Creating Connections: Yoga Energy Activism

by Meredith Paterson

In every Yogiños class, we talk about making OHMazing™ choices. OHMazing™ choices are choices that support ourselves, others, and the environment. The mindfulness that youth learn through yoga helps them pause to check in with each decision that they make and ask themselves whether the choice is an OHMazing™ one. They learn that they have control over their own actions and reactions.

The always-inspiring yogini Shiva Rea has started a program called Yoga Energy Activism (YEA) that is a great way to start a conversation with your family about the OHMazing™ choices you make in terms of energy. I first learned about this program through the wonderful Monica Mesa at Yoga for the Peaceful in Crested Butte, CO, and I think it is a brilliant way for whole families to work together to apply what we learn in yoga to serve ourselves and the world off of our yoga mats.

Yoga Energy Activism is a multi-layered program that addresses many aspects of our energy use, both how we use and often deplete our personal energy and how we use technology. The program asks us to take Energy Regeneration Days reconnect to cycles of nature and to our own internal cycles while reducing our use of fossil fuels. By tuning in to what's happening inside and outside, we become more mindful of each choice that we make and how those choices impact others.

Work together as a family to plan your Energy Regeneration Days

Tomorrow (Tuesday, September 27) is the new moon and is one of the days that YEA recommends for an Energy Sabbath. What can you do tomorrow to be mindful of your energy usage? Try committing to 3 hours of energy regeneration. Join with others on the YEA (Yoga Energy Activism) Facebook page.





Some ideas from the Yoga Energy Activism website for creating an Energy Regeneration Retreat for your family:


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Join us in creating these special days to be with your loved ones and take a technology fast. Make simple steps to create less waste, use less water and contribute to decreasing your carbon footprint.

So let's restore energy!  Create your own Energy Regeneration Day - a retreat that includes
* unplugging and going solar or candlelight  (all electricity except your refrigerator) and accounting for your carbon footprint by retreating or supporting Global Green's carbon offset program
* tuning in (regenerating your energy in your own way through the yoga, being with your loved ones, resting, creating, playing)
* clearing up -  fasting (from food and-or technology), feasting (with eco-positive vegan food) and trying to go for Zero Waste.

Now is the time to take responsibility for our inner and outer world so that we can wake-up from the inertia that is preventing positive change and realize the natural gifts of prana that are inherent in the elements of the sun, water, earth, and air that are being depleted and poisoned.

Energy Regeneration Retreat
3 hours, 12 hours half-day (sunset to sunrise)  24 hour day

* Turn off and unplug all electronics and appliances (except the refrigerator)
* Take a technology fast - a healthy break from computer, cell phones, tv, games
* Rest, be with lovers,  family, friends,  read, reflect, create, play, be quiet, be festive
* Use ghee lamps, soy or beeswax candles or solar charged lamps for necessary light
* Create light from natural sources
* Gather with friends and family and celebrate using as little energy as possible to create meals
 (Cook the day before or foods not-requiring energy to prepare)
* Go for zero or as little waste as possible by composting and recycling
* Any meals are created with food that has minimal or no packaging and are vegetarian or vegan (the environmental effects of meat, fish and dairy)
* Create a meal with as little packaging as possible
* How few times can you flush
* What is your shortest reasonable shower or go greywater.
* Reduce water consumption: flush one less time / cut 2-6 minutes off your shower
* Use a bike or walk for transportation – if a car is necessary, try to reduce your travel to 1 gallon of gas (approx 25 miles) or use carbon off-set
* Replace TV and video games in your family with outdoor or other non-electronic activities


Personal Energy Regeneration
* Unplugging from social media, computer, cell phone for a few hours to a whole day!
* Reading
* Journaling
* Longer meditation and yoga practice
* Fasting: eating once or twice a day, or juice fast, or fruit + vegetable fast

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Let us know what you notice about your energy use in the comments below.