October 2009

It's been a very long time since I've blogged. My apologies. Summer has a way of taking you away from things that winter has a way of returning. Like returning to the warmth of the indoors and the computer screen. I've published a poem below. Hopefully it's the first in a series.

Ganapati continues to emerge. A small group of like minded friends has gathered around the project and blankets have been purchased with donations from the recent Global Mala gathering through the Anahata Project...Thank You Amy!

Be well,

cw

New Poem

After 5

The way this works:


I collect you with what’s left of my efficiency
Your roiling energy meets my limp

I have so little to give you.


dinner from a freezer
a quickstep through homework
a handful of pennies
perhaps a bath

I bought the shampoo with you in mind,

tangerine
to match your sunny sweetness

like a high wattage bulb, you keep the lights on in here

in this space, between the old life and our future,
we are building
a monument with scheduled blocks of time

to continually remind me who we could be.

Community Involvement

Below is a link to an article on the Hunger Task Force's website. This was a project at UWM that I was involved with a few months ago....can you find me in the photo?

http://www.hungertaskforce.org/donate/great_examples_of_giving.php

Be well...cw

Kittens and Commitment

We've got new kittens and we're pretty excited about it.  Lucy and Eve both have their own special kitty-both girls-Namaste (grey) and Starry Night (black with white socks and markings). Really cute and a little naughty-just like kittens should be.  

Yoga News

Greetings Friends,

It's been a busy spring and summer is upon us. Teaching at Mount Mary is over for the semester, but it begins at the Pink House! I will be teaching at the Pink House Studio in Riverwest, 2474 N. Booth St. Monday nights through June, 5:30 to 7 pm. Come Join us.

Work is in progress on promotional materials for Ganapati. Thank you Val for coming on board! We are planning to have a Facebook page to begin a network of interested parties both teachers and non-profits. Again, stay tuned for our launch party. It will happen, but we are getting some more things in place for the project first. Any suggestions are appreciated and welcomed....

Blessings, cw

Ganapati receives another donation!

The Ganapati Project wishes to send a big thank you to Tracy E. of Hartland, WI for her generous and kind donation of gently used yoga blocks, straps, and mats. I can't thank you enough! If you or anyone you know has gently used or new props that they would like to donate, please email me at christinewolf@yahoo.com.

The Project is actively seeking certified yoga teachers to teach 4-6 week yoga sessions at Milwaukee area non-profits. Also, if you are affliated with a non-profit that would welcome yoga classes for their clients-please get in touch! Please stay tuned for launch party information! All ideas are welcome!

Peace! cw

Yoga Conference Lessons

Recently I attended the Yoga Journal Conference in Lake Geneva, WI. I had the pleasure of having workshops and classes with David Swenson, Seane Corn, Nikki Doane & Eddie Modestini, Paulie Zink and other accomplished yogis and yoginis from around the country. Like any movement, yoga in North America is full of different kinds of people, seeking varied rewards and outcomes from their yoga practice. The conference certainly reflected the diversity of the yoga community. I have heard somewhat disparaging comments among more "serious" yogis and yoginis regarding the housewives in their Lulu Lemon ensembles, meant to be comical, but nonetheless are negative and quite contrary to what we as practitioners of yoga should be focused on. On the road to gentleness and compassion that yoga paves for us, we need to be mindful that there is no room for judgments and taunts directed at your sister on the mat. She is also on the road you are on, whether her journey be easy or hard, heavy or light. There is plenty of room at the yoga table for all of us, no matter the motivation for being there in this moment. Remembering all the while that the reason someone is bothering you on some level, making you react, is because she is reflecting something in yourself that you don't like. Those among you in your yoga class that may be more interested in comfortable pants than enlightenment are still there, seeking, being, trying, just like you. I found the conference a great reminder that yoga is a family of people that may have a lot in common or not, just like any other family-and that we need to celebrate that diversity of thought and being and find ways to make us and the yoga community stronger and not as a way to divide us into subgroups. There is a place for us-all of us. Let us live out the best gifts of yoga and be one another's "Artha" or that which supports the path.

Ganapati receives first donation!

Dear Ones,

I'm grateful and delighted to report that the Ganapati Project has received its first donation from follow yogi Barb Labisch in Milwaukee. I can't thank you enough Barb for your generous support. Her gift will be used toward purchasing the project's first yoga straps, 6 in all! If you know someone who would also like to donate either funds or gently used props for travelling yoga classes at area nonprofits, please drop me an email.

You may view the Ganapati Project Wish List here:

https://yogaaccessories.3dcartstores.com/view_wishlist.asp

The account email is christinewolf@yahoo.com; password-ganapati, should someone wish to make a purchase on-line.

Stay tuned for details on the Ganapati Launch party in May.....

This is the day we are creating...so be glad in it!

Peace and Happiness...Christine

A poem passed on from a friend...does anyone know the author?

go placidly amid the noise and the haste,and remember what peace there may be in silence.as far as possible, without surrender,be on good terms with all persons.speak your truth quietly and clearly;and listen to others,even to the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story.avoid loud and aggressive persons;they are vexacious to the spirit.if you compare yourself with others,you may become vain or bitter,for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.keep interested in your own career, however humble;it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.exercise caution in your business affairs,for the world is full of trickery.but let this not blind you to what virtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals,and everywhere life is full of heroism.be yourself. especially do not feign affection.neither be cynical about love,for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,it is as perennial as the grass.take kindly the counsel of the years,gracefully surrendering the things of youth.nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortunebut do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself.you are a child of the universeno less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here.and whether or not it is clear to you,no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.therefore be at peace with god,whatever you conceive him to be.and whatever your labor and aspiriations,in the noisy confusion of life,keep peace with your soul.with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,it is still a beautiful world.be cheerful. strive to be happy.

The Deep Meaning of Disney

Well, it's been another crazy trip.  Here I am with a hippo skull at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  I must admit I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. We made it through with only a moderate bout of stomach flu at the end-poor Lucy-I think we'll be able to make the plane tomorrow.  We had sun, blue sky, and about 70 degrees the whole time.  No travel drama really, but some big, unexpected crowds at Disney.  Economy be damned!

More than anything I've been struck by why my expectations were so low for this first trip to Disney with my girls.  I have tried hard to limit media exposure, to encourage "natural" play, to promote a love of the outdoors, and to cultivate the unfettered development of their imaginations through reading, art, and spontaneous experiences that don't need the facilitator of animation or other kidcentric media.  In fact, my one and only tv is in a corner covered by a cloth.  It appears only for special occasions.  I don't have cable.  Despite all this, I found myself having a good time at Disney and not falling into my typical cynical diatribe about the corruption of the Grimm fairy tales and commercialization of childhood-the co-opting and commodification of creativity, and so on....Folks, it costs $1000 for 4 people to experience Disney for 3 days!

Then I received an email from a friend who inspired me to come back and edit this post.  I emailed her that we were at Disney.  Her response was "That sounds fun...I've heard that's the happiest place on earth!"  and I looked at my girls and thought-"Wow...for them at this moment, it clearly is the happiest place on earth." ...and full of the magic they promise.  This trip was full of happiness in a very troubled time and that as it turns out, is worth quite a lot. There are parents all over the world that can't even conceive of a trip to Disney with their children.  This fact of poverty, lack of opportunity, and inequity is never lost on me.   I guess it's okay to live the fantasy for a few whimsical days if we never forget the reality and then work to seek change.

See you soon,

cw

Ganapati Project-Seeking Peace Offerings

Greetings Friends,

I hope this post finds you well.  Ganapati continues to unfold.  I have spiffy new business cards (will try to post here) and I have registered for a "wish list" on yogaaccessories.com.  Please check it out and feel free to gift the project something from the list if you feel so moved:

http://yogaaccessories.3dcartstores.com/

To log in, use my email: christinewolf@yahoo.com.  The password is Ganapati.  

We are planning a Ganapati hatch party for April.  Stay tuned for details.  We will be having a "baby shower" for the project.  So save and bring any gently used or new yoga props and supplies to donate, or check out the wish list above.  

As always, I am open to help or suggestions regarding Ganapati.  It occurs to me that opening up the project to be more inclusive of the wide range of healing arts may be in order.  If you have a skill other than yoga that would be in keeping with the spirit of Ganapati, please let me know.  We will also be in need of someone with skills in the non-profit arena, perhaps someone familiar with the 501c3 process.  Be well.......

Namaste,

cw

Grateful

I'm feeling grateful today.  

Sometimes as I wind my way through ideas I find the choices I have to make overwhelming.  A serious burden that I am unwilling to shoulder.  It's the thinking of a lazy mind.  I am searching for a new graduate program, searching for peace, searching for clothes that still fit my oldest daughter, searching for something all the time.  Today, feeling slower than usual-having a "true sabbath" kind of sunday, I've found a space for fresh air to blow out this stale, unproductive thinking.  I want to be grateful for where I am.  Not worried and busy, searching for things that yes, may help me somehow, may make a marginal improvement, but mostly it's just another thing I can cross off my list.  I was thinking of going to church today until I realized that this too was another something to cross off the TO DO list.  I can go to church right here on my Mac by taking the pause to reflect on a topic or idea, which is what going to church is really about.  Certainly this is true for us Unitarians.  We specialize in thinking about a lot of things and just thinking a lot.  Today I think I will think for myself on this self-guided tour of the topic of gratefulness.  Take my private spiritual pause to consider what I should show gratitude for.  With so much left undone in life, this can be hard to do. There seem to be so many reasons to be full of complaint, self righteousness, anger-a lot is simply out of our control.  But there are ways to make the best of it-wherever we are.  One way is turn the glass upside down.  Take thing thing that's most on your mind.  That issue that is bothering you.  Look at it long and hard and then flip it over.  Ask yourself why is it happening and then what good could come of it.  In this way I find I can almost be grateful for my problems.  I do have the capacity to learn from the hard stuff.  That alone sometimes is enough to be grateful for.

Vision Statement for the Ganapati Project

Ganapati Project*


The Ganapati Project is a peace movement which seeks to share the wisdom, healing power, and community that yoga offers with those who might otherwise experience barriers to the practice through gift classes taught by certified instructors at Milwaukee area non-profits.



*Ganapati or Ganesha is one of the most recognizable deities in Hinduism. Ganapati is most commonly known at the “remover of obstacles.”

Happy Days

Welcome President Obama!  What a day this has been.....cw

Lucy, Eve, & Mama sledding in Door County, 12/25/08

Emotional Winter

This long night we mash through
more like moles than foxes

their spectacular flaming tails wave
high above the crust of white
feet so soundless
amidst the creak and sigh of branches
moving in weather

parachute above
blue bowl of light

an invitation to float through this darkness
if only you can open it

see it so cleanly
winter's opportunities
the slow, frozen pause of activity and doing

the storm is inside
buckling in a blizzard of our own making
this emotional winter

cw

poempause

this last time

i knew where i was.

little left to quarrel about,

i turned and faced the sun 

leaving all that behind.

there was no need to find the map.

i might proceed now as an animal would,

by scent or instinct

almost eager, unafraid.        cw

Ganapati Project-What will get you involved?

The Ganapati Project is a new social justice and peace making initiative in the Milwaukee area to bring the healing and joy of yoga to those who may not have an opportunity to practice in our community. The current vision is to identify and contact community agencies serving those in need and offering a yoga teacher to come and teach a karma class one or more times a week to the people they serve.

This is a call to yoga teachers and agency administrators to contact me, Christine at christinewolf@yahoo.com if you are interested in being a part of this much needed project in our community. Any contributions of funds or gently used yoga supplies would also be greatly appreciated. Please distribute widely to anyone you know who may be interested.

Thank You!

Shanti, Christine

Emerson

"finish each day and be done with it. you have done what you could. some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. tomorrow is a new day. you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

This Emerson quote is a nice complement to my "Thoughts for a New Year" post. Reflect yes, but don't wallow.

Thoughts for a New Year

It's already been a busy 2009. Despite having spent 10 of the first 14 days of January in Maui and Molokai, I have had a little time to reflect. I no longer waste time making resolutions that are rarely kept, let alone remembered by March. I find few people I know need any more disappointment in their lives. We only come to personal change when we are truly ready for it, not on a timeline imposed by the calendar.


In my humble opinion, what people seem to need instead is some real hope. Not bumper sticker slogan hope or feel good movie hope, but something tangible in front of us that we recognize and can embrace. A belief that good will win out in the end and that some meaning and purpose for our lives will become clear, despite the times, our personal setbacks, and dire media predictions of gloom that choke our thinking. We need this hope without the club of religion to guilt us or a set of rules to live by that constrict and separate us from one another and our true selves. How then can we individually and collectively cultivate this vision of hopeful goodness within ourselves and others this year? How can we make this year a meaningful year? One that feels more comfortable to the touch and less like an accident.

My ideas are nothing new, but I believe the questions are worth asking again and again. Living is an experiment, and while there's a terrifying element in that there's also a kind of redemptive quality in the knowledge that when experiments fail the scientist still values the experience greatly because s/he has learned what doesn't work-and this knowledge is key. I am inviting myself to reflect on what doesn't work or what hasn't worked as a guide to my 2009 of hopeful, good living. In this way, I acknowledge the failed experiments of my life, are grateful for them anyway, honor the benefit of the experience, and finally, forgive myself when others can't or won't, for these unworkable, sometimes painful things.

The new year is a tender time. Just released from the joy and obligations of the holidays and the surprises and frustrations that go with them, it seems ideal to pause and ruminate on our fragility and serious imperfections. Don't buy the old adage "out with the old, in with the new" and leave all the complex learning you need to do buried in the mold of last year. While we rush into the next new phase, we miss the opportunity to reap the rewards of our disasters. To actually step back and breathe, to think-yes, think deeply and mindfully about where the hell you've been, what that means, and if you even want to be on that road. Does it work?


Our unique and fascinating humanness is like an endless puzzle. Just when you think you've found all your pieces, you find another one under the couch and can't quite figure out where it fits...or better yet you can't find the piece you need at all. The picture remains incomplete. Embrace that moment of becoming in yourself, without trying so hard to get there. I and almost everyone else I know are missing it! We are all missing all the dirty, sticky, ugly, messy beauty along the way thinking we should actually be someplace other than where we are right now.


This year I hope to be quiet and listen to the sounds of my life. I hope to cultivate the vision of hopeful goodness by being more of a listener. Encourage someone else to raise their voice and pay them the respect of your sincere, attentive interest. Step up when called (as you are able) and do the thing that nobody else wants to do-be the example for positive action and change. When words are necessary, make them gentle. As for meaning and purpose, perhaps they are to be found in the hopeful goodness. One concept running into the other until it's really all the same thing. Maybe what we are looking for is contentment. And that, dear friends, is found only on the inside-so listen, mindfully, carefully, kindly to yourself. In each moment we start again, not just in the new year. There is hope all around us and in us and through us. It's just a matter of stopping, thinking, and clearing our path of what doesn't work. All that will be left is what does.


Peace, cw

Happy New Year 2009!

Dear Friends,

Once again we find ourselves at the start of a new beginning. What better place to welcome the new year and its promise of change as the only constant than to refresh anew in paradise? A complete "New Year" post and update to follow, but for today, I begin my commitment to better communication through writing and technology by resurrecting my blog-"Shared Impulse" with those who share so much with me. Aloha from the island of Maui!