Features
Seva the Planet
Conversations —
Interview by Kasey Luber
It’s difficult to believe Seane Corn went through most of her teacher training terrified to lead her class, considering now, nearly two decades later, she’s one of the most passionate and well-spoken leaders in the yoga world. With several DVDs under her belt, worldwide teaching appearances and a near cult-like
(continue reading...) Maverick 101
By E.B. Boyd
For every real-life maverick out there, there are a thousand dreamers, people with great ideas about how to make the world a better place but unsure of whether they should try to make them real. If only there were a handbook to show them the way. Now there is. Would-be
(continue reading...) Becoming Mr. Right
By Andy Isaacson
A naked mannequin, draped in a feather boa, stands in one corner of the living room; a stripper pole runs floor to ceiling in another. I am gathered with a group of other single men in the North Beach district of San Francisco, in a duplex apartment that serves as
(continue reading...) Power To The Gym Rats
On Our Radar —
If you’re gonna workout to burn calories, why not power up the grid while you’re at it? That’s the premise behind Portland’s Green Microgym, a new power-from-the-people eco-facility created by fitness trainer Adam Boesel. This 3,000-square-foot gym is tricked out with energy-efficient treadmills, non-motorized elliptical machines and spin bikes that
(continue reading...) Dot your i’s and Cross Your Knees
On Our Radar —
Stretching before tests? Breathing exercises after recess? For happy evidence of yoga’s increasing mainstream influence, consider that yogic techniques are beginning to pop up in after-school programs, gym classes and K-12 classrooms around the country.
(continue reading...) Solar For the People
On Our Radar —
Homeowners contemplating going solar usually run into one of two obstacles: the expense of a solar power system or the sheer confusion involved in figuring out what rebates apply and what system to use. A new organization, 1BOG (“One Block off the Grid”), is trying to take some of the
(continue reading...) The Company We Keep
On Our Radar —
Very few of us have a personal attachment to the company with which we bank. Maybe you signed up with U.S. Bank because it was giving out free t-shirts on your first day of college, or Bank of America because it had the closest ATM to your apartment, or switched
(continue reading...) Get Active
On Our Radar —
Few people can argue that the world took a turn for the worse eight years ago when nearly half of Americans said, “Aw, shucks! He just seems like the kinda guy I’d like to have a beer with!” Well, there are people we want to meet for happy hour and
(continue reading...) Urban Essentials
Urban Essentials —
By Andrea Manitsas
For this month’s Urban Essentials, we decided the de rigueur of cool T-shirt wearage should be fun for the whole family. Whether it makes a statement, grabs attention or simply makes us laugh, these 100 percent organic tees are our picks for fitting out families all around town.
(continue reading...) Defining yoga, one style at a time
Healthy Living :: Yogapedia —
By Julia Steinberger
Origins Kundalini is a holistic philosophy focused on healing and developing a pure, strong body and mind in order to receive the universal spirit and work for good in the world. Its roots are somewhat revolutionary — believed to have strong power that inspires self-realization and elevated thinking, the practice
(continue reading...) Racing Against the Clock
Healthy Living :: Body Talk —
Running helps keep you young, suggests recent research from the
Archives of Internal Medicine. In a study that followed 961 older adults for more than two decades, scientists found runners had fewer disabilities and were half as likely to die early deaths, as compared to non-runners.
(continue reading...) Just Desserts at Mission Pie
Healthy Living :: Tastebuds —
By Jeanne Storck
Walking into Mission Pie is a little like coming home. From the banana cream and olallieberry confections with their imperfect but lovingly handmade crusts to the rustic décor, this café celebrates the sweet, simple comfort of pie. A vase of wheat stalks sits atop an old kitchen dresser, peaches from
(continue reading...) Me and You and Everyone
Tune In —
By Amelia Glynn
Few concepts are as slippery as “oneness.” Sure, the idea that all things are interconnected might appeal in the abstract. But trying to wrap your brain around what oneness actually means is a lot like trying to understand infinity or a bazillion dollars or the distance between here and the
(continue reading...) Transition Town
Prophet Motive —
By Daniel Pinchbeck
Toward the end of his life, Thomas Jefferson realized the American Revolution had failed to provide institutional mechanisms to keep the creative spirit of insurrection alive in the populace. He wanted to institute a township system, giving more self-determination to local communities, or “elementary republics.” For Jefferson, the goal of
(continue reading...) Reviews
Art & Soul — While government officials were jockeying for “Brownie” points, residents of New Orleans watched floodwaters rise and recede down their homestretch of the 9th Ward.
(continue reading...)
Regulars
People Power
From the Editor —
Not a day goes by in which our team does not thank our lucky stars for the people who make working at
Common Ground such a pleasure. From the dedicated and engaged readers, to the supportive and gifted advertisers, to the brilliant writers, to the story subjects who never cease
(continue reading...) Spot on
To The Editor —
I write as a big fan of your publication. You have really nailed down what works for a consciousness-oriented monthly, which is a hard thing to do. Thanks for doing it right! The design is amazing, the angle is spot on and you all do a great job of blending
(continue reading...) Melinda Kramer
People In Your Neighborhood —
Text & Photo by Andy Isaacson
Oaklander
Melinda Kramer is founding director of
Women’s Earth Alliance, an international organization that strengthens and unites grassroots, women-led environmental initiatives around the world by providing the connections, resources and training they need to foster a thriving planet. When not facilitating a global network of women leaders from her office
(continue reading...) Virtual Enlightenment
Life, the Universe and Everything —
By Juliet Eastland
A few months ago, I decided to join a listserv for media professionals. From what I could tell, the online conversation tended toward politics, history and arts-related topics, although with its explicit dedication to first-amendment and free speech issues, the group promised that no subject was off-limits. I was excited
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