Sarah’s birthday fundraiser for Bellur, Guruji’s birthplace.
Saturday 1st March 7am - 7pm
Here’s the plan!
With the help of Hanuman Yoga Studio’s youthful students and anyone else who wants to join in, the challenge is, between us, to keep a practice going in the studio for twelve hours on Saturday 1st March, from 7am till 7pm.
Ways in which to help!
Sign up for a practice session yourself and make a donation
Pick a particular challenge for one of the young adults to fulfil
Set your own challenge and ask someone to sponsor you
Offer a short class (IY teachers)
Make a general donation and stay at home with your feet up
Share this page!
Why Bellur?
Twenty years ago Bellur, Karnataka, was experiencing a very poor social, economic and cultural situation. BKS Iyengar’s heart went out to the children of his home village, whose lives would never change without education.
He embarked upon a mission to raise and enhance the general quality of life and improve future prospects for the young through the provision of educational, medical, social and cultural facilities and opportunities – and also of course to teach the children yoga!
Since that time Guruji’s energy and determination have rubbed off and miracles have been achieved. During my recent visit to Bellur it was a joy to see the fruits of Guruji’s plan and to meet the students. One of the teachers told me that she and other teachers had been among the first ever children at the school, which is now “growing” its own teachers.
In 2004 there was not even a clean, fresh water supply until the Trust erected a water tank. The only amenity was the primary school, built and financed by Guruji in 1967. Even though his father was a headmaster there had been no school in Bellur itself until this time.
In 2002 the school was found to be in a very run down state and children did not continue with any kind of education beyond 7 years old. In fact, parents didn’t see the value of education and often only sent their younger children to school for the free meal!
The Trust has built educational facilities at Bellur which serve a wide community bringing hope to young people from 30 – 40 surrounding villages. There is a refurbished primary school and a high school, providing free education, books, uniforms and meals. The only entry provision is that the children undertake yoga! The children have done well, many being successful in state exams. They also practice art, music and dance as well as yoga and have put on many displays and performances.
In 2012 a further education college was opened for adolescents. There is now talk of a university! This means that rural children will be given the same educational opportunities as urban children. Education will improve the prospects of the new generation.
I had the impression that the children are expected to apply the same level of dedication and determination to their studies as we are in our yoga practice!
So with abundant gratitude to Guruji, Geetaji and Prashantji for all the gems we receive from our yoga, let’s help these children, support a project dear to the hearts of the Iyengar family, and help our own practice to develop as well. That we work on this last aspect was of immense importance to Guruji!
