This past Sunday I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Yoga Reaches Out for the third year. I have fundraised for this event for four years and attended three of the last five yogathons. What a complete joy to be a part of this organization for almost its entire conception (their five year anniversary was this event!)
Each year we come together to raise as much money as we possibly can in order to serve children’s charities. Children’s Hospital Boston is always on the list and alongside it, another organization gets to benefit from our fundraising as well. This year that additional charity was Ben Speaks Louder Than Words.
As Carolyn and I watched, Bens mom gave a speech on her organization. Her son Ben had committed suicide a few years back after years of struggling with mental illness. She began the organization the day he passed in order to help with teen suicide prevention and bullying. It was such an honor to listen to her words and learn more about this special organization.
As as a team of two, Carolyn and I raised $890 from our little studio, Barefoot Yoga Shala. To say I am proud is an understatement. I am so honored to be the owner of this space and am glowing from the inside out knowing that our community came together to raise money for these amazing children’s organizations. Every few months, I ask my students to come together in the name of community, charity and commitment in order to better serve our community through seva, the Sanskrit word for service. This past month, they pulled together as a community and raised more money than I could’ve imagined for the children in our community.
Not it only have they served this month, but in the past few months alone, we have raised money for the Middleton Food Pantry and donated four boxes (or one gigantic car load) of toys for Toys for Tots. My goal as a studio owner is to create not only a divine space to practice and play, but also to serve. My only goal upon opening was to create a community and having not taught here in 3 years and knowing only a few people when we opened, I am amazed day by day at how our community is growing and so full of love. I am giving a deep, loving bow to each of you in this community and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of Yoga Reaches Out.
Carolyn and I, alongside 1,000 yogis raised $300,000 this year for children’s charities. Thank you for helping us to serve, to love and to grow.
Lots of love,
Namaste
Jenny
*Photography done by Tracy Rodriguez Photography*