Fashion forecast:

By Matthew Visser

s people who live in the Lower An know, this time of the

year is wetter than any other. Not saying that any other time of the year in the Vancouver area is not wet, they are, but seeing people walk around in the streets, parks, and to school while not wearing a rain jacket, or even holding an umbrella, one has to shake their head at these folks.

It is true though, that for the typical person, or even an outdoor junky, that a good rain jacket is overpriced. When it comes to succumbing and paying for a named brand rain jacket, pair of pants, or good water proof shoes, instead of rubber boots, which are more effective than any other shoe in the rain, sometimes it pays to pay for the price and most times it doesn’t.

The fact is that these brand names can charge up to $600 for a rain jacket, because they have Gore-Tex and special pockets, zippers, and lining, and of course

the name brand label. These companies claim to be selling the best of the best; top of the line gear for the outdoors. Now it is true that they do manufacture good quality gear for the person who lives and whose job or hobby depends on having these necessary equipment, but what of the common man or woman who, when seeing the price tag in hopes of finding a good quality rain jacket or pair of winter boots, has to look twice at the price to see

-if it is a misprint to find that it is correct?

The stores that sell the overpriced gear will comment that they don’t set the prices and it comes from the name brand companies. Ok, no problem with this, as everyone has to make a buck at the end of the day, but then it goes back to the named brands setting the prices. Now, one could argue that when buying an expensive rain jacket that person is buying to for its ability to last years to come. Ok fine, but what of next year’s brand coming out and then wanting that style with a newly placed pocket or new hood attachment? This is where things

FE anaSstyie

become over excessive and for the people

who pay the full price of the new and only

moderately changed product, shame on you, for you are the reason why the prices stay as high as they are.

But there are ways to get around the price and get the jacket every Vancouverite needs. Wait until the season is over and sales occur to try and get rid of over stock. Wait until the following year if wanting that specific item as companies only keep last years and this year’s merchandise in stock as they want to try and get the bigger buck for an item of the same face value. Other ways of finding cheap deals are e-bay, craigslist, and now even Facebook. Companies have long weekend sales and this too is a good place to find a desired item.

People deserve to have a good rain jacket and shoes to wear during the rainy season that lives in Vancouver. So why not try and find a good, solid quality, and descant priced item to keep the warmth in and the wet out?

a teachers struggle of mind over matter

By Tricia Keith

“The sum total of community contributions is far more useful than any one thing you'll ever write.”

- Douglas Coupland

It’s in this spirit that I contribute my first column into the stream of The Other Press. What is on my mind is that which we cannot live without and which connects us to all around us; our breath.

My job is to teach people how to breathe. I am a yoga teacher. I teach people how to be present with their breath and allow their breath to support them as well as release them. The fact that we must always become empty and full with this stuff that we can never touch, breath, and that this stuff connects our inner space to our surrounding space is a reality I am in awe of. Truly, that we must constantly in order to stay alive, re-connect the wave inside us with what is around us.

Yoga means “to join”, as in the unification of two things. We can take this concept further with the breath, as the living bridge between mind and body. Others take yoga to mean joining

hands and feet in a forward bend. Others understand it to mean joining the human heart with the heart of God. Either way is correct. It is a process. Whether you’re touching hands to feet or reaching for God, there must be movement. This movement is yoga.

Yoga is not about adopting any particular set of beliefs but about coming to know through your own experience. As in one’s breath; it is absolutely personal and direct. Nobody else can do it for you, though you can turn your breathe onto automatic, breath shallow, not notice the quality, until you finally, you step outside and vroom! Fresh air feels so good and you take in a deep breath.

It has been said that there are only two groups of people who are conscious of their breath. Yogis and smokers, or smoking yogis. Having been a smoker before I became a yogini, I remember fondly the drawing in of smoke as I inhaled from a cigarette and the pleasure of watching the smoke trail from my mouth. Yet yoga won the love of my breath; doing both was like cheating on a lover.

Practicing yoga is not about blindly following anything or anyone, but about assisting you on your chosen

path. Yoga is a science and study of the Self. It is a vehicle for inner growth and development. Yoga emphasizes the doing and the practice. Perhaps someday when I’m old and completely and honestly irreverent, I’ll chose to practice cigarettes with my yoga and title it Smoking Yoga, but not in this town, where cigs are way too expensive and smoking in public is likened to being a pariah. I’d have go

back to some place European or Asian.

Unlike smoking, yoga can be adapted to fit everybody, no matter what size, shape, age, or physical condition—all are welcome.

Tricia teaches a variety of yoga class’s @ The Center, 719 Carnarvon St.

See www.sunandmoonhealingarts. blogspot.com for full details.