Practice Karma Yoga in Your Life
One of the surest ways to find happiness in life is by curating a servant heart. The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Indian text, views karma yoga, the Hindu path of service to others, as the gateway to spiritual fulfillment and life-long happiness. It is centered around purifying your heart by learning to act selflessly in service of others. Through this type of yoga, we can learn kindness and compassion without any expectation of personal gain. It allows us to leave our egos and puts us on the path to enlightenment and self-realization. This month, we are putting karma yoga into practice by supporting MANNA FoodBank.
There are many ways that you can incorporate karma yoga into your life. You might choose to help an elderly neighbor in need, travel abroad for global service or volunteer with a charity in your local community. Remember, above all, this practice is about giving to those in need, sharing love and spreading light.
Karma yoga seems even more appropriate during this season of Thanksgiving where we focus on the things in our lives that we’re thankful for and emphasize giving to others. During this time of reflection, it’s only appropriate to give back to those who may be struggling and are in need of kindness, love and support.
How You Can Support MANNA FoodBank
During the month of November, we invite you to practice karma yoga in your life by helping us support MANNA FoodBank, our Charity of the Month, as they work to beat hunger in Western North Carolina. Founded in 1983, MANNA is a private, not-for-profit service organization, that links the food industry with over 200 partner agencies in 16 counties of WNC. Their mission is to involve, educate and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina.
A food bin will be available in the Studio all month long if you would like to donate food or cleaning items. On Thursday, November 21, you can also support MANNA FoodBank by visiting the Studio for a drop-in or community class where we’ve pledged to give 10 percent of class proceeds to the nonprofit. Donation boxes will also be available in the Studio and the Boutique from the first day of November until the last day of the month.
Please go to https://www.mannafoodbank.org/how-you-can-help/donate/donate-food/ for a list of acceptable donations.
Bring Gratitude into Your Practice
Invite gratitude into your practice! Next time you’re on your mat, try these poses to open your heart and mind to cultivate an attitude of giving.
Child’s Pose
Start on your hands and knees and bring your toes together behind you. Spread your knees out as far apart as you can while still feeling comfortable. Stretch your arms out in front of you and sit back on your heels. Lay your torso forward and rest your forehead on your mat. In this pose, give gratitude for being alive.
Standing Forward Fold
Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees slightly and fold forward. Relax your head and neck and allow your arms to dangle. While you’re here for a few breaths, give gratitude to your feet and for all the journeys they’ve taken you on.
Mountain Pose
Stand up tall with your feet hip-width apart. Breathe in and reach your arms up over your head. Turn your palms inward and extend up through your fingertips. Take your gaze up towards the ceiling and take 5 deep breaths. With this pose, find gratitude for the season and for the upcoming year!
