Heart to the Sky Yoga Space

We must take sides...

2012-01-30T07:40:00.000-08:00

"...how naïve we were, that the world did know and remained silent. And that is why I swore never to be silent whenever wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere..." ~ Elie Wiesel

I came across this quote today, and couldn't help but think of the girls who are being violated right now, today. As I sit in my comfortable office doing my work. Feeling bad about my good fortune is of no help to anyone. But using those feelings to spur myself into action which generates funds to help those girls...that's something I can do. I can create something of value that people are willing to purchase, or give away my services as a yoga teacher. I'm working on a couple of fundraising projects...I'm going to sell body lotion, decorative matchstick holders, and tshirts. I'm also going to teach donation only classes. A good friend is going to help me create an event. Is there something I can do for you that will generate funds for these girls?

To donate: select "Global Seva Challenge - India" and "Elyse Leeds Acanda"

Read Elie Wiesel's full Nobel acceptance speech Delivered delivered in Oslo on December 10, 1986. It is beautiful.

Off the Mat Seva Challenge 2012 India

2012-01-24T21:58:00.000-08:00

I have committed to raise $20k to help save girls and women from sex trafficking. In conjunction with Off the Mat, Into the World, I will be working on this project all year, aiming to raise the funds by December 15. I am open to fundraising ideas large and small! If there is something I can do for you in exchange for a donation, please don't hesitate to mention it!

I know it seems like an impossible undertaking...to eradicate sex trafficking. The more I learn about the problem, the more overwhelming it seems. It really helps me to focus on this instruction from the Talmud. Each of us should do what we can. Even if it seems like a drop in the bucket.

whoever saves one life...saves the world entire.

If I focus on saving only one girl, I feel powerful.

Learn more about the Global Seva Challenge India
http://www.offthematintotheworld.org/india.html

This video will help you understand, as it did for me. She is a powerful advocate.
"Don't tell me a hundred ways how you can not respond to this problem. Can you apply your mind for that one way that you can respond to the problem?"

I AM GOING TO RESPOND. Will you help me?

Donate here. On this page, select "Global Seva Challenge - India" from the Off The Mat® Program pulldown, and then select "Elyse Leeds Acanda" on the second pulldown.

Corazon al Cielo!

2011-11-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

Check out the first rough draft of my new logo, created by the fabulously talented Alizah Epstein of Epstein Creative! She will be tweaking it over the next few weeks, but I'm already in love! What do you think?

Heart to the Sky is waking up...

2011-09-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

Soon there will be a special YOGA space within BOA Martial Arts in Fredericksburg, VA. Soothing purpley blues, live bamboo, a nurturing space! SOOO EXCITING! Stay tuned for the new look courtesy of Epstein Creative and Handy in the Burg. Also, please join the Fredericksburg, VA Yoga Community on Facebook for local news.

THANK YOU for your generosity, LTF Yogis!!!

2009-10-29T08:37:00.001-07:00

A note from Alex's dad, Chuck:

Just like Greg Mortenson in "Three Cups of Tea", First Lieutenant Alex Litz has been able to improve the lives of school children through your contributions to buy school supplies. Only through such efforts can these children--and even an entire nation--be lifted out of poverty. This work helps to avoid the cultivation of a seed bed for terrorism. Thank you for your support of this critical mission area in Afghanistan.

Alex with two recipients of our school supplies
Click on photo to see larger!

Lifetime Yogis work together to support our troops!

2009-04-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

click on the picture to view full size

Our fellow Yogi Chuck's Son Alex on duty in Afghanistan

Will you help support our soldiers as they build schools for Afghan children? The donation of school supplies will help to strengthen the relationships with local children and families, and provide the children with the basic essentials for learning.

Our fellow yogi Chuck's son Alex is on a mission now in Afghanistan. WE CAN HELP HIM help these children--the needs are very simple. Will you donate one standardized school supply kit--or $20 to put one together?

If you'd like to put the kit together, all items should be new and unused. Please pack only the items listed in one two-gallon zipper seal plastic bag:

1. One 12-inch ruler with metric markings
2. Twelve new pencils with erasers
3. Six new pens (black or blue ink)
4. One box of colored pencils (not crayons)
5. One small pencil sharpener
6. One large eraser
7. One package of notebook paper
8. One composition book OR one spiral notebook (one subject)
9. Three folders with inside pockets

I will collect all of the kits and package them up together! I estimate that one kit will cost approximately $20--if you'd like to give money I will go shopping and make the kit for you (and can purchase some items in bulk like folders, pens, pencils). How about a deadline of May 16 to give either a kit or money? They can be given to me at any yoga class or left for me in the instructor office off studio two.

Thank you!!! NAMASTE.

OTM in Cambodia now!

2009-02-19T06:04:00.000-08:00

OUR FINAL TOTAL WAS $5,755.10 !!!

Thank you sincerely to everyone who contributed! In just five short months, we raised all that money for the kids of the CCF and we really made a difference. I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you for your generosity and compassion.

The trip to Cambodia is happening right NOW--twenty women are in Cambodia and visiting with the kids of the CCF!! I was unable to go -- I am five months pregnant with our second child. But I am reading all about the trip and feel like I am a part of the process. Visit the blog to hear about what all of the other Seva Challenge participants are accomplishing!

Twenty Seva Challenge participants are in Cambodia with Seane and Suzanne. It has been a beautiful and challenging trip. Click HERE to read their blog, and hear their stories about the children of the CCF Orphanage and their experiences in this amazing country with a horrifying history.

Read a great article on Scott Neeson in Conde Nast Traveler

2008-11-21T09:27:00.001-08:00

Click here to link to article!

We raised $2,000!!!

2008-11-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to everyone who participated and those who donated! The Yoga-Thon was a huge success, bringing in $2,000 for the Cambodian Children's Fund. Please feel free to share our news clip, as we were featured by Fox News!

Click here to see our FOX NEWS segment which aired Sunday, November 9

Just three more days until the Yoga-Thon!!

2008-11-06T07:10:00.001-08:00

If you're still considering attending or making a donation, now's a great time to decide YES! The challenge was to raise $20,000 by the end of the year, and every little bit really does help. Can't wait to see everyone on Sunday!!

Have you seen our press??

Leslie Perales of the Observer Newspapers wrote this piece:
Yoga-Thon to Raise Money for Children's Fund

And Bernard Hodes Group, my employer, is featuring me in the Social Responsibility section of the corporate site!

Many thanks to the sponsors of our Yoga-Thon lounge--we want to keep our participants happy and hydrated!

New total: $2,563...and the donations continue!

2008-10-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Immense gratitude and respect goes to all who have made the effort to contribute!

Here is the agenda for the Yoga-Thon!

2008-10-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Time	Activity
12 – 12:30	Welcome / Update on the CCF / Blessing
12:30 – 1:45	First Class — Devon Roe / ASHTANGA
1:45 – 2	Break
2 – 3:15	Second Class — Mark Greim / VINYASA FLOW
3:15 – 3:30	Break
3:30 – 4:45	Third Class — Juliana Venturi Fair / IYENGAR
4:45 – 5	Thank You and Goodbye

YOGA-THON Update!

2008-10-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Both Whole Foods and two leaves and a bud have promised donations! We'll have great tea, kashi bars, water, and bananas...and we're waiting to hear back from other companies.

The Yoga-Thon will include three different 75-minute classes with 15 minute breaks in between. I encourage you to LISTEN to your body...do what you can and take a break when you need one!!

Mark Greim will be teaching an excellent, invigorating Vinyasa flow session as part of the Yoga-Thon. He's the owner of Edge Yoga in Clarendon. I will let you know about the other two teachers as soon as possible!

Here's the link to Beloved Yoga's site where they promote the Yoga-Thon!

Can' wait to see everyone on November 9!!!

NOVEMBER 9 EVERYBODY YOGA-THON!!!

2008-09-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to tell you that we've got a date and a location for the Yoga-Thon! A minimum donation amount has been set for each participant: $150. Just think--that's only $10 each from 15 friends! It's going to be a beautiful Sunday where you'll be able to experience different types of yoga with excellent instructors that I've hand picked!! Thank you so much -- in advance -- for participating, and for promoting to all your friends and family! SEND ME AN EMAIL FOR THE PLEDGE SHEET!

WHEN: November 9, 2008 12p to 5p

WHERE: Beloved Yoga, 11872 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 101, RESTON, VA

DETAILS: We’ll be offering a number of yoga styles with fabulous teachers! We’ll have refreshments, a lounge area, and breaks between practice sessions. Each participant should raise a minimum of $150 in pledges. Higher donations earn prizes: goal levels are $200, $500, and $1000. All Levels are welcome!

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE CAMBODIAN CHILDREN’S FUND

Please make checks payable to Off the Mat Into the World / Engage Network. The subject line should read Elyse and Talia Acanda. All donors will receive a letter by mail acknowledging their donation for tax purposes (the Engage Network is a 501(c)(3)).

We're up to $2,293!

2008-09-11T09:32:00.001-07:00

I continue to learn the lesson that it is of utmost importance to keep a super positive attitude and believe fully in your heart in what you are doing. Although the $20,000 goal seems far far away, so many of you have helped me to stay positive and BELIEVE that it is possible. Being a yoga teacher is all about sharing something that I love and helping my students to feel better and more hopeful, and the reality is that in sharing yoga, my students project that love right back to me and I feel it 100 times stronger. I love that! Thank you for your support, your hugs, and your words of encouragement (which always seem perfectly timed with my sometimes flagging faith). If any ideas come to your mind, consider them to be the universe making suggestions and don't hold them in! Please share with me your ideas about how we can raise more money for these kids!!

Classes continue at Nortel Government Solutions on a monthly basis, and I am open to any other ideas you may have. I will be happy to teach a class at your work, place of worship, etc. with all funds going to the children of Cambodia. And if you don't live locally, please consider the CCF in your charity budget--you can make a donation easily through the links on this website. Scroll down for instructions/links. Thank you!

SMALL GIVING CAN REALLY ADD UP!

2008-08-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

HOW CAN YOU TAKE YOUR YOGA OFF THE MAT AND INTO THE WORLD? Will you commit to donating your time/energy/expertise to the cause for the Cambodian Children's Fund? Will you commit to asking your friends and family to donate? If you have any ideas about how you can help me reach the goal of $20,000 raised, please let me know! Email me at eacanda at yahoo.com.

Total update now $1,853!!

2008-08-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

I am remaining very hopeful that the YOGATHON location will be confirmed in the next couple of weeks! Once I confirm the location, I will begin promoting the event and providing the pledge sheets. If anyone is interested in helping to promote, I would be so grateful for the help!

Yoga Classes for CCF! Sponsor one!

2008-08-04T11:55:00.001-07:00

So far, one class has been offered at Nortel Government Solutions and we raised $200! Upcoming classes will be held at the National Science Foundation, through the support of Booz Allen, and at SAIC. Would you like to sponsor a class at your company? All funds are donated to the Cambodian Children's Fund! Please contact me right away.

UPCOMING: YogaThon Event in October...details coming soon.

RUNNING TOTAL AS OF TODAY: $1,063.00. I CANNOT BEGIN TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED!!!

Elyse Acanda: CCF / OTM Project

2008-08-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Seva Challenge benefits the children of Cambodia. Founded in 2003 by Scott Neeson, The Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF) is dedicated to helping Cambodia's poorest, most undereducated and most vulnerable children. My goal is to raise $20,000 for this charity which will go directly to these children and help to change their lives, providing them with the otherwise impossible opportunity of an education and safe environment. A key part of this project is that if I am able to accomplish my goal, I will travel to Cambodia in February of 2009 with Seane Corn, my favorite yoga teacher, where I will see firsthand the work being done by the CCF.

CLICK HERE TO See a PBS episode about the CCF and the children of Cambodia

Your donation will be appreciated more than you know!

Donate online now by clicking here (select Seva Challenge and my name from the second pulldown list) or make checks payable to the Engage Network / Off the Mat Into the World with Elyse Acanda in the subject line. You will receive a letter acknowledging your donation for tax purposes.