KEEP ALIVE AND SHINE YOGA CENTER ALIVE

Co-organized

Zenia Palkhivala and Bella Fleur are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Aadil Palkhivala.

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#SmallBusinessRelief

"When I take classes here, I can feel the difference immediately. Studying Purna Yoga and Heartfull Meditation has transformed my life in so many positive ways." - Student

In 1984 a young Aadil Palkhivala begins teaching in the Northwest, after studying yoga passionately since he was 7 with BKS Iyengar back home in India, and he quickly realizes the need for authentic yoga. The concept of yoga in its entirety was not commonly understood or practiced at that time, in fact a yoga teacher training was practically unknown. Aadil pursues a newfound mission to bring the integrity of his Indian yogic heritage to the West so that the many unified facets of yoga were not forever torn apart. He opens a small studio in Bellevue, WA to train teachers and students in the fine art of authentic classical yoga.

It's a rainy evening in 1978, a teenage Savitri is told her parents have died in a plane crash, the deadliest aviation disaster of the time. Shortly after, her sister is murdered and Savitri is suddenly alone, without a family, at a very young age. Through deep prayer she develops heart-based meditation techniques connecting her with the love within. Savitri pursues a mission to share these methods as well as bring people together, creating a community of love. She teaches small meditation classes in her home basement.

With the collective mission of authenticity, love, community, yoga and secular spirituality applicable to any belief system, Aadil and Savitri move from their basement to a small commercial studio. Students pay for classes a year in advance to cover rent! Slowly the Center grows to become a three-studio space, a retail store and office spaces. The studio becomes the home of Purna Yoga 200hr, 500hr, and 2000hr teacher trainings, dedicated certified teachers, and an incredible, loyal staff dedicated to the mission of spreading authentic yoga. Together, Aadil and Savitri combined the wholeness of yoga, the love of family and the integrity of heart to create Alive & Shine Center, the home of Purna Yoga and Heartfull Meditation.

"Money is gratitude notes" - Savitri, co-founder of Alive & Shine Center

Aadil and Savitri have poured themselves financially, physically and emotionally into their business and the mission of yoga for over 28 years. They have always felt it was worth it because of the continuous support and testimonials of positive growth from students. Now we humbly ask for the support of those who can contribute gratitude at this time of need.

Authentic Indian family-owned yoga studio since 1992.

It has truly been an honor to serve our community and to offer a space devoted to holistic, genuine community health and wellness through Yoga, Meditation, Applied Philosophy, Nutrition and Lifestyle. The greatest treasure has been the lovely heart-centered community we’ve grown together, locally and globally: people dedicated to being fully alive, and shining their radiant presence on earth. Our work of claiming vibrant health and making deep and lasting connections is more important than ever.

As we navigate these difficult times together, we all have begun to live the definition of what "Yoga" means in Sanskrit: "Union". Unifying to help support one another in difficult times in all sorts of beautiful ways. We hold the vision of a future where our community can continue to thrive, grow, and support a healthy, vibrant planet for all.

We humbly ask for your contribution to ensure that our studio and mission can weather this transition, build online classes and workshops, and continue to be the physical and spiritual home of authentic Purna Yoga and Heartfull Meditation, both so desperately needed in these difficult times.

Creating a community of authenticity, integrity and a genuine yogic lineage since 1986. At the same location since 1992.

More than ever, we need authentic yoga now to develop inner fortitude, eliminate fear, create inner peace and feel comforted and nurtured. It is in trying times that yoga supports us.

We are a community. Please stay in touch with us, sign up for our newsletter, keep connected with us on our social media accounts, take a class at our online live studio and support our amazing teachers by doing so. Your kind words mean the world to us, so talk to us and let us all get through this time together! We exist for YOU.

“My body was falling apart, and I was desperate and angry when I came to Alive and Shine Center. Everyone was kind and loving here, the staff, the teachers…. That was 5 years ago. You saved my life.” - Grateful Student

Currently we are seeking all methods of possible support, including loans, federal and local grants as well as loans, but these funds are not promised to come in time, and assuredly won’t meet the needs of our short-term future. Thus, we have to ask for your support at this time and humbly ask for “gratitude notes.” We understand that this is a trying time for everyone involved at the moment, and we know that there are many individuals, small businesses and organizations in need. If you are in a position to assist us, we’ll be extremely grateful to receive that help and please be assured that any donation to this fundraiser will go to the cash resources we need to address the immediate future, to take care of our staff, and to create the structures to take Alive & Shine and Purna Yoga into the future.

“Alive and Shine Center is my second home. I come here almost every day. I cannot imagine life without it.” - Attorney at Law, Student at ASC

If you are able to let others know about this campaign, we would greatly appreciate that as well. We believe that the mission of individual health, peace and joy will lead to peace on earth. It is a message worth spreading.

Thank you so much for your time and supporting our family-owned authentic Indian yoga studio and now, online presence.

Alive & Shine Center

Alive & Shine Center in Bellevue, Washington, is the home of the Purna Yoga College as well as the space where Purna Yoga was born. "Purna" means "Complete" in Sanskrit. Students and teachers from over 21 countries have travelled to study at Alive and Shine, taking the teachings back with them, spreading them far and wide.

Alive & Shine Staff & Teachers

Our staff and teachers are the backbone of our studio and presence. We want to show our thanks for each one of our staff and teachers by supporting them in these difficult times. We also want to be able to sustain the location/platform of their teachings and support them financially. Without our staff, the mission of Alive & Shine will not be able to continue. Their undying love for the business is why we want you to know that the financial support you give us goes straight to our incredible staff and the running of the business.

Where does it go?

All donations will support Alive & Shine Center to develop an online portal, take care of our staff, pay for rent at the current studio location and relocation costs, if necessary. Every donation will first address the basic needs for the business in the short-term future, then develop structures to take Alive and Shine Center into the future.

We realize that you are giving with an open heart to support us and not for anything in return, but we would like to give something back to you as well. Those who donate will receive gratitude for their help. We are utterly grateful for your support for small local businesses and our mission of integrity in yoga.

About the Owners:

Aadil Palkhivala and Savitri are the co-founders of the Alive & Shine Yoga Center in Bellevue, WA. They co-founded Purna Yoga based on the teaching of Sri Aurobindo. Savitri is the creator of Heartfull Meditation and founder of the Heartfull World Foundation [501(c)(3) non-profit] which teaches free Heartfull Meditation workshops in women’s shelters, to homeless youth, abused teenagers, and in prisons. Currently the Foundation has held workshops in 6 states, 3 countries and touched over 1500 lives! Savitri and Aadil have been married for over 30 years and blessed with a musically gifted daughter, Zenia.

Aadil Palkhivala - Aadil is one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and credited with bringing alignment-based yoga to the West. He began his asana studies with B.K.S. Iyengar at the age of 7 and was the youngest to receive an Advanced Iyengar Teacher’s Certificate at the age of 22. He is the author of the book Fire of Love, and devoted to Sri Aurobindo’s teachings. Aadil is co-owner of Alive & Shine Center in Bellevue, Washington, and co-founder of Purna Yoga College, an elite, internationally-acclaimed, advanced yoga teacher training program. He was a certified Shiatsu and Swedish therapist, and a Clinical Hypnotherapist. Aadil has studied holistic healing and Ayurveda extensively. He holds degrees in law, physics and mathematics.

Savitri – Savitri was born in India of An Indian father and Italian/American mother. When Savitri was 11 she had a serious head injury and was in a coma for a week. As a teenager she was orphaned as she suddenly lost both her parents in a devastating plane crash. Shortly thereafter, she experienced the shocking murder of her sister, her best friend then died of AIDS and her closest cousin committed suicide. These events led to life-threatening illnesses and several near-death experiences. Through sincere prayer and over 30 years of intense personal practice, Savitri healed her own personal tragedies and illnesses with lifestyle and meditation techniques she developed, helping thousands of students do the same. Since 1995 it has become her life’s work to share Heartfull™ Meditation with the world so that we can truly live heartfully.

The grand re-opening of Alive & Shine Yoga Center after a name change from Yoga Centers. Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib and Mayor Conrad Lee of Bellevue, Washington, attended to show their support and respect for these two world-renowned masters.