Workshop To Celebrate Yoga Day

 To share the health and wellness benefits of yoga, Sat Nam of Bethel, YogaSpace of Brookfield, and Yoga Dimensions of Newtown will be hosting a donation-based workshop on Saturday, January 24, 2 to 5 pm, at the Bethel Municipal Center as part of Yoga Day USA. To register for the event, contact any of the studios.

Joining a nationwide celebration of yoga, the three studios are coming together to support their Connecticut communities with a unique array of offerings that they hope will inspire participants to get into yoga or deepen their existing yoga practice. The unique flavor of each studio will be represented so participants gain full exposure to the various styles of yoga practice.

In the spirit of karma yoga — “service to others” — this workshop is a fundraiser for Bal Ashram in India. The “Children’s Ashram” is a place where children without parents find a loving home and quality education. Fore more information, visit Sonomaashram.org/bal_ashram.php.

“Yoga Day USA is an annual event where the yoga community comes together to share the health and wellness benefits of yoga and the transformative effects it can have on one’s life,” says Yoga Alliance President and CEO R. Mark Davis. “The practice is literally for ‘every body’ — it meets you where you are no matter what your capacity or state of health,” he added.

Yoga Day USA was created by Yoga Alliance, the international gold standard for professional yoga teachers and schools and the leader in setting standards that protect the health and welfare of society.

According to a 2008 study in Yoga Journal, 15.8 million Americans practice yoga and 14 million say that a doctor or therapist 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 Yoga Week, which explored the science and practice of yoga.

The many benefits of yoga include: stress management, improved heart health, reduction of cholesterol, and better 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.

To find a Yoga Day USA event, go to www.yogadayusa.org or www.yogadayusa.org.