TRY IT Identify a cause you feel passionate about and amass a
solid team first; it can include yogis and studios leading similar
efforts, or interested friends and family. “You get more done
together,” Sterling attests. “When you share power and
responsibility, you build real community and that helps create
something sustainable.” Leadership intensives and Yoga in
Action groups developed by Off the Mat can connect you with
others interested in seva efforts (offthematintotheworld.org).
in Ecuador, and created micro-loan programs in Haiti. “We share
rituals; we build communities,” she says.
As with any good relationship, you must set aside your ego to
be effective in seva. “You must forgo making assumptions about
other people,” Sterling explains.
“Someone who’s poor and living and farming on the side of a
fi eld may be happier than a person who’s isolated in a mansion.”
Acknowledging others’ truth is critical, agrees Angel Lucia,
owner of Bindu Yoga Studio in West Palm Beach, Florida, who
has worked on seva projects for 18 years. “People just need to be
heard,” she says. “You have to interact with them like a friend.”
In an important way, seva teaches you
to trust yourself – your curiosity, your abilities, your innate
positivity. “I have seen people blossom through seva,” says Lucia.
“First, they grow comfortable with themselves, then they grow
comfortable with others who are different from them.”
Melinda Dodd is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City.
Log on to connect
The jury’s still out on whether social media aids or diminishes authentic
connection, but it has been shown to benefit those who may be less
outgoing in real life, enhancing self-esteem and reducing depression.
The following are three ways to connect more effectively online.
Make the most of Facebook. At least 58 percent of adult Facebook
users have more than 100 friends, finds the Pew Research Centre,
and that’s fine. But remember, quality trumps quantity, so instead
of accepting friend requests from strangers (as up to half of us do),
maximise your time online by sending personal messages, posting
invites to events, and making offline plans.
Be a blog star. Share your thoughts on yoga, meditation, or
spirituality by writing blog posts (try sites like yoganonymous.com),
or post comments on yoga boards (like doyouyoga.com). Being
able to speak about what matters to you, if only in written form, is
good for your health.
Use hashtags to find IRL community. Discover local happenings
and meet like-minded yogis by searching word combos that
reflect your interests (#yogamusic, #hotyoga, #yogachallenge).
You’ll quickly find the accounts that follow the activities and people
you need to know.