Older Volunteers Enrich America: Frank Iszak and Silver Age Yoga Honored
In 1956, Frank Iszak was a political refugee who emigrated from his native Hungary to the US. He was inspired by the freedoms, liberties and social programs that are part of America’s landscape and over time, directed his energy into developing the Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach program (SAYCO), a San Diego-based Yoga program for senior citizens who would otherwise not have access to Yoga. The seventy-seven year young Iszak understands first-hand the benefits of Yoga practice no matter – or especially – considering a person’s age. Iszak and the nonprofit SAYCO train teachers to address the specific needs of older students and recruit teachers who are willing to offer pro bono classes to senior citizens in San Diego and nationwide. In addition to his other work, his DVD, Yoga for Caregivers, provides stress relief to caregivers who may be unable to attend classes.
Iszak’s efforts have made a difference for many lives over the years. On May 1, 2009, in Washington DC, he was recognized for his efforts at the MetLife Foundation Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards. For seven years, the MetLife Foundation has honored senior citizens who are contributing to their communities and promoted volunteerism among older adults nationwide. Iszak was recognized as the gold honoree in the Community Champion category receiving one of three prestigious gold awards. His words of acceptance: “This is my payment of debt to America for the privilege of becoming part of this great society.” Frank Iszak and Silver Age Yoga can be found at: silverageyoga.org. –– Emily Kuser
Golden Heart Center Assists Victims of Domestic Violence
“Domestic violence is all too common and many times goes unseen and unreported. It includes physical, mental and sexual abuse. Even after victims get away from their abusers, they need to be gently introduced into the reality of the world, supported and educated to heal and function normally.” Golden Heart Spiritual Center has been working for years with people who have been involved in domestic abuse in order to transform from victims to people with the ability to develop healthy life patterns and heal trauma. They’ve reported that as many as ninety-five percent of their clients at various times have been working to repair their lives after domestic violence. To support their efforts, visit: entergoldenheart.com or email: info@entergoldenheart.com. Golden Heart Spiritual Center, 1122 S. Robertson Blvd, Suite 7, Los Angeles, CA. 90035. –– FMT
Sharing within our Neighborhoods
The Transition LA Community and the Environmental Change-Makers are focused on positive solutions to current crises and cashfree ways of meeting your household needs. Learn about creative ways of sharing finances within a community, including local currencies, time banks, LETS systems, barter, group purchases and community gardens. Some of these are ways to meet our needs cash-free. Others are ways to reduce costs or to access things we might not get alone. Sign up to participate in the simpler ones immediately, or join groups who will explore setting up more complex ones. Bring a can of food to donate to LAX Food Pantry. This event will be held Thursday, September 24, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. Community Hall of Holy Nativity, 6700 W. 83rd, Westchester in Los Angeles, CA 90045. For more information, contact Joanne Poyourow at: legacyla@gmail.com or visit: envirochangemakers.org.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: Giving Back
Victoria Rosner is a volunteer Yoga instructor at Santa Monica High School who will come back to Yoga classes and the school year with a new haircut than the one she sported for last year’s classes. But her students (more than 200 have signed up for the next semester) may not be completely surprised, as they not only witnessed the shearing of the long locks of hair that trailed down her back but also helped to cut it off in a room filled with Yoga mats. Ms V, as her students called her, was teaching selfless service by example in the Yoga class.
We all remember how Los Angeles erupted with glee when the Lakers won the championship this year; at the start of the year Ms V demonstrated her belief in goalsetting and the team and pledged to shear off the bulk of her hair and donate it to charity. Why? She did so in order to make a commitment, to engage in service and to give back in a demonstrative way. While the Lakers were celebrating, Ms V donated twelve inches of her dark hair to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hair for wigs to underprivileged children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or alopecia. When she returns to teach at the school, in the Yoga program that began two years ago, it will be with a different look. But it will be a look that reminds all the students of the power of goal-setting, having role models and what we can all do to give back in a process that keeps us connected through community. As Ms V says, you can’t keep it unless you give it away. For more information about Locks of Love, visit: locksoflove.org. To support the Yoga program at Samo High through mat and prop donations or other materials, contact Victoria Rosner at: vicandh@gmail.com. –– FMT
By Felicia M. Tomasko, RN & Emily Kuser
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.