This Sunday: Chanting, Yogi Tea and Icosium Kafe

One of the challenges to finding something you really really love can be finding a way to share it with others. And we want to share what we love because (a) we need the community support to continue being with it, what, with all the demands on our time, and (b) we know others will love and benefit from it too. It’s not nice to keep something good to yourself… right?

Yogic chanting is one of those things. OK. I’ve done some stuff in my youth that made me feel more comfortable in my own skin, more open and aware, kinda happy, and more receptive to things around me. But chanting is legal, it does all of the above, and there aren’t any serious negative side affects. I should tell you, however, that there are side affects. Possible short term side affects may be a feeling of high, happiness, emotional disorientation, feeling that you are grounded, sadness, a good time, we-are-all-one-ness, questions about current state of personal affairs, and more. Long term affects might include: feeling of inner peace and groundedness, healthy spontaneity, connection to your Self, clarity, ability to sit in silent meditation, and answers.

Chanting from time to time is nice, and when there is a kirtan, definitely go. It’s a wonderful time of communion with yourself and with others. You know how great it feels. Imagine doing it regularly.

Since the beginning of this year, a group of us has been gathering at Las Manos Gallery every other Sunday morning to chant. Since it’s only February 1, this means we only got together twice so far. This Sunday will be the third. Will you join us? Since I’ve described sort of what it’s like above, I won’t go into more about it here, but I do have to share something else. It’s about Yogi Tea. We have two 2-quart thermos pump pots that are being passed around each gathering so that another person can take a shot at making the next yogi tea for our tea time following our one-hour chant. Each person makes it differently. Last time, Sait made it (thank you Sait!!!), and we learned something new. You not only have honey, maple syrup and agave as natural sugar substitutes. Sait used an entire onion, IN ITS SKIN. I’ve added onion to my soups to sweeten, but never thought of using it in my yogi tea. And his tea was delightful. Having had Maureen’s tea, some of us are now using 15 cinnamon sticks instead of 5 or 6 because hers was so fantabulous.  No matter the version, by talent, or by grace, each batch is incredible.

Ok enough. We would love you to join us. Bring friends. As I said earlier, it’s not nice to keep something good to yourself.

This Sunday, February 5
8:15-9:00 AM chant followed by yogi tea time
bring your own mug (BYOM)
bring your own meditation cushion or mat (BYOMC)
Las Manos Gallery
5220 N. Clark St.
(just north of Foster on the west side of street. pay-to-parking is ample)

ONE MORE THING: this Sunday, after tea time, we are going a few doors down to Icosium for a yummy Algerian Crepe breakfast. $6 per entree, one extra dollar if you want it to be gluten free.

With love,
Savitree Kaur
for Urban Yoga Chicago