Doing downward dog to help former sex slaves

A significant event in the history of yoga will occur Saturday. Those once known as untouchables in Hindu society, will lead an around-the-world sun salutation, dedicated to ending human trafficking.

From Australia to Tahiti, throughout South America, Europe and the U.S., to Calgary’s Yoga Shala, studios will host a co-ordinated global practice, staged at the grounds of Mysore Royal Palace in India.

Leading the 108 sun salutations will be a group of 90 young people, rescued by Odanadi Seva Trust, a Mysore anti-trafficking organization.

These people represent India’s most underprivileged class. They have risen above and overcome the worst possible exploitation, surviving slavery, domestic abuse, forced prostitution and other forms of human trafficking. At another point in time—and still largely today—“untouchables” are considered “polluted” by Indian standards, and unworthy of learning yoga.

This subject is close to my heart, having met some of the girls who will be at Mysore Palace, leading the event. They guided me in my own daily practice, while on a bike trip through southern India last spring. (The trip was organized by Odanadi to raise awareness among poor villagers, who are often the target of money-hungry predators.)

The young teenage Odanadi residents were in recovery, and too vulnerable to talk publicly about the sensitive subject of human trafficking.

Morning yoga, though, began to break down the barriers.  Read Article

By Paula Arab