Published: Thursday, 18th March, 2010 10:10am

Yoga salutes trafficking charity

by Maxwell Kusi Obodum

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TEAM spirit shone through as yogis and yoginis stood shoulder to shoulder for a worldwide movement against human trafficking and slave labour.

More than 50 people of all ages rolled out their mats at Reading University Sports Park on Saturday [13] for the Yoga Stops Traffick fundraiser led by Earley-based instructor Sophie Cleere.

It was one of 60 events in 20 countries across the world for Indian charity Odanadi Seva Trust which provides safety, shelter and education for thousands of victims of human trafficking, domestic abuse and forced prostitution.

All participants completed up to 108 sun salutations - a series of linked postures which improve physical strength, flexibility, breathing and mental well-being.

Miss Cleere, whose brother Sean, a former Reading acupuncturist, works for the trust said: "It's been lovely for so many different people to come together to bring yoga to the forefront of people's minds. It's crucial we raise the awareness of human trafficking as in India alone 200 women and girls a day enter prostitution half of them against their will."

Jez Lemarchand, 38, from Caversham, who completed all 108 sun salutations said: "It was fantastic to have supported such a worthy cause. The last 20 sun salutations were tiring and it felt as if my arms stopped working but in the end I pushed on and kept on going."

Barbora Cechova, 32, from Bath Road's Shanti Deva Bhuddist Centre who collected £300 in sponsorship, said: "It's been a great opportunity to support something worthwhile. Human trafficking is not just in India its around the world and people must be aware of it."

Miss Cleere also thanked the centre for auctioning a Tibetan painting and Caversham's Bridges Estate Agents for sponsoring the event's custom made T-shirts.

See www.odanadi-uk.org or email sophcleere@hotmail.com