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The Yogi's for Freedom event was an amazing day on Dec 2 that was filled with love, compassion, healing and alot of wonderful people coming out in support of victims of sex trafficking in the celebration  of freedom for all. Deepest gratitude to all the amazing supporters, donors, local businesses and practitioners that helped us not just meet, but exceed our goal! We raised over $6,000 on Dec 2 and this sent us charging past our goal of $20,000. It's official, I have just received my BARE WITNESS TOUR packet and will be going to India in Feb 2013 as part of the outreach program of Off The Mat, Into The World. Their mission is to support the development of leadership skills for participants like me who sign up for the Global Seva and encourage grassroots activism on issues that matter. I for one have learned so much in this process and will be sharing more about this whole process and what insights I have gained and continue to be blessed with. The most significant at this point is the very real truth that we are all interconnected, that nothing is done in isolation, that people are amazing and that this life is a great mystery, providing each one of us exactly what we need to evolve, open and shine our light. Anything worth doing, is worth doing for the benefit of all beings. We are all ONE. Go to www.facebook.com/yogafourwinds to see the photo album of our event.
In Awe and Gratitude,
Jill :)

 
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Hey Everyone! Thanks for checking back in with how we are progressing towards our goal. We are about 75% there and the time is ticking down to our last big fundraiser Yogis for Freedom on Sun, Dec 2. There has been some confusion so let me explain that the event is broken down into 4 parts, two yoga sessions and two meditation sessions with time for an introduction and chanting for peace at the end. The hours are 8:00am (check ins will begin at 7:30am) to 1:00pm. Come for all or part, as all funds raised will go to the Global Seva and help women and children in the poorest areas of India. There is a way for EVERYONE who wants to participate to participate: come and get your friends to sponsor you, come without getting sponsors or sponsor someone else for a few bucks. It is money well spent to save a life of a woman!!!!
    Everytime I have felt discouraged or dead tired, an unexpected hand has extended and lifted me up to keep going, keep moving forward, to keep the faith. And so it is for all of us, yes? We are all in this together. Like the Bhagavad Gita, do your work and let go of the results. Results are the ego's way of feeling powerful, but lead to frustration and suffering when made the priority. So instead, I focus on all the wonderful people that have come forward to stand up on this issue, partner with me in making a difference. People so freely giving of their resources, time, talents, encouragement, LOVE. That is THE BEST part of this journey thus far, teaching me we are all ONE, ALL ONE. "You" and "ME" are just ideas of separation. Really, we are all one, and when I step up, you step up. And when you reach out, I reach out. And so on and so on and so on..... $14,700 and counting!!!!
May we all know ourselves as Loving Awareness.
May we all BE!
Thank you! Jai Ma!

 
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The excitement is building for our big event to bring our practice into action for the benefit of others. There are many ways to be a part of this journey along with me, so I hope no matter where you are, you will feel compelled to be a voice for the freedom of women, girls and in the process liberate  yourself through love and compassion in action! The Yogi's For Freedom Event being held on Sunday, Dec 2 from 8-1pm is a "yogathon" that will feature both yoga and mindfulness practices taught by 4 local teachers: Mahan Rishi from Khalsa Yoga Center in Yardley, PA, Robin Boudette from the Princeton, NJ area, Kevin Eaton from Pennington, NJ and me (of course, yours truly). Participants can get sponsors of family and friends or attend the practice only, or choose to sponsor someone else. To sign up and read more about the event go to www.fourwindsyoga.com or to sponsor a participant/team member go to http://www.crowdrise.com/jillgutowskiyogisforfreedom/fundraiser/jillgutowski/
    So far, I have been on a roller coaster of ups and downs. When I feel like I am overwhelmed and frustrated, someone or something comes along to let me know that I am not alone, that what I am doing is inspiring others to action. Putting my yoga practice into action like this has been very good for me. I feel myself in the fire often, the fires of doubts and shoulda woulda. It's burning off some karma, old patterns of self doubt and fears that need to be surrendered into more trust and self-love in the process. 
    This journey has brought me a greater visceral appreciation of how we depend on one another for our growth and healing. I remember the women and children and how their situations will improve from our actions. We are sending a message of hope and healing that goes beyond our imagination. I realize that this is an opportunity not just for me but for us all.  We are all reaching out in this process in some way that takes us beyond our four walls and our own life experience. Even in the shadow of elections and wall street and personal concerns, the power of reaching out to another human being shines brightest of all and makes us feel a sliver of who we really are.
    Every day takes another layer of illusion away. I find myself like a snake shedding her skin and finding herself with a new and raw sense of self that seems more like me than ever.

 
    We have crested over the half way mark of $10,000!!! Many thank you's to all who have so generously supported this community effort to help end sex trafficking. As a friend put it, I am helf way from NJ to Kolkata! (That means I'm swimmin' somewhere in the Atlantic probably!) and I couldn't be more in awe of the outpouring of support on this personal and community challenge. 
    Some things we have done to reach this point are:
Film screenings of Yogawoman.
Individual donations since Feb 2012.
Corporate Matching Gifts- (does your company match?)
ETS Cares Events
Four Winds Yoga Donations and Events
Global Mala Asbury Park Charity Event
    Actually, those last three are still to be tabulated when the funds are in. Speaking of...I wanted to share with you some photos from Asbury Park a few weekends ago. I along with 9 other instructors, taught yoga to about 300-400 people on the boardwalk. It was a BEAUTIFUL sunny, blue sky day and you could not get any better than being by the ocean with a bunch of passionate and compassionate yoga peeps!
    Check out the slideshow below. We have some exciting new events planned. Please join us on Sat, Oct 27 for the Lunar Flow and Earth Gong Healing Workshop with Jill and Marco. Sign up at www.fourwindsyoga.com Help us get even closer to our goal and support victims of trafficking become survivors! Thank you everyone for your love and support!
Jai Ma!


 
This is a wonderful one and 1/2 minute video made by a 9th grader for her class. Please take a minute to watch it and join us in ending the suffering of countless children and girls that are trapped in sexual slavery. Make a donation to the Global Seva in Jill's name today. Thank you for watching!
 
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As soon as I get the photos, I will share with you the amazing experience I had teaching on famous boardwalk of Asbury Park this past Sunday to several hundred yogi's and yogini's. It was a blast and made me realize "I gotta get out there more!" The feedback was wonderful and it just goes to show how getting a group of people together for a peace is so powerful!

What I am really excited to share with you now is the upcoming charity event for the Global Seva India 2012: Lunar Flow Yoga & Earth Gong Bath on Sat, Oct 27, 5:00- 7:30pm. This will be an amazing experience where I teach some chill vinyasa flows to open the energy field, soothe the mind and restore the vital prana pathways in the body through simply breathing, postures and intention-setting. Then Marco Dolce (read more about Marco at www.earthgongbath.com) will play the special Earth Gong for a sweet relaxation and sound healing experience. The combined journey is not to be missed. SIGN UP ONLINE at www.fourwindsyoga.com If you CAN'T be with us, please consider making a donation to the Global Seva in my name PLEASE. Women and children are desperate for your compassionate assistance. LOvE to All! Thank you!

 
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"If you believe what's in your soul,
Just hold on tight and don't let go,
You Can Make It,
Make It Happen

If you believe in yourself and know what you want,
Your gonna
Make It Happen,
Make It Happen

And if you get on your knees and pray to the Lord,
He's (She's) gonna Make It Happen,
Make It Happen!"
~Mariah Carey





 
 
    We had our outdoor screening of Yogawoman, hosted by Melanie, and had a very nice time outdoors this past Saturday. The weather was surprisingly comfortable for the evening screening under the stars and we raised $300. It was a pleasure meeting the women who came out in support of my Global Seva efforts and victims of sex trafficking. Women helping women (and one man, Melanie's husband who set up our techno area!). If you have not seen Yogawoman or if you would love to see it again and contribute to the Global Seva through your participation, please stay tuned to either the Chichester, NY event on Aug 18 or upcoming fall/winter showings.
    We are making steady progress through the Community Yoga class, every Wed at Four Winds Yoga (note: no class next Wed, July 25) and raising a little bit every week. Check it out and join this all levels class full of women and young women practicing and making a difference!
    Jada Pinkett Smith, actress, urged Congress to step up the fight against human trafficking in the US and abroad. She testified during a Senate Foreign Relations Commitee hearing, to free modern day slaves and protect human rights, the rights of women and children. Unbelievably, the issue was brought to her attention by her 11 year old daughter! The State Department estimates that at least 14,500 people are trafficking into the US annually. This number does not account for those that are trafficked from within our country: the so-called "throw-aways" or children who are kicked out or run away from abusive homes. The number of trafficked children and adolescents in the US is estimated at 100,000- 300,000. Unbelievable. Please join the fight and be a Light for others.
Thank you!
 
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    I just returned from a radiant weekend teaching at Chichester Yoga with my friend, healer, yoga trainer and amazing wise woman, Megan Leigh. I had a blast teaching her yoga trainees at her beautiful center amidst the mountains and flowing creek. I will be back on Saturday, August 18 for a showing of Yogawoman, inspirational talk and a yoga class and you are invited to join in! There are lots of wonderful cabins and places to stay nearby if you want to make it an overnight or relaxing weekend. Megan and her partner Peter are skilled healers and are available for bodywork and there are daily yoga classes of course! Check out www.chichesteryoga.com to read more about this gem in the Catskills. 
    In the meantime, we have a local showing at the home of Melanie Parsons this Saturday, July 14. You can come for some yoga with me at 7:00pm or show up for a picnic under the stars and OUTDOOR movie screening out back! For more information go to our website www.fourwindsyoga.com  and just come out to support the Global Seva!!!
    Proceeds from these two events will fund programs in India for women and children and raise awareness on ENDING SEX TRAFFICKING! Rock on!
Thank you all for your support!
May All Beings Be Happy and Know Freedom!

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    Please help end sex trafficking and make a tax deductible donation. Remember to list my name " Jill Gutowski" as the participant you are donating in the name of. Thank you so much!

    Author

    Jill Gutowski has been a practitioner of hatha yoga, meditation and holistic healing for over 18 years.  She teaches in the Princeton, NJ area.

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