Devotional Yoga
What: Dedicate your practice to someone who inspires you and recognize their spirit during a luminary ceremony and meditation
When: Aug. 2, registration begins at 7:15, practice begins at 8 p.m.
Where: Garden Station, 509 E. 4th St., Dayton
Nonprofit partners: Suicide Prevention Center, National Parkinson Foundation – Ohio, American Heart Association Dayton
Cost: $20 per person includes one devotional luminary; additional luminaries $3
Info: Visit Devotional Yoga Dayton on Facebook
Registration: http://tomfooleryoutdoors.bigcartel.com/ — registration is required in advance to ensure luminary orders
Good for the mind, body and spirit, yoga can also benefit the community.
Tomfoolery Outdoors and Alex Keller Yoga have joined forces to create Devotional Yoga, a community event in which participants can devote their yoga practice to those who have inspired them while helping local nonprofit organizations with their mission. The event will be held on Aug. 2 at Garden Station.
“It falls in line with my mission of wanting people to live active, have more fun with life and — especially in this case — inspire others,” said Tom Helbig, of Tomfoolery Outdoors. “I want to continue to do a bunch of fun, quirky events, but I also want to have a profound effect on others in some way.”
Helbig found inspiration for Devotional Yoga after participating in a Relay for Life event.
“It always struck me when I did the luminary walk how impactful it was,” Helbig said. “I approached Alex because I wanted to create that type of environment with yoga. I wanted people to be able to dedicate their practice to someone who was meaningful to them.”
Practice with a purpose
“This class is about devotion — whether it’s devotion to yourself, someone you lost or someone who inspires you,” Keller said. “The idea is that as you cultivate this sense of love, gratitude and devotion for others, you are also filling yourself with love.”
It’s a bit of a departure for Helbig — as there won’t be a Big Wheel or slip-n-slide in sight — but also a perfect fit for the community-minded entrepreneur.
“I’ve realized, for myself, that balance is important,” he said. “The quirky, goofy stuff is a good release, it keeps me happy, but I’ve always had this side of me that is focused on making the community better.
“This will be the most emotionally powerful event I’ve produced.”
The emotion-driven practice will conclude with a 10-minute luminary ceremony and meditation.
“Each luminary will become a physical symbol of devotion to a loved one you want to honor, remember or support,” Helbig said.
The benefits of the event, however, will continue long after the lights are extinguished as proceeds will be donated to the Suicide Prevention Center, National Parkinson Foundation — Ohio and the American Heart Association Dayton. Benefitting the mind, the body and the heart.
Practice for all
Not an experienced yogi? Not a problem.
“The way the class is designed, whether you’re an experienced practitioner or it’s your first class, you will enjoy it,” Keller said. “Each pose can be modified so it’s an all-level class.”
The size of Garden Station – an art park and community garden in downtown Dayton – will enable hundreds of participants to be a part of this unique community event.
“I’m really excited about Garden Station, I’ve never had the opportunity to teach there,” Keller said.
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