Defy Domestication

The following article will be published in FREE Magazine Issue 12 

 

London, England

 

Why London?

An innovative flood prevention system, an aggressively green local government, and all the eco-perks of living in a major city; London has outdone the national government’s plans by proposing emission cuts of 60% within the next 18 years.  If successful, the city will have met their reduction goal more than 20 years before the rest of  England.  Part of the proposal involves shifting 25% of the city’s power supply to local energy sources.  There will also be noticeably less traffic congestion, as the new legislation will charge SUV’s and other non fuel-efficient vehicles the equivalent of approximately $47 a day – more than a $30 dollar increase - to enter London during business hours.  As a reward for their forward thinking, drivers of hybrids and electric vehicles are exempt from the tax.  The tourism board has taken a special interest in drawing Green Travelers, with their London Goes Green initiative.  Find out where to shop for organic foods, and more ways to experience the eco-friendly side of London at VisitLondon.com/Green

 

Where to Stay?

One Aldwych combines high-end luxury with ecological conservation to provide guests with a top of the line green travel experience.  The hotel is privately owned by Gordon Campbell Gray, and is prominently located by London’s Covent Garden.  Aside from the lure of the hotel’s indoor swimming pool complete with underwater music and the extensive contemporary art collection, One Aldwych features an innovative vacuum plumbing system for water conservation, a menu filled with organic foods, and room’s filled with products in recyclable packaging.  To learn more about the hotel visit OneAldwych.co.uk

 

How To Get Around?     

Save the emissions of a rental car, and explore West London via bicycle.  OYBike Systems offers a cheap and ridiculously convenient street-based rental network found at many Tube Stations, Public Buildings, Car Parks, and various other locations.  Register before you trip at OYBike.com.

 

Where to Dine?

Acorn House, located in King’s Cross, is the city’s first eco-friendly restaurant.  With their own veggie fueled taxi service, as well as dishes made with locally grown seasonal ingredients, they truly live up to their mission to alter the image of the restaurant industry as well as transform the way people eat out. Every aspect of the establishment, including the physical design, is meant to be environmentally sustainable.  Reserve a table for your trip at AcornHouseRestaurant.com 

 

What To See?

Even if you’re just visiting, a tour of Richard Erskine’s Greenwich Millennium Village is worth your time.  The ?250 Million development is a pinnacle of sustainable architecture.  The community aims to reduce emissions by 80% and decrease water consumption by 30% through the use of innovative elements such as a gray-water system.  All of the materials, such as the cedar harvested from a sustainable source, are selected based on their ability to conserve energy or be recycled.  Greenwich Millennium Village will be far more than a residential square, as plans for the future include a community center, a primary school, a health center, and various business operations.  To learn more about this eco-friendly utopia, go to Greenwich-Village.co.uk.

 

Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Why Reyjavik?

Using power solely generated from geothermal and hydropower sources, the capital city of Iceland is setting a new standard for renewable energy.  While many cities struggle to reduce their dependence on non-renewable resources,  Reyjavik aims to be totally independent from fossil-fuels by 2050.  Impressed? That’s just the start; learn more at VisitReykjavik.is.

 

Stay

Reykjavik City Hostel, located 10 minutes outside of the city’s center, is the ideal destination for those who wish to leave a light footprint when visiting one of the world’s ‘greenest’ cities.  From book swaps to educating guests on energy conservation, the hostel lives up to it’s eco-friendly praise and the recently awarded ‘Swan’ – a Nordic seal of approval recognizing environmentally friendly organizations.  Even the hostel’s water supply is heated with geothermal power.   Be sure to book well in advance though, especially if visiting between October and April.         

 

Get Around

Iceland’s capitol is one of nine European cities taking part in a pilot project using Hydrogen Buses.  As of now, the bus that roams the central downtown of Reyjavik is a custom creation, but the buses are predicted to be mass produced within ten years.   

 

Dine

With the money you’ll save at the city hostel, treat yourself to the finest dining in Reyjavik at Laekjarbrekka.  The menu is filled with authentic Icelandic dishes made of local ingredients such as fresh-caught fish, Icelandic lobster, or Icelandic mountain goat.  After dinner relax in the restaurant’s Cognac Room, where you can enjoy a gourmet coffee or top-shelf  cognac.  The restaurant is located in the heart of the city and the building, which glows with 150 years of rich history, is a site in itself. 

 

See

As a by-product of their sustainable heating efforts, every neighborhood in Reykjavik has its own geothermal pool for recreation.  Laugardalslaug  Pool is one of the most popular in the area, with a prime location in the center of town next to the National Football Stadium.  Featuring indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, steam rooms, hot tubs and much more,  Laugardalslaug seems more like a water park than a neighborhood pool.  You’ll find yourself among many of the locals, and for an entry fee equivalent to $3 it is a can’t miss experience when visiting the city.    

 

New York, New York, United States

 

Why New York?

What many argue to be the greatest city in the world is also one of the most energy efficient.  The tiny apartments and cramped subway rides that characterize living in the five boroughs of New York City actually help to lessen the ecological impact.  The city’s impressive recycling program highlights Mayor Bloomberg’s effort to make New York the world’s cleanest, healthiest city.  In his latest legislation, the city is set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030.    

 

 

Stay

When deciding between the numerous choices of upscale hotels in New York City, consider staying at the ultra-luxurious 70 Park Avenue Hotel, part of the Kimpton Hotel franchise.  At 70 Park Avenue Hotel, guests can be pampered with in-room spa services or indulge in an evening of wine tasting.  More importantly, however, the hotel operates under a mission to reduce their impact on the environment. while protecting the high quality hotel experience their guests expect.   Among the many environmental accolades bestowed upon the Kimpton chain, 70 Park Avenue was nominated for the Outstanding Sustainable Style Awards for their overall commitment to social and environmental responsibility.  Learn more, including information on special offers, at 70ParkAve.com. 

 

Get Around

Following the model set forth by London’s environmental legislation, New York City will be instituting congestion charges for passenger vehicles in the city.  The charge will be $8, and, combined with the continued increase in taxi fares, will likely push many tourists and residents to use public transit.  So, when visiting the city, the best way to travel is using the extensive MTA Subway System.  Thanks to the subway, New York’s urban dwellers, on average, emit two thirds less carbon emissions per capita than the rest of the United States.  For those afraid of getting lost on the subway, don’t fear; use Trips123.com for real time trip planning and easy to follow directions. 

         

Dine

In a recent environmental study, the U.N. found the international meat industry to be responsible for nearly 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions – a number greater than that of the emissions of automobiles.  If the animal rights angle doesn’t appeal to you, then that should.  There’s no better city for a vegetarian diet than New York.  According to MenuPages.com, the city boasts over 120 Vegetarian restaurants throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn – talk about options!  Red Bamboo, located in Manhattan’s West Village, is a vegetarian paradise.  The menu, which features items like a “Chicken” Parmesan Hero and Spaghetti and “Meatballs”, may alert your eye but rest assured all the dishes at Red Bamboo are meat-free.  But their meat impersonators can certainly trick the palate, as has been the case every time I’ve had their Buffalo Barbecue Wings.  View the full menu at RedBamboo-NYC.com.

 

See

The third annual Green Apple Festival will be one of the largest Earth Day gatherings in U.S. History, and New York City’s Central Park will serve as one of the eight host locations.  If you’re visiting the city during April 18-20, be sure to visit the Rumsey Playfield in the park; there you’ll find yourself among world environmental leaders, community activists, and A-list musical talent all gathered in support of Earth Day.  Although this year’s musical line-up is still being put in place, the stage is sure to be filled with noteworthy acts.  Last year’s festival featured artists such as Bob Weir & Ratdog, the Decemberists, Taylor Hicks, Stephen Marley and the Kaiser Chiefs.  Along side the tunes, each festival site will invite nonprofit environmentally friendly organizations to promote new technology and products.  For more details, visit GreenAppleMusicFestival.com  

 

 

Published in FREE Magazine Issue 11 

Michael McHale

A thirst for aesthetic value has elevated contemporary man from the conventional driving forces of possessions based upon power, status, and functionality.  Of all the things we come obtain, our homes are the most direct extension of ourselves.  Fortunately, there is burgeoning population of artists who create with the sensibilities of the sophisticated man in mind.  Renowned sculpture Michael McHale is one such pioneering artist, aiming to bring elegance and simplicity into into the male domain with his signature crystallized Chandeliers.  The light fitting, composed of hand-crafted crystal sculptures, offers the unparalleled originality of a master artisan.  Given the versatility of the sophisticated man, McHale creates pieces that defy the traditionally rigid function of a Chandelier.  His designs suit places you may not typically expect to find such luxurious fixtures, such as hanging above pool tables, banquet tables, and even in outdoor settings.  One of the greatest attributes of his work, however, may be the social consciousness that goes into the creation.  McHale uses repurposed and reclaimed materials whenever possible, giving these creations a hint of the qualities of ‘found’ art. More importantly, the eco-friendly lighting sculptures are never mass produced and emit low emissions.  And as for the occasional bra hanging from a Michael McHale Chandelier; well, no amount of sophistication will remove us from our primal urges.  To explore the Michael McHale Gallery and find the perfect work of art for your home, visit MichaelMcHaleDesigns.com

 

Damjan Popovac

Even with our appreciation for the visually appealing, functionality will always remain a draw for the affluent male.   Damjan Popovac’s Men’s Room collection satisfies these desires with a perfect blending of form and function.  Damjan insists that, “Men’s Room is a collection of objects for the contemporary man. It opens the door to a man’s higher position in the society of men and therefore increases his masculinity.”  The innovation of the condom box serves as a prime example of Popovac’s philosophy.  No longer will such a valuable tool of birth control and disease prevention be banished to the night stand drawer; in Damjan’s Men’s Room the condom is displayed elegantly in a hand carved, cherry wood box.  The lid is fitted with a circular hole used for opening the box, which subtly works to initiate thoughts of what is to come when you reach for your trusted protection.  The condom boxes come in two forms targeted at two specific subjects, the single man and the married man.  Whether it’s his sense of humor shining through or a saddening social commentary on the institute of marriage, the box designed for the married man offers 12 slots (one condom\for each months of the year) while the single box has 7 slots (one condom for each day of the week).  Each label comes on 18k gold plates to enhance the sense of luxury.  Beyond bringing functional art into a man’s home, Popovac also strives to break social stigmas as he describes each of his pieces – ranging from an ornate wooden sculpture that functions as a closet mannequin to his stylish cigar boxes – as jewelry for men.  To view Damjan Popovac’s complete Men’s Room collection, visit DamjanPopovac.com.      .                            

 

 

Story Layout from FREE Magazine Issue 11 

 

“If you feel like you might pass out, that’s normal, especially if you’re new to the practice.  Push through it,” instructs Santiago Solis of Bikram Yoga NYC.

It’s my first attempt at any type of yoga.  The mirror-lined studio space is set to ideal conditions, 105 degrees Fahrenheit with 40 percent humidity.  My 2.6 million sweat glands discharge a perspiration flavored of everything harmful that’s gone into my body in the past decade and my fingers prune from the coat of sweat.  Mysterious popping sounds come from joints I never knew existed, but I continue to contort my body in ways that border on cruelty.  This is Bikram Yoga, and it feels amazing. 

After finishing my first 90-minute class, I could only muster languid movements toward the locker room.  As I pass Santiago, he says, “See, this isn’t some cupcake yoga.  Come back tomorrow night, there will be a lot of really great energy in the evening class.”  At that time, the thought of returning the following day seemed on par with Everest.  But I came back a few days later, and after a few classes I was hooked. 

For most beginners, the practice’s unvarying sequence of 26 postures (Asanas) can be daunting.  The anxiety of such a physical feat is often enough to dissuade people from trying Bikram.  “People will find every excuse, when most of the time they are an ideal candidate,” explains Jeremy Fairley, an Arizona based Bikram instructor.  A basic principle behind the practice is that you’re never too old, and it’s never too late.  This sentiment has been echoed many times by the instructors I’ve spoken with, including Fairley, who says, “ If you have arthritis, try Bikram.  Nagging injuries, you’re perfect for Bikram.”  In teaching over 300 classes, he has seen a wide range of body types enter the studio.  “ It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from; I’ve seen everything from muscle bound athletes to seventy year old women who couldn’t touch their toes.”  He continues, “you’re adapting your body to Bikram, so everyone is essentially coming from the same point; learning the postures, exploring their limits, refining their focus.”   The only goal when starting is to simply stay in the room for the entire class and push your personal limits.  In Bikram, you’re only competing against yourself, but let us hope that’s an intense rivalry. 

For those who still worry about being too out of shape to start practicing, consider famed opera singer Measha Brueggergosman, who lost 150 pounds after catching the Bikram bug.  The benefits of Bikram read like the average American’s wish list:  reduced stress levels, weight loss, rejuvenated body, focused mind, strengthened spine, improved circulation, increased balance and coordination, and much more.  The cumulative process - enhanced by the heat’s ability to loosen muscles and joints to allow for deeper stretching - returns the body to a state of balance and strength.  Such characteristics are becoming dramatically deficient in a world filled by hours spent in front of the computer or television. 

The postures (Asanas) that form the foundation of this cumulative process have been developed and passed down over thousands of years, however, the structural elements of the practice are a twentieth century invention.  The creator, Bikram Choudhury, is a Calcutta native and student of renowned guru Bishnu Ghosh.  Choudhury brought the practice to the United States in 1974 and established Bikram’s Yoga College of India near Hollywood, California.  He seems to be the ideal American guru, complete with charisma, luxury cars, expensive jewelry, and media controversy.  In 2002, he filed to copyright “Bikram” much in the same way a musician would copyright a song.  As a result, those who wish to teach Bikram must be certified through his Yoga College of India.  With tuition set at upwards of $6,000 (not including LA’s cost of living), many argue that the outspoken yogi is capitalizing on something that should be considered public domain.  Choudhury has addressed that he doesn’t claim to have invented the Asanas, only to piece them together in a particular manner guided by a specific dialogue.  Fairley, who trained at Bikram’s Yoga College of India under, supports his teacher’s desire to restrict use of the name.  “In a sense, he is creating a ‘McYoga.’  You get the same hamburger from McDonalds whether you are in New York or LA; in the same sense the title of Bikram should stand for a specific product, his product.”

Bikram studios can now be found in most major US cities.  As a result of the copyright, “hot” yoga has also emerged as a spin-off practice.  When I spoke with an employee at Bikram NYC, he assured me that every instructor at the studio was certified through Bikram’s Yoga College of India. 

Initially, the idea of a yoga practice transformed into a product seemed alarming, especially with the founder’s extravagant demeanor in the media.  Discovering the perks of a “McYoga’ has since swayed my opinion.  There is some comfort in knowing that, no matter where your travels take you, any studio dubbed Bikram will practice the same 26 postures, set to the same dialogue, in the same torturously hot room. 

It took two weeks of practice to complete my first Camel pose (arguably the most difficult pose of the series), but when I did the sensation of personal victory was comparable with any of the successes I had as an athlete in my youth.  Through my experience, I would recommend Bikram Yoga to anyone willing.  For those like myself, who find visits to the gym to be a chore, Bikram is an idea alternative of physical transformation and mental stimulation.

Recommendation:

For readers in New York City, Bikram Yoga NYC offers a friendly staff and classes to fit any schedule at each of its four convenient Manhattan locations.  To learn more go to www.bikramyoganyc.com.

             

These unwanted acres of baron land are filled with the dry smell of dirt, drifting through each makeshift shelter with a cool breeze. As each year passes, hope of returning home is slowly overtaken by a more primal instinct: survival. The 86,000 refugees of Kakuma camp, located in the northern desert of Kenya, are forced to live with destitution. Even with the generous efforts of host communities and relief organizations the most basic of human needs are often in short supply. In a time of such heightened vulnerability wanting anything more seems inconsiderate. Yet, as time passes, the absence of mental stimulation and hope-lifting diversion begins to create a void. Social norms and sense of community erode away as the outside world becomes increasingly disconnected. For some, this is a life of displacement. For others, like children born in these camps, it’s the only life they’ve ever known.

(more…)

MTV Doesn’t Love You

On August 1^st 1981 at 12:15 a.m. death came for the radio star like a Darwinian matter of fate. Smiling with guilt, the transgressor, a new broadcast channel with a 24-hour music format, mockingly launched its station with a confession of the crime, iniquitously playing The Buggles “Video Killed the Radio Star.” The trailblazing music video, featuring Trevor Horn’s falsetto chiming and a backdrop of the moon mocking itself on the rippling water, was the catalyst for a new dimension in the music experience, MTV.

(more…)