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Final Thought
San Diego Seniors Join National Yoga USA Day Celebration
Literally meaning “union” in Sanskrit, yoga has been known to help with stress management, improvement in heart health, reduction of cholesterol, and improved circulation. Practicing yoga can help with illnesses ranging from asthma to cancer. Yoga is also known for slowing the signs of aging, decreasing wrinkles, firming skin and reducing oxidative stress.
Now that yoga has hit the mainstream, most people either have, or know someone who has experienced the benefits of this healing practice. Nonetheless, there are still many people who are yet to experience yoga. There’s where our everyday heroes come in.
Saturday, January 23 is Yoga USA Day. Celebrated all throughout the nation, Yoga Day USA was created by Yoga Alliance, the national education and support organization for yoga in the United States. In San Diego, CA, Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach (SAYCO) will open all their classes to the general public throughout the week of January 18-23. The purpose is to raise awareness for the non-profit which has provided over 7000 free yoga classes to underserved seniors in the county since 2004. Donations will be gratefully accepted at each class during this week. Every dollar raised will go to Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach to sustain and grow this health-enhancing yoga program and keep the classes free for the seniors.
The fundraiser known as SAYCO Yoga Challenge proved to be a winner in October 2009 when approximately 100 members of Pacific Athletic Club in Del Mar, CA raised over $8000 for this worthy non-profit. A good percentage of the participants had never practiced yoga prior to this event and now many of these people continue taking yoga classes regularly. Based on this success, the goal for the Yoga USA Challenge 2010 is to have 20 participants at each of the 25 senior centers, where SAYCO is teaching yoga, combine to raise $20,000 or more.
It’s a lofty goal indeed, but one that is readily attainable. Here’s how: Participants select the class they want to attend by visiting silverageyoga.org and clicking on the classes button. They can then ask for sponsors to help raise whatever funds they can for Silver Age Yoga and bring those monies to the class they attend. Silver Age Yoga DVDs and T-shirts will also be available for sale or they can be purchased online.
According to a 2008 Yoga Journal study, 15.8 million Americans practice yoga and 14 million say that a doctor or therapist has recommended yoga to improve their health. Yoga as medical therapy is garnering more attention in the medical community as demonstrated by National Institute of Health’s (NIH) first ever Yoga Week which explored the science and practice of yoga.
Now is your chance to be an everyday hero and help bring yoga to a senior in need.
For more information on the Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach, visit silverageyoga.org, call 877.313.3110, or e-mail info@silverageyoga.org. Those who cannot attend any of the SAYCO classes during Yoga USA Challenge week can still support Silver Age Yoga by writing a check made payable to SAYCO and sending it to 7968 Arjons Drive, Suite 213, San Diego, CA 92126.