EDITOR’S NOTE
Felicia TomaskoFront Row L-R: Karen Henry and Jane Kok. Back Row L-R: Nancie Rooney, Felicia Tomasko,
Millana Snow, Venius Adams, David Young-Wolff. Photo by David Young-WolffL
ife is full of moments that are characterized by subtle synchronicity as well as
opportunities for us to recognize the impacts of patterns and when needed, change
them. Celebrating Earth Day offers us the opportunity to examine these patterns
and make shifts to support sustainability. We can think about sustainability in
terms of our relationship with the larger ecosystem in which we live as well as the
micro-ecosystems of our health and our own energy.
While working on this month’s fashion feature story, Wellness Official founder, Reiki healer, and
synchronicity lover Millana Snow and I spoke about the importance of integrating energy work during
meditation as well as for self-care throughout the day. Millana said, “Energy work is a major part of ‘the
work’ and doing the work is a daily practice. Our chakras and our aura can be easily affected by our
daily life. So it is important for us to spend time daily to intentionally clear and reorganize our energy.”
This practice of being intentionally clear, of reorganizing our energy is something that we can apply
to our practice, as both a student and a teacher. Yoga Teacher Sarah Ezrin offers her perspective on
the discussion of yoga teachers and hands-on adjustments and assists. This is a relevant conversation
in the context of injuries, in the context of how far we push ourselves and each other in practice, and
how we cultivate what sustainability really means every time we step onto the mat. Every practice and
every adjustment can be an opportunity to practice ease and only go as far as necessary for self-care.
How we literally support ourselves with a prop like a yoga block can be what helps us find our inner
sweet spot in our quest for self-care. As yoga practice continues to spread throughout our modern
culture, people are continuing to create innovations in design and materials.
Material also matters in everyday objects like a straw. As we celebrate Earth Day, we can question
our need for using a disposable straw. This year, Malibu joins the rank of municipalities who are dis-
rupting our trash-intensive lifestyle of convenience by banning single-use plastic straws. Compostable
and recyclable straws such as bamboo or paper are becoming more common as well as options such as
reusable stainless steel. Take the pledge in your own life and #RefusetheStraw.
In every area of our lives, searching for the more sustainable option can help us to build our resilience,
develop greater strength, and be powerful caretakers of our internal and external ecosystems.
This spring, may we uplift ourselves, each other, and the energy we share on Earth.