Boston Archives - Page 7 of 19 - Anali's Next Amendment

Subway Stories: The Kindness of Strangers at Park Street

July 30, 2020March 25, 2017 by Lisa Johnson 6 Comments

Two weeks ago I got a lesson. To slow down. One of my worst traits is impatience. It’s a constant struggle.

If human beings are put on this earth to have experiences that will teach us lessons, then mine is probably to slow down and be patient. Thus the need for yoga and meditation.

Back to the story. I was switching from the Red Line at Park Street to catch an E Train on the Green Line. If you’ve taken the T and been on the E Line, then you know that those trains do not come frequently. The wait feels like forever.

So I started running. I’ve run for this train a bunch of times and have been perfectly fine. No incident. And I always make the train.

Usually I’m wearing sneakers or flats though. This time I forgot that I was not wearing sneakers or flats. I think it was really cold that day, so I was wearing my snow boots. I was too close to the yellow line as well. Someone stepped in front of me, so I tried to weave around them. Again, done this a million times, no problem.

This time, there was a problem. My balance was off because of the boots or being too close to the edge of the walkway or both, so I fell. As I was falling, I was thinking that this was so funny and stupid. Why was I in such a rush? I thought that I was just tripping and would be able to recover my balance. Unfortunately not.

Then I felt myself rolling over onto the train tracks. At the same time I’m thinking, “Oh no,” and “I hope I didn’t break anything.” Luckily I fell forwards with my hands out and not backwards. I had on very thick leggings. My boots are very puffy. So is my coat. I had on a hat and gloves, so I was mostly covered up and protected.

I think I may have been in shock, because I was just lying on the tracks trying to get my bearings. I don’t remember if it was me actively trying to get up and people grabbing my hands as I reached up or people just grabbing my hands and pulling me up. Either way, there were two sets of hands pulling me up.

It must have been quite the sight for people to see. There’s probably a crazy looking video too.

Anyway, two strangers were kind enough to grab me and pull me up off the train tracks. For them I am eternally grateful. Luckily there wasn’t a train coming.

I twisted my left ankle and it’s still a bit painful, but not too bad. I really ripped up my right knee. It’s still raw and I’m wearing bandages everyday, but it’s healing.

I’ve had to walk slower than my normal pace due to my ankle and knee. It was not worth running for the train. Sure, I would have missed it, but I would have made the next train, which I ended up on anyway — and without the injuries.

Needless to say, when I have a choice between rushing or not, I’m trying to slow down — my eternal lesson. It’s still not easy for me. I don’t know if it ever will be easy. But I keep trying.

Thank you to the two kind strangers! I may never know your names, but I appreciate that you pulled me up and got me back on my feet.

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Updated 3/26/2017: Universal Hub picked up this post and you can see it by clicking here.

Every Body Yoga Tour: Jessamyn Stanley in Boston

July 30, 2020March 11, 2017 by Lisa Johnson 2 Comments

Instagram star and internationally acclaimed yoga instructor Jessamyn Stanley is now also a published author.

Her new book, Every Body Yoga, will be released in April and she’s going on tour to promote it.

Lucky for us, Boston is on her tour list and she will be speaking at Boston Public Library on Tuesday, June 6th, 6pm – 7:30pm.

Mark your calendars!

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Image: JessamynStanley.com

Hey Boston! It Just Snowed. Got Hygge?

July 30, 2020January 8, 2017 by Lisa Johnson 2 Comments

We just got our first substantial snow of the winter in the Boston area. While not a fan of snow, I’m all about the cozy. So I find ways to enjoy the season.

A favorite winter breakfast is oatmeal with maple syrup, walnuts, dried cranberries and vanilla soy milk. I’ve been baking recently — scones and banana bread. A snack for me and gifts for others.

With all that’s going on in this country at the moment, it’s important to take time for self-care. To gather inner strength. To steady ourselves. Without that we won’t be ready for whatever lies ahead as we enter a new American era.

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The United States is thousands of miles from Denmark. We have very different forms of government and culture. But we have cold weather and dark winters in common. So right now I’m taking something from Danish culture to see me through this time — hygge.

In case you’re not familiar with term, it’s pronounced “hooga” and is about the appreciation and art of coziness. I have seen many different definitions for it, but here is one from Denmark’s tourism website.

In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Friends and family – that’s hygge too. There’s nothing more hygge than sitting round a table, discussing the big and small things in life.

A blog called Hygge House gives another perspective on the word.

Some refer to hygge as an “art of creating intimacy” (either with yourself, friends and your home). While there’s no one English word to describe hygge, several can be used interchangeably to describe the idea of hygge such as cosiness, charm, happiness, contentness, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, kinship, and simpleness.

Danes created hygge because they were trying to survive boredom, cold, dark and sameness and the undefinable feeling of Hygge was a way for them to find moments to celebrate or acknowledge and to break up the day, months or years. With so many cold, dark, days, the simple act of a candle glowing with a cup of coffee in the morning or a home cooked evening meal with friends can make a huge difference to one’s spirit.

We can all define what the word means to us as individuals. For me, right now, it’s about making my home a warm cozy place where I can retreat and gather my thoughts and my calm.

As an introvert, that’s vital. Home is where I recharge. But It’s also a place where I can invite friends and family.

What about you?

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Free Donuts + Sunday Shopping at Shake The Tree in the North End!

July 30, 2020December 10, 2016 by Lisa Johnson

Since discovering Shake The Tree while strolling around the North End several years ago, I’ve been a fan.

Shake The Tree is the perfect little shop to find clothes, jewelry and other quality items that are unique and fun. Both for yourself and others.

While speaking with owner Marian Klausner, I learned that she used to be an attorney. On my old blog she was one of the first people to participate in my interview series called Back To Law School.

For that interview, Klausner told me that surviving law school gave her “a tremendous sense of self-confidence.” She practiced for eight years before opening her shop.

Law school and the experience of day-to-day practice gave me the sense that I could achieve any dream I had, if I really worked for it. I never thought of myself as exceptionally brilliant before law school but I did well academically and that made me realize that if I focused on something I wanted to create, I could really do it!

Her story is inspiring and I love how she often collaborates with local shops that sell the best sweets.

So, if you’re looking to shop small and local over the next two Sundays (12/11 and 12/18, 10am – 12pm), I definitely recommend going to the North End and stopping by Shake The Tree.

You can get some free Union Square Donuts and enjoy discounted parking while you’re there. Parking validation is $3 for 3 hours at the Parcel 7 Garage, next to the Haymarket T on Sudbury Street.

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Image: Shake The Tree Newsletter

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Winter 2016 – 2017: Free Yoga Classes in Boston

July 30, 2020December 4, 2016 by Lisa Johnson

This list has been updated a number of times and is current for Spring.

Remember there are Meetups in the area to try out. Hands To Heart Center Yoga – Yoga for the People provides free yoga classes for people living with poverty and trauma in Boston. Check out their website and Twitter for class schedules.

There are also free yoga classes being offered by a new group called Breathe Boston. They offer individual or group yoga and meditation classes. You can sign up for classes at their location or have them come to you for a private class in your own home.

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The Free Yoga Boston Community on Facebook is updated several times a week and more than 1,300 have “Liked” the page. Thank you! Check for all sorts of yoga news!

Sign up for the Free Yoga Boston email list! When you are on the email list, you will be the first to know about changes and updates to this schedule.

Every once in a while, when I learn about one-off special yoga classes and/or related events that might interest you, I will send an email to keep you in the know!

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If you know of other free or donation based classes in the Boston area that are missing from this list or are on the list, but need correction, please let me know.

This “Big List” is always a work in progress. There will be updates, so if you have not signed up for the email list, keep checking back. Namaste!

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MONDAY

Gentle Yoga
ABCD (North End, Boston)
10am

As part of the Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness program, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department is offering a variety of free yoga classes on different days and locations year-round. Most classes last an hour and schedules change every couple of months. For updates and cancellations, check Twitter and Facebook.

TUESDAY

Laughter Yoga
West Bridgewater Library (80 Howard Street, West Bridgewater)
10:30am – 11am

This is a seated chair practice, free and open to all. Even if you don’t live in West Bridgewater. According to a Wicked Local article, the yoga part of the class is the breathing. The class started on September 13th and was scheduled to last for eight weeks. However, according to the website, classes appear to continue indefinitely.

Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building (830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
6pm – 7:15pm

These yoga classes are not just during the summer and are open to community members in addition to BMC patients and staff. They are held indoors and part of the Program for Integrative Medicine & Health Care Disparities. Take the elevator or stairs down to the basement. The classes are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5.00. Currently there is a flyer online [click here], but it is old. If the online flyer is updated, I will link to it here.

Free Beginner Yoga
Sonas Wellness (200 Weymouth Street, Rockland)
6:30pm – 7:30pm

Join Courtney Bell for a beginner Vinyasa class, where she uses her training to help students discover a piece of themselves previously thought unattainable. She works to strengthen the core and finding balance to help navigate life. It looks like this may be a new studio and classes are free for their first three months. Check with them to confirm.

Teen Yoga
Boys & Girls Club (Dorchester, Marr Clubhouse)
6:45pm

WEDNESDAY

Prenatal Yoga
Whittier Wellness & Fitness Club (1290 Tremont Street, Roxbury)
9:30am – 10:30am

Connect with your unborn baby at these prenatal classes, which are open to the public. You don’t have to be a club member to attend. Classes are indoors and year-round.

Gentle Yoga
ABCD (North End, Boston)
10am

Yoga For Men
Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (10 Putnam Street, Roxbury)
6pm – 7:30pm

Instructor Lucilda Dassardo-Cooper is a certified Iyengar beginning/intermediate teacher and a professional artist who has studied and taught yoga for more than 30 years. There is free parking and all levels are welcome. The class is donation based and free if you cannot pay. Questions: Lucildadcooper@gmail.com. 617-825-9760.

THURSDAY

Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building (830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
4:30pm – 6pm

These yoga classes are not just during the summer and are open to community members in addition to BMC patients and staff. They are held indoors and part of the Program for Integrative Medicine & Health Care Disparities. Take the elevator or stairs down to the basement. The classes are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5.00. Currently there is a flyer online [click here], but it is old. The Thursday class starts at 4:30pm. If the online flyer is updated, I will link to it here.

Community Yoga
Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (10 Putnam Street, Roxbury)
6pm – 7:30pm

FRIDAY

Gentle Yoga
ABCD (North End, Boston)
10am

Relax and Renew Yoga
Harvard Ed Portal (224 Western Ave, Allston)
6pm – 7pm

Part of an ongoing series of classes presented by the Harvard Ed Portal and the Center for Wellness. Each class incorporates flowing, intentional vinyasa-style movements, stretches, and breathing practices. Modifications are offered to ensure the maximum benefit and healthy alignment. Classes are scheduled to start Friday, March 3rd and last through Friday, April 7th. Walk-ins are allowed, but advance registration is encouraged.

Mike Massey Yoga
Sustainability Guild (260 Washington Street, Dorchester)
7:30pm – 9pm

After being severely injured playing semi-pro football, Mike Massey required surgery. Trauma from the surgery resulted in depression. In order to beat his depression, he tried yoga. Now he teaches all over the Boston area. An enthusiastic student recommended his classes, so I have pieced together the information here. Check his Instagram for class updates. Double check the address of the class location.

SATURDAY

Complimentary Saturday Yoga
The Liberty Hotel (Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston)
10am

Back in 2009, The Liberty was one of the first hotels in Boston, or anyplace in the area for that matter, to start offering free yoga classes in the summer. They set the trend and still offer free classes in collaboration with Equinox. Guests of the hotel and members of the community are welcome to take the class for free. Classes are year round. In the summer, classes are outside in the courtyard. In the cooler months, they are indoors. Check with the concierge to find the exact class location, since it appears to change.

Hands to Heart Center Yoga
CityPOP Egleston (3195 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain)
11am – 12pm

Beginner level yoga classes for ages 16 and up take place through March. Classes are inclusive, accessible and inspiring. Yoga mats are provided.

Mike Massey Yoga
Sustainability Guild (260 Washington Street, Dorchester)
2:30pm – 4pm

Yoga Meditation
Thomas Crane Public Library (40 Washington Street, Quincy)
3pm – 4pm

Sahaja Yoga is a meditative yoga technique to help reduce stress and bring balance and well being to your life. This type of yoga focuses on meditation and is not a physical class, so you will not need a yoga mat. The classes take place take place each week through May. Sahaja Yoga sponsors free stress reduction and meditation workshops around the country as well as in over 90 nations around the world.

SUNDAY

Brewery Yoga
Night Shift Brewing (87 Santilli Highway, Everett)
11am – 12pm

These yoga classes take place at the brewery every so often. Take a look at their event calendar for confirmation and sign up! Kat O’Leary from CorePower Yoga teaches the vinyasa classes.

Yoga For Athletes
Boston Marathon adidas Runbase (855 Boylston Street, Boston)
6:30pm

These free vinyasa yoga classes on select Sundays are customized to bring balance to overworked muscles used when running. All levels of yoga experience are welcome, but you may need to register each week.

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