Says Fr. Joe " Tell the Children of Vasai we Love to see a better tomorrow....and We Are Getting to Zero"

World AIDS Day, observed on 1st December every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

World AIDS Day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization(WHO).

To commemorate the day, VRACS ( Vasai region AIDS control Society) a KRIPAIDS initiative,along with Vasai Virar Municipality organised a massive rally along with students of schools and colleges around Vasai. More than 800 students participated in the rally. The students carried banners and shouted slogans, as they all came from their respective schools in procession and gathered at New English High School. A well organised program headed by Dr. Hemant Patil of VVMC and Amit Patel of VRACS.

On the dais were Guest of honors Dr ( Mrs.) Anupama Rane, Mr. Arvind Karkanis, Mr.Mr. Bosco D'Souza, Mr. Santosh Walvikar, Mr. Jagdish Shetty, Mrs. Evette Coutinho, Dr Mali, and representatives of different schools.

The program started with an orientation by Dr Dr Rane on HIV , a brief speech by Mr, Karkanis, Mr. Walvikar and Dr. Patil. Mr. Bosco a representative for Fr. Joe mentioned in his speech, how Fr. Joe who could not be there due to a prior commitment in other World AIDS Day programmes in Mumbai sent his best greetings and love to the children of Vasai , further stating that with there support they could see a better tomorrow and make Getting to Zero a reality.

Three street plays on HIV/AIDS were enacted, after which led by Amit Patel the gathering took an oath  to fight HIV .

The students were all given refreshments with the kind support of VVMC. A gratitude to the staff of Vasai Virar Municipality, Staff of VRACS, Staff of Kripa Vasai and Principals and staff of schools for making the rally a grand success .

Photographs

Mahindra Jadhav

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Fr. Joe says... Truly a Women's Empowerment ----Congrats to Ratnadeep & Mukta -Kripa Pune

Fr. Joe inugurates an awareness programme on addcition in collaboration with Pir Makhdum Sahib Charitable Trust and Mumbai Police in Mahim

Makhdoom Ali Mahimi (1372–1431) was a Muslim Scholar originating from the Konkan in India, widely acknowledged for his scholarly treatises, liberal views and humanist ideals. Mahimi was born into a family of Arab travelers from Iraq who had settled down on the island of Mahim, one of the seven islands that later formed the city of Bombay (now Mumbai).

During the annual ten day Urs festival celebrated on the 13th day of Shawwal as per the Muslim calendar, millions of devotees visit his dargah.

The highlight of this celebration is a procession of around eight thousand people which begins at the Mahim Police Station, believed to be the site of his residence. Two police officers from each of the eighty four city police stations represent the police whose association with the saint dates back to the saint's era. A representative of the Mumbai police who is the first to offer the "chaddar" (shawl) at the tomb on the first day of the festival. Legend has it that it was a police constable who gave water to the dying saint from his cap. Another story points to some miraculous assistance police officers once received from an old man, whom they believed was the saint, in fighting smugglers.

A room adjacent to the office of the senior inspector of police station contains a steel cupboard that houses the saint's preserved belongings such as his chair, a pair of sandals and his hand-written Quran which is considered to be a calligraphic work of art. The room is opened once every year to the public. In 1920 the cupboard was purchased by a senior British police inspector, Raymond Esquire as a tribute to the saint he revered.

It is here that in the Trust members decided that they had to curb the menace of drug addiction especially amongst the youth which was rising at an alarming rate. The Trustees of Pir Makhudun Shahib Charitabkle Trust ( which has an ISO marking) under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Mohammed Sohali Kandwani approached Fr. Joe and Kripa Foundation to seek thier guidance and help. On hearing their request Fr. Joe promptly agreed and the very next day had an inaugural programme which was well attended by a huge gathering. On the dais were members of the Trust, Police and the  Kripa team led by Fr. Joe. In his address to the people Fr. Joe explained the disease aspect and how Kripa with the help of the Trust and Police move at high speed in spreading awareness on addiction with the help of the AA 12 step programme and rehabilitation if the need arises. 

Mr. Salim Shekani thanked Fr. Joe for his prompt help and support in his vote of thanks.

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Fr. Joe recites prayers at a Communal Harmony Meet in Mumbai

17th November:
At the inaugural function of the  20th Anniversary of the Mohalla Committee Trust and Mumbai Police, Fr. Joe was invited to pray along with a panel of different Faith leaders in Yari Road Mumbai. The audience of more than 2000 people were amazed as Fr. Joe recited the Gospel, The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi and sang the Bhajan of Vinoba Bhave.

 The Chief Guest at the function was the Police Commissioner of Mumbai Mr. Rakesh Maria. This Committee has the proud privilege of having the Mr. Julio Reberio ( Fondly known as the super cop) as its Chairman. It was Mr Reberio who started these peace committee during the riots in Mumbai 20 years ago.. Also Present were Commissioners of the past Mr. R Mendonca and Mr. S. Shahney. along with many distinguished dignitaries and personalities of Mumbai society,

Watch the live streaming of the Prayer by Fr. Joe in Hindi/Marathi.
Click link.


                                                            http://youtu.be/l-T8FoWV4YA

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Fr. Joe conducts an early morning Kripafoundation Iyengar yoga session with Patients in Vasai

After a hectic day yesterday, although being a Sunday. Fr. Joe spent quality time with his staff and patients of Kripa Vasai and VRACS (Vasai Region AIDS Control Society)- A KRIPAIDS initiative.
       Early this Monday morning, Fr. Joe, although having a whole day line up of various appointments and functions took a morning yoga & meditation session with the community of Kripa Vasai. At the moment the community of Kripa Vasai has a majority of patients in  the age group of 16 to 21 years.( @ present 60 in treatment)..
      The Yoga and meditation session was so enriching, that a youth of 16 years who is just out of detoxification said " That Fr. Joe teaching me yoga made me feel so light and energized, that now I believe that my parents have put me in the right place for treatment."

       Immediately after the session Fr. Joe dashed off to Mumbai to attend the Board of Trustee Meeting of Alcoholic Anonymous, as he is an A Class Trustee ( Non Alcoholic) of AA in India.

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Fr. Joe certifies Maithili Koparkar with a Kripafoundation Yoga Meditation Certificate- Canada.

Maithili Koparkar receives a certificate to teach KFYM as an instructor at the hands of Jim P,

Signed  by Fr Joe Pereira Founder Managing Trustee  of kripa Foundation.

Kripa Canada is most pleased to introduce  Maithili Koparkar, Mississauga, Canada,  to teach Kripafoundation Yoga Meditation. Maithili also practices meditation with  a group of Christian Meditators.

This felicitation took place at Kripafoundation Iyengar Yoga Centre, Oakville. Canada.

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Fr.Joe greeting children on Children Day

Rehabilitation is only a deep breath away- Fr. Joe... Interviewed in the TIMES OF INDIA-GOA by Nida Sayed "

   

Rehabilitation is only a deep breath away

  Rehabilitation|NGOs|Kripa Foundation|Fr Joseph Pereira|Addiction

Nida Sayed

Through yoga, the Kripa Foundation seeks to help those struggling with addiction and suffering from ill health.

One of the largest NGOs in India, the Kripa Foundation, offers a holistic approach towards rehabilitation from addiction. Under the guidance of Fr Joseph Pereira, the NGO uses yoga to help those struggling with drug addiction and those affected with HIV/AIDS. The first group this season to take up the yoga-for-rehabilitation initiative is from the Namaste Yoga School from Wroclaw, Poland.

"Youngsters who have quit drugs find solace in yoga. People suffering from cancerous diseases also find respite through our programme," says Fr Joseph Pereira, founder and managing trustee of the Kripa Foundation.

Fondly known as Fr Joe, he adds, "With the help of yoga, nitric oxide (NO) is produced naturally by sinuses during nasal breathing, breath retention, and humming 'Om'. This reverses ailments inside the body. Besides NO, interleukin can also be produced naturally in the body and these can eventually help cure the disease internally."

Besides this, through individual counselling sessions, the core problem is identified and goals that will help a patient lead a better life are set. These goals include overcoming resentment, developing trust and working on self-defeating behavioural patterns. The daily morning meditation makes use of yoga as a psycho spiritual and psychosomatic therapy.

Shedding light on this initiative, Fr Joe says, "We help patients see the positive aspects of life. The basis of our programme is the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous (AA) and narcotics anonymous (NA), based on a module of total abstinence from alcohol and other drugs, and in turn bringing holistic improvements on the biological, psychological, social, economic and financial level. Each patient works on adopting the philosophies of AA/NA before leaving the treatment."

Being a Catholic priest, Fr Joe admits that he has faced a lot of antagonism for advocating yoga and meditation. "A lot of Catholics believe that meditation is a demonic practice. They are ignorant about the science of yoga. Today, yoga is acknowledged by medicine but there is also spirituality involved. I have faced hostility for these beliefs but people don't understand that the kind of consciousness we carry out has a measurable impact on those who we care about."

Stating that yoga is not a workout, He adds, "It is a work-in. Meditation helps us get in touch with our inner self and gain control over ourselves. This fundamental idea is what has helped addicts recuperate. They are people who just want love and turn to alcohol and drugs for an escape from reality. Through yoga and meditation, we help them let go and accept themselves for who they are and bring in positive changes in their lives. Die-hard drug addicts are fascinated by yoga and meditation because it gives them what addiction does not. Thus, spiritual discipline and strength helps them overcome the addiction."

The Polish group of 28, accompanied by Paulina Stroz, founder and yoga teacher of Namaste Yoga School, is currently participating in strenuous yoga sessions twice a day. Heavy asana are practiced for three hours in the morning at the centre in Anjuna and followed by two hours of pranayam in the evening at the NGO's Panaji centre—five hours of commitment to a lifestyle change programme.

This is Paulina's second visit to Kripa, Goa, the first being last year, for the yoga programme.

Sharing her thoughts, she says, "Our life is dedicated to teaching yoga and meditation to people in our country. After going back to Poland, we will share the knowledge we have received here with all our students and other yoga practitioners. They need to realize that traditional 'hatha yoga' is a spiritually safe practice. On the other hand, other practitioners in the west need to learn more about the spiritual aspects of 'iyengar yoga', which they still perceive as a workout rather than a work-in."

 Through individual counselling sessions, the core problem is identified and goals that will help a patient lead a better life are set. These goals include overcoming resentment, developing trust and working on self-defeating behavioural patterns. The daily morning meditation makes use of yoga as a psycho spiritual therapy

Courtesy 

Nida Sayed

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Fr. Joe welcomes the "Namaste Yoga Group" from Poland @ the Kripa Foundation Yoga Sanctuary, Anjuna, Goa

In the village of Anjuna  in Goa, one of the twelve Brahmin comunidades of Bardez, which is also world famous for its trance parties held on the beach during the tourist season. Close to the beach is Casa De Albuquerque "Soronto", which amongst it's coconut trees and mango groves lies Kripa Foundation' "kripa Foundation Yoga Sanctuary". The centre mainly runs a rehab for the treatment of chemical dependency.In this centre Fr. Joseph H Pereira the Founder Managing Trustee holds meany workshops in Yoga for the treatment in recovery

The first group this season is a group from Namaste Yoga School from Wroclaw, Poland, founded by Paulina Stroz a Iyengar yoga teacher with over 18 years of yoga practice. Paulina is also accompanied by her husband Paul a great translator of the language and their daughter Ola. The group of 28 is looking with great  enthusiasm  to learn under the guidance of Fr. Joe.

On their arrival the group was welcomed in traditional Indian style of Aarti and garland. This group will be on a 6 days workshop till the 8th of November.

Today the 6th of November, after a strenuous workout in the morning session at the centre in Anjuna, The group invited by Fr. Joe went to practice with him from 3pm to 5pm, at the new kripafoundation Iyengar centre, Carpenters Choice ,St. Inez, Panjim. The group was really happy to visit the new yoga centre of Fr. Joe.

Photographs courtesy:

Ben Hemson-Struthers

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Fr. Joe announces the opening of Kripafoundation Iyengar Yoga® Centre in Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

November 3, 2014

Kripa Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of a Kripafoundation Iyengar Yoga^® Centre in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area (GTHA), Ontario, Canada.

The centre will use the studio at Sunseed Yoga, St Jude’s Church, Oakville for activities until a dedicated facility can be established.

Fr Joe Pereira, Founder and Managing Trustee of Kripa Foundation, will oversee KFIY^® programs hosted by Sunseed Yoga during his visits to the GTHA, and through video-link when he’s at Kripa headquarters India or on missions to spread the KFIY^® treatment protocols to communities across the globe.

James Pope, KFIY^® instructor, will have the responsibility of administering the program. Jim has maintained a studentship with Fr Joe for twenty-three years, including regular visits to Kripa centres in India, the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune, and teaching KFIY^® weekly since 2001 at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto. In October 2014, Fr Joe presented Jim with a second KFIY^® certificate which bore the signature of late Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar (1918-2014).

To learn more about KFIY^® in the GTHA, please visit www.kripacanada.ca

Fr Joe presenting Jim  Pope with theSecond KFIY^® certificate which bore the signature of late Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar (1918-2014).

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