A portion of the proceeds benefit Friends of the Rowley Library. Cost:
Members of the Friends, $8 per class; non-members, $10. Bring a mat if you
have one. Call 978-948-2850 for information.

Hard core yogis find this day – which has been held every year since ‘99 – a good way to meet new teachers and experience the vibes of a different studio. Newbies are warmly welcomed, however; you don’t have to know Ashtanga from Bikram to take a look at the lengthy schedule and pick a session that makes you want to put on your stretchy pants.

Past years have been pretty crowded, so if you’re excited about a certain class it’s recommended that you arrive early to find a spot. Other than that, just bring bare feet, a mat or towel and the desire to turn your gaze inward; it’s easy to feel intimidated by Austin’s robust population of regular yoga practitioners, but seriously, those ageless wonders aren’t critiquing your novice downward dog.

Finishing off a weekend of debauchery with a full-body cleanse is a wise decision, indeed. It may be difficult to tear yourself away from the pool on Monday, but nothing counterbalances the bittersweet/lazy feeling of late summer better than a post-yoga high. And remember, there’s no moolah involved. Who doesn’t like finding their Zen for free?

The free event coincides with Merrill Area United Way’s 2009 campaign kickoff. Participants are asked to contribute a non-perishable food item or cash to benefit The Community Food Pantry. People who donate $10 or more will receive a Live United T-shirt.

Rain site: Centre for Creative Wellness, 406 West Main St., Merrill.

Kripalu Yoga Dance combines the compassionate inner awareness of yoga with the fun and creativity of dance. No experience needed. The movements can be adapted to your own fitness level and comfort.

The class is $45 for all six sessions or $9 a session.

For both novices and seasoned yogis, the four-day Bootcamp for the Soul will
grace the Govinda Valley spiritual sanctuary, next to the Royal National
Park, from Octover 3-6.

Run by Power Living in Sydney, the yoga retreat will be led by Australian
yoga guru and Power Living founder Duncan Peak, an ex first grade footballer
and elite paratrooper who pioneered the athletic-style Power Yoga in
Australia in 2005.

It will feature the Australian debut of Acro Yoga – a combination of yoga
and acrobatics – as well as nutritional ayurvedic cuisine, an Indian-style
of cooking which includes meditation and blessings from the chefs to ensure
the food nourishes the mind, body and spirit.

For details check out www.powerliving.com.au

For decades, the 18 million plus Americans practicing yoga have reaped the
rewards of a healthy and vibrant life. Due to the health care epidemic
engulfing the nation, the yoga community is aligning proven holistic
techniques with traditional medical practices as it marches toward Yoga
Month 09.2008, a national awareness campaign to inspire a healthy and
informed lifestyle. Yoga has both preventive and therapeutic benefits for
the body and the mind. Some of the benefits include: improved flexibility
and muscle joint mobility; strengthening, toning, and building muscles;
increased stamina; improved digestion and elimination; decreased cholesterol
and blood sugar levels; refreshing the body by relieving muscle strain;
relaxing the mind and body; centering attention; and sharpened
concentration.

CORE Pilates & Yoga is extending an invitation to the community in
September as a partner studio of National Yoga Month, featuring unique
workshops such as their exclusive Hello Toes!TM Children’s program (for
children from ages 6 weeks to 5 years), and beginner yoga. Yoga I and Yoga
II classes will be offered at a discounted rate throughout the entire month
of September. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Youth Health
Alliance, which provides free health education and enrichment activities to
underserved youth after school.

About CORE Pilates & Yoga
Conveniently located off the I-79 Wexford exit, CORE Pilates & Yoga’s
state-of-the-art 2,000 square foot studio offers a contemporary and
result-driven approach to personal fitness. Utilizing the core traditional
concepts of Pilates on the Reformer and yoga, sessions are done in a small
group or private setting and are customized to achieve the individual’s
personal needs, wants and goals. For additional information, please contact
Lara Garda at the studio 724-933-0500 or visit the website.
www.corepilatesandyoga.com.

Bring the gift of yoga to all children everywhere. Color Me YogaR embraces
the Beauty, Joy, and Embodied Aliveness inherent in children. We offer
trainings and professional level certification at the 200-hour level in the
sacred arts of Yoga and Dance for Children. At Color Me YogaR, we believe in
nurturing children’s body-soul wisdom through all aspects of Yoga.

From January 2009, avail of the yoga class for one weekend per month for one
year, or three weeks of yoga at Peace Groove and Happiness Children’s Yoga
Studio, Georgetown, MA. Ten percent of all proceeds will go to Doctors
without Borders. Visit www.colormeyoga.com for more information.

Sponsored by ECU’s Center of Continuing Education and Community Services,
three introductory classes will be offered at three ability levels. No
experience is necessary. The classes will be held in the atrium on the first
floor of the University Center.

The classes include Gentle Yoga with Rebecca Gatz from 9 to 9:50 a.m.;
Beginning Yoga with Adrianna Lancaster from 10 to 10:50 a.m.; and
Intermediate Yoga with Linda Schaefer from 11 to 11:50 a.m.

Ada’s Yoga Month 09.2008 kicks off the fall schedule for the ECU life-long
learning classes for children, adults and professional development.

Four yoga classes will be offered for two six-week sessions. The
Monday schedule features Gentle Yoga from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Hatha
Beginner Yoga/Yoga for Golfers from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Classes begin on Sept.
8 and will be taught by Rebecca Gatz.

The Wednesday schedule offers Hatha Yoga from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. and Gentle
Yoga from 7 to 8 p.m. Adrianna Lancaster teaches the Wednesday classes,
starting Sept. 10.

Yoga Month 09.2008 is a grassroots, community-based global campaign to
educate people about the health benefits of yoga and to inspire a healthy
lifestyle. Yoga Journal magazine estimates that 20 million adults in the
United States practice yoga and another 25 million say they intend to try
yoga.

Yoga is a 5,000-year-old exercise for mind, body and spirit. Regular
practice can improve flexibility, balance and breath, and decrease tightness
and tension.

The fall session will run Sept. 6 to Nov. 25. Classes are for adults 18
years old and older. They will be held at the Parks and Recreation office,
210 S. Ankeny Blvd.

Cost is $80 for residents, $85 for non residents. Yoga mats are required and
can be purchased for $15.

The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 29. Information is available online
at www.ci.ankeny.ia.us.