A few Sundays ago I went for a karma vinyasa class with Tripsichore’s Edward Clark at Yogi Way in Seattle. All proceeds from the class went to War Child International, a network of organizations working to help children in war zones. Devoting your practice to a cause changes your focus completely, and I can’t think of any better way to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning. The class was lighthearted and free-spirited, possibly because with Clark you can’t take yourself too seriously. (If you’ve ever seen Clark teach mula banda you know what I mean.) There definitely was a different energy than in a regular studio class, with everyone being there for a purpose other that their own practice. I later learnt that the class raised $320!

Practicing yoga we spend a lot of time studying our physical and mental selves. But yoga also brings a heightened sense of community and care for our fellow beings, maybe because we realize that we are all deeply connected. Through participating in a class for charity you can take the energy you create during practice and devote it to something you believe in, as well as giving whatever monetary donation you can afford.

The next karma vinyasa class at Yogi Way is this Sunday, May 11, at 9:30-11am, with all proceeds going to Makindu.