Mysore

One day I walked into an Ashtanga yoga class without realizing what a long path I was going to walk, without knowing that this would be a life-changing experience.

Last year 3,000 people around the world rolled out their mats in homes, beaches and mountaintops on the same day.

On March 12th 2011 thousands of yogis around the world will roll out their yoga mats and do 108 sun salutations, to raise funds and awareness for victims of human trafficking in India. Last year’s first ever YST event attracted 1,500 people around the world – from London to New York, Miami to Bangkok. This year Yoga Stops Traffick promises to be even bigger and better – with events being held in over 80 locations across the globe – from city yoga centres, to remote mountain tops. All proceeds will be donated to Mysore's leading anti-trafficking organization, Odanadi Seva Trust.
There are currently three million children involved in India's illegal sex trade – and most of them are doing so against their will, as victims of trafficking. Over the past 20 years Odanadi has rescued and rehabilitated more than 2000 trafficked children, carried out 57 brothel raids and brought 137 traffickers to justice.