Community
The Lotus team would like to thank you for continuing
to support our studio and special events.
We strongly believe that practicing yoga means more
than unrolling your mat and is an opportunity to be consciously active in creating a better world for all.
This ideal is encapsulated in the beautiful Sanskrit mantra
"Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu"
which might be translated as
"May all beings everywhere be happy and free,
and may the thoughts,
words and actions of my own life
contribute to that freedom and happiness for all".
We are all here together, in yoga: unity.
Hero / KILT
The Lotus Studio has been involved with various projects over the years, some of which are listed below. Currently Jane and Kama have been going to Concordia Primary school weekly to teach yoga to the Grade 6 and 7 learners and having a lot of fun interacting and teaching yoga to these learners. As well as the physical benefits of the yoga poses, yoga can help to bring a sense of focus and quietness to the class which is much needed in our busy world.
Hero is currently the service provider for the Knysna Initiative for Learning and Teaching (Kilt), founded by Gill Marcus. Kilt is multi-faceted, consisting of a number of programmes that aim to transform schools into centers of excellence. One of the programmes, the Psycho-social and Remedial programme, addresses the enormous challenges that learners face in terms of remedial needs and trauma. Such needs can lead to emotional turmoil and/or disruptive behaviour, which reduces morale in both the learners and the educators.
It is therefore essential to promote School "health" with activities that will provide learners with coping mechanisms and increase morale. Yoga is regarded as a very beneficial activity and has been introduced into the Concordia Primary School.
Knysna Education Trust
The Lotus Studio previously provided sponsorship of a child's pre-school education through the Knysna Education Trust, a valuable gift for the future, not only of the individual child but our country as a whole.
The KET works on the premise that every child deserves at least one good meal a day and the right to reasonable pre-school care and competitive pre-school education. This enables children from disadvantaged communities to obtain a sound, integrated education, thereby empowering them to take their rightful place in building and benefiting from a prosperous Southern Cape of the future. The trust extends this work to upgrading local educational facilities and materials and training teachers. Visit www.knysnaedutrust.co.za for more detail.
Knysna Animal Welfare
Mahatma Gandhi said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated.” Knysna Animal Welfare does amazing work in our community for the health and welfare of domestic and stray animals. Lotus Studio has made contributions of blankets, food and cash to support this work. Visit their Facebook page for the latest news and information about animals looking for families and friends.
Thembalitsha Primary School
Jane, Kevin and Kama offered a weekly yoga class ending with some meditation at Thembalitsha primary School in Concordia. Rotary very kindly donated the funds for the purchase of 20 yoga mats, and most times there were 20 or more students who attended, generally from grade sixes and sevens.
If you would like to contribute time, skills or financial assistance to any of these fantastic organisations please contact them directly.
