Where is my Energy?

This time of the year requires an energy re-boost if I expect to stay committed to health, exercise and eating right.

After overdosing on on momma's mac and cheese and Aunt Wanda's stuffing, I can barely make it out the door to the gym. I am not ashamed to admit that I find motivation in celebrities. I love Mary J's bikini bod , Michelle Obama's arms


and in this case Keri Hilson's legs in her video Energy.

These ladies are like little doses of inspiration to get me motivated for 2010. See you in the new year!

Yoga Review: Get Connected with Takeyah Young

I recently ran into a great lifestyle coach and yoga instructor Takeyah Young. She instructed a fantastic yoga class at Marvin Gaye Park in NE. Takeyah's style is very smooth but challenging. She started the class with a brief explanation of yoga and plugged the benefits of a plant-based diet. After the intro, we moved through each asana to some groovy music and the best part was that she maintained a peaceful atmosphere while there was LOUD construction going on outside the building.

I am giving a shout out to Takeyah Young because her vibe is a magnificent addition to the Northeast/Southeast wellness movement. She blends movement based healing with a healthy diet and a positive lifestyle.

Check out her website at www.coreconnectionlifestyle.com

Happy Winter Solstice!

The Winter Solstice as an amazing time of stillness and light. The poles of the earth are tipping and somehow everything kind of just balances out. It's nice that we have all this wonderful snow to help us collectively celebrate the solstice.

My solstice ritual has been to celebrate with like-minded and like-spirited beautiful yogini sistas. But this year, I am celebrating alone by meditating, giving thanks and honoring the people who came before me and those that will come after.

My Basic Ritual
1. Turn everything off (phone, tv, cell, ipod)
2. Set up a still place in your home (pillows, blanket)
3. Light a candle
4. Read your favorite positive mantra, poem, quote, bible verse etc.
5. Let the Universe know that you respect it's process and embrace stillness
6. Give thanks
7. Sit Still (for as long as you can)

A personal winter solstice celebration is always a warm and cozy activity that makes you feel grateful for the moments to stand still and reflect. Don't sit still too long, because the active birthing energy of spring is right around the corner.

What is your Winter Solstice ritual?

Taking Notes from Takoma Park

On my way from the bellydance studio Mamacitas in Takoma Park, I decided to check out some of the little shops along Carroll Avenue. I first stopped by Mark's Kitchen for a seaweed salad platter while my friend enjoyed a hearty veggie burger and fries. From there we ventured across the street to a vintage clothing store Rerun and an Afro Brazilian Dance Studio Roda.

I would love to see a movement studio like Roda based East of the River. The studio is hidden away on the second floor of an office building. A couple upstairs practiced their merengue moves while Roberto, a Capoiera instructor, gave us an introduction explaining Rodo's variety of Brazilian based movements from Samba to Jiu Jitsu.

Along the Takoma Park strip, there were other creative and quirky stores, healing arts centers and antique shops. What I love most about Takoma Park is the local committment and financial support for small businesses. 

In Southeast, the corner of Good Hope Road and MLK could potentially be the next thriving strip of culture, commitment and support for small independent businesses. There already exists Hornfluer Gallery, the African Dance Heritage Studio and a Hip Hop Cd Shop. What other types of small quirky businesses do you think SE residents would support?

A Dupont Circle or Castro Neighborhood East of the Anacostia?

Today is World AIDS Day. Many of  us in Southeast and beyond know HIV/AIDS hits close to home and  honor many of our residents who are surviving and those have moved on. 

In the wake of World AIDS Day,  DC Council also passed a vote for same sex marriages. Despite the controversy, I wonder how the Southeast DC gay community would be impacted by this vote. How many same sex couples are living in Southeast and could potentially benefit socially, financially and psychologically from this vote? How would this vote generate new ideas, new families, and an activist presence in Southeast? If more leaders in SE were open to the gay community, we could work together and build  a culture of forward thinking and open-minded citizens living East of  the River. 

The Gay southeasters do not have a single place to call home such as in Dupont Circle, Christopher Street or The Castro. Well, I will be the first to  offer up Good Hope Road, Pennsylvania Avenue or Minnesota Avenue. This would in turn bring more diversity and businesses willing to invest in a community that represents flexibility, willingness to change and a welcoming environment for  all families.