That’s right. Meditation. It’s time to clean out those files and quiet the brain before running to the next meeting. Zen is key, just make sure you visit BEFORE you go to Cafe Wha? Becoming zen doesn’t involve a hangover. If you have ever tried meditating with a hangover it’s quite deceiving, that whole “spinning” sensation isn’t a “higher power” is actually nausea. I’ve excused myself from finding my Third Eye in order to find a toilet.
Guided talks and meditations are offered all day at various locations, so you get more than one chance to chill out.

My first encounter with East West Books was when I was walking down fifth avenue and a lady dressed as an angel, FULL COSTUME, wings, white eyelashes, proceeded to give me a stack full of coupons for a free vanilla chai- She was an angel INDEED. Not only was my chai PERFECTION, but I ended up buying affirmation cards, since reciting on repeat, ” I am beautiful and powerful, all is well.” can be calming amongst the NYC craziness. Afer I was affirmed and feeling lovely, I discovered not only is a bookstore with a plethora of wisdom, but it is ALSO a yoga studio. I sashayed out of the building grinning like a true hippie- I chanted, I drank tea, affirmed and “OM-ed” my way through the city.

The vibe is charming and the Mediterranean food is killer, sit outside on a nice day and watch Soho visitors in fancy clothes. No antiques were harmed while cooking.

Vintage shopping is key to living like a bohemian for the day. You gotta play the role to live it. This means old clothes, that are fabulous and falling apart and now cost entirely too much money…but hey, you’re wearing a piece of history.

Aligning your chakras isn’t all that easy on the subway, so finding a safe haven where people have on perma-grins and encourage “freedom of expression” while holding their legs behind their heads is an easy way to lighten up. I was determined to be able to do the “toe hook” where you wrap one finger around your toe and lift your leg…turns out “toe hook” without proper stretching turns into, PAIN in the ass- literally the next day. Luckily, I had harnessed my CHI, so I “worked through the discomfort.” Namaste.

Bob Dylan made his very first appearance here and it didn’t stop there, other performers from the past include; Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Richard Pryor and the bill continues. And, if you go for the evening and the band sucks- the food and the drinks don’t, so it’ll even out. Sing along and stumble out in true bohemian fashion.