Sunday, June 13, 2010

Let's Tax Soda! Sugar is drug #1



Letter: A Tax, or Not, on Soda

I have long been a proponent of the idea that sugar should be taxed like alcohol and cigarettes. This is the perfect way to raise vast resources while improving public health and reducing the likelihood of the childhood obesity epidemic being fueled by cheap sugar.


We must take responsibility for the fact that we have drug dealers running around the streets in plain clothes delivering drugs in their soda trucks and making a lot of money. All at the expense of human well being and the source of problems that lead to our enormous health care costs in this country.


To the Editor:

Re “Can a Soda Tax Save Us From Ourselves?” (Economic View, June 6):

If soda is taxed, N. Gregory Mankiw asks in the column, will products like ice cream and fried foods be next? And his final question — Do you trust government enough to make it your guardian? — seems to suggest that government shouldn’t be in the business of micro-managing what we eat or how we behave.

Fine. But there are plenty of other arguments for the soda tax:

Soda is often consumed all day long, and is more readily available than fast food.

Farm subsidies make high-fructose corn syrup, and therefore most sweetened beverages, artificially cheap, which encourages overconsumption.

Soda is more easily defined than fast foods, which vary greatly in nutritional value. It would be hard to determine which fast foods should be taxed.

Soda and fast foods are not good substitutes for one another, so taxing soda wouldn’t, for example, make people eat more fried chicken.

Finally, it’s better to do something than nothing. The soda tax would be a huge step in the right direction. Ron Cronovich

Kenosha, Wis., June 6

The writer is an associate professor of economics at Carthage College.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Fred Busch India Yoga Retreat 2011- March 10th-20th





This fascinating trip led by Fred Busch takes you to the birth place of yoga and meditation, India is an ideal destination if you wish to rejuvenate your mind and body and have a spiritual experience. You will visit famous yoga centres - Haridwar and Rishikesh situated in the foothills of the Himalayas - Uttarakhand northern India. Continue onto the holy city of Varanasi, to Agra and visit the Taj Mahal - surely the greatest monument to love and one of the wonders of the modern world.


Fred Busch Power Yoga in India. Fred Busch Yoga is a holistic integration of many of the deepest aspects of the practice of Yoga. With Fred Busch you will be guided in an individually based Power Yoga asana class every day. Power Yoga can be practiced by all as Fred Busch will create specific adjustments to the sequences based on individual levels. Our group will practice meditation and pranayama with Fred and local Indian masters. Fred will teach Sanskrit and Mantras that make up the heart of the Yoga Spiritual Path, all in the Ashrams and sacred Indian Spiritual Centers. This is the ultimate trip for Yogis and Yoginis, led by a team of absolute professionals.

Day 1: Arrival at Delhi

Day 2: Delhi - Haridwar and onto Rishikesh.
An early morning transfer to the Hazrat Ul Nizamudin railway station to board the 06:50 hrs super fast train Shatabadi Exp. to Haridwar. Arrive Haridwar & have lunch.

In the afternoon you will visit various temples in Haridwar, including the Pareshwar Mahadev Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temple and Mansa Devi Temple. During the evening a visit to the Har-ki-Pauri (the footstep of God)- one of the most sacred ghats in India. People say that this ghat was built by Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. This ghat is also known as Brahmakund. Later witness Aarti of the Holy River Ganges. Aarti is the beautiful ceremony in which deeyas (the oil lamps) are offered to God. Aarti can be done to a deity in the temple or it can be done to a saint. It is performed to God, in any manifestation, any form, by any name. The essence of the aarti ceremony is a time when we say "thank you," and we offer the light of our thanks, the light of our love and the light of our devotion. We realize that the small deeya is nothing compared to the divine light which shines on us all day.

Drive the one hour to Rishikesh and check into the Rain Forest House - 3 kms north of Rishikesh.

Rishikesh: Rishikesh is located some 24 kms north of Haridwar, on the right bank of the Ganga, surrounded on three sides by the Himalayan ranges. Legend has it that God revealed himself to Raibhaya Rishi as ‘Hrishikesh’, after a long penance, and this sacred spot was henceforth known as such. This is essentially a pilgrim town, and the bulk of the pilgrims are simple villagers whose intense devotion give both Haridwar and Rishikesh a special atmosphere. At sundown each evening there is a service at the side of the river, at the bathing ghat in the middle of the town, at which tiny candle rafts are lit and let out into the choppy water to float away into the dusk. This is highly recommended as there is a very special ambience at this time.

The northern part of the town is called Muni-ki-Reti and refers to the silver shores of the river where the rishis of old meditated. Across the Ganga, are more temples, Ashrams and museums. These large, sprawling but well-maintained ashrams teach yoga and publish books on the scriptures.

Day 3: Rishikesh:
Early morning spend optional 01 hour with astrologer to discover your future, love fortune, lucky number, compatibility with your life partner, zodiac signs, professional astrological information . An early morning one hour drive to Rishikesh and book into the Ganga Kinare Hotel. Rishikesh is also known as the 'place of sages', at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. It is believed that God by the name of 'Hrishikesh' had appeared as an answer to the hard penances by Rabhiya Rishi and henceforth the place derived its name. It is the starting point for the Char Dham (four sacred spots) pilgrims, but, also for the people who are interested in meditation, yoga and other aspects of Hinduism.
Yoga lessons with Fred Busch.
Overnight stay in Rain Forest House.

Day 4: Rishikesh
After breakfast, visit the Laxman Jhula - a suspension bridge across the River Ganges which spans the river along the old foot-route to the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath.
In Rishikesh visit Laxman Jhula- which is a hanging bridge over the River Ganga and is one of the most famous spots in Rishikesh. According to Indian mythology, Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, crossed the Ganga with the help of a hanging bridge made of Jute. The bridge offers a scenic view of the river Ganga as it tumbles down to Haridwar. Also a visit to Bharat Mandir - the oldest temple in Rishikesh, near the Triveni Ghat. This temple is dedicated to Bharat, the younger brother of Lord Ram. Also a visit to the Laxman Temple, Swargashram, Geeta Bhawan and Parmarth Niketan.
Yoga lessons with Fred Busch.
Overnight stay in Rain Forest House.

In Rishikesh and Yoga lessons with Fred Busch.

Day 5: Rishikesh - train to Varanasi.
After lunch drive via Haridwar to the town of Roorkee to catch the early evening night train to Varanasi.

Day 6: Varanasi

On arrival at Varanasi you are transferred to the Clarkes Hotel. In the afternoon you will be taken on a city tour of the holy city of Varanasi. The tour covers visits to the Ganga Ghats, various temples.

Yoga lessons with Fred Busch.
Stay overnight at the Clarks Hotel.
Varanasi: The city of Varanasi is situated along the west bank of the Ganges in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and is one of the oldest cities in the world. It has been the religious capital of the Hindu faith since the dawn of history and constitutes a microcosm of Indian life. Known as Kashi in the 7th century BC, no-one knows how old Varanasi really is. When Buddha came here in 550 BC, it was already a flourishing ancient settlement. The town is one inextricable maze of small streets and alleyways, hiding in disorderly array no less than 2,000 temples and shrines. Domes, pinnacles, towers and derelict 18th-century palaces dominate the left bank of the Ganges River. The streets are noisy and colour is rife.


Day 7: Varanasi

After breakfast we will proceed for the city tour of Sarnath. Sarnath the tranquil deep park at Sarnath is where the Buddha preached hid first sermon. Sarnath became one of the great centres of Buddhism and the Emperor Ashoka erected magnificent stupas and structure here. The Chinese scholar Huien Tsang who to write of the splendour of the city. Rediscovered and excavated in 1836, Sarnath is once again a place of pilgrimage where visitors come to pay homage to the great teacher.
Yoga lessons with Fred Busch.
Overnight at the Clarks Hotel.

Day 8: Varanasi to Taj Mahal/ Agra
I Varanasi with Yoga lessons with Fred Busch.

In the evening catch a night train to Agra.


Day 9: Agra and New Delhi

Morning at sunrise visit the magnificent Taj Mahal - one of the seven wonders of the world surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. Also visit the Red fort - the rusty and majestic red- sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan-I-Am (hall of public audience),a colonnaded hall of red-sandstone with a throne alcove of inlaid marble at the back, the Emperor heard public petitions. At the Diwan-I- Khas (hall of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambience, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded peacock Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Later we will drive to Delhi.

Overnight at the Lutyens Guest House.

Day 10- Delhi

After a leisurely breakfast optional sightseeing tour of New Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown of the British empire. Visit the 11th century Qutab Minar, India Gate and the grand government buildings, the President’s House , Red fort , Mahatma Gandhi Memorial , Also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple.

You will be transferred to the international airport to board the flight homeward flight.


Pricing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Price: $2995 with Double Occupancy- add $495 for Single Supplement



Included in Price: 
All Travel-Trains, Buses, Transfers to and from Airport, and Accomodations and Sightseeing for 10 Days from Delhi to Delhi.
All Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation classes with Fred Busch
All Breakfast meals



Not included in Price:
International Airfares 
Any sightseeing or excursion that is not mentioned in the itinerary. 
Any item of personal requirement, such as drinks, laundry, telephone etc.
Meals other then those mentioned as included. 
Any type of Insurance - Personal, Medical, Travel etc. 
Tips (Please budget for this!)
Any services not mentioned above.



How to register: 
contact Fred Busch : 
fbusch911@gmail.com for all questions or respond to this email with Subject : India 2011
or call Fred for questions at 305.606.2169 (i will be back from Peru on the 7th of June)... before that email me and i can call you directly.

Payment Schedule: To reserve your spot a $500 non-refundable deposit due upon registration with Balance due by January 10th, 2011
Payment in full before October 10th, 2010 and receive $195 Discount


Fred Busch in Guayaquil


June 3rd 2010 Guayaquil, Ecuador

Samadhi Centro de Yoga con Fred Busch Power Yoga

Fred Busch Power Yoga Guayaquil Ecuador

I just got back from Guayaquil, Ecuador last night for a special Power Yoga Class that we organized rather last minute. I was hosted by Andrea Goldbaum, owner and director of Samadhi Centro de Yoga and it was so incredible to see so many people i knew. It was an amazing class with so many strong Yogis and Yoginis and it seemed that they really resonated with the style of Yoga. What a great and strong Yoga community is there and i am looking forward to the Yoga Alliance Teacher Training we will hold in November 2010.

For questions about the 30 day intensive yoga alliance certified professional yoga teacher training in Guayaquil, Ecuador November 5th, 2010 contact alex@limayoga.com or Andrea at agdbsc@gmail.com


LIMA YOGA TEACHER TRAINING 2010- Incredible!











The Teacher Training program here in Lima has been amazing. The Power Yoga community in Lima has been steadily growing since my first Teacher Training program here three years ago... and it so beautiful to see so many people being exposed to Yoga in Peru.

It is such a blessing to be a part of the growth of Yoga in South America. These Yoga Alliance Teacher Trainings have been so successful in so many ways. Everybody is happy and i can see that the essence of Yoga is being transmitted and peoples lives are improving. Remember for it to be part of the Yoga-Tantra system... it is required that your life improves in all its aspects.

Next one May 2011. Also look for Teacher Training Guayaquil November 2010!

for more info visit www.limayoga.com