Seva: A grown-up practice

See how Master Yoga is growing up! Now that we are in our late teens, you can see the results of laying the groundwork for almost two decades. Rama began teaching in San Diego in 1986, and graduated the first class of teachers in 1991. Rama describes it this way:

The years of childhood are focused on personal needs and desires but, as you grow, you become increasingly interested in helping others. The same is true of yogis, who often begin yoga because of their pain. They are appropriately focused on their own healing. As you discover the “more” that yoga offers and are able to look beyond your own immediate needs, you grow into one of the more mature practices of yoga – karma yoga.

All of our teachers-in-training do karma yoga in Foundations and YTT trainings, in the group projects as well as by sharing the daily set-up and clean-up tasks. Their willingness and interest in helping others shows up in many other ways; the Trainers notice how teachers-in-training lovingly and willingly support each other, progressively more and more through the YTT levels. Every teacher’s classes shine with their pure desire to serve their students and clients. This spirit of service is called seva, which is another Sanskrit term for the practice of karma yoga.

New SEVA Program & Coordinator

We re-launched our Seva Program in September 2008, with a comprehensive program design. Kelly Sharp is our new Seva Coordinator, leading the way by her own example as she tackles this challenging volunteer position. This position is completely separate from the full-time Facility Coordinator position that she begins in January. We are delighted to welcome her into both of these new responsibilities! Kelly has worked with Rama, Tish and Ellen as well as the rest of Master Yoga’s 23 staff and Board members, to create this program.

How may I serve Master Yoga?

You are one of many yogis who have asked this question. The practice of seva has always been alive in our organization as an informal process, and we are grateful to so many of you who have made a big difference over the decades. Now we can offer you an exciting opportunity to serve, as we are in the midst of rapid growth with a worldwide reach. Your seva can help us expand and enhance our family to effectively meet the changing needs of our not-for-profit organization.

As a participant in the program, you will study more about seva in quarterly phone calls with Rama, which are part of the continuing education program for our sevites. Rama will teach from the Bhagavadgita as well as her own experiences in these conference calls. They will be recorded for you to listen to later if the day and time doesn’t match your schedule.

Seva Phone Calls with Rama
• Thursday April 2, 2009 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm (Eastern)
• Tuesday June 2, 2009 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm (Eastern)
• Tuesday September 8, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm (Eastern)

To Enroll

Please contact our Seva Coordinator, Kelly Sharp at kelly@masteryoga.org. She will be delighted to respond!

Program Schedules | Request Catalog | Contact Us

Return to Home Page from Seva

---