Press Releases‎ > ‎

August 4 2010

 
PRESS RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                     August 4, 2010

 

Media Contacts:

Minauti Dave:   msminu@gmail.com                                                                                                                                    (917) 723-9456

 

Free Yoga Across America
 

Groundbreaking Civic Engagement with Hindu Americans

 

            Hindu American Seva Charities (HASC) is leading the effort to organize a nation-wide YOGATHON campaign on Sunday, August 29th, 2010 with national partners.
 
            Yoga has become a universal language of spiritual exercise in the United States, crossing many lines of religions and cultures.   Now it is providing groundbreaking opportunities for civic engagement and service with the Hindu American community.
 
            On Sunday, August 29, Hindu temples, ashrams and spiritual centers, across the nation will offer YOGATHON a free introductory yoga workshop.  This event is open to everyone.
 
            Hindu American Seva Charities (HASC) envisions YOGATHON in the spirit of President Obama’s “Active Lifestyle Challenge.”  The day will be part of the Serve.gov initiative. 
 
HASC has enlisted the support of significant partners in addition to the many temple communities, including, the Points of Light Institute, Art of Living, Patanjali Yoga Peeth, Council of Temples, ISKCON, the Network of Indian Professionals, and the Institute for Faith & Service among others. 
 
By inviting the public to participate free of charge in the YOGATHON, Hindu institutions are developing their outreach infrastructure.  The organizers also hope to reach across cultures and bring Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, as well as Hindus and other Asian faiths into engagement with mainstream America, including governmental stakeholders.  HASC is also setting up Seva Centers to promote service on college campuses, in temples and with underprivileged communities. 
 
 Rev. Mark Farr, who leads faith outreach for the Points of Light Institute, the nation’s largest civic service agency, says “This day not only promotes citizen service led by a wonderful faith community but brings together cultures in our society that have long been separated.  How could we not support it?”
 

            “Our community is just beginning to understand the leading role that faith-based organizations play in this country,” said Anju Bhargava, HASC founder. “As the broad and inclusive Hindu community, this is our time, and we are working to bring the very best of our culture to American civic life.”

Comments