Jeff Reifman

Hala Khouri: Yoga for Trauma - Seattle Workshop February 2013

Hala Khouri is holding a three day workshop in Seattle, register early to reserve your spot:

The focus of this training is on understanding the physiology of trauma and how it shows up in the body. The majority of people considered “at-risk” have had significant trauma in their lives. Hala will share important tools from Somatic Experiencing, a technique that helps to resolve the symptoms of trauma such as dissociation, anxiety, chronic dysregulation, depression and addiction. You will learn how to incorporate these tools into a yoga class.

You do not have to be a yoga teacher to benefit from this training. You will leave with yoga-based tools that can be applied in any setting!

Dates: February 22-24

Location: The Samarya Center, 1806 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122

Learn more or register now.

Read more about Hala Khouri and Off the Mat Into the World.

 

 

Alex Honnold 3.0 - Banff International Film Festival

I'm pretty sure most of the audience at last night's showing of the Banff International Film Festival in Seattle could barely stand to watch Alex Honnold's 24 hour, mostly free solo climb of Mt. Watkins, El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite - Alex Honnold 3.0.

What Honnold does is amazing. His mental discipline and calm is hugely inspirational. But after watching last night, I worry about his longevity. Also, check out Alex Honnold: Alone on the Wall.

Seane Corn Encourages Political Women to Attend Sister Giant

"Yet, over the years when I would see women run for office, they would wear the power suits, and they would have the power voice, and they would adopt the rhetoric of the male politicians. And I could no longer identify with these women, they seemed to be taking on the persona of these men ... and I felt more and more not only alienated but really alone in this process of thinking will there ever be anyone who can speak their truth from their heart and always allow love to be the thing that guides their politics above anything else?

Getting involved with yoga helped me personally tap into a conversation with myself that allowed me the process of beginning to find my own voice and speak my own truth and take responsibility for the places where I disengage with my own femininity and I became a little bit more compassionate and I understand why it was so hard for women running for office to engage in their femininity, when it's not supported, it's not celebrated and we as women are not always very comfortable with it."

Sister Giant is in Los Angeles November 10 - 11, 2012. Seane is also the founder of Yoga Votes!

 

Marianne Williamson on Spirituality and Politics - Intro to Sister Giant

This is a beautiful video by Marianne Williamson explaining why spiritual people need to engage themselves in politics:

"What we don't engage we can't transform. And, it's only a counterfeit notion of enlightenment that would ever give us a pass on addressing human suffering. Because, the spiritual journey is a journey of the heart, that can't just be talk. You can't talk about the journey to the heart and turn away from a starving child."

Daring Greatly, Brene Brown's Latest Book

Brene Brown has a new book, Daring Greatly, coming out September 11, 2012 - (watch her earlier TED talks on vulnerability and shame):

I'll show you mine if you show me yours

Created by Leah Pearlman at Dharma Comics! 

Via Facebook and Brene Brown

New The XX Album - Coexist

Super excited for their sophomore effort. First track Angels is out now.

 

Cause Some Beautiful Trouble with Us in Seattle

Initiative 103 will be partying it up with other local creative activists for the Beautiful Trouble book launch on Wednesday, May 16th at the Richard Hugo House. Hope to see you there! RSVP on Facebook!

Introduction to Initiative 103 - Confronting Citizens United, Ending Corporate Spending in Seattle Elections

Here are some introductory highlights from our Initiative 103 kickoff event:

How Microsoft's Tax Dodge Led to $4 billion K-12 and Higher Education Cuts

Jeff Reifman on the Microsoft Tax Dodge

Apple's not the only company to save billions in taxes through Nevada as The New York Times reported yesterday. Here's how Microsoft's saved $4.37 billion in tax payments to Washington State and how it's led indirectly to $4 billion in K-12 and Higher Education cuts since 2008. 18% of University of Washington freshman are now foreigners (because they pay more) up from 2% six years ago. Washington State ranks 47th nationally in 18-24 yo college enrollment and 48th in K-12 class size. This hasn't stopped the architect of the company's Nevada tax dodge from writing in The Seattle Times: 'it's [Washington] state's paramount duty to provide for the public education of all children. Unfortunately, steady declines in public resources now threaten our ability to live up to that commitment.' Yes, indeed.