Ayurveda Mother and Infant (AMI)

A big step for Ami, (a project of the International Association for Human values UK) in the support of mothers-to-be in Ukraine, through the provision of the first major stage of training for Anna S towards her qualification to deliver yoga programmes there for the health and wellbeing of ladies during pregnancy.

One Story of the Joy of Giving

We wish to share this wonderful story of a very successful campaign through GlobalGiving for Anna S. who has recently received her certification for completing 200 hours of Yoga training and practice, and graduating as a yoga teacher with Sri Sri Yoga, Europe.

What makes this so special is that this very courageous woman lives in a city just 70 kms from Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine, which we know has been under heavy attack for the past months and suffers many deprivations.

The Ami team first met Anna in the Spring of 2022 when she volunteered to become the leader for the Ayurveda Mother and Infant (Ami) Massage Practitioner Certification which we gave to 12 Ukrainian ladies, and which was also funded through donations generously given by supporters. We were very impressed then with her organizational skills and commitment to the Ami cause of improving a lot of mothers and infants through pregnancy and postpartum.

When we heard that her dearest wish has been to teach yoga, with a focus on pregnant women, we set about making that dream a reality. Sri Sri Yoga Europe very kindly assisted with generous sponsorship by offering the programme at half price. Ami donors then enthusiastically supported with 16 donors quickly contributing the balance of £600 with a surplus of £308.45 to go towards funding her next training in Yoga for Pregnancy. (Shhh,this is a secret as yet.)

Anna completed her course to schedule, despite a month of drone attacks on her city and cuts in power. Anna says that her focus on the course helped to keep her level of energy high. To see her so joyful despite the stress they are all under makes donating so worthwhile.

And her certificate arrived last week! One very happy lady!

Anna told us more of her story. She lives on the 6 floor of an apartment block with her 8-year-old son and their cat. Both her mother and grandmother live nearby, which is one of the reasons she hasn’t left the country.

During the first winter of 2022, she said that there was no electricity or water for most of the day and night. It was 15°C in the flat and nowhere to dry their boots and clothes. They would hear drones flying over and bury themselves in their blankets. 2 weeks ago, she told me that the latest bombardment on Kiev had been deafening. Her family has been split by the war with her husband away working in Poland. How will this third winter of war be? We don’t know. Prayers for the horror to stop are especially needed

Those who donated expressed so much elation for Anna’s achievement in this very trying situation. It is a bonus for everyone to hear her own joy at her successful achievement.

It is said that even the flutter of a butterfly’s wings has an effect thousands of miles away. Think of the ripple effect of Anna’s joy!

Anna has a strong loyalty and commitment to help her country as much as possible. Already she has two yoga classes underway and has been invited to give a filmed mini yoga tour in her area.

She is now teaching yoga to 2 groups 2-3 times a week. She says she is having fun teaching. It is difficult with the surrounding military operations, but she endeavors to keep her mind on the positive.

We ‘ll finish this story with this quote from Anna

“ I made myself a candlestick out of clay and wrote below - SantoshaError! Filename not specified. . This was drawn from the knowledge on the course for yoga instructors - about the fact that Happiness is our natural state of mind…”

Let’s keep Giving! In Thoughts and Deeds

With love from the Ayurveda Mother and Infant Team

Ayurveda Mother and Infant
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