Keep Up With Klaven

We are a Non-Profit Organization. My name is Jobin Klaven (but please call me 'Clay-vin') and I am the 'Chief Awareness Guru' at Keep Up With Klaven. Explore. Share. Inspire. Join us as we EXPLORE communities around the world, learn about their cultures, celebrate the causes closest to their hearts, and SHARE it with our friends! We hope that the discoveries we make will serve to INSPIRE us all. Our vision is to visit every country and community in the world as we work together to affect positive change. If you are interested in taking me with you on your next trip, or you have a local cause or community that you would like to introduce to me, please contact me! Your support is appreciated. Web: klaven.com FB: www.facebook.com/KeepUpWithKlaven Twitter handle: @Jobin_Klaven Instagram ID: keepupwithklaven Pinterest: jobinklaven

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Do you know who left me? If not, can you help me find them? Exactly one year ago today, I was left on a ledge above the jukebox at The Londoner Addison in Dallas, TX. Fortunately for me, I was soon adopted by a loving couple, who have since introduced me to many new friends around the world. Together, all of us at Keep Up With Klaven now have a mission: To EXPLORE, SHARE and INSPIRE others.  So today, we are asking for your help in solving the mystery. Please SHARE this picture so that we may find my original owners and learn more about my past. I would love to share my new life with the people who brought me to America, and let them know that all is well. I am sure they had good intentions for me and would be pleased with what we have accomplished.  When sharing, please use the hash tag #klavensquest and post this picture on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other social medium you choose. Together, I am sure we can solve this mystery! Thank you! Keep Up With Klaven  Explore. Share. Inspire. http://klaven.com/

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This is a face etched with wisdom! Taken by my good friend (and groom!) Chris Conn, this is Grandma Mastura (She is Apa, the matriarch of Saltanat Baetova’s family, the bride!) She lives in a village called Kyzyl Ordo, which is in the south of Kyrgyzstan. She is 78 years old and traveled 15 hours by car over two 10,000ft mountain passes to get to Bishkek for their wedding! A wedding I’ll always remember! It was a great experience in a country I have grown to love, and with friends that I now consider family. Congratulations Chris and Saltanat!

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Explore. Share. Inspire.

#klavenstravels #Kyrgyzstan #Bishkek #wedding #matriarch #keepupwithklaven #face #faces #wise #Klaven

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7 Highlights Still With Me 7 Weeks After Global Mala NJ

My spirit is still soaring 7 weeks after a 'powerFULL' event in Newark! Global Mala NJ 2013 was my introduction to the Power of Peace. The purpose of the Global Mala, created 7 years ago by world-famous yogi Shiva Rea, is to raise awareness and funding for some of the world's biggest issues. Here are my 7 highlights:

One of the beneficiaries of this year's Mala were our friends at Newark Yoga Movement! NYM founder and a great 'Friend of Klaven' ('FOK') Debby Vinokur-Kaminsky was also serving for her 7th straight year as a Peace Ambassador. She worked tirelessly to make this event another great one!

Another 'Friend of Klaven', New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie, is also a supporter of Global Mala.

Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund NJ, a fund she started, received 70% of the proceeds from Global Mala NJ. Find them here: http://sandynjrelieffund.org/.

Other beneficiaries of the fundraising were Ashrams for Autism 

and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.

I got a 'One-Minute Hug' from new 'FOK' Dave Romanelli!! Dave is a wellness pioneer, author of "Yeah Dave's Guide to Livin' the Moment", and host of "Yeah Dave" on uLive: http://www.yeahdave.com/

The Newark Fire Department was in the house! They are some of the newest students of NYM and those who were off-duty came out to participate. The Director of the Newark Fire Department actually led some sun salutations for the event participants!

95-yr old Tao Porchon-Lynch, the world's oldest yoga teacher, closed the event with a guided meditation. Porchon-Lynch, a board member for NYM and an advisor to the Dalai-Lama himself, was truly inspirational and captured the positive energy of the event in her remarks.

Her 95th Birthday Story: http://www.rebellesociety.com/2013/08/13/the-worlds-oldest-yoga-teacher-turns-95-today/

Her Bio: http://www.taoporchon-lynch.com/Bio.php

Ela Wojtowicz also guided us through a yoga practice. She is amazing! Ela was born with Cerebral Palsy, which affects her balance, and her mission to help those with physical challenges. Her words: "Not only have I been practicing yoga for 4 years, I have also become a certified yoga teacher at the 200 hour level. Yoga allows me to deepen my faith, open my heart and empower me to know anything is possible, teaching me that we are so much more than our physical prowess or limitations."

INSPIRING!!

One of the first (and best!) 'Friends of Klaven' is Sharon Pingatore, otherwise known as Mamaste. She made sure that the entire event was recorded for posterity using her platform of StudioLiveTV (http://studiolivetv.com/). Sharon has also uploaded video from Global Mala to StudioLiveTV's YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/GoStudioLiveTV?feature=watch

'People from all walks of life in the Tri-State area 'took a bath in peace!' exclaimed Debby. I agree completely! With so many amazing presenters and teachers (See the full list HERE) and fantastic music provided by Dalien, aka 13 Hands, choosing just 7 highlights was difficult! It was an overall experience that still resonates with me 7 weeks later! Long may it continue.

Keep Up With Klaven

Explore. Share. Inspire.

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeepUpWithKlaven?ref=hl

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Automotive reflector! I love this ride. I am a race car driver by trade! #Klaven #keepupwithklaven #driver #racecar

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I took this picture while visiting San Antonio. This peacock lives in the courtyard of my hotel! #klavenstravels #klaven #sanantonio #peacock #klavensphotos #coolfeathers #feathers #cocky #showoff #beautifulbird

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Art Thrives at ArtPrize in Michigan, a 19-day ‘radically open’ art competition with a $200,00 top prize!

We recently took a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan for ArtPrize! ArtPrize is a 19-day long, 'radically open', independently organized international art competition. There is a $200,000 top prize awarded based completely on public votes. Wow!

We were lucky enough to stay there opening weekend and were privy to all of the festivities!

Artists swarmed the city alongside art lovers and those ambivalent but interested civilians. Just outside our hotel was a parking lot filled with art: pandas crafted from recycled tires; a giant, fire-breathing, dragon float; an immersive and evolving painting comprised of dozens of smaller paintings; and much more!

Any time we went anywhere we saw art: inside, outside, sometimes in the portals between.

A lot of the art was made to draw attention to certain social, environmental or political issues. Amazingly a lot of artists took it one step further and pledged to donate anywhere from half to all of their winnings (should they win) to charitable causes!

Here are a couple examples of the great art that promoted causes: http://www.artprize.org/robin-protz/2013/mythorlogic

http://www.artprize.org/the-compass-alliance/2013/at-rare-diseases-deserve-toprate-research

While the economic plight of Detroit is well-known, the rest of the state suffers from severe economic depression. The city, people and the Devos family come together to encourage communication, exploration and growth for ArtPrize each year. ArtPrize hosts panel, workshops, shows and tours to help educate attendees.

Grand Rapids is a vibrant, friendly city that has a passion for art and community. We are grateful to have been a part of this year's ArtPrize!

Find out more about ArtPrize: ArtPrize

Klaven’s Mission: Explore. Share. Inspire. 

Follow us here: Facebook

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On a tour with Dr. Jocelyn Lippman-Bell, a research lab team member working on a cure for CDKL5. Hope4Harper helps find this research. 

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Just hanging out where the Declaration of Independence was signed. #Philadelphia #Freedom #Klavenstravels

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Reflecting on Freedom in Philadelphia

As I rode with Harper's family into the city from the Philadelphia airport, the sense of excitement in the car was high. We came to the 'City of Brotherly Love' on two missions, one much more important than the other. Would we be successful?

Philadelphia is the home of Dr. Francis Jensen, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. Three years ago, my friend Harper and her family received the devastating news that Harper had CDKL5. CDKL5 is a rare disorder with only 500 known cases worldwide. Her family started a foundation called Hope4Harper to raise awareness and funding for research.

(See more background on Harper and her recent Run4Hope in this post: Amazing Three Year Old Inspires Hope)

So our first mission was finding FREEDOM for Harper, freedom from the seizures caused by a disease she did not choose. We met with Dr. Jensen and her amazing team of clinical researchers. Hope4Harper supports research into learning how to control Harper's seizures, research that Harper's mom Penny notes 'will impact a broader group of those with Epilepsy'. The work being done here is so important to so many people and their families. Meeting the electrophysicist, the Geneticist, a Child Neurologist...it was all so overwhelming yet inspiring! Harper's family was encouraged by the collaborative efforts of the team, and HOPEFUL that Harper's freedom would be found here someday.

(Read more detail on the research from Harper's blog here: Hope4Harper Visits Seizure Research Project Lab in Philadelphia)

The second mission, the one that pales in comparison to the first, was to tour historic Philadelphia with Harper's family. We saw Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776! We visited the remaining foundation of President George Washington's house, the first President of the United States. Next up was the Liberty Bell, which Harper and I tried to ring, thinking that would be fun! Little did we know it no longer makes any sound. The crack that started with the very first ring became irreparable to the point of muteness!

We also found time to stroll through downtown and take in the local cuisine. Cheese steak sandwiches at Steve's Prince of Steaks were new to me, and they looked delicious. Of course, I don't need food, but I want the best for my friends! The people and the culture of the city had my head spinning. I had no idea that over 20% of the residents in Philadelphia have a 'mother' language other than English. Around every corner was a different dialect and a new attraction. Museums, Universities, parks, the row houses, the river, the architecture...I loved it all. Our second mission was complete.

As our time wound down, and we began the journey home, Harper's family reflected on what this city means to them. Philadelphia has long represented freedom to many Americans. Harper's family shares that sentiment, but freedom for Harper is what they are seeking now. The researchers on Harper's team that are working tirelessly in the 'City of Brotherly Love', truly have our love for their efforts. Our hope is alive, but this mission is not yet complete. Please help Hope4Harper in their quest to find freedom for their daughter.

Learn more about Harper and her family: www.hope4harper.com

Contribute to help find a cure: DONATE

Klaven’s Mission: Explore. Share. Inspire. 

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Klaven at Everton FC’s Goodison Park with ‘Friend of Klaven’ Tim Summerfield

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Just met the brilliantly talented writer Alexandra Franzen!! Her latest book '50 Ways To Say You're Awesome' is available at http://www.alexandrafranzen.com/  Her work in her words: 'It’s about leaving the people around you in better condition than you found them.'  Thank you to 'Friend of Klaven' Sharon Pingitore for introducing us! Giddy 

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Excited to have met the great artist Eva Montealegre at the opening for her collection (and others) at The Conscious Collective at Dallas’ WAAS Gallery. Check out her beautiful work at her website: www.evamontealegre.com. I’ll share a few of her pieces here too! 

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Klaven is inspired by David Romanelli. This pioneer for integrating ancient traditions (yoga) into pop culture took the time to give me a one minute hug! 

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'Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.' - William Shakespeare 

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I am heading to New Jersey this weekend for a special event in Newark called the 'Global Mala'. So what does New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie (with me in this photo!), have to do with this event?  First Lady Christie started the 'Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund NJ', and 70% of the proceeds from Global Mala are going to this cause. Global Mala was conceived by Shiva Rea seven years ago as a way to help raise awareness and funding for some of our world’s biggest issues. Others causes that will benefit from the event include the Newark Yoga Movement, Ashrams for Autism, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.  The 7th Annual Global Mala will be held Sunday, Sept 22nd, at the Science Park High School in Newark. If you are in the area, please come join us! Look for my story about the event next week! http://www.globalmalanj.org/index.html https://www.facebook.com/GlobalMalaNJ Klaven’s Mission: Explore. Share. Inspire.  Klaven.com

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I love and support Newark Yoga Movement! Helping Newark kids find stillness and strength since 2009. That’s me in the buttons of the top boy’s shirt. ;-) 

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Yoga by the lake.