
A while ago I wrote a post called ‘I Survived Hurricane Iniki’ the moral of the story had less to do with hurricanes and more to with an idea that major life altering catastrophes sometimes have a way of finding us. Even when we think we have outsmarted the universe it shows up to remind us exactly who is the boss.
My hurricane experience makes for a colourful tale to tell, a life experience that wasn’t altogether tragic, Yes It was inconvenient and I didn’t get to see the beautiful island of Kuai. But in 1992 I had youth on my side and no kids in tow. In my naivety I was less fearful than I should have been during the eye of the storm, it was only after that I was shaken and in utter disbelief when I witnessed with my own eyes the complete and utter devastation that a natural disaster can bestow. Seems the residents of paradise pay a hefty price to live there! At the time, my annual summer holiday and break from reality turned into rather an exciting adventure. Obviously, there was camaraderie with the other guests, A collective group of people living off of the contents of their mini bar {macadamia nuts being a particular favourite}, and searching to see just how far their hire cars had blown away whilst we awaited our rescue and subsequent evacuation by the American Army. Don’t get me wrong never in my life have I appreciated so much, a hot shower and full belly and the luxury of a flushing loo after three days in what looked like a war zone, but what made all of the difference to me was I got to escape. I even got to finish off my holiday in an even better hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii. I got to drink cocktails. Then I got to go home.
The father of my friend and yoga teacher Amy Bramble isn’t so fortunate. He doesn’t get to escape. He is a resident of the British Virgin Islands, and it is where he has made his home, his friends and his life. He doesn’t have the gift of youth on his side or a flight to somewhere more luxurious. The harsh reality of hurricane Irma will have much longer lasting consequences for him and his community. I cannot begin to imagine where you would even start to rebuild something that resembles what was everyday living.
Amy has decided to put her big heart and excellent communication skills to good use and has created a facebook page: yogisunitetosupportthebvi in an attempt to inspire her fellow yogis to find some small way to offer help, support and fundraising ideas to aid the rebuilding after the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Team yoga Leggs are happy to donate £5 from every online sale until the end of the month so that you can make your contribution and get a new pair of leggings thrown in. There is no better excuse to buy new yoga pants than I did for charity! We will be looking for more ways to help and support Amy in her campaign to practice yoga off the mat and offer much-needed help to a beautiful part of the world that needs a lot of TLC.
Can you help?
Love and big thanks
Amanda x
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