What’s the difference between a warm-up and a workout? You might say the warm-up ends when the workout begins, and generally you would be correct. Except not in this case. In this case, the warm-up is the workout.
In yoga the sun salutations are a series of flowing postures typically performed at the start of a practice session. Done as a warm-up, they can be slow, fast, easy, hard and all points in between. The thing is, they usually lead to other yoga postures, unless you’re attempting to do 108 of them.
And that is exactly what a whole bunch of people from all over the Eastern Shore will be doing on June 21 from 5:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Washington College Life Fitness Center. The event will raise funds for the Give Back Yoga Foundation, a nonprofit founded by internationally renowned yoga teacher, Beryl Bender Birch.
Last year the foundation funded the publication and distribution of, “Yoga: A Path for Healing and Recovery” by James Fox of the Prison Yoga Project. Sent to prisons all over the country, the book reaches prisoners who might otherwise never have an opportunity to learn the principles of yoga.
“We had a great year in 2009. We have been able to fund some amazing projects in underserved communities. In 2010 and 2011 we will continue to support the Yoga in Prison projects, and are expanding our scope to include the growing field of Yoga for Veterans,” said Birch.
Okay, so you may be thinking, This is a wonderful cause. But I’ve never done 108 sun salutations, and I don’t think I can.
Good news: you don’t have to.
“While we’re encouraging participants to do as many sun salutations as they feel comfortable doing, there is absolutely no element of competition in this event, nor do we want anyone to wind up sore or injured as a result of pushing beyond their capabilities. We want people to leave feeling good physically and emotionally,” said event coordinator, Stu Cawley.
Here’s how Stu envisions the evening.
“There’ll be yogis practicing a wide variety of styles of sun salutations. We hope people will modify where appropriate, stop and just breathe when they’ve had enough, and perhaps even some will just come to donate, watch and share. Participants don’t have to come with a teacher; any and all are welcome. So, it won’t be one mass of people all necessarily moving as one with everyone expected to do exactly the same thing. Instead, people will go at their own comfortable pace, everybody making their individual contribution to the group energy and to the two wonderful projects this fundraiser is benefiting. So lots of paths, but one goal!”
12 x 9 = 108. That’s 9 sets of 12 sun salutations, which doesn’t sound nearly as bad as 108. You might do one set of 12 and call it a night. Or, you might just keep going.
But why 108? I posed the query to local yoga teacher, Lex Fry, who is a student of Beryl Bender Birch. She titled her email response, “More than you ever wanted to know.”
She wasn’t kidding. Let’s just say the number is not insignificant. Let’s just say that doing 108 sun salutations is a tradition that’s been passed down through history for many centuries. Now, if you really, really want to know more, email me and I promise to reply with more than you ever wanted to know.
For any who may be on the fence about attending, consider that Riverheart Café, and Play It Again Sam’s are providing post-sun-salutations refreshments, and Ford Schumann, Wayne McGuire, and Bob Ortiz will be treating the crowd to live music.
Funding supports the Give Back Yoga Foundation’s Wounded Warrior and Yoga in Prison projects. To see how yoga is helping returning vets, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxQktE_m0mU&feature=player_embedded
Special thanks to generous donors: Washington College, South Fork Studio, We’re Talking Trash, Massoni Art, and LaMotte Company.
108 SUN SALUTATIONS yoga fundraising event happens on Monday, June 21, 5:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Washington College Lifetime Fitness Center. A $10 donation (tax deductible) is suggested. Sign up, donate, volunteer or just come and join in the celebration. For more information, contact Stu Cawley at [email protected]
Stu says
I’d also like to thank donors Cookerly & Barroll, Twigs & Teacups, and Sheldon Ross Hair for their donations, as well as Flower Power for what I’m sure will be an inspirational floral arrangement and Doug Rae for some undoubtedly delicious bread for all the tired yogis.