Giving Back to the Community
“Do it without expectations and the results will come!” ~ Cosmin Mahadev
Seva as a Group
Giving back to the community is a meaningful way to practice your seva. By opening up your heart to selfless service, the creative energy from your yoga practice can manifest into action. Through acts of kindness, we develop a distinct sense of empathy and compassion for others. These developing virtues not only allow the illusion of separation to dissolve, as we begin to acknowledge our oneness with all life and the universe, it demonstrates how true love is simply recognizing yourself in another.
Be a part of the Divine Light: A Beacon of Hope, Encouragement, and Assistance
On occasion, the center coordinates and schedules special events where, as a group, we serve the community in our own way. While we share this “opportunity to serve” to every student, these organized events are completely voluntary. We coordinate with those who wish to volunteer and practice their seva. Your seva can be in the form of donations or by providing your time and talent to those less fortunate. As a group, we enjoy dedicating some of our time together by serving others in solidarity. Your participation is solely a personal decision.
The creative energy of seva starts with you. By demonstrating even the simplest act of kindness, you lead by example. While we provide ideas on how to give back to the community as well as organize events, your ideas are always welcomed and your participation, whether big or small, is appreciated.
Often enough, we can forget the blessings in our lives. When you practice seva, you enter into a state of humility and gratitude. This recognition doesn’t surface because you see others with less than you, but because your service unveils a hidden truth. That hidden truth is that happiness cannot be obtained from what you do or what you have, but rather can only flow into what you do and what you have to give.
Past Events
Community Event Held to Support Las Vegas Musician Keith Alcantara in His Battle with Cancer
March 2018
Last month, the yoga community united with area musicians in a benefit to support and assist Keith Alcantara in his ongoing battle with Cancer. Keith is a locally renowned, Las Vegas Musician who’s been an integral part of community drum circles for over 20 years. He’s served as a band member in Shanda and the Howlers, Catfish John and Flux, to name a few.
Universally admired and adored, Keith has unfortunately been battling cancer over the recent months and is undergoing chemotherapy. The benefit was a small gesture of appreciation from our community, to help him cover a portion of his medical costs and to demonstrate our love for him.
The benefit featured: a Community Drum Circle and a raffle of a Remo Drum facilitated by Jeffrey Trower; music and chanting led by Yantra; and words of wisdom and Gong Meditation led by Cosmin Mahadev Singh. Attending guests were also able to participate in numerous raffles, and contributed any monetary amount permitted by their budget. No one was turned away from participating.
We thank every participate for their attendance, support and generous contributions from the bottoms of our heart! We raised $948 for Keith! Blessings!
Miche Ulysse
January 2017
Miche began with us as a new student in October of 2016. When he confided in Cosmin that he was homeless, the RYK staff and students immediately came to his aid. Miche had stopped in Las Vegas on his way to Hawaii, with a dream of teaching yoga. After attending classes at RYK, the 2017 Kundalini Teacher Training was his next goal, but he lacked the funds and stability to attend.
Performing Seva in the studio in exchange for classes allowed him to keep up his yoga practice and, with the help of a studio fundraising event, we were able to raise several hundred dollars in cash donations, grocery gift cards, clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, and studio memberships. Through Miche’s personal GoFundMe page, several students contributed to his $804 total funds raised – enough to pay the deposit on his Kundalini Teacher Training. Students were also able to provide him a place to stay and shortly thereafter he was able to secure employment.
He is well on his way to accomplishing his dream!
HELP AT SOUTHERN NEVADA
Shannon West Homeless Youth Center, April 17, 2016 – $1,180 (cash donations) $1,600 (bus passes, gift cards, supplies, toiletries, food, etc)
Shannon West Homeless Youth Center, August 11, 2013 – $980 (gift cards, supplies, food, clothing, shoes, etc)
“Honestly all the thanks go to you and your amazing friends and family that honestly made us all speechless. Your compassion to hang out and talk with the youth and all the items you brought is truly amazing. WE are the lucky ones and I can only hope you will be back to HELP. We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!” – Abby Quinn, Community Outreach Director
During this effort, all students at Raise Your Kundalini were given the opportunity to practice their seva. In this effort, weeks of preparation took place to collect donations that included school supplies, clothing, perishable and non-perishable goods, and money to prepare the homeless children for the upcoming school year. More than thirty yoga students at Raise Your Kundalini participated in various ways to make this event brilliantly successful.
In addition, many students volunteered their time and talent to prepare some delicious gourmet meals for this special event. The wide varieties of hot and cold meals were served along with beverages and scrumptious desserts to the children and young adults at Shannon West Homeless Youth Center. It was an auspicious event.
Nevada Public Radio – online auction 2015, 2016
February 2016 – $1,180
June 2015 – $1,150
For the first time RYK Yoga and Meditation Center joined with KNPR and the other donors to be part of the summer online auction for Nevada Public Radio.
Our center donated several packages and memberships (free yoga and meditation, private classes, massage services, past life regression, hypnotherapy, reiki healing) with a total of over $1,150.
100% of the proceeds went to benefit Nevada Public Radio.
Eran Svigos Orphanage, Bali Indonesia
June 24th 2015 – $768
Part of our yearly retreat in Bali is to also do Karma Yoga at Eran Svigos Orphanage. We visited the kids on June 24th, bringing them gifts & donations!
We raised $768 plus clothing, medical supplies, toys, etc. Kids were very happy!!!
Thank you for the help. Blessings!
2015 Major Gifts Reception for the Jewish Federation
Tuesday February 12th 2015 $485
RYK Yoga and Meditation Center is very happy to join Towbin Automotive and be able to contribute to the reception for the donors of the Jewish Federation.
Our Center donated $485 in services with all the proceeds going directly to this good cause.
ANNUAL FEED THE HOMELESS BENEFIT EVENT
NOVEMBER 21ST 2015 – $1,180
NOVEMBER 29TH 2014 – $1,568
November 22ND 2013 – $1,000
RYK Yoga and Meditation Center host another wonderful community event!
We all came together for a night of fun & service. Featuring Local Artists & Musicians: Yantra – Drum & Kirtan, Live Gong Meditation, Drum Circle, DJ Demarco Cruz, Body Painting, Dancing and more!
Last year we raised $1000 and fed about 300 people.
This year we raised $1,568 and all proceeds were donated to Feed the Homeless Downtown Las Vegas.
ANNUAL BENEFIT EVENT FOR AMMA`S HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES
July 15, 2017 – $368
July 16, 2016 – $380
July 18, 2015 – $400
July 26, 2014 – $500
Our new location RYK Yoga and Meditation Center was very happy to host a special evening of chant, music, meditation & ancient teachings honoring the humanitarian efforts of Amma – Sri Amarita Ananda Mayi, the world renowned hugging saint. This was our 7th year helping to raise awareness and funds for her endless tour of love and compassion.
We celebrated an evening of fun and self-initiation,with drumming & music, Kirtan, Yoga & LIVE Gong Meditation.
All proceeds were donated to Amma & her Humanitarian Activities.
Sponsored by
RYK Yoga and Meditation Center
LAS VEGAS RESCUE MISSION
February 4, 2014
Cosmin Mahadev Singh and Joyce Vitug once again demonstrated a genuine sense of spiritual leadership by organizing an auspicious day at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. Many hours were spent organizing and preparing for this day of selfless service. The day included dinner, refreshments, and desserts as well as the distribution of all the donated goods collected over the course of time. Two groups of volunteers dedicated several hours to make the day a complete success. One group served dinner, maintained the dining area, and cleaned up after the special event was completed.
This was no easy task given the record breaking feat of nearly 500 meals served. Another group handed out over 5 large boxes of donations consisting of clothing, hats, socks, gloves, women’s hygiene products, men’s grooming items as well as dental care and other miscellaneous toiletries. Soup bowls were also donated to the kitchen at the shelter. We recognize and commend all those who participated in making this day so special.
ASSISTANCE TO MILITARY VET
July 17, 2013
Selfless service is an integral part of practicing yoga and few know better about selfless service than our military veterans. It is for this reason that when we heard of a military veteran suffering from an exacerbation of a rare disease, the creative energy of compassion manifested into right action.
An inclusive effort at Raise Your Kundalini Yoga commenced with teacher, students, and other generous individuals to assist this special military veteran obtain the care and attention he so desperately needed. Arrangements were made so this person, who has sacrificed so much for his country and for our freedoms, was able to receive treatment for his devastating disease, free of any financial burdens. Money was raised and used to cover for the costs.
