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Yoga as a lifestyle: one local woman's mission |
By ERIN BARRETTE GOODMAN When most people think of yoga, they tend to think of people bending and twisting their way into all kinds of crazy poses. And while that is certainly part of the experience, traditional yoga is actually about a way of life that extends well beyond the physical postures. “It’s easy to meditate and be peaceful in a yoga studio,” says Maria Arias of yoga@work, which brings yoga to corporations throughout Southern New England. “But can you find that peace when you are stuck in traffic, or your kids are fighting, or you’re dealing with a stressful situation at work? This is where the real work of yoga is.” Another important element of a yogic lifestyle, which students of yoga sometimes call their “off the mat” practice, is seva, or selfless service. Seva is about bringing the light and peace that one achieves through yoga out into the world. Jude’s Journey Jude Monteserrato, a yoga teacher in Wakefield, exemplifies the power of yoga to transform the lives of individuals and communities. Monteserrato, who describes herself as a former high-strung, corporate-type, took solace in a yoga studio after loosing her partner of 15 years in the attacks of 9/11. “My yoga class was the only place I could find peace during that painful time,” Monteserrato explained. Over the years, yoga not only helped Monteserrato begin to heal, it also led her to become a certified yoga teacher and make many positive changes in her life, which she now shares with her partner, physical therapist, Thai massage practitioner and fellow yoga teacher, Ed Cardinal, of Wakefield. As part of her practice, Monteserrato frequently attends workshops and conferences to deepen her practice and hone her skills. It was at one such retreat last fall with internationally-renowned yoga teacher and humanitarian Seane Corn that Monteserrato was introduced to a program called “Off the Mat, Into the World” and the “Cambodia Challenge 2009.” “The moment I heard about this challenge, my soul was deeply touched. As I reviewed the information and watched the video online about the children in Cambodia’s orphanages, and the conditions they were rescued from, tears began to run down my face. “At that moment I knew, that in addition to my daily prayers, I needed to take action to make a difference.” Cambodia Challenge 2009 In February, 2009, Monteserrato, and close to 20 of her yoga colleagues from around the world, will travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to build a well (among other projects) at one of the five orphanages run by the Cambodia Children’s Fund (CCF). The children they will be working with have been rescued by CCF from Steung Meanchey, an 11-acre garbage dump, where they lived and worked (collecting metal and plastic for recycling). Through the work of CCF, the children now attend school and have their basic needs met for the first time in their lives. In order for Monteserrato and her colleagues to participate in the Cambodia Challenge, each individual must raise $20,000 by December 31. Monteserrato, who began fundraising this past spring, is approaching $12,000, and going strong thanks to the generosity of her family, friends and members of the community. SOUPer BOWL This coming Saturday, Monteserrato will host a fun and unique fundraiser at the Church of the Ascension in Wakefield from 6:30 to 10 p.m. For $30 – an amount which can feed a child in Cambodia three nutritious meals a day for a full month – participants will receive a beautiful hand-made bowl (donated by Anni Barnard and Jeanne Wettlaufer), from which they can sample any number of delicious homemade soups, as well as bread and dessert. Traditional Cambodian music will be played throughout the night by Song Heng. Monteserrato will also have “Off the Mat, Into the World” tee-shirts that she designed, as well as bags that are handmade in Cambodia, for sale. There will also be several raffles of donated items like jewelry and gift certificates throughout the evening. For more information about the SOUPer BOWL event or to learn about other ways you can support Jude’s Journey, call 439-5260 or visit Jude’s website at www.judesjourney.com. |
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Chorus of Westerly to play with Boston Orchestra |
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Written by wannabe staff
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The Chorus of Westerly and the Boston Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director George Kent, announce their landmark 50th season which includes classical masterworks, popular holiday events, and a few surprises. Tickets are now on sale. For more information contact 596-8663 or visit www.chorusofwesterly. org.
The 2008-2009 season opens on September 21 with the extraordinary vocal ensemble, the Orthodox Singers of Estonia. This premiere choral ensemble has enthralled concert-goers around the globe with their rare specialty of early Orthodox music. Their repertoire focuses on the great works of Russian sacred choral literature, both ancient and contemporary. Winners of numerous international choir festivals, The Orthodox Singers will perform two concerts on Sunday, September 21 at 4 and 6 p.m. The Chorus of Westerly takes to the risers on November 23, with performances of Vaughan Williams’ Hodie. The popular Christmas Pops concerts will take place on Sunday, December 21. The concert series concludes on May 17 with Gounod’s St. Cecilia Mass. Concerts take place on Sundays at 4 and 6 p.m., with an additional performance at 8 p.m. for Christmas Pops. The Chorus will also present a 50th season extra: a concert to be announced for sometime in March. In addition to the series concerts, the Chorus will usher in the New Year with A Celebration of Twelfth Night on January 10 and 11, 2009 at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. The Chorus of Westerly’s 29th annual Summer Pops will take place in Wilcox Park on Saturday, June 20. The 2008-2009 season will celebrate the amazing landmark of 50 years that the Chorus has been performing choral masterworks. The 200- voice Chorus of Westerly, founded in 1959 by George Kent, is an organization dedicated to artistic excellence and enriching lives through
singing. It is one of New England’s foremost performing ensembles, and the nation’s only truly intergenerational chorus with singers ages eight to eighty singing alongside each other
throughout the entire concert season. The Chorus has toured Great Britain and Italy, performing in such venues as Westminster Abbey, King’s College Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and the Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds. The Chorus has also been honored on many occasions, including receiving the Jabez Gorham Award by Business Volunteers for the
Arts/RI. In addition, the Chorus of Westerly is one of
the few choruses in the country to own its performance hall. The historic building was rededicated
as the George Kent Performance Hall in September 2005 following renovation and expansion
to provide a more comfortable and safer facility for the community’s enjoyment. The Chorus of Westerly’s 50th season promises world class music performed by and in the community that supports it. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 596- 8663. Subscriptions are now on sale, as are tickets to the Orthodox Singers. Tickets to all other events go on sale September 2. Visit www.chorusofwesterly. org.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 August 2008 )
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