Seva-Yoga in Action

Seva, meaning selfless service, is one of the many paths of yoga. Through seva we can deepen our practice of yoga and experience the great joy and fulfillment of giving without expectation. KarmaShala have adopted a local NGO called the Earthchild Project as our studios’ expression of seva.

After Earthchild Project took up offices below our studio in 2008, we started working together in various other ways. Janna Kretzmar, one of Jim’s student teachers started volunteering at the earthchild school in Khayleithsa. She visited twice a week for two years, teaching over fifty children yoga after school. The children loved her and some have even decided to become yoga teachers when they grow up There are now five yoga teachers volunteering at Earthchild schools and many little yogis in the making.

“I love yoga because it makes me fresh and powerful. Every morning I do yoga before I wash my body. My favourite posture is tree.” Zola Matembisa, Grade 7

In addition our 8:15am Thursday self-practice class is donation based, for which the proceeds go towards supporting the Earthchild Project’s programmes.

Started at the beginning of 2007, the Earthchild Project focuses on the holistic development of children, teachers, schools and communities. Their aim is to create meaningful and sustainable change by providing practical skills in how to live a more balanced and fulfilling life. They focus on the environment – taught through organic gardening, worm farming and hiking; health and wellness – taught through campaigns, lessons and the introduction of a healthy tuckshop; and self-awareness – through the practices like yoga and meditation.

The Earthchild Project schools’ programme, based in schools in Khayelitsha, Lavender Hill, and many others around the Western Cape, aims to create a new generation of healthy, confident, conscious and responsible earthchildren.

For more information about the Earthchild Project click here