TheGo caught up with Sundalah’s Jasmine Healy-Pagan to find out what we can expect from Global Mala on Sunday and how you can get involved. If you’ve been feeling the stresses of life lately, this event may just be perfect for you…
“We have made sure that we offer yoga options that suit people of all abilities and ages so that no one feels left out or feels that they can’t come join us” – Jasmine Healy-Pagan
What is Global Mala about in a nutshell? The Global Mala Project unites communities around the world to form a ‘mala around the earth’. Scheduled to link in with International Peace Weekend, all ages are welcome to share in this beautiful ocean-side ritual of yoga and meditation.
How can people take part? This Sunday we are having our fifth annual Global Mala event at The Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club Headland at 7am. Yoga Mala is basically comprised of 108 Sun Salutations that are practised in four sets of 27 Sun Salutation ‘A’s [the classic series of 12 physical poses that are linked together with breath]. There are a variety of options to suit all experience levels and we are there to help anyone who might be unsure of which variation to choose.
Do you need to have done yoga before? If community members have never practised yoga or they don’t know what Yoga Mala is all about, or what it will encompass; don’t stress – we are there to help guide you throughout. You don’t have to do the salutations – you can do 108 minutes of meditation instead, or a combination of the two. Some people even alternate the salutations with a friend or family members.
How many people took part last year? We had a really big turn out last year: there were over 100 people who came down and took part, which we were really happy about.
What is the atmosphere like? It’s always really lovely on The Strand: It’s filled with focus, friendliness and people inspired by their efforts and meditation in motion. There will be live drumming and a delicious local breakfast available, which has been generously donated by Majors Creek Farm and Otto’s Fresh Food Market. Bounce Coffee will also be sharing their delicious coffee for $4. All sales from this and the proceeds from the event in general will be going to Yoga Tools For Schools Inc, a not-for-profit local charity dedicated to offering health and wellness yoga-based programs for those who work and learn in education settings.
Is the event family-friendly? We have made sure that we offer yoga options that suit people of all abilities and ages so that no one feels left out or feels that they can’t come join us. We are also giving children the option to make origami peace cranes.
Where are tickets available from? Tickets can be purchased online until 5pm on Saturday here. Adults are $20, students are $15 and children under 16 years are free. On the day adults are $25 and students are $20.
Global Mala 2014 starts at 7am on Sunday, September 21 at the Picnic Bay Surf Lifesaving Club on The Strand. It will finish up around 10am.
