Leah Cooper

Get ready for the 1,080 Sun Salutation Challenge: Support the Bob Brown Foundation and protect Takayna

The Challenge

From 1 March to 23 March, I will be taking on the challenge to complete 1,080 Sun Salutations. 

Why I’m doing 1,080 Sun Salutations

The reason I’m challenging myself to complete 1,080 Sun Salutations is because I want to make a bold statement and spread the word about the Bob Brown Foundation and the work this organisation does to stand up for and protect the environment, especially the ancient wilderness that is Takayna.

I will complete 108 Sun Salutations ten times between 1 March to 23 March, ending on the day of the Nationwide March in March for Forests. 

What are Sun Salutations?

Sun Salutations, or the Surya Namaskar in Sanskrit, is a series of connected yoga postures, done in conjunction with the breath. Performing Sun Salutations is a physically demanding practice as the body moves from standing to forward fold, downward facing dog, low lunge, plank, cobra, back to downward facing dog, low lunge, forward fold and then to standing.

The Sun Salutation practice is a moving meditation and when repeated 108 times can provide us with greater clarity, power, focus and the reward of deep inner cleansing. The completion of 108 Sun Salutations is traditionally practiced around the time of the annual equinoxes and solstices, but it can be done at any time of the year. 

The time it takes to complete 108 Sun Salutations can vary between 75-90 minutes, depending on the speed of the practice and whether short breaks are taken at various stages throughout.    

Fundraising goal $2,500 

How you can contribute

Here’s how you can be part of this challenge:

1. Make a Pledge for a Reward. Show your support by making a pledge for one of the rewards on offer. Funds raised from pledges will be sent to the Bob Brown Foundation to support the work they do.
   
   

2. Sponsor Me to complete 1,080 Sun Salutations and help me get to Takayna. Your contribution will help cover the travel costs of my trip to Takayna in April. Various levels of sponsorships are on offer, including $27, $54, $108, and  $216.
   
   

3. Complete a round 108 Sun Salutations with me. Join me in person at a location in South Australia or online via Zoom. Check the schedule below for dates and locations.

Spread the word

Share about this challenge with your friends, family and colleagues. The more people who know about it, the bigger the impact we can make together, and the more money we can raise to help protect Takayna.

Why this matters 

This is not just a physical challenge. This is a statement I am making to inspire and encourage others, including you, to stand up and make a real difference to help protect our natural environment, especially the ancient wilderness of Takayna that is under threat. 

The 1,080 Sun Salutation practice

The ten dates for the 108 Sun Salutation practice are as follows:

1. Saturday 1 March - 11:15am - Join me at The Centre of Ki OR join ONLINE via Zoom - COMPLETED
2. Tuesday 4 March - 10:30am - Join ONLINE via Zoom - COMPLETED
3. Friday 7 March - 5:30pm - Join me at Steingarten Lookout, Rowland Flat - COMPLETED
4. Sunday 9 March - 9:00am - Join me at Kingston Park Coastal Reserve - COMPLETED
5. Tuesday 11 March - 5:30pm - Join me at Henley Square - COMPLETED
6. Friday 14 March - 10:30am - Join me at The Centre of Ki - COMPLETED
7. Sunday 16 March - 9:00am - Join me Yoga Spirit Studios, Torrensville, Adelaide - COMPLETED
8. Tuesday 18 March - 10:30am - Join me at The Centre of Ki - COMPLETED
9. Friday 21 March - 10:30am - Join me at Barossa Labyrinth, Barossa Bushgardens, Nuriootpa - COMPLETED
10. Sunday 23 March - 4:00pm with True North Yoga, Angaston - COMPLETED

Get in touch with any questions you have about how to join. 

Call 0412 704 330 or email [email protected] 

$2,500 Target

As this is an All-or-Nothing campaign, if we don't hit our target, no funds will be collected. I am hoping that through your support I will exceed this target and we will raise even more money for the cause.

The money raised will be divided according to the type of support you select. 

Funds for the following Rewards will be sent to the Bob Brown Foundation:

• No Reward ($2 or more)
• Forest Founder ($15 or more)
• Virtual Viewer ($25 or more)
• Yoga in Takayna ($30 or more)
• Forest Defender ($50 or more)
• Yoga in Takayna x 3 ($75 or more)
• Takayna Deluxe ($120 or more)

Funds raised from the Sponsor Me 1,080 Sun Salutations options will go towards contributing to my travel costs to get to Takayna in April. The different levels of sponsorship include: 

• $27 (2.5c per Sun Salutation)
• $54 (5c per Sun Salutation)
• $108 (10c per Sun Salutation)
• $216 (20c per Sun Salutation) 

If you would prefer to support the Bob Brown Foundation by way of a tax deductible donation, please do so here: https://give.bobbrown.org.au/