Why 108?

With only days before the next iRocYoga 108 Yoga challenge - have you wondered why 108? The number's significance is open to interpretation. But 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. Nobody knows for sure why it is so, but here are a few places the number shows up:

• The ancient Indians were excellent mathematicians and 108 may be the product of a precise mathematical operation (e.g. 1 power 1 x 2 power 2 x 3 power 3 = 108) which was thought to have special numerological significance.
• The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters.
• Mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence.
• Traditionally, malas, or garlands of prayer beads, come as a string of 108 beads (plus one for the "guru bead," around which the other 108 beads turn like the planets around the sun). A mala is used for counting as you repeat a mantra—much like the Catholic rosary.
• 1, 0, and 8: 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.
• There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.
• The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to self-realization.
• According to yogic tradition, there are 108 pithas, or sacred sites, throughout India. And there are also 108 Upanishads and 108 marma points, or sacred places of the body.

These are fun facts to share, but the thing that resonates most with me is Rochester yogis showing up to do 108 Sun Salutations to chagne the lives of children through support of Bivona Child Advocacy Center.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Event Details
iRocYoga 108 Yoga Challenge
Saturday, June 18 · 9:30am - 12:00pm 
Location Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, outdoor event tent
199 Woodcliff Dr.
Fairport, NY  

Setting a Foundation for Something Amazing

Wow! Only three weeks until the 108 event. It's amazing to think that when it started to come together the idea of 108 salutations in an outdoor tent seem unimaginable during a winter that would never end. But here we are :) And it has been quite the journey ...

One of the best things about organizing an event like this is all the amazing people I get to meet and talk to along the way. The 108 Yoga Challenge events are 100% volunteer and donation based. That means everything from the location to the DJ and participation from yoga teachers are all possible because a lot people came together to set the foundation for something amazing.

That something amazing will be the difference we make as a unified yoga community, coming together to support a common cause through the 108 Yoga Challenge. Your donation to attend will support Rochester's Bivona Child Advocacy Center. Bivona runs a network of programs that create a place of love, compassion and safety for children who have been sexually and physically abused. Even before you get to the event - the buzz many of you have helped generate is increasing awareness for the work Bivona does.

Speaking of creating a buzz - I want to thank all of the yoga studios who have helped get the word out about this event. Rochester area studios are signing people up to attend, posting information on their websites, including it in their emails and some have even canceled their Saturday morning classes encouraging students to participate in the 108 Yoga Challenge. Wow!! We have an incredible yoga community!

One of the questions I get asked is "if I can't do all 108, can I still attend" - absolutely! As with any yoga practice, the important thing is that you honor your body and where you are at. Whether you do 5, 10, 20 or all 108, your participation adds to the energy, excitement and overall impact we can have.

The 108 Yoga Challenge to support Bivona takes place on June 18, 9:30-Noon at the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa, in their outdoor event tent. For more info visit http://irocyoga.com/108_Yoga_Challenge.php or email info@irocyoga.com.

~ Namaste ~
Melinda

Making Use of Blog Space

It's hard to imagine it's only been six months since iRocYoga launched. In that short period of time we've accomplished a lot! We have an active iRocYoga Facebook community with more than 200 followers, a one-stop-shop yoga website, hosted one incredible community event and are preparing the next one in June.

When I launched iRocYoga, in addition to a website and facebook page, I set up this Blogger account and a twitter page. I want to use all four but am still feeling out how to use them in a way that provides more content - not repetitive content.

With that said - I am returning to the Blogger account with the idea that I'll use it to share day-to-day (or week-to-week, depending on how busy life gets) stories about iRocYoga, the events and what happens behind the scenes to makes this great community possible.

I hope to also hear from you - let me know what you think about iRocYoga, what you'd like to see happen with the community.

Looking forward to seeing you on the web, at one of Rochester's great yoga studios, and at our upcoming iRocYoga events!

~ Namaste ~
Melinda

P.S. - Next I'll figure out what to do with the twitter page :)

108 Sun Salutations for Carpenter's Kids

On March 12, Rochester Yogis will take the ultimate yoga challenge - 108 Sun Salutations. Preparing for the event I find myself thinking, really?? 108?? But I ‘m thrilled to take the challenge for two great reasons; a program called Carpenter’s Kids and an incredible woman named Dahn Gandell. 

When you visit the Carpenter’s Kids website you’ll find the kinds of information you’d expect, who they are, what they do and how to donate.
Here’s a quick summary. The AIDS epidemic has made orphans of more than 2.5 million children in Tanzania. Carpenter’s Kids is giving children a chance in life by providing them with the things they need to attend school - uniforms, shoes, school supplies and breakfast every morning.

It’s an incredible undertaking I was introduced to by my friend Dahn, a Rochester yogi, RYT and Priest at St. John’s Episcopal Church. When you meet her, you find a woman with a fiery personality and heart as bright as her smile.

In August Dahn will go to Tanzania to distribute backpacks, shoes, new uniforms, books, mosquito nets, soap, and gifts for the school like soccer balls, globes and maps. This year, they are also providing the schools with new desks.

This will be Dahn’s second year going to Tanzania for carpenter’s Kids. She says “these kids are incredibly dedicated to their studies because they know that getting an education is the key to having a better future for themselves and their villages.” She adds, “It’s also fundamental to a better future for the country of Tanzania.”

Rochester’s 108 Yoga Challenge is a donation-based event. We’re asking for children’s books or a cash donation to buy books. Dahn will bring donated and purchased books with her to give to the schools and children when she is there.

I love the thought of giving Dahn a book that she will give to an orphaned child in Tanzania. It’s a simple act of love and kindness that makes the world a smaller place. Or, as Kevin Bacon might say, it put’s only two degrees of separation between you and a brighter future for a child half way around the world.

Carpenter’s Kids is a partnership between the Episcopal Diocese of NY and the Diocese of Central Tanganyika, a leader in public health and education, sponsoring health clinics, schools, and AIDS prevention programs.

Email info@irocyoga.com with questions about Rochester’s 108 Yoga Challenge.

Day 1

iRocYoga launched today as a space on the web to give Rochester yogis a place on the web to connect with each other, find out what's happening throughout the yoga community and get information about studios and instructors.

We're kicking off the year with our first event - Rochester's 108 Yoga Challenge, on March 12. We're bringing together yogis from all over to support a great cause and take on the ultimate challenge - 108 sun salutations.

 

You can stay connected by:

• Liking iRocYoga on Facebook
• Following @iRocYoga on Twitter
• Visiting http://www.irocyoga.com/

Check back for news and updates from iRocYoga.