Stand Up (or Bend or Twist) to End Animal Abuse

Rockaway, New Jersey – Something so simple as a downward facing dog yoga pose can help end animal abuse throughout the state of New Jersey.

For the fourth year in a row, Happy Tails Yoga: A Cause for Paws is hosting their annual statewide yoga event. The event, growing in popularity and momentum is seeking yoga teachers and facilities to donate their time and space throughout the Garden State during the month of May. In exchange for their time and talent, they will be helping to end animal cruelty in all forms right in their backyard.

The premise is simple: a yoga studio donates its space, a teacher donates their time and talent and attendees donate money to take the class. When the class is over, Happy Tails Yoga turns over 100% of the proceeds to the NJSPCA. To date, Happy Tails Yoga has raised over $8,000 in its endeavor to give every animal the respectful life it deserves.

The NJSPCA, a completely volunteer run organization that receives no financial support from the state of New Jersey or its taxpayers, handles approximately 5,300 animal cruelty cases a year. They continue their great work pursing dog fights, removing animals from hoarding or inhumane living conditions, provide low-cost micro chipping and distributing pet food and supplies to the numerous shelters all through charitable donations.

Happy Tails Yoga was established in 2008 by Energy in Motion and Rockaway, NJ resident Tiffiny Twardowsky as a way to combine her two loves: yoga and animals. Both passions have grown out of her involvement with Happy Tails Yoga. “I have become so involved with the NJSPCA, in a way I never thought I would. I know the work of Happy Tails Yoga and all those who help make it a success each year is really giving animals a voice. It goes to show you that the idea of one person can help make a difference,” states Twardowsky.

Studios and yoga teachers who would like to donate their time can register on the Happy Tails Yoga website (http://www.happytailsyoga.org/registration_form.htm)  or contact Tiffiny directly at info@einmotion.com. All participants will be featured through various social media sites and other public relations efforts.

Living Healthy at Work

Workplace Luch (Photo credit: AlyssssylA)

The mantra of every man or woman in a high-commitment job who also wants to lose weight is “If only…”. First you head to work in the morning, where you’re on the go non-stop until lunch, cramming down some food as quickly as possible or even at your desk while checking email. Then you’re back to business, working until you look up and notice it’s the end of the day or worse, it’s past the end of the day and you’re the only one left. Sometimes you may have work to take home or have longer days. How is living a healthy lifestyle supposed to occur when you eat, sleep, and breathe work? It’s easier than you think!

First, explore your options that may already exist at your work. Do they offer on-site fitness facilities or classes? Is there a group of coworkers who go to work out together or supporting each other through a diet? What is already in place that can help? Then, come up with your exercise plans based on your own needs as well as your schedule. Can you wake up an hour earlier in the morning? Is there a gym close by your work or home to cut down on traffic time? Do you prefer swimming, biking, yoga, or jogging? 

Find ways that you can integrate your exercise plans in your day. If you can only manage a short workout before work in the mornings, during your lunch break, close the door and do a 20 minute Pilates, yoga, or Tai Chi routine; these exercises can often be done with little to no sweating so you can get back to work quickly without an extra shower.

Consider your meal plans that function with your work day as well. If you find yourself rushing in the morning and skipping breakfast, have something ready each day that you can take with you – maybe low-fat yogurt with granola and a grapefruit. For lunch, take something with you that you can keep tucked in your purse so that you don’t have to worry about the time or inconvenience to microwave your meal or be tempted to eat out. Tuna wraps with an apple and some low-fat string cheese can make for an easy, healthy meal that you can eat in spurts as you need to while you’re on the go.

Let people at work know what your goals are and that you’d appreciate if they didn’t try to cajole you into eating unhealthy items. If there will be a celebration or potluck luncheon, bring something you know you can eat.

Work can take over your life if you let it and while it’s completely true that you shouldn’t let it determine the rest of your life, the reality is that to some extent, it does. Rather than be frustrated that work usurps your energy and time causing you to make unhealthy choices, work with your schedule and your environment to find what works for you. It may not be perfect, but it’s definitely a serious step up from doing nothing at all.

Related articles

• Weight Loss and Healthy Meal Plan Ideas (foodonthetable.com)