Yoga Journal Blog: Samadhi in the City

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New York: The NYC Gratitude

Though the origins of Thanksgiving are murky at best, politically indefensible at worst, and dietarily overstuffing at medium, it's a nice moment to remember gratitude. Remember that?

Here's my list of things I'm thankful for this year, as an NYC yogini/health-striving gal:

1) Being Cancer-Free. This time three years ago I was bald, chemo'd, and in a kind of frozen zone. Now my hair is big once again, my veins are running clearer, and I can feel the warmth returning to my life. Yay. This subversive cross stitch, BTW, made my day.

2) Whole Foods Whole Body Store. I know, WF is the new Starbucks, it's gobbling the-little fish food stores in its Jaws-like maw. But damn it's like delicious soul-porn standing in that store sniffing Zum soap, checking out new yoga mats, and dreaming of a bathroom big enough to hold all the giant-tubbed fantasies this place provokes.

3) Cheap Tui Na Massage. The savvy girls around here skip Bliss and go straight for the dollar-a-minute Tui--Chinese massage places that require no appointment or huge budget. My work-area fave: Asia Tui Na Massage on 28th near Park. Ask for Mai. But really they're all good.

4) Living in This Yoga-Rich City.
I love this city when I'm not hating it, and a lot of that has to do with the absurd riches of everything except trees: Indian food, bra shops, movies you can't see in a mall, and, of course, yoga. I love that I can do Kundalini or Integral or Kripalu or Bikram or Anusara or whatever my body needs that day.

5) Hi-Vibe. This amazing little raw food haven has everything from divine shea butter to anti-oxidant-rich goji berries. But mainly stands as a reminder of the optimal health we can strive for, even here.

6) My Man. He doesn't do yoga (but he's open--still need to sign him up for a beginner course). And he has a habit of eye-rolling when things like The Secret come up, but he constantly surprises me with his willingness to grow and change and listen and talk and do my dishes.

7) Rice, the Restaurant. I eat here way too often, but the black beans with brown rice and lovely clean vibe gets me through all the psycho stress of producing content that helps people relax.

8) Subways. Not driving. 'Nuff said.

9) Oko and Flurt. Ok, it's not exactly fro-yo weather anymore, but I still adore this low-fat-ish probiotic-y frozen treat.

10) Dharma Mittra's "Psychic Development & Meditation" Classes. The yoga master may be a little extreme for some tastes (he loves to lecture about all the "corpses"-a.k.a. meat--in your fridge), but he can bring a room together, remind me that I'm a soul first, do-er second, and do a little chakra-cleansing in the process.

So, what are you, dear yogi, grateful for right now?

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Comments

I'm thankful for my peeps in NYC. :)

I'm thankful for my yoga practice and a body to do it with.

I'm thankful for the ability to hold a benefit class to raise $1,000 for a local foodbank on Thanksgiving Day!

Namaste, VR!

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