It's the 17th annual Vancouver Farmers Holiday Market today!

Shanti Uganda is the designated Charity and they'll be wrapping gifts by donation in support of their Birth House! While you are there check out my friends Jewellery, Nancy Esworthy Designs. 

For a complete list of vendors click here

Happy Holidays! 

The Shanti Uganda Society is looking for a place to call home

***Just UPDATED this post!!-Check out Shanti's new website! 

The Shanti Uganda Society is looking or a place to call home in Vancouver and would love any contacts or suggestions you might have. They hope to find a small space within an existing business that has a little extra to spare. Enough room to fit 2 desks, a tall storage unit, a filing cabinet and 5-6 large rubbermaid bins. Desk rental, or small cubicle unfortunately won't for them.



Preferably in East Van, but able to go as far west as kits and as far east as boundary. 

 They hope to be able to find donated space and could support the business in writing it off, or giving a tax receipt for the rental. They say they are happy to discuss a partnership that benefits them with regards to promotion on our website etc. 

It is an amazing opportunity for a local business to have a substantial impact on a Canadian Charity and mothers in Uganda without making a financial contribution. If you know of anything please contact them at natalie@shantiuganda.org
And don't forget their Facebook Page  and Twitter Page

An Evening of Art. Shanti Uganda's 4th Annual Dinner & Art Auction.

Join me at Shanti Uganda's An Evening of Art! 
Tuesday September 25th
7pm start/730pm Dinner
Tickets $50 prepay only
Click here!

Its an evening of Art and delicious Indian food.
Dinner includes a Buffet Meal featuring a salad bar, three Meat dishes, three Vegetarian dishes, Papadum and fresh Naan and two desserts. 

It will be a great night out and the Art auction will be amazing! And of course the cause couldn't be better!

Come see why I am such a proud Ambassador for the second year in a row! 

This truly promises to be an exciting event to raise funds for Shanti Uganda's Solar Powered Maternity Center in Nsaasi Village, Uganda. Funds raised will go towards the life saving maternal and infant health programs carried out at the Shanti Uganda Birth House. Hope to see you there! 

Come to the movies with me!

Shanti Uganda Society (www.shantiuganda.org) will be hosting a special screening of Yogawoman (www.yogawoman.tv) and holding a silent auction at Denman Cinema's on February 28th from 6pm - 9:30pm in order to raise funds towards improving infant and maternal health, providing safe women-centered care and supporting the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Featured in the film, Shanti Uganda uses yoga to improve the spiritual, physical and emotional well-being of communities impacted by HIV/AIDS, poverty and war in Uganda.

YOGAWOMAN is a groundbreaking feature film about the powerful impact of yoga on women's health, fitness, emotional well-being, and personal growth. In record numbers, women are finding strength, vitality, peace and power through yoga. Reclaiming this ancient spiritual path from its traditionally male form, the result is a radical transformation of modern yoga as we know it.

YOGAWOMAN gathers 50 of the world’s leading yoga experts in an exploration of this global phenomenon that has changed the face of yoga forever.This screening will benefit Shanti Uganda (www.shantiuganda.org) and tickets can be purchased through Event Brite or at the Cinema on the day of the event.

Every Dec 1st two things come to mind when I awaken...

The AIDS crisis and the Montreal Massacre (Dec 6 '89) and I just can't help it.

And I believe its a good thing as neither one should ever be forgotten.

Its world AIDS Day and HIV/AIDS Awareness week in Canada.

I remember the years before this horrible disease was discovered and changed our lives forever. I was just reading that there are 34 million people in the world living with HIV and that 80% do not have access to treatment.Thats so tragic.The numbers of people here in Canada (and everywhere else) continues to rise.

Apparently most teens believe that there is a cure for HIV...and of course there is not. More reason to educate our children is that: According to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (“CANFAR”): “A quarter of Canadians with HIV are not aware of their infection and young adults (aged 15-29) account for approximately 26 per cent of all people diagnosed with HIV in Canada."

**Don't forget The Shanti Uganda Society **and all they do in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Shanti's Mission statement is:

"The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centred care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda." and helping is so easy and the ways are countless.

click here for more info.

One last note is that ALL Vancouver Whole Foods locations will be donating 5% of their net sales today to Aids Vancouver Grocery! Click here for more info on that.

Have a FAB day friends and Happy December! Hard to believe its here already.

You really want to go to this, and it's this weekend!

The details are on the poster and its going to be fab! (you can click to enlarge).
A lovely yoga student pal of mine puts this on each year and has even donated "free of charge" a booth for my beloved Shanti Uganda Society! There will be some really truly amazing local craft vendors too, so if you are around and in the hood... grab a toonie and go!
Can't believe the holidays are so near. Have fun!

This is HUGE! Birthing from Within Prenatal Class - by donation in support of Shanti Uganda

If you know me you know ALL about the Shanti Uganda Society and why I am so proud to be a 2011 Ambassador!

And if you are into birth and live in Vancouver you know all about my fellow Ambassador Sarah juliusson and Dancing Star Birth!

Dancing Star Birth is doing a donation prenatal education class with ALL of the funds going to Shanti Uganda!

Its a great way for those who might not be able to afford the regular $260 to pay what they can. Suggested donation is

$100 - $500 (but whatever amount you are able to donate is fine!) They recognize that each of you is making a real and important contribution to global maternal-child health. All contributions of $280 or more will receive a tax receipt from Shanti Uganda.

This is just such an amazing thing.

if you haven't been on Shanti's site lately I really can't encourage you enough to go and read up on the latest happenings. Get ready to be really, REALLY inspired. Click here for more info on Shanti Uganda and here for Dancing Star Birth and all they do! Namaste xo

Its almost time for the Shanti Love Project!!!

Have you got your ticket?

It's THIS Saturday Oct 29, and the event is one of a kind and has lot's for everyone! And prizes? There are prizes/raffles/silent auction items galore. And I mean GALORE including West Jet tickets, visits with Naturopaths, Yoga, yoga and more yoga all over this beautiful city of ours (including some with me)! , Garden works certificates, toys for children, Norwex cleaning products, clothing, tons of delicious body work and seriously the list goes on and on...and on!

Check out the event and list of goodies for yourself by clicking here

Even if you have Halloween party plans you can still stop by beforehand. The event is at Semperviva City location. #100-1985 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC (Corner of Maple Street in the Wawanesa Building)

All funds raised this evening will contribute to Shanti's work to reduce infant and maternal mortality in Uganda. For more info on The Shanti Uganda Society and why it means so much to this Ambassador click here and Happy Halloween!

Ever have a day just go completely sideways on ya?

Oh yesterday was that sort of day for me. Sigh..

Thankfully today is a new day.

My biggest disappointment yesterday when my afternoon went horribly wrong was not being able to go to a Shanti Uganda Society event I had been looking forward to for weeks and weeks. I got my hair done, picked up the clothes from the cleaners (not a fan of dry cleaners ) when sadly life threw me a curve ball and attending became impossible. Other than having a big fat cry and trying to remedy a situation in which I had absolutely no control I thought...

How do I make something good out of something bad?

And I I purchased a Fence Post. *See Post For Peace to find out all about what the fence project is about.

There are so many ways to support this marvelous organization, and like Rumi said: There are a hundred ways to kneel and kiss the ground

For all other happenings/upcoming events and ways YOU can make a difference click here, and be sure to get on their mailing list. Get ready to be blown away!

Shanti Uganda's charity event "An evening of Art" is less than 3 weeks away!

The funds raised at An evening of Art will contribute to Shanti's work to reduce infant and maternal mortality in Uganda. This Ambassador really hopes to see you there as its going to be super fun!

It's best to get your tickets sooner rather than later as it usually sells out! Click here for tickets and more info.

A video I made last month at the Shanti Uganda Society's Gala Do. This is VERY exciting stuff!

I have been both dreaming and awakening with thoughts about the Shanti Uganda Society lately. (Might be time to throw another fundraiser!) Or at least to get out there and volunteer at some festivals! Although the organization is never far from this proud Ambassadors mind I am just blown away when I think of what it must be like there. Its so incredible what this organization has done and continues to do in Uganda. Did you know that in addition to the many local birthing mothers who birth at the Birth house many other birthing women and new moms are flocking to the centre from from surrounding villages as well?

Have you been keeping up through their blog? There is really something new (and absolutely thrilling) happening all the time! And many ways to help and get involved. Both here and in Uganda! And it's FUN!

Click here for updates from the Project Coordinator and here for volunteer activities.

Oh, and turn this video up LOUD! (my camera isn't the greatest but what Natalie says is really, really exciting)!

Looky HERE!

Please join us at the 4th Annual Gala Gala Do & Silent Auction to support the Shanti Uganda Birth House Project Saturday June 4 at 7:00 pm.

Cranberry Commons Room 4272 Albert St Burnaby, BC.

An evening of Vegetarian Hors d'oeuvres, Entertainment, Information and FUN!

Featuring Belly Dance Troupe Luciterra.

$40.00 per person. (Tickets are limited.) Available from Fran at 604-261-4848

fran@phoenixgymnastics.com.

ALL the proceeds will be donated to the Shanti uganda Birth House Project.

Hope to see you there! I can't wait!!

Are you on facebook? please, please please help! it only takes a sec and means sooo much!

Back on April 5 I received an email from a wonderful (and oh so generous friend) in the yoga world. He told me that they were just finalizing the details, but that his business was soon going to offer to pay $1 for each new "like" that was clicked on his companies Facebook page! I can't tell you how happy this made me and if he wasn't in another city he would have gotten the biggest hug in the world! The company is My Yoga Online ! What my friend is talking about is going on RIGHT NOW and its for another 5 days from April 25-May 30 and costs us absolutely nothing!
Every single dollar means so VERY much to those lovely birthing momma's in Uganda and for us its one second, and simply a click of a mouse!

All you need to do is click "Like" on their Facebook Page HERE

As well, MYO will be giving away 3 Unlimited memberships! To enter that, simply click "Like" on Shanti Uganda's Facebook Group HERE.

**There is no catch and MYO really will pay a dollar for each "Like" all the way up to $5,000 so please tell your friends! Please spread the word on your own Facebook Page. Let's do it!

The Shanti Uganda Society improves the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of communities impacted by war, poverty and HIV/AIDS in Uganda. For more info on this marvelous organization in which I am a Very proud Ambassador go to www.shantiuganda.org

This poster says it all and it's almost time!

click on poster to enlarge

Please stop by to learn all about an organization that has truly captured my heart in every sense of the word. You can browse the gorgeous jewelry and textiles made by the women of Shanti's income generating groups, and it's all incredibly inexpensive and one of a kind. There will be bands, prizes... and even a silent auction.

This event could not be any more casual. It's at my favourite local hang out Our Town Cafe, so if you've been there you know what I'm sayin'. Super casual good times ;)

I love the place!

Just bring yourself and say hello! It should be good times all around.

Really hope to see you there!

Even if you have other plans for later in the evening, please stop by! (p.s. Our Town is licensed for beer & wine as well should you wish to partake...)

Everywhere I go people comment on my jewelry. And with good reason, it's stunning.

And its all lovingly made by hand as an income generating project by the loveliest of women. The mothers and grandmothers Shanti Uganda supports. Did you know that you can host your own Shanti Party? Let's face it, tupperware parties couldn't be more out. Plastics? Blech. (we won't even get into that haha). I'm often asked "How can I help"? You can now have a rockin' Shanti Party at your place! (Well, it doesn't have to be rockin' haha..but it could be!) Its a great way to support the inspiring work we do in Uganda without a big commitment. You will feel so good. And you will be making a HUGE difference in the lives of some of the sweetest women ever. These are mothers and grandmothers with HIV/AIDS and teen girls. And you will be sharing the love and sporting some of the coolest, most stylish, one of a kind jewelry there is! P.S. And you know where your money is going. All of it. Every dime. 100% of the proceeds go towards helping infant and maternal health, teen girls programs...and the list literally goes on. Feel good, look great, and be amazed at just how inexpensive this stuff is as well. I still can’t get over it..Personally I’d pay way more for this jewelry. Anyhow, wanted to share the news!

Click this link and find out how! Oh, and feel free to invite me!

I can't believe The Briefing is just 5 days away!!

Heres the trailer for The 2011 Briefing at UBC.

Are you going? Can you go? I am so sad I can't go but I'll be there in spirit. I've got my yoga classes to teach that night, and I've never been one to miss those!

It takes place Tuesday January 25 from 5-8pm at UBC Woodward 2 and you can register here for a toonie, and make your voice heard!

It's called The UBC Dollar Project (click here for more info).

You can hear about 8 different community projects and vote for your favourite one! And YES Shanti Uganda is one of them! **click here for Shanti's site**

I love the whole concept so much. The fact that you can pay a dollar and make a HUGE impact in the world. Thats so beautiful to me.

And to me, just listening to the speakers and hearing their passion, while learning about the world around me and the various causes being discussed would be so fascinating to me. If you can go, go!

I can't wait to hear all about it! And being an Ambassador for the organization and feeling so passionately about it, I am rooting for The Shanti Uganda Society all the way! We need that fence asap, and every single bit helps! For more info on Shanti's Fence Project click here

To keep up with Shanti Uganda and all the good they do, and their various projects etc, you should sign up for their newsletter. Its lovely and will make you feel really, really good inside. much like yoga. Namaste.

I'm having a giveaway!

Wow!! There are only 4 days left in this year! Time just flies! 2011 here we come!!

To help celebrate the arrival of the new year I will be giving away a free 2011 Inner peace prenatal calendar to the first 4 participants that show up to my Prenatal Yoga class at Mt.Pleasant on Jan 5 at 630-745pm. (please note that this particular class is drop-in only).

*For info on my regular class schedule and registration please follow the link on the right hand side of this page.

They are available for purchase and are truly lovely. Proceeds from this calendar go to Shanti Uganda Society. This is an organization that assists and supports women, children and communities in Uganda.

To purchase one click here

Namaste.

The Shanti Uganda Society

This video is a couple of years old now but if you haven't seen it you should check it out. It is truly wonderful what this organization does and has accomplished, and is still doing. Although they have reached some goals, please consider helping if you can..

Shanti Uganda's website is here (www.shantiuganda.org)

It feels so good to be a part of this. Let's all help!

They just have so many ways to help and so many gorgeous items you can purchase. Gifts you can buy to enjoy yourself personally, or gifts you can buy and give to others! Click here

And gifts of action. All which give and give and keep giving!

-To sponsor a midwife click here

-To donate supplies click here to see what's needed

-To volunteer locally click here and in Uganda click here

-to donate to help build the fence that is now needed click here

-To purchase the beautiful jewelry and textiles made in the women's income generating group click here

And with the New year approaching so quickly check out Shanti's beautiful Inner peace Prenatal Yoga 2011 calendar here - you may even be in it as some of the lovely moms from my prenatal classes volunteered their time! This calendar is so lovely.

Click here for their December newsletter or here for their blog to stay up to date with the latest happenings!

The bottom line is that there are countless ways to help!

Lets give some gifts this holiday season that give twice :)

Namaste..

camp moomba yogathon pics ॐ

Sure was a lovely day had by all! Camp Moomba raised $70,000(www.campmoomba.com) and we didn't do too badly at our little booth either. (Shanti Uganda Society www.shantiuganda.org )

It's never too late to donate to these amazing organizations with your time, money or awareness. Spread the word!

Thought I'd post a few pics of that very special day. Glad to have been a part of it ♥

The Shanti Uganda Society

If you are attending the Camp Moomba Yogathon today make sure you stop by our table! This is one extraordinary organization ♥. ♥. ♥. ♥.