Over 200 Yogis Join to Benefit Odanadi Seva Trust
This week, instead of sleeping in, our Mysore Ashtanga community spent the morning at the Mysore Palace, on the mat in full sun. We have heard that Ashtanga yogis in over 30 countries around the world joined us to practice 108 sun salutations on this day to benefit Odanadi, an organization that rescues and rehabilitates children and women from situations of human trafficking.
Aeryk and I donated money, bought the shirts, and rolled out our mats between young
participants who have been taught Ashtanga yoga as part of their amazing rehabilitation program.
Aeryk makes new yoga friends - Lots of them!
These young yogis rushed to meet us with great enthusiasm. Bursting with excitement about the event, most of them were to have an opportunity to lead a sun salutation for the first time. One fourteen year old confided she had been practicing hard to be in shape for this event. They told us about their home at Odanadi, and their program that teaches them yoga, art, theater, and dance as well as traditional schooling.
Me and my Friends getting ready to rock out Surya Namaskara
Having attended many concerts, dramas, and art programs in India I knew to expect that the start time might be somewhat flexible. I also knew that no performance or event can happen here without a panel of speeches to come first. I was prepared to be patient. Some of the other Westerners did not come with that expectation, and as the morning sun started to heat up our mats some of them looked nervous.
Once we got going, things went fairly smoothly. Each Odanadi youth called a salutation, and each one was a little unique. They were mostly fast paced, but then I think we were all hoping to get through them before the sun god Surya took our homage too seriously.
Rangoli and Flowers in front of our Mats
It was a beautiful event to be part of, and though we did not wind up doing as many salutations as the studios participating worldwide, I like to think ours were special enough to make up for not completing the full cycle. It was a beautiful morning to be a part of. Any who read this blog should go to the website www.yogastopstraffick.org to check it out. If you watch the wonderful video you will see the young people we practiced with. It feels really good to be part of a yoga movement that puts good back out into the world, and to see the role our yoga can take to empower and give confidence where it is needed.
vivian
Aeryk and I donated money, bought the shirts, and rolled out our mats between young
participants who have been taught Ashtanga yoga as part of their amazing rehabilitation program.
These young yogis rushed to meet us with great enthusiasm. Bursting with excitement about the event, most of them were to have an opportunity to lead a sun salutation for the first time. One fourteen year old confided she had been practicing hard to be in shape for this event. They told us about their home at Odanadi, and their program that teaches them yoga, art, theater, and dance as well as traditional schooling.
Having attended many concerts, dramas, and art programs in India I knew to expect that the start time might be somewhat flexible. I also knew that no performance or event can happen here without a panel of speeches to come first. I was prepared to be patient. Some of the other Westerners did not come with that expectation, and as the morning sun started to heat up our mats some of them looked nervous.
Once we got going, things went fairly smoothly. Each Odanadi youth called a salutation, and each one was a little unique. They were mostly fast paced, but then I think we were all hoping to get through them before the sun god Surya took our homage too seriously.
Rangoli and Flowers in front of our Mats
It was a beautiful event to be part of, and though we did not wind up doing as many salutations as the studios participating worldwide, I like to think ours were special enough to make up for not completing the full cycle. It was a beautiful morning to be a part of. Any who read this blog should go to the website www.yogastopstraffick.org to check it out. If you watch the wonderful video you will see the young people we practiced with. It feels really good to be part of a yoga movement that puts good back out into the world, and to see the role our yoga can take to empower and give confidence where it is needed.
vivian
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