Today is International Day of Charity! To celebrate we wanted to take the opportunity to shine a light on one of our very own customers and their charity organisation. A Sound Life (ASL) is Australia’s first well-being charity that inspires people in need to improve their health, well-being and happiness through the power of yoga, music and meditation.
Co-founder and creative director of ASL, Edo Kahn, said he was inspired to start ASL “after years of touring globally and sharing music, yoga and meditation in underserviced communities”. It was upon returning to Australia that Edo noticed a distinct lack of charities bringing free music, yoga and meditation to people in need. ASL was created to serve this purpose.
Co-Founder and Creative Director, Edo Kahn
“We are here to give and here to serve,” explains Edo.
“This is what gets me out of bed every day, inspired to know that through our programs we are transforming lives, inspiring people to improve their health and connection to communities.”
For Edo, his favourite part of the job is simply that he gets to do what he loves, saying that “I use my talents and I feel inspired knowing that everyday teams of volunteers are sharing their hearts and talents to improve the lives of others.”
The Team
When asked if there was a story they could share that best showcases what they do, Edo recalled a memory of their first bedside musical performance in 2014. “I can still recall our first bedside musical performance like it was yesterday. Jo and I were at Westmead Children’s Hospital with Ben Lee, Anna Feldman and Mark Low. We all had tears in our eyes as we entered this environment, seeing beautiful kids suffering and wondering, could we make a difference? Ben started strumming on his guitar in the oncology ward singing… “We’re all in this together. We’re all in this together…” The vibe was magnetic. I’ll never forget the smile on this little girl’s face as she moved her teddy joyfully with the sound.”
Edo described it as a smile of hope, of joy, of peace and in that moment. He and Jo could see ASL‘s future so clearly; teams of volunteers using their gifts and talents to serve others in need through the healing power of music, yoga and meditation.
Having celebrated ASL’s 4th birthday only the other week on the 24th of August, Edo reflected on the past 4 years, saying, “I’m so proud of our progress and I know Jo would be too. Jo’s legacy and shining spirit continues to inspire our mission every day and we are forever grateful for the seeds of love she planted for us.”
What started with 1 facility, 17 volunteers servicing 30 yoga, music and meditation sessions for 105 people, Edo notes that “ASL has grown in such a phenomenal way with amazing yoga and meditation teachers, doctors, experts and musicians volunteering their time and talents to shape what ASL is today.”
So how exactly does A Sound Life use music, yoga and meditation to inspire people in need to improve their health and wellbeing?
Through their programs, those in need get to experience joy, learn new skillsets, express themselves creatively, and are given the tools needed for stress resilience and self-empowerment.
ASL’s focus is on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Their three modalities have the following combined key outcomes:
- Physical health: This includes improved flexibility, mobility, strength, co-ordination, vitality, breath awareness, learning new skills e.g. rhythm, singing & song-writing.
- Mental Health: This includes improved mental health through improved cognition, stress resilience, calmness, self-regulation and metacognition (ability to observe one’s own thoughts), creativity and positive mindset.
- Emotional Health: This includes the hugely important wellbeing of our emotional hearts and spirits. The benefits of our programs include connection to joy, inner-peace, love, transformation, feeling a sense of purpose and self-worth.
When asked what advice he would give to someone looking to start their own business, Edo had this to share:
“Do something that really inspires you. Think about what problem you are trying to solve and how your idea is going to be of benefit to the world. When we do things that are of benefit to the world, the world aligns to support our mission. Have enthusiasm and patience, stamina and endurance. Do not be afraid of failure or criticism and do not be afraid of asking for help. When you are in the flow the right people come into your life to help your vision become a reality.”
Since 2014 more than 150 passionate volunteers have worked with ASL, delivering over 1,544 free yoga, music and meditation sessions to 21,547 recipients across 40 different facilities (hospitals, aged care, disabilities, mental health) and to underserved communities including youth at risk and women’s shelters.
So, what does the future hold for A Sound Life?
Their goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of 50,000 people in need by 2020. Their vision is to expand to Victoria and Queensland and to launch the first ever wellbeing Domes in Sydney and Melbourne. The domes are unique for-impact spaces for ASL programs, for music, yoga, meditation, creativity, community, inspirational events, non-profits and wellbeing programs.
If you think the work A Sound Life is doing is important, they are always looking for people who are willing to donate their time and skills to help those in need! You can learn more about becoming a volunteer here: http://asoundlife.org/become-volunteer/
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