Global Mala--Not Just an LA Event (though you gotta hand it to them....)

The Global Mala event---108 sun salutations, done in public, with a lot of other people, to live music---will happen next weekend, Sept 19 & 20. The LA crowd---particularly the sun-dosed teachers and musicians working out of the Santa Monica/Venice mothership---have really got their act together for it. Their event is *huge*. And no wonder, since it was conceived of by Shiva Rea, who teaches out of the Exhale Center for Movement in Venice, and has the backing of her local folks such as Hala Khouri, Saul David Raye, and Govindas and Rhada. Nonetheless, there will be Global Mala events all over---not just in the US but in Canada, Japan, and South Africa. From the press release: "On September 19 and 20, the Global Mala Yoga for Peace Project, whose purpose is to unite the global yoga community, will implement events throughout the world in honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace. Forming a “mala around the earth” through collective practices based upon the sacred cycle of 108, the mission of the Global Mala Project is to raise both funds and consciousness for some of the most pressing issues facing the world today." In New York, the event is organized by Exhale Spa, too, and will take place at 150 Central Park South (212-249-3000). But it looks like a *much* smaller affair. The LA extravaganza is described as "a 4-hour ritual with 108 sun salutations and kirtan music." For a mere twenty bucks you can get a premium seat (seat?) in front of the stage with goodies thrown in.New York, what are we doing here?