Salute the Sun! 108 Sun Salutations for the Summer Solstice, benefits World Central Kitchen- Chefs for Hawaii.

• Thursday, June 21st
• 14th street studio
• 7:15 to 9:15 pm
• Sign Up here

Learn more about how World Central Kitchen, aids those in Hawaii affected by catastrophic volcanic activity. Also, how Kelsey’s donation class will honor the Summer Solstice.

Aiding Hawaii after the Volcanic Eruptions

The devastating natural disasters on Hawaii evacuated thousands from their homes. Any donation amount can help bring food and water to those affected. On June 21st, Yoga District is holding a donation class to benefit the World Central Kitchen- Chefs for Hawaii.

World Central Kitchen Mission

World Central Kitchen is nonprofit comprised of a global network of Chefs that empower communities and strengthen economies by combating hunger and poverty.  Projects focus on:

• Health:  provide clean cooking equipment & sanitation training   
• Education:  supports school kitchens’ feeding programs & provide sustainable revenue sources
• Jobs: culinary training to elevate the hospitality workforces’ quality of life (including increase in earnings) & strengthen the local economy
• Social Enterprise:  Develop food ventures to create jobs (provide transferable vocational skills & increase income) to low-income communities

Chefs for Hawaii Project

After the disastrous Kilauea Volcano eruption, World Central Kitchen activated an emergency kitchen in Pahoa Hawaii. It serves hundreds of evacuees daily.

Every season, I choose to donate to a different non-profit.  Last season, I aided the relief efforts in Puerto Rico following  devasting hurricanes. My students decided to donate to World Central Kitchen. They are doing exemplary work by engaging communities at the ground level.

Hawaii has been struck by catastrophic volcanic activity.  This includes extreme air pollution from ash fallout. We would like to support the inhabitants of Hawaii.  We selected the Chefs for Hawaii project because it provides good food and clean water to Hawaii’s evacuees. All donations from this class will be based on the students’ discretion and ability to give!

Summer Solstice/Summer Mala

Every season, yoga practitioners around the world gather to practice 108 sun salutations.

My first solstice mala was the summer solstice of last year. The mala is a great practice in endurance and humility.  It also is way to build community.  To bear witness to the changes of the natural world. 108 holds significance in a number of faith practices. For some 108 represents the infinite and nothingness in one entity. Those who practice meditation use mala beads to pray or count their breaths. In our mala practice, we complete 108 sun salutations to welcome each new season.

For me, this practice is a time for meditation and manifestation.  We are acknowledging the sun at each point of it’s seasonal journey. In particular, the summer solstice is the longest day of the year.  This mala celebrates the light and warmth of a DC summer.

After a few salutes, the poses and breath begin to merge into hypnotic movement. I love this practice as a way to cultivate a sense of community.  We breathe with one another and send compassion to each other. The summer solstice is also my birthday! It’s a great way to celebrate another year in life.

Summer Solstice Donation Class

When you arrive, you’ll join a circle of mats around an altar. Gathered will be your fellow students and instructors.

I like to incorporate candles, sage, and tapestries but welcome anything students want to add! Particularly in this season, there are an abundance of flowers or plants available. What I love most about the mala is what students bring forward; either in physical objects, music, or poetry.

We begin with some light warm ups for the body (cat/cow stretches and so on). Before each set of 12 sun salutations, we begin in Tadasana to set an intention for the practice. This intention can remain for all 9 sets or change for each one. Between sets, we give each other space and time to rest.  When we can sit with their intentions, and to drink water. If a teacher wants, anyone is a teacher in our space, they can share some words or thoughts. At the end of practice, we settle the body with some counter stretches: like pigeon, triangle pose, and reclined poses. Then, we ease into an extended savasana! I will be around with essential oils and a brief adjustment. We end the mala with space for mediation… or a dance party! The students decide.

I tell students come do one salute or all 108!  Breath with us no matter how many salutes you complete! We need the support.

Come celebrate my 25th birthday with me. I cannot wait to start the summer with Yoga District!