We often hear about yoga being more than just asana, but how do we practice yoga off the mat? Yoga is not just making shapes on a rubber mat in tight leggings, though social media would have you believe it.
Yoga is about the shape of our life - how kind and compassionate we are to each other, the planet, the other creatures that we share it with. Yoga is about liking what you see in the mirror, the person you are becoming.
On the eightfold path to yoga as set out by the sage Patanjali, before asana or poses come the yamas (restraints) and niyamas (observances). These are sub-categorised into ten different topics including non harm, truthfulness, non grasping or greed etc and act as a framework as to how to live your life the most peacefully.
Most of our yoga is practiced off the mat. Whether it is helping someone carry their heavy shopping, calling a friend in need, preparing someone a meal with love.
It is in this spirit that I have organized this fundraising event.
Yoga For India: 108 Sun Salutations, Online Sunday 9th May, 11am-1pm
Yoga has given us all so much and it is time to give back directly to the mother land and it's roots as India faces devastating consequences of new waves of the pandemic. Despite potential bias and agendas from different media agencies it cannot be denied that India's infrastructure and health system has not been designed to withstand a pandemic and our help is needed.
Think Local Act Global - Together We Stand
I thought about donating the proceeds of a recent event to the cause but then decided to organise an event that would unite even more of the yoga community, bringing together some of my favourite teachers across the UK to create an even bigger impact.
Join us this Sunday as we donate our time, energy and love to this cause by leading you through some pranayama (breathing practices) and 108 surya namaskar (sun salutations).
You are welcome to join for as long or as little as you would like or are able - your participation is hugely appreciated. Please INVITE your friends and family, take part together, SHARE the info far and wide.
You can register for the event for free here: https://www.wildwolfmovement.com/event-info/yoga-for-india-108-sun-salutations
The event is by donation (link will be sent with the zoom link in the confirmation email) with a suggested donation of ten pounds - please give what you are able. Our target is to raise 450 pounds to provide a low flow oxygen concentrator to help 900 patients with breathing difficulties (see infographic below). If you can't make the event but would like to help with the fundraising please donate using this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wildwolfmovement
“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
- Lilla Watson
Just to be clear, this event has been arranged out of love, compassion and nothing else. I am not trying to reinforce any white savior complex, I am not here to perpetuate white supremacist, neo colonial attitudes. I share this because of the deep love and gratitude that I hold for India, it's people, it's history and it's culture which I have learned so much from and which I continually learn from, refer to and honour every day.
Our liberation as a people is bound together - we are not free until we all are.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to drop me a line - I look forward to sharing space, time and energy with you this Sunday as we channel our energy & resources.
Love & Gratitude Always
Marie x