Yoga for Joy

at the

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL of Costa Rica

ASOYOGA, The National Yoga Association of Costa Rica (www.asoyogacr.com) is a non-for-profit volunteer organization dedicated to developing social programs that promote the practice of yoga in different areas of the country, under the unifying vision of YOGA FOR ALL. Our programs, offering free yoga classes, have reached and helped thousands of people all over Costa Rica.

“We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness.�

Thich Nhat Hanh

Seven years ago, ASOYOGA started taking the benefits of yoga to underserviced areas, from health clinics for pregnant women, to senior citizens (in collaboration with AGECO, Asociación Gerontológica Costarricense).

Since last year, in association with the National Ministry of Culture’s project Enamórate de tu Ciudad (Fall in Love with Your City), we have been offering a free class every Saturday in downtown San José, reaching about one hundred people each class.

In 2014 we started two new programs, focusing on helping women and juveniles who have been incarcerated. At the women’s prison of El Buen Pastor, we offer twice-weekly classes for a group of 50 highly motivated women who are making a change in their lives, and through yoga we are supporting their intention.

Our second project is at the Juvenile Detention Center where we work with an enthusiastic group of teenage students. This is a special population, particularly vulnerable to emotional distress and depression. Through their spontaneous smiles, we can see how yoga is making a positive difference in their lives, as it helps them to connect with their breath, their bodies and their soul.

Two years ago we began collaborating with the National Children’s Hospital and the Association of Fight Against Cancer, and we have been offering free yoga classes to hundreds of kids that are undergoing treatment for cancer. Rebeca Mora has been the yoga teacher in charge of this beautiful project.

These children have received attention, love, healing touch, compassion, and have learned to breathe deep from their hearts, connecting with their bodies, and recognizing the shining, everlasting light of the soul that longs for God.

Blue Spirit

has been a proud sponsor of this project for the past year, and we are deeply grateful for their support and the faith they placed in us to share the vision of YOGA FOR ALL. Please help us and Blue Spirit to continue to grow this program that has had such a positive impact on so many lives in Costa Rica by making a donation.

No donation is too small and our students and us will be extremely thankful for your help.

“Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.� henry ward beecher

For more information on these and other projects, please visit: www.asoyogacr.com You can also contact the Project Director, Edgar Ortiz, at edgaryogi@gmail.com

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www.asoyogacr.com

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www.bluespirit.com