NonprofitEye

Part II: The Yoga Series Continues How can we change the world? Let me count the ways! Just as I thought I was forging new ground on Yoga and Nonprofits, a source sends me a lead on a group called " Yoga For Good ". Guess I haven't killed my ego just yet. Check out the PaloAlto Online story: Bad Girls Doing Time Learn Art of Yoga for a story of how yoga is transforming the lives of incarcerated girls. Another program helping incarcerated youth and at-risk teens and "transitional age youth" GETTING OUT BY GOING IN © is a non-profit organization that educates and rehabilitates incarcerated and at-risk individuals by providing essential tools needed to make stronger decisions. "I use the breathing technique at night to block out the sounds around me." --C.F., Inmate, Terminal Island, 2005 "On helping children? Love and attention, take the kids out of the hood and show them that there is something else than that hopeless hole."- E.A.C. Technor...

Part I in a series examining nonprofit service and "doing good" What does karma OR yoga have to do with nonprofits?" If you think of yoga as an exercise class with a bit of de-stressing meditation, then the answer would seem to be "nothing". Bear with me on this one. I think we'd all agree that nonprofit work is based on the principles of doing good.  The reality is that our work may be driven by political goals, seeking funds, getting paid and getting noticed (publicity). Where does Karma yoga (Sanskrit: कर्म योग) fit in? Karma Yoga is one of the four pillars of Yoga, consisting of entirely selfless service, in which the Ego is given up. It is the path of doing the right thing, of following ones' personal Dharma and accepting destiny. In less abstract terms, Karma Yoga might be cleaning toilets or washing dishes. Doing any type of service without seeking any remuneration in the shape of wealth, satisfaction, name or fame. So this got me thi...