Amidst all the election hoopla, it’s easy to be distracted from paying attention to other worthy causes. One just such event is the celebration of Veteran’s Gratitude Week, created by the non-profit group The Veteran’s Yoga Project (VYP). Starting November 4th and continuing until the 11th, VYP chapters all over the U.S. will honor the servicemen and women who have given their lives to all branches of the U.S. military from Army to Navy to Marine Corps to the Reserves by raising money that will help support the recovery and resilience among veterans, families and their communities.
A little history: In August 2014, 14 yoga instructors decided to teach 14 yoga classes on Veterans Day to support the good works of Veterans Yoga Project. Through word of mouth, by the time November arrived, yoga teachers across 25 states taught 96 donation-based yoga classes that raised much needed funds and raised much needed awareness. In 2015, Veterans Gratitude Week grew to 400 classes and events across 39 states, attended by thousands of veterans and civilians. In 2016, VYP set a goal to reach all 50 states. These events allow civilians and veterans and yoga communities everywhere to dedicate one practice to tangibly expressing gratitude to the men and women and families who serve and protect in the Armed Forces. They also provide them with resources for physical and mental health and well being through the practice of yoga.
We are fortunate in Marin County to have one of our own community members — and veteran — Christian Allaire, organizing a VPY fundraising event at local yoga studio, New Om World (NOW). The founder and president of the VYP Daniel J. Libby will give a brief speech before class, and a raffle and silent auction will follow the donation-based class.
If You Go:
When: Sunday, November 13th at 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: New Om World
67 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Cost: Donations-based
christianallaireyoga.com/evets/
