My First fundraiser/Donation through running - World Run Day 2003

My First fundraiser/Donation through running…

My first ever run for any cause and donation is for Art of Living and Donation to World Humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Guruji) back in Oct/2003.

At this time, I have done the course and practising for 8 months. I am so Grateful for everything and how things are all turned up excelent. Every moment and every day with Guruji is full of learning, adventure and so much fun. Thank you so much Guruji for giving this joy every day and every moment.  Looking forward to do more Seva and cannot wait to be with you soon...,

When running was my religion…

I always wanted to run a marathon. It was my dream but I never could do because I do not know how to do. When I was a young boy growing up in Colombo I was one oversized, well fed and rounded figure. My elder cousins always tease me and I though may be one day I can reduce my weight. My thinking/pondering process started when I see people running in the morning. When I went to high school, I started to run little by little, but I never understood or liked it because I never believed it. Only when I started to work in US and reading the runner’s world magazine I got many inspirations that I can do as well. Even after reading all these I was always afraid to run long distance because I never had the faith and determination element with me.

I did my first Art of Living Program in Dec/2002 then only I figured that I can achieve it. I believe that I can do and I never gave up and I religiously started to run and hoping one day I will do the full marathon.

Well that dream finally come true in the Magnificent Toronto, Finally I did it http://results.sportstats.ca/find-an-athlete-find-a-race-search.php?lang=eng&first=Praisoody&last=THAYAPARAN

Now, I am beginning to believe that what I do in Art of Living as volunteer and as a teacher is my breath and life, for that I thank my master who is giving me all this knowledge. I am truly lucky to be in this Path. Meeting with Guruji Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the most outstanding achievement I could ever think of. Every day I am hoping to meet him again. Like before the day will come soon, until then…

Art of Living Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) Contribute to clean up the Woodlot in Mississauga

Art of Living Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) provides youths of age 13-18 a knowledge and skills to handle their life much better. There are endless testimonial on what and how this program helps the teenagers and youth to cope up with their daily stress and tough times.


This Saturday 07/Aug/2010 kids from YES course, did a cleanup on the Windrush woods in Mississauga. Truly very interesting experience for myself to see this quiet and shy youngsters come out with many interesting discussions. Firstly they found it as an adventure to hunt all garbage on the woods to cleanup secondly it gave me inspiration to get to know them. More I get to know, I remember what Guruji has said on teenagers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3FTXZ9TFSI)

I thank Vaishnavi Palaparty and her YES kids for giving an opportunity to clean up and contribute to the City of Mississauga.