Holiday Swami Shopping

Have you seen these cute black hoodies with "Breathe" written on the front? I just love them... a holiday present for my best friend, and a holiday present for me, coming right up! And how fab are these winter Om hats with the ear flaps?!

If these pique your interest, too, don't miss Swami Baby Boutique's 2nd birthday, this Saturday (Dec. 5) when you'll find adorable clothes for baby and fashionable yoga-inspired wear for men and women, too. Plus, 20 percent of sales during the party will be generously donated to Blooming in Uganda. Enjoy food from Aunt Else's aebleskiver and a cake from Sweets Bake Shop—mmm!

Come celebrate Swami's birthday at Local D'lish, Saturday, from 5-7 p.m. at 208 1st St N, Minneapolis 55401. Happy holiday shopping!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Babies for Uganda!

Ohhhh, you just have to smile when you see these sweet babies! We are so honored that they're sporting Blooming in Uganda onesies. Thanks, little ones!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

NEED features Blooma

NEED magazine, a publication featuring stories about global and humanitarian issues, featured Blooma owner Sarah Longacre in a recent blog posting!

Writer Tamrah Schaller O'Neil posts:

"Would you buy a chicken coop for $500 dollars? That’s exactly what five people did to help raise funds for a birthing center in Uganda, Africa this past Friday night. The Blooming in Uganda Gala, held at the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis, raised over $22,000 through ticket sales, donations and a silent auction. Krista Tippett, host of NPR’s Speaking of Faith and Matthew Sanford, paraplegic yogi instructor and author and founder of Mind Body Solutions, were special guests of the evening with Sarah Longacre."

Thanks for spreading the word, Tamrah! Read the rest of Tamrah's entry here.

Love,
Alisa & the women of Blooma

Love & congrats

I just had to share the blog posting from Shanti Uganda announcing that Sarah met (and exceeded!) her fundraising goal for the 2009 Off The Mat Into The World African Humanitarian Tour. As Shanti Uganda writes, those individuals who raise $20,000 will go to Uganda to see the work they do and help build the Shanti Uganda Birth House & Learning Centre. Thanks to help from all of you, Sarah will be on her way to Uganda in February. We are so thankful for your endless love and support this holiday season!
http://www.shantiuganda.org/blogs/shanti-uganda

Love,
Alisa & the women of Blooma

More fun photos!

The photos from the Blooming in Uganda gala are rolling in. We adore them! If you were there, see if you spot a photo of yourself. If you weren't able to make it to the gala, perusing these photo albums is a great way check out how the evening turned out.

Below is a link to the gorgeous shots captured by photographer Emma Freeman.
http://www.emmafreemanphotography.com/clients/
-Click on the 'Blooming in Uganda Gala' event
-Password is 'blooma' all lowercase letters

Now sit back and enjoy a slideshow of photos by photographer Sarah Bonvallet. Thanks, ladies for capturing the essence of the evening on film!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Blankets for Uganda

Thanks to Blooma yoga teacher Bridgett Erickson, whose recent Sunday morning class encouraged us to donate blankets to the women of Uganda. Below is a post from Bridgett about the experience:

About 20 women gathered to bless blankets to send to Uganda. First we spent about 45 minutes in a personal asana practice. Then we all sat in a circle (shaped more like a uterus!) and sent blessings to the blankets. Each woman took the blanket she had brought with her and after practicing with the blanket in her presence and meditating with it in her loving hands, each woman individually placed her blanket in the center of the circle as she spoke words of blessing and further blessed the blanket with water sprinkled from the petals of a rose.

There was a huge pile of blankets, full of love and blessings in the center of the circle. The women were happy to be a part of something greater than themselves and for the opportunity to give their blankets!

xo,
Bridgett

Success for Uganda!

Create a Free Slideshow

Congratulations and THANK YOU to every person who donated, attended the gala, volunteered their time or talents, or attended special workshops to raise money for Blooming in Uganda! With your help, Sarah has reached her goal (and more!) of raising $20,000 to help build a birth center in Uganda!

The Friday night gala was a phenomenal success. On that night alone, we raised at least $22,000 dollars. That is downright astonishing. Look what we can do together as a community when we set our minds to it!

Moving, educational, inspirational—and yes, super fun—the gala was amazing. How about those African dancers and musicians? Talk about talented!

Meanwhile, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house after speaker, yoga teacher, and author Matthew Sanford spoke. His willingness to share his heart and story so candidly opened all our hearts. MPR "Speaking of Faith" host Krista Tippett reminded us about the ways our personal yoga practices can transcend beyond the yoga studio and into our communities, as is the mission of Off the Mat, Into the World. And Sarah grounded and inspired us all, with her words, her vision, and her dedication to breath and birth.

There are more Blooming in Uganda events to come in the next couple of weeks. Though Sarah has met her minimum goal, all future donations continue to go to Shanti Uganda and the birth center that so desperately needs to be built.

With tremendous love, awe, and gratefulness...

Namaste,
Alisa & the women of Blooma

Giddy about the gala

We're completely giddy about the gala this evening! Tonight's event at the Weisman Art Museum is the culmination of so much work and creativity. If you hope to come but haven't bought your ticket yet, you can buy them at the door!

Even with so much excitement surrounding tonight's wonderful events with MPR's Krista Tippett and yogi Matthew Sanford, let's remember the reason why we're coming together tonight.

In Uganda, Africa, complications related to childbirth kill 150 women every week. That's nearly 8,000 women a year. The price of your $50 ticket tonight, along with proceeds from tonight's silent auction, will directly help birthing women in Uganda.

Even after tonight, Blooma's fundraising goal continues. We have until Dec. 15 to raise $20,000 to support the work of Shanti Uganda. This small-yet-mighty organization is leading the charge to build a birth center, to offer prenatal education programs, and to provide basic, sanitary medical supplies that will save the lives of new mamas and their precious babies.

Sarah will travel to Uganda in February to work alongside local villagers to build the birthing center, along with a school and a sustainable farm. Let's make sure she gets there!

See you tonight.

With so much love & thanks,
Alisa & the women of Blooma

Silent auction sneak peek!

I've just laid eyes on the amazingly long and incredible list of silent auction items to be available at tomorrow night's Blooming in Uganda gala. Literally, my jaw dropped! (What are you waiting for? RSVP now!)

I can't believe how fantastic these items are. We're talking hot stone massages, one-of-a-kind art work, Aveda gift packages, private yoga parties, Timberwolves tickets, and so much more. Here's an additional sneak peek from the 150+ item list of silent auction items:

• A night at the romantic Nicollet Island Inn with breakfast the next day
• Guthrie Theater tickets
• Vickings tickets with prime location seats, plus parking passes
• A private dinner party for 8-10 of your nearest and dearest, featuring 7 courses and beverages. The menu will be crafted specifically to your party’s likings!
• Gift certificates to clothing stores such as Hot Mama, bumberShute, and Bluebird Boutique
• Gift certificates to restaurants like Tiger Sushi, The View, Heidi's, and the Birchwood Cafe
• Ballroom dancing lessons for you and your sweetie
• A Prairie Home Companion tickets
• Jewelry and interior design consultations by Blooma teacher Jennifer Colletti
• Enlightened Mama (Lamaze) childbirth prep classes by Blooma teacher Liz Abbene
• Live Savvy bags and headbands by Blooma teacher Shayla Boger

There's so much more, I can't possibly list it all here. If you already have your gala tickets, we can't wait to see you there! If you've been on the fence about it, buy your ticket now.

We know money is tight, and Blooma so appreciates your willingness to help raise money for a much-needed birth center in Uganda. If it's too late to book a babysitter, leave your partner at home with the kids and enjoy a night out with a friend. Or come solo and make new friends over a glass of wine. See you at the gala!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Sarah on WCCO!

If you missed Sarah on WCCO the other day, check out the story online. She was interviewed about her goal to raise $20,000 to build a birth center in Uganda. Go, Sarah, go! For more information about her effort, Blooming in Uganda, click here.

Love,
Alisa & the women of Blooma

Hm, what are you going to wear?

I keep hearing the question, "what are you going to wear to the Blooming in Uganda Gala?" Dress up or dress down? It's not every day we have the chance to put on a cute/sexy dress AND support a fabulous cause. So, here's the scoop. Get all dolled up if you want to. Short dress, long dress, it's your call. I've heard that most people plan to wear a cocktail dress, while I'm flirting with the idea of wearing a long, red dress that I rarely have the opportunity to wear. In short, if you want to be casual, be casual. If you want to dress up, own that sass and do it! Anything goes.

Meanwhile, if you haven't bought your gala ticket yet, what are you waiting for? If you haven't had the chance to hang out socially with your yoga teachers and massage therapist yet, we're a pretty fun crowd to be with. I promise. :)

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Cute clothes, great cause

Don't miss the Hot Mama shopping event of the season! This Wednesday night, grab your girlfriends, your mom, your sister, your neighbor and come to Hot Mama's new Edina store (3914 W. 50th Street) from 4-7 p.m. for a private event to benefit Blooming in Uganda. (RSVP here.)

Not only will you get 15% off everything you buy, but you'll feel extra good knowing that ALL of the proceeds from Wednesday night's shopping event will help build a much-needed birth center in Uganda.

Nibble on appetizers from Broders Pasta Bar, get a make-up touch up from a MAC pro, and indulge in a chair massage.

Whether you're looking for a gorgeous dress to fit your growing belly, a new mom on the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans, or a fashionista who's not a mom at all, Hot Mama has something for everyone. (Think brands like Juicy Couture, Citizens of Humanity, Lucky, and lots, lots more.)

Entrance to this event is free, but since it's a private shindig, please RSVP. Hope you to see you Wed. night!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Blooming in Uganda blog!

If you just can't get enough Blooma blog action, check out Sarah's new Blooming in Uganda blog for updates on her goal of raising $20,000 to build a birth center in Uganda!

http://bloomauganda.blogspot.com/

Love,
Alisa & the women of Blooma

Global awareness for better birth

I heard a story on the BBC this morning about the high mortality rate of birthing women (along with fistula, which leaves women horribly incontinent) in underdeveloped countries. In fact, health ministers from around the world are meeting in Ethiopia today to discuss how to lower those mortality rates. You can read the BBC story here.

While it's easy to think only of our birthing and health care options here in the Twin Cities, let's also extend our reach out into the greater world. Today's news shows how far we have to go. If helping to build just one birth center, in one small village, in one country, can help even a small number of women have healthier birth outcomes, let's do it. In Uganda alone, complications related to childbirth kill 150 women every week.

Let's help Sarah reach her goal of raising $20,000 for the Off the Mat, Into the World challenge. She'll travel to Uganda, Africa next year to help build a birth center. Please donate now, however small the amount, or however generously you're able to give. Please let your friends and family know about Blooming in Uganda, too, even if they do not live here in town. Better birth is global issue, not just a local issue.

One fantastic way to get involved is to register now for the Blooming in Uganda Gala at the Weisman Art Museum, Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Have a good time while supporting a good cause, with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, and special guest speakers Krista Tippett, host of MPR's Speaking of Faith; and Matthew Sanford, paraplegic yogi, author, and founder of Mind Body Solutions. Donation: $50 per person; all proceeds go to Blooming in Uganda.

Thank you so, so much for your involvement and support of this hugely important project.

Love, Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Coffee for Uganda

We happily blogged last week that the Birchwood Cafe is selling a special brew to benefit Blooming in Uganda. If you haven't yet tasted the Peacewood Coffee called Ugandan Peaberry, hurry on over to the Birchwood and pick up a pound! Your tastebuds will thank you every morning and Uganda will, too.

The Birchwood's owner, Tracy, wrote about the fundraiser in the cafe's recent newsletter. We were so touched by the story and Tracy's words that we just had to reprint it. Thanks, Tracy! (See you soon at the Birchwood, everyone?)

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

“Blooming in Uganda” Fair Trade Fundraiser
When I learned that my dear friend and daughter’s doula, Sarah Longacre, was planning a trip to Uganda in Feb. 2010 to build a birthing center, I knew I had to help. Not only because Sarah and her yoga studio, Blooma, were such an immense support throughout my pregnancy and her presence at Lily’s birth a true gift—the sad fact that in Uganda, 435 out of every 100,000 women die of childbirth related causes also really struck home. Having a skilled attendant present at a birth and celebrating my daughter’s first birthday were things I could take for granted, but maybe not so for some Ugandan women.

Hmmm… how could we help raise the $20,000 she needs? Later the same day, while chatting with Mel at Peace Coffee about which coffee to feature for Fair Trade Month, she mentioned the limited edition Ugandan Peaberry and it hit me like a ton of coffee beans.

Fair trade is about supporting the growth of healthy communities, and what better way to help grow community in Uganda than by donating from our sales of Ugandan Peace Coffee to support the health of Ugandan mothers and babies!

Now until mid-November, we’re brewing the Ugandan Peaberry daily, so come try a fresh hot cup. You’ll love the deep chocolate and molasses notes and thick mouth feel so much that you’ll want to take home a pound. Or two. Or ten! For every pound we sell ($12) we’ll donate 50 percent to “Blooming in Uganda” to help ensure that Ugandan women and their new babies get a healthy start.

For more info on other “Blooming in Uganda” fundraising events or to donate directly check out www.blooma.com. And if you are expecting, or know someone who is, Blooma offers pre- and postnatal yoga, childbirth education, wellness services and an amazing, supportive community for moms-to-be, new moms and their families. As I celebrate Lily’s first birthday this month, I’m grateful to Sarah and honored to help support her, Blooma and their vision for “Blooming in Uganda."

Cute clothes, wine & yoga - this Saturday!

If you're not yet familiar with Kaja Foat, join us this Saturday for a real treat. (And if you've been to Kaja's classes before, you already know what an amazing class you're in for!)

A Jivamukti yoga instructor and designer, Kaja will teach a special class at Blooma beginning at 4 p.m. to benefit Blooming in Uganda. After class, stay for a Foat Designs sample sale, mingling, and wine!

Kaja and her twin sister's earth-conscious clothing line, Urban Yoga Wear, produces some of our favorite and most beautiful yoga wear. Now Foat Designs is launching a baby line of cashmere baby blankets and hand-made toys— you'll have the chance to shop before these adorable items hit stores!

Call Blooma or click here to sign up now. ALL proceeds go towards the $20,000 challenge that Blooma has taken on to help build a birth center in Uganda. The suggested donation for this event is $15-$30. We look forward to seeing you Saturday!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Birchwood Cafe + Peace Coffee = Love for Uganda

One of Blooma's favorite restaurants, the Birchwood Cafe, is generously holding a fundraiser to benefit Blooming in Uganda, our effort to help build a birth center in Africa.

For every pound of Peace Coffee Ugandan Peaberry sold, the Birchwood will give $4 to Blooming in Uganda. A pound sells for $12. Pick up a bag or two today! (We'll be selling some this Saturday at our 2nd birthday party, too.) What is a "peaberry," you ask? Find out here.

As for this special coffee's flavors, here's what Peace Coffee says: It begins "with mild berry notes and finishes with deep chocolate, molasses and a hint of malt with a thick buttery mouth-feel throughout." Eh-hem, start brewing my cup now, please.

(You might as well go to the Birchwood hungry, too, while you're picking up your pound of coffee. A must try: the Pumpkin & Vegetable Handpie, which I ate for lunch earlier this week. It's made with roasted local pumpkin and Wisconsin Gruyere in cream cheese pastry. Talk about decadent, fall yumminess!)

A big smooch to the Birchwood for helping Blooming in Uganda. We are so thankful to this open-hearted community for supporting healthy, safe birth for ALL women!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Blooma Birthday Bash— Saturday!

Celebrate with us this Saturday from 4-7 p.m. as Blooma turns 2! Bring your babies, your kids, your partners, and your friends for a fun-filled afternoon of music, cake, tacos and celebrating. RSVP now.

Get ready to wiggle and dance to the amazingly fun Bunny Clogs as they take the stage from 4:30-5 p.m. (Adults love their music, too! Give them a listen.) Then Jack Pearson brings his zany music and storytelling to the stage from 5-6 p.m.

Alongside all this music we'll have a taco truck serving dinner, 15 percent off all class packages purchased that day, lots of discounted retail items, and other retailers selling all kinds of fun goodies.

We'll also continue raising money for Blooming in Uganda, which is helping to build a birth center there early next year. The best birthday present Blooma could ask for is a $15 donation. That covers the cost of a birth kit for a Ugandan mother, providing what she needs for a safe, clean, empowered birth.

And right now it looks like the sun will bloom just for us Saturday afternoon, with an expected high of 44 degrees! We can't wait to see each of you, to celebrate with you, and to thank you for bringing so much love and energy to Blooma.

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Wknd Workshops: Prenatal + Boot Camp for Dads!

The chance to help raise money for a new birth center in Uganda continues this weekend! We're offering two special workshops in which all the proceeds will benefit Blooming in Uganda.

On Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., we want to see every pregnant mama in the house for a special 2-hour Prenatal Yoga and Chiropractic Workshop with Sarah Longacre and Dr. Tim Fargo. He'll talk about ways to reduce pain and discomfort associated with pregnancy by using safe and natural techniques. He will also give instruction in The Webster Technique, an effective technique that helps balance the pelvis which, in turn, can ease pregnancy pain, reduce incidence of breech births and shorten labor time. (Most doulas I know swear by the Webster Technique!) The suggested donation is $15-$30. Sign up now.

Dads, don't think we've forgotten about you! We're holding a Boot Camp for Dads this Sunday from 3-5:30 p.m. with personal trainer Anthony Arnold. The Vikings kick off at noon, and Arnold will be ready and waiting with a post-game workout. Go ahead: Tailgate all morning, then get your tail kicked (in a good way!) all afternoon! Sign up now.

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Friday Night: Yoga for You (+ for Uganda!)

Help support Sarah’s goal to build a birth center in Uganda AND take part in a soulful, spirited 2-hour yoga practice this Friday from 6-8 p.m. This special yoga class kicks off a series of classes in which all proceeds will go toward the Blooming in Uganda Seva Challenge. Donation Suggestion: Pay the drop-in class rate of $18, or give what you can (a little more would be so, so great; a little less is OK, too). Sign up now! (Click on the Workshops tab.)

YOGA FOR YOU! with SARAH LONGACRE Through the grace and healing power of yoga, you can support the pregnant women of Uganda. Your heart will soar, and your body will thank you for the sweet gift of so mindfully dedicating every breath and every pose.

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma