WHAT IS YOUR WATER FOOTPRINT?

In the very public discussion about global warming, a lot of emphasis is placed on the effect of Carbon Dioxide emissions. This is fitting since our fossil fuel-heavy lifestyles are the main contributors to global warming. However, another aspect of fallout from our lifestyles is the pollution and disappearance of many water resources. Thankfully, there are people with their eyes on this indicator, as well.  As a point for deeper reflection on how we are living and how it is affecting other life forms on the planet, we ask: What is your water footprint? 

People use lots of water for drinking, cooking and washing, but even more for producing things. The water footprint is an indicator of water use that looks at both direct and indirect water use of an individual, community or business  for the production of goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business.

Here is some information about how most people in the United States are using water: 

Household use

• On average, 10 gallons per day of your water footprint (or 14% of your indoor use) is lost to leaks. One of the easiest, most effective ways to cut your footprint is by repairing leaky faucets and toilets.
• It takes about 70 gallons of water to fill a bathtub, so showers are better.  And if you use a low-flow showerhead, you can save 15 gallons of water during a 10-minute shower.
• On a daily basis we flush more down our toilets than we think, up to nearly 20 gallons (a standard toilet uses close to 3.5 gallons a flush).
• Nearly 22% of indoor home water use comes from doing laundry. Most front-loading washing machines are energy- and water-efficient, using just over 20 gallons a load, while most top-loading machines use 40 gallons per load.
• Dishwashing is a relatively small part of your water footprint—less than 2% of indoor use. Using a machine is actually more water efficient than hand washing. Most dishwashers use up to about 6 gallons per load. While hand washing can use about 20 gallons of water each time. 
• It takes about 100 gallons of water to grow and process a single pound of cotton, and the average American goes through about 35 pounds of new cotton material each year.
• Nearly 60% of a person's household water footprint can go toward lawn and garden maintenance.
• The average pool takes 22,000 gallons of water to fill, and if you don't cover it, hundreds of gallons of water per month can be lost due to evaporation.
• Washing a car uses about 150 gallons of water, so by washing less frequently you can cut back your water use.

Diet

• It takes approximately 1,000 gallons of water per person per day to produce the average American diet alone.  This is more than the average global water footprint of 900 gallons per person per day for all use, including diet, household use, transportation, energy, and the consumption of material goods.
• A serving of poultry costs about 90 gallons of water to produce. 
• Pork costs water to produce, and traditional pork production has also been the cause of some water pollution, as pig waste runs into local water sources.
• A cup of coffee takes 55 gallons of water to make, with most of that H2O used to grow the coffee beans.
• There are also water costs embedded in the transportation of food (even gasoline costs water to make). So, consider how far your food has to travel, and buy local to cut your water footprint. 

How is your lifestyle effecting the planet’s precious water resources? How much water are you conserving, reusing or wasting? One of the best ways to conserve water is to buy recycled goods and to recycle the materials you use. For example, recycling a pound of paper can save about 3.5 gallons of water. Let us practice mindfulness in our use of this precious resource. 

For more ways to reduce your water footprint, visit http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php

Obstacle or Opportunity: You Choose!

When we face difficulties in life, Dahn Yoga practice helps us to develop the strength and discipline to master the situation. Our Dahn Yoga training reminds us that true happiness is found inside. No matter the circumstances, our happiness is something we choose. We can find happiness not as a response to our circumstances but from the ineffable energy source within us all.  

Breathing deeply and maintaining a focus on our Dahn Jon is the genesis of awareness of this essential choice. Maintaining a balanced mind-body condition enables us to choose to see circumstances from another perspective. As we develop in our training, we will learn that our challenges can provide energy for our growth, rather than hold us back.

The difficult situations we face are made of the same energy of the things we consider “good.”   From the perspective of the Tao and of Quantum Physics, there are no distinct boundaries between us and the people and objects around us; it is all energy.  If we can recognize the existence of essential energy in a given situation, that situation has the potential to be instrumental to our growth. This awareness can help us go deeper into ourselves.

Whether encountering a situation for the first time or dealing with familiar patterns, there is room for creativity. We can create something new based on our choices. We have a responsibility to find this outcome ourselves. We have the opportunity to discover how the current circumstances reflect our choices, our thought patterns. We have a choice about how we react to what arises in our lives.

Focus on the Dahn Jon and deep breathing are crucial to maintaining the optimal “water up, fire down” state of physical and emotional balance. When we are able to remain in our center throughout any difficulty, we keep our inner connection and strengthen it in the process. With clarity, we can choose happiness as we learn to open our hearts as much as possible to the people and circumstances around us. Acceptance empowers us as awareness of our choices grows, transforming our consciousness in the process. In this way our yoga practice helps us respond differently to stressful situations. This process also teaches us compassion for ourselves and others, recognizing that we are all in some stage of a growth process.

If you ever hear someone say “it is all training,” that statement is a recognition that each life situation offers a profound opportunity to grow beyond the limitations of inner constriction and tension. When we surmount our obstacles, achieve that recognition, we receive healing energy. Not as a reward for passing a test, but simply connecting to what was there all along.

Bringing a Bag Makes Cents

Plastic bags cost us a lot in the energy used to make them and in the space and energy required for their presence in landfills. Plastic bags end up as litter that fouls the landscape, and kill thousands of marine mammals every year that mistake the floating bags for food. Plastic bags that get buried in landfills may take up to 1,000 years to break down, and in the process they separate into smaller and smaller toxic particles that contaminate soil and water. Furthermore, the production of plastic bags consume millions of gallons of oil that could be used for fuel and heating.

 You can recycle your plastic bags at many grocery stores by placing it in a recycling bin or by reusing it for your next purchase. Some stores also offer a discount for reusing your bag or bringing a reusable bag. If saving a few cents on your grocery bill is not be incentive enough to switch to reusable bags, getting charged extra for plastic could be. Aldi grocery stores charge 5 cents for a paper bag, 10 cents for plastic. Local governments are tacking on fees, too. On Jan. 1, Washington, D.C., began charging shoppers 5 cents for every plastic bag used at a grocery or liquor store.  Below are some reusable bag deals of national chain stores:

• CVS: Purchase a CVS 99-cent Green Bag Tag and swipe it each time you bring your own bag or decline a store bag at checkout. Four visits earn you a $1 store coupon, printed on your receipt.

• Giant: Save 5 cents per bag.

• Kroger: Save 4 cents per bag.

• Shop Rite: Save 2 cents per bag when you reuse one of the store’s paper or plastic bags, or 5 cents per bag when you use a non-disposable tote (does not have to be a store tote).

• Target: Save 5 cents per reusable bag.

• Whole Foods: Save 5 or 10 cents per bag, depending on the individual store’s policy

Excerpt from---http://greenglobeideas.com/idea/bring-bag

My name is Anthony, a.k.a. Tony Nim. I've been a member at Dahn Yoga for approximately two years. I've been a musician/composer all of my adult life and the music and experience of Dahn Yoga has moved me in many ways. On one level, the various music that I've come to know so well through training has helped me to understand that all of my life I have been practicing meditation through music and never was fully aware of the spirituality that is transferred through music. My level of appreciation and understanding for what I have loved so dearly all of my life has been bumped up a few notches indeed. I've learned that listening to music that helps me to focus on growing my soul is in fact an alternate form of prayer, not only with words in my mind but with my entire body. To become one with the music is to become one with our Creator who creates the musical energy and passion through His human creations. A beautiful and complete circle that I am extremely blessed to be in touch with. It is pure love experienced through sound and vibration.

In my training at Dahn Yoga, I will say that my absolute favorite music is the tribal drumming style music that we do vibration to. Standing and dancing freely to it especially takes me to the primal place that is instilled in all of us as humans. Through this training I understand on a deeper level what our brothers & sisters of various tribes experience during their spiritual ceremonies. Personally, I usually drift into deep prayer and experience an awe of the greatness of God that is beyond words. Being a person of Christian faith, the name of Jesus is what I tend to steer my mind towards if it is being distracted by various other thoughts and worries. This brings me back to my own existence in that very moment and helps me to experience my truest purpose. We can create music while we listen and experience this training. If you have issues with a wandering mind, I would encourage you to conjure up words and phrases that have depth and meaning to you personally and create repetitive melodies within your mind during vibration. If you have trouble finding the right words, try asking God for them in a melodic question all in itself. Something like, "God, where do you want my mind-God, where do you want my mind?" in a repeated fashion and melody. I can assure you that something will come to you that is accurate as to what it is that you need to hear and meditate on.

Of course, after a heavy Brain Wave Vibration session I love the relaxation music that is typically played while we go into our energy-accumulation postures. On another level, it assists me into the "aaahh" feeling of thankfulness that I have for my life and for all of humanity. Again, this is prayer time for me...repeating similar phrases usually to the tempo of my breathing since the music is without a drum beat most of the time. The music, breathing and phrases bring me to a calm space in which I can focus on my Dahn Jon and simply experience the energy throughout my body and the awesomeness of our Creator.

One of my favorite artists to train at home or for work-out at the gym is a group called Underworld. Their music for the most part is upbeat electronica trance style and puts me in that meditative state most definitely. Lots of it is very good to run to...stepping to the beat and breathing to those steps brings me to a place of oneness as well. (For example, "breathe IN- 2, 3, 4, & OUT- 6, 7, 8). The tempos will alter a little but I just adjust the style of walking/running to fit whatever song comes on and allow the succession of songs to steer the direction of my workout. You can hear some of their music and get more information about downloading some by copying and pasting this link: http://www.emusu.com/emusuplayer/underworld/player.html. Their official website is: http://www.underworldlive.com

Also, I'd very much like for you to experience some of my own creations. Shortly into my life at Dahn Yoga, I was inspired to create a primarily instrumental cd which you can download at this link: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/esmovement . In the future I plan to create more instrumental and meditative musical collections, but the natural course of life has led me into the forming of a full group of artists as well, called Emancipated Soul Movement. Our main website is: http://www.esoulm.com. The concept behind the group is inspired by my experiences at Dahn Yoga as well as spiritual growth through life in general. Our goal is to spread positivity in various forms through our lives, the internet, art and music. It is going well as I've already had strangers message me via the internet and tell me that they regularly visit my sites for a daily taste of positive energy. This is success in my book. The world's definition of success is not an accurate one.

Blessings and Chun Ji Ki Un,

Anthony eSoulM (Tony Nim)
http://www.esoulm.com

Brain Wave Vibration and Transforming Stress

After reading about the Brain Wave Vibration study several weeks ago, I started thinking about what stress really means and why Brain Wave Vibration seems to be such a good tool for stress management. As I understand it, the practitioners in the study were able to make something good out of the stress, transform it into mentally and physically positive energy.

So I looked around online  and in magazines. To see what experts were saying about the idea that a human could transform stress. What I found was information about the effect of a given person’s stress response. Different responses to stress can result in different outcomes for the person’s body. One person can get sick from the stress, while another person can be motivated to physical and emotional improvement.

Researchers working in the fast-growing field of psychoneuroimmunology --say that three times, fast-- have established an undeniable link between mental and emotional states and susceptibility to disease.  An individual’s stress response can negatively affect nervous system function, alter immunological responses, and wreak havoc on the body’s hormone levels and endocrine system.  There is mounting evidence that stress may be the most potent of all cancer-causing factors.  Certain types of stress can trigger a cascade of biochemical changes that help create a fertile field for cancer to grow.  Despite the brain's status as an immune-privileged part of the body, an all-embracing communication takes place between the nervous and the immune systems, in both healthy and diseased states.

 However, research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania showed that it is not stress per se, but more particularly stress that is perceived as inevitable and uncontrollable that is likely to be the key factor in vulnerability to cancer.  It is the attitude that counts. The immune system is often suppressed in those people who have no sense of personal choice to change the negative conditions of their lives.

This is an interesting finding, though it is not definitive. It suggests a factor for participation in our own healing processes, but should not be construed to mean that people suffering from cancer or other chronic illnesses are to be blamed for their condition. A related study has shown that a short program in mindfulness meditation produces demonstrable effects on brain and immune function. The study tested participants’ reaction to influenza vaccinations and compared the results of the control and meditating groups. Their findings suggest that meditation may change brain and immune function in positive ways.

Many Brain Wave Vibration practitioners report recovery from various illnesses or chronic conditions. While their claims have not been tested, these studies suggest that meditation like Brain Wave Vibration may be helping people to affect a different attitude about their stress and their conditions. This is a connection that is worthy of further research.

SOME OF MY RESOURCES:

·         Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation, R.J. Davidson, J. Kabat-Zinn, et al, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2002

·         Breast Cancer: The Stress Connection, Susan Silberstein, Ph.D., Well-Being Journal, Volume 19, Number 4

·         Social Isolation Worsens Cancer, Mouse Study Suggests,  Science Daily, September 29, 2009, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929133115.htm 

·         In cancer-ridden rats, loneliness kills, http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/in-cancer-ridden-rats-loneliness-kills/

A "phantom load" is any appliance or electronic gizmo that uses energy even when turned off. Some people call them "vampire appliances" or "energy vampires."

If your home is typical, you live with 20 vampires. They add about $200 to your annual energy bill, according to Cornell University. That’s because the "off" button doesn’t really mean "off" these days; instead, it means "standby." In fact, your TV with remote control likely uses more energy during the 20 hours a day that it’s turned off and in a "standby power" state than it does during the hours you watch the tube.

Here are some clues to identify your energy suckers: They're appliances with remote controls, such as TVs, VCRs and audio equipment. They feature a continuous digital display -- like those glowing clocks on stoves. They feature rechargeable batteries, such as cordless phones (which use energy even after the battery is charged). And they're appliances with external power supplies, such as inkjet printers and iPod chargers.

How can you combat energy vampires?

•Kill vampires by using a power strip sold at hardware stores, home-supply superstores, discount stores and the like. Step 1: Plug all components of a computer or home entertainment system into a power strip. Step 2: Turn off the power strip with a single switch. Anything plugged into the strip now is truly turned off.

•Unplug "vampires." Unplug rarely used appliances. Ditto for chargers that aren't in use. Unplug the TV, toaster oven and other well-used appliances before you leave on vacation (or more frequently). If it’s not plugged in, it can’t suck energy.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/definitions/Phantom-Load#ixzz0tVWxNMh2

Brain Wave Vibration is so easy that you can learn it in a minute and offers incredible results. But what does the scientific world have to say about the idea that simply shaking your head can have so many positive benefits?

The Dahn Yoga world came abuzz with news of the recent June publication of research results on Brain Wave Vibration in an international science journal, Neuroscience Letters. Finally, we’ve got the scientific thumbs up for Brain Wave Vibration: it really works!

The study was funded by the Korean Ministry of Science and Technology and conducted by scientists from various national research centers in Korea, including some from the prestigious Seoul National University and the Korea Institute of Brain Science. It involved a control group of 57 healthy adults and 67 people who practiced Brain Wave Vibration for an average of 3.5 years. The study measured stress, positive and negative affect, and stress-related hormones; and the scientists who carried out the research found meaningful differences between the Brain Wave Vibration group and the control group.

Sometimes, it feels like scientific research only “proves” what you already know. In this case, the study found that people who practiced Brain Wave Vibration regularly had less stress than those who didn’t. In other words, in the same situation, they didn’t experience the same level of stress.

For the people who practiced meditation using Brain Wave Vibration, stress had less influence over their mood. They learned how not to be controlled by their stress, and thus they had a better handle on their emotions regardless of the circumstances.  They were better able to feel how they wanted, when they wanted.  This is something that can essentially be done through mindfulness, by staying aware and mastering the self. We can conclude by the results of this study that Brain Wave Vibration is an effective means of enhancing mindfulness, for a richer and more fulfilling life.

If you’d like to see more information about Brain Wave Vibration, please visit the website at www.brainwavevibration.com. The latest episode of DahnTV also covers this popular practice; view the video at www.youtube.com/dahnyoga.

More information about the study published in Neuroscience Letters can be found at the following website: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20546836.
Reference: Y.-H. Jung, et al., The effects of mind–body training on stress reduction, positive affect, and plasma cate-cholamines, Neurosci. Lett. (2010), doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2010.05.048.