The Habari Gani e-Newsletter
 from the ADODI New York Chapter
(Affirming the Lives of Same Gender Loving Brothers of the African Diaspora)

"Habari Gani" in the Swahili African language means
 "What's the word?" or 
"What's the news?"
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LATEST NEWS
TOPIC: YOGA: For Wholeness
23rd Annual ADODI National Summer Retreat (2009)
Habari Gani Highlights: "WHORE WORKS" is BACK!
KUNTAW: The Ancient Filipino Art...
Upcoming ADODI NY Events
Read Our Acrhive of Past Issues; Community Links and ADODI NY Email Disclaimer
Community Links of Interest

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CONTACT  INFORMATION

Email:A
[email protected]

Ph: 718/596-0342 Ext. #15

ADODI New York Inc.

P.O. Box 7417
JAF Station
New York, NY 10116-7417

DONATIONS:
  ADODI Vision Fund

ADODI New York
is a self sustaining organization with non-profit sponsorship and as such depends on the support of Brothers and allies like you as committed partners in realizing our vision.

May we suggest a donation to our VISION Fund by becoming

A Friend
Up to $50 Donation

A Supporter
Up to $100 Donation

An Advocate
Up to $250 Donation

A Protector
Up to $500 Donation

A Patron
Up to $1,000 Donation

A Sustainer
Up to $5,000 Donation

A Keeper of the FLAME
Up to $10,000 Donation

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  -ADODI -
THE SIX PRINCIPLES

SPIRITUALLY GUIDED
Seeking guidance and becoming grounded in the
Divine Energy that unites and center all our spirits.


HONESTY, OPENNESS AND CLARITY
Communicating thoughts and feelings in a sincere
and concise manner. This principle also speaks to
the need of developing good listening skills
as well as awareness of our body language.


SENSITIVITY TO FEELINGS
Acknowledging another person's feelings or point
of view  with or without necessarily agreeing
with it.


CAREFRONTING
Reaching out to support and assist each other in a
caring and effective manner.


RESOLUTION
Establishing a realistic sense of closure of issues
pertaining to our individual and collective purpose.


THE FIVE A's:
ACKNOWLEDGE,
APPRECIATE,
AFFIRM,
ACCEPT,
ACH�

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 MAY 2009

ADODI NY Logo
HABARI GANI? (What's The Word?)

Greetings ADODI Brothers,

Peace and blessings! ADODI New York chapter's upcoming "2nd Saturday" gathering is Saturday, May 9th, 2009 from 4:30PM to 7PM. This month the brotherhood of ADODI New York discuss YOGA: For Wholeness.

For our new brothers receiving the Habari Gani e-Newsletter, the address and travel directions with a travel map aide link are always provided towards the bottom of this e-newsletter. We hope to see you there! AND PLEASE BRING A BRUTHA OR TWO.

The ADODI New York gatherings are a pot luck gathering so feel free to contribute food, beverage, desserts, etc.

Good or not-so-good let us know your thoughts about the Habari Gani e-Newsletter. Please send email feedback regarding the "Habari Gani e-Newsletter" ONLY to ADODINY [at] GMAIL.com

All other inquiries regarding the ADODI New York chapter itself should be sent to ADODINewYork [at] aol.com

Harambee (Let's all pull together)!Ach�!
ADODI New York
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Topic  For
Saturday,  May 9th,  2009  @  4:30PM:

"YOGA:  FOR WHOLENESS"

MInd, Body & Soul

Yoga. Yoga?
 
How does yoga...
 
            Improve body flexibility and balance?
            Improve cardiovascular endurance?
            Improve digestion?
            Improve abdominal strength?
            Enhance overall muscular strength?
            Relax muscular strains?
            Control weight?
            Increase energy levels?
            Enhance the immune system?
            Relive stress resulting from the control of emotions?
            Prevent and relive stress-related disorders?
            Improve decision-making skills?
            Instill meaning, purpose, and direction to life?
            Instill Inner peace and tranquility?
            Instill contentment?
            Fortify ADODI Wholeness: Lives of Power and Possibilities?
 
For the answers, BRING YOUR MAT, and join us Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 4:30PM here in the Audre Lorde Project for the Topic YOGA: FOR WHOLENESS.


Hands of Yoga

YOGA: FOR WHOLENESS
 
 
Today, more and more yoga centers and health projects around the country are offering classes with the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS in mind. Although it is certainly not necessary for someone who is HIV positive to take a specially designed yoga class, it could be beneficial. Yoga is quickly gaining ground as an important complementary therapy in the treatment of HIV and AIDS because of its adaptability and its physiological and psychological benefits.

What is Yoga?

"Yoga is an ancient form of exercise and healing that originated in India 5,000 years ago," says Claire Diab, yoga therapist and adjunct professor of Asian studies at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. Not surprisingly, the sages found that sitting in meditation for hours and hours was rather challenging. To prepare their bodies, says Diab, "they began to move in the manner of the animals, which was strengthening and revitalizing." This is how the physical aspect of yoga, or hatha, was born.
 
Hatha, which translates as "force" or "power," is one of six very distinct branches of yoga, which include raja (path of wisdom or meditation), karma (path of service), bhakti (path of love and devotion), jnana (path of intellect or the mind), and either japa (repetition of a mantra) or tantra (pathway of ritual), depending on the school of thought. Hatha is very popular in the western world, and most yoga instructors incorporate some style of it into their classes. For example, Iyengar and Kripalu are two frequently practiced, but different, approaches to hatha. In addition, there are yoga methods that utilize other branches along with hatha, as in Integral Yoga.

What it all boils down to, though, is that there is a yoga class for everyone. "Yoga is really all about opening up the flow of energy in the body. When the energy is moving freely, we are healing, repairing, and rejuvenating every single cell," says Diab.


Kundalini Yoga


The Mind-Body Connection

Asana and prana are important concepts in the majority of yoga classes in the United States. The term "asana" refers to pose or posture, and "prana" means breath. While some classes utilize vigorous breathing exercises, sometimes called "pranayama," others merely bring awareness to the breath.
 
The meditative aspect of yoga is often achieved through an individual's mental focus on the asana and prana. This is frequently referred to as "moving meditation," though a yoga instructor may also dedicate a segment of class solely to a still meditation, usually practiced in a comfortable cross-legged position and suggest that the class visualize all things of beauty "and allow the images to skim the mind like clouds drifting across the sky. Regardless of the method of meditation employed, when the mind quiets down, when we learn to tune out the past, the future, and the stressors of the world and become aware of the present moment, it can do wonderful things for the body. "Yoga is definitely a way of getting to that point," says Joan Furman, M.S.N., R.N., and holistic nurse practitioner in Nashville, Tennessee.
 
But how do the stressors of the world physically affect our lives? "First of all, we know that the communications between body and mind are instantaneous. As soon as the mind has thought or feeling, there is an immediate and corresponding reaction in the body that pervades the entire system. Stress, whether chronic or acute, produces biological changes that are not only damaging, but can be deadly for anybody," says Furman, "especially someone whose immune system is compromised." Enough said.

Yoga Sunset On the Beach

With all this stress, tuning out the world through yoga, even for a few minutes, can be difficult. That's where HIV/AIDS yoga classes come in. "To support the yoga practices, we need sangha, a community of like-minded people. This is especially true in healing, when pain and depression can so easily interfere," says Jivana Heyman, yoga instructor at Integral Yoga Institute located both here in Manhattan and in San Francisco. Heyman's classes not only utilize poses and yoga philosophy that are aimed at alleviating the stress associated with HIV and AIDS, but also combine meditation and group sharing as a way to deal with "latent emotions," which he believes can cause or expedite the progression of illness.
 
Heyman believes one of the most important things he can do for his students is to assist them in reducing stress. "Meditation can calm the mind," he says. "That enables us to focus on the things we want to do, like healing." Though he recognizes the existence of bodily stress, his focus is on eliminating stress in the mind, and he is certain that, with effort, it is possible to experience a sense of peace that in ways is far deeper than that of the physical level.


Yoga Foot Levitation.jpg

The physical aspect of yoga is sometimes approached though the Iyengar method.  Brooke Myers, an instructor at the Iyengar Yoga Institute here in Manhattan, emphasizes this style of yoga in her class for people living with HIV and AIDS. "Asana is performed with a lot of attention to anatomical detail. Attention is constantly drawn to alignment and different areas of the body we are focusing on," she says. "The Iyengar approach rests on the belief that through the physical body you can quiet the mind." Most of the poses are chest expanding, often referred to as "open postures," and require some type of prop, such as a bolster or chair.

One theory underlying open postures is that the breath flows deeper and more naturally than in other postures. The props are used to assist students in accomplishing or holding a posture. Myers emphasizes, "You don't just fall into this system of yoga; there is a real way to do it." She believes that her students gain a real sense of well-being and control over their bodies through the postures. This carries over to their daily lives.

Myers believes that there are four poses that everyone should do each day, especially individuals affected by HIV. These are the headstand, shoulder stand, the bridge, and the plough. This group of poses promotes strength, flexibility, relief from pressure on the abdominal organs, and enhancement of circulation.
 
Many students such as "Steve," who has lived with HIV for over fourteen years, agree. He believes that yoga has helped him to manage the symptoms of HIV, along with the side effects of his medication. "As you become more adept at yoga, you learn which poses can help you, depending on how you are feeling physically. There are certain poses that assist in relieving fatigue, diarrhea, anxiety, and depression. For example, in the case of fatigue, rather than balancing in a headstand in the center of a room, you could use wall for support. You wouldn't work as hard, but would still get the benefits of the pose"
 
Steve also believes it is the spiritual aspect of yoga that has enhanced his ability to accept his circumstances. "You do learn about the nature of self," he says, "but you also learn that so much is beyond your control. It helps you realize, somehow, to trust in a higher being."


Yoga Mats


Finding the Right Yoga Class


In a city like New York, it is relatively easy to find just the right yoga class by using Internet tools such as Google and Yahoo. If you don't know how to use a computer, use the Yellow Pages and call or visit the nearest yoga center to speak with an instructor, or contact an HIV/AIDS health center in your area. Many health projects sponsor yoga classes.
   
And an important reminder: It is essential to consult a healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program. Please do so, and enjoy the benefits of a holistic life, filled with power and possibilities.


___________________________________________________


~ 23rd Annual ADODI National Summer Retreat ~
"ADODI Wholeness: Lives of Power and Possibilities"


Wednesday, July 15th - Sunday,  July 19th, 2009


Brutha's Head - ADODI Wholeness 2009

Greetings From The Brotherhood Of ADODI:

We invite all same gender loving men of African heritage

to join us in the gathering for our 23rd Annual ADODI Retreat:

"ADODI Wholeness: Lives of Power and Possibilities"

Wednesday, July 15th - Sunday, July 19th, 2009

At The White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton NY

"ADODI Wholeness: Lives of Power and Possibilities" is about enriching how we live our best, whole self. One decision, one action at a time. As SGL (same gender loving) African American men, our caring makes us human, and our crafts and communities make us whole. During the retreat we will explore the power each of us possesses, and how we share it with others, the culture we continue to build with our many gifts, and the communities we strengthen, nurturing the bonds of possibilities in the many ways we do.
 
Our three sub-themes are Power, Culture and Community. The sub-themes will be the theme for one of each of our
three full retreat days:
Thursday: Power
Friday: Culture
Saturday: Community
 
We hope that you can join us for what will undoubtedly be a powerful and memorable experience. One that we hope will inspire new possibilities.
 
The '09 Retreat Planning Committee

Ach�!


 

White Eagle - Hamilton, NY

Registration Fee Information
 
If paid in full by June 15, 2009.............. $625.00
After June 15, 2009............................ $650.00

Pricing includes:
  • Dinner on Wednesday; 3 meals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and brunch Sunday. There is a double occupancy per room.
  • All retreat materials and a retreat t-shirt are also included.
 
Partial payments may be made at any time, however to receive the early registration fee the full price has to be paid by the deadline listed above.
 
Full retreat fee payments made after July 1st must be made in the form of a cashier's check or money order.
No personal checks accepted AFTER July 1st, 2009.
 
Deposits and registrations are transferable but NON-REFUNDABLE.
 
  Please complete, detach and mail
the completed registration form*
with your payment to:
 
ADODI National
P.O. Box 60501
Chicago, Illinois  60660-0501

*IF YOU NEED AN ADODI RETREAT REGISTRATION FORM/BROCHURE
THEN COMPOSE AN EMAIL AND PLEASE
ADDRESS THE SUBJECT LINE AS
"REQUEST: ADODI RETREAT REGISTRATION FORM"
AND EMAIL US AT:

ADODINY [at] GMAIL.COM
OR
BIG.ROD02 [at] GMAIL.COM
OR
INFO [at] ADODICHICAGO.ORG
WE'LL MAKE SURE WE EMAIL YOU THE FORM

ALSO IF YOU HAVE A YAHOO ACCOUNT
YOU CAN LOG-IN & DOWNLOAD

A "PDF" (ADOBE ACROBAT) VERSION OF THE
ADODI RETREAT REGISTRATION FORM FROM THE

"FILES" SECTION OF THE FOLLOWING TWO YAHOOGROUPS:

MEN OF ADODI YAHOOGROUP
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MenOfAdodi

NUBIAN KNIGHTS NETWORK YAHOOGROUP:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nubian_knights_network

MInd, Body & Soul

What To Bring:
Casual attire including comfortable shoes, workout clothing and swimwear.

Personal toiletries, medication, a beach towel, insect repellent, a flashlight.

A plain white T-Shirt or white African garment with no logos or colors or colored stitching for the Tribute to the Ancestors.

African drums, bells or other instrument.

Musical instruments, pre-recorded or sheet music, poetry, costume(s) or other accessories if you wish to participate in the Talent Sharing.

A desire to let yourself participate in a community of men who wish to affirm and accept you just as you are.

A desire to affirm and accept others.

Your spiritual gifts and the desire to explore/share them.

Music, DVD's, board games, card games.
White Eagle 2 - Lake Across Cottage

What NOT To Bring:
  • Large sums of money or expensive jewelry.
  • Illegal drugs
  • Alcoholic beverages

Neither
ADODI National nor White Eagle Conference Center can assume responsibility for lost or stolen articles.


This is a drug and alcohol free weekend.

For more information, please contact:

Townsand Price-Spratlen............614.447.9660
Courtney Cruise  (Homestays)......347.427.2086
Larry Rogers (Registration).........773.274.4093
Wesley Riley (Registration).........313 895-8917
Vincent Bates (Logistics)............508.755.1145

Email: info [at] adodionline.com
www.adodionline.com

White Eagle 1

Situated on 140 acres adjacent to Lake Moraine in southern Madison County, White Eagle is the only facility in Central New York  that meets and/or exceeds stringent International Association of Conference Center for meeting rooms, meeting room seating, on-site audio visual service and business focus. The executive retreat nature of the facility provided relaxing atmosphere in which reflection, creativity, open communication and teamwork are encouraged.
White Eagle - Activities

The rooms are housed in cottages located within The Grove. Each room has a private bath, color cable television, air conditioning and fee local/800 number telephone service and data port. Indoor facilities include, ping pong, air hockey, darts, shuffle board, card room, and a TV room. The outdoor facilities include boating and fishing on Lake Moraine, Volleyball, biking and jogging.


___________________________________________________



Habari Gani Highlights
Habari Gani Highlights is a periodic section of the e-newsletter
that spotlights positive and progressive
Black Same Gender
Loving community events. Read on...


 "WHORE WORKS" IS BACK!!!

A Sugar Valley Theatricals Production
by Juan Michael Porter II
Directed by Patricia R. Floyd


Whore Works 2
Photo by ToddWilliamsUSA


GREETINGS!

WHORE WORKS,
fresh off its sold-out March 2009 run,
is back on the block!


Synopsis:
A young hooker (Juan Michael Porter II) services
several different tricks (Bryan Webster) in this provocative new play,
in which two Black actors wrestle with the question:
Isn't money love?

OFFICIAL "WHORE WORKS" WEBSITE

Whore Homies


Thursdays through Saturdays
May 14 - 30th, 2009
7PM


Kraine Theater
85 East 4th Street
(between 2nd Ave and Bowery)
New York City
"F" or "V" train to 2nd Avenue train stop
#6 train to Bleecker Street or Astor Place train stop
"N" or "R" train to 8th Street/NYU
train stop

TICKETS: $18 (CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW)

As a charter e-newsletter subscriber,
you're entitled to a special discount (see below).
For regular updates, drop by the Whore Works website or
become a "fan" on our Facebook Page.
Bring 10 friends--Whore Works welcomes groups!


SPECIAL ADODI READERS' ONLINE DISCOUNT CODE: Blue09


In The Chair

Dance on a Scale

Whore Works - The Naked Actors

"Many of you have been so very generous in so many ways. We ask for your continued financial support through our fiscal conduit Fractured Atlas.

Sugar Valley Theatricals is committed to the exploration of sexuality in the lives of gay men of color. We seek to develop new, challenging work that confronts preconceived stereotypes of men of color in the gay community. Sugar Valley Theatricals is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts services organization. Contributions on behalf of Sugar Valley Theatricals are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Any amount you can give will be a great help to us and will be deeply appreciated."

Sincerely,
                                                                                                  
Bryan Webster
Sugar Valley Theatricals

Review: Living Out Loud with Darian Contact/Join Mailing




KUNTAW:
The Ancient Filipino Art
of Hand and Foot Fighting

ADO James Jefferson 2
Kyud Leon T. Simmons
Lakan Guro
4th Degree Black Belt
N.Y.S. Commissioner, IKF/KNP/NATO


753 Flatbush Avenue
(Between Clarkson Avenue and Lenox Road)
2nd Floor
Brooklyn, New York 11226

Monday / Wednesday / Friday
Children: 5:30PM to 6:30PM
Adults: 7:30PM to 8:30PM

Phone: 347/249-8337
E-mail: KuntawNY [at] yahoo.com


TRAVEL DIRECTIONS:
Trains: "Q" local train to Parkside Avenue (Closest train stop)
or "B" express train to Church Avenuetrain stop
Buses: B12, B16 and B41 (closest buses) and B44, B49

SEE GOOGLE MAP





UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ADODI NEW YORK

Saturday, June 13th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
"REMEMBRANCE"
4:30PM to 7:00PM

SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
4th Annual ADODI "Sea Tea" Boat Ride
6:00PM to 10:00PM

Saturday, July 11th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
4:30PM to 7:00PM

SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, July 15th thru Sunday, July 19th, 2009
The 23rd Annual ADODI Summer Retreat
@ the White Eagle Conference Center
Hamilton, New York


ADODI's HERITAGE

(Founded in Philadelphia, PA in 1986
by ADO Clifford Rawlins)

IN OUR 23rd YEAR!


ADODI, the plural of ADO,
is a Yoruba word that describes a man who "loves" another man.
More than just a description of partners in Africa, the ADODI
of the tribe are thought to embody both male and female ways
of being and were revered as shamans, sages and leaders.


Who is ADODI?
ADODI is a community of men of color who affirm their
African lineage and love of men. Our purpose is to foster and
encourage the self-discovery, validation, empowerment and
liberation of all members of our diverse community.


Where do we meet?
Every 2nd Saturday of every month @
Audre Lorde Project
85 South Oxford Street
[between Fulton Street & Lafayette Avenue,
next to the church]
Fort Greene in Brooklyn, NY
4:30PM - 7:00PM
A potluck dish is welcomed but not required - An open heart is!

DIRECTIONS:
"C" train to Lafayette Avenue; "G" train to Fulton Street;
 D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5 trains to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street
Buses: B25, B26, B38 or B52 to closest stop to S.Oxford Street
Google Maps Logo
TRAVEL MAP

REMEMBER, EACH ONE REACH ONE!

SHARE THE EXPERIENCE:
INVITE AND BRING ANOTHER BRUTHA TO OUR GATHERINGS!

ADODI Founder Clifford Rawlins (foreground)
ADODI Founder and ibaye Clifford Rawlins
(pictured left in foreground) at the

1992 ADODI Retreat at Fellowship Farms in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.


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