Today we planted two trees at the waterfront park in Galesville.

And what a morning it was for a planting – brilliant sunshine and crystal clear vistas.

So what exactly did we plant? A river birch and a black tupelo gum tree. They both look healthy and ready for winter.

It was very much a joint effort with Lynne, Holly, Jim & Adrianne of Galesville spearheading the project. Plus, the entire Ehmann clan did a hero’s job. Katy and Brad dug and filled holes, Charlie (3 yrs old) oversaw the entire enterprise while his older sister of 5 years scouted out the beach on the bay. The purchase of the trees were funded by Eco Yoga Day. So it was a real community effort!

At one point we even gave a shovel to Jim & Adrianne’s pup but as you can see, our fury friend let the shovel drop to the wayside and took off elsewhere!

And yes I too put foot to shovel for a few good digs. It was quite nice to dig into the earth in preparation for the planting. For those not aware what a black tupelo looks like, here is a photo of one in bloom.

I hope you will agree that this will make for a nice addition to the park, along with the river birches that were planted.

So come on down, welcome our new trees to the neighborhood, help them keep warm in winter, and watch them do their magic in the spring.

Thanks to all for making this happen!!

Today’s Eco Yoga Day was definitely a look into the future – as well as a way to practically address the present. Karen McDonald of SERC (Smithsonian Environmental Research Institute) did a wonderful job of drawing us into the world of biomimcry. As Karen explained, bio means life & mimicry is to emulate. Basically biomimicry is the science of solving human problems with solutions already present in the natural world.

Karen brought in many practical examples such as enhancing our wind power by applying the design of while fins to our windmills (read more). Or using the texture of shark skin on the bottom of boats to keep barnacles from growing and attaching themselves to the underside of boats. And there are no shortage of examples. Here is more about biomimicry.

So what did we do? We started with yoga to attune our minds and bodies by applying nature’s solutions to the human experience. After all yoga is also a form of biomimicry where in our poses we emulates mountains, trees, fish, cats, and so much more. This solves our problems brought on by day to day living – such as stiffness and back pain – and allows us to feel physically vibrant and mentally sharp.

After yoga, Karen talked about biomimicry and we brought it to light using prisms, bubbles to see how colors form through reflected and refracted light. So we all got to blow bubbles outside!! Actually this took birth from a discussion about butterfly wings and how the color of their wings changes in the light. We talked how we could apply this to automobiles to get rid of the noxious paint. Imagine driving a car that was blue from one angle and pink and orange from another!!

The last aspect of the afternoon involved planting seedlings into newspaper pots which we made. Everyone got to plant tomato seedlings (all different kinds of heirloom tomatoes even purple ones!). Plus we had lots of other kinds of organic heirloom seeds such as sunflower, cone flowers, eggplant and more!!

I still have lots of seeds and seedlings which will be available to all in class.

All in all Eco Yoga day was a most inspiring afternoon. Finally Dave Pecor of Patch.com was on hand to shoot pictures and write an article.

See everyone at next year’s Eco Yoga Day!!

UPDATE 4/24/11:

Here is the article that Dave Precor of Patch.com wrote about Eco Yoga Day.

Eco Yoga Day

2pm, Sun Apr 17 2011

Galesville Memorial Hall

As you all know, this year’s Eco Yoga Day program explores the field of biomimicry. But what exactly is bio-mimicry?

Well here in the below podcast, our eco presenter Karen McDonald tells us about biomimicry and its many benefits. She also reveals projects we will be doing on Eco Yoga Day. Please do listen to the below podcast to learn more about this fascinating field and great event.

All proceeds – every penny – from Eco Yoga Day go towards local green projects.

Read More About Eco Yoga Day – Register Now

Podcast: Play in new window
| Download

Our 3rd Annual: Eco Yoga Day

Sun, Apr 17, 2p – 4p

Galesville Memorial Hall

$15 Donation (All proceeds go towards a local green project)

Register Now

Come celebrate the Earth Day season with our 3rd annual Eco Yoga Day. This is a time to engage in plantings, participate in a community, and recognize our inherent connection to the earth. Along the way we will do yoga and meditation to attune our bodies and minds to nature’s calling.

This year our theme will be: Biomimicry. This is a pioneering field wherein nature serves as the inspiration for all kinds of human activity including building construction, technology and so much more. After discussion this emerging arena with Karen McDonald (Environmental Educator), we will plant some heirloom seeds in newspaper pots that we make. This would be mimicking nature’s process by using seeds that can be harvested again and again (not just store bought seeds). We may also plant flower seeds that could be germinated and then planted around Galesville Hall later.

We will begin the afternoon with a short yoga session. In past years, we have always done tree plantings as well. Our gratitude to both Exterior Image (Lothian) and Greenstreet Gardens (Lothian) for donating trees in years past.

So come on out for this great, local, community gathering.

Register Today

Also take a look at pics and read about our past Eco Yoga Day events:

Eco Yoga Day 2010 ~ Eco Yoga Day 2010 Pics ~ Eco Yoga Day 2009

Namaskar! Everyone please meet our new magnolia tree. The planting on Saturday was a real collective effort – everybody did something. Yours truly forgot to have his camera ready. Only after did it dawn on me…

But the universe saw what happened and that’s enough.

Thus far in two Eco-Yoga Days we have planted six trees and shrubs for the hall – and counting. The $225+ from Eco Yoga Day 2010 will go towards further plantings at the hall.

Thanks to everyone for your support and good cheer. Please do welcome our new tree when you come to the hall.

Finally, kudos to Greenstreet Gardens for donating this tree. We have a “Thank You” letter at the hall – many have already signed it – you are welcome to sign it too – the next and final day to sign on is this Wednesday…

Eco Yoga Day was a big hit, with both humans and bees. We learned about bees, tasted their wonderful honey, and in turn our friends the bees got new homes. See two of the finest shown here.

Our yoga practice segued into an Eco think tank led by Karen McDonald of SERC. She taught us all about bees native stingless bees and how they make their way in the world. Lots of fascinating material was presented and we do have extra handouts available. Just ask.

Then people of all shapes and sizes got to work constructing their bee houses – sturdy structures made of wood. Our gratitude to Bob Smith for creating these beautiful kits so on Eco Yoga Day even the youngest of participants was able to engage fully.

Once the construction was done it was a-decorating- we go!! Builders turned into artists to create charming bee houses. Here is but one of the many designs that were put forth.

These bee houses are designed for native stingless bees and during the presentation Karen gave us all kinds of tips and strategies for ensuring they are able to live a comfortable life in these bee homes. After all, everyone in this universe needs a home.

And that was the overall theme of Eco Yoga Day: Creating a healthy human home by harmonizing mind and body, creating a sustainable home on earth by living in harmony with nature, and offering a home to some our friends the bees.

By this way all can find their place in this universe and live peacefully.

In follow-up to Eco Yoga Day, we will be doing a tree planting – complements of Greenstreet Gardens – this Saturday, May 1, at Galesville Hall – 9:00am!! All funds from Eco Yoga Day will go towards more plantings… Thank you everyone!!

Photos From This Year’s Eco Yoga Day -   Eco Yoga Day 2009

ECO YOGA DAY – Sunday, April 25, 2p – 4p Galesville Memorial Hall

All funds (100%, every penny) go toward a green project. Donate Today…

This is our ECO-YOGA Day Project… home sweet home – literally.

It is a bee hive for native stingless bees. Or what we call a bee condo as it comes complete with an indoor swimming pool, massage parlor and wi-fi. Along with a constant buzz. That way the bees need not make the noise themselves.

Kidding aside, this really is a wonderful and very neat project that every participant at Eco Yoga Day will be assembling. This project was conceived of by Karen McDonald, an environmental educator, who will be facilitating and leading the eco part of ECO YOGA DAY. Our trusted builder and yogi Bob Smith brought Karen’s idea to life. He built the prototype pictured here and is creating kits so everyone can make their own bee hive / hut / condo on Eco Yoga Day.

Come on out for this great event!! Reserve your spot by donating today…

…Or email me to reserve your spot and bring your suggested $15 donation the day of…

Eco Yoga Day is Sunday. April 25, 2010…see what’s happening.

Our main presentation topic will be bees.

So we will begin with yoga and then transition to this wonderful, hands-on seminar – led by Karen McDonald of SERC – about bees. And then we will have a meditation and sharing circle and hopefully a planting or two.

See here what great things Karen has planned for us….

An Introduction to Bees and Native Pollinators

Bees are an important part of nature, helping flowers turn into fruits and making gardens thrive. Come learn about these fascinating creatures. We’ll explore how they live in their complex hives, feeling their way through many different jobs from raising young, tending the queen, building comb, foraging for nectar and pollen, and making honey. We will also discuss how you can keep native stingless bees right in your own yard. Afterwards we’ll try tasting some different types of local honey and make our own bee box, for native orchard mason bees, that you can put in your garden.

Our 2nd annual Eco Yoga Day

Sunday, April 25

2:00p – 4:00p

Galesville Memorial Hall

Be Part of the

Bendy Green Team!!

Suggested Donation: $15

What could be better than to do a 2nd Eco Yoga Day!! Last year we did yoga, dialogged about eco-friendly ways of living, made our own green cleaning solutions to bring home, planted a Sugar Maple tree  – thanks to Exterior Image, Lothian – behind the hall, and raised enough money to purchase a high quality hose extension as well as 1 River Birch and 3 Virginia Sweetspires – all of which were planted by the hall. 100% of the monies collected go toward a green project – period.

That is why everyone is saying: Let’s do it again!!!

This year once again Karen McDonald (SERC Community Education Coordinator) will be co-hosting this event with me and she will be treating us to another grand eco-project. She has already shared a list of topics and we are just about to select one – certainly it will be dynamic and exciting!

UPDATE: Here is our topic: Bees….

In addition we will have an hour-long yoga practice as well as a meditation circle.

Plus we have some other goodies up our sleeves – so you’ll just have to be there to find out!

There will also be time for sharing, caring & more!!!

Read all about last year’s event and see the photos!!

Let us know how you can contribute
to this year’s program to make it more green & vibrant!

Our special thanks to the West River Improvement Association for dontating the use of the hall and to Karen for offering her time, energy and special talents.