Yoga and the church on the hill

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I'm in the first row on the purple mat, ready for Lisa's famous thigh-burning lunge series.

by Ann Votaw, CHES, MA, Inwood Resident

As a former Bread and Yoga teacher and current Holy Trinity Inwood paritioner, I watched worlds collide Saturday morning in Lisa Benner’s 9 a.m. Vinyasa class.

The back of the church, now a temporary yoga studio, comfortably seated 20 yogis and their mats. Candles and Saturday’s snowstorm added ambiance.

Marcela Xavier thanked participants for supporting her studio after the January 3 fire destroyed her business on 207th Street and Broadway. She explained that Holy Trinity also had its share of hardships and that Bread and Yoga is willing to help with painting projects and possibly a new floor.

The 1929 Stock Market Crash thwarted Holy Trinity’s improvements, which would have included a rectory and a second story to the sanctuary. Today, the charming A-frame church has about 50 members who climb stairs to reach the property’s Parish House and surrounding rose and vegetable gardens.

Climbing those steps transports me to a small town, where Chloe the cat greets me by rubbing against my ankles.

Taking yoga in this church feels more Norman Rockwell than Empire State, something most people can’t imagine of life in Manhattan.

Author E.B. White wrote in This is New York, “I have an idea that people from villages and small towns, people accustomed to the convenience and the friendliness of neighborhood over-the-fence living, are unaware that life in New York follows the neighborhood pattern. The city is literally a composite of tens of thousands of tiny neighborhood units.”

For at least six months, you too can experience Warrior I under the proud stain glass windows of a tiny hilltop church. Go to www.breadandyoga.com for the most up-to-date schedule.

Ex-gawky girl runs in blue!

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Just one of a pair of really awesome running shoes, the Saucony pro grid, Ride 4, in the brightest colors I could find!

by Ann Votaw, CHES, MA, Inwood Resident

I have a confession. I am a forefoot striker, something I learned yesterday at Jack Rabbit Sports.

After watching me run twice on one of the store’s treadmills, my salesperson/angel (whom I will call Brad) said, “Interesting. Most people are heel strikers, which means they land on their heels first. You run on your toes.”

Brad re-played the video in slow motion. Embarrassed, I admitted that I point my toes and roll toe, ball, heel. In essence, my running style is a series of mini jetes or leaps, carry-over from my years as a dancer.

Kindly, Brad explained that I should concentrate on a shorter stride. In other words, don’t be Baryshinikov!

Brad, who was just super nice, asked if I had running goals this year. I pretended he was my un-paid therapist, disclosing that I am a later-in-life athlete, a long-time dancer who covered her face when confronted with softballs but who competed in karate championships in her 30s. I told him I’m not a confident runner but would love to run a 10K and some silly races involving costumes, like the New York Road Runners’ Coogan’s Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks.

“Running without a costume is really boring,” I explained, “but running in a hat really gets me going.”

Brad sweetly hooked me up with the brightest pair of shoes we could find that provided lots of cushion in the instep. He also procured Beginner I and II class information without making me feel like my gawky pre-teen self, the one who trudged through PE in a retainer and a blue regulation jumper, purchased from the now defunct Family Fleecewear Section of Belmonts, in my Indiana hometown.

Three-alarm fire affects more than yoga studio

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by Ann Votaw, CHES, MA, Inwood Resident

After Tuesday night’s three-alarm fire, the building on 4945 Broadway, at the corner of West 207th Street and Broadway, is slated for demolition. Meanwhile, neighboring stores on the block are already noticing less foot traffic, even though they will remain open.

“Not too many people are walking around,” said Jeff Mansour, manager of Alejandro Furniture. “There’s already less foot traffic.”

Today was unseasonably warm with a high of 58 degrees. Despite the sunny weather, Mansour said that fewer customers were looking at the furniture displayed outside, probably deterred by scaffolding.

“This is usually much busier,” Mansour said. “A lot of people didn’t even know there was a fire.”

Customers leaving K & R Florists – which will not be torn down – said, “Well, I’m glad they’re still here,” even though the shop is beside the demolition site and surrounded by barriers.

Social media gathers concerned Inwood residents

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Participants in last night’s Inwood Community meeting listened from every available place at Holy Trinity Church Inwood, in response to Tuesday’s fire at 207th Street and Broadway.

by Ann Votaw, C.H.E.S., M.A. in Health Education

Social media has played a major role in mobilizing Northern Manhattan residents in regards to Tuesday’s three-alarm fire on the block of 207th Street and Broadway.

At Friday’s Inwood Community meeting at Holy Trinity Church Inwood, one speaker asked the crowd: How many learned about the gathering through social media? Several people raised their hands.

Later, at the fundraising event at Le Cheile Bar & Restaurant, revelers sent frequent Tweets, using the hashtag #Inwood to report up-to-the minute information.

Richard Van Le, who started Facebook’s Inwood Community Group, said that he had hoped for 50 members to join his group. As of this morning, the group has 451 members, myself included, an amazing feat considering the fire was Tuesday night!

Trevor Riggen, Senior Director of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross, said in a Facebook video panel that social media is the 3rd most popular way, after television and radio, to obtain information during a crisis like Tropical Storm Irene. In a Red Cross online and telephone survey conducted by ORC International, nearly a fourth of the general population and a third of the online population would use social media to let loved ones know they are safe.

This statistic shows how our world is changing! In the case of the Inwood fire, social media has organized a “small town” in a big city. In fact, I think we have a responsibility to report our health and safety through social media.

Inwood Community Meeting: ‘The fire was ugly, but this is beautiful!’

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The Inwood community met Friday night at Holy Trinity Church Inwood to discuss rebuilding the block of businesses, 4945 Broadway, detroyed by fire Tuesday night.

by Ann Votaw, C.H.E.S., M.A. in Health Education

At tonight’s community meeting – regarding Tuesday’s three-alarm fire on 207th Street and Broadway – I found home.  After nine years of living in New York City within seven apartments from Queens to Hells Kitchen, I met true neighbors who crowded Holy Trinity Church Inwood and offered everything from construction services to meeting space.

The blaze destroyed the second story of a block of unique businesses, 4945 Broadway, that included a dentist office and my beloved Bread and Yoga, where I was once an employee and enthusiastic student. Representatives from Faceboook’s Inwood Community Group guessed that 200 to 400 attended, some listening from the garden outside or as toddlers in strollers.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” said Fr. Sam Smith, Interim Priest at Holy Trinity Church, which housed the event in its Pied Piper Children’s Theatre Auditorium. “What I keep thinking is, ‘What’s the passion? What does that say about what people are looking for?’ I’m stunned.”

Had the fire damaged large chain stores like Walgreens, I believe turnout might have been less impressive. One speaker mentioned Walgreens and earned applause when she said, “It’s a shame that the mom and pop shops are being pushed out; we’re not going to look like the Upper West Side. Nooooo!”

Fr. Smith echoed that thought, adding that much of the crowd seemed young, brought together through social media and a drive to serve.

Neighbor Richard Van Le, an organizer of tonight’s event, started the Inwood Community Facebook group after following Twitter for information about the fire. He said he wanted to create a community board and hoped to get 50 fans. At press time, the group has attracted 428 “former strangers,” Van Le said, myself included.

At first, organizers wanted the event to be at the Indian Road Café, but as interest picked up on Facebook, Van Le and others opted for Holy Trinity and its larger space. Michael Cudney, church treasurer and an Inwood resident since 1982, had said, “If you need a place, Friday is the one night where nothing is going on.”

To provide space for yoga, Cudney said he is willing to move pews in the sanctuary.

“The fire was ugly, but this is beautiful,” said Chris Travis from Everyday Church, who pledged $2,000 for rebuilding efforts.

Other speakers included the manager of the Piper’s Kilt, which faced the fire, real estate agents, and Fr. Robert Abbatiello from Good Shepherd Church on Isham and Broadway.

“We’re certainly with you in prayer and continue to offer our support,” said Fr. Robert who offered the church’s balcony and stage. “We’re your neighbors.”

Carol McKenny, manager of the Piper’s Kilt, said that his beer distributers were willing to donate drinks for a neighborhood talent show/fundraiser that would attract Inwood’s sizeable theater and arts community. “You name it in the business, and we’re here. Jump on the stage and chew bubble gum!”

One speaker offered to create bilingual print materials, so that Spanish-speaking neighbors, without computers, can learn how to help. Others suggested fundraising fleamarkets, a finance committee, and a watch dog group.

Eva El-Fayed Hernandez, Youth Program Director at Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center, asked that rebuilding efforts involve teenagers in Inwood and Washington Heights. “For them, they need to understand the business ramifications of when something like this happens, with landlords and such,” she said. “They want to get involved. They don’t want to sit on Facebook all day long.”

Nancy Preston, a neighbor and fellow Bread and Yoga teacher, spoke earlier in the evening. When she looked into the audience, she said she couldn’t believe the turnout. “It was truly amazing,” she said. “Such a feeling of support and love and people felt like want to get their hands dirty and help.”

I’ll be talking to Preston more this year. Turns out, like so many others I met tonight, we’re neighbors.

Vegans in mankinis

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by Ann Votaw, C.H.E.S., M.A. in Health Education

Already a strict sport, as far as personal workouts and diet, bodybuilding now has vegan fans. Read this interesting article in the New York Times and watch the accompanying video linked on the left side. The above video came from YouTube and is also interesting.

One of the story’s featured bodybuilders gets up at 4 a.m. to work out and create his menus of tofu, fresh greens, and plant-based powder.

My favorite part is the mention of mankinis, bodybuilders’ competitive outfits.

Fire at my favorite yoga studio!

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Bread and Yoga, 207th Street and Broadway, experienced a terrible fire last night. My heart breaks. Happy to be of any service!

by Ann Votaw, C.H.E.S., M.A. in Health Education

Last night, Northern Manhattan lost a gem. Not only does Bread and Yoga, founded and directed by Marcela Xavier, offer fantastic yoga for all populations (including mothers and mothers-to-be), it has offered cooking classes and cleanses, where — with the support of neighbors — I learned to give up coffee.
 
Because of Marcela’s kindness in spring 2011, I was able to attend her exceptional Yoga Alliance-based pre-natal yoga teacher training. When I say exceptional, I mean it. There were PowerPoint presentations, personal stories, and demonstrations by birth educators, all while Marcela cooked us lunch in the studio’s big front kitchen. She hooked me up with a payment plan, that allowed me to take this training! Not many studio owners have that sort of spirit and trust.

Here's the room where I enjoyed so many classes, both as a teacher and student!

Legacies of songs and jazz hands

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by Ann Votaw, C.H.E.S., M.A. in Health Education

On New Year’s Day, I fought the resolution blues by volunteering at a Manhattan nursing home. My group’s assignment was to wheel elders from their rooms to a holiday sing-along where we were asked to hold residents’ hands and be their standing dance partners.

Most of the residents had some form of dementia, but when the musicians played “New York, New York”, the place turned into Liza Minnelli Land!

When we wheeled them back, some of the residents continued to sing and move. One said to me, “I just love going to concerts. I could sing all day.”

Which led me to believe that our current jobs — teacher, banker, social worker, etc. – are really uniforms covering the music inside us. When we’re older, these melodies are more obvious. Maybe in the end, we’re left with things less tangible than money or even talent. Maybe we’re left with a couple of hairs and a shuffle ball change. Not a bad legacy, if you ask me.

The above video highlights former dancer Sarah Robichaud and her Dancing with Parkinson’s Program.

Coach surfing and reflecting

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by Ann Votaw, C.H.E.S., M.A. in Health Education

Like the two-headed Roman God Janus – January’s namesake – I am looking forward and back, embracing my shiny graduate degree and new apartment while remembering a loveseat I abandoned in March, a piece of furniture inherited from my grandparents.

I named her Mary because she deserved a secure name. Having lived through two Iraq Wars and at least one potty training accident back in Indiana, Mary was made of solid materials: square cushions, embroidered upholstery, and a no-nonsense dust ruffle.

After nine years in New York City, shuffling dance jobs and sublets, I compare myself to Mary, made of all the right stuff but involved with all the wrong people.

One roommate, an actor, punched two holes through his door in Queens, angry he wasn’t on Broadway at age 23. Another roommate married the neighbor for a Green Card and staged wedding photos in our Washington Heights living room. In the Bronx, my super’s extended family lived, illegally, in the boiler room, near my roach-infested ground floor apartment.

But Mary anchored me, like one impressive line on a resume. While I had moved to New York to reinvent myself, Mary’s presence reminded me of my family whose help was near. From the spirit world, my beloved Grandpa Votaw sat on Mary’s right arm, offering his rural critique. “That person is a such and such,” he would say about an abusive manager or fair weather friend.

In 2011, after a long winter of no hot water in the Bronx, I found my current apartment overlooking a stretch of Northern Manhattan woods. Inwood is perfect, but Mary didn’t fit into the moving van or anyone’s Craigslist dreams.

As a last ditch effort, I called my old super who wanted her for free. It was Mary’s best offer. I returned to spot clean the floors and photograph Mary, who resembled the subject of a Victorian funeral portrait. The room, that had been my universe, appeared small and hungry in the light of a single light bulb. Its decayed baseboards had the shadowy look of a battered child with Mary as a responsible aunt. I swept the floor around her, took one last look, and locked the door.

Running toward 2012; party hat on!

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by Ann Votaw, C.H.E.S., M.A. in Health Education

Earlier this week, my once-a-year running buddy, a wonderful coach and outdoorsman, emailed that he was injured and could not join me in the New York Road Runners Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park.

Part of me was relieved. My hamstrings and hips hate running, especially on concrete and in the cold late at night. After a few half-hearted attempts to find another partner, I opted to turn in early with a good book.

But around 9 p.m., I was dying to wear a goofy hat! With that, I locked up my apartment and headed down to the NYRR office on 89th Street to sign up last minute.

Once inside the park, near the bandshell with other runners, I found myself dancing to the Black Eyed Peas and chatting with an awesome woman who took the above snap shot. She said her name was Chris and that she was on her way to a party. Thus, her choice of clothing was running shoes and a cocktail dress.

Her plan was to run the four-mile race and continue running to a New Year’s party, which I just loved. It had been a hard year for relationships and career, she said, but she planned to plow right through accompanied by party horns and fireworks. “Me too,” I said.

I’m a fairly slow runner who gets super bored, so when the race started, I ran without the goal-oriented Chris who was somewhere ahead in the crowd, probably already at the celebration.

That left me alone. Among hundreds of sober New Yorkers of every shape and size, whom the female emcee described as “a bunch of cr-az-ies!” I started near a woman dressed as Natalie Portman in Black Swan. I ended the race close to three M&Ms!

It’s been a tough year, New York, and not everyone understood half the stuff I did, but I’m still here, and I’ll run through whatever you got. Bring it on, New York. I’m wearing a foam hat, and I boogie for free!