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A Collection Of Moments: November

April 7, 2022November 24, 2018 by Lisa Johnson

A Collection Of Moments, is my attempt to actively notice the changes and beauty within each month. Because what is life, but a series of moments strung together like twinkling lights on a string?

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NOVEMBER is …

Recently bared tree limbs

swaying in the wind

against the gray blue sky.

Moving through mounds of leaves

swirling and crunching under your feet.

The sun low in the sky

creeping down and

almost fully gone by five.

A pen and ballot in hand

to mark the box and

dream of a better future.

Cinnamon, ginger, sugar and butter.

Root vegetables, onions, turkey.

Slicing, dicing, cooking, stirring.

Baking, basting and eating.

Family and friends gathered as one.

Thankful for this day.

A Collection Of Moments: October

April 7, 2022October 14, 2018 by Lisa Johnson

It’s October. But summer is my favorite season. Living in New England, we don’t get to pick and choose the season we exist in.

As summer faded away and turned to fall, I decided it’s best to appreciate each season. Days sometimes feel long, but life is short. What we resist persists, so my goal is to be all in with each season that life brings. Even October.

This monthly series, A Collection Of Moments, is my attempt to actively notice the changes and beauty within each month. Because what is life, but a series of moments strung together like twinkling lights on a string?

OCTOBER is …

The beauty of fiery red, orange and yellow leaves.

Falling at your feet.

Winding up on your windshield.

The bounty of the harvest at farmers markets.

Sweet maple syrup on warm pancakes.

A cup of hot tea.

Looking out a window at the sky.

The sparks and crackle of an outdoor fire

that warms your hands

and smoke that smells like memories.

An Extra Hour Today as Daylight Savings Time Ends

July 30, 2020November 4, 2017 by Lisa Johnson

Remember to turn your clocks back tonight and grab that extra hour! I love getting more time today, but I am not looking forward to even less daylight. It’s already dark by 6pm, so tomorrow it will be dark by 5pm — moving us faster into winter.

I’ve been feeling so sleepy lately and feel my inner clock shifting with the season. I’ve been going to sleep earlier and rising earlier as well.

Last week, I took the air conditioners out of the windows. Last night, I put the second blanket on my bed. The flannel sheets aren’t out yet, but soon!

Here in Massachusetts, for the past year, there was serious discussion about remaining in Daylight Savings Time and skipping the time change back to Eastern Standard Time. Our legislature formed a commission that studied the topic in depth and issued a report on November 1st. The report is 47 pages long and leaves the door open for a future change. Below are a few key passages.

No mechanism exists through which Massachusetts could adopt year-round DST, as federal law only allows states to opt out of DST. But the state could effectively achieve that goal by moving from the Eastern Time Zone to the Atlantic Time Zone and then opting out of DST. Several states are considering bills that would move them to year-round DST, including four of the five other New England states. If Massachusetts does move to the Atlantic Time Zone and opt out of DST, then the Commonwealth would be an hour ahead for roughly four months each year. …

Based on its research and findings, and after weighing the costs and benefits associated with the observance of time in Massachusetts, the Commission believes that, under certain circumstances, the Commonwealth could make a data-driven case for moving to the Atlantic Time Zone year-round (effectively observing year-round DST). Although there are appreciable costs associated with making this change, on balance the Commission finds that doing so could have positive benefits that largely stem from the absence of a spring transition to DST and the additional hour of winter evening daylight.

However, the Commission does not recommend a simple switch to the Atlantic Time Zone, and cautions that several qualifiers should accompany future conversations or legislative proposals with respect to how Massachusetts observes time. The Commission offers the following blueprint of concerns for a thoughtful implementation of year-round DST, should Massachusetts ever decide to pursue this policy change:

• Regional action. Massachusetts should only move to year-round DST if a majority of other Northeast states – possibly including New York – also do so. To facilitate regional action, the Legislature and Governor should raise this issue with other Northeastern legislative and executive bodies, including the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, Coalition of Northeast Governors, and gatherings of New England Governors and Easter Canadian Premiers.

• Later school start-times. Any move to year-round DST should be accompanied by statewide standards for delaying school start-times to mitigate safety issues; improve student academic performance, health, and well-being; and add significantly to the other economic benefits related to year-round DST.

• Public awareness. The Commonwealth should not adopt year-round DST unless it simultaneously commits funding to educate the public about the implications of the change. Even if Massachusetts does not adopt year-round DST, public awareness initiatives about transitions to and from DST would still be beneficial. For instance, public health announcements preceding the spring transition to DST would help residents prepare for the sleep loss caused by the transition so that they could try to mitigate its negative consequences.

It will be interesting to see if within the next decade or so, Massachusetts decides to keep DST, which would move us into the Atlantic Time Zone. If it happens, it will probably be all of New England and maybe New York too. Only time will tell!

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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This Month So Far: October 2016

July 30, 2020October 15, 2016 by Lisa Johnson 2 Comments

Finding the time, energy and will to blog has not been easy lately. So I’ve been blogging much less. It’s now October.

Life has changed a lot since when I first started blogging ten years ago. Money and time available have decreased. Family responsibilities have increased. Free Yoga Boston and other social media platforms that I’m on now didn’t exist ten years ago.

Just like the seasons change, our lives change and we must adjust. Focusing on my well-being has made blogging fall away to a certain extent. But I miss it too.

Documenting my life and experiences is something that I had always loved about blogging. When others appreciated what I shared, it made it even sweeter.

To continue, blogging has to happen differently. For now, I hope you enjoy these images. These are bits and pieces of my October so far.

Have a great weekend!

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