Who would have ever thought that an adventure that started off as merely “something to tell the grand children” would bring me onto such a positive & life changing path?
And although the training rides are hard enough, each year, I must raise a minimum of $3000.00 to participate in the AIDSlifecycle, 7 day, 575 mile, bike journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Therefore, following tradition, it’s time for the Fat Tire Beer Bust Fundraising Party - 2009.
At the Fat Tire Beer Fundraising Party 2006, we had Crimewave on the deck. DJ “Fresh Freddy” in the house. 2 Kegs of Fat Tire Beer, Ribs, Potatoes salad, Greens, Hot links, Veggie burgers, raffles, and then some. It was a gathering of beautiful girls, hot looking dudes, and people of all ethnic backgrounds and orientations. It rocked the house!
Well at the Fat Tire Beer Bust Party 2008 (besides the usual array of freaks), we had a special treat. After viewing the Evite invitation, Sports Basement employee, Televis noticed that ribs, hot links, and burgers were on the menu. So he phoned me up and said, “Do you need someone to cook - cause I can bring my mother?”
Coming from a Texan background, I had no doubt that “Tank” knew how to work the grill. Walking in with her apron & homemade BBQ sauce, she single handedly threw down some BBQ Ribs, potato salad, hot links, and vegan burgers. And as she looked around, “Tank” noticed that there were “no collard greens” - so she pulled out her cellphone, phoned up a friend, sent her to Food Co. and within 30 minutes - the greens were in the pot.
Fat Tire is so named for the bike trip Jeff took through Belgium that greatly inspired his home brewing efforts.”
So if you’ve attended last year’s Fat Tire Beer Charity Fundraising Beer Bust, or plan to attend this year’s party on 10 May 2009 - MARK YOUR CALENDAR & please send a thanks out to Brew Meister Jamie Mastin, Ed Dopman, & the Fat Tire Beer Team for their continued support towards charity bike rides, and charity benefits, and for their product sponsorships by clicking on their logo (above).
On 26 October 2008, I will begin my 46th Yr. of existence on the planet earth. And as I enter another age, I reflect on “what have I done?” And then, I contemplate “what more can I do to better ‘myself’ and the world around me?”
Last year, 26 October 2007, I chose to better myself by challenging my “fear of heights.” So, I went rock climbing at Mission Cliffs. And although, ascending the rock was easy - descending from the top of the rock was painful, scary, and caused me to experience a loss of breath. I found myself frozen like a deer staring into headlights. Five minutes later, somehow, my friend convinced me to release my grasp on the rope & trust him to guide me down the rock. As my feet touched the earth, I began to laugh …. .. . .
Since then, I have become more “in tune” with my “fears of heights”. So this year, I’m going to challenge “the fear of success.” I’m going to celebrate my birthday by committing myself to engaging in social causes which I believe in ……..
How do you know if you’re afraid of success? 1. “Partying” the night before the big presentation. This can be literal partying (drinking too much, experimenting with drugs, staying out until the wee hours) or metaphorical partying (cleaning your house until 3 a.m., drinking too much coffee or soda pop so you can’t sleep). You may be flirting with self-sabotage if you somehow always ruin a good night’s rest before a big presentation, exam, or job interview.
2. Procrastination. Putting projects, assignments, or duties off while you take care of non-essential fluff or “make-work” chores can be a sign of fear of success. If you putter around instead of taking care of business, you may be subconsciously sabotaging yourself.
3. All talk, no action. Sometimes certain behaviors look like laziness, but they reveal a fear of success. For instance, you may talk about your life dreams and goals all the time, but you watch TV every night and surf the Internet for hours every day. You never actually take practical steps or exert self-discipline to move in the direction of your goals.
4. Negative, pessimistic thoughts and behaviors. Fear of success can involve an extremely negative perspective of life. “What’s the point of dressing up for the job interview? I probably won’t get it anyway.” Not trying – and focusing on all the things that can go wrong – is self-sabotaging behavior.
What’s the benefit of these self-sabotaging behaviors? They provide an escape hatch. That is, if you party the night before or put your project off to the last minute, you can then shrug off your performance. You have an excuse for not doing well. Instead of facing the fear that you’re not good or smart enough, you chalk it up to too many beers.” - Suite101.com
Barrack Obama
Sometimes, we wonder - “What if?” And then, we say “nah, that would never happen . . ” And we continue our daily existence by accepting what is offered rather than taking responsibility and going after what we desire . . . . We take the route that requires the best combination of minimal intellect & minimal effort . . . We desire to whip up a Bella Lux style meal. Yet, when it’s all “said & done,” we settle for eating a frozen pizza.
I’m not eating any more frozen pizza. I support Barack Obama in his endeavors to become the next President of the United States.
In one’s life, there are moments which touch the heart. There are moments which inspire us to continue with our paths, dreams, goals, and intentions. And there are moments which confirm our “humane actions.” And these moments are seldom acted upon - but instead, they are put in “the archives of the seldom remembered.”
Beginning September 15th, online media personality and AIDS Activist Suzanne Africa Engo, joined by trainers, celebrity friends and community leaders launched the Africa 101 project run - 858 miles beginning at the United Nations in New York to HARPO Studios in Chicago, Illinois.
“Every morning I wake up at 5:30 am and say I’ll do one thing to contribute to the fight against AIDS and then I’ll go back to bed. I haven’t gone back to bed in 17 years” –Engo
From my involvement with the Aidslifecycle Events, I remembered: the sense of completion; the feeling of exhaustion; the questions of “where do I go from here;” and the thoughts of “how to explain what one has experienced physically, and emotionally?” . . . And most importantly, I remembered the importance of letting participants of charity events know that:
You understand and support what they are doing.
They are not alone.
Sending Suzanne Africa a pair of Asics shoes was not enough (that was a deluxe frozen pizza)” So as part of my birthday celebration, on 17 November 2008, I plan to be sitting at Harpo Productions. Why? Well - “ynot?”
IF - Suzanne Africa Engo can give up her flat & selflessly run marathon after marathon; live 2 months in an traveling Rv, practice yoga daily; and walk with good intentions . … . ..
THEN - I can grab my cowbell and join the hundreds of supporters cheering on Suzanne Africa Engo as she completes her 848 mile run from New York to Harpo Studios. You wanna come /or/ do you want to have the frozen pizza?
With the end of the year creeping upon us, mankind begins to by gifts for all the individuals within an arm’s reach . .. . in the 80″ it was the “Walk Man,” in the 90’s it was “beenie babies,” in the 2000’s it’s all about “Jordan’s,” “Iphones,” and “GREEN.”
Each year, millions of Americans make a shopping list and run out to various boutiques & department stores buying gifts for various holidays. So why not shop ““RED?”
Each partner company creates a product with the Product Red logo. In return for the opportunity to increase their own revenue through the Product Red products they sell, a percentage of the profit is given to the Global Fund.“
Approximately 48 hours ago, I had a “small epiphany.” Yet knowing that epiphany’s don’t come in size small - I glanced to the left & started walking a new path.
“Suzanne Engo began her philanthropic work aged five, when she shared her Christmas gifts with local handicapped children in her native Cameroon, West Africa.”
In 2003, Engo founded the New York AIDS Film Festival, which was launched at the United Nations as the world’s first HIV/AIDS film festival.
In 2005, during the week prior to the Millennium Development Goals Summit Review, Suzanne directed and produced a media installation in the UN Lobby, which was attended by NGOs from around the world.
Suzanne Engo is the daughter of H.E. Judge Paul Bamela Engo (Former UN Ambassador, and currently of the International Tribune of the Law of the Sea) and Her Excellency Dr. Ruth Engo Tjega (President & Executive Director of African Action on AIDS, and formerly of the Office of the Secretary General, Special Advisor on Africa).
Approximately 30 days (half way) into her journey, Suzanne Africa Engo can be found running through the streets of Sanducky, Ohio. Traveling by foot from New York to Chicago & sleeping in Walmart Parking lots /or/on the side of the road (in a rental rv), Suzanne Africa Engo is alive and kicking.
Suzanne Africa is running directly to Harpo Productions to meet & thank Oprah Winfrey for the empowerment that she gives Afro American Women. And as a soldier in the fight against the AIDS Pandemic, Suzanne would like to join forces with Oprah Winfey and make this world a better place.
Suzanne encourages individuals to become involved in this project:
Letter of support should be written to:
Oprah Winfrey Show, 110 North Carpenter Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60607
(Suzanne requests that letters be put in a “red” envelope).
Words of encouragement & support can be left here or here
Suzanne could use a volunteer to drive the RV
Suzanne would appreciate a vegan meal.
Suzanne’s route map will be available shortly - check back for more details.
Wishing the best of all possible worlds,
Iyengar Yoga Teacher,
12th Yr. Aidslifecycle Cyclist,
tony
Being a human being, yoga teacher & buddhist, I have learned many a things from many a teachers:
Maya Angelou - “I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
My #1 Fan - My Mother - “Piss pour planning produces piss pour results - DON’T HALF ASS”
However, for me, the greatest of all teaching has been - “teach by example.”
So today, I rose at 5:00am. I proceeded to pack my pink flamingos, pink toto, pink silk scarf, and headed over to Chrissy Field to join fellow Sports Basement employees in cheering on the participants of the Breast Cancer 3- Day Walk.
Q. - “Why would one get up at 5:00am (on Sunday), stand half naked in 58 degree weather, and ring a cow bell?”
A. - “From my involvement with the AIDSLifeCycle Charity Events, I remember: the sense of completion; the feeling of exhaustion; the questions of “where do I go from here’” and the thoughts of “how to explain what one has experience physically, and emotionally” after completing a charity event. . . . Yet most importantly, I remember the importance of letting participants of charity events know:
You understand & support what they are doing.
They are not alone.
Every walker that passed the Sports Basement cheering station raised at least $2,200 dollars for the privilege of walking 60-miles. They walked for friends, they walked for family, they walked so their daughters would not have to walk, and they walked to create a better world.
So whether one can run, walk, type, sing, cook, answer phones, bike, swim, bowl, drive a car, load a truck, dress like a fool or donate - there’s definitely something one can do to better the world - so don’t just sit there putting off goodness like we put of a diet. ….
I believe Yoga should be accessible to every individual. Therefore, for seven years, I have taught donation based yoga classes (students pay what they can afford). And over the years, I have offered free yoga classes at San Francisco’s Dolores Park, Ocean Beach and Free Yoga Classes at City Hall. And presently, I am the founder & organizer of Sports Basement’s Free Yoga Program.
Calling all Yoga Teachers - Yoga Studios & Business Owners :
Presently, I am searching for other venues in the San Francisco Bay Area where I can create a similar free yoga program - making yoga accessible for every individual.
Therefore, if you are a yoga teacher (or a soon to graduate yoga teacher) looking to share your knowledge, practice karma yoga (community service), and put yourself in the public eye, join in & volunteer your services making yoga affordable for every individual.
And if you are a business owner, yoga studio, community center organizer, youth activities advocate, and/or know of a location or organization that would like to become part of this successful growing trend - email me and let’s chat ….
Together, through the practice of Yoga, we can better ourselves & our community.
Yoga teachers of all schools of yoga are invited to give back to the community and teach.
Yoga students of all levels are invited to attend.
For more information or to get your name on the yoga teacher’s list - email me.
Send a brief Yoga Bio
Send a link to your website, personal profile ( Myspace , Zaadz, Tribe , Yelp review , etc) or something which speaks highly of you
Start advertising your yoga classes
Business owners - I’m all ears! - “make me an offer that can’t be refused … . ..”
Wishing the best of all possible worlds,
Iyengar Yoga Teacher, tony eason
Lately, I have become intrigued with customer’s fascination with the various North Face brand items scattered around Sports Basement. Therefore, I wanted to know: "what makes "North Face"
so special? So, I spoke with various Sport Basement employees. And, I
asked each employee to pick out their favorite North Face brand item
(within their department) as part of a fashion show. Here’s "best of
show."
Name: Josh McDonald Education: BA, Kinesiology, S.F.S.U. Height: 5′ 8" Weight: 180lbs Age: 28 Occupation: MMA - Amateur Wrestling / Men’s Fitness Department - Sports Basement Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94596
Q - Why did you choose to work at Sports Basement? Within your department, what is your favorite North Face item?
A
- I work at Sports Basement because I enjoy being around other
individuals that participate in healthy physical activities (like me).
Working on the 4th Floor in the Men’s Fitness Department of Sports
Basement, my favorite item is the North Face - El Cap Shirt.
North Face El Cap Shirt
Style No. ABXD - S08 Colors: Deep Water Blue, Ellis Green, black Sports Basement Price: $38.00 - Compare at: $55.00
Name: Randy
Education: B.A. - University of Hartford - Cinema Height: 6′ Weight: 185 lbs. Age: 24 Occupation: Back Country Hard Goods - Sports Basement Favorite Book: One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Sport: Snowboarder/ Camper /Hiker
It’s
a great bag for the price. Comfortable and adjustable. For a week, I
traveled with the North Face TNF to Panama. And I backpacked with it in
Yosemite for a weekend. In both occasions, it worked great!
North Face Terra 60 - 3700 cl
Style No. AJ4M - 08 Colors: Deep Water Sports Basement Price: $120.00 - Compare at: $139.00-
A
- This is one of our top sellers. For a synthetic bag, It is light
& compressible. It is a high quality bag, yet an inexpensive option
for backpacking or car camping (compared to down sleeping bags). And 20
degrees is a good versatile temperature for California camping.
A
- The Tadpole 23 has the shape of a single person tent, but it’s
designed for two . .. So, it’s light, but doesn’t feel "cave like" and
you won’t get lonely.
North Face Tadpole 23
- 2 person tent - 4lbs 14oz Style No. APE7-08 DAC Featherlight Poles - 3 Season - Silicone Flysheet - Lifetime Warranty Sports Basement Price: $215.00 - Compare at: $250.00
Name: R. Patrick Huff Education: E.M.T. - Basic / Student of History Degree Origin: German / Irish / Swedish / Black Foot Indian Age: 23 Height: 5′10" Weight: 172lbs. Sports: Run - Hike - Softball Favorite Book: Kaffir Boy
North Face Dhaulagiri GTX
Q - Why do you love these North Face Shoes so much?
North Face - Sports Basement - An Imprompt2 Fashion Show
-
TO BE CONTINUED - Check back to see what other Sports Basement - San
Francisco employees have to say .. .. And if you’re really "lucky" -
I’ll tell you about Superman!
Over the last 7 months, Sports Basement
has offer free yoga classes each & every Sunday from 1:00 - 2:30pm.
And thanks to the high turn out of yoga students, speed walkers,
mothers, coach potatoes, high school students, Fat Tire Beer
Specialist, snowboarders and then some, . . .Sports basement has
offered it’s location for 6 more months - June - Dec 2008.
So get your shoes. Jump on your bike. Catch the Muni #33, #22, #9 or even the #19 - I think you’ll like it.
Keep up your yoga practice & stay on top of your game
Click the icon above and add my RSS Feed to your feed reader; My Yahoo; Google Reader; or Firefox;
and get upcoming yoga events, my yoga class schedule changes, free yoga
notices, and future bike ride information delivered automatically to
your com
I’m
a Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in
Public Health, who has had chronic illnesses since childhood. My yoga
training has been ‘old school’ working in the Sivinanda and mostly the
Integral Yoga schools. Right now, I’m teaching at the Jewish Community
High school and at the JCC in addition to subbing at Integral Yoga
Center of SF and have taught weekly at Rhoda Goldman, senior yoga
classes.
Liz
Filippone, RYT has been practicing yoga for 9 years and received her
500 hour teacher training at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San
Francisco. Her teachings and practice are greatly influenced by the
Iyengar, Kripalu, Vinyasa and Yin Yoga styles. Also, she is a movement
artist and performs in San Francisco.
Tara
Yoga is a combination of different yoga styles that have inspired her
in her own practice. Her Journey started out attending the teacher’s
training course through the Vishnu Sivinanda Organization. Tara then
branched out to the vinyasin and Iyengar styles with teacher Tridham.
And after attending classes in the anusara, astanga and kundalini
styles of yoga, Tara posses the power to get you in tune with your
breath & physical alignment. Also, she will bring you in harmony
with your movement and therefore you will lengthen, strenghten, and go
deeper into your poses.
Anita
Lalwani teaches an Ashtanga Vinyasa inspired flowing form of yoga with
an emphasis on breathwork and core strengthening that will electrify
you from your fingers to your toes. She has been practicing yoga since
1985, and teaching since 2005. Anita is also a professional dancer with
FatChanceBellyDance and a personal fitness trainer at the San Francisco Bay Club.
"A Graduate of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco, Tony Eason has been a student of Yoga for fifteen years. As an Aidslifecycle cyclist, Tony came to yoga for the benefits of stretching.
Through Iyengar yoga classes, he teaches students to pay attention to
the alignment of their bodies, to become aware of the breath, and to
control the mind. Presently, Tony teaches Iyengar yoga classes,
yoga seminars, and substitute teaches at James Howell Studio, Club One,
and the San Francisco Tennis Club. Cyclist, beginners, and everyone
else, are encouraged to attend his classes."
Over the last 7 months, Sports Basement has offer free yoga classes each & every Sunday from 1:00 - 2:30pm. And thanks to the high turn out of yoga students, speed walkers, mothers, coach potatoes, high school students, Fat Tire Beer Specialist, snowboarders and then some, . . .Sports basement has offered it’s location for 6 more months - June - Dec 2008.
So get your shoes. Jump on your bike. Catch the Muni #33, #22, #9 or even the #19 - but, I think you’ll like it.
Keep up your yoga practice & stay on top of your game
Click the icon above and add my RSS Feed to your feed reader; My Yahoo; Google Reader; or Firefox; and get upcoming yoga events, my yoga class schedule changes, free yoga notices, and future bike ride information delivered automatically to your com
I’m a Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Public Health, who has had chronic illnesses since childhood. My yoga training has been ‘old school’ working in the Sivinanda and mostly the Integral Yoga schools. Right now, I’m teaching at the Jewish Community High school and at the JCC in addition to subbing at Integral Yoga Center of SF and have taught weekly at Rhoda Goldman, senior yoga classes.
Liz Filippone, RYT has been practicing yoga for 9 years and received her 500 hour teacher training at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco. Her teachings and practice are greatly influenced by the Iyengar, Kripalu, Vinyasa and Yin Yoga styles. Also, she is a movement artist and performs in San Francisco.
Jessica Weiss currently teaches an Anusara inspired Vinyasa flow yoga class at the YMCA in East Palo Alto. Her yoga classes are physically vigorous and emphasize the practice of Yoga both on & off the mat.
Each yoga class is an exploration of where we are at the particular moment - both physically & mentally. And she encourages sthudents to feel deeply in each yoga pose in order to understand their own unique alignment and potential. And although yoga is a serious medicine for general well-being, she suggest that it we don’t limit our ability to laugh and let go.
"Make yoga a dance of life - know when to stop, when to go, and when to let go.
She encourages students to:
Be their own creators.
To determine their own stories.
To dance their own dance.
And to find happiness in their life & happiness in the live’s of others.
Raja Yoga meditation is an open-eyed technique that can be used by anyone, anywhere. Whether you want to learn how to relax, need to be more concentrated and creative or are searching for personal enlightenment, this course can satisfy each of those needs.
Meditation enables you to create new attitudes and responses to life, giving you a clear spiritual understanding of yourself. Like any skill, meditation requires practice to achieve positive and satisfying results. By doing a little every day, it soon becomes a natural and easy habit, which generously rewards you for the little effort it involves.
We will look at:
* Re-discover enjoying and using the positive qualities already latent within you * Understand your mind and what makes you tick * Draw peace, strength and tranquillity from a higher source * Practical guidance in the technique of meditation
Each session will include: * Know-how * Philosophy behind meditation and the skill of meditation * Guided meditation commentaries led by the meditation teacher * Most importantly a chance to explore what does and doesn’t work for you
Although I am a teacher of Hatha Yoga, I find great strength in the path of action and selfless service. Serving without attachment to the fruits (or results) of the action - Karma Yoga. And therefore, I constantly keep my eyes pealed for opportunities to assist others ….. as Martin Luther King has stated, "you too can be a servant."
Recently, while walking down 24th Street, I stopped at the neighborhood bar - "Pops." And, as I drank my Fat Tire Beer, I noticed something different about the bartender. Emily seemed to have a swollen mouth. And Emily’s lips seem to be a bit on a tilt. So, I continued to watch. …..
About half way through my beer, Emily spoke. And although she could hardly articulate her words, she told me the following:
"A couple nights ago, while ‘walking my bike home’ - I was the victim of a hit & run. As I crossed 24th Street @ Bryant Street, I was hit by a car (that was going 30 mph.) . The side view mirror struck my face, 13 of my teeth flew into Bryant Street and the driver just kept going. And although a local cab driver witnessed the incident, only part of the driver’s license plate number was noticed. So I collected my teeth, put them in my purse and was taken to the hospital. "
Although Emily still has the ability to work - she will likely never make enough to pay the approximate $70,000.00 upcoming dentist bills. Emily, a fellow cyclist, could use the support of the San Francisco community.
So!
If you ever walked or ridden a bike and been hit by a car …
If you’ve ever drank a beer at Pop’s /or/ are an alcoholic. . . . .
If you’ve ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time. .. . .
If money is burning a hole in your pocket /or/you might have something to raffle off at the fundraiser …
If you’re a Karma Yogi / Yogini at heart …
Here’s a fine opportunity to do community service.
A Benefit Show for Emily:
Date: 19 July 2008 The Parkside 1600 17th Street (at Wisconsin Street) San Francisco, CA. 9:00pm.
Thanks
to the high turn out of yoga students, speed walkers, coach potatoes,
Fat Tire Beer Specialist, snowboarders and then some, . . .Over the
last 6 months, Sports Basement has continued to offer free yoga classes
each & every Sunday from 1:00 - 2:30pm.
Keep up your Yoga Practice - Stay on top of your game ….
25 May 2008 will conclude the 6 month free yoga program at Sports Basement. Yet add http://ynottony.com/myRSSFeed.xml to your feed reader
and get the information you need delivered automatically to your
computer & stay on top of your game. Keep up on the latest yoga
events Sports Basement & I have in store for you next . . . And if you aren’t computer savy - just type your email address in the box below and receive automatic emails about:
Upcoming yoga events in the San Francisco Bay Area
