seasons Archives - Page 7 of 10 - Anali's Next Amendment

Taking Note: Mindfulness During Summer

July 30, 2020July 3, 2017 by Lisa Johnson

Summer is precious when the weather isn’t always beautiful. And by beautiful I mean, lots of sunshine and temperatures in the 80s. Having daylight past 8pm is an added bonus. For those of us in New England, we only get this perfect combination in July in August. So I’m taking note. Paying attention to how I spend my time.

Time is our most valuable currency. We can’t get it back. No exchanges or refunds. Plus, we don’t know how much we have. So we need to budget accordingly.

Enjoy what we have now and be able to look back at how we spent it and revel in the memories. For this first weekend in July, I met up with a friend on Saturday. We walked and talked. Strolling along the Charles and then went to Tatte Bakery for a snack. I had a pistachio and cherry tart and minted lemonade. So good!

Every Sunday I have dinner with my family. When I brought my mother home, we noticed the moon rising. At 8:30pm, the sky was still light. The beauty of July!

My mom’s lavender plants are blooming. Tomorrow, I’m going to get some to bring home and dry. She also has a lot of very tall mint plants that are ready to take over the place.

I’ll do her a favor and take some of that too! The minted lemonade that I had at Tatte was really delicious, so I plan to make my own. Of course I’ll be taking note and hope to blog these too!

There are so many things that I’d like to do this summer, but besides time, money is always a factor, so I will have to improvise. Good thing that there are so many free events around the city!

At the very least, like I say every year, I’d like to go to the beach (on the Cape, maybe the North Shore, or somewhere far away) at least a couple of times. Also, I hope to enjoy some outdoor music. Of course, I like eating outdoors whenever possible.

Hopefully I’ll also be able to attend a few of the free outdoor yoga classes as well. Maybe even just take my home practice outdoors. There’s a nice park nearby. I should use it!

By the way, I’m working on the new 2017 summer list of free yoga classes. Hopefully it will be up within a couple of weeks!

What about you? What are your summer plans?

Hey Boston! Time To Shop Farmers Markets!

July 30, 2020May 27, 2017 by Lisa Johnson

Hope you’re enjoying the start to the Memorial Day weekend! Since this is the unofficial start to summer, it’s time to start thinking about summery things.

For those of us in New England, we don’t have year-round outdoor markets like those of you in different parts of the country. For us, it’s a real treat when we can start shopping outdoors for fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and other locally grown and made items.

Some area farmers markets have already opened. Copley Square’s Farmers Market, which is closest to where I’m working now, opened on May 12th and will be open until November 21st.

Take a look at the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets website to find a farmers market near you and for the opening date. It doesn’t seem to be fully updated yet, but keep checking back.

I See You Boston

July 30, 2020April 30, 2017 by Lisa Johnson

My current project has me working at the Pru in Boston. The view is always different and amazes me everyday.

In the winter, the snow covered buildings look so different from the plain red brick. The snow adds a powdered sugar look to the rooftops.

But as the seasons go by, what is normal changes. Seeing the city from such a great height each day, I notice the big picture.

After the snow melts, the rooftops go back to being red. But I didn’t notice or miss anything in between them.

With the warmer weather, the trees have leaves on them again. I notice spring blooming while walking around on the street. The other day I suddenly noticed all the green between the rooftops.

I see you Boston and you’re beautiful!

Move Over Chai. Hello London Fog.

July 30, 2020December 28, 2016 by Lisa Johnson

To me, there’s nothing endearing about the cold. Except the warming up. What better way to warm up than with a steamy hot drink?

I’m all about the hot cider, hot chocolate. Of course hot coffee. And as the first leaves start falling from the trees, I stock up on multiple teas.

Chai tea is a favorite. I love the sweetness and spice with either soy or almond milk. Generally that’s the only tea that I drink with milk. But recently, I read about a different way to drink Earl Grey tea.

According to a Tasting Table article, a hot drink called London Fog is all the rage on the West Coast — though first created in Vancouver. Apparently since I am way over on the East Coast, I had never heard of it. Or I’m just out of the loop.

To make it, you steam milk, add to Earl Grey tea, then add vanilla. Have you tried it?

I did a very quick version of my own when I got home from work tonight, but I also added honey. I liked it and will definitely make it again.

You can also order the drink on Starbucks Secret Menu. So if you don’t want to make it at home, grab some while you’re out on the go.

Cheers!

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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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