Parvati Magazine November 2016 Life Force

THE November 2016
UNSTOPPABLE
FORCE GORD
CORPORATE DOWNIE’S
SUSTAINABILITY
SECRET
with Mel Wilson of PWC PATH

FOLLOW ARTISTIC LEGACY
THE WAVE
IN YOUR NOVA
SPINE SCOTIA
FISHERMAN
THE
NONLOCAL natural beauty
MIND from the

WITH DR. LARRY DOSSEY east coast

KWE

STANDING
WITH OUR

SISTERS

OCEAN
PRESERVATION

with “THE COVE” DIRECTOR

LOUIE
PSIHOYOS

PARVATI.TV

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About

Parvati Magazine is an online monthly maga- For further information about editorial
zine dedicated to awakened living. The name guidelines:
of the magazine is not about an individual per- [email protected]
son but a celebration of the goddess Parvati Parvati Magazine is pleased to run advertise-
in Her incarnation as the awakened Earth. ments for our contributors. Other potential
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Submissions of 400-650 words may be consid- the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary.
ered for inclusion in Parvati Magazine if they
are in keeping with the theme for a given
month. Your article should be well-written
and give clear and useful information that
empowers the reader.
Columns with editorial openings include Well-
ness, Fitness, Nutrition, Fashion, Books,
Film, Music and Business.

EDITORS

PRANADAMCBURNIE PAM BRYAN PARVATI DEVI
Managing Editor Executive Director Founder and
Editor-in-Chief
DR. KAREN HO JOY ELKAYAM
Community and Beauty and Welcome
Wellness Editor Nutrition Editor
When we pause to consider for a moment the many ways
ELLA ISAKOV RISHI DEVA in which we are attached to doing in order to feel a sense of
Yoga Editor Music Editor purpose, we quickly see that we are habituated into thinking
that we are the very force that gives us life. We have lost sight
of the life force that flows through us to sustain us in each
moment, the reality that we are in essence that very flow.
Going with the flow is not passive, but an intelligent recali-
bration of the notion of who or what is doing. We usually
think “I” – a divided sense of self – is the doer. As such, we
feel compelled to take charge of this moment, which we may
perceive as against us. Yet all the while, we are lovingly sup-
ported within a compassionate and wise whole.
In this month’s issue you will find articles to help you feel
connected to life-force energy and fully live.
Enjoy!
Parvati

SHAWNA MACLEOD RENIA PRUCHNICKI
Film Editor Fashion Editor

ERIC BENCHIMOL Parvati Magazine is your monthly source for awakened living.
Community The name of the magazine is not about a person but a celebration
Editor of the goddess Parvati in Her incarnation as the awakened Earth.
Submissions: [email protected]
Advertising: [email protected]
Inquiries: [email protected]

Cover Photo: Eric Benchimol
Wardrobe: Parvati Designs

In This Issue

POSITIVE POSSIBILITIES 8 BOOKS 22

THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE KWE: STANDING WITH OUR SISTERS
Parvati Devi Reviewed by Carolyn Belanger

YOGA 10 FILM 24

TRUTH AND INTEGRITY HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
Alexandria Crow Reviewed by Amy Kellestine

YEM: YOGA AS 12 MUSIC 26
ENERGY MEDICINE
GORD DOWNIE’S “SECRET PATH”
FOLLOW THE WAVE Reviewed by Pranada McBurnie
IN YOUR SPINE
Parvati Devi 14 BEAUTY 28

MEDITATION NOVA SCOTIA FISHERMAN
FLOW OF LIFE FORCE with Tassi Sewell
Parvati Devi

WELLNESS 16 FASHION 30

THE NONLOCAL MIND SECOND HAND SHOPPING
Larry Dossey, MD Renia Pruchnicki

FITNESS 18 COMMUNITY 32

FUEL YOUR BEST SELF OCEANIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Sandra O’Brien with Louie Psihoyos

NUTRITION 20 BUSINESS 34

SWEET AND ZIPPY FALL SALAD CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY
Laura Coburn with Mel Wilson

POSITIVE POSSIBILITIES LIVING

THE UNSTOPPABLE
FORCE

It shows me in each breath,
through each moment,
the steps to permanent freedom.

Iam making room for the unstoppable force. It is not an idea, a vision born of my mind, for that is made
of thoughts which are temporal and passing. It is not a passion that churns in my heart, nor a voice that
yearns to be heard as it echoes through time. It is not an itch that only wants to be scratched, nor a restless
desire that seeks to be fulfilled. It is no longing that swells in my soul as I hope and dream, nor a call that
drives my moods and actions.
The unstoppable force is that which already is and can be changed by no will of my own. It is now and for-
ever, born and unseen, present and unchanging. It exists through all, yet has no form. To identify with form
is to attempt to contain it.

8

POSITIVE POSSIBILITIES LIVING

It rises through my spine like a volcanic heat that
runs through a corridor of dispassion. It is witness
to the suffering of the world, at one with the pain,
the beauty, the sorrow and the bliss of life and
untouched by it all. It asks nothing and is made of
no thing. Yet it creates, destroys and sustains all I
know and beyond.
My passions, thoughts, visions and ideas – all the
wants unfulfilled in me – are a small and ignorant
attempt to change the directive of this force, for no
effort can quell its rise. That which the small me
wants, my limited perceptions that get me stuck
and lead to suffering, may get in its way, but only
in passing. For it compassionately burns up all that
which does not serve and transforms the limited
into the essential.
The unstoppable force is coming through whether
I like it or not. With it, there is no negotiation. I
have a choice to tumble in its wake and resist its
awe-inspiring magnificence as I hold onto want-
ing my life on my own terms. Or I can choose to
rise with it as I let go and accept that I know no
thing, see no thing, am no thing, and flow within
its immense whole. As I get out of its way and
witness its glorious rise, unrelenting, profoundly
tender, immensely alive and deeply revolutionary,
it shows me, in each breath, through each moment,
the steps to permanent freedom. In its heartbeat I
am born again beyond me, beyond wants, beyond
limitation, born into the body of She, the radiant
One. In its pulse I am nothing and I am eternally
home, a child resting in the lap of the divine.

Known as the Positive Possibilities Lady, Parvati inspires magnificence through

music, yoga, words and activism. An award-winning musician, Parvati brings joy
and hope to top 40 radio with her celestial pop songs “I Am Light”, “Yoga in the
Nightclub”, and “Shanti Om”. Founder of “YEM: Yoga as Energy Medicine” and
author of “Confessions of a Former Yoga Junkie: A Revolutionary Life Makeover for
the Sincere Spiritual Seeker”, Parvati has been featured on radio and television talk
shows and news and wellness magazines globally. She is the founder of Parvati.org,
a not-for profit-dedicated to realizing MAPS: The Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary
to help stop global warming. More information at parvati.tv; parvati.org.

9

YOGA

TRUTH AND INTEGRITY

In the Yoga Community

Image credit: Alexandria Crowe

Parvati Magazine’s yoga editor Ella Isakov interviewed Alexandria Crow and the dedicated, forthright and pas-
sionate yoga teacher shared wisdom on how to stay committed to truth and integrity in the yoga community.

Parvati Magazine: As a former gymnast, you saw similarities in the physical demands, but the practices
are completely different. What gift has yoga given you that was missing in gymnastics?
Alexandria Crow: Yoga gave me the ability to accept things as they are without the need to chase perfection.
I was great at enduring pain in gymnastics so I could get out there and do what was needed. I wasn’t how-
ever, very good at looking flawed, at falling down, and my ability to ignore pain was a problem. The physi-
cal practice of asana was something I was great at in many ways and the parts I was missing could only be
learned when I wasn’t able to do a physical practice due to injury. I had to give up doing the asana practice to
actually establish a yoga practice at a deeper level.
PMAG: You are a yoga rebel within the yoga community. How has yoga influenced your thought processes
& feelings to get you to this place in your life?

10

AC: I have a critical think- job to educate students how to YOGA
ing mind that just doesn’t buy achieve joint changes in a pose I make you question everything
into a lot of stuff. I was always with stability in their muscu- and I ask “why?” a lot. Every-
this way but my yoga practice lature and how to customize thing must be investigated so
has definitely amplified my the positioning and efforts that the lesson comes through
self-acceptance and critical to suit their bodies. This way with absolute clarity. It’s con-
thinking skills making it even students are incredibly engaged frontational but it creates
easier to speak out honestly. I in the present moment with intelligent, self-aware, unique
gained some popularity for my the function and sensation of teachers.
teaching as well as my physi- their bodies which allows them PMAG: What advice do you
cal yoga-asana abilities but I to take the lesson and apply it have for young yoga teachers
knew I would never be liked by to their unique structure with starting out in this business to
everyone. I was able to do what wisdom. Then the entire room stay true to their beliefs?
I thought was wise and effec- is working on what is wise for AC: Never compromise on
tive as a teacher, even if it wasn’t them individually so there’s no what you know to be true.
popular. I never felt locked in to need to worry about uniformity There may be less jobs initially
a certain way or a certain style, I or conformity. and less students on the front
always let it morph and change. PMAG: You created a teacher end but it will mean you are re-
It allowed me to say what I training/mentorship program spected and have dedicated and
think about what I see going on called “Yoga Physics”; what lasting students later. Be bold,
in the yoga world at large. makes this training unique? be you, never stop investigating
PMAG: How do you bring AC: I don’t teach a particular and learning.
forth self-reflection in your style or way of sequencing. I
teachings that allows for ex- teach straight up bio-mechanics
ternal observation and change as it relates to the most com-
within your students? monly taught postures as well as
AC: It comes from the way I adaptations for personal struc-
structure my classes. I don’t ture and range limitation or
think of them as having se- hyper-mobility.
quences or that the poses are I don’t teach you what to say. I
the point or that classic shapes teach the whys behind every-
have to be taught. I do not thing physical and philosophical
think about the pose, I look at then it is up to each individual
the changes at joints and what teacher’s style and personality to
could be gained or lost. It’s my articulate it in their own way.

Alexandria Crow’s yoga experience has been about transformation.

The physical challenges of yoga provided a natural familiarity for the former
competitive gymnast, while the philosophy of yoga has given her tools she uses to
approach life with a fearless attitude. She encourages her students to challenge
themselves while focusing on staying conscious of their body’s strengths and
limits. Alex’s emphasis on paying attention allows her students to create true
change and growth, something they can take with them into their daily lives.
For more information, please visit yogaphysics.com.

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YEM: YOGA AS ENERGY MEDICINE

FOLLOW THE WAVE

In Your Spine

It would have been easy to feel sorry for myself when I became paralyzed from the waist down due to a
spontaneous spinal cord injury. Yet, I know that there is nothing in life that is “against me”. All that hap-
pens supports my spiritual growth in some way.
Instead of undergoing the medically recommended spinal surgery that would give me a 50% chance of
walking again, I chose instead to dive into my inner healing cave and trust what I knew about yoga, energy
medicine and nature co-creation (working in partnership with nature devas and the Cosmic Intelligence).
I saw my body as a non-fixed conglomerate of energy, floating molecules held together by my perceptions
and karmas. The injured area was a mass of solid energy that seemed fixed due to my beliefs. I did not try to
change it or fix it. I became a present witness, with no agenda.
As I stayed in the notion of possibility, I got out of the way of nature’s innate healing power. If I were meant
to live in a wheelchair, then so be it. If I were meant to walk again, eventually, I would.
I started to notice small currents of life extending from the conglomerate of energy in the injured area, like
shoots of grass arising from the soil. Little ripples of life started to wave down my legs. Eventually, I could
feel my toes and start to wiggle them.

12

That wave began to pulse up my spine. I could YEM: YOGA AS ENERGY MEDICINE
then roll from side to side, and eventually onto so, and tilt your chin in slightly, so that your neck
my stomach. At no point was I able to do any- lengthens slightly.
thing that was not in flow with that wave. If I 3. With arms alongside your body and feet hip-
pushed, the consequence was searing pain. width apart, begin a full body relaxation, bringing
The wave moved me into pressing up from my your breath awareness from the crown of your
stomach, and then to crawling. I grew as though head through your body and down into your toes.
from an ocean molecule, to a sea creature, to a Feel your whole body breathing. (See my previous
land animal, to an upright human. Finally I came article, Savasana, for full description.)
to walk and dance again in joy. My recovery was 4. Once you feel connected to the ground and
deemed medically miraculous. aware of your breath, lift your arms above your
This wave exists within us all, at any given mo- head as you inhale, and exhale as you rest them on
ment. It is the pulse of life itself. Yet because of the floor. Let your whole body feel long.
our habits and the way we often choose to per- 5. Then point your toes as you inhale. Breathe
ceive life stressfully, we hold tension in our tissue, in through a whale spout in the crown of your
electrical and nervous systems. Over time, the head, through your spine and into your toes.
juiciness of the wave, and the flow of energy in 6. Exhale out that whale spout and out your
our body/being, become rigid, causing illness and feet as you press out your heels and stretch your
distress. arms away from your feet.
In the previous issue, I guided you through a full 7. Repeat the process: Inhale through your
body relaxation. Today, I share a simple and safe whale spout and spine, pointing your toes.
exercise to help free up the energy in your spine, 8. Exhale through the whale spout and soles of
as though your spine were a tube of breath. This the feet as you press out your heels and stretch out
exercise will lead to the next, as we build towards your arms. Feel your spine lengthen.
reviving the natural wave in your spine over the 9. When you have had enough, bring your
course of a few exercises. breathing back to what feels more normal for you.
EXERCISE Take a few more long breaths and enjoy.
1. Find a quiet and relaxed environment to lie
on the floor. Use a towel or yoga mat if you like.
2. Gently cup the base of your skull with your
hands, lift your head off the floor about an inch or

Known as the Positive Possibilities Lady, Parvati inspires magnificence through

music, yoga, words and activism. An award-winning musician, Parvati brings joy
and hope to top 40 radio with her celestial pop songs “I Am Light”, “Yoga in the
Nightclub”, and “Shanti Om”. Founder of “YEM: Yoga as Energy Medicine” and
author of “Confessions of a Former Yoga Junkie: A Revolutionary Life Makeover for
the Sincere Spiritual Seeker”, Parvati has been featured on radio and television talk
shows and news and wellness magazines globally. She is the founder of Parvati.org,
a not-for profit-dedicated to realizing MAPS: The Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary
to help stop global warming. More information at parvati.tv; parvati.org.

13

MEDITATION

FLOW

of Life Force

The other day, as I was quietly enjoying my walk to the gym where I work out, my husband noticed a
brawl that was taking place in the park up ahead. A group surrounded someone who was being beaten
up. As soon as I noticed this, an energy arose through me that led to me running at top speed down two
blocks, right into the center of the fight consisting of five men and one woman. A fierce presence, like a ka-
rate cry, arose through me as I commanded everyone to step back and break it up. This force took over, and
had only one objective: disperse the violence to ensure safety for all. At no point did I engage in anger, or
even physically touch anyone. The energy alone took care of all that was needed. I was just the body through
which it arose. Once the bloody person was cared for and everyone safe, I walked away from the scene back
to what felt more like my normal self. I hardly knew what had happened.
Flow is all about life force, which moves, dances, sustains and arises through us in each moment, when we
are willing to co-create with it. But it is never about us. Any sense of self that may think it is the force doing,
only feeds our ego and our sense of being divided from the whole. Of this, we must be careful.
Though flow has many expressions, it will always feel rooted, vital and expansive. It will always be engaged
and assertive, whether it is gentle and quiet or fierce and expressive. It will never be pushy or a push-over. It
is always a balanced expression of interconnection within the whole.
Contrary to what many of us habitually perceive, life is not happening “to” you. You are an active co-creator
in actualizing what is. So try this contemplative meditation to help you feel more rooted, vital and expansive
in your life and embrace the possibility of going with flow in each moment:

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1) Find a quiet place to sit comfortably, so that MEDITATION
you can relax without the risk of falling asleep. flow, your effortless interconnection within and
Allow your spine to be straight, but not rigid. Ide- without.
ally, your back is not leaning against anything. 6) Feel the ease, flow and interconnection in your
2) Breathe into your belly, allowing the rhythm whole being. Repeat it as though you are feeding
of the breath to bring your mind deeper into this your cells with this lush, rich, awareness.
moment, into your body, into the feeling of the 7) Should your mind wander on distractions, such
here and now. as physical tensions, or lingering thoughts, simply
3) Scan your body from the crown of your head to notice them and bring your awareness back to
your toes. Without any force or particular stressful your breath. Allow yourself to rest in the words
effort, go deeper into yourself and feel the connec- “I am”. Repeat it until you feel you have had
tion your body has with your seat. enough. Then gently open your eyes, and allow
4) Then feel the connection your breath has yourself to gently move back into your daily life
with the outside air and how it flows into your with ease and flow.
body. Breathe in, feel the air and life force feed
your body/being. Breathe out, feel the ease of Dedication
the release. Know that the air you breathe is also to the practice
connected to all of life, all animals, all humans, all
things alive. allows your
5) Take a moment to feel that interconnection soul flower
between you, life and all things. Feel the immense
possibility of life itself. While remaining present to bloom.
to the sensations within your body and the flow
of your breath, allow your sense of awareness to #YEM Yoga as Energy Medicine
expand, to open to this life force that is in you,
around you, everywhere. Stay rooted in your
body by still feeling the ground, your breath, and
include the expansive awareness you also feel.
Allow yourself to open to receive this possibility
in this moment, feel it in your breath and in your
cells. While rest in that presence, say to yourself:
“I am. I am. I am.” Feel the possibility of ease and

Known as the Positive Possibilities Lady, Parvati inspires magnificence through

music, yoga, words and activism. An award-winning musician, Parvati brings joy
and hope to top 40 radio with her celestial pop songs “I Am Light”, “Yoga in the
Nightclub”, and “Shanti Om”. Founder of “YEM: Yoga as Energy Medicine” and
author of “Confessions of a Former Yoga Junkie: A Revolutionary Life Makeover for
the Sincere Spiritual Seeker”, Parvati has been featured on radio and television talk
shows and news and wellness magazines globally. She is the founder of Parvati.org,
a not-for profit-dedicated to realizing MAPS: The Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary
to help stop global warming. More information at parvati.tv; parvati.org.

15

WELLNESS

DR. LARRY
DOSSEY

THE NONLOCAL MIND

Learning Many scholars predicted that brain research would prove conclu-
to think sively that consciousness is a product of the physical brain. It is
nonlocally ironic, however, that as we learn more about the brain, we discover that
is our most the local brain cannot account for the nonlocal ways in which conscious-
important ness manifests. Why isn’t a brain-based approach to consciousness suf-
challenge. ficient? How does nonlocal consciousness manifest?
Human consciousness is fundamentally nonlocal—not localized or
confined to specific points in space, such as brains and bodies, nor to
specific points in time, such as the present. A mind that is nonlocal is
unbounded in space and time, and cannot be separate from other minds,
but must be united with all other minds. Unbounded minds would
therefore form what I’ve called the One Mind. Our concept of mind has
been expanding for some time. In the nineteenth and twentieth centu-
ries, we were introduced to several subdivisions of mind—the conscious,
preconscious, subconscious, unconscious, the collective conscious, and
collective unconscious. The One Mind is an additional perspective but it
is not a subdivision. It is the overarching, inclusive dimension to which
all the mental components of all individual minds belong.

16

Nonlocal mind is associated children. Remote viewers can WELLNESS
with nonlocal mental experi- connect with specific scenes,
ences. For instance, individuals not the entire planetary land- tions unanimously maintain
may know things remotely, even scape. The One Mind manifests that, as understanding grows, all
at global distances. In studies in our lives in unique ways; it descriptions of the Absolute are
testing this premise, the against- awaits instructions and prompt- eventually transcended. Thus,
chance odds are millions to one. ing based on the needs, wishes, Meister Eckhart, Germany’s
They may know future events, desires, and intentions of great fourteenth-century Chris-
either consciously or uncon- individuals and situations. This tian mystic, proclaimed, “Noth-
sciously. They may successfully is why information arising from ing is so like God as silence.”
direct healing intentions to it can be highly individualized, Silence means creating a place
distant individuals who are in not random. Pattern, specific- where a higher form of knowing
need, or mentally influence the ity, and individuality, therefore, can enter. The mystics con-
healing rates of wounds in ani- typify the way the One Mind sider this passage into silence a
mals. Individuals may acquire manifests in our lives. prerequisite for Divine Union
detailed information about A number of theories attempt — complete absorption into the
scenes and situations at global to explain our One Mind con- One Mind, the All, the Abso-
distances. These phenomena all nections, such as the concept lute, the Source. At this stage,
reveal an aspect of conscious- of entanglement, drawn from language is simply outgrown
ness that transcends physical quantum physics. Morphic and is superseded by being.
confinement. fields, proposed by biologist Learning to think nonlocally
If all individual minds are part Rupert Sheldrake also tries to is our most important chal-
of a greater mind, do we then explain the ways in which One lenge. Our response to all the
lose our identity? Psychologist Mind manifests in life. The problems we face as humans are
Joseph Chilton Pearce says: hologram is another metaphor subsumed by this single task.
“There are levels on which that helps illustrate the relation- Our willingness to think and
thoughts can, under very special ship between single, individual function as nonlocal creatures
conditions, interchange, and minds and the One Mind. who are “infinite in faculty,”
there are levels where they can- However, at some level, all as Shakespeare said in Ham-
not.” There are rules governing talk of mechanism — whether let, linked inseparably to one
these connections; otherwise, nonlocality, entanglement, another and all else, permits
the world would be a mess. holograms or any other process us to tap into the reservoir of
Because our minds don’t dis- — becomes irrelevant. These wisdom that is the One Mind,
solve into sameness, specific and concepts are watered-down ver- unleashing a cascade of potent
individualized one-Mind events sions of the Real Thing so as to responses to the difficulties that
are preserved. The One Mind be graspable by human brains. confront us.
is picky. A worried mother can Sages who represent the esoteric
connect with her child, not all side of the great wisdom tradi-

Dr. Larry Dossey is an internationally influential advocate of the role of

the mind in health and the role of spirituality in healthcare. He completed his
medical training in internal medicine and also served as a battalion surgeon
in Vietnam where he was decorated for valor. The author of twelve books and
numerous articles, Dr. Dossey is the Executive Editor of the journal Explore: The
Journal of Science and Healing. In 2013, Dr. Dossey received the prestigious
Visionary Award by the Integrative Healthcare Symposium, that honors a
pioneer whose visionary ideas have shaped integrative healthcare and the
medical profession. More information at larrydosseymd.com.

17

FITNESS

FBUEELSINTGSYEOLUFR

18

Ihave worked in the fitness industry for over a FITNESS
decade. To this day, it still amazes me how most
people believe they can eat whatever they wish What if you blessed and gave thanks for every-
and create ideal health. Most believe, as long as thing you put between your lips? What if you,
they do a few workouts a week, what passes be- as of this moment, assumed everything you eat
tween their lips has little if any effect on how they will support a leaner, stronger, more creative and
look and feel. loving soul, a better version of You? What do you
Nothing could be further from the truth. As the think would happen to your food choices if you
saying goes, “You can’t outrun a pizza.” Eating were to start paying attention to how different
processed, man-made “food”, full of sugar, arti- foods affect you?
ficial ingredients, chemicals, and items we can’t Perhaps you would instinctively begin to eat more
pronounce, never mind break down in our bodies, natural foods, less man-made versions. Maybe
is not the way to create the healthiest version of you would feel an increase of energy and life force
You. Ingesting food that has no life force, that is flowing through your body by consistently ingest-
essentially dead, does nothing to empower your ing more energy through the foods you eat.
body nor mind. I encourage you to try it for a few weeks and wit-
On the other hand, many of us eat “healthy” ness the changes you will create within your body
and have gut-wrenching guilt over it. Some have and mind. Along your journey, take time and be
thoughts that no matter what they ingest, the item grateful for increased self-awareness.
will make them fat, add inches to their hips, slow
down their performance etc. Your relationship to
food, its purpose in your life is often a larger fac-
tor than what is in fact, ingested.
How would your relationship with food change
if you always thought of food as your friend?
If its role is to support your body, your moods,
even give you comfort when needed. What if you
believed food had no hidden agenda to make you
fat, lethargic or ill? How would it make you feel to
know that your body energetically just knew how
to pull all the nutrients out of what you eat and
send it to the cells, muscles of your body to create
perfect health?

Sandra O’Brien is mother to the world’s three most fabulous children.

She is also a Law of Attraction Life Coach, Personal Trainer, yoga instructor,
published author and Reiki healer. Her work has been featured on CityLine
Television, and The Toronto Star. She is owner of Muskoka Hot Yoga, and
Muskoka Goddess, offering hot yoga, tabata bootcamps, personal training and
coaching. She created the Goddess Creation system, a female fitness program to
blowtorch body fat, sculpt sexy lean muscle and empower women everywhere
to be the best version of themselves, inside and out. For more information on
Sandra, please visit muskokahotyoga.com.

19

NUTRITION

SWEET AND ZIPPY
FALL SALAD

20

The tangy bite of Dijon mustard marries with NUTRITION
the bursting flavor of fresh herbs on this
vibrant, crunchy salad. or dill in abundance, and be a bit sparing with
stronger herbs like rosemary or oregano.)
Make a small dice of: • 1 shallot or clove of garlic, finely diced
• Sea salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 English cucumber
• 1 medium red pepper Pour the dressing over the salad and enjoy
• 1 dozen sugar snap peas immediately.
• 2 small carrots
• 1 small beet Serves 2.

Make a chiffonade of spinach by stacking and
tightly rolling a dozen large spinach leaves with the
stems removed, then slicing the roll in 1/4 inch
sections. This produces long strands of the leaves.
If you prefer, you could also simply tear the leaves
into small pieces to match the scale of your diced
vegetables.

Toss together in a bowl. Top with 1 cup of sprouts
and/or microgreens (alfalfa, clover, pea, sunflower
or bean sprouts).

Garnish with sliced apple, pear or persimmon.

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• Handful of fresh chopped herbs, or 1 table-

spoon mixed dried herbs (Keep in mind some
herbs are stronger than others. Use basil, parsley

Laura Coburn is the President of Coburn Design, Inc., a marketing

and design studio in Auburn, New York. Coburn serves clients regionally
and nationally in the areas of tourism, retail, industrial and non-profit
communications and design. Laura is also a yoga teacher and founder of Eka
Yoga Studio. On weekends Laura can be found cooking up special dishes to
educate and honor her students at the studio.
For more information about Laura, please visit http://ekacenter.com/ or

21

BOOKS

KWE: STANDING WITH OUR SISTERS
compiled by Joseph Boyden

Kwe, Standing with our Sisters is not an easy read, since the issue of missing and murdered Indigeous women
in Canada is not an easy topic. Most of us cannot comprehend the depth and layers that contribute to this
issue. We may not even want to know. The alarming number of Indigenous women affected by violence is a
concept that does not fit into our self-identity as a nation and can be too uncomfortable to have to consider.
For a long time even the government seemed resigned to do nothing about the problem. However, a strong
demand from the public resulted in a national independent inquest on why Indigenous women are so over-
represented in missing and murdered statistics.

22

Since the announcement in July our Sisters. (Kwe is the Ojibwe BOOKS
2016 that the federal govern- word for woman.)
ment would move forward with All of the authors contributed ing it emotionally accessible to
the National Inquiry into Miss- original work for the cause, and those who would rather keep it
ing and Murdered Indigenous reading through the miscellany at arm’s length. With books like
Women and Girls, there has of contributions is like reach- Kwe, a change is underway in
been a resurgence in optimism ing into a wardrobe of random creating awareness about what
that it will lead to a safer coun- clothes. Some pieces may fit Indigenous women face simply
try for some of our most vulner- you perfectly, pulling affection- by being born into their race.
able citizens, and prove to those ately at your heartstrings with The change begins with letting
who have been affected by this references to growing up in the our Indigenous women know
issue that their loss was not in country and aboriginal culture. they are loved and valued mem-
vain. The independent inquest Other pieces fit awkwardly, bers of our Canadian society,
is estimated to take two years chafing uncomfortably, touch- and we stand in solidarity with
and $53.86 million to painstak- ing on topics like sexual abuse them to resolve the challenges
ingly review previous cases and and addictions. However, make they face, no matter how un-
current circumstances to come no mistake, all equally have comfortable and unfathomable
up with actionable interventions their place in this book, because those challenges may be.
to prevent statistics from carry- the emotional range you go By purchasing Kwe, Standing
ing on their current trend. through when reading it is the with our Sisters, as an ebook,
Meanwhile, Joseph Boyden, key to how it creates awareness through any of the popular on-
a Canadian author represent- about missing and murdered line literature venders, the total
ing the Indigenous voice in his Indigenous women. The book’s cost of $2.99 will go to Am-
award-winning books Through brilliance is in its empathy-in- nesty International’s No More
Black Spruce, and The Orenda, ducing bittersweetness. Mothers Stolen Sisters initiative. To find
wanted to create awareness of missing and murdered In- out more about Kwe, Stand-
on the subject of missing and digenous women across Canada ing with our Sisters, and the
murdered Indigenous women reminisce about their beautiful work of Amnesty International
the best way an author could. daughters as they knew them, Canada’s campaign, No More
He rallied other notable Cana- before their untimely end. The Stolen Sisters, please visit the
dian artists and compiled their emotional awareness and new Kwe page on Amnesty Interna-
contributions of poetry, short perspective that is gained by tional’s website.
stories and pictures into a book reading Kwe, I believe, is what
aptly named Kwe, Standing with Boyden intended; taking an
uncomfortable topic and mak-

Carolyn Belanger, RN, BScN has worked in many different roles as a

nurse, but has found working with First Nations her true calling. Currently
she holds a position in Vancouver’s downtown eastside working with urban
natives and residents of the area who face addictions, mental health challenges
and poverty. Compassion and empathy are at the forefront of her client/patient
interactions. Carolyn is optimistic that Canadians will support the comeback of
Indigenous culture after its near extinction.

23

FILM

KUBO

24

Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a delightfully FILM
adventurous, witty, and poignant story with
equal parts of beautiful cinematography, clever down into chapters, to the various pop-culture
lines, touching characters, and hijinks. Written references (including Lord of the Rings and the
and directed by Taika Waititi (based on the book Terminator, not to mention Tupac the dog). There
Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump), the was a running joke about writing a haiku to help
film has a delightful lineup including Julian Den- identify and process your feelings... and, there was
nison as Ricky Baker, Sam Neill as his “Uncle” clever symbolism like Ricky wearing an animal
Hector (Hec) and Rima Te Wiata as “Aunt” Bella. print hat that I’m interpreting as a “does a leopard
The film opens with foster-child and delinquent change his spots” reference.
Ricky being dropped off with a new foster family I especially appreciated the bond that formed
in the New Zealand wilderness. The child protec- between Ricky and Hec. Both outsiders, labelled
tion services agent reassures him that “there’s no and rejected by society, they formed an alliance
one else who wants you, okay!?!”. Foster-mom and balanced out each other’s weaknesses to work
Bella is a woman who overflows with love and together and beat “the man”.
good intentions, which is a bold contrast to her For me, Hunt for the Wilderpeople was ultimately
husband Hec, who is more than gruff around about life-changing moments and experiences,
the edges. Bella is patient and persistent with her and the people who serve as the catalysts. It’s
affections and Ricky begins to let his guard down about the opportunity we all have to learn from
and settle in, despite Hec’s cantankerous demea- those around us, regardless of first impressions.
nor. While it had a limited theatrical release in North
Spoiler Alert: The two men end up thrust together America, it is currently available for rent and pur-
when Bella passes suddenly and child protection chase online. I guarantee it would be well worth
services threatens to reappear to whisk Ricky off your time to watch!
to another family. Ricky is insistent that he doesn’t
want to return to the “system” and instead chooses
to try and survive in the wilderness alone. The two
adversaries end up relying on each other to out-
smart the authorities after Hec is wrongfully as-
sumed to have kidnapped Ricky after an unlucky
series of events.
This movie was a big winner for me, from begin-
ning to end. I liked just about everything about it,
to be honest - from the way the story was broken

Amy Kellestine is an educator, engineer, Arati life coach and entrepreneur

living in Edmonton, Alberta. She spends her free time camping, gardening, and
volunteering for causes such as Cystic Fibrosis and nature conservation. She is a
devoted mother, who is passionate about helping others and writing.

25

MUSIC

GORD DOWNIE’S SECRET PATHW

When the last sounds of “Ahead By A Century”, the Tragically Hip’s most successful Canadian single and
the final encore of their final show, died away at their nationally televised concert in Kingston, Canada,
this past August, fans of this quintessentially Canadian band thought it might be the last they would see and
hear of the Hip’s frontman Gord Downie. Downie had announced in May that he had been diagnosed with
terminal brain cancer. But this fall, he revealed that he had more to say as an artist, and has emerged again into
the public eye with his just-released “Secret Path”.
We have seen musicians make performance art of their lives and deaths. David Bowie’s Blackstar, for example,
was a valedictory creation that no one knew was his goodbye until the world was stunned this past January by
his death from liver cancer. The video for his song Lazarus, released three days before his death, shows a sense
of urgency to say all he can say as an artist before his time runs out.

26

When news hit the streets of Prince’s t-shirts, has spent his career giv- MUSIC
sudden and shocking death in April ing a fierce storyteller’s voice to
this year, fans were not surprised to something like the Canadian supporting healing and recov-
find that this deeply generous per- spirit. When his brother Mike ery through cross-cultural edu-
former had planned gifts for them. told him about Chanie, they cation. In this way, Downie is
As mourning fans gathered around knew they wanted to bring this making a statement and a legacy
Paisley Park, Minnesota, outside story to light. with what could be his last pro-
the late singer’s memorial service, Much in the same vein as “Ahead ject. The life force of his artistic
Prince’s family quietly distributed By A Century”, the songs of voice, giving life to the story of
boxes in his signature purple, filled “Secret Path” tend toward the Chanie Wenjack, will continue
with memorabilia. dreamy and evocative, treating to make a meaningful impact in
Whereas Bowie’s swan song was Chanie and his fear and death the world long after his physical
introspective, and Prince’s exit el- with gentleness and compassion. voice is gone.
egant and generous, “Secret Path” is The music features Downie on
not about Gord Downie at all. In- vocals and guitars, with Bro-
stead, Gord offers a stunning legacy ken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew
project that uses his public profile and former Stills member Dave
to shine light on a topic not well Hamelin on all other instru-
enough understood in public con- ments, except guest contribu-
sciousness: the suffering caused by tions by Charles Spearin on bass,
residential schools. The focal point Ohad Benchetrit on lap steel/
of this ten-song album paired with guitar, Kevin Hearn on piano,
a graphic novel by Jeff Lemire is the and Dave “Billy Ray” Koster on
1966 death of a 12-year-old Indig- drums.
enous boy named Chanie Wenjack. Downie has returned to the stage
Wenjack had run away from his resi- to perform “Secret Path” in Ot-
dential school in Kenora and wanted tawa and Toronto this month,
to get home the only way he knew and on October 23 CBC broad-
how: by walking. He didn’t know cast a one-hour video pairing
that his home in Ogoki Post was the music with animated images
600 km away. He was found dead of from the graphic novel.
exposure and hunger by the railway Proceeds from sales of “Secret
tracks he had been following. Path” are being donated to the
“Secret Path” is Chanie’s story, told cause of reconciliation, making
through images, song and an up- known the truth of Canada’s his-
coming hour-long video. Downie, tory with residential schools and
in his iconic feathered hats and Jaws

Pranada McBurnie got a degree in music before realizing she was better

at words than at singing opera. Her art song translations are still in demand on
the lieder.net database. She is the Managing Editor of Parvati Magazine, and
the Communications Manager for Kupid’s Play Records. In addition, she is the
editor for Parvati’s forthcoming books “Confessions of a Former Yoga Junkie” and
“Aonani and the Emissary of the Blue Star”.

27

FASHION

SECONDHAND SHOPPING
IS GREEN AND COOL

28

There used to be a time in my life where I FASHION
wouldn’t be caught dead in a second hand
store. Growing up in a medium sized town, it hand, I save money, and it gives Mother Nature
simply never occurred to me that shopping second a break compared with the environmental cost of
hand was a cool way of helping the environment. producing new items of clothing.
Fast-forward to 2016 and I can’t think of a better Some of the most exquisite pieces of clothing I
place to buy clothes. have are ones I have found in a Value Village. I
My love affair started with a second hand clothing can’t tell you how many times I have been com-
store called The Kind Exchange. There are a few lo- plimented on such items. And to think they are
cations in Toronto, where I live. They will actually usually all under $10.00!
pay you for clothing that you drop off. Payment If you have patience to sift through the pieces and
can be either in cash or in a store credit. time to wash everything when you get home, I
But, they are selective. With workers who eye a highly recommend this form of eco-fashion.
sharp eye for style, they carefully go through your Next time you are about to judge someone for
donation and say “yay” or “nay” to each piece. The shopping second hand, think again. Shopping
ones that didn’t make the cut can still be donated; second hand is very eco, and very cool.
you just don’t get paid for those.
What I liked most about shopping at the Kind Ex-
change (or any second-hand store for that matter) is
that you get all kinds of clothes. You can find styles
from the 80’s onward. You can get clothes from
different parts of the world (you never know who
will donate). It’s like finding a treasure!
I then phased to Value Village. My favorite way
of shopping here is by going to a location outside
of big cities. Because my parents live in Kitchener,
Ontario, I made a habit of stopping into some of
the Value Villages there. Wow! What a difference
from the locations in Toronto! The stores were huge
and everything neatly organized.
I always arrange it so I can go on a weekday, when
the store is almost empty. You can tell which items
are practically brand new. By shopping second-

Renia Pruchnicki is the owner of a company called Truth where she designs

a line of vegan fashion accessories made in Canada. Truth was created in 2001.
Find out more at truthbelts.com.

29

BEAUTY

NOVA SCOTIA
FISHERMAN

This month, we spoke to Nova Scotia Fisherman. working at Kiss My Face Cosmetics, they wanted
Based in Canada, it is a family company producing to expand a new line of body care products that
natural body care products. Not only are all products would be a reflection of the Maritimes. After ex-
100% natural featuring sea kelp, the company sup- tensive research they decided that with the pristine
ports environmental and local community initiatives. local sea kelp they could create a beautiful line of
Parvati Magazine: NSF started off making body care products.
organic soya candles before transitioning to body PMAG: In all your products, your featured ingre-
care products. How did this come about? dient is Nova Scotia Sea Kelp. What is so benefi-
Tassi Sewell: The owners of Kiss My Face Cos- cial about it?
metics, Bob Macleod and Steve Byckewicz, have TS: Sea Kelp has many valuable properties for
always had a close connection to the Maritimes. your skin. Kelp helps restore the moisture levels in
Bob, originally from New Brunswick, wanted to your skin, revitalize and firm your skin, oxygenate
bring some of the success of Kiss My Face Cos- and detoxify, acts as a conditioner that improves
metics back to the Maritimes. He partnered with the skin’s texture and tone, and it stimulates your
his childhood friend, Perley Beairsto, and Perley’s skin’s natural ability to heal. We’ve had lots of
nephew Les Falconer, and opened a manufactur- positive feedback from people using our products
ing plant in New Minas, Nova Scotia. In 2000 on extremely irritated skin such as eczema and
they began making soy based candles for Kiss my psoriasis.
Face Cosmetics. Being familiar with body care

30

PMAG: Tell us about some of your most popular BEAUTY
products.
TS: Our original lotion is definitely our best seller in the past five years. Not only are we incredibly
for relieving irritated skin. It helps moisturize and proud of the high quality products we make, but
has a clean natural scent. Our rescue balm is another we are happy we can offer them at an affordable
top seller for those very dry patches, cracked elbows price. We are working at making our products
and heels or irritations. Our lip balm is also popular more available in different retailers across Canada
seller because of its unique packaging, twice the size and the USA, and recently made sales to stores
of a regular lip balm for the same price point, and in New Zealand, Japan, and the UK. We plan to
customers love that better bang for their buck! continue with our business model of integrity,
PMAG: NSF supports the Nature Conservancy of ethical decision making and providing customers
Canada and a local community initiative, Plank In- with a quality product at an affordable price. We
dustries. Tell us about these organizations and why are grateful for the support and positive feedback
you became involved. we have received so far and are excited about the
TS: Nova Scotia Fisherman is proud to donate a future success of our company.
portion of each sale to the Nature Conservancy of
Canada because we value our landscape and the
place we call home. We believe it is our responsi-
bility to support our local communities and help
protect the land that has shaped us, while ensuring
its sustainability for future generations. Since 1971
the Nature Conservancy of Canada has worked to
protect our province’s natural treasures, and have
protected a vast amount of land in southern Cana-
da. We are so proud to support their efforts of con-
servation. Plank Industries, creates our boat displays
and packaging. Our owners value providing jobs in
our local community for people who may have had
difficulty finding work.
PMAG: What’s next for NSF?
TS: We are very hopeful for our future at NSF. This
September we celebrated our fifth birthday, and are
so proud of what we have been able to accomplish

Tassi Sewell is a member of the Sales and Marketing team at Nova Scotia

Fisherman eXtreme Skin Care. She is from Ontario and moved to Nova Scotia
to attend Dalhousie University and received her undergraduate in Sociology and
Social Anthropology. After completion of her degree and her newfound love of
the Maritimes, she decided to move to Nova Scotia permanently. She is grateful
for the position she has at Nova Scotia Fisherman eXtreme Skin Care. More info
at novascotiafisherman.com.

31

COMMUNITY

OCEANIC
PRESERVATION
SOCIETY

Parvati Magazine interviewed Louie Psihoyos, lot of time photographing reefs around the world
Executive Director of the Oceanic Preservation and we’d come back a few years later and see this
Society (OPS), and discussed using mass media to degraded environment. He said we should do
inspire change. something about this. So I said “how about you
Parvati Magazine: What is OPS and why did you and I, we’ll use your money and my eye and make
found it? films.” The Cove was our first film and it became
Louie Psihoyos: OPS was founded as an organiza- the most winning documentary in history, but
tion using mass media to inspire change. To create more important than that it changed things in
a tipping point, you only need about 10% of the Japan.
population, the early adopters, the politicians, the PMAG: What level of success has The Cove had in
people who really sway change. People are paying the fight to stop the dolphin killing?
attention to films rather than print media and I LP: The movie galvanized a lot of animal rights
saw documentaries are a way to change the DNA groups like Sea Shepherd and I could see the
of the people we need to create the change. power of film to make change. They were killing
OPS was started by myself and Jim Clark who’s about 23,000 dolphins and porpoises per year and
kind of like the Steve Jobs in our era. We spent a are now killing less than 6000. We distributed a

32

copy of the film in Japanese to everyone living in COMMUNITY
Taiji. After that, the Mayor said dolphin meat de-
mand dropped by about 60% in just a few weeks. top athletes are getting an edge by adopting a
The film continues to do its work, not just saving vegan diet, the world’s strongest man is vegan.
dolphins’ lives, but keeping them out of captivity. When I lived in Colorado, I generated 140% of
PMAG: Your film Racing Extinction warns we are our energy off the roof of my home with solar
potentially on the brink of the sixth mass extinc- panels which are 6 times cheaper now than when
tion. What are the key indicators? I bought them, and that generated the energy I
LP: The canary in the coal mine is the disappear- needed for OPS, and my home. And 140% en-
ing coral reef. A mass extinction event is when you ergy production means I’m getting back 40% in
lose half or more of all the species on the planet. terms of cash, I was making money!
Previous to all the mass extinction events you lose We want people to realize everyone can make a
the coral reefs because of the large uptake in car- difference when they vote with their money, by
bon dioxide and that’s what’s going on right now. what they’re putting in their mouth’s, what they’re
Except this time the carbon dioxide uptake is not bringing home, all these choices have an environ-
because of an asteroid, or massive volcano erup- mental effect that’s where we needed to get people
tions all over the planet, but man-made. What to focus on. Because if you change yourself you
we are trying to do with movies like The Cove and change the world.
Racing Extinction, is not just try to preserve and to
create awareness, but the dream is once people see
what we are going to lose, they will make an effort
to stop it.
PMAG: I loved your message in the film “start
with one thing”. Can you discuss what are some of
your favorite things?
LP: The average person in America eats about
10,000 animals in their lifetime. The raising of
meat for human consumption creates more direct
emissions then all the tailpipe exhausts from all
the planes trains and automobiles on the planet.
So if you want to fix the planet, change your diet.
The next film I’m working on with James and
Suzy Cameron is about nutrition and top athletes.
All proteins are not created equal, more and more

Louie Psihoyos, Executive Director of Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS),

is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prominent still photographers. An
ardent diver and dive photographer, he feels compelled to show the world the
decline of the oceans. Psihoyos’ first documentary film, “The Cove,” won the
Oscar® for Best Documentary Feature in 2009. In his newest film, “Racing
Extinction,” a team of artists and activists exposes the hidden world of
extinction with never-before-seen images that will change the way we see the
planet. More information: racingextinction.com.

33

BUSINESS

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY

Parvati Magazine spoke with Mel Wilson, PhD, Partner and National Leader, Sustainable Business Solutions at
PwC Canada, to ask him about his work helping organizations manage their environmental and sustainability
performance.
Parvati Magazine: How does corporate sustainability relate to corporate responsibility and why does sustain-
ability matter?
Mel Wilson: I would argue corporate sustainability is a subset of corporate responsibility. Corporate respon-
sibility deals with the big question, “If a company is a legal entity, what are its ethical obligations?” This ques-
tion covers a wide array of ethical obligations: obligations to shareholders, employees, competitors, society in
general, even the natural world. It’s an interesting philosophical question. Corporate sustainability is along
the same lines, but deals with the question, “What does a company need to do to minimize or offset its nega-
tive impacts on the environment and society?” While the question has an ethical underpinning, the answer
can often be more be technical and quantitative than philosophical. An example is the idea of a company
having a zero carbon footprint. There’s a lot of math involved in that calculation. So corporate sustainability
involves measuring one’s impact and figuring out ways to minimize or neutralize those impacts.
PMAG: What are the roots of your passion for this field?

34

MW: I grew up in rural Prince nies started outcompeting their BUSINESS
Edward Island, a naturally peers on many fronts, includ-
beautiful area. My parents had ing attracting customers and ture looks bright. Not because
stopped farming and let much capital. Now most companies of what the current genera-
of their land revert back to bush have Sustainability or Corporate tion is doing, but what future
and woodland. It was my play- Responsibility Departments, generations will be able to do.
ground, with a little creek run- and boards of directors will have Today’s children know much
ning through the back 40 and Sustainability subcommittees. more about the world than my
everything. That instilled in me PMAG: What impact have you generation did when we were
a love of nature. Growing up seen from the UN’s Sustainable young. Today’s 8-year-old can
in the 70s and 80s when there Development Goals (SDG’s), visit any city, any museum, any
were growing concerns about and what more do you hope historic site and virtually every
pollution, made me a passion- for? library in the world, without
ate environmentalist. I did my MW: The SDGs came into leaving their house, simply by
undergraduate degree in biology effect January 1, 2016 and getting on the internet. And
where I enjoyed courses in ecol- have been quickly embraced they love to share informa-
ogy and wildlife management. in Europe, Africa, Asia, South tion and ideas with each other.
By grad school, my interest had America, but not so much yet Imagine the possibilities! The
expanded from wildlife and eco- in North America. But the next generation will look at the
systems to environmental law SDG wave is on its way. What last 100 years and see so many
and pollution management, and I hope to see is companies, mistakes in how we treated the
that’s where my career started. governments and not-for-profits planet and each other. I think
PMAG: How have you seen using the SDGs as frameworks they will learn from this, and
corporate attitudes towards for collaboration on sustainabil- find ways to live far more sus-
sustainability change over the ity issues. If we pooled the tal- tainably and peacefully than the
years? ent and resources we have just recent past generations.
MW: Sustainability has become here in Alberta, just think of the
mainstream, which sounds bor- advancements we could make
ing but is actually a good thing. in everything from education to
As recently as the late 1990s, clean technology to health care.
very few Alberta companies PMAG: Where do you believe
would even say the word ‘sus- the field is heading?
tainability’, and many thought MW: Personally, I think the fu-
it was just public relations BS.
But then sustainable compa-

Mel Wilson, PhD, Partner and National Leader, Sustainable Business Solu-

tions at PwC Canada, has spent the last 25 years helping organizations under-
stand, manage, measure and report on their environmental and sustainability
performance. Mel has worked with countless leading companies across many
industries in Canada, USA, Mexico, and many European and Middle Eastern
countries, as well as all three levels of government in Canada. You can learn
more about his work and sustainability on his LinkedIn blog posts.

35

OnWord Tweet us!

Thank you for reading the November 2016 edition of Parvati Devi
PARVATI MAGAZINE. @parvati_devi
As we move about the routine and unexpected events in our Pranada McBurnie
lives, it is easy to get caught up in feeling we need to take charge @pranada
and do everything ourselves. We forget that in every moment, Rishi Deva
we have Nature’s ever present support. But that which we re- @KupidsPlay
ceive from Nature is beyond its abundant physical resources, Ella Isakov
such as food and shelter. Nature also provides our body/being @yogini_ella
with the energy that literally gives us life. Renia Pruchnicki
If we look at a tree in the forest or garden, we see how effortlessly @truthbelts
it grows within a greater whole. A flower is the same. It rests Larry Dossey
rooted in the soil as its stem joyfully arises from the ground. At @LarryDosseyMD
its peak, the slender stem, capped by a surrendered display of Alexandria Crow
delicate petals, shows us how we too can open to the light and @AlexandriaCrow
share our sweet fragrance with the world. Sandra O’Brien
As you go about your life today, remember that you are im- @MuskokaHotYoga
mensely supported, just as the flowers and the trees. You are Joseph Boyden
lovingly held within a vast and intelligent whole, of which you @JosephBoyden
are an integral part. You are never alone. Wilderpeople
Love yourself. @Wilderpeople
Love others. Gord Downie
Love our world. @GordDownie
We are one Earth family. Nova Scotia Fisherman
Parvati @NSFisherman
Racing Extinction
Parvati Magazine is a trademark published monthly @RacingXtinction
by Positive Possibilities Incorporated. All rights are reserved. #parvatimag
Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced without prior

permission from the publisher. The views expressed
in this publication are not necessarily those
of the editors or the publishers.

36

GMB VITAMIN
28-DAY MOVEMENT CHALLENGE