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Community Support

2011 November 30 - Dharma talk on Gratitude

"It's important in terms of being grateful to everyone, to realize that no slogan, no meditation practice, nothing that you can hear in the teachings is a solution. We're evolving.

We will always be learning more and more, continually opening further and further...What you learn...in your life is not something that you get a patent on and then sell as a sure thing that will always work. It isn't like that. This kind of learning is a continual journey of wakefulness." - Pema Chodron

Topic Teasers:

• During this holiday season, what does the word "gratitude" mean to you?

• How can we learn to be grateful for the difficulties in out lives?

• Have you ever felt the shift from dreading a situation to being grateful for its teaching?

• What practices can we cultivate to assist us when life's tests present themselves?

• How does complaining about things (our family, the weather, politics) affect our ability to practice gratitude?

Open donation proceeds to benefit The Wellness Community. TWC is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing free emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participating in professionally led support groups, educational workshops and mind/body programs utilizing the Patient Active Concept, people affected by cancer can learn vital skills to regain control, reduce feelings of isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of disease.

2011 October 26 - Dharma Talk on balance

"Balance must be discovered anew each day"

--Ivan M. Granger

Open donation proceeds to benefit HALO Animal Rescue.

Halo (Helping Animals Live On) is a private, 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that provides temporary shelter to abandoned cats and dogs until they can be adopted into a permanent home. HALO is a limited admission of "no-kill" facility that does not accept animals from the public. HALO, believing that their strategy serves the animals in greatest need, selects animals from the euthanasia lists at "open admission" shelters in Maricopa County, primarily Maricopa County Animal and Control. Since HALO's inception in 1994, over 20,000 dogs and cats have found a new home, with adoption numbers growing every year! In 2009 alone, they adopted out 2,584 dogs and cats in to new homes, giving them a second chance at happiness!

2011 September 28 - Dharma talk on compassion

Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things. We are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity. What we have to be is what we are." -Thomas Merton

Ryan House provides respite, palliative and end-of-life care to children with life-threatening conditions as well as support for their families. Services offered at Ryan House are accessible to all families regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Ryan House provides a welcoming, comfortable environment where some of Arizona's most special children can truly be themselves among other children like them. Parents get a much-needed short break, while the children receive care from an experienced professional nursing staff that lovingly provides care in place of the care received at home. It all adds up to a well-deserved and essential opportunity to focus on being families and living life to its fullest.

2011 August 24 - Dharma Talk on Restoration

"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses." - Hanna Rio

Open donation proceeds to benefit UMON New Day Centers. UMOM New Day Centers mission is to provide homeless families and individuals with safe shelter, housing and supportive services to assist them in reaching their greatest potential.

UMOM New Day Centers programs include:

New Day Shelters
Next Step Housing
Domestic Violence Shelter
Watkins Basic Needs Shelter

2011 July 27 - Dharma talk on Freedom

Desert Mission Food Bank offers help to the hungry and those in need of nutritional support. Food bank services and programs assist our most vulnerable neighbors by providing food for more that 1,600 families each month. Our mission is to provide emergency food assistance in a dignified and respectful manner to all individuals and families within our community.

2011 June 15 - Dharma Talk on LIght

"When you have come to the edge of all the light you have and step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one the two will happen to you. Either you'll find something solid to stand on, or you'll be taught how to fly!" -Richard Bach

2011 May 25 - Dharma Talk on mindfullness

The Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence was formed in 1980 so that concerned citizens and professionals state-wide could unite to increase public awareness about the issue of Domestic Violence, enhance the safety of and services for Domestic Violence victims, and reduce the incidence of Domestic Violence in Arizona families.

2010 October 30 - November 6 - Donation drive

Thank you to everyone who helped in our Sojourner Center donation drive!

2010 - March 6th, 12:15-1:45 p.m.

Yoga For Haiti
Yoga reminds us of our interconnectedness with all beings. On Saturday, March 6th the Desert Song community honored the people of Haiti and the unimaginable devastation they have suffered. We united with one another for an All Level yoga practice, closed with group meditation, and extended our energy to those in need. The class was co-taught by Desert Song instructors Brenda Bryan, Ann Mullins Bulka and Evon Hart.

All proceeds from this class were directly donated to American Red Cross.
Thank you to everyone who participated. We had a great turn out contributing to help the people of Haiti.

2010 - January 23rd, 2:30 - 4:00 P.M.

Yoga Day
On yoga day, 18 fellow yogis attended the community yoga class. The proceeds from this class was donated to Circle the City. An organization dedicated to providing health care to homeless families and individuals.

2009 Local Art Fair

Thank you for making our local art fair a success on November 21st. There where many familiar smiling faces as well as new smiles enjoying the complimentary massages, amazing art work from our local artist, and tasty treats.

Civic Space Park-Free Yoga Class

Every Saturday from 10:00-11:00a.m. The Civic Space park is having a free yoga class. Various studios are participating in this community event. Anyone is welcome to attend. On November, 14th Stefanie Neuburger taught the class for our studio.

Yoga Day

On January 24, 2009 more than 40 Desert Song yogis came together to raise awareness of Yoga Day USA and raise funds (almost $900) for Circle the City Charity, at Phoenix charity committed to supporting members of the homeless community.

Led by Desert Song Director Mary Beth Markus and Sioux Jones, Participants explored the full spectrum of yoga practices and the ways in which yoga supports creative changes in our lives and the community.

Our Yoga Day USA event marked the kick-off of Desert Song's partnership with Circle the City Charity (www.circlethecity.org).

We are proud to have partnered with this fantastic organization, which surrounds members of our community with healthcare, healing and hope, as they move forward in their lives.

Healing Arts for Children's Hearts

Thank You To All Who Participated

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Spring Garden Event with Grounds for Healing (GFH). Once again, our wonderful Desert Song community came together to create positive change in Phoenix. On March 29, 2008, our yogis lovingly provided an improved place for healing for the children who participate in the Grounds for Healing therapy garden, the “The Golden Garden.” Volunteers gave donations, weeded their hearts out, repaired a drip system, decorated rocks and planted colorful flowers. The end result was a beautiful place of retreat and renewal for children affected by violent crimes. Thank you again for your time, generosity and compassion and for giving back with Desert Song!

For more information on Grounds for Healing, go to the Children’s Advocacy Center website at www.azcac.org.

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