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Monday, December 17, 2007

Being Safe On Your Visit to Chicago

I spent several years as a retail store manager on Michigan Avenue. It always use to amaze me how I would see tourist walking into my store and being completely oblivious to the guy wearing the long, beat up overcoat in sunny 90 degree weather trailing close behind them. I would frequently walk around the seating area and notice women with their purses hanging open and with their wallets and personal items clearly visible. Chicago is a big city, but not necessary a dangerous one. Being safe is easy, but you just have to ensure that you keep a few things in mind:

1. watch your stuff.

You're not in Kansas anymore (forgive me Kansas folks). If you're downtown shopping, even on the Magnificent Mile, you need to keep tabs of your purse, wallet, bags, laptop, etc. There were many occasions when I would see an unattended laptop on a table in the dinning area with no one around. I stood watching for a few moments just to hear the bathroom door swing open with someone jogging back to the table.

Let me say, if you leave your stuff open and/or left alone, there is a good possibility that you might not have it by the end of the day. You don't have to grab you purse and bags if someone offers to open the door for you (now that would be weird), but just be aware of your things at all times. It sounds simple but its easy to forget while in the comfort of the high-end shopping world of Michigan Avenue.

2. Conversations with strangers

If someone is curbside asking you for money, the chance is they actual want it! (Ha! You didn't know that!) If you choose to give them cash, that's okay. However, don't pull out your purse or wallet on the street in order to dig out that cash or change. Have some in your pocket. Hand it to them, if you so desire, and keep moving.

3. The Empty "Loop"

If you're walking around the Loop (Chicago's Central business District) during daylight hours, you'll notice quite a few people about their personal and professional business. However, on weekends and evenings, the Loop turns into a ghost town. State street stays active for sometime while retailers remain open, but the rest is crickets. Remembering when the Loop may be deserted is worth remembering; particularly if you going somewhere at 8pm and its only "3 blocks" off State. You may want to consider a short cab ride instead of a light walk.

4. Increase your awareness at night.

It's true! The thieves come out "more" at night. You don't have to go back to your hotel room and get your piece at sunset. However, you do need to look around and become more aware of your surroundings. During the night hours in Chicago, you may have a good number of people around, but you'll probably see less of the friendly faces like your own.

5. Know your public transportation.

Know where you are going. Make sure of the route, particular if it's a bus. If you miss your stop a Wrigleyville to see a Cubs game, you can easily end up at a less desirable stop. Don't trail your family around in a bad neighborhood, stopping strangers to ask where's Harry Caray's restaurant (By the way. It' at 33 W Kinzie Street). You might find a helping hand or you might not.

6. Remember to have fun. Chicago is a fun city. If you are not comfortable, you won't think clearly and may not make the best decisions. If you're so focused on getting robbed or getting taken for a ride, you'll miss the reason why you came to Chi-town. Chicago is hardly one of the most dangerous cities in the country. We are not a mugging capital. However, don't have your fun ruined by not remembering the rules I've given you above. Stay safe and have fun.

visit Mypersonalcityshopper ( http://www.mypersonalcityshopper.com) for the "shopping by map" experience built and designed for only the true Chicago shopper

Bathony Williams has lived in Chicago for 20 years. Hes an avid shopper and lifelong tourist of the city.

Cl Diego Yoga

Yoga: Opening the Hips with the Pigeon Pose

A common request in any yoga class is for hip openers like the Pigeon pose. Although hip openers can be challenging, they are popular because they can also be very satisfying, both physically and emotionally.

Our hips tend to be extremely tight. Most people spend much of their day sitting which renders their hips joints immobile and reduces their agility. Also, everyday activities like walking and common sports such as cycling and running involve hip strength but not hip flexibility. Most of us lead very busy lives and this leads to stress. This stress in turn creates tension in our bodies and often results in further locking up our already tight hip sockets.

Incorporating Pigeon pose into your daily routine will help you to unlock your hips, move with greater ease and relieve a considerable amount of tension.

This pose stretches the hip flexors and the hip rotators, providing a terrific solution to problems arising from hip tightness. Since it also requires internal rotation in the back leg and external rotation in the front leg, it will have a positive effect on your whole body, perhaps even allowing you to move more freely after consistent practice.

The Pigeon pose isolates various muscles in the hips, reducing stiffness and increasing flexibility. It is this isolation of muscles that can make this pose so challenging. Be aware that there is definitely some physical work involved with the practice of this asana. The key is to bring your attention to and observe the sensations created in your body during your practice.

On your mat, go on all fours with your knees below your hips and your hands underneath your shoulders. Bring the right knee forward until it touches the right wrist while maintaining a straight line between the right thigh and the sides of the mat. Slowly move your right foot and shin toward the middle of your body until your foot is directly below your left hip. Straighten the left leg toward the back of the mat.

Don't lean forward but walk your hands back and lower both sides of the pelvis toward the mat. Keeps your hips straight and level as the pelvis releases. You can use a block or a folded blanket if you have trouble lowering the hips evenly.

Press the fingertips firmly into your mat and lengthen the sides of your waist as your hips continue to settle. This will help keep your lower back long and free from strain.

Inhale deeply and walk the hands forward as you lengthen in the midsection. Exhale as you fold forward and lower the elbows to the floor. The weight that is released in the hips can be adjusted by using the arms. Using the arms to support the body can ease any discomfort felt in the hips.

Pay attention to the sensations in your hips and buttock. If it feels extremely uncomfortable, a shift in alignment may be required. Remember, the idea is to relieve tension, not to create additional tension in your joints.

Keeping the hips level is vital in the practice of the Pigeon pose. If the hips are uneven, an imbalance will result when you fold forward. To offset this, a folded blanket may be placed under the right buttock (if you are extending the right knee).

Keep the thigh of your front leg lined up parallel to the sides of the mat. Your front foot should be directly beneath your back hip. Bring your breath into your hips and observe the sensations running through them. Relax the muscles in your face and let go of thoughts appearing in your mind. Allow your body to melt to the floor as you continue to breathe into your hips.

Stay in the forward fold for 5 - 10 breaths. Then inhale and come back up. Lift your hips away from the floor as you press into your fingertips. Transition to downward dog and take 5 deep breaths, observing how you feel in your hips. Then switch to the other side.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga

Free Chakra Yoga Books

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