What is your happy place? Where do you feel most relaxed? What scene makes your shoulder drop while you exhale with a big sigh? For me, the answers to all of these questions is in nature. Being in the mountains, strolling down a forest path, exploring along the beach... beautiful natural landscapes have a calming effect for me. The scary part is that our natural oasis' are slowly being taken over by garbage. Did you know there's a section of the Pacific Ocean called "garbage island" which is about the size of Texas and holds a massive concentration of plastic particles. Who lives in the plastic filled water? Fish. Who eats the fish that is eating, breathing and living in plastic? Humans.... Think about this one... There is no new water in the world. Water does not leave the planet, new water does not come in. The water we drink, the water that makes up our bodies is the SAME water that the dinosaurs were made of. Crazy. So if we continue to dump waste and garbage into our water supply, eventually that is all that will remain. The amount of garbage we make as humans is insane; think of packaging that you throw out on a daily basis. Consider how many bags of garbage your family creates each week, now multiply that by 52, then multiply that by 80 + years.... YIKES! Yes, living in outer space is a possibility, so if we destroy our planet at least we will have a plan b - BUT then the only way we will experience these natural oasis' is through virtual reality. Okay, can you tell I am passionate about this? Earth day is a day that is recognized once per year, but I truly believe it should be celebrated every day! Today we will celebrate Earth Day with a lovely little Earth Day Dance. If you missed the first post in this series, you'll want to have a look at it as it will give you the background you need to best use our newest addition to the Sun Dance Series. I hope you enjoy!
Stretch up high, wave to the sky
(Standing in mountain pose, reach arms up & wave)
Hang down low, feel the earth between your toes
(Forward fold, reaching down for your toes)
Feet jump back, into the grass
(Bend your knees, place your hands down and jump or step your feet back to plank & take a big breath in)
Belly on the ground, hug the earth now
(Bending at the elbows, lower your body down to the ground)
Look up at the birds
(Press the hands into the ground, to straighten the arms into cobra pose, looking up)
Now back at the bears
(Knees under hips, curl the toes under & shift into downward dog)
& breathe & breathe & breathe
(Take 3 big breaths in through the nose and out through the nose, filling the belly BIG like a balloon when you breathe in, letting all the air out when you breathe out)
Feet jump up, into the river
(Hop the feet up, into a frog squat)
Hang down low, check out the stones
(Straighten the legs, forward fold & reach down for your toes while pretending to pick up a stone)
Stretch up high, wave to the trees
(Coming to stand, reach both arms up over head holding your treasure high)
Now mountain pose
(Bending the knees slightly, like chair pose, bring your little bunny paws up & hop!)
This Earth Day, remember to talk to your kid(s) about their impact, and the footprint you are leaving as individuals and as a family. They will often have way more amazing ideas than you do when it comes to ways we can improve! It's not just about reducing our use, it's also about re-using and re-purposing what we can, of course recycling, and creating new and innovative ways to be a better co-inhabitant of Earth. Let's leave behind a planet that our kid's grandkid's grandkid's will be able to see while on it rather than above it!
With a love-filled heart, sending you blessings of peace and joy.
- Vanessa
**Be BRIGHT, Be BOLD, Be YOU **
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