Africa Yoga Project

I first met Paige Elenson in Utah in 2008.  We were at a training with our teacher Baron Baptiste and Paige was assisting.  I literally met her while she assisted me with a pose and you know those moments when someone assists you and the pose becomes so much more.  That was the moment I shared with Paige.  She probably doesn't remember it at all but the memory is very clear for me.  The assist was full of confidence and love.

Later that day we watched a video Paige had created about the Africa Yoga Project.  As most of you know I can cry at anything.  I was lying on my back propped up to watch the video and I was so moved and so emotional that the tears were just flowing down my face. This is what yoga is about for me.  It is an action word.  It is about transformation and unity.

 It takes someone full of confidence and full of love to create an organization like AYP.  Paige was on a family vacation in Kenya and decided to stay in Kenya and the Africa Yoga Project was created in 2007.  AYP teachers have introduced thousands of students in Kenya to the practice of yoga, as well as provided educational scholarships, job training, food stipends, temporary housing and health services.

Their students, ages 16 to 30 years old, come from impoverished backgrounds in Nairobi, Kenya and live on under $2 a day. Many are personally affected by HIV/AIDS and are living or have lived on the streets.


Africa Yoga Project offers financial support to 48 teachers in exchange for teaching yoga in the communities of Nairobi, Kenya. Their teachers come from the slum areas in which they teach and are able to reach the communities for positive social change. Many yoga teachers come to AYP via acrobatics or dance, which they performed on the streets as a way to sustain a living.   Africa Yoga Project offers the yoga teachers confidence and hope. Yoga is a way to give back to the communities in which they live- AYP promotes unity and non-violence. For many AYP teachers, it is a way to earn income to support their families and continue their education.

I am currently mentoring an AYP teacher and FSYC is paying her living wage for one year so that she can teach for free.  Michelle and her husband will be traveling to Kenya in January 2012 to work alongside the teachers and their students.

So I ask you to support the Africa Yoga Project by making a donation - not because of me, Michelle, or Paige. Let your donation be a reflection of what yoga means to you.  From the first time you stepped onto your mat to today - what has yoga meant to you?   Your donation will help this organization cast its net bigger over Kenya.  One love for Africa.

Love and gratitude,

Lori

20 Things you may not know about Leah Barber

20 Things You May Not Know about Leah Barber

1.        I’m half Brazilian and was the first person on the Brazilian side born in the US. I’m named after the matriarch on the Brazilian side of my family.

2.       I lived in Vancouver, Canada from ages 16-19.  It was awesome. 

3.       Cutting cilantro makes me gag but I will eat it if somebody cuts it for me.

4.       My husband and I eloped and were married at the Hillsborough County Jail. 

5.       I collect and listen to vintage Jamaican vinyl (ska, rocksteady, reggae). 

6.       I’ve been a DJ at WXYC 89.3 for 7 years.  My show is every Sunday from 8-10am.  My call name is DJ Dias and I’m a DJ 4 life. 

7.       I found my calling for teaching 10 years ago while helping a few hundred kids learn how to swim. 

8.       When I was 21, I worked as flight attendant but quit my job on 9/11. 

9.       I was a waitress at Hard Rock Café in Boston when I was 20. 

10.   My first car was a 1969 VW Fastback (a station wagon) and I’ve only owned station wagons since.  They include: 1 VW, 3 Volvos, and now a Saab. 

11.   I went on Phish tour when I was 19.  As a result, I will never eat a cold burrito again. 

12.   When I was 8 years old, I was an extra in Pagliacci and a leopard in The Magic Flute (they are both operas).

13.   My dad and step-mom took me on a Paul McCartney tour when I was 11.  We followed his band through 4 states

14.   On my mom’s side, I’m the youngest sibling by 8 years.  On my dad’s side, I’m the oldest sibling by 8 years.

15.   My friend Elena and I have been best friends for 25 years.  We even know our anniversary and celebrate it every year. 

16.   When I was growing up, I lived in Tulsa with my mom during the school year and in Chapel Hill with my dad in the summer.

17.    I started flying by myself when I was 6 years old (see #16)

18.   I have an extra body part but I will not reveal that body part on this list. 

19.   I taught myself how to quilt and made 2 quilts. I gave the 1^st one to my older sister.  If I had more time, I would sew every day.  

20. Ever since we met, my husband and I take the same vacation every 2 years to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.      

20 Things you may not know about Leslie Roach

20 Things You May Not Know About Leslie Roach

1.   I have an outie belly button

2.   I was an all-state basketball and track athlete

3.   I went to College of Charleston to play basketball and run, then ended up transferring to UNC

4. I double majored in Psychology and Exercise Physiology with a minor in Biology, Yes I am a nerd

5. I have only tried coffee once in my life

6. My favorite flower is Hydrangea

7.    Friends is my all time favorite show, I own all 9 Seasons

8.   I might be the most stubborn person I know, actually I am the most stubborn person I know, NO REALLY I AM ;-)

9.   Music makes everything better, especially when I turn it up so loud I cannot hear anything else and dance to it (in my car)

10. My dad is one of my favorite people ever!

11. I have two brothers, Bill 28 and Wes 22.

12. My family has created a word for me, “Leslisms” because I can be slow to understand things... ex. In fourth grade I asked the safety (police) group why they called their dogs K-9 if they only had 8 of them; it made since to me.

13.    I had two cats growing up, Champ and Wiggles

14.    When I was in second grade I wore shorts everyday, because my mom told me I couldn’t wear shorts everyday, so, literally I kept a calendar and checked off the days (all 365) of wearing shorts (refer back to #8)

15. I used to Strongly Dislike reading because it made me feel stupid. I stuttered when I read out loud and it took me FOREVER to do. Finally, we figured out that I am dyslexic and have a tracking problem (meaning I saw things backwards and would just flat out skip lines or words) Now I LOVE reading and am fine to go at my own pace.

16.    I love playing Words with Friends on my Phone

17.    (a)My first concert was Amy Grant, House of Love... I didn’t make it till the end fell asleep, not because it wasn’t good, I loved it, but I was too tired. (17b. I have never pulled an all nighter)

18.    My first CD was either Boyz II Men or Ace of Base

19.  My Grandmother is one of my biggest inspirations and I hope one day to be as graceful, joyful, generous and loving as she is

20. I love Yoga, and not just the asana. I love that it asks us to be open, to live and let live. To be dedicated to the process, not attached to the results, and continue to search for compassion, love and kindness in ourselves so that we may share that with those around us... Just be Kind and Love