Stretching Helps Children

We all know stretching has benefits. It increases mobility, reduces injury, and improves circulation, but, did you know that stretching can also help children? It’s true. A group of yogis in Singapore stretched their minds and hearts in a compassionate act of kindness to provide relief and comfort to children they’ve never met. ” Here’s the story…

In late 2009, Tanya Kaps in Singapore watched a YouTube video about a young, Kansan artist painting for orphans. Isabelle Redford’s story inspired Tanya. So, when the earthquake hit Haiti, Tanya sprung into action, but she didn’t act alone – far from it. In fact, a whole yoga studio joined her! Scores of people from Absolute Yoga Singapore united for a unique challenge. Every day for a month, the Absolute Yoga team stretched to care for children reeling from an earthquake. They told friends, family, and whoever else would listen. They encouraged and inspired each other. 30-days and $27,000 later, they had raised funds to a build a home for ten children and their house mama in Haiti AND to provide the essentials, like a kitchen, sanitation, clean water, and security, for 48 children in Lira, Uganda. Wonderful! But as Absolute Yoga will tell you, whether with yoga or with serving others, one must stick with it to get the full benefit.

Last year, Laura Bennet and her husband moved from Minnesota to Singapore. Having dabbled in yoga in the States and after researching various studios, Laura chose Absolute Yoga Singapore. Tanya Kaps’ instruction and the studio’s passion touched her. Laura shared it all with friends and family back home. Dozens of Minnesotans, halfway around the world, got involved in Absolute Yoga Singapore’s second annual Seva Child 30-Day Challenge. One friend even committed to a dollar-for-dollar match of all “Team Absolute” raised. 30-more days. $37,270.

Shift continents again; back to Uganda, an African country ravaged by HIV and strife. Light shines brightest in darkness. In a village called Kabale, orphaned and abandoned children live under the watchful and caring eyes of local leaders who are determined to make a better future. Generous partners have already built a school and children’s homes there. One of the homes was built by the young artist who inspired Tanya Kaps; today Tanya Kaps, Team Absolute Yoga, and a score of Minnesotans are providing a full year of support required to operate that village for 70 beautiful Ugandan children and their mamas.

A Kansas girl caused a lady in Singapore to stretch, who invited her yoga studio to stretch, helping children. A year later, the yoga studio in Singapore caused a lady from Minnesota to stretch who asked her friends back in the US to stretch, helping children; the same children loved by the nine-year-old in Kansas. What do you think about stretching now? Can you see our smile?

We couldn’t make this up; not on our most creative day. What’s better? Absolute Yoga Singapore has a vision to one day engage 100 Yoga Studios around the world in their annual Seva Child 30-Day Challenge. Now that’s a stretch, and as we all know by now, this kind of stretching helps children!