The community turned out to see Sarah McGrath and Mitchell Bleier perform an amazing asana yoga demonstration Saturday, January 21st at Saraswati Yoga Joint, where they are both yoga teachers, but there was a bigger reason for the gathering. Sarah was hosting the event to raise funds for a very worth cause: the Africa Yoga Project (www.africayogaproject.org), an organization that has transformed the lives of many Africans over the last five years by creating jobs and teaching them the power of yoga.
The Red Grape donated wine for the wine tasting and both Rosie’s and Walter Stewarts Market donated food for the event. Other friends and local businesses contributed items for the silent auction.
By inspiring the global yoga community into active service, the Africa Yoga Program has developed innovative programs over the last five years that foster peace, improve physical, emotional and mental well being, facilitate self-sufficiency and create opportunities to learn and contribute across the communities of Africa.
In March, Sarah will be joining other Africa Yoga Project volunteers for a 12-day service trip to Africa where Africa Yoga Project will be teaming up with Shining Hope for Communities to work with an all girls tuition free primary school in Kibera (the largest slum in Nairobi). Last year volunteers built a classroom for this school that is also used for yoga classes for the girls and the community. This year they have asked for three things: a playground, a community toilet and furniture for their classroom. Until her departure, Sarah is raising funds to support the project. Donations can be made by mail or in person at Saraswati Yoga Joint at 12 Burtis Avenue or at the studio’s Norwalk location at 1-3 Wall Street. Interested parties can also email Sarah for more information about the project at sarah@sarasyogajoint.com.
Saraswati Yoga Joint is a place for yoga beginners, advanced practitioners and teachers, providing the communities of Fairfield, Westport, Darien, Stamford, Greenwich and New Canaan with many different types of classes, workshops, retreats and “deep belly laughs”. Visit the Joint at www.sarasyogajoint.com for more information and class schedules.
