The 5th annual NH Yoga for Peace event, was yet again conducted successfully in Nashua, NH. This is an annual fundraiser sponsored by Yoga Caps, Inc., a non-profit organization that builds community and wellness by making yoga more available and affordable. With each year, the crowds have been growing at this New England’s largest donation based Yoga and Peace event, numbers crossing the 600 mark this year. People have been coming from areas around and far off, to experience the healing power of Yoga. The army of dedicated volunteers ensured a smooth flow to the event, despite many people walking in without registration during the last 2 hrs to experience the special healing ceremony, which was one of the new activities added this year. Most sessions ran full and many vendors ran out of their products.

Jay Gupta, co-founder of Yoga Caps, inaugurated the event by reading a message from John H. Lynch, Governor of New Hampshire. Governor Lynch commended YogaCaps, Inc. for organizing this terrific event and for its commitment to make yoga more available and affordable. "Yoga for Yankees" presented by humorist Fred Marple and a Mahan Gong Bath were a big draw for the opening ceremonies. Hundreds of participants immersed into the healing vibrations of more than 20 gongs of different sizes, composition and thicknesses. This perhaps was the largest Gong ceremony ever in the USA, according to Dharam Singh, a Gong Yogi. That set the stage for a very peaceful day.     

The more serious Yoga sessions were opened up once again by Jay Gupta, with a gentle, yet powerful, Subtle Yoga for rejuvenation (SYR) class with live Harp music by Jay Michaels. SYR allowed the participants to experience yoga as practiced by Yogis in the Himalayas... with no access to yoga mats and heated rooms. This is the sequence currently being experienced by cancer survivors at four major hospitals in NH, seniors and clients at Greater Nashua Mental Health Center.
 
This was followed by a variety of other sessions opening up in 8 different areas, which continued until 3 pm. Some of the most popular sessions were a talk on Ayurveda by Pratibha Shah, Laws of Happiness by Sanjay Saxena, RxRelax by Jay Gupta, Peaceful Kripalu Yoga by Missy Dabilis, Masala Bhangra workout by Dani-Jean Stuart, Kundalini Yoga by Ramjeet Singh and Laughter Yoga. There were concurrent sessions of Kirtan for more than 4 hours.

Lunch was available within the premises and included a variety of Indian fare served by Meena’s kitchen along with smoothies, salads, raw zucchini pasta, energy balls (date laddoos) and fresh fruit juices from A Market.

The day closed with a powerful ceremony focused on healing. Ranjani Saigal, INE Woman of the Year, 2012, choreographed a special dance drama "Markandeya" for this event. The piece illustrated a story in which Lord Shiva conquered death and was beautifully performed by Amudha Pazhanisamy. The orchestra featured vocalist Geeta Murali, Mridangam Vidwan Gaurishankar Chandrashekar and young Kavitha Pazhanisamy on the Veena.  Everybody was amazed by spectacular music, singing and dance. This was followed by an inspirational presentation by a 7-year lungs cancer patient Linnea Duff. Cancer shall not defeat me... thundered this Peaceful Warrior from Amherst, NH. She is a stage four lungs cancer patient for over 5 years, who is using yoga as a healing modality. She gave an inspiring speech displaying her courage and left all the listeners crying / sobbing. Video link is at: http://www.youtube.com/user/yogacaps.

This was followed by a healing ceremony with 108 x Mahamrityunjaya mantra chanting led by renowned Carnatic vocalist Geetha Murali. Dedicated recitation of the mantra is said to help one conquer the fear of death. The sustained and rhythmic chanting of the three voices in tandem, along with the participants, provided a powerful and moving climax to the ceremony.

Besides offering info and education about various forms of Yoga and other healing modalities, this event facilitated the coming together of the yoga community. Almost all the yoga studios and teachers in the area participated, supporting YogaCaps' efforts to bring free yoga classes to cancer survivors, mental health center and seniors. They raised money, shared their talents at the event and served tirelessly to make it a successful event. Yoga is unifying and it's great to see Peace manifesting here in this age of kali. You can learn more about YogaCaps here: http://www.yogacaps.org/

Finally, here are some inspired quotes from the participants and presenters:
 
Ranjani Saigal: "What an amazing experience the performance was! Usually we just go, dance, feel good that the performance went well and come home. But here the spirit of the audience traveled back with us. It was a very spiritually enlightening time where we, the artists, got so much out of it! Linnea's story was extremely moving and touched us all deeply.  It was an amazing experience to chant the Mrityunjaya mantra with the audience. I am  so grateful for the honor and the opportunity to participate in something so wonderful."

Elizabeth Alleyene of Nashua, NH thanked Pratibha Shah for the very informative talk she did on Ayurveda. "It really motivated me to learn more about it. The entire day was wonder and I look forward to it again next year" exclaimed Elizabeth.
 
Yogiraj John Featherstone, co-founder of Mass Yoga Network, was extremely happy to see such a large event run by 100% volunteer power. "Yoga for Peace is a strong testament to the ability of Jay and Terry to create, organize and present a fabulously successful gathering of Yogis. It's great to see the spread in knowledge and interest from neophyte to life-long and seasoned practitioners supporting the program. It is for the benefit of the Yoga community that this activity continues into the future. I appeal to all Yogis to think of creative ways to add your support to Jay and Terry through volunteering --- i.e. bringing your special skills learned in life or work--- to the table and helping to make this an ongoing reality. Volunteering, also known as Seva --self less service--where one does what one does without the thought of reward. Now, isn't that Yogic? Isn't that contributing to PEACE? Thank you Jay, Terry and all volunteers. And, of course thanks to all the participants!"

Tricia DiPasquale: Thank you for this incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating day! This was my fist time experiencing yoga classes, I loved it, need to get a beginner's dvd and find a space to keep practicing... can't wait for next year.

James McCloskey: What a great day - good to learn Nia, dance, RxRelax for folks who have insomnia, and structural yoga. Thanks for doing such great work!

Sampath Deva: Can't tell you how much we appreciate YogaCaps efforts organizing it flawlessly year after year. The outcome for me personally is like spending a week at a resort. That's how relaxing it is and most importantly it reminds me of the resources available to balance life in hectic work-lives we all have. Thank you again for organizing this!!!

Janice Mercuri Grossman: I was only able to attend the final hour but I was struck by the energy that was still enlivened and vital, even during that late 'wind down' hour. The story/dance, the offering of the one in current relationship with her cancer and the Mahamryitunjaya mantra were all powerful medicine. Thanks to you and all involved. In Peace

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