YogAntigua: 108 Sun Salutations — for Education
As many people have discovered, yoga is good for the mind, body and soul. It turns out that this year it will also be good for education! On March 10 at 4:30 p.m. YogAntigua will host its third “108 Sun Salutations” event at El Cerro de La Cruz. Similar to a walkathon, participants commit to practicing up to 108 sun salutations and seek contributions in the form of pledges. All proceeds benefit a local non-governmental organization, in this case, CasaSito Association, which provides educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Guatemala.
A sun salute is a dynamic sequence of 12 postures performed as a continuous flow. Expert yoga teachers will guide the participants through the sun salutation sequences, so prior yoga experience is not necessary. The number 108 has long been considered a sacred number in many cultures. In the Vedic culture, 108 symbolizes the wholeness of existence. According to yogic tradition, there are 108 sacred places of the body. Participating at this event promises to be a very rewarding experience. As you go through this meditative practice giving thanks to the sun for its light, warmth and sustenance, you can also feel great satisfaction knowing that you are supporting an important local cause.
As we all know, children living in poverty often do not have the resources to obtain an education. CasaSito works to increase educational opportunities for underprivileged children who otherwise may not have an opportunity for a quality education and a chance to improve their lives. In 2012, CasaSito’s scholarship program will support 181 students at all scholastic levels. Additionally, CasaSito continues to support local educational centers in the Sacatepéquez area by funding teaching and administration costs and nutrition programs for local educational centers.
By participating in this event and securing contributions, you will be offering hope and opportunity to children who dream of having a better life. Please join us in working toward our goal of raising $5,000, which would help positively impact the hope, opportunities and dreams of many children.
written by Maritza Ortiz
More information on CasaSito is available at www.casasito.org. To participate in the event, contact Nancy Payne at yoga@yogantigua.com or Maritza Ortíz at maritza@casasito.org. Or if 108 sun salutations sounds too daunting and you’d prefer to sponsor one of CasaSito’s scholars who will be participating alongside the yoga regulars, you can email Maritza or call her at 7832-0829.