January 8 was a rainy and overcast day here in the Kootenays, but a whole lot of sunlight was generated at the ashram as twelve youth spent the morning saluting the sun. The 108 Sun Salutation Fundraiser participants, as well as ashram residents and guests, gathered in the Radha Room at precisely 10:08. The room was packed, and a sense of celebration, anticipation and excitement filled the air.
Organizer Charlie Edmonds welcomed and thanked everyone for their support, and Luke Burton kicked off the event with an “opening song” that he had composed, under condition from one of his pledgers. Swami Jyotihananda led everyone through a Divine Light Invocation, and Swami Sivananda started off with the first sun salutation.
Accompanied by Swami Saradananda on sitar, the youth made their way through the sun salutations. Everyone worked at their own pace and used individual methods of counting, such as rocks, mung beans and ticks on paper. The atmosphere in the room was focused, lifted and devotional. The only sounds were Hari Om on the sitar, rhythmic breathing, and feet sliding across yoga mats.
“The energy in the room was amazing,” said Palma Borzellino, who participated on the youth program last summer and is back for the YDC. “I felt like I was flowing through the sun salutations and I experienced an absolute openness in my body.”
Everyone had finished their sun salutations by 3 pm. The event concluded with a group reflection and cooldown with Swami Radha’s Relaxation CD. Although the sun was obscured by clouds in the sky, the effects of 108 Sun Salutations could be felt throughout the whole community.
The energy of the event spread beyond the ashram borders, as former youth program participants took part in their own communities. Sarah Spence, a YDC 2005 grad who has recently returned to her home in New Zealand, sent a victorious e-mail to the ashram about her experience.
“I went beyond what I though I was capable of,” said Kevin Lennox, a youth who has been at the ashram since July. “I’ve learned that the only limitation is the idea of limitation. This has been my experience on the youth program, as well.”
Pledges and donations have started rolling in, and the tally so far is more than $1500. An anonymous donor has offered to match every $108 raised by participants. It’s not too late to donate! If you’re interested in contributing, call 1-800-661-8711 or use the ‘Donate Now’ option on the redesigned website.
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