Yoga for Hope 2013

By: Shannon Purves

Imagine six hundred people practicing a heartfelt, uplifting yoga flow on the outfield of Petco Park in the San Diego sunshine.

This event is Yoga for Hope, which raises awareness and vital funds for cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS.

There was beautiful energy surrounding the entire event as we took to the perfectly grassy field to practice a special hour and a half yoga flow.

Several amazing teachers lead us through this transformative practice including Bonnie Saldivar-Jones, Claire Petretti Marti, Michael Fukumura and Stacy McCarthy. Each teacher was able to bring their own essence and personality to their portion of the class while collectively interlacing the ideas of unity and togetherness.

The final twenty minutes were lead by the lovely Seane Corne. With cancer being close to her family, she found great importance in being apart of this event. She spoke freely about her struggles while losing her father to cancer and her advice that it doesn't get easier, it just gets different is still ringing in my mind. She opened our hearts and helped us find support in ourselves and our vast yoga community.

It was a pleasure to represent Prana Yoga Center along side teachers Abby Vernon and Shauna MacKay. We stayed after the event and made connections with many of the practicing yogis. It was one of those events that reassure you that you are on the right path with the right people.

"Over the past two years Yogis from all over San Diego have been touched by an event that has humbled our community and opened our hearts to HOPE. Because of your generosity, Yoga for Hope has raised more than $100,000 and united over 1000 yogis and dozens of studio partners to raise vital funds to aid City of Hope doctors and researchers to continue their life-saving work. From its inception, Yoga for Hope has not only been wildly successful, but has also become a popular and sought after event throughout the greater San Diego community."

Please join us next year as we plan to continue making a difference in our community and giving back!