July 1 - Day 1 -- Downward Dog in Spandex on Film | Nikki's 30-Day Yoga Challenge Blog

Washington, DC

About Me: I am excited to dedicate the month of July, 30 days of yoga practice, to an amazing cause...the purchase, set-up and operations of a orphanage in Cloetesville, South Africa. Although 30 days of yoga practice may not sound like a HUGE effort for many, trust me, it is sure to be an interesting challenge for me! I am a huge klutz...I am not graceful, patient or flexible. My preferred movement is running and tend to move entirely too quickly, lending to injury. I ride a snowboard and fall off bikes a lot. I am wildly accident prone, fairly high strung and am used to moving REALLY QUICKLY. This is a whole new kind of challenge. And I love a challenge....especially when it is for such a good cause.

From an early age, children in Cloetesville, South Africa are forced to struggle with poverty, violence, and abandonment. Currently, over a third of Cloetesville’s residents are unemployed and have resorted to living in over-crowded informal housing. These living conditions have spurred the widespread occurrence of substance abuse, domestic violence, and HIV among Cloetesville’s families. As a result, children from Cloetesville are often exposed to abuse and neglect. Nikki has committed to change the lives of these children through the 30-Day Yoga Challenge: practicing 30 days of yoga to fundraise and help build a foster home in Cloetesville, South Africa! Nikki is partnering with Citizen Effect and has pledged to raise $450 to help the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project and Home for Home provide six Cloetesville children under the age of twelve with an alternative — a loving home located in their community where they can receive the care they need to grow and thrive. All donations raised through the 30-Day Yoga Challenge will support the purchase, set-up and operations of a three-bedroom foster home in Cloetesville. In addition, the funds raised will fully support the foster home’s operations for two years including school fees, uniforms, and supplies for the children! By helping to create a stable, family-like environment, Nikki and the D.C. Yoga Community will ensure six South African children receive the love and care they need to grow and become successful adults. Sponsor Nikki's 30-Day Yoga Challenge and donate to her project today! Do yoga for philanthropy with Citizen Effect's 30-Day Yoga Challenge, presented by glaceau smartwater. Join us now: http://www.citizeneffect.org/yogachallenge

go to project page