Kino MacGregor donates mats to Yoga Research for the Blind

I met my friend Pam Jeter at Diana Christinson’s shala back when I lived in Orange County, but we really bonded at Tim Miller’s Tulum teacher training. Pam was finishing up her doctorate at U.C. Irvine, where I teach. She’s a dedicated Ashtangi, full of energy, and super focused.

Since our first meeting,  she’s gone on to big things at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, doing cutting edge research on the use of yoga techniques to help those with impaired sight. (I’ve blogged about it before.)

We stay in touch. She’s been working hard on getting her research project off the ground. The blind have all kinds of issues that yoga seems tailor-made to help: difficulty sleeping, balance problems, difficulty locating the body in space, stress issues. Then there’s transport–getting the participants to and from the study is a major factor. Something as simple as a yoga mat makes a huge difference.

So Pam’s been working hard on the logistics of her study, and every little bit helps. She’s just told me that after a weekend workshop in Washington, D.C. with Kino MacGregor, she asked Kino for any help she could provide. Pam tells me that Kino has sent her travel mats for the study participants. I told her that’s just the kick start she’s been needing, and she’s so grateful to Kino.

Here are Pam’s words on her hopes for the research:

The results of our research can ultimately make Ashtanga yoga more accessible to this underserved population. As an Ashtanga practitioner and yoga researcher at Johns Hopkins University, I’m asking the Ashtanga yoga community for help. I’m asking for your heartfelt contribution of any amount to Yoga for the Blind Research.  As a donor, you will help us carry out our vision to empower blind individuals to practice and share the lifelong benefits of yoga.

You can start by spreading the word and visiting the project’s Facebook page, or go a step farther and donate on the JHU main donation page, here. Be sure and indicate Other with your donation, and type in Yoga for the Blind Research to get it to the right place.

Posted by Bobbie