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Solstice Life Celebration - 108 Sun Salutations

  • Hartford Sweat Hartford Sweat, 777 Main Street Hartford, CT, 06103 United States (map)

Solstice Life Celebration - 108 Sun Salutations - A Charity Event

One Word, One Voice, One Life for Suicide Prevention

Join Kerry Cwikla and Meredith Kuraska for this power practice to honor the summer solstice marking the longest day of sunlight in the year at the peak of life and a conclusion to the spring season.  All proceeds go toward a deeply needed local initiative:  One Word, One Voice, One Life, a suicide prevention initiative.

Sun Salutations is a memorable and powerful experience that will stretch you and leave your yoga practice changed - it revitalizes the spirit and refreshes the mind. The 108 Sun Salutations will be a vinyasa flow that links our breath with a moving meditation, inhaling to welcome renewal, and exhaling to let go of what no longer serves us.

This class will be energizing, challenging, not heated, in a phenomenal space and lasts about ~108 minutes surprisingly. All levels of Yogi's are encouraged to attend.

Located:  On the 26th Floor of 777 Main with a Gorgeous View of the City! Enter through either the 777 Main entrance off main street, next to Blue State Coffee, or come to the studio and we’ll direct you (about a 5 minute walk from the studio to the elevator, to the top floor).

Cost / Donations:  Registration is a $10 donation toward One-Voice.  Free-will donations beyond the registration are gratefully accepted and will go in their entirety to the One-Voice initiative.

What do I need to do? Pre-register: Space is limited to 35 people, so we encourage you to Pre-Register to reserve your spot on-line, or in person at the studio front desk, or call the studio at 860-461-0910.

Bring a mat & water, be ready with your sense of adventure Wednesday night.

About the Charity for Donation

We are pleased to donate all proceeds of the class to suicide prevention through One Word, One Voice, One Life – Be the One to start the Conversation and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The CT Suicide Advisory Board created the awareness campaign to educate CT residents about suicide prevention.  Through this campaign people are provided education and awareness to have the critical conversations with adults and youth in depression and considering suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has an extensive network of support and training for individuals and loved ones affected by suicide and in need of help for suicide prevention.

Funds will be applied to sponsor the overnight walk June 22nd from dusk to dawn. More information can be found here. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt furnished upon request.

We thank Mary Painter, one of our Bikram teachers, who has a beautiful and strong passion for mental health and healing to bring this organization to our attention. She is always willing and eager to share if you have questions.

About the 108 Sun Salutations

The number 108 is quite profound and meaningful in many disciplines and full of symbology.

  • A Mala refers to prayer beads counted during recitation of prayers, traditionally with 108 beads, said to signify the 108 human passions.

  • There are 54 letters in the Sanscrit alphabet. Each has a masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti for a total of 2 X 54 = 108.

  • The number has a special relationship in the sun, moon and earth: The average distance of the sun and the moon to earth is 108 times their respective diameters.

  • According to yogic tradition, there are 108 sacred places of the body, or 108 energy lines converging to and from the heart.

The practice is rewarding, calming, and invigorating for both mind and body.  It is intended to improve the strength and flexibility of your muscles, and clear your mind as you focus on breathing and flow through the sequence.

Will I be able to do 108 if I have not done this before?

A resounding yes!  Many who do this for the first time find a rewarding energy that builds as a result of breathing and the meditative flow.  The experience will be memorable, stretch you, and boost your mental and physical capacity.  Focus on your intention for this class and Lauren and Kerry will lead you through them one at a time (with some breaks).  Drink water before, during, and afterward - you will amaze yourself.  Listen to your body if you need to rest or stop and the instructors will help guide.

What is a sun-salutation (Surya Namaskar)?

We hope to see you there!