Pose within a pose
Harmony blooms in chaos
Find the dance inside
"He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” ~ Emerson
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Volunteering at the Yogathon
The Houston Yogathon and Health Fair began this past Saturday, January 24th at 9 AM in Sugarland at Eldridge Park. It was Houston's first comprehensive health extravaganza organized by SEWA International that provided a platform to the area's yoga and meditation groups to participate in a marathon of yoga. Other events and services such as yoga workshops, naturopathy, breathing and meditation were showcased to promote healthy, happy living.
The main attraction, a Yogathon, started at 9 AM in the cold morning. Over 500 enthusiastic Yoga lovers participated in a continuous flow of Sun Salutations, a series of breath and movement, to heat their bodies and the indoor space. We were lovingly guided through our Sun Salutations by a succession of experienced, local teachers including Jennifer Burgermeister from Jennyoga Studio in the River Oaks area and Roger Rippy from Yoga One Studio in Midtown. When practitioners needed a break, they could walk outside and visit over 20 booths from organizations such as SVYASA, Yoga for Peace, Memorial Hermann Sports medicine, HSS-USA, Lazuli Om, Yoga One, Healthy Mother Healthy Child, Spectra Cell, Jennyoga, Life Bliss Foundation and Yoga Teachers Association of America.
Patanjali Yoga Peeth and Jennyoga held workshops during the marathon. Jennifer Burgermeister of Jennyoga encouraged everyone to join together to create a yoga community in the Houston area. One participant, local Houstonian Cathal Keane said, “It is encouraging and empowering for every yoga practitioner and anyone who is thinking about practicing yoga to participate in such a unifying event. The day has truly captured the essence of yoga to unite, and it has inspired me to share my practice with friends.”
My favorite part of the Yogathon was the workshop by Ma Nithya Maneeshananda, a direct disciple of Nithyananda. Her presence was powerful and her energy was felt by everyone in the room. She instructed us in several breathing and meditation techniques to relax the mind and nervous system.
Another part of the Health Fair was a presentation from the therapists of Paths in Healing. They demontrated how their massage techniques aid in the natural healing processes of the body. A group from Healing Your Body Holistically gave a demonstration of reflexology treatments with their reflexology chair. Another organization, Bridge To Better Health, shared information about the benefits of Thermography, a medical scan without harmful radiation or compression and Spectracell Laboratories educated us about nutritional diagnostic tests.
Sandy’s Market, which is Houston’s premier food and organic market, had delicious food to share. Representatives from Yoga for Peace Radio were also present at the event. Roslyn Earle from Yoga for Peace Radio was the grand master of ceremonies throughout the morning portion of the Yogathon. She said about her organization, “Yoga is a sound, true, ethical, and moral path to peace. To promote yoga is to promote peace. Peace begins within and expands outward just as love opens the heart to compassion for all living beings. Yoga for Peace (www.yoga4peace.org) is eager to promote Yogic principle, practice, and philosophy through selfless acts of service.”
The event also included a free health check-up camp conducted by a team of doctors under the direction of Dr. Nikam.
This event is a part of continued efforts of SEWA International to help those affected by Hurricane Ike. SEWA International has been continuously engaged at the grass root level to support the victims of Ike. In the past four months, SEWA International has helped many families settle into their regular life after Hurricane Ike. A quick call for financial support was made after the event. People generously donated around $5000 for the cause of Ike rehabilitation. The benefits from the SEWA Yogathon and Health Fair will go towards the rehabilitation of Ike victims. SEWA USA is a Non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization with international presence.
The main attraction, a Yogathon, started at 9 AM in the cold morning. Over 500 enthusiastic Yoga lovers participated in a continuous flow of Sun Salutations, a series of breath and movement, to heat their bodies and the indoor space. We were lovingly guided through our Sun Salutations by a succession of experienced, local teachers including Jennifer Burgermeister from Jennyoga Studio in the River Oaks area and Roger Rippy from Yoga One Studio in Midtown. When practitioners needed a break, they could walk outside and visit over 20 booths from organizations such as SVYASA, Yoga for Peace, Memorial Hermann Sports medicine, HSS-USA, Lazuli Om, Yoga One, Healthy Mother Healthy Child, Spectra Cell, Jennyoga, Life Bliss Foundation and Yoga Teachers Association of America.
Patanjali Yoga Peeth and Jennyoga held workshops during the marathon. Jennifer Burgermeister of Jennyoga encouraged everyone to join together to create a yoga community in the Houston area. One participant, local Houstonian Cathal Keane said, “It is encouraging and empowering for every yoga practitioner and anyone who is thinking about practicing yoga to participate in such a unifying event. The day has truly captured the essence of yoga to unite, and it has inspired me to share my practice with friends.”
My favorite part of the Yogathon was the workshop by Ma Nithya Maneeshananda, a direct disciple of Nithyananda. Her presence was powerful and her energy was felt by everyone in the room. She instructed us in several breathing and meditation techniques to relax the mind and nervous system.
Another part of the Health Fair was a presentation from the therapists of Paths in Healing. They demontrated how their massage techniques aid in the natural healing processes of the body. A group from Healing Your Body Holistically gave a demonstration of reflexology treatments with their reflexology chair. Another organization, Bridge To Better Health, shared information about the benefits of Thermography, a medical scan without harmful radiation or compression and Spectracell Laboratories educated us about nutritional diagnostic tests.
Sandy’s Market, which is Houston’s premier food and organic market, had delicious food to share. Representatives from Yoga for Peace Radio were also present at the event. Roslyn Earle from Yoga for Peace Radio was the grand master of ceremonies throughout the morning portion of the Yogathon. She said about her organization, “Yoga is a sound, true, ethical, and moral path to peace. To promote yoga is to promote peace. Peace begins within and expands outward just as love opens the heart to compassion for all living beings. Yoga for Peace (www.yoga4peace.org) is eager to promote Yogic principle, practice, and philosophy through selfless acts of service.”
The event also included a free health check-up camp conducted by a team of doctors under the direction of Dr. Nikam.
This event is a part of continued efforts of SEWA International to help those affected by Hurricane Ike. SEWA International has been continuously engaged at the grass root level to support the victims of Ike. In the past four months, SEWA International has helped many families settle into their regular life after Hurricane Ike. A quick call for financial support was made after the event. People generously donated around $5000 for the cause of Ike rehabilitation. The benefits from the SEWA Yogathon and Health Fair will go towards the rehabilitation of Ike victims. SEWA USA is a Non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization with international presence.
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