A Beautiful Day for Yoga at the White House
Monday, April 6, 2015 marked the 137th annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn. For the second consecutive year, Yoga Alliance® board member and treasurer Roger Rippy, E-RYT 500, and his wife, Albina Rippy, E-RYT 500, were invited to teach yoga to children and their families at the event as part of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative.
Many of the children who attended his class said they practice yoga at school, which Rippy said is historic.
“This is the first American generation that has been brought up with access to yoga in school,” Rippy said, “It inspires me and humbles me that I get to be a part of that in some way.”
The White House event has featured a Yoga Garden each year since tickets became available to the public by a lottery system seven years ago.
“It is a little bit like yogi heaven. There are so many powerful and poignant teachers there,” Rippy commented. As a member of Yoga Alliance and the greater yoga community, Rippy said he is grateful for the opportunity to bring yoga to new audiences as the practice continues to grow in popularity.
“Yoga breaks down walls and builds bridges, within and without,” he added, “For this reason, I'm proud to share it with others and be a part of the expansion of yoga throughout the world.”