Mike and Erin Hannum during a Kirtan at the Spokane Yoga Shala - photo by Joanna Darlington
Alliance for Greater Well-Being
an interview with Mike Hannum - conducted by April Ponikvar
Tell us how The Alliance for Greater Well-Being came to be.
The Alliance came to be as a result of a dedicated group of yoga and meditation practitioners with an enthusiasm for sharing a mindful, healthy way of being. The vision to offer yoga to those who might not ordinarily have access to it, and the idea to set up a non-profit organization to do this work, came very early on for my wife Erin and I. Last June, we discovered that there were a lot of other people talking about these ideas, so we all came together. I believe that as soon as one realizes the value of a regular mindfulness practice in one's life, it's a natural response to want to share it with others. Many of us here in Spokane have been healed and transformed by practicing yoga in one form or another and it is natural that we're now working together to share these practices.
This movement isn't limited to a single studio or tradition; it's really about the yoga community coming together in the spirit of service. And the invitation is always open to others who want to get involved.
Things seem to be really taking off.
Yeah, it's really amazing to watch things grow. It's evidence that there's an acute need in our community for mindfulness-based approaches to health and well-being. We all want to be healthy and happy, but many of us lack the tools, information, and quality instruction to move in that direction. Health is about more than pills and procedures. It's obvious that we need to get to the root causes of our problems.
Now that the word is starting to get out, we are seeing interest from community centers, schools, prisons, juvenile detention centers, shelters, health care providers and others. They know the value of teaching people another way-teaching them to take care of themselves and others. We are forming alliances with these groups, finding ways to work together and leverage our respective strengths. And other great organizations are getting involved too. For example, Manduka has supported the Allliance by donating a bunch of high quality yoga mats.
What is the link between practicing yoga and this kind of service?
On the highest level they are one and the same. Service as self-transcending action that is rooted in love is a path of awakening and compassion, which is the essence of yoga. How else could yoga be embodied than through kindness? And through doing our best to be of benefit to others?
Yoga is about seeing our connection, our interdependence, our Oneness, and then being inspired to uplift ourselves and others. This is yoga in action.
On your website you talk about certain "skills for greater well-being",
can you explain and share why they are important?
Skills for greater well-being include yoga postures, meditation, and breathing techniques, among others. These skills have the potential to transform one's life in very profound ways. They cultivate mindfulness, which has been proven to reduce stress and increase self-control and resilience. No matter what our age, race, or religious background, regardless of our particular set of life challenges, mindfulness enables us to see more clearly and respond more skillfully. With mindfulness we will be more likely to choose that which enhances our health and well-being. Think about the importance of these skills for vulnerable youth, for those of us healing from illness, or battling addiction, or living in very stressful situations. Skills for greater well-being help us approach challenges with more awareness, peace, and confidence. They're invaluable!
Currently, what are some goals you're looking forward to
meeting in the coming year?
We'd like to ensure that our pilot projects at East Central Community Center, Airway Heights Correctional Center, and CBE Alternative High School succeed. We'd like to expand existing programs while launching new projects in other community centers, schools, and other settings. Fund raising is a big priority for us this year, particularly with progressive foundations that realize the value of our work. Recruiting and training teachers and curriculum development will also be important. We are also looking for ways to include more people from the yoga and meditation community.
You plan events that have a dual purpose, bringing the yoga community together,
and raising awareness and money to further the Alliance's work. Talk more about this
and tell us how we can become involved.
We try to offer events that are fun and uplifting for ourselves and others in the community. It is wonderful to come together and sing or to enjoy a healthy meal and meditation. But coming together for these purposes so that others will benefit from yoga is even more wonderful-exponentially more wonderful. The place to start for information on our events and other ways to get involved is our website www.ForGreaterWellBeing.org.