Check out a few of the Yoga Day USA programs that were offered in 2007.
California

Colorado

Florida

Illinois

Minnesota

North Carolina
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Mendocino Yoga Day, CA
January 27 was our second yoga day event in Mendocino on the California coast. We had six teachers throughout the day teaching a variety of styles - Kundalini, Vinyasa and flow yoga, yoga and strength training, gentle yoga, yoga from the inside out, and Iyengar style yoga.

The classes were held at our local recreation center, a beautiful 100 year old schoolhouse. Over 80 people attended classes throughout the day - some people came to 3-4 classes while others came to only one.

We kept the cost of the classes low ($5) and all the proceeds benefited a local agency, Community Care, that provides services to the elderly and disabled members of the community.

We had a raffle with lots of donated prizes - hand woven scarves, bags, herbal salves, and gift certificates to local restaurants and stores.

The event generated community generosity and good spirits. We were able to raise over $1000. Thanks to Yoga Alliance for all the encouragement. I hope we can make this an annual event.

- Helen Jacobs, RYT 200, Albion, CA
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Yoga Day USA Big Bear, CA
I had a ball planning and doing Yoga Day this year (my first and the first in our area).  The publicity packet was invaluable to me. I didn't know what kind of folks I would attract so I decided to make it simple and things all could do. 

So I gave a short talk about yoga, then we did about an hour of chair yoga.  One of the participants suggested we go round and say what brought us to the day.  Some of my students participated and gave great testimonials. 

Folks lingered afterward during refreshments (tea, triscuits and healthy dips).   Fifteen participants in the morning and five in the afternoon.  And we all had fun too! We sent the proceeds of our day ($120) to Yoga and Art Project, a combo yoga and art program for at risk teen girls in northern California.

No pictures, but I have lots of memories.  Would like to do it again, maybe next year. Love and Peace,

- Claudia Eads, RYT-200, California

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Soul At Home, CA
At Soul at Home, in Tustin, California, Yoga Day USA began with a boom as 20 people of all ages joined in a drumming circle.  The energy from the drumming merged into the energy created by all the half hour classes that ran throughout the day.  Yoga, feng shui, tai chi, chakras, pilates and meditation classes were just some of the offerings.  Also available were analysis of posture and range of motion by our holistic chiropractor, Bryan Ales and biofeedback analysis by Grace Rudd The classes and the raffle of 3 beautiful spa baskets helped us raise $1,181 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).  The Chocettes (middle school grade young women) and the Foothill Hilltoppers (high school grade young women and men), fundraising guilds of the Hospital, assisted us by selling raffle tickets and taking tickets for the classes.



- Pam Pence, RYT 200, Tustin, CA

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Dancing Hearts Studio, CO
YogaDay USA 2007 at Dancing Hearts Studio in Colorado Springs was a success. We offered 5 classes had lots of fun, made new friends and raised $115.00 for Dream Power Animal Rescue.















- Pat Gulya, RYT 200, Colorado Springs, CO

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Big Toe Studio, CO
At the Big Toe Studio in Fort Collins, Colorado, Yoga Day USA brought in many people who had never tried yoga.  We offered 6 workshops including Breathing 101, Crystal Bowl Therapy and Partner Yoga.

We raised not only awareness, but over $600 for Respite Care, a local organization caring for children with developmental challenges and their families.  Thank you for providing an exciting opportunity to bring the nation together in the spirit of yoga. 

- Ena Burrud, E-RYT 200, Fort Collins, CO
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The Doolin Healing Sanctuary of Deltona, FL
We had our Fundraiser for the Domestic Abuse Council in Deland.  It was held at the Harris M. Saxon Community Center in Deltona.  My husband Chris is Co-founder of The Doolin Healing Sanctuary.  He is the only man in attendance there in the photo.





- Rev Daya Devi-Doolin, Daytona, FL
Photographer - Bob Dominguez
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West Palm Beach, FL
Our event was GREAT!  We had 5 workshops by local studios with an average of 24 people per workshop.  The weather was beautiful (it was outdoors). Ages ranged from 7 – 74. The City of West Palm Beach and Living Fit Today co-sponsored the event. And we are deep into preparation for 2008!





- Therese Abair,  RYT CPT, West Palm Beach, FL
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Namaste Yoga Studio, FL
Our Yoga Day events for 2007 were especially meaningful because we partnered with The Spring of Tampa Bay, the largest shelter in the state of Florida for victims of domestic abuse. More than 150 people attended free classes throughout the day, as well as a free crystal bowl performance by Ron Hayes -- and donated $700 to support The Spring.

- Laura L. Gushin, Event Coordinator, Namaste Yoga Studio, Tampa, FL
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Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Center, IL

For the second year in a row the Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Center in Palatine, IL celebrated Yoga Day USA. The center offered two free classes and free massages. There were raffle drawings for massage, one free class, one set of six classes, a yoga mat and a book from our bookstore. Guests enjoyed nutritional treats and had an opportunity to tour the center. Members of HYMC were available to answer questions.

Turnout was terrific!  Participants for the most part were local and were glad to know that our center is close to home. HYMC looks  forward to participating again next year!



- Kathy Czach E-RYT 500, Palatine, IL
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Monticello Community Center, MN

This was my first attempt at bringing YogaDay USA to my rather small rural community in Minnesota...and what a success it was! 

I did not know what to expect. But due to the  large sizes of my currently running yoga classes, I was open to anything happening.  I teach through Monticello Community Center and Monticello Community Education. The YogaDay Class was held at the Community Center because it is a beautiful space.

I made up hand outs that came directly from the YogaDay USA website. They were pertinent and easy to undestand for the general public. I added my own copies of sun salutations, an appropriate poem, information about classes available, and a personal post card. I attached all these together and made 15 packets. 

Well, I was far short of what I truly needed!  I lost count at 25 students. Since I was running a two part class, people were coming and going. So my best overall count would have to be at least 30.  I was shocked; as were some of my regular yoga students who joined in on the fun.

I started class with Healing Cards for everyone to place on their yoga mats to set the intention for the day. Sounds True music was playing gently in the background as I dimmed the lights.  We went on to yoga postures from there.

From that one group, 7 signed up for yoga classes in subsequent sessions. This was all without media exposure of any kind.  The only advertising done was by the community center itself through their newletter and flyers.  I cannot imagine the respone if the media got involved.  

 At this point, I do not know the repercusions of who will sign up in the future but what I do know is that I will definitely promote YogaDay USA 2008!  Thanks for doing a fabulous job of giving some of us more obscure yoga teachers materials and support for our business.  To me, it is greatly appreciated and needed.   Namaste/Shanti/OM

- Diane M Seeley, RYT 200, Monticello, MN
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Wilmington Yoga Center, NC
Yoga Day was fantastic! Between our 2 locations, Wilmington & Southport Yoga Centers,  we raised almost $1000 for St. Jude's Childrens Hospital! And the best news is that Yoga Day brought in so many people, it spawned the idea that one weekend of every month for 2007 we're having "community outreach" classes - FREE classes in the community where we take donations for a different charity each month!

Thanks so much for the idea and the organizational tools - we CAN make a difference!  



- Kristin Cooper, RYS 200, Director Wilmington Yoga Center, NC