make your yoga practice count!

many of us here in los angeles are blessed with what may seem to most as the perfect life. we wake up, still snuggled in our warm bed, go about our errands in picture-perfect weather, grab lunch while checking email at the corner cafe, get through a productive day at work, stop at a nearby yoga studio for a stimulating class with our favorite teacher, then head back home to relax and unwind before having dinner and heading back to bed.

everyone should be as lucky as we are.

but sadly, there are many in the world who go without.

thanks to the many conscientious yogis in town, we are constantly being made aware of those less fortunate and are being given chances to help out where we can.

here are some upcoming fundraisers. please find time in your busy day to join them and make your yoga practice help bring some good into the world!


The South Bay Rocks Operation Shanti!
Saturday, March 19th 4:00-8:00pm
Hermosa Beach Community Center, Clark Building, 861 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach
Cost: Suggested donation is $35, all proceeds go to Operation Shanti www.operation-shanti.org

WE ARE BUILDING AN ORPHANAGE!

Operation Shanti is a local organization raising money through yoga fund raising events to build an orphanage in Mysore, India.

Join us for a FUN donation YOGA CLASS, then an after party with DJ, food, wine, and raffle to follow!

With these amazing teachers:
GENEVIEVE FISCHER, GREVILLE HENWOOD, GARTH HEWITT, ANGELA KUKHAHN , SUZY NECE, JULIE RADER, JO TASTULA, MARLA WEDGE


Level 2-3 Flow with Kyra Haglund for Japan Earthquake and Tsunami relief
Sunday, March 20th 10:45am-12:15pm
Santa Monica Yoga, 1640 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica
Cost: Regular class pass (value of class will be donated to Operation USA)

Operation USA helps communities alleviate the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty throughout the world by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. We provide material and financial assistance to grassroots organizations that promote sustainable development, leadership and capacity building, income generating activities, provide education and health services, and advocate on behalf of vulnerable people.


OM Chant for Japan: a benefit for the relief effort in Japan with Allison McCready
Sunday, March 20th 6:00-7:15pm
Santa Monica Yoga, 1640 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica
Suggested donation: $10 - please give more if you can

**100% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL BE DONATED TO OPERATION USA's RELIEF EFFORTS IN JAPAN.**

OM has been described as the primordial sound; a sacred mantra representing the absolute oneness of the Universe. By chanting OM we use this sacred mantra to enter into a dialogue with the divine. Chanting helps us clear illusion from our mind and tune our inner being to the frequency of Love. The sweetness of chanting stills the mind, dissolves worries, and opens the heart. In addition to profoundly affecting the individual, chanting OM reverberates through the body of mankind, helping to heal a violent world.

For this OM Chant we will set a collective intention of love, compassion and hope for the victims of Japan's recent and ongoing tragedy. Come join in the loving vibration of this simple and powerful prayer and help bring healing to the people of Japan.

Helpful notes:
• No yoga experience is required – all are welcome
• Arrive a few minutes early
• Avoid eating at least 1 hour before chanting
• Leave your cell phone in your car


Core Strength Workshop with Krista Cahill
Friday, March 25th 1:00-3:00pm
Yogis Anonymous, 1221 2nd St, Santa Monica
Cost: By donation

Donations to Habitat for Humanity (for Japan earthquake/tsunami relief efforts) will be collected. We'll be live-streaming this event! Come in person or via internet and let's strengthen the core of our community by thinking and acting globally.


Donation Yoga Class with Stephanie Phelan for Japan Children's Emergency Fund
Friday, March 25th 7:30-8:30pm
Maha Yoga, 13050 San Vicente Blvd #202, Los Angeles
Cost: $15 Suggested donation; check or cash only, please

Please join us for a donation flow yoga class led by Stephanie Phelan with live music by Masood Ali Khan, Sheela Bringi, and Eric Vaughan.
100% of donations will be given to Japan Children's Emergency Fund.
Please open your heart and help the children of Japan during this devastating time of need.


For Tsunami relief in Japan: Donation-based yoga flow with Chaz Russ and Holli Rabishaw
Saturday, March 26th 10:15-11:30am
Yogaworks Tarzana, 18700 Ventura Blvd, 2nd Flr, Tarzana
Cost: By donation

On Saturday, March 26th at 10:15AM, join Chaz Russ and Holli Rabishaw as they host a donation-based Yoga Flow to support relief efforts for Japan through the Red Cross. Any level of donation is accepted. We unite to raise the roof for healing.

ALL ARE WELCOME!


Elevate. Celebrate. Liberate. An Inversions & Hip Opening Workshop with Ashley Albrand and Liz Arch
Saturday, March 26th 1:00-4:00pm
The Yoga Collective (formerly YOGAco), 1408 3rd St. Promenade, 3rd Flr, Santa Monica
Cost: $35 pre-registration. $40 at the door

Join Ashley Albrand and Liz Arch for a special inversions and hip opening workshop to benefit women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.

In this 3-hour exploration, we will demystify the art of inverting and floating, breaking down advanced postures into simple steps for beginning and intermediate students, while giving advanced yogis the room to spread their wings and fly. Learn to conquer fears, while building tremendous physical and emotional strength in a safe and playful environment.

100% of the proceeds will go directly to A Window Between Worlds (www.awbw.org) - a non-profit organization based out of Venice, CA, dedicated to using art to help end domestic violence, and GEMS – Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (www.gems-girls.org) – an organization based out of NY, dedicated to empowering girls and young women, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the industry and develop their full potential.

All attendees will be entered into a drawing to win raffle prizes generously donated by lululemon santa monica.


Japan Tsunami Relief Class
Saturday, March 26th, 2:00-4:15pm
YogaWorks Center for Yoga, 230 N. Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles
Cost: Regular class price

Please join Sarah Ezrin, Kim Fisch, Jeanne Heileman, Pete Lee, Hazel Patterson, Anne Van Valkenburg, and Maria Zavala for a special class with live music from Rich Fergeson & Jaime Black. Proceeds to benefit tsunami victims.


Rising Lotus Yoga Seva Project Fundraiser
Saturday, March 26th 5:00-10:00pm
Rising Lotus Yoga, 13557 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks
Cost: $20 for class or kirtan, $30 for all events, $10 if only attending auction Click here to register

Join us for the Launch for our first fundraiser! Yoga, Kirtan, Silent Auction, Food and Fun! In partnership with House of Ruth, assisting families victimized by domestic violence and CAST LA - The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Human Trafficking.

5pm Yoga Class
8pm Kirtan
6-8pm Silent Auction

Rising Lotus Seva Project is a not profit organization providing weekly pro-bono yoga classes taught by our volunteer instructors for various organizations of people in need, to outreach in aiding in the healing of the environment, to hosting fundraisers to garner awareness and support for the organizations we work with.The Rising Lotus Seva Project moves forward with the deep intention of bringing consciousness, freedom and the open-heart practice we cultivate on the mat out into our world.


Ecstatic Chanting with Steve Ross ~ Red Cross' Japan Relief Effort
Saturday, March 26th 8:00-11:00pm
Maha Yoga, 13050 San Vicente Boulevard, Second Flr, Los Angeles
Cost: By donation

Open your heart and discover a deep feeling of bliss.
Join us for a beautiful evening of chanting with Steve Ross.
Donations in cash or check for Red Cross' Japan Relief Effort
Wear comfortable clothing and bring a cushion to sit on.


Sahaja Flow + Yoga Trance Dance Benefit with Shiva Rea
Saturday, March 26th 8:00-10:00pm
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, 245 South Main St,Venice
Cost: $20

In this moving meditation, we will dive into the power of free-form movement for liberation, communion, and collective resurrection as spring brings the creative power into our bodies and into our lives.

All proceeds from this evening will go to the Japanese Red Cross in support and global unity.


108 Sun Salutations with Live Mantra Chanting ~ A Fundraiser for Victims of the Recent Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Sunday, April 3rd 3:00-5:00pm
Sivananda Vedanta Yoga Center, 13325 Beach Ave, Marina del Rey
Cost: $20 Minimum donation

This special event includes:
- Preparation for the practice
- 108 rounds (one round is 12 poses) of Sun Salutations
- Deep, full relaxation and short meditation

Even if you are not going to participate physically in the practice, you are welcome to come and meditate or chant with us. Be part of the energy and support the event.


Yoga Gives Back Night with Chaz Russ and The Cosmic Kirtan Connection!
Friday, April 29th 7:00-10:00pm
YogaWorks Tarzana, 18700 Ventura Blvd, 2nd Flr, Tarzana
Cost: $15 for yoga or kirtan ($25 for both)

Join us as we raise our voices and open our hearts and pockets in support of Yoga Gives Back.org and the empowerment of women in India!

7:00-8:15 PM Yoga with Chaz (all levels, fun flow)
8:30-10:00 PM Kirtan with The Cosmic Kirtan Connection
Yummy food compliments of Whole Foods Tarzana

Step out of your mind and into your heart with the Cosmic Kirtan Collective! Featuring:
Stella Davis (lead vocals)
Marty Alan (sitar)
Arielle Silver (vocals and harmonium)
Darby Orr (bass)
Greg Klimuck (tabla and percussion)
Jeffrey Harris (guitar)