Love to Give at the Rising Lotus Yoga SEVA Project Fundraiser

Since I started doing yoga about two years ago, my most rewarding experience was last Saturday for Yoga Stops Traffick at Runyun Canyon, as the proceeds went to a non-profit devoted to ending human trafficking in India. As I blogged about that event, holding a yoga pose feels a whole lot better when it’s for a cause greater than you. So I’m super-excited about a similarly-charitable yoga experience coming up this week.

The first Rising Lotus Yoga SEVA Project Fundraiser is this Saturday, March 26, from 5 to 10 pm.  Proceeds from the event go to the House of Ruth, helping families victimized by domestic violence, and CAST LA, the Coalition Abolishing Slavery and Human Trafficking.

I signed up for the whole evening, including yoga, the silent auction and kirtan (call-and-response chanting). However, you may sign up for each event separately if you prefer:

• 5pm Yoga Class $20/$30 for all events
• 8pm Kirtan $20/$30 for all events
• 6-8pm Silent Auction $10 if only attending auction

Food and refreshments will be provided (no doubt veg-friendly) at the lovely Rising Lotus Yoga studio at 13557 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks.

This is just one of many ways the Rising Lotus SEVA Project helps the community, including the provision of pro bono yoga classes taught by volunteer instructors for organizations that serve people in need.

For any more inspiration you need to support the Rising Lotus SEVA Project, consider its mission:

“To move forward with the deep intention of bringing consciousness, freedom and the open-heart practice we cultivate on the mat out into our world.”

RSVP on Facebook and make your donation online.

Yoga Stops Traffick at Runyon Canyon in L.A.

On Saturday, March 12, 2011, Daniel Overberger led the 2nd Annual Yoga Stops Traffic Benefit at Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles.

As 96 of my fellow Runyon Canyon yogis would probably agree, holding a yoga pose feels a whole lot better when it’s for a cause greater than you. Yesterday morning I was honored to be a part of the 2nd Annual Yoga Stops Traffick Benefit at Runyon Canyon led by Daniel Overberger. All proceeds from this donation-based class went to Odanadi, a non-profit organization devoted to ending human trafficking in India.

In its 21 years, Odanadi has rescued more than 1,850 women and children from human trafficking. Together the 97 yogis at Runyon Canyon raised $721 in support of the cause. No doubt the international total was many times greater than that, as similar benefits were held on the same day all over the world.

The music of Aeb Byrne, Joshua Komer and Dar Larizadeh made for a lovely soundtrack to yoga practice for a good cause.

There’s nothing like practicing yoga in the Great Outdoors set to music. Aeb Byrne, Joshua Komer and Dar Larizadeh made for a lovely soundtrack to yoga practice for a good cause.

If you missed the Runyon Canyon yoga event on Saturday morning, you can still get involved.

You can support Odanadi online. And you can do Runyon Canyon Yoga any day of the week. See scheduled class times on the Runyon Canyon Yoga Facebook page. And learn more about the class and the teachers in Yoga Is a Walk In the Park at Runyon Canyon in L.A.