We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers." … with that Hindu Americans became part of the publicly recognized mosaic of America, more than ready to strengthen our country…
1. August 29th - Nationwide YOGATHON
- National Day of Remembrance
- Ganesh Chaturthi (Removal of Obstacles)
- Mahatma Gandhi's 1906 launch of Satyagraha-non-violence movement
- Swami Vivekananda's 1893 famous speech in Chicago
Temples /Ashrams/Spiritual Centers click here to register your participation in YOGATHON, Press Release, Letter to the Community, Download Customizable Flyers , Presentation and Resources for teachers and participants.
SEE OUR MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE EVENT
PRESS RELEASE August 3, 2010
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 co-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.” ## | HASC is open to partnering with all focused on Seva.
We appreciate the voluntary participation of the organizations partnering with HASC. However, HASC does not vouch for them or endorse any other organization’s view point. We leave it to each individual to decide how and with whom to participate in the Yogathon. Confirmed partners and sites to date (in development)
Yoga Teachers available as needed - Art of Living (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) - Patanjali Yoga Peeth (Baba Ramdev) - Teachers in Temples/Ashrams/Spiritual Center - Other Volunteers Supporting Organizations - AIM for Seva - Anoopam Mission - Arya Pratinidhi Sabha America - Asian American Hotel Owners Association - BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha - Corporation for National and Community Service - Chinmaya Mission - Council of Temples - Hindu American Foundation - Hindu Mandir Executive Conference - Hindu Students Association - Hindu Students Council - Hinduism Today - Network of Indian Professionals (NETIP) - Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) Trust - Points of Light Institute - ISKON - M.A. Math (Amma) - Sewa International - Institute for Faith and Service - Yoga Month - Wild Lotus - World Association of Vedic Studies |