OM Maui Yoga Class Supports Homeless Shelter

OM Maui, an Upcountry-based wellness studio, will be hosting community yoga classes for people of all ages and skill levels on Wednesday evenings throughout October. The classes take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Om Maui Studio at 12 Kiopa’a Place in Pukalani. The classes are donation based; participants are encouraged to pay what they can afford, with all proceeds going to Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Shelter in Wailuku.

These community yoga classes will incorporate asana, pranayama, and meditation for a relaxing and centering experience. No yoga experience is necessary. The class will meet all students at their individual levels of experience. Students should wear comfortable clothing. OM Maui will provide yoga mats and other equipment for the class, along with expert instruction. No reservations are required, however free reservations can be made through the studio’s website.

“These classes are ideal for those who want to contribute to a greater cause,” says Tai Souza, co-owner of Om Maui and the yoga class instructor. “Join us in the practice and embodiment of seva — selfless service without expectation of reward.”

“We will have a donation jar, where each person can contribute what they can afford,” says Souza. “All proceeds will go to Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Shelter in Wailuku.”

Tai Souza has been sharing her passion for health and fitness for almost 30 years as a personal and group fitness trainer, Yoga Alliance certified instructor and massage therapist at various gyms and studios in Brazil and the U.S. Souza’s experiences with life transformation, self-development, and health philosophy have been inspiring people to develop their own practices in order to integrate their learnings into a balanced lifestyle. In 2010, she co-founded Om Maui Studio in Pukalani.

Souza began to study with some of Brazil’s most distinguished yoga instructors in 2002, and completed her 500 hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher training with Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini of Maya Yoga after moving to Maui. Her teaching is firmly rooted in the art of Hatha Yoga, as she is driven by yoga’s ability to cleanse the mind and body for greater presence of being. As a licensed massage therapist, Souza has specialized in the practice of Ayurveda Massage Therapy in India, which she believes can provide immediate benefits in everyday life and goes hand-in-hand with the practice of yoga.

Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Shelter is a comprehensive resource center that provides emergency and transitional shelter, adult education and training, counseling, a primary care medical clinic and facilities for child care. In 2017, Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless sheltered 1,846 people, served 44,846 meals and provided housing for 546 people. To learn more, visit https://www.khako.org.

In addition to yoga classes, Om Maui offers Spin, Pilates, Barre, TRX and functional fitness and strength training classes, taught by professional instructors. To learn more and view a class schedule and rates, visit https://www.ommauistudio.com.