In my own experience the Chakra's can be considered 7 states of being. none of them are transcended but all are activated and work in harmony for a fully realized human being. Now, there really is no need for an understanding of them in Tantric Yoga or Union because you will experience what others try to convey in words, experience is the best teacher and in Tantric Yoga experience is everything.

EDIT : Rez, I don't see Kundalini as making something new but realizing our Divinity and so we are coming home to where and what we are. in the spiritual realm the insight comes first and then a way to put it into words to point the way for others, words often misunderstood, granted the Chakra system is the most detailed explanation of our divinity. : )

Why is the understanding of the chakras essential to the practice of Kundalini Yoga?

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MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I’m Melissa Block.

And I’m Guy Raz. If you buy apparel from Lululemon, it’s pretty likely you’re familiar with tree pose, warrior one or downward facing dog. The retailer sells high-end, stretchy yoga clothes for those yogis wanting to make a fashion statement and Lululemon seems to be hoping that, in the midst of savasana or meditation, some yoga practitioners will ask themselves this question. who is John Galt?

That question is on shopping bags that Lululemon recently started to give out and it’s got some of the company’s core customers up in arms, vowing never to shop there again. To explain why, we’re joined by Simon Houpt, who has written about this for the Canadian newspaper, the Globe and Mail. And Lululemon, by the way, is based in Canada.

So, Simon, first of all, remind us, who is John Galt?

SIMON HOUPT: John Galt is a sort of shadowy figure from the 1957 novel by Ayn Rand known as “Atlas Shrugged.” Essentially, he’s taken to be a protagonist who embodies self-interest.

RAZ: And Lululemon says that Ayn Rand, the author of the book – she influenced the founder of the company, Chip Wilson, at a young age. how so?

HOUPT: he read the book when he was away from home, I gather for the first time, when he was 18 years old. And he was just profoundly influenced by the lesson that he drew from it, which is that if we all pursue our own self-interest, then the world can be a better place.

RAZ: now, for some – many, actually – Lululemon customers, this is not sitting well. they are not happy about this. what have they said to you?

HOUPT: oh, boy. They’ve said to me and they’ve said online, certainly at our website at the Globe and Mail, that this is completely contrary to the teachings of yoga, that yoga is, in fact, a core component of building community and that the notion of self-interest, in fact, runs completely against that.

RAZ: You mean, they don’t get into yoga after reading “Atlas Shrugged”?

HOUPT: I have yet to find a yogi who has done so.

RAZ: Right. Yeah. On the company’s blog on its website, they try to explain this, essentially saying, look, society encourages people to be mediocre. This quote urges people to break free of – and this is a quote – “the constraints and limitations on ourselves, which impede us from living our best lives.”

Explain why the company decided to put this on the side of their bags.

HOUPT: well, I do have some trouble with that because, in fact, in reaching out numerous times to the company, they actually refused to speak on the record to offer their opinion to me. however, in the blog post you refer to, they do offer an explanation and they believe that this book inspires people to embrace greatness rather than this life of sad disappointment, which apparently where all the rest of us are leading.

RAZ: two stories that whenever we do them on the air, I’ve done them on the air, get the most response. One, any interview with Ron Paul. And two, anything on Ayn Rand. So, I wonder if this is sort of a, actually a smart way to get more business, right, because you might get all these objectivists all of a sudden taking up yoga. We, by the way, also tried to contact the company to speak with Chip Wilson. He’s not available to talk about this.

HOUPT: That’s entirely possible. however, at least at the moment, it does seem – the evidence suggests that Lululemon has severely alienated its core constituency. Certainly here in Toronto, the moms in the fantastic-looking Lululemon pants are discussing this in the school yards and the yoga studios and they’re not at all possible. And so, it’s possible that Ron Paul followers will suddenly embrace yoga or may buy a fantastic-looking pair of pants. And at the very least, it just means that Ron Paul will have some followers who just look great from behind.

RAZ: That’s Simon Houpt of the Globe and Mail in Toronto, talking about Lululemon’s new shopping bags. they are a tribute to the ideology of Ayn Rand. Simon, thanks.

HOUPT: Thank you, Guy.

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<a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/11/17/142472057/lululemon-customers-asked-who-is-john-galttag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.npr.org/2011/11/17/142472057/lululemon-customers-asked-who-is-john-galtThu, 17 Nov 2011 21:43:23 GMT”>Lululemon Customers Asked ‘Who Is John Galt?’

From staff reports Published: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 3:15 a.m. last Modified: Monday, October 24, 2011 at 2:14 p.m.

Winyah Cares: needs volunteers to provide support to terminally ill patients and their families. 864-541-7159.

Overeaters Anonymous: 7 p.m. Mondays. YMCA of Greater Spartanburg, 226 S. Pine St. 621-7901.

Salsa dance classes: 7:45 p.m. Thursdays. Ages 13 and up. Ballet Spartanburg. First class is free. 583-0339.

Bipolar Disorder Support Group: 6:30 p.m. First and third Mondays of each month. Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, 101 N. Pine St. 590-1592.

Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health of the Piedmont: 7-8:15 p.m. third Monday of each month. 384-4295. New Day Club House, 1530 Asheville Highway.

Parkinson’s dance class: second Thursday of the month. Free. Led by Ballet Spartanburg Artistic Dress comfortably. Call 583-0339.

Gentle Beginners Yoga: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Instructor Liz Connell. Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Mats provided (you may bring your own.) Ballet Spartanburg, Chapman Cultural Center, Saint John St. 583-0339.

Bounce Back Support Group: 6-8 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. a free, confidential drug and alcohol group. New Day Baptist Church, 2090 S. Church St. Ext. Call 573-7592.

Partner yoga workshop: 7 p.m. First Friday of each month. Limited to first five pairs. $15 per couple. Soul Flow Yoga Studio, 2811 Reidville Road, Suite 12. Email yogi@soulflowyogi.com to sign up.

Journey to Recover from Addiction: 9 a.m. Saturdays. Bible-based. 150 S. Forest St., Spartanburg. Call 864-205-9742.

Yoga Bootcamp: 9:15-10:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday. Chapman Cultural Center, Dance Studio 4 of Ballet Spartanburg, East St. John Street. 864-612-8333.

Beginner yoga classes: 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays. YOGAlicious, 100 E. Main St., Suite R8A. YOGA-licious.com.

Free Tuesdays at Curves: All Curves locations. 864-325-9004.

Silver Sneakers/Silver & Fit: 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. All Curves locations. 864-325-9004.

Nicotine Anonymous meeting: 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Free. No pre-registration required. Conference Room, Medical Office Building, Village at Pelham, 250 Westmoreland Road, Greer. 864-560-4472.

Anger management classes: 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays. 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Saturdays. for men. must be pre-registered. PACE Center, 145 N. Church St. 877-223-9097.

Anger management classes: 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 5 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Thursdays. for women. must be pre-registered. PACE Center, 145 N. Church St. 877-223-9097.

Spartanburg Parks Commission’s Stroller Moms Walking Club: 10 a.m. Mondays. Dads and other guardians welcome. Cleveland Park Amphitheater, 141 N. Cleveland Park Drive. 562-4150.

Domestic violence support group: 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesdays. SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition, 236 Union St. 583-9803.

Kids’ domestic violence support group: 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesdays. SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition, 236 Union St. 583-9803.

Sexual violence support group: 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesdays. SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition, 236 Union St. 583-9803.

LGBT interpersonal violence support group: 4:30-6 p.m. Thursdays. SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition, 236 Union St. 583-9803.

Tai chi for cancer survivors: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Free. Gibbs Cancer Center, 101 E. Wood St. 560-6747.

Yoga for cancer survivors: 5:30-6:45 p.m. Thursdays. Free. Gibbs Cancer Center, 101 E. Wood St. 560-6747.

TOPS: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Take off Pounds Sensibly. Rosecrest Community Center, 200 Fortress Road, Inman. 864-439-4746.

QiGong Class: 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. An interior martial art. Beginners to come at 5:15 p.m. Free. Jhon Akers, instructor. Gibbs Stadium, Wofford College, 429 N. Church St. 597-5022.

Announcements

Agape Hospice is looking for volunteers who can help enrich the lives of local patients living with a terminal illness. Volunteers visit patients, provide caregiver relief, share music, books, Scripture. Free training provided. for information, call 492-5140.

Spartanburg Regional Hospice has joined with Wade’s restaurant to provide a special Thanksgiving dinner for patients and their families. for information on how to support the meals program, visit regionalfoundation.com or call 560-6727.

Today

Be the difference …Lowering your Risk for Breast Cancer: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dr. Steven Corso to lead the discussion on wellness, prevention and ways to lower your risk of breast cancer. Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health Lobby, 101 E. Wood St. Call 560-6747 to register.

Healthcare Decisions Day: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Coffee and dessert served. Wes Collins, MA, Advance Care Planner, to provide dialogue and assistance for completing important health care documents. Free. Community Center, the Village Hospital, 2755 Highway 14, Greer.

Thursday

NAMI: 6 p.m. Connection for adults with a diagnosed mental illness. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 101 St. Matthew Lane. 541-8522.

NAMI: 6 p.m. Support group for caregivers for adults living with adults with mental illness. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 101 St. Matthew Lane. 541-8522.

Fundraiser: 5-9 p.m. for Kathy Bryant, who has cancer. Sponsored by Liberty Hill Methodist Church. Pizza Inn, 115 W. Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer.

Packaged in Pink: 7-9 p.m. To feature local vendors, live music, dessert, one-of-a-kind artwork painted by breast cancer survivors. Wear pink. Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health Lobby, 101 E. Wood St.

School’s in: Prevention of Knee Injuries in Young Athletes: 6:30 p.m. Coffee and dessert served. Physical therapists Doug Wix and Todd Johnson to explain how coaches, parents and student athletes can work together to help prevent knee and joint injuries and muscle strain. Community Center, the Village Hospital, 2755 Highway 14, Greer.

Friday

Boo in the Zoo: 5:30-8 p.m. Members-only night. Adults free, children $3. Cash and checks only. Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville.

Mobile mammography: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Walmart, 2151 E. Main St. Call 560-7999 for appointment.

The deadline for the health/outdoor calendar is Monday at 10 a.m. To submit an event, contact Ashley Dill at ashley.dill@shj.com, 864-562-7272 or fax 864-594-6350 or Ashley Dill, Herald-Journal, P.O. Box 1657, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

<a href="http://www.goupstate.com/article/20111025/ARTICLES/110251001/1051/NEWS01?Title=Health-and-outdoors-calendar-Volunteers-needed-for-Winyah-Carestag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.goupstate.com/article/20111025/ARTICLES/110251001/1051/NEWS01?Title=Health-and-outdoors-calendar-Volunteers-needed-for-Winyah-CaresTue, 25 Oct 2011 07:23:03 GMT”>Health and outdoors calendar: Volunteers needed for Winyah Cares

Dan Murphy   |   Updated: November 15, 2011

The McRib sandwich, which officially completed its latest appearance at McDonald’s stores nationwide yesterday, is giving customers more than just a longing for one more tangy taste experience. Its disappearance is accompanied by a revelation that might leave even some of its most ardent admirers with a bad aftertaste.

For participants in the pork industry, the sandwich is a concoction that symbolizes sheer genius, not to mention the movement of thousands of tons of product. for people not cashing paychecks from meat companies, however, the McRib is either disgusting and inedible or an object of love and devotion, as you wait patiently for its periodic return to your local McDonald’s store.

Not much in between.

Indeed, the fast-food chain’s most recent ad campaign, in which a hapless new bridegroom debates whether to head off to his honeymoon or stick around for the McRib promotion, not-so-subtly reinforces exactly that kind of (some would say irrational) affection.

Such affection’s not limited to ad-inspired characters, either. as Nick Carbone wrote in TIME magazine’s “Trending Now” column last month, “Upon hearing that McDonald’s was bringing the elusive, coveted McRib to all locations until November 14th, a quick glance at my watch told me this was an opportunity slipping away. I needed to grab hold of its golden, fluffy bun containing that paradoxically boneless rib-like patty.”

It’s that fluffy bun that’s suddenly causing problems, however, and the latest post in TIME’s Healthland blog is putting McRib under a spotlight.

And I don’t mean those lamps you see on a restaurant countertop.

Counting up the chemicals

The TIME article identified 70 different ingredients used in formulating McRib, including ammonium sulfate ( a GRAS additive used to activate yeast), polysorbate 80 (an emulsifier) and azodicarbonamide. that last ingredient—azodicarbonamide (ADA)—is a flour-bleaching agent that not only bleaches flour by oxidizing carotene (a pigmented compound that contributes a yellowish-orange color to plants) but also improves gas retention in the dough and thus the elasticity of the final product.

You like your burger (and McRib) buns to be light and chewy, rather than heavy and “doughy?” That’s why they add ADA, which by the way, is generally added at levels not exceeding 4.5 g per 100 kg of flour, or less than five one-thousandths of a percent addition.

Here’s the problem: Like many chemical additives used in food processing, ADA has other commercial uses, in this case the manufacturing of foamed plastics like those used in gym mats and the soles of athletic shoes. which means that news coverage defaults to such as headlines as, “McFoam? McRib found to contain same ingredient as gym mat” (Fox News) or, “What’s the McRib made of, anyway? Find out if you dare” (The Week magazine) or, “The McRib Sandwich and a Yoga Mat: What Do They have in Common?” (San Francisco Chronicle).

Even though you’d eventually find out that ADA is used in minute quantities—if you continue reading long enough—the scare story section always comes first. in all of the coverage, ADA is described as a compound that is banned as a food additive in Europe and Australia, although its use is permitted by the Food and Drug Administration. in Great Britain, that nation’s Health and Safety Executive has identified azodicarbonamide as a potential trigger for asthma attacks and requires that products using ADA must be labeled, “may cause sensitisation (sic) by inhalation.”

The TIME blog post also helpfully noted that there are 70 other ingredients found in a McRib sandwich, all of which exist in minute quantities and will almost certainly leave even the most devoted consumer of the sandwich unharmed.

If you get past the headlines, that is.

For the record, TIME’s Carbone ranked his McRib culinary experience as follows: “The bun: delicious. Warm and soft, a good consistency. The barbeque sauce: sweet but tangy. I could probably drink a gallon of it. The meat patty: tender but mushy, squishy, and basically unrecognizable.”

That’s painful for anyone in the meat business, but no more so than news coverage implying that the rib portion of the sandwich is what might taste like a gym mat.

That’s really distasteful.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Dan Murphy, who is a veteran food-industry journalist and commentator.

<a href="http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/Commentary-Roasting-McRib-133876648.html?ref=648tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/Commentary-Roasting-McRib-133876648.html?ref=648Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:04:29 GMT”>Commentary: Roasting McRib

Community

Blood Drive: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. BloodSource, 555 Rio Lindo Ave., Chico. must be in generally good health, weigh 110 pounds or more (under 17 years old with parental consent). no upper age limit. Photo ID required. 893-5433, bloodsource.org. Weekly.

Paradise Center for Tolerance & Non-Violence: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Support, advocacy for adults, children who have been victimized by harassment, bullying. 877-1856 or pctn.org. Weekdays.

Yoga in the park: 10-11:15 a.m. One-Mile Recreation Area, Bidwell Park, in the shade. Donation $5. 892-0807. Weekly.

Chico Restraining Order Clinic: 10:30 a.m. Chico Drop-In Center, 330 Wall St., Suite 50; 343-7711. for victims of domestic violence. Call to confirm attendance. Free. Sponsored by Catalyst Domestic Violence Services. 800-895-8476. Weekly.

Free lunch: noon-1:30 p.m. Served by Paradise United Methodist Church, 6722 Clark Road. 872-2761.

California United Homecare Workers Union, Gridley: 7 p.m. Information for in-home supportive service providers. Gridley Moose Lodge, 1533 Highway 99. Second Monday.

Clubs

Chico Nile Club no. 6: 10 a.m. Sewing, noon lunch. Masonic Family Center, 1110 W. East Ave. 898-9736. Second Monday.

SIR, Chico Branch 63: 11:30 a.m. Elks Lodge, 1705 Manzanita Ave. Big Sir Don Foster, 566-1218. Second Monday.

Orland Rotary Club: Noon. City Gates CafŽ, 1165 Hoff Way, west of intersection of Interstate 5 and Highway 32. Jim Miller, 865-3349. Weekly.

Speakeasy Toastmasters: Noon-1 p.m. Casual lunch. Bureau of Reclamation, 1140 W. Wood St., Willows. 934-7066, district39.org. Weekly.

Christian Businessmen: Noon. Golden Waffle, 701 Main St., Chico. Weekly.

Duplicate Bridge: 12:30 p.m. Two sessions; non-life masters, open to all. Native Daughters of the Golden West hall, 965 Salem St., Chico. 891-8942, 892-0350. Weekly.

Italian Social Club of Chico: 6 p.m. Italian culture and Italian conversation for those who speak Italian and beginners, first hour; business second hour. Italian refreshments. George Farrugia, 343-4843. ARC Pavilion, 2040 Park Ave. Second Monday.

North Valley Volks Club: 6:30-8 p.m. Social night for all ages; air and water-cooled VWs. Locations vary. 873-3190. Second Monday.

American Sewing Guild: 6:30 p.m. Irene Holmes, ireneh124@gmail.com. first Baptist Church, 6500 Clark Road, Paradise. 570-0360. Second Monday.

Butte County Bird Club: Doors 7 p.m., meet 7:30 p.m. Speakers. All ages. Exotic live bird raffle, door prize. Chico Grange, 2775 Nord Ave. buttecountybirdclub.angelfire.com/homepage. Second Monday.

Health, emotional support

Alcoholics Anonymous: Chico Central — 6:30 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. 1102 Mangrove Ave., Chico; Mom’s Alcoholics Anonymous — Noon, 5:30 and 8 p.m. 2555 Zanella Way, Suite F, Chico. Meet times, locations or to talk to recovering alcoholic, 342-5756. aabutte-glenn.org. Weekly.

HIV and HEP C/STD testing: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee or free depending on eligibility. Butte County Public Health Department: Chico clinic, 695 Oleander Ave., 879-3665; Oroville clinic, 78 Table Mountain Blvd. 538-7341 for appointment. Weekly.

Widowhood program: 8 a.m. breakfast. Country Waffle, 690 Rio Lindo Ave., Chico. 342-4291. Weekly.

Club Stairways: Comprehensive mental health agency. Weekdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 1297 Park Ave. Suite 100. Orientation Tuesday, 9 a.m. Lunch available Monday, Wednesday, Fridays for $1.50. Supportive services offered. 345-4514, clubstairways.org. Weekdays.

Healthy Hearts Support Group: 10-11 a.m. Enloe Outpatient Center, classroom A, 888 Lakeside Village Commons, bldg. C. Bring recipes for healthy lunches to copy and share. Information, Ken, 343-2000.

Iversen Wellness & Recovery Center: 10-11:30 All for One, closed group; noon-1 p.m., “Why Try?”; 1:30-2:45 p.m. older adult; 3-4:30 p.m. Depression/Bipolar Support. 260 at Cohasset Road, Suite 130, Chico. 879-3311. Weekly.

Widow and widowers Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Western Pacific Brewing Company, 2191 High St., Oroville. Weekly.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 7 p.m. 2109 The Esplanade, Suite 120; noon, 7 p.m. Unitarian Church, 1289 Filbert Ave. 24-hour hotline, 877-6361. Weekly.

Victims of Domestic Violence Support Group, Oroville: 3:30 p.m. 1720 Daryl Porter Way, Oroville. 532-6427. Catalyst Domestic Violence Services. 24-hour crisis line 800-895-8476. Weekly.

Parent Support for teens in SAYes: 3:30-5 p.m. A place where parents can express concerns about their son or daughter’s well being, share experiences and discuss their offspring’s coming out. Stonewall Alliance at 893-3336 or email . Weekly.

Stonewall Alliance Center: 4-6 p.m. Free, confidential HIV testing. 358 E. Sixth St. Donations accepted. 893-3336; stonewallchico.org. Weekly.

Friends for Survival, Inc.: 4:30-6 p.m. Support for people who have lost loved ones to suicide. Call for location, Jennifer or Tim Heck, 343-8942. Second Monday.

Chico Moderation Management: 5:30-6:30 p.m. 667 E. first Ave. Room 6. Behavior change program and support group for people concerned about their drinking. moderation.org or 518-0520. Weekly.

Healthy Steps: 6-7 p.m. Healing through movement and dance; exercise program helps regain range of motion, increase flexibility, reduce swelling from Lymphedema, promote positive self-image. any age, fitness level. $10 fee first class. Enloe Cancer Center Conference Room, 251 Cohasset Road, Chico. Register, 332-3855. Wednesdays also. Weekly.

Gamblers Anonymous: 7 p.m. Holt House, 1575 Bird St., Oroville, 894-4037; 7 p.m. 1190 E. first Ave., Chico, 800-287-8670. Open format; spouses, family, friends welcome. 24-hour information, 894-4037. Weekly.

Celebrate Recovery: 7-9 p.m. Neighborhood Church, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd., Room 438, Chico. 12-step program for hurts, hang-ups and habits. 343-6006. Weekly.

Overeaters Anonymous: 7-8 p.m. Paradise Ridge Family Resource Center, 6249 Skyway, Paradise. 345-3129, norig.oar2.org. Weekly.

Al-Anon: Families of alcoholics. Chico — 7 p.m. Congregational Church of Chico, Chico Nursery School Building, 1190 East first Ave. Oroville — 6:30 p.m. at Greater Oroville Family Resource Center, 1720 Porter Way, corner Baldwin Ave. and Daryl Porter Way. Park in back, enter in back door. al-anon.alateen.org. 342-5756. Weekly.

Alateen: for teens 12-20 years old who have been affected by someone else’s drinking. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Congregational Church of Chico, 1190 East first Ave. 342-5756. al-anon.alateen.org. Weekly.

Send Planner listings to lifestyle@chicoer.com, fax to 342-3617 or mail to Enterprise-Record, P.O. Box 9, Chico, CA 95927.

<a href="http://www.chicoer.com/lifestyle/ci_19327037tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.chicoer.com/lifestyle/ci_19327037Sun, 13 Nov 2011 08:22:53 GMT”>Daily Planner: November 14