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zen in the city
[A Yen for Zen]
Find out how
to let the fun part of urban life over rule the stressful part
- Zen - a Japanese sect of Mahayana
Buddhism that aims at enlightenment by direct intuition through
meditation
- Nirvana – a place or state of oblivion to
care, pain or external reality; a goal hoped for but apparently
unattainable
Not attainable! What’s the point? Well they
do say “the journey is half the fun.” (I know it’s really
“half the battle” but for our purposes we’ll say fun) Finding
ways to relax your mind and body brings with it all kinds of
benefits.
But “just relax” is a command that can trigger an
angry response. “How am I supposed to relax when…? (Fill in the
blank with just about anything that might come your way in a
day).”
So I guess the only solution is to
hop a plane heading east (Far East) to attain enlightenment at
the temple shrine. Or not… With a little motivation, there are
places in the city that will take your mind off the daily grind
and, even better, help you face that grind with a more positive
mental and physical state. Don’t you want a life where an empty
coffee pot or a lifted toilet seat, while irritating, won’t send
you in to a red rage and ruin your day?
Stroll with us down
High and surrounding streets to find the beginnings
of a path to enlightenment
[which path is best for you?]
-
Yoga - A system of exercises for attaining bodily or
mental control and well-being
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Ashtanga yoga
- Meaning "Eight-limbed
union," this yoga system is comprised of eight
progressive stages that include work on postures,
breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration,
meditation and contemplation.
- Craniosacral Therapy - Developed in the 1980s by osteopathic physician
and Professor of Biomechanics John E. Upledger,
Craniosacral Therapy employs a hands-on method of
soft touch to release restrictions in the
craniosacral system to improve the functioning of
the central nervous system.
- Hatha yoga - Also called "Sun/moon yoga," this more than
6000-year-old practice focuses on the nerves ending
in the nasal region of the head that correspond to
mental and emotional currents. Through breath
control and physical manipulations using a series of
postures and positions, mental and emotional
currents are balanced. Hatha yoga is a great way to
balance the subconscious mind and physical body.
- Pilates - Invented 70 years ago by Joseph H. Pilates, the
goal of this technique is to improve the body’s
flexibility and strength. These controlled movements
have been used by dancers and athletes and not only
do they engage the body, they also engage the mind.
- Polarity therapy - Developed by Randolph Stone, DO, DC, NC, this
health system combines diet, exercise and bodywork
to promote self-awareness. The system draws on the
human energy field and electromagnetic patterns
expressed in mental, emotional and physical
experience to achieve balance.
- Reiki -
This
Japanese technique (Rei which means "God's Wisdom or
the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force
energy") reduces stress and promotes relaxation and
healing. The basis for Reiki is that an unseen life
force energy flows through the body giving it life.
The treatment is administered through a laying on of
hands by a professional who can heighten the life
force energy and reduce stress.
-
Trager Massage
- Created by Milton Trager, M.D., this approach to
movement education uses both
passive and active practices. The Trager Massage
works to eliminate unhealthy physical and mental
patterns and replace them with relaxation, better
physical mobility and mental clarity.
[where to find it]
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Alpha State (Yoga, etc.), 433 W. 3rd Ave. –
Pilates, Movement Arts (Yoga, Argentine Tango,
Meditation) and Trager massage
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Inner Connections (Holistic bodywork), 1196
Neil Ave. – Craniosacral, Polarity and Sports
Massage therapies, infant and pregnancy massage,
and Reiki
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Yoga on High, 1081 N. High St. – Reiki, and
Ashtanga and Hatha yoga
[spotlight: the tea zone] There is an ancient Chinese proverb, “Better to be
deprived of food for three days than tea for one.” We are
constantly inundated with the health benefits of tea, but with
so many kinds out there, how do you know which is the best?
At
Zen Cha Tea
, 982 North High St., tea is taken to a new level. Zen Cha draws
on the historic and cultural traditions of tea from all over the
world. Try Chinese teas, Japanese teas, British teas, Indian
teas, German teas and more. Zen Cha not only offers tea, they
pride themselves on the promotion of “international tea arts.”
A Recommendation: Try the fruit tea; with
real chunks of fruit in the bottom, it’s healthy and refreshing
on a hot day!
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