Journey to Colombia: Wellness with the Xol Foundation

As part of a service trip with the Xol Foundation, I was invited to attend and be a part of a community wellness day in one of the villages outside of Cali, Colombia set high in the mountains.

Under the Umbrella Sky Yoga in Coral Gables

Over 250+ people attended the Umbrella Sky yoga class in downtown Coral Gables in partnership with TruFusion and the City of Coral Gables. It was the largest class held in the series.

Yoga at the Kampong: Where Yoga Meets Conservation

Having an immense appreciation for nature and an interest in conservation, I partnered with the Kampong, part of the non-profit, National Tropical Botanical Gardens to offer yoga classes in a peaceful sanctuary outside of Miami city life. Last Saturday, I held another class to support this 9-acre tropical estate in Coconut Grove. The community of Kampong yogis is growing!

The next weekend class will be held Saturday, February 23 at 10:30am. To register, sign up online. I’ve also partnered with Xol Coffee and they will be returning to provide free coffee and light bites.

In addition to weekend classes, I’m launching regularly scheduled classes beginning in February. An all levels flow style class will be held on Wednesdays at 9:30am. The first class on February 13 will be free for members and a special intro rate of $15 applies to non-members.

The Kampong is the former home of famed botanist, Dr. David Fairchild. It is on the list of historic homes in Miami and contains a beautiful collection of artifacts and plants from around the world. Dr. Fairchild is credited for bringing over 30,000 plant species and produce (e.g. avocados) to the United States.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Kampong, you’ll receive unlimited park access, event invites, and discounted yoga class. To become a member, apply here.

See you at the next class!

Body Glove Private Yoga Event Highlights

Create Happiness

When you love what you do, happiness is what you share. Everyday, I'm grateful that I can spread joy through yoga. I had the pleasure of working with Body Glove, a California-based water sports brand over the weekend for their Create Happiness Yoga Event as part of Miami Swim Week. The goal of the tour is about bringing joy to your own life, while being aware that happiness is a state of mind.

It was a beautiful sunrise yoga class held at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel. Here are some photos of this amazing event.

If you are interested in hosting a private event, get in touch with me! I'd love to share my passion and joy of yoga with you.

Peace, Love, and Yoga: A Special Thank You

The path to peace begins with an open heart. Thank you to those who supported last night's event, Stories from the Mat: From Rwanda to Yoga. It was a special evening of yoga, dialogue, community, and connection. I'm honored to have shared my story of living in Rwanda and how it inspired me to be a yoga teacher. Thank you for opening your hearts.

All proceeds raised will benefit 500 orphaned teens at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi (1994). Agahozo-Shalom is a residential living and learning community located an hour outside of Kigali. It is transforming traumatized children into the next generation of ethical leaders.

Thank you Lululemon Miami for the generous mat donation. The mat was given away to a local teacher-trainee, Rebecca Lester. I have no doubt she will be a positive force in the Miami yoga community and the rest of the world. A special thank you to FloYo Coral Gables for allowing me to host the event.

LEARN MORE

If you're interested in learning more about Agahozo-Shalom and the work they do, please visit their website.

HOW TO DONATE

If you were unable to attend and would still like to contribute, please click here.

Thank you again. Murakoze Cyane!

Peace and Love,

xoxo

April 8: Special Yoga Class to Benefit Rwandan Youth Village

Stories from the Mat: From Rwanda to Yoga

April is Genocide Awareness Month. Please join me this Sunday, April 8, 5:30pm at FloYo Coral Gables for a donation-based yoga class to benefit the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda, a place dear to my heart and home to more than 500 orphaned teens.

I'll share my journey of how I started practicing yoga after living abroad for six years in the Czech Republic and Rwanda working in higher education and international development. I'll then guide you through a 60-minute vinyasa flow class (all levels) to Rwandan music. We'll end with a dialogue and Q+A. Refreshments will be provided thanks to the generous support of Raw Juce.

GIVEAWAYS

At the end of class, I'll be giving away handmade Rwandan gifts and a Lululemon Mat courtesy of Lululemon Brickell City Centre, Miami. Lululemon was the first company I worked for after moving back to the USA!

HOW TO DONATE

Please bring cash or check donations made payable to the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. You can also donate online.

LOCATION

The studio is located at 1430 S. Dixie Hwy, Suite 116. Coral Gables, FL 33146, next to Madruga Bakery and Raw Juce.

SIGN UP ONLINE

SIGN UP HERE

LEARN MORE

MISSION: Their goal is to enable orphaned and vulnerable youth to realize their maximum potential by providing them with a safe and secure living environment, health care, education and necessary life skills. Education and service are used to model and create socially responsible citizens in Rwanda and around the world.

For more information about the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda, please visit their website. Check out the video below to see what ASYV looks like.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me at sam@journeysforthesoul.com. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Peace and Love xoxo,

Originally shown at Stand Up & Be Counted 2017