As we think about developing more community and how to make a difference in the world, we look for ways that we can join together and give back. Here are some upcoming events and initiatives.
Mark Whitwell
Experience Yoga’s Expression of
Peace and Harmony in Action
Saturday, November 7
Yoga’s experiential messages of peace and harmony cross borders to impact people of all backgrounds, religious traditions or political stances. Mark Whitwell is utilizing Yoga in the Heart of Yoga’s Middle East Peace Project, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit promoting peace through sponsoring people to attend teacher trainings and directly spreading the practice of Yoga across borders. Support this effort in an evening fundraiser that promises to be a unique multifaceted gathering. Music, ecstatic tantric poetry, kirtan, live performance art and special guests are only a few of the tantalizing offerings in this event.
Spend Saturday night with: Mark Whitwell, Pandit Vikash Maharaji and Prabhas Maharaj, Suzanne Sterling, Joey Lugassy, Steve Gold, Lorin Roche and the Radiance Sutras, Chris Tompkins, Josh Brill, AcroYoga with Lara Catone and Sarah Vosen, Psalm Isadora and more.
Be part of the transformation, Saturday, November 7, 7:00 P.M. sharp (doors open at 6:30 P.M.) Food and drink available. $20 limited presale through brownpapertickets.com. Yogaglo, 1800 Berkeley Ave, Santa Monica, CA. yogaglo.com
Organic Soup Kitchen Fundraiser
Saturday, November 7
Imagine a soup kitchen feeding the homeless and others in need with organic produce to foster better health and well-being. Learn about organic and raw foods and support this cause spearheaded by Anthony Carroccio at a fundraising afternoon. What better place to have a fundraiser for Organic Soup than Yoga Soup? Saturday, November 7, 2:00 – 6:00 P.M. Yoga Soup, 28 Parker Way, Santa Barbara. Yogasoup.com
Collective Intent: Beach Clean-Up
Saturday, November 7
The purpose of Collective Intent, as explained by Rhoda Shapiro, is “to encourage everyone to come together to strengthen, nurture and develop our communities by taking part in a kind of (r)evolution based in peace, compassion, consciousness and sustainability. The boundaries and barriers between all of us are illusions; by working together as one, we can truly make an impact on the world.” Shapiro’s experience of shaking up the (r)evolution is fueled by the Yoga and Tantra practices that have allowed her to feel peace, bliss and connection. In addition to regular service projects, they plan meditation circles and other community and action-oriented efforts. Collect on November 7, 11:00 A.M.- 1:00 P.M. for a Santa Monica Beach Clean Up. info@collectiveintent.org; collectiveintent.org
Safety in the Desert: Safe House Holiday Food Drive at Urban Yoga
In the desert region, the nonprofit Safe House is a haven where runaway teens can go twenty-four hours a day for assistance. Programs include Yoga taught by Urban Yoga teacher Mariana Duspiva. To support the organization, Urban Yoga is hosting a donation box throughout the holiday season to collect needed food and other items. Some of the items they’re collecting include: macaroni and cheese, pasta, rice, instant potatoes, pancake mix, peanut butter, cup o noodles, powdered juice mix, sugar, flour, muffin mix, canned fruit, chili and pasta sauce. When you go to class at Kristin Olson’s Urban Yoga Center, bring something to share. Urban Yoga, 458 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA (760) 320 – 7702.Urbanyoga.org
Yoga Bear Celebration Free for Cancer Survivors
Saturday, November 14
Yoga Bear LA (a SoCal group of the national nonprofit who provides cancer survivors with opportunities for health and wellness through Yoga) is teaming up with lululemon and the promenade-based donation studio YogaCo for this donation-based gentle Yoga class with Jennifer Pastiloff (pictured, above) accompanied by Erica Rhodes on cello and Fawntice Mccain on Tibetan sound healing bowls. After the class, party with antioxidants including red wine, dark chocolate and green tea. Chair massages by donation, live music, raffle, treats and art will also be on hand. Annabel Ruffell will donate forty percent of art sales and New York artist Nicole Wilson will sell a custom painting to the highest bidder with proceeds to Yoga Bear. The first fifty people receive a gift bag and cancer survivors attend for free. Saturday, November 14, 7:00 – 11:00 P.M. Yogaco, 1408 3rd st Promenade, Santa Monica, CA. yogaco.com; yogabear.org
Casa de Milagros Fundraiser
Saturday, November 14
Milagros means miracle and Ted McDonald, owner of the new Point Dume Yoga in Malibu and Adventure Retreats is hoping to spread some miracles with this Saturday evening fundraiser that supports an orphanage in Peru. Saturday, November 14, 7:00 – 11:00 P.M. Yogaglo, 1800 Berkeley, Santa Monica. Yogaglo.com
Nectar Heroes: Stories of Transformation
Saturday, November 21
Cybil Gilbertson sees the creation of the new nonprofit performance collaborative of Nectar as her seva, her selfless service. While artistic expression can be healing in and of itself, for both the artist and the viewer, when art is infused with intent, it becomes something even more powerful. Gibertson’s intent is that art becomes a vehicle for transformation and that artists come together for healing in the self, the community and beyond with proceeds supporting nonprofits recognizing social moments and topics. The vibrant and diverse September launch of Nectar featured artists’ response to Love and War, while Heroes: Stories of Transformation
is in collaboration with and supports the Glendon Foundation, who works for suicide prevention and awareness. Look for a new installment every two months of art with a social conscience, beautiful and profound.
The evening of transformation includes live dance, music, poetry, art, photography, film and more. Suggested donation $10 ($5 kids 12 and under). Saturday, November 21, 8:00 – 10:00 P.M. Yoga Soup, 28 Parker Way, Santa Barbara. Yogasoup.com
Yogis Anonymous: Karma Kirtan Supports Programs to Transform Homelessness
Saturday, November 21
Ally Hamilton and Dorian Cheah, founders and owners of the new Santa Monica donation-based studio Yogis Anonymous, are committed to playing an active role in their community. Consistent with their belief that the well-guided practice of Yoga should be available to all who seek it regardless of financial limitations, the Yogis Anonymous family looks for meaningful ways to serve. While contributing to national and global causes such as the Yoga Health Foundation and the Africa Yoga Project, they place a special emphasis on the need for service in their own backyard. Meeting with city officials and local nonprofits after seeing firsthand the daily plight of Santa Monica’s large homeless population (particularly since the studio is on Second Street, near the Promenade and Palisades Park), Yogis Anonymous has decided to put their support behind Ocean Park Community Center (OPCC), a network of shelters and services for low-income and homeless youth, adults and families, battered women and their children and people living with mental illness. OPCC considers how the right financial support and volunteer efforts can help bring people in off the streets and into well-managed facilities where they can receive necessary care and guidance to help them truly change the course of their lives.
Karma Kirtan with Daniel Stewart (pictured, above) and Friends on November 21 will be the first event at Yogis Anonymous to raise funds and awareness for OPCC. Learn more about OPCC and volunteer efforts you can support and join this night of joyful call-and-response Kirtan. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to open your heart and dive into the blissful flow for the benefit of all our brothers and sisters. All proceeds from the suggested donation of $15 will be donated to the OPCC. Saturday, November 21, 8:00 P.M. Yogis Anonymous, 1221 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA. (310) 451 – YOGI. yogisanonymous.com
Are there things coming up that we should know about and broadcast to the community? Write us at edit@layogamagazine.com.
By Editor
