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								<title>Stephanie Keach</title>
								<description><![CDATA[Stephanie weaves an eclectic blend of styles into her teaching: Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Core Strengthening, Zen Philosophy, Compassionate Humor and Ecstatic Chanting. She honors the tradition of Yoga, yet feels a need to embrace new understandings due to our Western perspectives. She feels our conditioning has led us to unconscious thought, speech and behavior patterns. From a place of fear, we have armored and built layers around our heart, around our True Selves, around our bodies. Guided from a place of love, she encourages unfolding and awakening by looking at ourselves and our belief systems very closely. Hatha Yoga has never been a path for the weak of heart, yet by trusting our inner strength, we can allow the awakening to bubble to the surface as we learn to go with the flow of life.

Stephanie received her first "wake up call" from God at the age of 20. She had dropped out of the University of California, Santa Barbara because of her questioning nature. She was questioning the purpose of a degree and wanting to know the deeper meanings of life. So she traveled: to Europe several times and around the US. She was living high in the Rockies when she broke her back in a car accident. It could have been fatal, no seat belt, snow storm, tumbling down a shear rocky cliff, broken glass, etc. Miraculously Stephanie limped away from the accident with only a fracture at T-12. Choosing self-healing rather than conventional medicine, she began practicing visualization, meditation, deep breathing and yoga postures. She thought she was just making it up, alone with her imagination and creative intuition. A friend gave her Light on Yoga and she realized it was yoga, and she was hooked. Only 3 months of rehab and she was pain free, doing backbends and everything!

She returned to her native Carmel, California and found Kali Ray in Santa Cruz. She also began intensive meditation trainings at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Both Kali's TriYoga influence and zazen transformed Stephanie's world. She replaced boredom with mindfulness, laziness with body awareness and judgment with acceptance. These changes inspired her to begin teaching at her local high school. This first year of intensive study, both yoga and zen, laid the foundations for her development as a yoga student, zennie, and yoga teacher.

Craving the deeper philosophical aspects of Zen and Yoga, she returned to UCSB. She graduated with a BS in Eastern Religious Studies, where she studied the Upanishads and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, as well as major Buddhist texts. She also taught Yoga at UCSB as well as the Santa Barbara Yoga Center. She wanted to teach philosophy to high schoolers. But that fell to the wayside as yoga's roots wrapped deeper around her heart.

Stephanie feels so blessed to have lived in southern California during the early 1990's, when Erich Schiffman, Rod Stryker, Sarah Powers and Bryan Kest were just ripening into their own glory. After years of Vinyasa flow yoga, she entered Peter Sterios' class of Iyengar yoga. He was so gentle and playful, Iyengar yoga seemed an important compliment to her flow style. Then she studied with Rodney Yee. He challenged her relationship to asana in new and profound ways. These two men helped Steph to return to the foundation of the asana, with detail and precision. They have all been very strong role models for Stephanie, and continue to be. Anatomy began to take on new light and going to massage school seemed a completely natural companion to teaching yoga. It was there she met her husband Sunny and after a year, they were pregnant. Not wanting to raise a family in southern California, they moved east to Asheville, North Carolina.

Intending on a home birth, Stephanie got her second "wake-up call". This beautiful baby boy was stillborn. He died of a heart-attack in labor due to an enlarged heart. Even open-heart surgery wouldn't have saved him. Thanks to Zen training, Yoga and Vipassana training, Stephanie and Sunny moved through this Dark period by being completely present with the grief. They lovingly let go of their son whose heart was too big for humanity. Sunny named this first son, Tree, after which all his brothers are named after. Six months later they birthed a Yoga Center. One year later, they home-birthed Samson Oak Forest Keach. Three years later, they home-birthed Duncan Tyler Sequoia Keach, then another three years later they home-birthed Tobe Coyote-Willow Keach.

Stephanie teaches weekly at the Asheville Yoga Center. In addition to running several teacher training and certification programs a year, she also travels around the US and internationally conducting workshops and trainings. She has produced the Flow Yoga video series. With the loving support of her beloved husband Sunny, motherhood is her biggest and best yoga practice. 

<b>Stephanie's Website:</b> <a href="http://www.stephaniekeach.com" target="_blank"><b>www.stephaniekeach.com</b></a>


<b>Download Stephanie's <i>Vinyasa Flow Master Classes</i> from the iHanuman Store:</b>

<a href="http://www.ihanuman.com/albums.php?id=51"><img src="http://www.ihanuman.com/images/stephanie_master1.jpg" alt="Vinyasa Master Class 1" />   <a href="http://www.ihanuman.com/albums.php?id=52"><img src="http://www.ihanuman.com/images/stephanie_master2.jpg" alt="Vinyasa Master Class 2" /> </a>]]></description>
								<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=1474</link>
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								<copyright>Fri, 08 Sep 2006 10:51:09 EDT</copyright>
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								<itunes:keywords>stephanie keach, yoga, vinyasa, zen, ashtanga, teacher training, love</itunes:keywords>
								<itunes:author>Stephanie Keach</itunes:author>
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									<itunes:name>Stephanie Keach</itunes:name>							
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												<title>Sharing. . .</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=15586</link>
												<description><![CDATA[ In the Yogic path, there are guidelines, to obtaining "union with the Divine" (definition of Yoga). They are similar to the ten commandments, things like truthfulness, non-violence, cleanliness and so on.<br />
<br />
One of these guidelines is non-hoarding/sharing, or aparigraha. Also known as Seva (string in Sanskrit). Seva refers to how we are all connected in the thread of existence. To engage one is to engage the whole. To serve one is to serve the whole. Seva, a practice of devotional yoga, is known as the practice of selfless service.<br />
<br />
Our beloved friend and Yoga teacher, Jakub Holy was in a tragic climbing accident, breaking both his heels. He is now safe, mostly sound and in recovery. His outlook is good, but the road is long. Jakub is someone who embodies loving kindness, generosity and Yoga.<br />
<br />
When we let go of all self-cherishing, ego-driven, or selfish desire, then the yogi is able to concentrate on the Divine. The practice of aparigraha is a perfect chance to share what you have, at the same time help out a beloved. Trusting in this abundant, never-ending energy called money, is a practice. Just like headstand is a practice. Finding your center, your breath, and your intention for this action whether it be giving or a headstand, requires practice.<br />
<br />
Please donate any amount you can to Jakub's recovery. You can send him a donation using <a href="https://paypal.com" target="_blank">paypal</a>. His paypal account email address is <a href="mailto:yogawithjakub@gmail.com">yogawithjakub@gmail.com</a>. You can also contact him directly there.<br />
<br />
Love all ways, Stephanie]]></description>		
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												<itunes:keywords>stephanie keach, yoga, asheville yoga center, sharing, aparigraha, jakub holy, seva, ihanuman</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:28:16 EDT</pubDate>
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												<title>Is Yoga a Religion?</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=13011</link>
												<description><![CDATA[This is a question I have been getting more and more of lately, so I think I will write a bit...<br />
<br />
Yoga is technically a science, specific formulas as how to become closer to God. It comes from a culture heavily steeped in the Hindu Religion, and so there is some overlap. However, because it is a science, I feel that Yoga can enhance any religion or belief because it is about trusting in God, surrendering to God, loving God with all your being, and seeing God in all beings. I understand how some might think Yoga a religion because of the Sanskrit chanting, or mysterious ceremony with incense, alters, bowing, and Om. However, in my experience of teaching for 20 years, I have met many Christians, Jews, Catholics, and Buddhists, who seem to find peace by enhancing their religion with yoga. They often remark how much deeper they can experience their faith because of Yoga. I think it is all the opening that happens in Yoga. Not just the body opening, but many energy meridians, stubborn thoughts, and stuck emotions open up as well, making more space, in all the layers of who we are. Once there is space, there is the recognition of God, the remembering of God, for within us all is the Divine (peace, love, harmony, forgiveness).<br />
<br />
Yoga teaches us we are all truly one together on this planet, and loving God is the best thing we all have in common!<br />
<br />
I hope that the next person for whom your eyes fall, is the exact image of God that you have manifested for your own spiritual growth,<br />
<br />
love all ways, Stephanie]]></description>		
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												<itunes:keywords>stephanie keach, yoga, religion, science, asheville yoga center, ihanuman</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:19:09 EDT</pubDate>
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												<title>Mother's Day</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=12088</link>
												<description><![CDATA[OK, everyday is mother's day, please don't get so affected by Hallmark's marketing and propaganda, and if you do cave in and buy something, try to make it a sustainable, conscious, earth-friendly purchase (hint: massage gift certificate! yoga workshop!). <br />
<br />
A good friend of mine (and revered yoga master) recently suggested that we adjust our students like they were our mothers, (not friends, siblings, or lovers). This was to encourage a neutrality and gentleness to the hands-on adjustment, so it is never done without awareness. <br />
<br />
It reminded me of Thich Nhat Hanh's "Mother Meditation", in which you begin meditating on your mother, cultivating deep gratitude and respect for the fact she grew us in her womb, sacrificed her body, time, energy, to serve us, night and day, for roughly 18 years. This is huge, despite any short-comings she might have had. It is recommended to look past any grievances, and keep drawing back to gratitude and respect. When this starts to feel natural, then you take on these two feelings towards all beings. So that eventually, we treat everyone as if they were our own mothers, whom we have immense gratitude and respect. It is such a beautiful concept. It is perhaps another way to access kindness and compassion towards someone whom those feelings don't come easy. This practice is recommended not as a one time, experimental meditation, but a daily meditation for an entire year. I guarantee it will change you, which is ultimately the purpose of any spiritual teaching. As a result, more kindness, compassion, patience, respect for all beings. All because this one woman made a sacrifice, conscious or unconscious, to bring us not just into the world, but to help us be safe, warm, needs met. <br />
<br />
I think we are all each others' teachers, and in a sense, all each others' mothers. Shouldn't we be taking care of each other? Helping to keep each other safe, warm, needs met? As a step beyond mother's day, I encourage you to offer up something of yourself in the way of SEVA, self-less service. This could be some volunteer time at the local food bank/homeless shelter, some free yoga classes to the elderly, or maybe a monetary donation towards a good cause. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I think it takes a village to keep raising that child, through adulthood, through trials and tribulations, through success and abundance. Let's help raise the village!<br />
<br />
-Stephanie]]></description>		
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												<itunes:keywords>stephanie keach, yoga, mothers day, asheville yoga center, ihanuman, service, conscious adjustments, meditation</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2008 14:27:57 EDT</pubDate>
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												<title>Thoughts on Contentment</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=10048</link>
												<description><![CDATA[Samtosha is the Sanskrit term for contentment - it is one of the guidelines of a Yogi seeking union with God. On a daily basis, there are a million opportunities for me to practice this, (enough to eat, enough sleep, enough this, enough that, enough). But there are some bigger feeling events happening that challenge my ability to find contentment as easily as I do when I stop eating when I am full, (instead of cleaning the plate).<br />
<br />
Like our current political choices in leadership. Or our current political occupation in foreign lands. Actually I feel fairly content about our Democratic choices, either way, Hillary or Obama will be phenomenal, performing wholeheartedly the global janitorial chores necessary for cleaning up the current mess. But this contentment waivers occasionally... I went to see Bill Clinton while he passed through lil ole Asheville, and was reminded that despite their best intentions, it is politics, and despite the fact we think the Presidency is an independent political seat, it is not; there are many many people/offices/policies/corporations that will need to step up to meet Hillary or Obama's ideals.<br />
<br />
And what if it is McCain? Can I be content to know that any change will be better than now. That any change will help insure my children's/grandchildren's futures - clean air, safe world, healthy planet? Can I be a conscious citizen of this planet and still find contentment? Contentment doesn't mean (to me) just sitting around going "OK, this moment is perfect, I trust in God, I don't need to do anything because everything is unfolding to God's plan..." To me, true contentment is an ideal to practice, (just like downward facing dog), but while practicing, I surely am not just sitting there (nor are we passive in down dog)! I am modeling kindness and fairness to my children, I am participating in political rallies and fundraisers to show my support for a big change, I am encouraging yoga students to lighten their grips on conditioning and beliefs and to be brave and try on other belief systems that might embrace all beings with kindness, fairness and love.<br />
<br />
And yet, here I am, a citizen of a country that is quickly losing it's balance. So again I turn to yoga for help and find the guidelines of cause and effect: Karma is the Sanskrit translation - and it is twofold, actions whose results are occurring, and actions whose fruit is yet to come. I am trusting in the second part. I think of myself as a gardner, planting seeds of possibility - goodness, generosity, humbleness, contentment, forgiveness. I plant them in myself as I check out my thought processes all the time, and I plant them with every thing I do or say. It is my hope, well more than hope, I truly believe that these seeds will blossom, into thousands of beautiful interactions between all people of the planet, helping to turn around any negative chain of events that might seem to be taking place.<br />
<br />
So, goodness, contentment, happiness, I think about them a lot, at the forefront of thoughts, actions and words, and know that that is my purpose/path/dharma. It's not always easy, but such is the path of the peaceful warrior. I invite all of you to practice contentment, in everyday things and global things. And remember God is everywhere, let's just be like Jesus and Buddha and make it a little more obvious... The path of the peaceful warrior/gardner takes courage and bravery, first we need to plant healthy seeds in our own minds, then into all our thoughts, speech and actions. Let the ripple effect begin!<br />
<br />
Here are several more opportunities to practice your belief about contentment. These are films - some different/inspiring/amusing world view points:<br />
<a href="http://getintheirface.blogspot.com/2006/06/robert-newman-video-history-of-oil.html" target="_blank">getintheirface.blogspot.com/2006/06/robert-newman-video-history-of-oil.html</a> (45 minutes)<br />
<a href="http://zeitgeistmovie.com/" target="_blank">zeitgeistmovie.com</a> (2 hrs)<br />
<a href="http://www.storyofstuff.com/" target="_blank">thestoryofstuff.com</a> (20 min)<br />
<a href="http://livingyogamovie.org/" target="_blank">livingyogamovie.org</a> (5 min)<br />
<a href="http://blog.ted.com/2008/03/jill_bolte_tayl.php#more" target="_blank">blog.ted.com/2008/03/jill_bolte_tayl.php#more</a> (19 min)<br />
<a href="http://ashevilleasana.com/" target="_blank">ashevilleasana.com</a> (1 + hr) these are free downloadable yoga classes from asheville yoga center as well as others.<br />
<br />
And one last link to some thought provoking art around our consumption <a href="http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php" target="_blank">http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php</a>]]></description>		
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												<itunes:keywords>stephanie keach, ihanuman, samtosha, contentment, social justice, environmental responsibility, political engagement, yoga, asheville yoga center</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:09:35 EDT</pubDate>
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												<title>The Deeper Pull</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=7463</link>
												<description><![CDATA[Finding “the deeper pull of what you truly love” is the underbelly of what I teach. A lot of people might think it is self-indulgent to follow our passion, to work when we want to work, to rest when we need rest. But following our heart’s deepest desire energizes us to “work tirelessly for the greatest good.” Instead of struggling through our days trying to meet a set of ill-defined standards, waiting for things to get better, we can LIVE. But we have to choose to live free. The moment won’t demand it. Life won’t say to us, “You must be here, you must enjoy yourself, you must take advantage of every opportunity to choose joy.” We have to do our part. We have to meet life part way. Not half way. Not even close to half way. Life gives us ALL, and we are required only to open our hands, hearts and minds to receive, to say yes. Yes, I will participate; yes, I’ll show up; yes, I’ll choose an open heart over a closed one; yes, I’ll do my part. Yes I will trust in the never-ending abundance of all that I might truly need, for my highest good and for the highest good of all beings!<br />
<br />
How? you might ask. Practice, practice, practice. Stay regular with your practice, yoga, meditation, alone or in groups. Regularity is key. Books and workshops are invaluable as well, to help re-kindle the flame, that from time to time (due to our societal conditioning) starts to fade because we are getting caught back up in the “to-do” lists. I am not saying to-do lists are not invaluable. Really it’s about balance. And if each of us individually is the microcosmic mirror of this entire planet, then how can we expect to bring harmony and balance into our planet if we cannot find it within ourselves? So begin now, be “selfish” (as some would call it, not me), I call it self-nurturing, self-loving, self-improvement. Isn’t the whole point of becoming “enlightened” (whatever that really means) to share that energy/wisdom with others? We’ve all heard it before, so here it is again, peace begins with me, joy begins right now. Why not? Fill yourself up so you can fill up others.<br />
<br />
love steph]]></description>		
												<guid>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=7463</guid>
												<itunes:keywords>stephanie keach, asheville yoga center, ihanuman, abundance, passion</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:02:18 EST</pubDate>
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												<title>Just Breathe</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=5958</link>
												<description><![CDATA[Breathing In, it's the very first act of life outside of the womb. Breathing Out, it's the very last thing we do before we die. In-between that first in-breath and final out-breath are millions of opportunities to remember this powerful energy. The yogis call it Prana: that which is everywhere, connecting us all; and on a smaller scale - that energy which moves the breath throughout our bodies. But what most people don't realize is the power of breath can increase or decrease energy, improve health and bodily functions, and reduce stress. A quick Google search can show you statistics, but experience is really the only way to go with Pranayama, the practice of breathing. You can read all about it, but to actually see the immediate and also long-term effects, you must practice and apply attention to your breathing. There aren't many ancient "textbooks" on how to do Yoga, but the few that exist, speak very little of the poses, and quite a lot about the breathing practices. I, myself, an avid practitioner for 20 years, have probably done almost every yoga pose out there, but the breathing practices are what really excite me. Wrapping legs around my head, it's ok, but the momentary "high" doesn't last like deep breathing does. In my experience, people, including me, practice yoga for the after-effects, and a regular practice of poses can help these after-effects last, but what I have discovered is that awareness of breathing makes these desired after-effects (calmness, contentment, generosity, compassion) last a lot longer.<br />
<br />
You don't need to know a bunch of strange belly churning or nostril plugging techniques either. How about right this very second, you sit up a bit taller, and straighter. Then take a really big, semi-relaxed inhalation, hold it for one second, then try to let it out slowly, also semi-relaxed. In other words, no straining allowed. Now do it again 10 times. Notice by breath ten, how all effort is released, and there is a light sense of calm energy running through your entire body.<br />
<br />
Deep breathing, ahhh, almost as good as true love!<br />
(more breathing exercises can be found in the <a href="http://www.stephaniekeach.com/book/index.html">Yoga Handbook</a> or in a live yoga class)<br />
<br />
Love Steph]]></description>		
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												<itunes:keywords>ihanuman, stephanie keach, pranayama, breathing, asheville yoga center</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:00:05 EST</pubDate>
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												<title>Gratefulness</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=4902</link>
												<description><![CDATA[During the time I write this, it is Thanksgiving, a time of thankfulness. I don't think we stop enough to remember how blessed we are. We (assuming this email goes out to residents of the US) are so privileged, it is really amazing. We have access to clean water, food anytime anywhere, I cannot remember ever knowing someone who truly was hungry, ever! From a yogic standpoint, perhaps we are all souls who chose this time (20th century) and this place (good ole USA) to grow closer to God. How can we remember to do that when abundance is shoved down our throats? We can make small changes in our purchases, our choices, our words. <br />
<br />
Thankfully, yoga opens us up enough to remind us we are all connected, every single action has a ripple effect upon the world, including our purchases, actions and words. So making efforts to be kinder, more patient and less greedy are HUGE efforts for Americans to practice, as our culture seems to be propagating the opposite. However, again thankfully, yoga reminds us that our True Nature is patience; kindness; compassion; non-possessiveness. And I think that adding a daily prayer/affirmation/chant of thankfulness is incredibly important as well. Not only is it humbling to remember this gift of life, health, abundance, but it also spreads out a ripple of gratefulness that I can only hope helps others to remember.<br />
<br />
A friend of mine has cancer. It is pretty bad. Of course she and I are hoping for the best, yet also preparing for the worst. Her family is resistant to her non-Western experimental modalities, which makes her situation even more trying (like super fast growing, throat strangling cancer isn't bad enough!). So, not just once a day, but many many times a day, I think of her and her situation, and then I think of me and my healthy self and healthy family and out comes the gushing thankfulness in forms of prayers/tears/thoughts/actions.<br />
<br />
It is truly a miracle to be alive, I think. We sure can forget this thought when we get out of yoga-mode and into judgment (like about our politics) or fear (like about our wars), but ultimately, we are spirit, embodied in this lifetime to remember God, and how blessed are we that our bodies are so magnificent, so miraculous, so beautiful!!!<br />
<br />
Blessed are we,<br />
love stephanie<br />
]]></description>		
												<guid>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=4902</guid>
												<itunes:keywords>stephanie keach, gratefullness</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:26:46 EST</pubDate>
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												<title>Mindfulness During the Holidays</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=3925</link>
												<description><![CDATA[Remember, so much of who we are is conditioning. Media, family, culture all pressure us into conformity and consumerism during this time of year (even some yoga centers with enticing ads like 10% off!). However, being a conscious yogi, you can reduce stress greatly during this time with these reminders:<br />
<br />
BREATHE – Take a BREATH BREAK at the very first sign of tension rising. Pause, inhaled deeply, and let the out breath just fall out – even with a loud “Haaaaaaaaaa” if it’s not too embarrassing. And there is always good ole Lions Face to really help release tension. (Stick tongue all the way out to bottom of chin, exhale loudly wiggling your uvula, and roll your eyes up to the crown of the head all on the big exhale).<br />
<br />
SAY NO – You can’t hope to do all of the things and attend all of the events that most of us find coming up in our lives during the holidays. Prepare your polite refusal speech ahead of time and just say “no thanks."<br />
<br />
TAKE TIME FOR YOU –Even if its just a daily 10 minute walk, a soak in hot bath, a short yoga routine, or even a 10 minute meditation sitting in your favorite chair. You’ll find it amazing how much more you can handle and how quickly you will recover from any stress if you take this time for yourself. Make this a daily habit, a daily priority!<br />
<br />
LET IT BE – Play the Beatles song of the same name if you have it and then practice it, particularly around potential conflict areas, relatives are good practice for this. When conflict arises, take a deep breath and ask yourself if you can just ‘let it be” and not engage.<br />
<br />
HAVE FUN – Do whatever you need to do to make your holiday time fun for yourself. Ask yourself “What do I need to include in my holiday plans to make sure I have fun?” After all, holidays were meant to be fun times, and more importantly sacred times, (Thanksgiving being a time of gratefulness of this abundance; Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukah about the holy spirit within us all), not just times of chores and drudgery. If you find yourself not having any fun take a time out and figure out what needs to change to make it fun.<br />
<br />
CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM - Remember, we vote with our dollars. Adbusters.org recommends that you rethink the season with a <a href="http://adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/bnxmas/">Buy Nothing Christmas</a>; the <a href="http://www.seva.org/site/PageServer">Seva Foundation</a> allows you to dedicate gifts of service; and Carbonfund.org helps you help the environment by <a href="http://www.carbonfund.org/site/pages/land/holiday_climate_tags">offsetting the carbon footprint</a> of your loved ones. Homemade gifts, (soaps, candles, candies, meals), homemade coupons (hugs, massages, babysitting) and yoga gifts are also wonderful ways to help support your health, your planet's health.<br />
]]></description>		
												<guid>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=3925</guid>
												<itunes:keywords>stephanie keach, conscious consumerism, mindfulness during holidays</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:09:06 EST</pubDate>
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												<title>Be The Change</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=3785</link>
												<description><![CDATA[If you've been following the news, you know last week's massive, peaceful demonstrations protesting the Burma/Myanmar dictatorship have been followed by severe repression and brutality. Reports of possibly 200 monks being killed in retaliation cannot be verified or confirmed, because of the media blackout and military crackdown. They were heard by a Burmese army major, Major Win, who defected because he did not want to be part of killing civilians and monks. But certainly the death count is higher than the official government count of 9 people.<br />
Somewhere in the range of 1,400 protestors are in jail now. Democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who decisively won the 1990 elections, has been under house arrest for years.<br />
<br />
If you would like to do something to support the Burmese people, these are some simple actions you can take:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Call for a 2008 Olympic Boycott.</b><br />
<br />
As best as I can tell, many political analysts say that China holds the most weight over the Myanmar/Burma government because they are Myanmar's most influential trading partner. The Myanmar government does not care about world opinion, or pressure from countries that already do little trade with them, but would be negatively impacted if China put economic sanctions in place.<br />
<br />
To that end:<br />
The Chinese government has no incentive to stop trade with Myanmar. They have blocked various United Nations motions on Myanmar with their veto on the UN Security Council. But they do care very much about the 2008 Olympics going well, and the positive press that will bring them. I recommend sending a fax to the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge. Here is a short sample letter you can copy and paste.<br />
<br />
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *<br />
<br />
Dear Sir,<br />
<br />
I am deeply concerned by the reports of military brutality in Myanmar against non-violent civilians, monks, and nuns. I am also concerned by reports that hundreds of monks and other peaceful protesters have been detained.<br />
<br />
I ask you to, as tactfully as possible, ask the Chinese government to respond to the situation in Myanmar with economic sanctions, in the interests of having a successful 2008 Olympics in Beijing. I could not, in good conscience, attend, watch on TV, or buy any products associated with the 2008 Beijing Olympics otherwise. I am very interested in China's rich cultural heritage and would otherwise look forward to seeing such a major world event in the exciting, cosmopolitan city of Beijing. I feel strongly enough about the issue to also encourage other people to boycott the 2008 Olympics if China remains a complicit economic supporter of Myanmar's current situation.<br />
<br />
I believe many other potential Olympic attendees around the world feel the same way. Thank you for your time.<br />
<br />
Best regards, ______________<br />
<br />
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *<br />
<br />
Fax it to the attention of Jacque Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, at: (41.21) 621 62 16.  Or sent it via postal mail (but faxing is better because it is faster):<br />
Jacques Rogge, President<br />
International Olympic Committee<br />
Château de Vidy<br />
1007 Lausanne<br />
Switzerland<br />
<br />
<b>2. Email the Olympic Ticket Sales with a Request for China's Divestment in Myanmar.</b><br />
<br />
Consider this a form of "electronic disobedience". You can copy and paste the letter below. Send your email to: ticketsupport@beijing2008.cn<br />
<br />
Dear Sir/Madam,<br />
<br />
I am deeply concerned by the reports of military brutality in Myanmar against non-violent civilians, monks, and nuns. I am also concerned by reports that hundreds of monks and other peaceful protesters have been detained. It is my understanding that China's government is a major trading partner of Myanmar.<br />
<br />
I cannot, in good conscience, attend, watch on TV, or buy any products associated with the 2008 Beijing Olympics as long as the host country is an economic supporter of the current state of affairs in Myanmar. I am very interested in China's rich cultural heritage and would otherwise look forward to seeing such a major world event in the exciting, cosmopolitan city of Beijing. I ask that China use it's influence towards non-violence in Myanmar.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your time.<br />
Best regards, ______________<br />
<br />
<b>3. Sign a petition</b><br />
You can sign Avaaz's petition, at their link (once more): <a href="http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/u.php">http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/u.php</a><br />
The petition will be delivered to Chinese President Hu Jintao and the UN Security Council. They have over 600,000 signers already and are aiming for 1 million. Many useful Burmese links are at the bottom of Avaaz's page. (You won't be able to sign without giving an email, so give a junk email if you don't want to be on their list. You don't have to give your phone number at all.) You can also sign Amnesty International's petition to the Myanmar government:<br />
<a href="http://web.amnesty.org/pages/mmr-270907-action-eng">http://web.amnesty.org/pages/mmr-270907-action-eng</a> Or the U.S. Campaign for Burma's petition to the Chinese government:<br />
<a href="http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/usca...Y=730&t=HomePage.dwt">http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/usca...Y=730&t=HomePage.dwt</a><br />
<br />
<b>4. Financially Support Burmese Journalists</b><br />
<br />
Supporting Burmese news organizations, who fight a constant uphill battle to report the facts of what is happening in Burma to the larger world, is no small thing to do. Irawaddy is one organization. They have in fact had to deal with their site being hacked in the past few days (I wonder why.....). But they are up and running again. <a href="http://www.irrawaddy.org/">http://www.irrawaddy.org/</a> Donate at the bottom of their subscription link (or subcribe to support their magazine): <a href="http://www.irrawaddymedia.com/shop/">http://www.irrawaddymedia.com/shop/</a><br />
<br />
* * * * * * * * * * * * *<br />
As a parting note, China is not the only country doing business with Myanmar. India and Thailand, among others, do as well, though not to the same extent. I know India's Buddhist community is already protesting India's trade with Myanmar. Thailand is a devout Buddhist country and very much in support of the Burmese monks, but I don't believe that has taken the shape of calling for economic sanctions. Food for thought if any of you wish to do further research in this direction.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading this,<br />
Stephanie]]></description>		
												<guid>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=3785</guid>
												<itunes:keywords>Stephanie Keach, Myanmar, 2008 Olympic Boycott, Aung San Suu Kyi, Political and Democratic Repression</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:57:43 EDT</pubDate>
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												<title>Yoga for Sustainability</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=3616</link>
												<description><![CDATA[<blockquote><i>Warm your heart with the softness of a loving thought for billions of years of peace, prosperity and bliss for our children's children. Praise and bless them as peaceful, loving and evolved beings who live in an enlightened and sustainable society. This loving thought will make it so!</i></blockquote><br />
We live in a culture that vibrates at a higher frequency than our ancestors did: emails, cell phones, fast cars, fast food, electrical wires, etc. This vibration causes stress to our beings. Our ancestors stress was usually immediate, and would subside once the threat was gone. Not today. We live in chronic stress. And then on top of that, we have other stressors: job, relationship, family, things to accomplish (even preparing for yoga teacher training!) Our bodies perceive all this incoming stress as life threatening. The body's reaction to stress is to secrete hormones from the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, (adrenaline and noradrenaline), engaging the autonomic nervous system into the flight or fight response by the body. As a result, the heart rate, blood pressure, mental alertness, and muscle tension are increased. Systems that are not necessary, including digestion, elimination, growth, reproduction and repair, are shut down. Thus the body’s capacity to heal itself is compromised and new ailments occur including high blood pressure, ulcers, back pain, immune dysfunction, reproductive problems, emotional disturbances (anxiety/depression/insomnia).<br />
<br />
I believe in Yoga as a sustainable practice, meaning, we can age MUCH more gracefully, with less dis-ease, than our culture is doing currently. I personally would like to feel good practicing yoga well into my 80's, 90's, beyond? That is sustainability to me. Other traditional aging cultures, (heck our own culture 100 years ago!), are not wearing diapers, are not on 5 different medications, are not living out of touch with nature and family, are doing some sort of physical activity on a daily basis (not TV!!)<br />
<br />
So, my short and sweet recommendations to us all are to take many pausing minutes out of the day (in front of the computer, while on hold, at the stop light, etc) and be present. It is a simple request, not so simple to do, especially when we have learned to stack functions so well. But that just keeps us plugged into the caffeinated vibe of the present fast-moving culture. We can unplug, many times a day, with just these sweet pauses of being present and finding your breath. Taking a deep breath will bring you immediately into your body, which might inform you of a necessary posture shift. Taking a deep breath will bring you present, drawing your full awareness into the now. Taking a deep breath will communicate to your nervous/circulatory/endocrine systems to slow down, and restore. If you can take a 10-20 minute break each day, I do not recommend always doing some physical yoga, instead, mix it up with a supported restorative pose with deep breathing or shavasana, the traditional corpse deep relaxation pose.<br />
<br />
As yogis, we know we are all interconnected. If individually we can start to slow our own pulse, then hopefully collectively we can start to slow down the pulse of our planet.<br />
]]></description>		
												<guid>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=3616</guid>
												<itunes:keywords></itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2007 07:09:39 EDT</pubDate>
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												<title>Green Yoga</title>
												<link>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=3403</link>
												<description><![CDATA[Green Yoga<br />
This is a strange title, because what exactly does "green" anything mean nowadays? Yoga itself means balance, and the implication of "green" in front of it might bring to mind: Environmental Yoga Studio, or, Environmentally Friendly Practices at the Studio, or Earth friendly Yoga Teachers. Our studio is sort of those things, and sort of not. We are located in a pretty conscious town, relatively speaking, compared to the rest of the United States, especially SouthEast. Given our groovy locale, we recycle, use enviro-friendly cleaning products and sell bio-degradable sticky mats alongside our organic clothes. But it's definitely not exclusive. We also have nasty cleaning products for certain cleaning jobs, and non-organic clothing/products, that might have been made (gasp) in Chinese children's sweatshops! How do I find peace as a business owner and Green advocate?<br />
<br />
Balance.<br />
It's my mantra.<br />
I teach flow yoga, describing it as going with the flow, trying to stay in the balance throughout all of life's turbulence. It's not easy, no one said it would be, and I am not perfect, I don't even know what that would be exactly. What I do know is I am open to change. A teenager was in my class not too long ago and asked me if I knew exactly what was going on with a certain popular brand of tissues I had supplied in the yoga studio. She then briefly explained some environmental and social atrocities, and that was a lovely seed I sprouted right then and there, deciding never to buy that brand of tissue again. I realize my buying power is a political message. All of our collective buying power is a strong, loud political message. What we purchase affects the entire world. I give the following to my teacher trainees, it is a bit dramatic, and at the same time quite painfully true:<br />
<br />
THE KARMA OF EATING:<br />
When you eat something, you eat everything that happened to make that food come into existence. You are affirming a certain version of the world. For example, suppose you eat a banana from the regular grocery store. It has been imported from a Mexican or South American plantation, located on destroyed rain forest land, violently taken away from indigenous tribes, who now labor at the plantation at starvation wages, using pesticides that pollute ecosystems, and inhibit their own immune systems, especially fertility. The bananas are shipped thousands of miles using polluting oil-feeding ships, by a company that puts small independent growers out of business through corrupt practices like these. By eating the banana, you ever so slightly reinforce this state of affairs, and make it part of your reality and your experience. you are saying yes to such a world. When our food production system throws nature out of balance, is it any wonder that our lives too spiral out of balance?<br />
<br />
I feel that from a spiritual point of view, we are here on earth at this time, pollution/corruption and all, to seek balance. My children are hopefully absorbing our values,  For instance, this Christmas we sent family members compact-fluorescent light bulbs with informational sheets. Not cozy, but our consumer-driven culture is difficult for me to flow with at times. And as much as I try to "green" my business and my family, I am more in support of sustainability. Although I encourage everyone on the planet to support small, locally owned businesses, boycott all the "marts", and recycle like crazy (including clothes and cars), I think I feel even stronger about buying locally produced items. I am reading Barbara Kingsolver's new book: "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", and as many of you know, her writing is outstanding, and the message of her book (so far I am one-third into it) is thus:<br />
The amount of fossil fuels to bring us those "California Organic Strawberries" is unsustainable, I mean we are still murdering and being murdered over this fossil fuel, as I write!:<br />
<br />
"If every US citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country's oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. That's not gallon, but barrels. Small changes in buying habits can make big differences. Becoming a less energy-dependent nation my just need to start with a good local breakfast." B.Kingsolver<br />
<br />
In addition to advocating "buy local!" I also advocate either donating your time, and/or your money to exceptional causes. I must send out 25 politically charged emails a week to our representatives in our government. I also donate a percentage of the business proceeds, as well as my own income, to non-profit organizations I feel are contributing to the better-meant of the planet.<br />
<br />
I encourage you to make small steps towards "greening" yourself, your home, your family, your world!<br />
<br />
I wish for us all to be the examples of radiant health, abundant compassion, and deep peace that we wish to see in our children, our politics, and our world.<br />
Namaste<br />
Stephanie<br />
<br />
Some resources:<br />
<a href="http://www.carbonfund.org/site/">www.carbonfund.org/site/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com">www.animalvegetablemiracle.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.seva.org">www.seva.org</a><br />
<a href="http://www.energystar.gov">www.energystar.gov</a><br />
<a href="http://www.coopamerica.org">www.coopamerica.org</a>]]></description>		
												<guid>http://www.ihanuman.com/index.php?pageId=3403</guid>
												<itunes:keywords>Stephanie Keach, Asheville, Yoga, Green Yoga, Sustainability</itunes:keywords>

										
													<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:59:09 EDT</pubDate>
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