Jerusalema Dance Breaks coming to Natick this summer!

Through the generosity of the Natick Cultural Council, I will be creating Jerusalema Dance Breaks in Natick. One will happen at Camp Arrowhead during the summer and the other will be in collaboration with Common Street Spiritual Center to celebrate South African Heritage Day, a day that celebrates South Africa’s roots, their rich, vibrant, and diverse cultures. South Africa is called the ”Rainbow Nation” due to its color and diversity, and this is why Heritage Day exists. Details to follow.

What does the song Jerusalema mean by Master KG and what language?

What is Jerusalema?

Jerusalema is an upbeat gospel-influenced house songt by South African DJ and record producer Master KG featuring South African vocalist Nomcebo. Although it has religious-leaning lyrics, “Jerusalema” is an upbeat disco-house track containing deep, spiritual, gospel lyrics. Lyrically, “it speaks about Jerusalem being the home of many religious believers”. 

Jerusalema ikhaya lami (Jerusalem is my home)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Uhambe nami (Walk with me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)
Jerusalema ikhaya lami (Jerusalem is my home)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Uhambe nami (Walk with me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)

What Language was used to sing Jerusalema song?

Jerusalema was sung in the South African Zulu Language.

What is the Jerusalema Challenge?

Simply put, the Jerusalema challenge is a dance which is attributed to Fenómenos do Semba, a group in Angola, south-west Africa, who recorded themselves dancing to the song while eating and without dropping their plates. This helped the song go viral online. The #JerusalemaChallenge, spawned dance videos from across many countries, including the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Romania, Spain, France, Jamaica, Canada, the United States, Sri Lanka and Israel, in particular in Jerusalem itself. In Germany, workers paid tribute to Berlin’s Tegel Airport by dancing to Jerusalema on the tarmac and in the now-shuttered terminal. The Swedish elementary school Baraskolan engaged all students to do the #jerusalemachallenge Baraskolan Jerusalema Challenge The Swiss Federal Office of Police challenged the Irish Garda Síochána to the Jerusalema dance challenge, which they accepted. The video was well received in the two countries with the Swiss police flying the Irish flag at their headquarters for the day.

The Origian Dance Challenge

Jerusalema Dance Tutorial

Jerusalema Dance Steps Breakdown

This is the video that just made me so happy to watch during lockdown. It just felt so much bigger than what could be contained on the screen

Then this one:

And just one more that gave me so much joy:

I Am: Yoga, Creativity and Community

Eve Costarelli along with the Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham presents: 

I Am: Yoga, Creativity and Community Yoga+: Dance, Movement, Song, and Story parent and child lessons focused on self-regulation, mindfulness, dance, self-care, literacy, and calming techniques provided in a developmentally appropriate way in a play-based setting. Classes will be held within the ECAF’s weekly Learn And Grow Together schedule.  Special thanks to the Framingham Public Library for sharing their space with us!

Funded through the generosity of the Framingham Cultural Council

Eve Costarelli: UniquelyEve.com

Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham: www.framingham.k12.ma.us/domain/72

Move With Eve: June 2022

Chair Yoga

Fridays on-going

10:00-11:00am

Natick Community-Senior Center, 117 East Central St. Natick

Yoga for Young Kids & Their Adults

Friday’s on-going

11:30am-12:15pm

McAuliffe Branch of the Framingham Public Library

746 Water Street

Bring a mat or blanket and water.

Free. Funded by a grant from the Framingham Cultural Council. 

Celebrating Cultural Diversity in the Arts at Temple Emmanuel of Chelsea

Learn about the amazing art of flamenco and shout a few ¡Olé’s!

Saturday June 18

2:00-3:30pm

Temple Emmanuel’s social hall at 60 Tudor Street in Chelsea

Free. Funded by a grant from the Chelsea Cultural Council.

The Program starts at 10:00am with CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN WORLD MUSIC, then CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN COLLAGE ART and culminates with CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN FLAMENCO DANCE.

Please inquire:

• Assisted Living and Memory Care Units. 
• Inclusive/Adaptive programming.
• Privates and small groups. 

Email: AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; Mobile: 617-216-1643

Facebook: Always Be Dancing Facebook: Uniquely Eve Facebook (group): Move With Eve

Instagram: Always Be Dancing Instagram: I Am Uniquely Eve Youtube: Move With Eve

Move With Eve in May & June 2022

Chair Yoga

Fridays on-going

10:00-11:00 am

$3 per class. 

Natick Community-Senior Center, 117 East Central St., Natick

Yoga on the Downtown Framingham Common

Saturdays May 7 & 14

10:00-11:00 am

$10. 

Downtown Common, 38 Franklin St., Framingham

Please bring your own yoga mat, yoga accessories (blocks, etc), towels and water!

Skyline/Adaptive Yoga

Saturdays

11:00-11:45 am. Register through Natick Parks & Rec

Assisted Living and Memory Care Units. Please Inquire.

Inclusive/Adaptive programming. Please inquire.

Privates and small groups. Please inquire.

Email: AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; Mobile: 617-216-1643

Eve on social media:

Facebook: Always Be Dancing

Facebook: Uniquely Eve

Facebook (group): Move With Eve

Instagram: Always Be Dancing

Instagram: I Am Uniquely EveYoutube: Move With Eve

Welcome to the world of Mini-Mindful Moments With Eve

Welcome to the world of Mini-Mindful Moments With Eve

I am absolutely thrilled to announce the release of my latest Mini-Mindful Moment videos. These videos were made with the generosity of the Framingham Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. I created these videos for families and schools to share their relaxing and mindful techniques with children and themselves.

The HABITS series can help children and grown-ups to grow healthy habits to deal with life’s ups, downs and everything in-betweens.

1. H: Harmonizing. I am.
   1. Mini-Mindful Harmonizing Moment: https://youtu.be/TTTVCT4CSR8
      
2. A: Adjusting. I feel.
   1. Mini-Mindful Adjusting Moment: https://youtu.be/rx8egwgTt8w
      
3. B: Balancing. I can. I do.
   1. Mini-Mindful Balancing Moment: https://youtu.be/iYSuDBgsp64
      
4. I : Integrating. I like.
   1. Mini-Mindful Integrating Moment: https://youtu.be/J8RuzN2XfFo
      
5. T: Transforming. I know. I accept.
   1. Mini-Mindful Transforming Moment: https://youtu.be/Do2EpPvdXdc
      
6. S: (still to be created). I communicate.
   

Each videos made up of 3 parts:

1. Breath Moment
   
2. Movement Moment
   
3. Quiet-time Moment
   

Families & Schools can learn the techniques and share them or use the recordings to follow along with. The sections can be played all together or can be used as separate activities for short mindful moments.

I am thrilled to share these with you and welcome all feedback at AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com.

#mindfulness #relaxation #yoga #breathing #exercise #calmingtechniques #meditation #quiettime #qigong #families #schools

The Groove & Flow Experience March & April 2021

Please sign up today for The Groove & Flow Experience

The Groove and Flow Experience is my special blend of yoga, dance, Qigong, and meditation styles where the participants can explore and experience the joy of movement and freedom of expression within a supportive, creative environment, regardless of experience and/or abilities. This class is balanced with movement, relaxation and meditation and participants can be on a mat or in a chair. All abilities welcomed for this one of a kind experience.

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Classes will remain fully online.

March 2021

Mondays 7PM: 29 Common Street Spiritual Center (email me to register) 7PM

April 2021

Mondays 7:00PM: 5 & 26 Morse Institute Library (Registration is open) 

Mondays 7:00PM: 12 & 19 Common Street Spiritual Center (email me to register)

Sundays 11:00AM: 11, 18, 25 & 5/2: BCCA/CCCA. Info & registration details here.

Bio: Eve Costarelli is passionate about bringing the joy of movement to all-bodies. Through her interactive, self-designed mindful movement program, Always Be Dancing: The Art of Movement, Eve uses yoga, dance & social consciousness to create a healthy, diverse, inclusive environment. Eve is the yoga & mindfulness coordinator for the Common Street Spiritual Center and facilitates all-inclusive yoga and dance programs throughout Massachusetts. Eve’s programs are fun, upbeat, and wholly inclusive. Focus is always on abilities not disabilities.

What is The Groove & Flow Experience? What makes it unique? How does it fit in?

It is…

• Somatic practice
• Embodied movement
• Bioenergetic exercise to realize potential for happiness, gratitude, inner peace, self-worth, joy
• Qigong
• Yoga bodywork
• Kundalini
• Meditation
• Breath-work
• Housemusic
• Dance
• Flamenco
• Duende/spirit
• Mindfulness
• Peace
• Self care
• For EveryBody
• Connection
• Community
• Creativity
• Personal interpretation
• Imagination, innovation, creativity

Goal? happiness, gratitude, inner peace, self-worth, joy, balance, mindfulness, peace, self care, connection, community, creativity, health

Yule Soul-stice Embodiment: an embodied movement event to celebrate the winter solstice and the dawning of the age of Aquarius

Yule Soul-stice Embodiment is our gift to you in celebration of the winter solstice and the dawning of the age of Aquarius. Let us bring in the light on the longest, darkest day of the year with a promise of joy, connection and a huge dose of creativity!

Playlist: Let you love be like the sun; shine down on everyone. Let the sunshine in!

Myopia by Moby A Love Song by Garth Stevenson Reflection by Garth Stevenson Sea of Stars (Remix f. Amanda Giacomini) by MC Yogi Give Me the Sunshine by Leo’s Sunshipp Age of Aquarius Dub (f. Ashley Irae) by Soultry Dub Slippin’ Into Darkness by War Be Still by Beautiful Chorus Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wahe Guru by Soul Surfing

Solstice Playlist

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper

And so the Shortest Day came and the year died And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world Came people singing, dancing, To drive the dark away. They lighted candles in the winter trees; They hung their homes with evergreen; They burned beseeching fires all night long To keep the year alive. And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake They shouted, reveling. Through all the frosty ages you can hear them Echoing behind us—listen! All the long echoes, sing the same delight, This Shortest Day, As promise wakens in the sleeping land: They carol, feast, give thanks, And dearly love their friends, And hope for peace. And now so do we, here, now, This year and every year. Welcome, Yule!

Illustration from The Shortest Day

Eve Costarelli (Groove and Flow Embodied Movement) blends yoga, Qigong, dance and meditation where participants can explore and experience the joy of movement and freedom of expression within a supportive, creative environment, regardless of experience and/or abilities. Classes are balanced with movement, relaxation and meditation and participants can be on a mat or in a chair. All abilities welcomed for this one of a kind experience.

Paula Spina (Upward Spiral Studio) combines the best techniques and learnings distilled from many disciplines from Core Movement Integration to Pilates to enable better posture, a stronger core and greater overall health with the goal to help people live better by moving better.

If you loved this event…we’ll be back on Saturday March 20th for the Spring Equinox…Stay tuned!

Groove & Flow: Reducing Stress & Fortifying The Mind & Body

Groove & Flow Playlist 11/30/2020

Walk On Air (Sun & Moon Mix) by Holy Ghost After Sunrise by Sergio Mendes Let’s Get It On (Step Remix) by Marvin Gaye Apple Tree by Erykah Badu Soul Shakedown Party by Bob Marley & The Wailers Steppin’ Out by Steel Pulse Ain’t No Half Steppin’ by Big Daddy Kane 2 Step remix by DJ Unk, T-Pain, Jim Jones & E-40 Yes, Yes Y’all by Sergio Mendes (ft. Black Thought, Chali2na, DebiNova & Will.I.Am) Makambo by Geoffrey Oryema Humme Hum by Mirabai Ceiba

Kundalini Kriya for the Nervous System & Glandular Balance

• Simulates the pituitary to create balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
• Makes the body flexible and strengthens the chest muscles and stimulates the lymph nodes in that area.
• Balances the parathyroid gland and stimulates weight loss.
• Balances Prana & Apana and sets the navel point, the seat of your inner power.

Humme Hum Tumme Tum Wahe Guru I am thine in mine myself Wahe Guru *I am you, in the core of my own being. Yahoo.

Recognize that the other person is you. *You can find harmony between opposites. *We have a shared essence beyond our physical selves. *We can reconnect to the essence and experience oneness in the moment, within ourselves, with others, with the universe.

Humme Hum Tumme Tum moving meditation video

Groove & Flow 11/16/2020: Light-Bright!

Tonight starts the mantra of Light-Bright. We need to be the brightness that conquers the darkness of the winter months and to allow the good in us to conquer the evil. We all have the proverbial devil and angel on our shoulders it is just how we react to them is what separates us. We need to be the light and shine as bright as possible to lead the way into a more positive time of growth for us, personally, communally and globally.

To keep your vibration bright, light and at a high frequency, make time for self care every day. Yoga, meditation, clean food, positive affirmation, kindness, Qigong…..set aside time each day-in a routine-for a formal practice and then encourage as much mindfulness into your daily life as possible.

Seated Breathing Sequence:

• Gyan mudra. Breathe in 4 sniffs; breathe out 4 sniffs. Last sniff in, ends the full inhale/Last sniff out, ends the full exhale. (1min.)
• Clasp hands. Leave a space for a diamond to form. Powerful inhales and exhales. (1 min.)
• Press hands together very hard. Make a diamond. Press the piece of coal so tightly a diamond forms. Continue powerful breathing. (1 min)
• Inhale & Squeeze as hard as you can. Hold breath-tighten every part of the body as tight as possible. Breathe out & release.

Today’s set is for spinal flexibility and the release of pent up stagnation so we will become lighter and brighter.

Playlist: Myopia by Moby Circling by Four Tet Sea Of Stars (Remix ft. Amanda Giacomini) by MC Yogi Keep On Movin’ by Soul II Soul River by Ibeya Synchronize ft. Jarvis Cocker by Discodeine I Want To Be Free by Ohio Players Rude Movements by Ahsford & Simpson Can You Feel It (Instrumental) by Mr. Fingers The Ancient Gong by Guru Terath Kaur Khalsa Sweat (Sweat the Club) by Jay Williams

Groove & Flow playlist 11/16/2020

Ayurvedic Tips for Autumn

Fall is a time of transition. Trees, shrubs, animals and birds are preparing for the winter. They are all gathering the energy, including nutrition, that they will need to survive the winter. Temperature is dropping and the wind is slowly gathering strength, carrying with it a hint of winter on its breath. Autumn is windy, erratic and cool.

These are all qualities shared by vata dosha (vata-wind/dosha=energy) 

Vata is one of the three energetic forces of the subtle body, the inner happenings of the life inside your body.. This particular dosha corresponds with the elements of air and ether (space). Thanks to the airy and mobile qualities of vata, it plays an integral part in healthy bodily functions such as digestion, the flow of breath, and communication between the mind and the nervous system. Vata types tend to have creative personalities and are often inquisitive in nature.

Excess vata can cause the body, mind, and emotions to feel scattered like the wind. This type of imbalance can happen to anyone, regardless of their Ayurvedic constitution or body type.

Ayurvedic tips to balance Vata this fall:

1. Enjoy warm cooked foods. Foods made with a little olive oil or ghee have a wonderful soothing effect that immediately calms down restless Vata. Root vegetables, hearty grains, soups, and stews are recommended. Cooked grains – like oatmeal, tapioca, cream of rice, and cream of wheat – and most nuts and seeds are also beneficial.

2. Use warming spices like ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and cumin, but not extremely hot spices like cayenne pepper.

3. Enjoy warm beverages such as chai or golden milk.

4. Eat less cold and raw foods. 

5. Take extra care of your skin with a warm sesame oil self-massage. 

6. Increase stillness in your day to connect with yourself. Vata is aggravated by feelings of fear and insecurity.

7. Get enough sleep; nap when you need.

8. Reduce stress by consciously practicing yoga, meditation, long deep breathing and alternate nostril breathing.

9. The colors we wear can greatly contribute to how we feel. To help us feel light, be sure to wear bright colors, such as a camisole, a scarf or a pair of sox. Choose the color that makes you feel the lightest and brightest you, you can be. Its a sure fire way to add the perfect color splash into your day to keep you light and bright and uplifting.

10. Try to stick to a regular routine: go to bed at the same time, meditate daily, yoga every morning.

Floor Yoga Set For A Broken Ankle

My brother just had surgery because he broke his ankle. The injury is still very fresh so I created a yoga set that he can do sitting on the floor with his legs straight out (pillow under the knees to soften, when needed). He can gradually change these to seated in a chair but for now the weight and shape of the cast and the recentness of the accident, it is best to keep him on an even, low level. He will be most grounded in this position.

I suggest setting a timer for each section and keeping the sections evenly timed. Try 1-5 minutes each to start.

Yoga 11/11/2020

Start with Deep Belly Breathing:

* Sit comfortably, upright but not rigid or lay down.
*Close your eyes or keep them softly focused on one object. Having an actual spot for eyes to focus on is very important as it gives a home base for the eyes when the mind wanders. You can use the tip of your nose, a spot on the wall or through closed eyes, the third eye point.
*Place your hands on your lower belly, on your legs or in your lap.
*Create your own quiet, still space inside. I call this your Inner Love-Shack.
*Inhale through your nose. Keep your mouth closed. Your belly should fill round on the inhale. Your body will feel like it is a balloon being filled up.
*Notice the pause at the end of your inhale.
*Slowly let the air out through your nose. You want the exhale to be long and gentle. Your belly will soften. If a mouth exhale is done, keep the lips slightly pursed and allow the air to seep out slowly as if you are trying to ripple a flame of a candle.
*Notice the pause at the end of the exhale.
*Repeat 3-5x or as long as you like. If your mind wanders, just pull it back to the breath and the sensation of your hands. 
*When finished, sit quietly for a few moments and enjoy the stay in your Inner Love-Shack, inside and out.

1. Cow/Cat: Legs out, back not against a wall/bedside, hands on knees. Close eyes and beam out through the third eye point and add in the chant “sat” Nam” or whatever resonates with you to keep a high positive vibration happening in your head and throughout your body.

• With chin moving up (cow) & down (cat)
• Without chin moving 
• Breathe in open chest, lift chin, lift puppy tail
• Breathe out cat, curl forward (arch back like a halloween cat), drop chin
• Breathe in your pelvic bowl spills water out the front
• Breathe out the pelvic bowl spills water out the back

2. Holding Up The Sky With One Hand (Legs out, can be gently backed up to a support) Start with hands on belly and return there on each exhale before you switch sides.

• Press down with one hand to keep the floor from coming up. 
• Press up the sky with the lower palm on the other hand. 
• Breathe in as you stretch up & open; breathe out as you, bring the energy to your power belly and change sides.

Holding Up the Sky With Two Hands 

• Start with both hands on lower belly
• Breathe in as the hands travel up.
• Stretch up over head, with both hands, from the lower palm. 
• Breathe out, hands return to belly.

3. Stealth Ninja (Legs out, body slightly pulled away from support, so that hand can snake behind)

• Press one hand forward near your shoulder and chin, to ward off an attacker. It has the sensation of being propelled in that direction.
• At the same time, look over the opposite shoulder, as if to check behind you. 
• The other hand is behind the back reaching in in the same direction the head is facing. Your body is moving in one direction and you are looking over the other shoulder while at the same time the back hand is reaching as if to grab a friend’s hand

4. Hip Circles (legs out, support under knees advised, hands on knees)

• Move hips around in a circular motion in one direction, like an old fashioned coffee grinder
• Repeat in the other direction.

5. Backbend

• Hands behind on the floor
• Lift chest and lean back.
• Head can drop behind, but keep chest lifting and open and back strong.

6. Forward Fold

• Fold forward but have knees comfortably bent
• The “goal” is belly to thighs; knees bent more will facilitate this 

7. Square Breathing

• Breathe in (count 4/5/6/7/8…your choice)
• Hold same amount
• Breathe out same amount
• Hold the same amount.
• Repeat

8. 4 Cycle Breath

• In/Out nose
• In/Out mouth
• In nose/Out mouth
• In mouth/Out nose.
• Repeat