We often talk about yoga's roots in India, and we chant in Sanskrit, but how much do we know really about the land from which our practice comes? I visited India in 1996, before I even discovered yoga, and was amazed by the deep magic of the country . . . and the incredible poverty. How could a place that birthed such a rich spiritual practice be mired in such economic despair?

I know that India has changed over the years, but there are still too many people living in extremely poor conditions, part of which is a result of the caste system—which was denounced during the '40s but still influences Indian society today. A man named Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who was a contemporary of Ghandi's, played an instrumental role in trying to change India's caste system (he was born an "untouchable"), eventually converting, himself, from Hinduism to Buddhism, leaving the caste altogether.

Inspired by Dr. Ambedkar, there's now a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization called Jai Bhim International dedicated to providing Indian youth with the tools they need to live a fulfilling life free from the caste system. It's having its first fundraiser, an alcohol-free dance party, called Barefoot Bhangra, this Saturday night from 7pm-10pm at the San Francisco Buddhist Center in the Mission. It's part of a series of three, so if you miss this one, there are two more scheduled: September 20 and October 18. The requested donation is $5-$10.

Check out Jai Bhim International's website for more info. The website is fairly comprehensive and gives a lot of interesting info on the caste system.

Anyone out there been to India? Have any thoughts on the remnants of the caste system and its historical connection to Hinduism, Buddhism, or even yoga? Please share! And let us know if you go to Barefoot Bhangra!