Yoga means “union”, and when yogis unite, the strength of the community multiplies. This month, Transformation Yoga Project (TYP) presents an opportunity to join forces with partner studios in support of its annual fundraising campaign, “Yogi Transformers”, to transform 10,000 local lives affected by trauma, addiction and incarceration.

TYP is a nonprofit organization that teaches trauma-sensitive and mindfulness-based yoga via partnerships with local addiction treatment centers, prisons, Veterans Health Administration hospitals and yoga studios.

During the month of November, Transformation Yoga Project and its partner studios will seek donations to fund its programs for 2017, with the goal of raising $50,000. Donors can give as little as $5 to impact one life or as much as $5,000, which pays for one year of classes, to impact 1,000 lives.

“The larger goal of TYP is to make yoga accessible to people affected by trauma,” says Blakey Elkart Kornfeld, an instructor at TYP specializing in trauma-sensitive yoga. Kornfeld leads two donation-based, trauma-sensitive classes at partner studio Twisters Wellness Centers and is hosting a Gratitude class on Thanksgiving day. Proceeds go to TYP and other nonprofit programs that support addiction recovery.

Yogi Transformers can boost TYP’s transformational powers this month in the only major fundraiser it holds each year. TYP will also participate in #Giving Tuesday, on November 29, as part of a global day of online giving. Donations collected go directly back into the communities of Montgomery and Bucks counties through increased programming and the expansion of existing programs.

Ways in which yogi superheros can flex their muscles in support of TYP during the campaign are many. By forwarding campaign emails to clients, sharing and retweeting posts made from TYP’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, especially around #GivingTuesday, or connecting with a local partner studio or instructor, anyone can be a part of this heroic effort.

“We always need mats,” adds Kornfeld. “We let people take them so they can continue their practice at home, which is great, but then we need another mat!”

Natural Awakenings readers are encouraged to use their powers for good during this month of giving thanks and save a life, or 10,000, in need of transformational healing.

Send checks to: P.O. Box 762, Kennett Square, PA 19348, or click “DONATE” at Facebook.com/TransformationYogaProject or TransformationYogaProject.org. For more information and to discuss other ways to contribute, call 267-362-9216 or email [email protected].

Julie Vitto is a Pennsylvania-based writer and editorial associate to Natural Awakenings BuxMont. Connect at [email protected].

November 2016