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
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!
I just finished a 40 day meditation cycle. I always meditate first thing in the morning for 11-15 minutes…
I just finished the cycle of the Chattr Chakkr meditation kriya.
This mantra helps to move from fear of change to boldness and courage. It removes feelings of anxiety, depression and phobias, leaving in its place courage and victory. Just like the snake leaving behind its old skin.
Try this mantra for fear of change:
Chattr chakkr vartee, chattr chakkr bhugatay
Suyumbhav subhang sarab daa sarab jugtay
Dukaalang pranaasee dayaalang saroopay
Sadaa ung sungay abhangang bibhootay
These words bring victory during changing times! Chant along with my favorite version by Nirinjan Kaur or keep it playing in your house! I practiced this every morning for 11 minutes (the length of the recording) and I added this mudra:
Tomorrow, I will start a new 40 day cycle, but I am not sure which meditation I will choose?
Meditation for Developing Your Human Kindness. Also known as Bandhu Dya Kriya, Bandhu means “brother or comrade;” Dya means “kindness;” and Kriya means “action.” Give this kriya a lot of reverence and do it with a lot of love and devotion. Do it very calmly.
Mudra: Rest your elbows alongside your rib cage. Place your hands in front of your chest, palms facing upward, with the two Mercury (pinkie) fingers touching and the outside part of the base of the palms touching. Keep the Sun (ring) fingers and the Jupiter (index) fingers straight and the thumbs pulled back. Touch the tips of the Saturn (middle) fingers so that they form a triangle. The mudra is held before the heart center in a comfortable, prayerful position, but it does not touch the chest.
Posture: Sit in Easy Pose with your spine straight, chin in and chest lifted. Place your hands in the mudra.
Breath & Eye Focus: Inhale through the nose in 8 strokes (break the inhalation into eight equal segments with a slight pause separating each part so that there is a distinct beginning and end to each segment. In other words, you are inhaling in 8 separate “sniffs.” Each stroke is about one “nose length.” You can feel the breath travel the length of the nose from the nostrils to the eyebrows. Each count of a stroke is about one second, so the 8 stroke inhalation takes about 8 seconds). Eyes are open only 1/10th of the way so you are gazing at the mudra. Exhale completely and totally with a whistle through the puckered lips. Continue for 11 minutes.
“Sat Narayan” Meditation To Reclaim Your Peaceful Presence.
Mudra: Hands are in Gyan Mudra (thumbs and index fingers touch, resting on knees or in lap).
Posture: Sit with a straight spine.
Breath and Eye Focus: Eyes 1/10th open or gently closed, focused on the Third Eye (between the eyebrows). The breath will adjust itself as you chant. Mantra:
Sat Narayan Wahe Guru (True Supporter, Indescribable Wisdom)
Hari Narayan Sat Nam (Creative Sustenance, True Identity)
When the meditation has finished, powerfully and deeply inhale while raising arms above your head, and hold for 10-15 seconds. Powerfully and deeply exhale. Repeat inhale-hold-exhale once more with raised arms. Then lower your arms to your lap/knees and sit quietly. Feel the vibrations of the mantra in you and around you.
May you be elevated by this meditation and blessed with its strength always!
Kirtan Kriya/ Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation: A meditation for total balance.
Here is a blog post I wrote about beginner meditations, please check it out.
Kirtan Kriya, often referred to as SA TA NA MA meditation, is the most important meditation in Kundalini Yoga. If you can do only one meditation, this is it. It will readjust and align you to bring balance into your body, mind and spirit and thus your life. It is your teacher. It is your best friend. The bottom line is that this meditation works. All you have to do is do it. You can trust the process and the technology.
Check out this article on how this meditation is becoming scientifically recognized as a powerful tool for preventing or stopping Alzheimer’s disease, increasing all aspects of cognitive function, (perception, thinking, reasoning and remembering) and reducing stress levels while improving short term memory. Here is another article about it’s direct benefit for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Posture: Sit with a straight spine.
Breath and Eye Focus: Eyes 1/10th open or gently closed, focused on the Third Eye (between the eyebrows). The breath will adjust itself as you chant.
Mantra: Chant SA TA NA MA along with this 11 minute recording by Nirinjan Kaur.
While chanting alternately press the thumb with the four fingers on both hands simultaneously. Press hard enough to keep yourself awake and aware of the pressure. Keep repeating in a stable rhythm and keep the hand motion going throughout the whole meditation.
SA press the thumb and the pointer or Jupiter finger together with pressure. The Jupiter/Pointer finger brings in knowledge, expands our field of possibilities and releases us from limitations.
TA press the thumb and the middle or Saturn finger together. The Saturn/Middle finger gives us patience, wisdom and purity
NApress the thumb and the ring or Sun finger together. The Sun/Ring finger gives us vitality and aliveness.
MA press the thumb and the pinky or Mercury finger together. The Mercury/Pinky finger aids clear communication.
Visualize or feel each individual sound come in the crown chakra at the top of the head, down through the middle of the head and out to infinity through the third eye. This is very important and must be done with each sound. It is an essential part of the cleansing process. If this part of the meditation is not done, you may experience a headache.
Whatever you experience is OK. Do not try to avoid or control your experiences. Simply be with what is going on and go through it. It is all part of the balancing process.
11-Minute Variation (The recording does not follow these times exactly-just go with the flow).
The next Grounding In Community will be held on Natick Common, Sunday September 27th 1:30-2:55. I hope you will join us for inspiring community connecting event. I will be leading a wonderful short Groove & Flow activity for everybody to enjoy.
Living with a sense of purpose is so important. Wake each day with a drive and will to do. Find things that interest you and a determination to learn, even when it is hard. Learn to figure things out-ask questions-make mistakes. Experience the inner sensations of your passion.
Life is to be lived with gusto-zest-zeal. You must live in and for the moment. Your goals and desires and hopes and dreams have many paths that lead to them. Allow yourself the freedom to travel many paths. They will lead you to experiences that will help you on your way. Do not be disappointed if your path is different than you thought it would be; instead be flexible. Learn along the way. Find joy in your travels. Be inspired to live.
Experience the moments within a larger context. Everything you do will cause an effect. Whether the desired one, or not, or possibly one that is not immediately noticeable…maybe not even in your lifetime. Above all be patient Know that patience is not just the ability to wait for it to happen. Rather, it is the absolute knowing that it will happen. Just. Know. It. Will. Happen.
You can effect change.
Alwasy keep your vibration high.
Have a positive outlook.
Look at your heart.
Have hope.
With peace,
Eve
If you are local to Natick, MA, please join me today. I will be leading a short Grove & Flow associated with the fire element and summer. Come get grounded!
Grounding In Community
Natick Common 1:30-3:00PM
Grounding In Community is an outdoor, in-person, and safe way to grow our hope and support each other. Every last Sunday afternoon, from 1:30 – 3:00, we meet under the shade of a giant tree on the Natick Common for a time of spiritual practice, artistic expression, and truth-telling. We lie on the grass, sit on blankets and chairs, sing, explore movement, and speak words of truth that give us greater strength and freedom.
We are living in times that are heavy with foreboding in terms of health, economics, and politics. And so we gather in community to affirm that we are not alone in being afraid and in needing support. Together we create a space where we find the courage to face all this…and to find a way of being well and of keeping hope alive within.
For everyone’s safety, we will wear masks and maintain six feet of distance. If you want, please also bring a blanket, yoga mat, or chair to sit on. It is also recommended to bring a water bottle.
If you are inspired to share a poem, story, song, or reading–something that grounds you in truth and gives you hope–there is a time of open sharing in the structure of the gathering where this will be welcome.
What is the meaning of “BE THE PEACE” to you? Has it changed since we last met?Be the Peace means that I am peace and people perceive me as peace and I emit peace. I know that even a tiny bit of peace can cause a ripple effect and although I may never see this peace, I have no idea what this ripple will actually do and I can only hope that it will be the change/the peace movement. Like the butterfly effect that a tiny movement of a butterfly wing will cause an avalanche of movement in the future. I do not think the meaning has changed except that it has deepened and widened in perspective.
‘You may never know what results come of your actions but if you do nothing there will be no results’. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi said, “My life is my message.” What does that message bring to mind to you?All I want to do is give people peace through movement. I want my form of yoga/mindful movement to be something that people seek out and they can feel peace through a deeper exploration of their own selves within the yoga. To be truly at peace we must be at peace within ourselves.
My mind often repeats the lyrics to one of my favorite yoga songs by Wade Imre Morissette (yes, Alanis’s brother) called Om Narayana
Joy on the inside and peace on the outside, Loving on the inside and laughing on the outside, Kissing on the inside and healing on the outside, Flowing on the inside and thriving on the outside, Clearing on the inside and accepting the outside, Shining on the inside and shining on the outside.
Are Gandhi’s message and the message of BE THE PEACE aligned in some way for you?Being the peace in my life’s message is given through my yoga and I hope through my writing. I want to be seen as a writer and I want people to read what I write. I want to write books that show that peace is so multi-faceted that it is possible to find the angle of peace that suits you and for you to live that way of being. I imagine that peace is a multi-sided dice cube and you can roll it and whatever word/synonym of peace that pops up will be how you express peace at that moment. Mindfulness and peace are completely intertwined.
Affection Amicability Amity Armistice Calmness Caliber Character Closeness Commitment Community Composure Consciousness Contentment Cooperation Courage
Ease Empathy Equanimity Friendliness Friendship Good Vibes Good Will Harmony Hope Integrity Intimacy
Two more words/phrases that mean a lot to me: Ubuntu & MWE
UBUNTU
I am, because you are
The word ubuntu is part of a Zulu phrase which literally means that a person is a person through other people. … Ubuntu is a nebulous concept of common humanity, oneness: humanity, you and me both…MWE. Dan Siegel coined the term “MWE” which I love. It is the me; it is the we; it is the me in we; it is the we in me. It is a sense of a sense of internal consistency about who I am across time and across multiple social identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, profession, culture, gender, religion). This integrated identity serves as an internal framework for making choices and provides a stable base from which one can act in the world. Ubuntu is peace. MWE is peace.
‘Be aware that patience is not the art of waiting. It is the metaphysics of knowing that resting calmly will deliver.’ ~ Guru Singh
I Am Uniquely Eve 