Get 'Fit for Heart' with Bodhi Tree Yoga Aug. 7
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Ashley Kulp
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Ashley Kulp, Kemptville EMC
Above, Bodhi Tree Yoga Centre teachers Emily Wilkins, left, and Katie Heggie demonstrate a pose they will be teaching participants during their Aug. 7 'Fit for Heart' fundraiser at the centre on 39 Prescott St. The event, which will serve as a fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation, will include 108 sun salutations.
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EMC Events - The heart is the most important organ in the human body and it's important to care for it.
Ashley Kulp, Kemptville EMC
Below left, Heggie and Wilkins practice another pose in the centre's yoga room.
Bodhi Tree Yoga Centre wants people to embrace a heart-healthy lifestyle by participating in their upcoming 'Fit for Heart' yoga fundraiser to benefit the Heart & Stroke Foundation Aug. 7 at its location at 39 Prescott St.
The yoga centre is just one of many businesses who have jumped on board to host an event for the foundation. The 'Fit for Heart' initiative encourages anyone to set up a fundraiser focusing on the importance of physical activity. The campaign raised more than $1 million for heart and stroke research last year.
"We were actually approached by the Heart & Stroke Foundation to do it and it (fundraiser) fits with our values, to promote healthy and active lifestyles," remarked Katie Heggie, who along with Emily Wilkins, is one of the teachers who will lead the fundraiser.
"It's also great to raise awareness that yoga does actually move your body and can really work your cardiovascular system," added Wilkins.
For the Bodhi Tree's event which runs from 1 to 3 p.m., Heggie and Wilkins will guide participants through the 108 sun salutations, which is a sequence of many movements, including forward and back bends, focused on stretching and lengthening the body.
"With the 108 sun salutations we will include a centering, meditation and a cooling breath to cool the body down," noted Heggie.
Heggie and Wilkins are looking forward to the event and encourage anyone, whether they are regular Bodhi Tree visitors or those who have never tried it, to come out and experience it firsthand.
"Everybody can join. You don't have to have a background in yoga to do this," Wilkins stressed. "We will explain everything from scratch so everyone will feel comfortable."
"In this situation, you are going to find that you are limbering the body because it's all about moving with your breath," she continued. "That's the vital aspect of yoga, what it all comes down to."
The fundraiser will start off with a gentle warm-up and each pose will be explained. The benefit of having two teachers on hand is that one will be circulating the room to ensure all participants are doing the poses correctly.
"It's exciting for us as teachers as well because we can fuse our ideas together and work as a team," Wilkins said.
Though individuals of any fitness level are welcome to participate, Heggie and Wilkins said they should expect a full workout.
"Expect to be challenged. There are 108 sun salutations so they are going to be physically challenging for you," Wilkins explained. "...But will feel very rewarding once it's complete."
There is no registration fee for the fundraiser and those interested simply have to visit the Bodhi Tree to sign up, where they will be given a pledge package to collect donations for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. The centre can accommodate 20 participants in their yoga room and welcome additional registrants.
"We have set a goal of $2,500 for ourselves and we are looking for more participants before the registration deadline on Wednesday, Aug. 4," Heggie stated.
Participants aren't required to bring any materials (except maybe a water bottle), mats, blocks and straps will all be provided.
For more information or to register for the Bodhi Tree Yoga Centre's 'Fit for Heart' fundraiser, please call the centre at 613-258-5775 or email katie@bodhitreeyogacentre.ca. Further information can be found on their Facebook page by searching 'Fit for Heart.'
"It's going to be really fun and it's definitely something we'll do again if it's successful," concluded Heggie.
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