A local yoga instructor is bringing the popular "Yoga Jam" concept to Squamish, with local residents invited to an event this weekend to help raise money for the Africa Yoga Project.
Isa Mills, who teaches at the Shala Yoga Studio, said Sunday's (Nov. 27) event will be led by guest instructor Charlie Pentland. Mills, Pentland, a DJ and others are donating their services to the event, which aims to raise money for the Africa Yoga Project, an initiative to promote peace and healing for those living in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya.
Operating on the slogan "Lead for Change," the Africa Yoga Project's website states, "We deliver innovative programs that foster peace, improve physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, facilitate self-sufficiency and create opportunities to learn and contribute across the communities of East Africa."
The cost of the session, which takes place on Sunday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the 撸奶社区Adventure Centre, is $20, with all proceeds benefitting the Africa Yoga Project. Several local businesses are donating draw prizes that can be won by participants, Mills said.
Erin Anderson, a Whistler yoga instructor, kick-started the "Yoga Jam" concept about a year ago with a goal of raising $10,000 for Africa Yoga Project. The idea has spread to other communities and organizers have now set a goal of raising $100,000, Mills said.
"The funds raised are meant to bring clean water, education and jobs to those with no hope," Mills said. "It goes toward teaching the locals - people from the slums of Nairobi - to be yoga teachers. They're reaching more than 4,000 people a month.
"Erin is over there right now. I've been getting emails from her and she just feels like her life has changed and that it's absolutely amazing what's happening over there."
Mills said she's fully on board with the idea of bring communities both locally and worldwide together through the practice of yoga.
"It's just so empowering, and I really wanted to bring this to 撸奶社区because we're so spread out and we have our different interests -mountain biking, climbing, whatever -and this sort of event make the world smaller."
Those wishing to take part in the event are asked to begin arriving at around 6 p.m. to register and have tea. For more information, please email Mills at [email protected]
