Thank you to all the generous donors who helped support the Yoga Reaches Out New England Yogathon on May 1. With your support, we have raised nearly $315,000 for Boston Children's Hospital. Donations are being accepted until the end of the month. Please donate here.
To learn about the events of this very special day, scroll down to "So What Goes on at a Yogathon?"
With love,
Joanna
A Sneak-Peak at My New Website
Joanna Barrett Yoga's website has a fresh look with a new design, additional information and never-before-seen photos!
On May 13-15, I will be assisting a prenatal yoga teacher training. I received my prenatal yoga teacher certification in May 2013 from Om Births, and I am grateful to help other teachers develop the skills to teach safe and effective yoga to expectant mothers.
I have also begun teaching an all-levels vinyasa class on Wednesdays at Real Life Yoga in Quincy.
I will be subbing an all-levels vinyasa class on Friday, May 20 at 6:15pm at Healing Tree Yoga.
~ Looking Ahead ~
Relax, Renew, and Restore Workshop Sunday, June 12, 2016: 1:15 - 4:15 pm Healing Tree Yoga (605 Hancock Street, Quincy)
$40 in advance/$45 day of workshop Click here to register.
Join Joanna for a 3-hour Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Guided Meditation practice to relax, renew, and restore the body, mind, and spirit. We work very hard in our lives, and while we may sleep, we rarely take time to rest.
Restorative Yoga helps us learn to rest deeply and completely while relieving the effects of chronic stress. This part of the practice will be supported by props and soft music.
Yoga Nidra is a guided body scan that has the power to transform, heal and rejuvenate you at your core levels through deep yogic sleep. Through the use of body sensing, breath awareness, and guided imagery, you are led on a journey through your whole being.
Guided Meditation will help you enter into a state of inner stillness. It’s one of the most powerful ways to eliminate stress and bring about positive personal changes in your life.
With Yoga Reaches Out Founder, Sarah Gardner
Jacqui Bonwell's Team
Post-Yogathon photo
"So What Goes on at a Yogathon?"
The Yoga Reaches Out New England Yogathon isn't about who can contort themselves into a fancy pose. It's not about how long you can hold utkatasana (chair pose). And it's not about the fashions you wear either (though there were some stylish team shirts!).
Service through Fundraising
This annual event is a time to come together with the yoga community for selfless service (seva) to help children in need. This year's beneficiary was the Boston Children’s Hospital. The Hale Family Center for Families, which is a dream-come-true facility within the hospital for parents and caregivers who need support as their children experience life-saving treatments, will soon have a Yoga Reaches Out wellness facility. Using a family-centered approach, the wellness center already provides a variety of programs and groups designed to keep family members well during their time at the hospital: yoga, meditation, massage, reiki, zumba, and many more services to come.
For all the families through Boston Children's Hospital that will be impacted from the money we raise, well....that's why I do it.
Service through Volunteering Time
On April 30, I was among a dozen volunteers who put in several hours unpacking new yoga mats from boxes and rolling them into their carry bags. We also stuffed gift bags, filled with donations from various yoga and wellness companies. I helped set up registration tables and with miscellaneous projects as well.
Service through Volunteering Skills
For two hours on May 1, I provided gentle, encouraging hands-on assists to the yogis along the 10 and 20 yard lines during the morning yoga session. I enjoyed supporting the South Boston Yoga team (led by David Vendetti) and Jacqui Bonwell's team (Universal Power Yoga)
Play-by-Play: May 1, 2016
My day began by excitedly bouncing out of bed at 6:00am and leaving the house by 7:10am to make the drive to Gillette Stadium. Once there, I welcomed yogis, vendors, and volunteers as they arrived.
Our team gathered for a blessing and group photo with our incredible team leader, Jacqui Bonwell. After the welcome presentations, nearly 1,000 yogis participated in a two-hour yoga class, led by incredible New England yoga teachers.
After lunch and a journey dance session, Sara Divello, author, yogi, and keynote presenter inspired the yogis to continue to follow their passion into the afternoon session. It was then that Kathryn Budig led us through another two-hour yoga class. Kathryn’s style of yoga is strong, empowering, and feminine. She was lovely to listen to and inspiring to watch.
After the closing thank you's, I said my goodbyes to many yoga friends (new and old) who I may not see on a regular basis. I got home, exhausted, and smiled as I closed my eyes and recalled the memories I will hold close in my heart from this special day.
I am truly honored and blessed to be walking this path. And I am so grateful to all those who have encouraged me to spend my life making a difference in the lives of others. I bow to you.
To date, The 2016 YRO New England Yogathon has raised nearly $315,000. It's still not too late to donate to help reach our goal of $350,000! Click here to make a tax-deductible donation online. Namaste.
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