Yumi Hasegawa is a certified YogaKids teacher, CYKT, who lives in Mayangon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Upon the tragedy that struck this country recently, Yumi reached out to our YogaKids community for help. I want to thank all of our YogaKids International community effort who reached out to supply the demand of goods and services that are needed. We have been able to help through the generosity you have suppled.  There is still great urgency to help get food to the babies and children in her community. We couldn’t provide the services that Red Cross, UNICEF or the US government can but Yumi is there, right now and with our money she has been able to buy baby food, water and other staples to help the families in her community make it through. She now has support to get food  to children who she, her husband and friends can reach out to right now. She has money to buy supplies. YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds is sending everything we can raise.

Yumi’s yoga and YogaKids classes in her area is grateful to be able to bring relief to the children, their parents and neighbors to soothe body, mind, sould and hearts, just a little to break through the fear, upheaval and confusion to help provide a few moments of peace for those in her tragically torn community. Through the “YK Bridge of Diamonds” we have fortunately been able to offer food and clothing in a time of such great need. Our doing a little means a lot to the homeless children suffering in Myanmar today.

You can make a credit card contribution by visiting the YogaKids website www.yogakids.com and follow the “Help Yumi” link. You can send checks to YogaKids International, 1714 A street, LaPorte, Indiana USA payable to the YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds Foundation, side marked Myanmar.

The Bridge of Diamonds Foundation is a 501c3. Your donations will be tax deductible. Your contributions will go directly to help Yumi feed the children of Mayangon Township, Yangon, Myanmar and as far as her community can reach.

Please forward this appeal on to all of the yogis you know and any other friends or contacts who might be able to make a difference and help Yumi feed so many children.

May all be filled with loving-kindness
May all be healthy and strong.
May all be free from suffering.
May all be healthy and happy.
May all be filled with peace.

Thanks for bonding together to make a difference in the world.

Infinite Blessings…Thanks and love for your support

Don and Marsha Wenig
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calendar of events. Provide some general information about the events they will be viewing below. Build up the anticipation for what will be coming in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

The town of Garissa on the Tana River near the border of Somalia, Africa is home to the world’s only camel borne library. 12 camels and librarians move across arid, undeveloped land in temperatures above 100 degrees to spread a love of literature and bring the joy of reading to children and families. Books cannot feed the tummy, but can certainly warm the soul. This camel caravan brings awe and inspiration to people of all ages. Bringing books across borders to inspire new possibilities and bring hope. With knowledge and solutions that inspire ideas, possibilities and solutions. To donate to this special library go to camelbookdrive.wordpress.com.

I would love to hear from anyone who could possibly explain or justify the recent print ads that show a can of Diet Coke and call it a Yoga Class? It’s obviously not a joke, yet I find it laughable and depressing. I challenge their corporate executives and advertising agency to substantiate this claim……

Do you complain, yell, scream or put others down? Probably now and then. Some of us more than others. I feel very confident in saying that we’re never proud of it, nor does it ever really make us feel better.

Think about it for a minute….. Who are your targets or dumping grounds for the emotions of blame, anger, frustration, disappointment, etc?

Why is that when we don’t feel good emotionally, we want someone else to fix it. Does releasing anger and spouting negative words onto someone else ever really feel good? No, never.

Often times our spouses, loved ones or our children may be our ‘targets’. Maybe as the saying goes, familiarity (the family) breeds contempt. If someone is really close to us and we love them, we release our ’stuff’ on them because we can? Does that make sense? No.

Are we just magnifying onto others and the outside world what we feel inside? When we point a finger at someone else and tell them what’s wrong with them perhaps we can stop, take a breath and remember that we have 4 other fingers pointing back to ourselves.

So the truth seems to be that what we pick on or rant against in others is really about ourselves. When I point out your faults perhaps the truth is that the mirror is really closer than I think. In fact, it’s right in front of me. I can only realize them in you if I already feel it in me. Polish up the mirrors and reflect your light. “Untainted happiness is the inner journey and it is that inner journey that really matters. Yoga takes you there.” 
BKS Iyengar

This holiday season let’s clear our thoughts, gut reactions, souls and make our time together sweet. What goes around comes around. The laws of karma.

Relationships provide a powerful and immediate mirror that invite us to see ourselves more clearly. In fact when we are observant and reflective, we increase our potential of self awareness and reflection. Breathe before you speak. Keep it high. Make it loving. Enjoy each other and all our blessings.

It’s summer in good ol’ Indiana. The corn is growing. The students are napping.

The latest college club craze is happening at Indiana University in South Bend. Join the Nap Club.

According to a recent ABC News report on Channel 13 in Houston, Texas naps can heighten creativity and boost alertness. The New York Times reported way back in 1989 that the human body was meant to have a midday nap . At IUSB, participants can nap in a darkened room on air mattresses or in chairs from 11AM-3PM Monday through Thursday.

Naps are not just for babies or senior citizens. Treat yourself to this restful ease on the beach, in a Lazy Boy, hammock or visit South Bend, Indiana and wake up to the tolling of the bells at Notre Dame

The latest research on children with autism shows that this diagnosis is more prevalent in boys than girls by a 4 to 1 ratio.

According to People Magazine, “1 in 150 childen are effected with serious problems in communications and social relations.” Statistics reported in a January 2007 segment on The View stated that twenty years ago statistics were more like 1 out of 10,000.

Temple Grandin has shed some needed light and understanding with her books, teachings and appearances.

I have always been an animal lover and a supporter of PETA since their inception in 1980. For as long as I can remember, my kinship with our furry and feathered friends has been a lifesaving solace. Grandin’s connection and relationship to fostering a humane treatment of animals has helped her and the animals heal too. Says this amazing woman… “some autistic kids can understand what animals are thinking and feeling because, like them, they can’t rely on language to communicate. Their world is based on pictures and sounds, smells, tastes and touch.”

For more information go to Autismspeaks.

Just a reminder that you can post comments, questions or requests to any of our blog entries at any time. I look forward to seeing our blog become more interactive.
Thanks for your readership and views.

Gratefully,
Marsha Wenig
President and Founder
YogaKids International