on their yoga mats.  I am so uplifted and inspired by the yoga practices of those of you who unroll your mats with me each week.  I’m overwhelmed by your coolness, your kindness, your wisdom, and your sense of humor and adventure!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And so, as in all of our classes, we end with a bit of stillness, a bit of meditation.  And … for our Thanksgiving class this year … these words:

“When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” — Wilferd A. Peterson


Feeling Blessed? Here’s more on gratitude from our Yoga classes over the years …

Click here for the timeless and inspiring Thanksgiving blessing from W.E.B. du Bois.  It is the blessing that I share at the end of every Yoga class at Thanksgiving: Give Us Thankful Hearts

Click here for the Gratitude Savasana and Energy Bridge instruction:Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1

And, here The Buddha explains why we should be thankful, click: So, Let Us All Be Thankful

For “Thanksgiving Yoga: Rekindling Our Light”, click: Rekindling Our Light

And, for a beautiful poem of Gratitude from Harriett Kofalk that served as the foundation of another Thanksgiving Day Yoga practice click: I Give Thanks

Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1

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This week was our Thanksgiving Yoga class … one of my favorite classes, and I love to share it with people who have been unrolling their mats with me for nearly 10 years now, as well as with those who have just come to enjoy and benefit from a yoga practice.

For nearly a decade, I closed my Thanksgiving Class with the beautiful and sweet blessing from W.E.B. DuBois “Give Us Thankful Hearts”.  If you don’t know it, I encourage you to give it a click.

This year, I offered two blessings.

The first came during Savasana, our time of relaxation and release.  While absorbing the fruits of our yoga practice we lit the fire of our true heart of kindness.  And, then we connected our warm heart light with the hearts of those for whom we are grateful … friends, family, and others … who inspire, uplift, support, and care for, and about, us through good times and bad.  We built an energy bridge … our heart connected to the hearts of so many others.

And, the blessing that guided us was this:

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”    ~ Albert Schweitzer

Of course, we needn’t wait until Thanksgiving to build an Energy Bridge of gratitude to those who care for us.  But, it’s a nice reminder just the same.

The Thanksgiving blessing for our meditation during class is beautiful, too.  So beautiful that it deserves its own entry …

Feeling Blessed?  Here’s more on gratitude from our Yoga classes over the years …

Click here for the timeless and inspiring Thanksgiving blessing from W.E.B. du Bois.  It is the blessing that I share at the end of every Yoga class at Thanksgiving: Give Us Thankful Hearts

Click here for another beautiful blessing that guided our meditation at the end of one Thanksgiving Yoga class: Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 2

Here The Buddha explains why we should be thankful, click: So, Let Us All Be Thankful

For “Thanksgiving Yoga: Rekindling Our Light”, click: Rekindling Our Light

And, for a beautiful poem of Gratitude from Harriett Kofalk that served as the foundation of another Thanksgiving Day Yoga practice click: I Give Thanks

 

A Flow Chart To Live By

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The best flow chart.  Ever. 

I wish I knew who to thank for this chart … it came to me from a friend (and it came to her from a friend … and so on and so on and on and on and on). 

So, thank you “Anonymous” for reminding us all that worry is depleting and serves no real purpose.  I suppose I’ll still worry but perhaps this chart can remind me to worry … less.

Enjoy your sunshine … whether it’s outside in your day or glowing deep in your heart.

Namaste.

Groucho, The Buddha Kitty

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I don’t usually post personal messages on this blog. That was never the point.

And, quite honestly, who wants to read about me? I’d much rather encourage your yoga practice and your good health journey.

But, today, I’m breaking my rules …

This weekend, I lost Groucho, my Buddha Kitty, who has inspired my yoga practice and made my heart joyful for 13 years.

For 13 years, Groucho rarely missed when I unrolled my yoga mat at home. Sometimes she just came in and sat for a few mintues, sometimes she laid down against my shoulders when I was in Shoulderstand … or walked in and out under me while I was in Upward Bow or Bridge pose. And, more than once she licked my nose as I was upside down in a Headstand.

Her favorite part was always Savasana and Meditation, when she would curl up under the blanket, or lay down by my head, or rest near my feet as I sat in quiet, just breathing, just being.

I will miss all the joy — and warmth — she brought to me. And, all the wisdom she shared.

In 2007, I posted some of her words of wisdom. And, here they are again. She may be gone from the earth, but her essence will always be with me. And, her words will continue to inspire me:

“As I was doing my yoga yesterday, I was joined by Groucho, one of my cats. She often sits in on my practices, patiently waiting for savasana and meditation, when she can crawl under my prayer blanket for a cozy snooze.

“Yesterday, I asked her in my heart to communicate with me, to share a secret with me. And, she told me this:

“I live. I love. I rest.”

I will miss her. She was one cool kitty and unrolling my yoga mat will never be quite as joyful without her there watching and hanging out.

I live. I love. I rest.

And, may you Live, Love, and Rest, too.

Namasté,
Jackie

Joy. Play. Peace.

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I always …

Wait, let me start again.

I almost always … (there, that’s better)

I almost always begin yoga class by asking those practicing with me to set a small intention in their heart. An intention to guide their practice … a small gift that their yoga can give to them. We come back to that intention at the end of practice, to allow it to unfold and blossom into a very real gift to guide us on our way.

And, then I offer my intention to all those who unrolled their mats with me … and, since a couple of you asked me to post that little blessing here, here it is:

May you carry your yoga with you when you roll up your mat.

May it bring you,

Joy, when you need it …
Playfulness, when you least expect it … and …

Peace, always.
Namasté
Jackie

Say Hi To RUBY

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The Wildlife Center of Virginia announced today that their newest animal ambassador — a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk — has been named RUBY!

Ruby was the top vote-getter in the Wildlife Center’s online “Name The Hawk” contest. Although, many votes were disqualified because of cheating and “robo-voting”, the honest votes were tallied and Ruby came out on top.

Ruby was a name suggested by a local First Grade class to honor Ruby Bridges, the civil rights pioneer who in 1960 entered an all-white elementary school in New Orleans and helped lead the city into the age of desegregation. Her bravery was a touchstone in the national effort to bring racial equality into schools.

According to the Wildlife Center of Virginia the final voting percentage was:

Ruby 35.3 percent
Twizzler 25.6 percent
Poppy 17.4 percent
Phoenix 15.3 percent
Cherry Tail 6.5 percent

It’s unfortunate that the voting was tampered with by computer hackers who dumped thousands of votes into the system. But, those unfair votes were identified and removed from the final tally.

Ruby, the Red-tailed Hawk, begins her new adventure now as a Wildlife Ambassador & Educator. She will be seen by tens of thousands of children and adults EVERY year.

She will join the Wildlife Center’s human staff in classrooms, at school assemblies, and other events throughout Virginia, to teach important environmental lessons and to help people see how we can be better friends to all wildlife.

And, as her name honors Ruby Bridges, she will also be a wonderful reminder to children of how one little girl’s bravery helped make an amazing difference in the work for civil rights and equality.

Click here to read the Wildlife Center’s official statement and learn how you can help Ruby and the Wildlife Center of Virginia carry out their important work!

THANK YOU TEAM RUBY! Your passion and caring made the difference. Thank you for voting, for spreading the word, and for helping this amazing bird honor a very special Civil Rights Hero!

Name The Hawk Update

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The Wildlife Center of Virginia should announce today the name of their newest education ambassador — a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk.

If you’ve been following along, the voting system the Wildlife Center used was hacked over the weekend by someone who flooded the system with thousands of “cheater” votes. The Wildlife Center was able to go through the records and identify votes that were cast improperly and unfairly.

They will know the “honest” vote count soon and I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.

I thank you for all your support for RUBY … and I’m hopeful our efforts to generate fair votes were enough! Check back soon … and I’ll post as soon as the Wildlife Center announces the winner!

Go Ruby!

Vote for Ruby!

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FEBRUARY 21 UPDATE ~ The Wildlife Center of Virginia’s Red-tailed Hawk has been named RUBY. Yay! For the results and more information on the “Name the Hawk” campaign visit the updated page: Say Hi To Ruby

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR RUBY! ~ Jackie

In 1960, Ruby Bridges, a 6-year-old African-American girl was escorted by federal marshals to a white school in New Orleans. Her bravery and willingness to be “the first” helped lead to the desegregation of New Orleans schools.

She was a young girl who became a hero of the civil rights movement. She faced death threats and the shouts of adults who taunted her and tried to break her spirit.

You may remember the Norman Rockwell portrait that immortalized her act that day. Click to learn more about Ruby Bridges: Ruby Bridges, The Civil Rights Pioneer

Here’s how we can honor Ruby Bridges and her bravery. There is a contest going on through February 21 at the Wildlife Center of Virginia – to name their new Red-Tailed Hawk that will become an education animal.

This hawk was hit by a car and, while healed now thanks to the work of the Wildlife Center Vets, it is blind in one eye and unable to be released back to the wild. It will make its permanent home at the Center and will be part of their traveling education program that brings wild animals to local schools as part of education programs about wildlife and the environment.

Last month, local schoolchildren submitted names to be considered and the top 5 names are now being voted on online. Among those names is Ruby, submitted by a first-grade class to honor Ruby Bridges.

Please vote to name the Wildlife Center’s Red-Tailed Hawk RUBY. You may vote online one time.

To learn more about The Wildlife Center’s hawk and the contest, go to Name The Red-Tailed Hawk Page and then click the link to vote.

Help this beautiful raptor remind schoolchildren of the heroism and bravery of young Ruby Bridges whose courage and steadfastness, despite powerful opposition, opened the doors of education to thousands and thousands of young people.

We just have until FEBRUARY 21 to make our voices heard. Please help give Ruby Bridges a wonderful tribute and help bring her message of courage to young people.

Vote to name the Wildlife Center of Virginia’s Red-Tailed Hawk … RUBY!

Thank you!

Health Is Your Birthright ~ A New Year’s Inspiration & Blessing

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No, not a resolution for the New Year. You know I would never impose that on you! New Year’s resolutions are almost always broken … through no real fault of your own. The chill of winter inspires hibernation, not a diet, not a new workout regimen. We demand so much of ourselves and can be so unforgiving when yet another resolution falls away when the many demands of daily life takes over.

Instead, I share with you a New Year’s inspiration … a yogic blessing that you might want to incorporate into your mediation practice or as an intention when you unroll your mat.

“Health is your birthright, not disease. Strength is your heritage, not weakness. Courage, not fear. Bliss, not sorrow. Peace, not restlessness. Knowledge, not ignorance. The person who aims for good health and strength of both body and mind is a gem among all humanity. Such a person possesses the true treasure.” ~ Swami Satchidanada

May your day be peaceful!