Sharing the benefits of yoga practice in order to help populations who can benefit

I hope you enjoyed a nice holiday season with little stress.  I spent a portion of my year teaching donation yoga classes at Project Yoga Richmond, a lovely yoga studio with non-profit status, bringing yoga and it's benefits to many who do not have access to this wonderful discipline.  Thank you to Dana Walters and J Miles for giving me this opportunity to raise $$$$$.  The studio helped me raise over $1,000 for Off The Mat, Into The World's Global Seva Challenge.  People from all over the world came together as one force, raising over $1,000,000. which will benefit survivors and victims of human trafficking in India.  I have found that the more you are able to give, the more you are able to receive.  This year my focus is bringing yoga to American Veterans who suffer from the effects of post traumatic stress disorder.  I am particularly drawn to this population since Jaunuary of 2012, when my cousin Matt Seidler, an EOD specialist, was killed in action in Afganistan.  He is a hero at 24.  I hope to bring some awareness to those who continue to defend our liberties.  I enter this journey with Amber Warren, hoping to have our classes at the VA Hospital in place by March 2013. Many thanks to Suzanne Manafort and Dr Daniel Libby for creating this program.  I do believe that yoga is to be shared with as many people as can benefit from it.  If you would like to be a part of the giving process, please email me and I will let you know how you can help.

Been trying very hard to get my little business off the ground. Selling retail clothing is a difficult market so I have added my own line of Dharma Jewelry. Each piece is handcrafted and artisan style. I keep the prices low so it is affordable and hope many can enjoy wearing it. A lot of work goes into this endeavor. Finding great suppliers with low shipping costs, looking for local suppliers, selling local, when ever I can, and purchasing all the sterling I can afford when it's on sale. Sometimes sitting down to create a piece is like trying to make delicious dessert from scratch without a recipe. There is always something that you have to run to the market for; a heavy jump ring, a gold filled componet, a large hole pearl. The list is endless as is the constant commotion on my dining room table. Jewelry supplies are always within reach and in sight so no opportunites are lost. I also discovered that if you stretch a nylon stocking over the opening of a vacuum hose, you can suck up as many sapphires as you have dropped without them entering the vacuum cleaner! Thanks, Fern Frost, for that lovely e~mail! So, back to the dining room table to make a long overdue gift and some new creations to sell at Ciao in Carytown, SPA310 and 2 Friends in Stony Point. Try to visit these retailers if you need to make a purchase. I like to promote shops that offer some local display of goods. Virginia is full of talented people who deserve your attention.
Wishing you peace and joy, love and light,
Karen Kalyani, e-RYT