Power Living Today http://www.power-living.com/blog Inspiration, information and practical advice for a purposeful and powerful life Wed, 16 May 2012 04:07:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Become Stroke Aware http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/become-stroke-aware/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/become-stroke-aware/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 23:28:12 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4427

Do you know the signs of a stroke? Do you know the number one thing you can do to help prevent a stroke?

My dad – Dr. James Scott Kennedy – was known around the world as a pioneer in Communications and Theatre, and was called “Mr. Speech” in the 1950s. However, for the last six months of his life, he could not speak. It was painful to watch and, I’m sure, for him to experience. My aunt – Dad’s youngest sister – had a stroke a couple of years ago. She may have recovered, but she didn’t get to a Stroke Center. After ten months of being in the hospital, she died.

Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. It’s the fourth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability. It is possible to recover, but time lost is brain lost. Do you know where your nearest Stroke Center is? Do you know the warning signs of a stroke? Here’s what to look for:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

    If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. It’s very important to take immediate action. If given within 3 hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.

    Managing your blood pressure is the most important thing you can do to help reduce your chances of having a stroke. Find out more from the American Stroke Association and listen to healthy living tips from Dr. Terri Kennedy on The Daily Dose on WBLS.

    Image: www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

    ]]> http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/become-stroke-aware/feed/ 0 The Divine Birthday Gift http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/the-divine-birthday-gift/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/the-divine-birthday-gift/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 21:39:11 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4420

    PWR CARDS:

    The sun setting over the Dead Sea…

    “Every day you can choose
    to live in darkness or
    actively seek rays of light.”
    -Dr. Terri Kennedy

    - Part of the Power Living Inspirational Postcard Series.


    Listen to the backstory on Cowbird.

    Contributed by Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy, Ph.D., MBA.

    ADD YOUR VOICE: What beautiful sights did you happen to catch? Share them here.

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/the-divine-birthday-gift/feed/ 0     Turn your Face to the Sun http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/turn-your-face-to-the-sun/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/turn-your-face-to-the-sun/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 19:02:55 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4410

    “Turn your face to the sun
    and the shadows fall behind you.”
    -Charlotte Whitton

    Get more inspiration through postcards, impressions and The Power of… column.

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/turn-your-face-to-the-sun/feed/ 0     Tao’s Guinness World Record http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/taos-guinness-world-record/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/taos-guinness-world-record/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 17:35:26 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4354

    Tao Porchon-Lynch

    THE BUZZ: On Sunday, May 13th 2012, I had the distinct honor of presenting the Guinness World Record for Oldest Yoga Teacher to my inspiration 93-year-old Yoga Master Tao Porchon-Lynch. Tao has over 70 years of yoga practice and more than 45 years of teaching yoga to students in India, France and the U.S. She has trained and certified hundreds of yoga instructors since founding the Westchester Institute of Yoga in 1982, and she has made over twenty-five trips to India with her students. She continues to teach workshops at many yoga centers, including the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Integral Yoga Institute in Manhattan and the Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville, Buckingham, Va.

    The previous World Record was held by 91 year-old Bernice Bates in Florida. The certificate presented to Tao read as follows:

    The oldest yoga teacher is Tao Porchon-Lynch (USA, b 13 August, 1918) who remains an active yoga teacher at 93 years, 7 months and 1 days (as of 14 march 2012). She is a registered instructor at JCC Midwestchester, New York USA. -Guinness World Records

    My mom, Janie Sykes-Kennedy, joined us which made it even more magical since it was Mother’s Day. It was also fitting to have Tao’s celebration that day because when asked in interviews, “Do you have any children?,” Tao’s response is always, “Yes, I have 400 of them. My students are my children.”

    The event was held at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Hartsdale, New York where Tao teaches yoga and learned how to ballroom dance. Tao taught a beautiful yoga class – including her one-of-a-kind Tango Sun Salutation Flow. A camera crew from a Russian TV network was floating through class filming. We did interviews for them so if anyone in Russia sees the show, please let us know!

    After class, we had the induction ceremony and celebration. Mayor Thomas M. Roach of White Plains sent a proclamation declaring May 13th “Tao Porchon-Lynch Day”. A special thanks goes to Joyce Pines, Karen Young and Sherri Holman for making all of it happen and run so smoothly. At one point, Tao changed into an incredible gold dress and showed off her dancing expertise with her 24-year-old dance partner. Tao is indeed an example of how each of us can live to our fullest potential!

    Tao Porchon-Lynch, Terri Kennedy and Karen Young

    Tao Porchon-Lynch and Terri Kennedy

    Tao Porchon-Lynch

    Tao Porchon-Lynch and Janie Sykes-Kennedy

    Tao Porchon-Lynch on Dance Floor

    To see Tao in action, check out her Power Living interview and her wisdom from the 2011 Newark Peace Education Summit.

    Read “7 Steps to Crafting An Amazing Life” inspired by Tao in The Huffington Post.

    See pictures from the Yoga Journal Conference in New York.

    Check out Tao’s website for her teaching schedule.

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/15/taos-guinness-world-record/feed/ 0     Maha Karma Yoga Celebration http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/13/maha-karma-yoga-celebration/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/13/maha-karma-yoga-celebration/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 04:11:43 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4347

    Sri Dharma Mittra

    THE BUZZ: On Friday May 11th 2012, I attended the Maha Karma Yoga Celebration for Sri Dharma Mittra. It was in honor of 45 years of his teaching yoga in New York City, as well as his 73rd birthday. The beautiful new studio on 23rd & 6th was packed with yogis. There was kirtan (music and chanting) and vegan food galore!

    The event also kicked off Karma Yoga Month. As Dharma explains:

    The difference between regular action where there is always expectation and Karma Yoga is truly the mental attitude. Deep inside in the beginning, there is always a “little string” buried deep within each act that we seek to offer as selfless service. There is always expectation because we are still identified with the body, the mind and the ego. Only after Self-Knowledge becomes more “ripe” in the mind can the ego totally disappear. Then the string is broken. Everything depends more on the mental attitude. Be Good, do Good.

    Join the Dharma Yoga New York Center in a month long practice of Karma Yoga from May 12th through June 12th, 2012. Karma Yoga may be practiced in large or small ways, as long as there is no expectation of recognition or a reward. When your heart is pure and you serve and share with others whatever it is they need, this is Karma Yoga.

    Ideas on how to serve others and perform acts of kindness each day:

  • Be attentive wherever you are for opportunities to help someone. Do something nice for someone you don’t know. Spread the word of Karma Yoga. If someone you helped wishes to thank you, ask them to do something nice for three people they don’t know, and then they should ask those three peope to do something nice for three more people. Consciously increase the goodness of the world through selfless service.
  • Donate to a good cause.
  • Thank your taxi or bus driver, encourage or praise someone.
  • Smile at a stranger, help someone across the street or buy a street person lunch.
  • Share your favorite book, give someone a compliment, make someone’s day. Treat everyone you come across with respect, love and compassion.
  • Organize free yoga classes, organize events to create environmental awareness and respect for nature, i.e., cleaning expeditions on the weekend to keep a neighborhood or park clean.
  • Volunteer at a Senior Center.
  • Help at an Animal Shelter: bring old towels and blankets, walk dogs or help clean, whatever the need is.
  • Promote vegetarianism. Teach others healthy habits. Cook a meal and invite someone over to share in it.

    • As Dharma says, “By serving others, we release our ego, and that is a wonderful way to grow spiritually.” Get involved!

    Find out more about Dharma Mittra.

    Terri Kennedy, Mara Stratton and Nozomi

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/13/maha-karma-yoga-celebration/feed/ 0     I Love ME! http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/07/i-love-me/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/07/i-love-me/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 22:54:56 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4340

    Loving relationships start with self-love so give this card to yourself…

    “I Love ME!”

    Get more inspiration through postcards, impressions and The Power of… column.

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/07/i-love-me/feed/ 0     1st Annual Holistic Wellness Expo http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/06/holistic-wellness-expo/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/06/holistic-wellness-expo/#comments Sun, 06 May 2012 21:24:32 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4283

    Dr. Terri Kennedy and Dr. Jeff Gardere at First Annual Holistic Wellness Expo at City College of New York

    THE BUZZ: On Saturday, April 28th, 2012, I participated in The 1st Annual Holistic Wellness Expo presented by The City College of New York Continuing and Professional Studies in partnership with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Harlem Healthy Eating & Healthy Living Initiative. It was held at The Great Hall of Shepard Hall, and was a tremendous success with over 700 visitors and over 40 vendors. The vendors and panelists represented at least 10 modalities from acupuncture and chiropractic care to homeopathy and naturopathy. Councilwoman Inez E. Dickens presented a proclamation declaring the last Saturday in April “Wellness Day.”

    I moderated the opening Expert Panel which set the tone for the day. I was joined by Dr. Jeff Gardere, Ph.D. (Psychologist), Jeanne Ricks, CHC, AADP (Holistic Health Practitioner), Dumisani Kambi-Shamba, L.A.c. (Licensed Acupuncturist), Julia Bennett, L.A.c. (Licensed Acupuncturist, MS in Advanced Herbal Studies) and Pierre Fontaine, RSHom, CCH (Homeopath). In addition to discussing the major modalities represented, we covered topics such as “What is holistic wellness/integrative medicine?” and “How do you choose a qualified practitioner?”

    The Mind/Body Panel was part discussion and part demonstration. The audience got a taste of alternate nostril breathing from yoga teacher Ghylian Bell, Tai Chi from Master Abdul Musawwir, movements to ease back tension from chiropractor Dr. Peter Morgan and a closing meditation from Ki Energy Specialist Laura Abadsantos-Rogers. Other experts included Michele Risa, Antonia Martinez, Dr. Cheryl Ann Delbridge, Dr. Doug Weston and Darmone Holland. I had a blast co-moderating it with Dr. Gardere.

    Finally, I had the pleasure of doing a one-on-one interview with Dr. Kamau Kokayi who has 27 years of experience in integrating allopathic medicine with bioenergetic therapies and traditional healing systems. He is a MD from Yale and is additionally certified in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, applied kinesiology and homeopathy. I had been a frequent guest on the radio talk show he created and hosted for eight years at WBAI, the Global Medicine Review.

    The visionary behind the event was Sharon Mackey-McGee, Executive Director of Continuing and Professional Studies at City College whose goal was to “provide the best instructors with the best advice”. She certainly accomplished that and I think we’re all looking forward to next year! We must also thank City College President Lisa S. Coico for her support. Many of the practitioners, including myself, will be offering courses for the Continuing and Professional Studies program.

    Dr. Kamau Kokayi and Dr. Terri Kennedy at First Annual Holistic Wellness Expo at City College of New York

    Opening Expert Panel at First Annual Holistic Wellness Expo at City College of New York

    Mind/Body Panel at First Annual Holistic Wellness Expo at City College of New York

    Mind/Body Panel at First Annual Holistic Wellness Expo at City College of New York

    First Annual Holistic Wellness Expo at City College of New York

    Pat Sonti and Dr. Terri Kennedy at First Annual Holistic Wellness Expo at City College of New York

    Dr. Terri Kennedy at First Annual Holistic Wellness Expo at City College of New York

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/06/holistic-wellness-expo/feed/ 0     Healthy On-the-Road with Executive Chef David Hackett http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/06/healthy-on-the-road-with-executive-chef-david-hackett/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/06/healthy-on-the-road-with-executive-chef-david-hackett/#comments Sun, 06 May 2012 05:30:54 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4312 POWER LIVING® TV EPISODE #13
    In Episode 13 of “Power Living® with Dr. Terri Kennedy,” get tips on how to stay healthy on the road from Executive Chef David Hackett of the Westin Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa.

    The intention of Power Living TV is to bring you inspiring people, beautiful places and tips for living a healthy & empowered life. For more information on Power Living, go to www.power-living.com. For more on Dr. Terri Kennedy, go to www.drterrikennedy.com.

    Watch Now:

    Note: Click on the arrows to the right to expand to full screen.

    What do you think?
    What is your food strategy when you travel? Share your thoughts below.

    The intention of Power Living TV is to bring you inspiring people, beautiful places and tips for living a healthy & empowered life. For more information on Power Living, go to www.power-living.com. For more on Dr. Terri Kennedy, go to www.drterrikennedy.com.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Power Living® TV channel to get updates on new video postings.

    Posted by Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy, Ph.D., MBA.

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/06/healthy-on-the-road-with-executive-chef-david-hackett/feed/ 0     3 Types of People http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/05/3-types-of-people/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/05/3-types-of-people/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 06:15:12 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4304

    “There are 3 types of people in this world:
    those who make things happen,
    those who watch things happen
    and those who wonder what happened.”

    -Mary Kay Ash

    Get more inspiration through postcards, impressions and The Power of… column.

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/05/3-types-of-people/feed/ 0     Hang On http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/01/hang-on/ http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/01/hang-on/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 18:24:13 +0000 tkennedy http://www.power-living.com/blog/?p=4269

    “When you come to the end
    of your rope, tie a knot
    and hang on.”

    -Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Get more inspiration through postcards, impressions and The Power of… column.

    ]]>     http://www.power-living.com/blog/2012/05/01/hang-on/feed/ 0