The Giving Position

By Julia Travers
Namaskar Magazine - July 2003

The recent surge in the popularity of yoga has made it simple to find a class in Hong Kong, with almost every fitness club offering classes as well as many studios focusing exclusively on the practice of yoga. With all this choice, the problem shifts from finding a class to fit your schedule to finding a type of yoga to fit your personal style.

If you are looking for a class that not only teaches the physical practice of yoga but also promotes the philosophy behind it, you might consider a visit to Old Peak Yoga, an organization that seeks to enrich the practice of yoga with a focus on community enrichment and philanthropic giving. 100% of the money raised through yoga classes at Old Peak Yoga goes to charity. Dana Breitenstein, founder of Old Peak Yoga, believes the focus on charity "helps to teach the true essence of yoga by reaching out and giving to the broader community, both locally and globally."

Old Peak Yoga originally started in 2001 as a free class for friends to practice yoga and enjoy time together. After a few months, the group decided to raise money for Oxfam International, raising over $7000 in the first year. Since January 2003 Old Peak Yoga has focused on a different charity each month. Just before the war in Iraq, Old Peak Yoga donated money to Plowshares, a Nobel prize nominated international non-profit organization that trains community leaders to teach the skills of peaceful conflict resolution. The fundraising class for Plowshares coincided with a Peace Party, described by yoga practitioner Nat Shreedhar as "a great sociable crowd, from all backgrounds and nationalities, all sharing a common goal of peace."

Each class emphasizes community through the informal social gathering that always follows and through the collective spirit of giving. Even the selection of charities often comes from the yoga community. This spring Old Peak Yoga donated money to Dan's Fund for Burns, a charity started in honor of Dan Miller and other victims of the 2002 terrorist attack in Bali. Dan was a member of Old Peak Yoga in its early days. Pauline Miller, Dan's widow, said of Old Peak Yoga's donation to the fund, "Dan would have loved it - a peaceful and sporty way to raise money for a good cause."

Dana teaches ISHTA yoga, a practice that focuses on strength, balance and agility. ISHTA stands for the Integrated Sciences of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda. Dana first began practicing ISHTA yoga in 1997 in New York. After her first class, she was hooked, and within two years received her teaching certification. In describing Dana's teaching style, Justin Searle says, "She quickly dispelled my misconception that you need to be a contortionist to do yoga properly. As a runner I am not at all flexible, but many of the poses require a lot of balance, strength and poise that anyone can develop with a few weeks of practice."