Thank you everybody!

With your help, Yoga Outreach Columbus spring 2011 gathering REACHED its goals. We raised $4,353 in cash and food donations to provide sustenance, shelter, and hope to people in need through charities. Off the Mat, Into the World, OTM, asks, “Why stretch when you can reach?” The fruits of our efforts will reach to Haiti where OTM is aiding victims of the devastating earthquake last year. We will contribute to People in Need of Delaware County and the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. In addition we’ve already donated over $500 to Christina Sabatini’s Global Wristband Project, whose profits go straight to Off the Mat, Into the World as well. This $516 was the first to be disbured to Off the Mat.

Yoga Outreach Columbus, YOC, (pronounced YOKE) was imagined by Loretta Zedella last year after being inspired by her beloved teachers. She sincerely thanks those who cultivated this dream of uniting our yoga community.

Thank you to:

Our sponsors:
· pink tank, a division of GSW Worldwide
· Ohio Wesleyan University
· lululemon athletica Easton Town Centre

The yoga community of Columbus, most notably our YOC Spring 2011 teachers:
· Julia McSheffery
· Tom Griffith
· Abby Dorn
· Laurel Hodory
· Chris Kirk
· Loretta Zedella

Demonstrating, greeting, and supporting yoga instructors:
· Kelli Joyce
· Gina Eckel-Davenport
· Victoria McMahon
· Gwen Surratt
· Holly Jones
· Constance Piwtorak
· Rosie O'Leary
· Tyler Reed

Connecting & aiding:
· Chris Pinkerton of lululemon Athletica
· Marcee Nelson of Pink Tank, GSW
· Annie Vian of Vian Promotions
· Bev Campbell
· Shannon Smith
· Anne Comarda
· Mary Zedella
· Maggie Coleman
· Mark Zedella
· Marty Goldstein
· Donna Greenman
· Ellen Hefner-Phillips
· Mary Faeth DDS
· mom'schai

Professional Photographers to keep these memories fresh in our minds:
· Sacha Sanborn of Idle Minds Photography http://idlemindsphotography.com/
· Sam Fahmi of Studio 79 http://www.flickr.com/photos/84492772@N00/ or https://www.facebook.com/studio79?ref=ts#!/album.php?fbid=10150212185412642&id=737967641&aid=357472

Talented musicians:
 · David Buckles

             · Nancy Gamso
    · Mark Zedella

Huge heaps of gratitude to our generous hosts at Ohio Wesleyan University. Mery Kanashiro of OWU’s Community Service Learning provided invaluable help and encouragement from the onset. Also, thanks to the team of students who helped during the great moustache brigade: Margaret Webster, Alex Crump, Maggie Sullivan and Kelly Crunkilton.

Thanks not only to lululemon athletica for proving the bags, but also to each business that offered a coupon in that bag and sold tickets to the event. Thank you to Breathing Space Yoga, Village Yoga, Grow Yoga, Balanced Yoga, Yoga on High, Shiva Shakti Synthesis, Equivita, liilaa yoga, Laurel Hodory, and Yoga Factory. Thanks also to Zumba with Pink, Good Bodies, Teh Ku, Generation Green, and Beehive Books.

We have been hearing so many inspiring stories since the gathering. Did a shift occur for you? Please share your story. We are so happy that you are willing to be the change, yogis!

More fun yoga gatherings are in store. Namasté