Yoga center to hold event against domestic violence

“We could come together as a community to integrate yoga in our regular community,” said Catranbone, a teacher at the Yoga Center of Columbia.

“Charity begins at home, and all of us have someone we are connected to that is suffering in some way from violence in the home.”

For about 90 minutes next month, yoga practitioners from around the area will join together to perform a series of poses, known as sun salutations, for the second annual Yoga for Nonviolence fundraiser.

Money raised by participants will go to the domestic violence centers in their areas. Last year, the event raised $13,000, mostly for the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County.

Although the Yoga Center of Columbia is the only studio taking part this year, Catranbone said she hopes to see the event grow statewide and perhaps throughout the nation.

Linda Stevens went into last year?s event with “some trepidation,” she said. The 63-year-old had been practicing yoga for a few years, but 108 sun salutations sounded like a lot. She didn?t expect to complete the exercise.

“Once I was in the room, there was such a fantastic amount of energy there, you just couldn?t stop,” said Stevens, who works part time at the studio.

The event helps raise awareness about domestic violence, which usually leads to someone suffering from abuse getting help, said Jodi Finkelstein, executive director of the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County.

The money also helps support the center?s seven programs.

“We were so thrilled [at] the success of the event,” Finkelstein said. “It was very empowering to sit there and watch it.”

IF YOU GO

» What: Training sessions to prepare for the Yoga Salutes Nonviolence event on Nov. 10

» When: 6 p.m. Fridays

» Where: Yoga Center of Columbia, 8950 Route 108, Suite 109, Columbia

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