This is your chance, yogis, to practice what you teach, preach and learn on the mat.
In case you didn't know, all those Down Dogs and Warrior Twos are supposed to be a living symbol, a trial run for being strong enough, and abundant enough to open our hearts to the plight of real people around us.
The poses we do in our studios and homes, are only a personal preparation for the offerings we are called to give once we step outside. Yet too often we finish our hour on the mat, and then watch the news, shaking our heads. The world is a mess, and yet we don't make a move to lend a helping hand. Many people assume it's going to be taken care of by someone else.
Will it? or are you just one more voice staying silent, then waiting for someone else to change your world for you? If you wait, and I wait, then we slow the progress of help, and healing, and love. This is the antithesis of a yogic life. We act, we're brave, and we've practiced the intensity of kindness, at least in theory.
Now it's time to put our money where our mouths are.
Yoga is not just a personal thing, or a way to tone up our bodies, de-stress and focus our minds, but a call to unity, to join together with our world community, our kula, and show that we care to help make a difference in a broader sense than only in our own lives and relationships.
This is how you transform from a student of yoga into a warrior of the heart.
Today, I invite you to do the hardest yoga of all -- the yoga of compassion for those you don't even know and will probably never meet. I ask that you eat something from the fridge instead of eating out once this month, and give that money instead to help those in Haiti who at this very moment are struggling just to eat, drink water, get medical attention, or even sleep.
To find out how to give, CLICK HERE.
Or, send it to a charity or relief organization of your choice. I'm partial to the Red Cross, because they use their donations in the areas it's needed most.
Even if you can't afford a donation, sit in meditation today, and offer love and support to all the beings alive today who are suffering. And, once you're done with your own yoga practice, continue it by treating your fellow man with respect and understanding.
If we can't find our way to take real, right action when we are called into the world to do so, and thus actually BE the change we wish to see in it, then all the Crow Poses in the world won't lead us to harmony or happiness.
Do the right thing, yogis. Your community is waiting!
Follow Sadie Nardini on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SadieNardini
Caroline Gluck: Dispatch from the Ground in Haiti
Haiti - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Haiti News - Breaking World Haiti News - The New York Times
Text-to-donate collects millions for Haiti relief
Wyclef Jean's Tweets Raise $1 Million for Haiti
After The Earthquake, We Must Address Millions of Social Tremors
Quake devastates the Western hemisphere's poorest country
Haiti Earthquake Survivor Stories Offer Hope
Important post
you know the real meaning of yoga
Life is a precious gift
Ed
Thank you for being a part of the community today.
Sadie
And thank you for spreading the word--that is one way we can all offer more than we can alone. Post away!
xoSadie
second, i wish more people would realize that it's not always about the money. people are so quick to throw an opportunity away due to money issues. compassion for our fellow man can sometimes take us farther than any amount of money ever could.
i think we can all take 5 minutes out of our day for sending out love to those who truly need it. i know i will be today.
and this article has been offically linked on my twitter, blog, and facebook pages!
amazing stuff sadie, amazing!