Almost There - proving our identities

30 days, 30 yogis and 30 sponsors...that was the plan...all very rounded and neat.

But this challenge has taken on a life of its own and has flowed out of any boundaries we may have set. There are certainly more than 30 yogis, some have joined in later and will continue for longer, others have to make up time afterwards due to hectic schedules. Some have been doing yoga in weird and wonderful places.  And many people have way more than 30 sponsors which means we are going to be raising more money for Home from Home than planned.

By all accounts, it has been a hectic journey for many. This morning someone cursed as she unrolled her mat, but she showed up and was a much nicer person at the end. Someone injured her foot on a hike and is now doing a Pilates Challenge instead. And yesterday, I overheard someone say that she was so full of aches and pains but reluctant to say so “because everyone else is lying around looking so happy!”

The challenge has been exactly that – ‘a demanding task or situation, a call to someone to take part in a contest, invite someone to do something difficult’ and I like this one: ‘to call on someone to prove their identity’ (Oxford Dictionary). The contest has been within ourselves, testing the boundaries but at the same time learning to respect our bodies. And I think we have learned more about who we are over the last few weeks than we may think.

This last week I have felt full of the joys of yoga. Something has shifted and the challenge has gone from being hard work to providing a deep sense of satisfaction. It truly has been a gift to me too.

Melissa in the warrior pose
We're all feeling like warriors right now

Yoga Challenge: feeling good, doing good

I have committed to a 30 day Yoga Challenge. Starting 1 August,  I will be doing yoga everyday for 30 days.  I need to find 30 people who will each sponsor me R100 so that at the end of it I will have raised R3 000 for a project called Home from Home. The aim is to get 30 people to do the challenge and to raise R90 000 towards the project. This will be enough to  care for a family of six children in a community-based foster home for a year. Home from Home has 21 such homes and this will be for number 22! 

The challenge is the bright idea of friends Melissa Brake, the owner of YogaWay Studio, and Pippa Shaper, the  Managing Trustee of Home from Home.

Initially, the idea was rather daunting (will I have enough time, where will I get 30 sponsors...), but the more I thought about it (and the more Melissa twisted my arm), the more attractive it became. I am picturing my new centred, together self at the end of August serenely handing over the money - how's that for a win-win situation - feeling good and doing good. And there will be 29 other centred, together people serenely doing the same. Hey! Imagine if more people did this.... we'll all be feeling good, doing good...or you could just sponsor me, please!

Pippa and Melissa in the YogaWay Studio