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Iyengar Yoga Teacher visits S.F. General Hospital on Christmas

As the holiday season begins and the end of the year approaches, we begin to contemplate our New Year’s Resolutions.  We reflect on Xmas Past, Xmas Present, and Xmas Future.  We may even contemplate our purpose in life.  And, if we’re really lucky, we’ll begin to think of others – a practice of Karma Yoga.

1. Christmas
“A celebration of humanity dating back thousands of years. It originated as a pagan celebration of the birth of the Sun, as it was celebrated on the winter equinox, and after that point, days got longer. When the Catholics/ Christians took over these pagan peoples, they replaced their holiday with their own Birth of the Son, (as in of God) to make the transition to Christianity’s traditions easier. The idea of Santa Claus and his reindeer was created in the 1800s, and is loosely based on St. Nicholas, who gave random presents to people. The idea of a christmas tree dates back to German celebrations of Christmas thousands of years ago. They used an evergreen tree to symbolize life and hope in dark times, and hung apples on it. In modern times, it has again lost its religious meaning and is now used as a time of secular "joy." People spend the time with their family or friends and exchange gifts, a tradition from the Birth of Jesus.”

2. Christmas
“A holiday that originally was supposed to be for the birth of Christ, but after all these years, its just nothing but commercials, sales, and stress. What does a fat guy who hauls gifts down into your lifing room, and then flies away on a sleigh have to do with Jesus Christ? Jack squat.”

3.Christmas
“A heart touching season where gift giving is promoted, and Santa Claus is every youth’s hero. Other Christmas icons include: reindeer, snowmen, elves, presents, pine
trees, ornaments, tinsel, holy, yule logs, sleighs, mistletoe, carols,
noel, angels, golden rings, calling birds, french hens, turtledoves,
birds in fruit-bearing trees.”

Regardless of one’s thoughts on Christmas. Christmas represents a day of “giving…”

So today and every day throughout the year, walk the streets as if it’s Xmas.  And, do something for someone ….

1. Buy a stranger a cup of Peet’s Coffee
2. Pump the gas for the person in front of you.
3. Deliver a case of Fat Tire Beer to your local Fire Fighters.
4. Instead of going out to dinner, donate the funds to Project Open Hand
5. Go clean your neightbor’s kitchen ….
7. Give the babysitter “the day off paid.”
8. Ask your United States Postal Worker their name.
9. Sponsor an AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist
10. Learn 42 yoga sanskrit words

Think about it!

So, what will I do on Christmas Day?

In accordance with last year, I will visit the San Francisco General Hospital AIDS Impatients and deliver care packages.

So, if you would like to donate something to put in the bags (approximately 30 bags) – perhaps some Savory Thins, Visconti’s Panettones, Body Wash, Organic Teas Echinacea, Essential Oils Butterfingers, Lotions, Candied Ginger, A Oprah Winfrey Magazines, Music CDs, Playing Cards, Dominos, A B. Dalton Gift Certificates, or just the gift bags themselves – email me – I’ll pick up the goodies – put them in the bags – and deliver them to the San Francisco General Hospital.

And if you want to help deliver – that’s cool too!

Wishing the best of all possible worlds,
Iyengar Yoga Teacher,
10th Yr., AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist,
tony

velo@ynottony.com