What's New in the World of Yoga:

"The fruit of love is service. Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service." ~ Mother Teresa

How do we serve our families, our friends, and our community without having an expectation of a return? Although it may seem difficult to separate our own desires from those of others in need, it actually happens more often than we think. In each of our daily lives, we are given the opportunity to extend ourselves, to act without knowing that we may be offering a simple kindness that could be life-changing for another person.

According to James Baily, physician and holistic health educator, "the Sanskrit word seva translates directly as 'thread,' implying that all things are connected in the thread of existence." Seva embodies both the act and the attitude by which we take part in offering ourselves to others.

This month, hundreds of yoga studios, teachers, and students will be participating in some kind of event that supports the goals of Yoga Month, "a community-based campaign to educate people about the health benefits of yoga and to inspire a healthy lifestyle." These individuals are encouraged to present an event, a workshop, or a class and donate the proceeds to a charity.

For many people, their acts of selfless dedication extend to a lifelong commitment. They work tirelessly and selflessly to improve the lives of communities throughout the world. Here are just two of many organizations you may want to consider:

Trees for the Future is a resource center that assists developing countries in improving their lives by introducing agricultural management techniques that incorporate the growing and cultivation of trees. The center works to plant trees in countries that have been devastated by deforestation and to help people regain the use of their land as a sustainable means of supporting themselves.

Since 1978, the Seva Foundation has sustained its mission to "alleviate suffering caused by disease and poverty." Their "compassion in action" philosophy incorporates serving the underserved, building healthy communities, promoting sustainability, and working through partnerships. They Seva Foundation operates in ten countries, providing various projects that help develop and encourage a healthier community.

And finally, there are your own unconscious acts of kindness to consider – a contribution to a child's education, volunteering your time in the community, or even sharing an extra moment to listen to a friend. These are all moments that you can choose to participate in without having any expectation of acknowledgement or return.

Updates from the Blog:

Yoga on the Rise, But Is It Affordable?

I recently spent a week in Vancouver, Canada. They call it "Beautiful British Columbia" and so it is. The city seems to stay fresh and clean from all the rain. The amazing pine trees add fresh oxygen to the air. It's quite awesome to see how the city has built itself up through the years and yet has managed to retain its natural beauty. Continue Reading...

Stressed-out Drivers

The Mumbai Suburban Railway has the highest passenger density of any urban railway system in the world. And it has long been established that the motormen (train drivers) who operate these local trains often suffer stress-related illnesses due to the high level of responsibility of their jobs. Continue Reading...

Other Insightful Blog Posts:

• Violinist Relies on Yoga
• Day 21: Reflection Time
• What's Good in Your Life?