Half way through yoga month and I have not scheduled my free yoga hike in honor of this special month. So many things I want to share, but time slips through my fingers. I have decided to commit my time to a very special cause instead: The Yoga Aid 108 Sun Salutation Challenge. A hundred and what you say?
The 108 Sun Salutation Challenge is an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate yoga, each other, and most significantly so celebrate community through giving… giving of our time, giving of our love, giving of our support to charities and organizations that are poised to transform the world by empowering people.
On September 18 – 19, 2010, this challenge will take place across the U.S. to raise money for four amazing organizations: Off The Mat Into the World, Yoga for Youth, 4 One World, and my favorite, Africa Yoga Project.
If you are in my area, please come experience this vibration at Studio Rincon in Menlo Park, Saturday, Sept. 18th at 7AM. The most challenging part of this experience is not in the practice or even in doing 100 or 108 or 200 sun salutations. The real challenge is saying “YES!” I will participate. The event is FREE to attend but participants can donate to any of the above charities or support someone else who is fundraising. You can register or donate to the Menlo Park event’s page.
Why 108? 108 is a sacred number in several eastern cultures/religions. In brief, a prayer necklace or mala contains 108 beads or stones where each one can represent a prayer or mantra. It is believed that our soul resides in the our heart center where there are 108 energy channels or Nadis. When a prayer or mantra is recited 108 times, the energy of the prayer or mantra travels to these channels which in turn radiate out to all parts of the body. So you can imagine that doing 108 Sun Salutations is a unique opportunity to not only challenge the physical body, but it’s a deep meditative experience. Now imagine a whole group of people flowing together…. the vibration we will create is beyond words!
To explore the meaning of 108 more, check out Cora Wen’s awesome post at Elephant Journal.
Be a YES and join me!!!!
Chit Chat