On Sunday, July 19^th, Pauline Gardner will host a yoga retreat at R.K. Miles in Manchester, Vermont. The retreat will be complete with yoga for women with all levels of experience, a gratitude meditation session, vegetarian potluck luncheon, and a presentation to increase awareness about Women for Women International and the work that we do. Thank you so much, Pauline, for your enthusiasm and hard work in planning this event. You are a great example of how one person can make a big difference in the world and a wonderful reminder to us all to do what we can in our daily lives. We’re very excited to hear how your yoga retreat goes and also to see photos!

For more information about The Women’s Yoga Retreat Fundraiser in Manchester, Vermont, please contact Pauline Gardner at prana@sover.net.

To learn more about Women for Women International please click here.

Join Positive Energy Dance Fitness for Women in Brookfield, Connecticut for a fun-filled night of dance, entertainment, and charity. The event will be held at Positive Energy Dance Fitness Center on May 1^st from 7 to 9 PM. $20 is the suggested donation and ALL proceeds will benefit Women for Women International and The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury.

Friday, May 1st, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

7:15  Contest for BEST 1980’s workout attire

7:30  Dance Fit Class led by Positive Energy instructors, all 1980’s music!

8:30  Light refreshments

Invite your girlfriends to join you at the Workout Party Event — dress up, dance around, and support women!  Sign up online, over the phone, or at the counter.

265 Federal Road  Brookfield, CT

203-802-7026

http://www.danceforwomen.com/index.htm

Nancy and Maria, owner of La Montiel Studio

To commemorate International Women’s Day, La Montiel Studio in Warwick, New York organized a day full of song, dance, martial arts, reflection, and dialogue. The diverse community in Warwick came together to share their passions, talents, and support for women survivors of war. Throughout the day, guests participated in Argentine tango, Hawaiian women’s story dance, women’s self defense, Quigong, and jazz.

Thank you Nancy Boynton and La Montiel Studio for hosting such a wonderful event!

Community events like the one held at La Montiel Studio are instrumental in mobilizing support and awareness for women in post-conflict areas as they re-build their lives, their communities, and ultimately, their nations. To learn how you can host your own event at your home, place of business, yoga studio, or anywhere, click here to get started.

From April 12-20, Parasutra, a yoga and meditation studio in Palm Beach, FL, hosted a Week of Awareness and Compassion to raise awareness on international issues and benefit Women for Women International’s global programs. They sought to explain that as Milena said: “War isn’t just about bombs and people wounded. That’s not war. War is what you live every day. It is conflict in your community. Here we have had no battles. But we have many dead.” Their amazing week intertwined the practice of yoga with the philosophies of connecting and sharing with those people who are everyday affected by war.

The many events of the Week of Awareness and Compassion began with an open house to share powerful stories of the women and children whose lives are disrupted by conflict as well as personal experiences of working with Women for Women International. Other offerings included yoga immersion classes, charka series sessions, lectures on global nutrition, introduction to meditation, silent retreats, and finally, a walk together on the beach at sunset to wrap up the week and a final meditation to celebrate life and hope for peace.

Owner Connie Beaudoin explained to us at Women for Women International that she worked within the framework that she already offers to deliver this special program. She explained it was her way of “taking yoga off the mat” and practice for a higher good.

For more information on Parasutra’s week or ideas about how you can get your yoga community involved with Women for Women International, visit http://www.parasutra.com/news1.htm or contact Patty Pina at ppina@womenforwomen.org.

Thank you Parasutra for all your efforts and your wonderfully enlightening week!

“There are realities we all share, regardless of our nationality, language, or individual tastes. As we need food, so do we need emotional nourishment: love, kindness, appreciation, and support from others.  We need to understand our environment and our relationship to it.  We need to fulfill certain hungers, the need for happiness, for peace of mind, for wisdom.”