On Sunday, April 28th, I participated in my first Yoga Reaches Out yogathon. Wait...yogawhat? That’s right — a yogathon, kind of like the telethons of your childhood, minus the TV part, and with a whole lotta yoga added to the mix. Have I lost you? Let me explain...

In 2010, New England yogi and lululemon ambassador Sarah Gardner set out to bring the yoga community together in the name of seva (selfless service). She founded Yoga Reaches Out, a public charity that raises funds for children’s organizations and culminates in an annual day-long yogathon.

Yogis from all over New England register to participate and spend the months leading up to it doing their part of the fundraising. Then, on the day of the yogathon, everyone gathers together to roll out their mats and celebrate the efforts of so many.

So, what does a yogathon look like? Picture over 1,000 yogis practicing on the field at Gillette Stadiumʼs Field House in Foxboro, MA (you know, where the New England Patriots practice, no big deal). Picture the best of the best of the region’s hottest instructors leading you through a powerful flow. Picture a halftime show with live music, vegan food trucks, and vendors galore. Picture Bryan Kest, founder of Power Yoga, leading everyone in a group dance to Sexual Healing (true story!) before kicking his afternoon yoga class into high gear while dropping just as many f-bombs as words of yogic wisdom. And picture being part of a group that’s collectively raised over a million dollars for charity.

Amazing, right? And that it was. After all that the Boston area’s been through over the past month, an event like this is just what we all needed—a beautiful reminder of all that’s right with the world.

The power of people getting together and collaborating on something so positive has enormous affects in a community. What good vibrations are you planing on sending out this summer?

Life is about taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. I have gotten to a point in
my life (it took me 40 years) to realize that it is not about me. It's about how I can
make a difference. I created Yoga Reaches Out to make a difference by bringing people
together that love yoga, and want to take their passion and use that energy to give
back. For me, what happens on the mat is my inhale. Yoga Reaches Out is my exhale.

I envisioned this event to be a beautiful flow of over 1,000 people who were committed
to bringing their level of yoga to a level of service. I am completely overwhelmed with
the support and enthusiasm of my friends, family and the yoga community.

an extraordinary day of yoga

September 19, 2010 is going to be an extraordinary day. We have created the possibility
of bringing the yoga community together in the name of seva (selfless service). I am all
about being unreasonable. Unreasonable to create a yogathon at Gillette stadium,
unreasonable to want to raise a million dollars to help children in need, unreasonable to
want over 1,000 yogis practicing together. Unreasonable that I am asking the yoga
community to help fill the field. There are many ways to spread the word: yoga studios,
Facebook, friends, family, local community, etc. The unreasonable part involves following
up, making phone calls, empowering others, believing in the cause, knowing that you
really are a crucial member of this team. You make a difference.

join us!

The Yoga Reaches Out Yogathon together with Global Mala Boston is being held from
9-5 PM on Sunday, September 19th at Gillette Stadiumʼs Field House in Foxboro, MA to benefit Childrenʼs Hospital Boston and Yoga for Single Moms. It will be a day to remember, a
day to make a difference. Join over 1,000 yogis to practice with Ana Forrest,
Wade Imre Morissette, New Englandʼs celebrity presenters, and live music by nationally
and locally known artists. For more information and to register, please visit www.yogareachesout.org.