YOGA FOR THE DEAF

This June, the DeafYoga Foundation and the International Sivananda Organization offer the world's first ever Yoga Teacher Training Course (TTC) for the deaf community. This mainstreamed, month long training course is nestled in the Catskill Mountains, located at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch in Woodbourne, New York.

Through the efforts of these two non-profit organizations, they are leading the way 'to finally bridge the gap between deafness and yoga,' says Lila Lolling, DeafYoga Foundation's founder. The DeafYoga Foundation was created from the realization that the deaf community has limited, or no, access to Yoga. 'Deaf people have been curious about Yoga for years, with its mainstreamed advertising and current popularity,' she explains. 'However, deaf people haven't really been able to freely explore the meaning of yoga prior to our organization. To date, we have served more than 1,000 deaf and signing people through our service projects, programs and the DeafYoga for Beginners DVD.'

Currently, there is only one certified deaf yoga teacher in the United States. There are some 28 million deaf and hard of hearing people in this country alone. These numbers show the importance of this training course and the doors its opening for deaf people to finally gain equal access to Yoga.

'The present demand for our service projects and programs exceed our funding capabilities,' says Lolling. The DeafYoga Foundation is currently fundraising to cover necessary costs for the TTC. 'Three Deaf women have applied for a full scholarship and the training course will need to provide certified sign language interpreters for some of the course material,' explains Lolling. 'We are reaching out to the public to request donations to make these teachings accessible,' she continues.

69 year old Deaf TTC scholarship applicant, Willie May, writes, 'the TTC program is a blessing and divine gift for me to fulfill my ardent desire of 30 years to become a Yoga teacher. It is an opportunity that I do not want to miss, however I need financial assistance in order to participate.'

The 2008 online fundraiser spotlights charitable contributions over $100 and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to fund the students' scholarships and interpreter expenses. To make a contribution, please visit www.deafyoga.org/fundingTTC.html.

By prweb.com

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