Beat Choir at Mitr

We had the internationally awarded BEAT choir- Bank Employees Art Troupe perform for us at Mitr. A blessed evening with songs in multiple languages and genres.

TARANG- Vocational and Prevocational Training Center.

New vocational center at Mitr.

In april 2017, a new venture by two able parents has been started at Mitr. Tarang is a self help group consisting of differently abled young adults, which is supported by the parents.  Instead of going out for a job, Tarang is a platform for self employment with recreation and entertainment for the youngsters. A work oriented lifestyle, helps them to an independent living and improves their self esteem and confidence level. They will share their profits which they make by selling out of the products they make.

In our group, some need assistance and others can manage on their own.

Making teaching materials for sale!

Following are the various tasks we aim to do-
-We are planning to grind and pack atta, upmamix, adai mix, millet flours...
-Preparing teaching materials with lamination machine .
-Otthuvathi and sambarani making.
-Vegetables cutting and packing
-Thambulam bags, jute bags, paper bags making.
-Return gifts, navarathri gifts, gift envelopes etc, tailoring art and craft.
For recreation we have Yoga, Zumba, music, swimming, indoor and outdoor play, outings etc

A yoga session going on!

Making healthy Adai maavu packets!

Working hours : Monday to Friday timing 10:00 am to 4.30 pm.

We need  volunteers to assist our trainees in their work.
Please contact Latha-+91 98413 66419 for volunteering or more info.

Autism Awareness and Inclusion

On April 2nd 2017, World Autism Day, we had the most varied crowd ever! Orphaned special needs kids and adults from Bala Vihar, Student Volunteers from Loyola College, Blind children who played music and our usual gang of special families. In one phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam!

An awareness walk to the beach.

A skit by Loyala volunteers.

One little pig!

Vaanar sena plays traditional games with Keerthi.

Loyala engineering students roll up their sleeves to paint!

Eyes speak...

'Aunty!'-our littlest awareness campaigner!

 mmm...these feel nice...

Seeing with their hands, blind kids create music.

The Loyola bunch..all smiles after a good day!

Autism is no longer the problem of a few. There are ten

million children in the autism spectrum in India alone, ie one

in every 68 children. The parents and the children deserve

your acceptance and understanding. They deserve to be

included in your schools, in parks and in your birthday

parties.  Embrace the difference. 

Art for kids becomes Craft for Moms

'A Brush with Art' is an art class with a difference, running for more than a year at Mitr. The children are exposed to freewheeling art where they explore colour, patterns and texture with no attempt to teach, only to gently facilitate.
A session was arranged on April 1st 2017, for the moms to experience the feelings that the children felt when they did this type of art, a history of art from Realism to Pluralism, and ways to turn their kids art-works to craft items was also discussed. They were encouraged to frame a few of their kids works, hang them in their homes and encourage their children.

Cling film art

'Soothing!'

'Wow, I love this!'

\

Acrylic sheet, foam and poster colors, to make prints....

'Can I join the classes instead of my kid?'!! 

A Tribute to Amma

My Mother-in law is the oldest special parent I knew, who passed to peace on 9th of March 2017. As a tribute to her, Savitri and Suchitra from Yogavahini rendered a soulful chanting for us, arranged by the ever-thoughtful Mini.  The cafe, as usual spread its joy of food and fun for all.

The invite made so nicely by Gopi.

May your spirit spread its love and continue to support us.

Purnam idam...

The bravest woman I know.

Kaushik honours Savitri and Suchitra.

Mitr cafe with its usual chatting sessions.

Thank you all for sharing this beautiful evening together.

Pic credits- Anush 

Zumba Classes

We had two free trials of Zumba classes in collaboration with 'Explore Differently' team in Feb 2017.

Much enjoyed by all participants.

We continued the Zumba lessons on other days as well...

Therapeutic Touch

In January 2017, we had a four day Therapeutic Touch workshop conducted by Ananya Sriram Rajan.

What Is Therapeutic Touch?

Therapeutic Touch is an energy healing technique developed by Dora Kunz and Dolores Kreiger, though it’s an ancient technique. Dora, who first conceived of TT, was a theosophist and theosophy is the comparative study of science, religion and philosophy. Hence the approach taken by her and her protégée-Dolores Krieger is hinged on objectivity and rationality.

Both were nurses, though Dolores had completed her PhD. Hence both had access to patients, their medical records, hospitals, doctors and methods to substantiate their work with observed data.

This aspect sets aside TT from other alternate healing techniques, though both Reiki and Pranic healing are also manipulation of the prana. While acupressure and acupuncture deals with the meridians which carry this energy in the pranic body.

How does it work?

We all have an energy body also called ‘Etheric Double’ as part of our physical body. This body is usually Two inches or so larger than our physical body and hence can be sensed on the surface. To clairvoyants it appears as bluish- grey or violet-grey in appearance. It is this that has chakras on its surface. The energy comes in at spleen chakra (just below diaphragm, to the left side) and distributes in five main channels and then moves out through the fingers. If the energy does not flow harmoniously in the etheric body, the cause may be blockages in the channels and chakras. By clearing the blockages and sending the energy properly again, the energy body gets back to shape. TT is this process of scanning, clearing and re-energizing the energy body.

Why does it work?

The energy body (etheric body) is the blue print of the physical body. All diseases first originate in the etheric body. Hence if that is made healthy, over time, or instantly, the physical body also gets cured. TT does not work on linear time.

What else affects the Etheric body?

The emotional and mental energetic bodies also surround the etheric body and they too have chakras. Our healthy emotions and thoughts are fundamental to the health of the etheric body and hence our physical body.

What qualities are needed to become a Therapeutic Touch healer?

An ability to ‘center’ oneself as TT is a ‘healing meditation’ and a desire to help the others without personal ego. Plus a sensitivity to the etheric body energies.

How much of TT has been substantiated by science?

·         Haemoglobin levels rise when TT is administered.

·         Kirilian photography has made images of the etheric body.

·         The rest of the evidence is empirical- based on studies made in hospitals, by Dora, Dolores and other professionals.