Our recent Peace Project Weekend (January 30th and 31st and February 1st) was both a new event for us and a resounding success. What made it a success was the amazing drop-in crowd that showed up and the wonderful volunteers who made the space so welcoming and informative. One of the aspects of living in balance that we at Sattvic Space believe in is gratitude and now is the time fro some well-deserved appreciation.
Where to begin? Dilip Sarkar led the Ayur-Yoga Therapy class on Saturday morning and we are always grateful for the consistent and knowledgeable expertise that he graciously shares with us. The kitchen was busy with Deepti Kumar and William MacDonald getting ready a butternut soup, spiced tea, and Indian Kichadi, which was welcomed by all after the class. Yum!
Terri Lessor led a Peace conversation in the Sun room which had been rendered beautiful and tidy by Ranell Valdez, Maury, and Tom Kuntz who spent hours getting it done. Dr. Topalli’s Chesapeake Ayurveda class loaned us a fascinating and informative power-point presentation about the doshas and Maura Lansing and Priesh Kumar helped with tongue and pulse diagnosis. Swami D from the Soma Matha Spiritual Center in Richmond did pulse diagnosis of doshas with recommendations of herbs both Saturday and Sunday; his expertise and advice is invaluable as was his devotee, Kevin.
Woven in this delightful weekend was music, drumming, and dancing which the dynamic and compassionate Charisse Minerva Spencer provided with her talented and energetic cast of skilled performers. Special gratitude for Ana Maria Lugo, yoga teacher, and her family who shared information about essential oils and malas. Her daughter created a mandala for the occasion and she, her brother, and her father were in the sun room most of Saturday to welcome all.
Bernadette Jobs, formerly of the Ayurvedic Institute, New Mexico, who is now with Norfolk Accupuncture, demonstrated her expertise with body work, core synchronicity, and marma points. Her interest in us and her compassion is unfailing. Maury Cooke, co-owner of Sattvic was intensely omnipresent and contributed his usual breath work Ayur-yoga class Sunday morning—Yes, he does do it all!
Last but by no means least, Julia Dorsey-Loomis and family attended and participated in the last of the dances on Sunday. Julia also loaned us her PEACE placard, and, Volunteer Renee helped in the kitchen during lunch.
We all had a great time and both Martin Luther King and Ghandi would have loved it!
Mary Johnston, (volunteer)