My yogini mate, Lala, alerted me to this project so I decided to google around to see what I could find about it since I had no prior knowledge of the event.

In the June 2007 issue of Yogi Times, the Global Mala Project was described as follows:

“The Global Yoga Mala Project is a call to the worldwide yoga communities to cross the borders of our mats, studios, schools, styles or forms of yoga to come together to experience the power of collective practice and sacred action. The collective practice is based on joining hatha yoga, bhakti and karma yoga around practices relating to the 108 mala bead cycle—a sacred circle of beads used or mantra japa practice. The sacred action is raising funds and awareness for specific projects addressing that which we can prevent with urgent and peaceful action: global warming, AIDS and poverty. This will all take place on September 21 and 22 (UN International Peace Day and the fall equinox), when diverse yoga communities from around the world will be creating ritual events to form a symbolic “mala” or sacred circle around the earth. Currently over 54 cities are participating from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv, from offices, institutions and service organizations to the United Nations, Yahoo, AIDS centers and
juvenile halls.”

 

Hey, did you notice…..108 sun salutations???? As in, 108 Surya Namaskars?

Yikes, just a dozen sun salutations in class (coupled with downward/upward dogs) and I am already close to dying! And yet the Yogi Times article says that “the rejuvenation, empowerment, and communion that the group experiences over the two-hour, collectively guided moving prayer (there is no need for verbal instruction) has the effect of turning our mind’s limit and our individual shell on its head.”

In Teresa Herrera’s blog, Planet Butterfly, she gives a rundown of the whole day’s program of activities:

Day FLOW:

8:30 Sign-In/ Welcome Greetings
9am Opening “Om”/ Gayatri Mantra (led by Hoze Arando & Teresa Herrera)
10am-12pm 108 Rounds Surya Namaskar A ( led by Bela Lipat, Berta Feliciano, Raya Mananquil, * )
12:15-1pm Lecture: The Essence of Soul Destiny ( led by Jeannie Javelosa)
1-2pm LUNCH/ “Bollywood Lounge” (sounds by Manolet Dario)
2:30-4pm Poi “Zipping Workshop” ( led by Cat Juan)
2:30-4:30pm Tribal Drumming Workshop (led by Donna & David Esteban)
5- 5:45pm Fire Dancing Performance accompanied by Drumming (led by Planet Zips & Drum Workshop participants)
6pm DINNER
6:30-7:45 KIRTAN (led by Punnu Singh Wasu & Charanjit Singh Wasu)
8-10pm YOGA TRANCE DANCE (led by Teresa Herrera)
10pm Closing “OM”

*Special Guest TBA

There is a suggested donation of P1,200 at the door for the benefit of Trees for the Future and Bantay Bata.

The event seems to be a worthwhile project to create a ring of peace around the world. If you have nothing much to do and you wish to participate in this event, head on to the Fort on Sept. 22 and add your energy to the rest of the yogis/yoginis who plan to be there!