Meditating for Animal Lives Matter (ALM)

DONATE 10€ = 1 FREE YOGA CLASS
DONATE 100€ = 10 FREE YOGA CLASSES (can share with friends).

10 years ago if you were to ask me what I will do in my life, I would have told you that I will live on a sail boat and sail around the world. I would have no idea that I will teach yoga and once again live where I was born, in Ljubljana Slovenia.

When I was a young child I moved to Canada where I lived most of my life. In 2016 I returned to Slovenia and opened the first Bikram Yoga studio in Rudnik.

Since October 2016 I have been teaching yoga everyday. To date, I have taught over 1,000+ classes at my studio.

April 27th, I will begin a 10 day meditation session. During these 10 days I will also observe absenteeism from eating any solid food. I will fast for 10 days.

I have decided to do the 10 day meditation with fasting to mark 10 years since I nearly lost my life in a motorcycle accident. The motorcycle accident was so serious the doctors didn’t envision I will ever get better or be able to walk again. The practice of Bikram hot yoga was the tool which helped me get better and defy all odds. For this reason, I have been teaching Bikram Yoga for the past 8 years, because it works!

I will be using the 10 day meditation to expand my efforts and help benefit another organization. I decided to create a fundraiser for Zavetišče za živali Horjul (animal shelter). Animals don’t have a voice to speak how they feel and they rely on us, humans, to take good care of them. To be responsible. After all, ‘responsibility’ means, being able to respond. Expanding our efforts to ensure the well being of all living things can help create a better society and a better world.

Zavetišče za živali In Horjul has many expenses they must endure to continue doing their work, and continue saving lives of helpless animals. The municipality only covers the basic expenses and the rest comes from donations. I am offering a free yoga class at the Bikram Yoga studio for every 10€ donated.

Many people ask me why I need to meditate or fast?

I have been actively meditating for 13 years. During the last 10 years my life has been very active. There was joy, there was happiness, there was pain, there were ambitions, inspirations, goals, there were changes, many changes, there was sadness, hurt, fear, doubts, anger, insecurity… I’ve experienced the spectrum of many thoughts, feelings, emotions, and actions.

Meditation is a tool to help us learn more about our self and the pattern of our thoughts. Our thoughts shape us and who we are today. When we meditate we become observers of everything that is happening in this moment, as it is. When you become an observer of your thoughts, you start to learn the patterns of your actions and reactions. Having awareness can help you make better choices in your life that guide you in the direction where you wish to see yourself.

There are many positive medical side effects from a regular meditation practice. Meditation can reduce stress and control anxiety. Meditation promotes emotional health. It helps you enhance self-awareness. Meditation lengthens your attention span. It can help reduce age related memory loss. Meditation generates kindness. It can help you fight addictions. Meditation helps control pain and decrease blood pressure. It helps strengthen the immune system, and increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior.

There are many other benefits of a regular meditation practice, but too many to list on here.

Fasting is an ancient tradition practiced by most cultures for thousands of years, used for spiritual purposes and for physical purification before performing a self-discipline act. When fasting is combined with meditation, it can stimulate ecstatic experiences. Fasting can clean, renew, and kick start the body into a new state of wellness.

The health benefits of fasting include detoxification, faster healing, a boost in skin health, and secretion of growth and anti-aging hormones. It also positively affects the digestive system by boosting metabolism, lowering cholesterol levels, reducing appetite, weight, and obesity. It provides relief from epilepsy, arthritis, pancreatitis, cancer, and cardiovascular issues.

On the final, 10th day – at which point I will grow to really enjoy the time in meditation – I will practice Metta meditation where I’ll be sharing my loving kindness. My intention will be to share my love, compassion and gratitude with each and every one of you.

I thank you for reading this letter. Please get involved and donate to Zavetišče za živali In Horjul. You can visit their webpage or Facebook page. http://www.zavetisce-horjul.net/

With love,

Denis Dronjić
Bikram Yoga Ljubljana in Rudnik
www.bikramjoga.si