Fair Trade Shares the Yoga Love

We don’t have to spend too much time on the mat before we begin to feel many of the profound and far reaching benefits of our yoga practice. The positive and enriching changes yoga can bring to our lives are almost countless. Some, like stretching and strengthening our physical bodies, are obvious, some can be a little more subtle like self love & a feeling of connection. It’s natural that as we experience positive change in our own lives, we begin to search for ways to share the benefits of yoga with others. If this sounds like you, then look no further than Fair Trade!

 

Fair Trade put simply, is an alternative system of trading that aims to guarantee fair pay and working conditions for all people, but particularly those in developing countries who are often disempowered. For me supporting Fair Trade has become a very practical way to take the teachings of yoga out into the world. There are many ways to look at the connections between the teachings of yoga and supporting Fair Trade, here are a couple that speak to me:

 

 

For many of us, our yoga practice fosters a deeper sense of connection to our breath, bodies, and our deeper self. In time we begin to feel a sense of connection to all of life. Supporting fair trade for me has become a way to have empathy for, and feel connection to, the people who make many common products I buy. By choosing Fair Trade tea, chocolate, home wares, gifts and yoga gear, I feel I am directly connected to the lives of courageous and talented people who make those products despite facing many challenges in their lives.

 

 

My yoga practice has helped me develop a reliable process of self observation. From this practice I have begun to know myself a little better every day, and thus I am able to make fresh choices in my life. As I see the benefits of my positive choices, I want to help others to expand their choices also. Supporting Fair Trade assists producers in developing countries to make simple choices like sending their kids to school, investing in their own small businesses (eg. Buying a new cow), creating savings accounts, building improved dwellings, to name just a few.

 

 

My yoga practice has brought many positive health benefits, and has encouraged me to make diet and lifestyle changes to increase the effects. Some more great news about Fair Trade products is that they are often organic, ecologically conscious, hand made from natural materials and usually taste much better than other brands! So supporting Fair Trade is step in the right direction to increase your sense of health and wellbeing.

 

So if you’ve been searching for ways to share the benefits of your yoga practice with others, choose Fair Trade and share the yoga love!