NOVEMBER 14, 2009
YOGA CENTER OF COLUMBIA

YOGA SALUTES NON VIOLENCE
A CHARITY EVENT TO BENEFIT LOCAL SHELTERS FOR NON VIOLENCE. JOIN US AND HELP STOP SUFFERING IN YOUR HOME TOWN. YOGA SALUTES NONVIOLENCE NOW HAS IT'S OWN WEB PAGE. VISIT THE PAGE AT WWW.YOGASALUTESNONVIOLENCE.ORG

Cheryl Catranbone offered the first YOGA SALUTES NON VIOLENCE in 2002 while living in Mississippi. Born as a way for Cheryl to connect the Yoga Community with the local community and at the same time teach her students a practical way to integrate the teaching of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Karma Yoga (Selfless Service).

The idea began in her mind and heart as her way to personally connect more deeply with the community and offer more than a mere donation to a charity that needed support. Having visited India, Cheryl knew of the tradition of performing 108 Sun Salutations. A practice she longed to try for herself, she saw the possibilities of marrying all of these ideas and at the same time benefit victims of abuse in her hometown. While the first event was a small one, the event grew each year thanks to the whole hearted efforts of the local yoga community. The tradition had been born and Cheryl brought it with her when she moved to Maryland.

In 2006 Cheryl approached Kathy Donnelly of the Yoga Center of Columbia to see if she might be willing to be a part of the event. Kathy in her ever generous and loving spirit answered with a resounding YES and Yoga Salutes Non Violence was held for the first time in Maryland in November of 2006. With over 30 participants taking part and with donations by local businesses and the generosity of the yoga community the event raised over $13,000 for the local Domestic Violence Centers. Our 2007 event grew to over 40 participants and raised over $18,000!

How does it work? Students and practitioners gather together and participate in doing 108 Sun Salutations (or as many as they can.) The participants, teachers and students alike, are sponsored by family, friends and students, local businesses offer gift baskets or gift certificates for raffle, shirts with the event logo are for sale and there is even a practice CD for purchase to practice the Sun Salutations by. The Sun Salutations are taught free of charge and practice times are offered for participants to build up their stamina and enthusiasm. ALL the money collected goes to the Local Shelters for Non- Violence. None of the funds go towards administrative costs but are directly spent on serving those in need.

A tradition we can all be proud of and take part in has been born. Our next annual event will take place at the Yoga Center of Columbia on November 14, 2009. Please join us. If you are not in this area, contact Cheryl and she can help you arrange to be a part of the event while staying in your area.

Dreams have no limits…be a part of ours and help make 2009’s the best Yoga Salutes Non Violence EVER!!!

Thank You for your Support - Cheryl