Download the Virginia Yoga Week 2011 press release in pdf format or view the text below.
Fourth Annual Virginia Yoga Week
June 12 -19, 2011
Virginia Yoga Week, Having fun, Doing Yoga and Changing the World
Alexandria , Va. – The fourth annual Virginia Yoga Week will run from June 12-19, offering people of all ages and fitness levels more than 80 discounted or free yoga classes – and the opportunity to raise funds for charities. From Arlington to Leesburg, Occoquan to Reston, free and $5 dollar classes will give everyone the chance to sample yoga classes from many different traditions and styles.
‘During Virginia Yoga Week, yoga studios and teachers join together to promote the benefits of yoga for mind, body and spirit. Through the Virginia Yoga Week Karma Project, we also raise funds for those in need,” states Margaret Townsend, yoga teacher and founder of Virginia Yoga Week. ‘Our vision is to see communities all across Virginia work from a true sense of cooperation and compassion during this week, and throughout the other 51 weeks of the year.’
Virginia Yoga Week encourages people of all ages and fitness levels to explore yoga, while at the same time raising funds for a variety of good causes, including The Exalted Warrior Foundation, Carpenter’s Shelter, People for Haiti, Give Back Yoga, Reston Inter Faith and the Loudoun County Animal Shelter. The donation-based Karma classes form part of the Virginia Yoga Week Karma Project, which promotes the yoga of selfless service. Visit www.virginiayogaweek.com to find Karma classes, as well as the full Virginia Yoga Week class and event schedule.
Highlights of Virginia Yoga Week include:
June 12: Love Your Body Day
Virginia Yoga Week opens on June 12 with Love Your Body Day, featuring yoga, live music and massage. Proceeds from the day will benefit RestonInterFaith.
‘RestonInterFaith is honored to be the recipient of the proceeds from this unique event, with its strong connection to our mission of helping homeless, vulnerable and at risk men, women and children find health and balance in their lives,’ says Kerrie Wilson, Executive Director of Reston InterFaith.
June 17th: Yoga on the Potomac
New this year, Yoga on the Potomac at Collingwood Library and Museum in Alexandria will feature a Yokid class for families; a vigorous yoga flow practice to shake off the end of the week blahs, and an uplifting kirtan music concert, along with complimentary refreshments provided by Whole Foods of Alexandria. Yoga on the Potomac will benefit Give Back Yoga and YoKid, organizations who use yoga as a vehicle to support active duty personnel, veterans and at-risk youth.
Beryl Bender Birch ( World renowned yoga teacher, author of three best selling books on yoga including Power Yoga and Boomer Yoga and member of the Board of Directors of the Give Back Yoga Foundation), comments: ‘As more and more serious research is being done on utilizing alternative and integrative therapies to support the traditional treatment of trauma, there is an increasing interest in the military and the Veteran’s Administration to provide these services and yoga, in particular, for returning veterans dealing with post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or any traumatic physical or physiological injury sustained in combat. The Give Back Yoga Foundation feels this is an incredibly urgent and important area of service and a main branch of our funding is focused on supporting well prepared yoga teachers to provide training in movement, breath and meditation for veterans and active military men and women. Special thanks to the organizers of Virginia Yoga Week for supporting our work.’
Paul Frank, Executive Director of Collingwood Library and Museum states ‘We are grateful for the opportunity to give support back to our military personnel who have given so much, and to increase the educational capability of our children through our participation in Virginia Yoga Week.’
June 19: Free Yoga in the Fresh Air At in Old Town Alexandria
Virginia Yoga Week’s closing event in Old Town Alexandria’s Montgomery Park will build on its mantra to ‘energize and inspire’. Free outdoor yoga classes will be offered in conjunction with a food drive to benefit both humans and four-legged friends.
Beneficiaries include the Carpenter’s Shelter at the Hoffman Center for Homeless Families, King Street Cats, XL Dog Rescue and Dog World, with more delicious complimentary treats from our sponsors, Whole Foods Alexandria and Honey Drop beverages.
Virginia Yoga Week is made possible by the Virginia Yoga Community, Yogis for Positive Change, the Mid Atlantic Association, the City of Alexandria and our sponsors, supporters and friends.
For a complete listing of all events. participants and charities, please visit www.virginiayogaweek.com
For media inquiries, please contact Penelope Bell at Mediaware Communications below.
Penelope Bell
Mediaware Communications
301.768.9160
