We are pleased to be supporters of Several Dancers Core, based in Decatur. From their web site:

Since 1980, Several Dancers Core has been creating and performing innovative contemporary dance. Several Dancers Core is home to the internationally acclaimed CORE Performance Company, known for its riveting, passionate and unique work. The three components of Several Dancers Core are: CORE Performance Company: Professional contemporary dance company; CORE Presentations: Presenting dance by CORE Performance Company and visiting artists; CORE Initiatives: Community-based programs supporting traditionally underserved populations

I can’t think of a more worthy cause at the start of a new year. We’ve just signed up as a Sustaining Member of Life After Exoneration whose “mission is to address the injustice of wrongful conviction and incarceration by assisting exonerees and their family members in re-building their lives.”

The exonerated are the increasing numbers of individuals in this country who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit, and manage to win release from prison after having proven their innocence. There are approximately 400 exonerees nationwide; the Life After Exoneration Program has worked directly with over 75 exonerees. Many of the most recent exonerations have been through the use of DNA evidence, and while there has been a significant amount of attention directed at the fact of wrongful conviction in this country, few Americans realize what awaits someone who has proven their innocence.

The fact that Bikram Yoga requires a heated room isn’t very environmentally friendly. The sad truth is that we burn through more than 8000 kwh in electricity per month (average). I’m taking what small steps I can to reduce that by making our studio as energy efficient as I can but there’s no getting around the fact that our “method” requires a lot of energy. I have therefore decided to begin a carbon offset program whereby we may be able to at least help reduce carbon emissions in general. My first step is to pledge to support a local organization that is helping to keep Atlanta green, literally. Bikram Yoga Decatur is proud to be a Cedar member of Trees Atlanta.

MADRE is an international women’s human rights organization that works in partnership with community-based women’s organizations worldwide to address issues of health and reproductive rights, economic development, education, and other human rights. MADRE provides resources, training, and support to enable our sister organizations to meet concrete needs in their communities while working to shift the balance of power to promote long-term development and social justice.

Since we began in 1983, MADRE has delivered over 22 million dollars worth of support to community-based women’s organizations in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Balkans, and the United States.

Bikram Yoga Decatur is proud to support MADRE and encourages you to do the same.

We support the Dekalb Rape Crisis Center in two ways. One is by offering a 50% discount on all class cards to their active volunteer base and the other is by sending cash donations. From their web site:

DeKalb Rape Crisis Center exists to assist victims of sexual assault and the community in coping with these crimes; to help medical personnel in the delivery of health care needed as a result of these crimes; to provide counseling toward healing the emotional trauma experienced by a victim of sexual assault; to help victims through the investigation and court stages of the resolution of these crimes; and to educate the general public on sexual assault crimes and their prevention.

Please consider volunteering or otherwise supporting this important organization.