Thinking about getting into yoga because it may be good for you? What yoga doing some good? From a party with a purpose to an amazing race, yoga people in Columbus are turning yoga into good works this Spring.
Yoga on High has a fundraising party for their Yoga on High Foundation on Thursday, April 16. This charity focuses on support for cancer survivors, veterans (including amputees), women recovering from trauma, and children in underserved communities. Multiple events for the Foundation are held during the year; this month’s event will feature a sale of the artful jewelry by Silpada.
On Saturday, April 18th the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will benefit from a donation flow yoga program led by clinical psychologist and Baptiste Power Yoga instructor Morgan Hembree at Balanced Yoga. After Robin Williams committed suicide, Hembree shocked at some of the misunderstandings about depression she read on social media.
“We, as human beings, are designed to seek connection, and it is the feeling of disconnection that leaves us isolated and afraid … we have to rid ourselves of the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide,” she says. Dr. Hembree is a board member of the local AFSP chapter; for more info visit their Facebook page.
If animals are your thing, -and who can resist puppies?- PAI Yoga is holding their annual Yogathon to raise funds for the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Ohio on Saturday, May 16th. Participants can chose to do one or four yoga class’s special donation sessions. Classes will be at the new PAI location in Gahanna/New Albany; look for the adorable animals on the website.
May 28th Rockmill Brewery will be the spot for an outdoor yoga class to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention led by Morgan Hembree and Nicole Klasa. Beer-tasting and wood-fired pizza after!
Go Yoga has been very involved with Pelotonia and on Sunday, May 31st will hold PelotonFlow at their Upper Arlington location from 2:30 to 3:30pm. According to marketing director, Chelsea Bragg, Limited Brands will match donations collected dollar for dollar and 100% of the proceeds go to Pelotonia 2015.
Multiple Go Yoga staff members participate in the ride, and Kelsey Evans, a Go Yoga instructor who also started the PelotonFlow, rides in her grandmother’s name. Go Yoga also helps provide massage, acupuncture and yoga at the finish line.
“I initially crossed paths with Pelotonia in 2012, a time in my life where I was processing and grieving my grandmother Jean Hertenstein’s illness and cancer,” says Evans. “I connected with so many who have dealt with this life changing diagnosis. Pelotonia reminds me that I am among friends. When I take that 50 mile ride again in August and it gets really tough, I think about these amazing people who have the strength to combat this phenomenon and you keep pushing all the way to the finish line.”
Another Columbus yoga studio with a thing for bikes is OHiYoga in Olde Town East. Owner Heather Sheets is helping “Trips for Kids” and Nurtured Seeds raise money for a bike recycle and repair place in her up-and-coming neighborhood.
Joining things together for the good: that is yoga!
