Sun Salutations by the Pyramid

As the Saturday sun climbed the eastern side of the Walter Pyramid, a group of charitable Yogis saluted it- 108 times.
The LBC Yoga Mala was on Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. Yoga instructors, activists and enthusiasts were gathered at the base of the pyramid to help raise money and awareness for grassroots organizations in India that aim to educate and provide support for victims of sex trafficking.
“It’s estimated that 3-6 million children at any given time fall victim to sex trafficking,” said Kerrie Kauer, an assistant professor of the yoga department and organizer of the event. “The average age of these victims is 12-15 years old.”
Kauer said that she has been practicing for five years, and has chosen to do the Global Seva Challenge, a program under the non-profit organization Off the Mat, Into the World. The Global Seva [“selfless service” in Sanskrit] challenge contributes to a different cause every year, and Kauer, who has worked around gender oppression and women’s rights issues, said she feels partial to this year’s cause.
The number 108 is an auspicious number that is sacred in Buddhist tradition and used for meditation and prayer, Kauer said. Participants paid or raised $108 to participate.
Kristin Coleman, a Cal State Long Beach alumnus, had no trouble coming up with the funds to participate. She raised the money in two days by promoting the cause to family and friends and via social media.
Many of the participants were already regular practitioners of Yoga, some of which were CSULB Alumni and students.
The heat radiated over the yogis in the Yoga Mala, as they inhaled and exhaled in unison, flowing through the poses and surrendering to the power of yoga by opening their hands and hearts to the sun.
“Quadrupeds are so fortunate because their hearts are so close to the earth,” said instructor Stephanie Sweet as the participants rested in their downward dog pose.
The Yoga instructors were clearly passionate and knowledgeable, and their techniques were as unique as their purpose. They each took turns instructing while others perused, straightening and massaging the backs of the dedicated yogis.
“Don’t think, just feel,” said Scott Winslow, one of the instructors, from the top of the steps.
Winslow led the yogis through their final 9 salutations, as all their breath and motion turned to a single life-force. At the end, an emotional silence swept over them as they stood rooted to the earth in Tadasana, or mountain pose, aware only of the intention to which they had just dedicated the last two hours.
“When you come to your mat, you are clearing the Karma for the seven generations before you, and the seven generations ahead of you,” said Sati Ah, another instructor.
Booths for other charity organizations and volunteer opportunities stood around the Yoga grounds, as well as vendors of art and baked goods. Acoustic tunes by Freeman’s Collective set the mood while Committee members for the LBC Yoga Mala sold raffle tickets and shirts to raise additional funds.
“It seemed like [the pyramid] would be a great place because we’re collaborating with the graduate sports management program and the department of kinesiology,” Kauer said. “It’s a great way to connect the community and the campus.”