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Yoga as a lifestyle: one local woman's mission |
By ERIN BARRETTE GOODMAN When most people think of yoga, they tend to think of people bending and twisting their way into all kinds of crazy poses. And while that is certainly part of the experience, traditional yoga is actually about a way of life that extends well beyond the physical postures. “It’s easy to meditate and be peaceful in a yoga studio,” says Maria Arias of yoga@work, which brings yoga to corporations throughout Southern New England. “But can you find that peace when you are stuck in traffic, or your kids are fighting, or you’re dealing with a stressful situation at work? This is where the real work of yoga is.” Another important element of a yogic lifestyle, which students of yoga sometimes call their “off the mat” practice, is seva, or selfless service. Seva is about bringing the light and peace that one achieves through yoga out into the world. Jude’s Journey Jude Monteserrato, a yoga teacher in Wakefield, exemplifies the power of yoga to transform the lives of individuals and communities. Monteserrato, who describes herself as a former high-strung, corporate-type, took solace in a yoga studio after loosing her partner of 15 years in the attacks of 9/11. “My yoga class was the only place I could find peace during that painful time,” Monteserrato explained. Over the years, yoga not only helped Monteserrato begin to heal, it also led her to become a certified yoga teacher and make many positive changes in her life, which she now shares with her partner, physical therapist, Thai massage practitioner and fellow yoga teacher, Ed Cardinal, of Wakefield. As part of her practice, Monteserrato frequently attends workshops and conferences to deepen her practice and hone her skills. It was at one such retreat last fall with internationally-renowned yoga teacher and humanitarian Seane Corn that Monteserrato was introduced to a program called “Off the Mat, Into the World” and the “Cambodia Challenge 2009.” “The moment I heard about this challenge, my soul was deeply touched. As I reviewed the information and watched the video online about the children in Cambodia’s orphanages, and the conditions they were rescued from, tears began to run down my face. “At that moment I knew, that in addition to my daily prayers, I needed to take action to make a difference.” Cambodia Challenge 2009 In February, 2009, Monteserrato, and close to 20 of her yoga colleagues from around the world, will travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to build a well (among other projects) at one of the five orphanages run by the Cambodia Children’s Fund (CCF). The children they will be working with have been rescued by CCF from Steung Meanchey, an 11-acre garbage dump, where they lived and worked (collecting metal and plastic for recycling). Through the work of CCF, the children now attend school and have their basic needs met for the first time in their lives. In order for Monteserrato and her colleagues to participate in the Cambodia Challenge, each individual must raise $20,000 by December 31. Monteserrato, who began fundraising this past spring, is approaching $12,000, and going strong thanks to the generosity of her family, friends and members of the community. SOUPer BOWL This coming Saturday, Monteserrato will host a fun and unique fundraiser at the Church of the Ascension in Wakefield from 6:30 to 10 p.m. For $30 – an amount which can feed a child in Cambodia three nutritious meals a day for a full month – participants will receive a beautiful hand-made bowl (donated by Anni Barnard and Jeanne Wettlaufer), from which they can sample any number of delicious homemade soups, as well as bread and dessert. Traditional Cambodian music will be played throughout the night by Song Heng. Monteserrato will also have “Off the Mat, Into the World” tee-shirts that she designed, as well as bags that are handmade in Cambodia, for sale. There will also be several raffles of donated items like jewelry and gift certificates throughout the evening. For more information about the SOUPer BOWL event or to learn about other ways you can support Jude’s Journey, call 439-5260 or visit Jude’s website at www.judesjourney.com. |
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