Nepal is close to my heart. I found solace and inspiration in the Annapurnas and got my yoga teacher training at Ananda Yoga Center. It is a magnificent country full of kind, beautiful people. It has meant – and continues to mean – so much for yoga. It feels incredibly unfair that such a disaster should strike right there in the heart of the Himalayas. Then again, disaster is always unfair, no matter where it strikes. All we can do is extend a hand. This is the time to extend it for Nepal.
On Saturday June 13th at 16.00 I will do another Yoga for Nepal donation class, this time outdoors! In collaboration with Jar Bazar I am having a session outside Jar Kirke, Wedel Jarlsbergs vei 20. All proceeds will go directly to the Hi On Life Rescue Team. This is a team of exceptionally brave trekking guides. They have brought food and aid directly to remote villages in the most heavily affected areas, reaching people where no relief or rescue teams have been before. They are also the people behind the Thade School Project. You can read more about their work here.
The class will be restorative and meditative, and I will add a twist and flavour of Nepalese culture to it that will be unique to this session. There will be a tonglen/compassion meditation and I will step far beyond my comfort zone and chant to you. Take it as a lullaby if you wish …
The next step in order to help Nepal back on its feet is to start getting tourism back on its feet. It might not seem so important right now, when people are in dire need. But it is really essential in order to rebuild the country. If nobody travels to Nepal anymore, what will the Nepalese people live from?
I am teaming up with the Hi On Life team for a Support Nepal yoga trek starting on October 10th. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the awe-inspiring Himalayas, this is the moment to do it. It is actually one of the best ways you can help the Nepalese people! The Annapurna region has not been destroyed by the earthquake, and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The trek will last 17 days with the possibility of flying back after 14 if you’re short on time. Or you can extend it if you have more time on your hands! We will trek through lush rhododendron forests, beautiful terraced villages and see awe-inspiring mountain vistas of the Annapurna mountain range. One of the highlights is to watch the sunrise on Poon Hill. The photo at the top is from my first trip there in 2010.
There will be several rest days where we stay at a lodge, do yoga and meditate, a dip in natural thermal springs and several days to explore both Kathmandu and the lovely town of Pokhara. You can read more here (in Norwegian) or here (in English). Feel free to contact me if this is of interest.
But first, let us do yoga together to help those in need right now!
Hope to see you 16.00 on June 13th at Jar Kirke.