GIVE A LITTLE AND GET A LITTLE BACK IN RETURN

Going on yoga retreat that is half way around the world can be a dream we would love to experience but financially is just not feasible.  After having people enquiring about our Mandala Yoga Bali Retreat August 25 - 31, many realized they could not afford it.  

I am not in any position to subsidize someone's trip but I thought perhaps I could help by donating my time and resources to help fundraise for them.

At the beginning of May I had people send in their stories outlining why they would love to go, how it would benefit their lives and why they are unable to afford it.  After looking through many submissions I choose two lovely women, Nicky Jones from Austin, Texas and Rachel Bowden from Tallahassee, florida. 

Nicki            and           Rachel

It was hard to pick just one person so I chose two!  Each of these women have completely different stories and are at different places in their lives.  But they both are dedicated yogis sharing their knowledge of yoga, movement and health to their students/clients.

The next step was to start facilitating a fundraising campaign using the site gofundme You can go read each of their stories Nicki Jones and Rachel Bowden  and if you like you could even give a little something.

For each $35 donation I will be giving away one of my Yoga Inspired Bracelets from Bali so you could get a little something from me in exchange for giving a little something to them.

Every little bit will help with this campaign!

APPLY TO RECEIVE FUNDING TO ATTEND OUR MANDALA YOGA RETREAT IN BALI AUGUST 25 – 31

A lot of you out there would love to attend a yoga retreat, but the expense of getting to a yoga retreat in a foreign country can make it impossible for many people to attend. With so many websites now available to fund a wide variety of projects, we have decided to start an online campaign to raise funds for someone to join our Mandala Yoga Retreat in Bali August 25 – 31 at the beautiful Desa Seni Village Resort… Let’s tap into the crowdfunding site - www.gofundme.com - and make it happen for someone who otherwise could not afford the retreat. 

That person could be you, or someone you know ...

HOW IT WORKS:

•   We set up an online campaign outlining your story, why you should go to the retreat, and  the reason(s) you might not be able to afford to do so.

•    The campaign is posted on Facebook and Twitter to solicit funds. 

•    People donate funds, we manage the campaign, and if enough funds are raised, you join   us in Bali. Should we fall short in fund-raising, there is an option for you to come up with     the remainder. This will all be discussed in advance once our candidate is chosen.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

•    Send us an email outlining why you should go on this retreat, and why it is financially difficult for you to go.

•    Send us a photo of you in your favorite pose, (which, if you are chosen, we will use for the online campaign).

•    You need to have an active Facebook page (a Twitter account would be beneficial too), and be willing to post the campaign with a link to the gofundme.com website.

•    You also need to be willing to share this with your Facebook, Twitter, and other contacts.

•    You need to be sure you are free to come on the retreat dates noted above.  If you decide to fly earlier or stay in Bali longer than the outlined dates, that financial responsibility would be yours.

WHAT WE WILL DO:

•   We’ll review the submissions and choose one person for the fundraising campaign.

•   We will create and manage the fundraising campaign on the gofundme.com website telling your story. We’ll include regular updates, share photos, etc...

•    We will share the campaign on both our MandalaYogaMat Facebook Page and our Twitter account.

•    We will be responsible for the money brought in, and for the booking of your flight.

•    Everyone who donates $50 or more to the fund will receive the gift of a beautiful Yoga Inspired Bracelet from our MandalaYogaMat site.

We would love to raise enough funds to cover both the airfare and the cost of the retreat. As mentioned above, if we raise less than what is needed, we could still use that amount and you could pay for the rest; otherwise we will not take the funds. When we begin the campaign, your home/starting destination for the flight will determine the funds required for the airfare portion.

Please email the information outlined above in the “What You Need To Do” section to info@mandalayogamat.com If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email us.  We will be accepting applications until May 10.

5 REASONS TO GO ON A YOGA RETREAT

Something magical happens when a group of like-minded individuals gather together in a beautiful location to share the practice of yoga.  I can't think of a better way to escape on a holiday.  Whether it is by yourself or with a friend or  two, a Yoga Retreat may be just want you need to recharge your life.

5 REASONS TO TO GO ON A YOGA RETREAT:

1. Deepen your practice.

In these busy lives we lead, finding the time to practice yoga can be a challenge.  A committed week of yoga could be just what you need to deepen your practice. On a retreat you will likely have 2 classes a day.  Practicing every day you will notice the changes not only in your physical body, but in your mental state as well. Coming home afterwards, you might even be inspired to start a new home practice or take your existing practice to a new level.       

2. You will create a new perspective.

Going to a new and different place creates an opportunity to see the world, and yourself, in a new perspective. Experiencing the unknown is an accelerated way to grow and learn. You will have the luxury of time to do just what you want to do.  When you change your routine and your surroundings, you see things in a different light.

3. Rest and relax

Being on a retreat is all about you, your yoga, eating healthy foods and slowing down.  Sometimes it is easier to give yourself that indulgence when you leave your comfort zone of home and go somewhere far away and exotic. And if your retreat is all-inclusive you get 3 healthy and delicious meals every day prepared for you.  Most retreats also have free time in the afternoon to do what ever you like to make the most out of your day.

4. Meet new like-minded people.

When a bunch of people on a similar path get together in a beautiful place, new friendships are bound to happen.  It is inspiring to surround yourself with other yogis from around the world and to practice together. Gathering like this in a group is sometimes the perfect mirror to remind us that, although everyone is unique, we are all connected.

5. You deserve it.

You work hard in your daily life and you can always find reasons why you should or excuses for not doing something for yourself. We all lead busy lives, and we often neglect to live life to its fullest. When you immerse yourself for a week, you find the creative juices just waiting to come out.  Not only do you find your own inspiration, but you come home and are able to share it with others.

Now, what are you waiting for?  

Join us for our 

Mandala Yoga Retreat in Bali August 25 - 31 2013 

at the Beautiful Desa Seni Village Resort in Canggu. 

We have an early-bird discount until May 1. 

You can get all the information at  

Mandala Yoga Retreat 

or send any questions to 

info@mandalayogamat.com

Namaste

Unique Yoga Photos

I love looking through the internet to find unique yoga images.  And when I find a photo of someone on one of our mats it is even more fun!

Yoga instructor, 75, leads unique class in Apollo Beach

What a cool way to start your wedding day.  And imagine the fun you can have with a photo shoot.

UNIQUE, YOGA ZEN BRIDAL SHOOT & BACHELORETTE PARTY IDEAS

And then there are the really unique images, how cool is that!

Bliss Yoga

And this one.........

Yoga Bliss

Or how about just visually beautiful!

Lisa Kristine

Mandala Yoga Retreat in Bali

Namaste,

We are so excited to be hosting our very first Mandala Yoga Retreat on our beautiful 6 ft round mats in Bali August 25 - 31, 2013!  

I had the opportunity to visit Bali for 3 weeks this past December, and like most people who go to that amazing island, I left with such love for the people and their culture.  Their way of life and gentle nature tugs on my heart and brings a smile to my face when I remember our stay there.

So spend a week with us experiencing the freedom of a six foot round yoga mat (which will be yours to take home) on the beautiful Island of Bali.  And if you can then take another week or few days to explore the island more on your own or with friend you will have a holiday to remember.

We will be hosting the retreat the beautiful eco-green Desa Seni Resort which is in the wonderful area of Canguu.  We make sure you have the afternoon free to enjoy the nearby beachs, villages and towns.

If you need any more information please don't hesitate to email or phone us

Mandala Yoga Mat

WHY SHOULD YOU USE A ROUND YOGA MAT

When people ask me why is it so special practicing on a round mat, my first response is “to experience freedom of movement”.  

As well as the size,  the shape also plays an important roll in "experiencing the freedom".  But a circle is far more than simply a shape.  It represents wholeness, with no beginning or end, no sharp corners, a continuous flow.  

On a circular mat you feel no confinement or borders as you may on a rectangular or square mat. It is not a mat for exercise, it is a mat to be creative and enhance your yoga practice.

And why call it a Mandala Yoga Mat ?  Mandala is Sanskrit for circle, polygon, community, and connection.  In various spiritual traditions, Mandalas may be used for focusing attention of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, or even as an aid to meditation.  So when you are on your round mat it can become much more than just your space that you practice on.

Your yoga practice is just like the Buddhist Monks who can spend days creating beautiful sand Mandalas.  Only to then sweep up the colored grains of sand and disperse them into flowing water.  Nothing is permanent, everything is always changing.  Let it go and then begin again.  And isn't that like our practice.  Each day you step on your mat you are doing a new practice.  You feel different so you need to approach your practice in a different way.  Take stock of how you are feeling and build from that.

I created these mats to take your practice to another level.  Enhance Your practice, Be Creative, Love Your Yoga, Experience the Freedom, Enjoy.

Namaste

Desiree      Click here to watch how we use the mat!

Living Life To Its Fullest

A Woman who was instrumental in the Modern Dance world in Canada, and who I had the opportunity to work with for many years, passed away this last weekend.  

Rachel Browne you will be missed by many.  Your dedication to Dance as an art, your commitment to Dancers young and old and your passion for what you loved was felt by many people.

                                                     "Nothing Past The Swans"

                                                                       Choreographer: Tedd Robinson  1983ish

                                        

Every artist has his or her quirky ways and you were no exception. All the times in the studio when you would have your electric kettle close at hand for your tea, your baggies of food that you were always munching on, and your trademark sweatpants are memories that I will hold forever.  

The passing of Rachel has really made me think deeply about my own life and how each day passes too quickly.  How do we live life to its fullest while still doing the mundane every day things that are required.  How do we allow ourselves to wake up every morning with anticipation of what the day holds rather than dragging ourselves out of bed with a cloud of "how can I do everything that needs to be done" hanging over our head.

I think they both come hand in hand.  Not everyday will be completely filled with energy and joy.  But hopefully each day we can find at least a few moments when you just think to yourself, ahhhhh life is beautiful.  And then of course there are those days that are WOW its wonderful to be alive!  Those WOW days are the ones we need to remember and draw from for our otherwise down days.

And of course our yoga practice is the one constant that grounds us and brings us more of those ahhhh moments.  So do your yoga.

My personal story of Rachel Browne is when I finished my first year as a student at Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  My dream was to be a dancer and that company was the one I wanted to dance with.  Rachel was the Artistic Director at the time and she took me aside at the end of the year and told me I did not have it in me to become a professional dancer.  As you can imagine I was first crushed and then I got mad.  I came back the next year and worked my butt off to prove her wrong.  2 years later I was hired as a dancer in the company.   So thank you Rachel for lighting the fire under my bum so that I would work harder than I ever thought I could.  I think that was your plan anyways, to see if I had it in me to be a dancer.

Rest in Peace Rachel Browne.