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Om for Kids 2006 Event Details

Table of Contents

What Is a Yogathon?
Can Anyone Attend?
Schedule
Map of Location
What to Bring
What is a Sun Salutation?
Costs
Instructors
About Covenant House
What People Are Saying about Om for Kids
Contact Information

What Is a Yogathon?

It's a big Yoga fest. This year's Om for Kids features you and hundreds of other yoga-loving folks who come together to perform 108 Sun Salutations in unison! It's a glorious event--all to raise awareness and much-needed funds for homeless and at-risk youth served by Covenant House California.

Can Anyone Attend?

Absolutely! If you are in reasonable physical condition, you can be part of Om for Kids. Everyone's welcome to join in Sun Salutations. We'll have numerous instructors on hand to work with participants, whatever their level of familiarity with yoga. Free yoga classes will be available before the big day to help you prepare for the event. At the Yogathon we'll have massage therapists, juices, and food to provide you with relief. So come one, come all! And bring friends and family to support a great cause!

Schedule

Saturday, September 23rd, 2006
10am -- Registration
10:30am-noon -- Sun Salutations
noon-12:30pm -- Kirtan
12:30pm -- Food both opens

Map of Location

Om for Kids will take place at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, located near the intersection of Kezar Dr. at Waller St.

What to Bring

Please arrive 15 minutes before 10AM to check in with registration
We will have Tazo tea and juice, as well as Metromint water, but you should bring your own water, too
You should also bring your own yoga mat and towel, dress comfortably in layers, and dress very warmly
A limited number of extra mats will be available at the event.

What is a Sun Salutation?

Costs

Registration costs $25. With the help of easy-to-use tools we provide via the web, all participants ask for sponsorship from friends and family beforehand--at least $108, that is, $1 per Sun Salutation. All money raised supports the work of Covenant House California.

Instructors

Click on the links below to find more about our teachers at the Yogathon.

Kristie Dahlia Home
Katie Cariffe

Others to be announced

About Covenant House

There are an estimated 1 million homeless youth in our country--thousands of them living in abandoned buildings, inside dumpsters, in parks and alleyways, trying to survive on the streets. Covenant House California reaches out to these kids. Since 1998, CHC has been serving homeless and at-risk youth ages 13-24 in the Bay Area, providing hope and helping them overcome the pain of being alone and abandoned, forgotten by those who should care about them, but can't or won't. We have become a vital lifeline for these youth through a Youth Crisis Shelter and Community Service Center. To learn more, go to www.covdove.org.

What People Are Saying About Om for Kids

Om for Kids Press Release
Om for Kids Calendar Listing
Voices of Our Youth: Bo
Voices of Our Youth: Key
Voices of Our Youth: Maurice
Meet a Participant: Becky
Meet a Participant: Barbara
Studio Spotlight: Greenpath
Studio Spotlight: Integral Yoga Institute
Studio Spotlight: International Orange
Studio Spotlight: Atha Yoga

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yogathon “Twists” Traditional Fundraising

Yogathon to make Bay Area Yogis go OM

August 11, 2006

Oakland, CA--The 3rd annual OM For Kids, a Yogathon to benefit Covenant House California, will take place on Saturday, September 23rd, 2006 at 10 am in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to raise funds for Covenant House California, a nonprofit that helps homeless and at-risk kids in the Bay Area.

The event, led by popular Bay Area yoga instructors including author of the Body Shop book Yoga, Kristie Dahlia Home of Atha Yoga, will ask participants to practice 108 Sun Salutations and raise at least $108, which provides one night of shelter to a homeless youth.

“The Yogathon is something different, something that has helped us raise awareness of homeless kids through something many people love, ” says Sean Sullivan, Development Director for Covenant House California and himself a Yoga Instructor at San Francisco’s Integral Yoga Institute. “We serve homeless kids, and service is at the very heart of Yoga. It seemed like a great fit.”

“108 is a powerful number in Eastern tradition, from which Yoga is derived and represents auspiciousness. The event also takes place immediately after the Fall Equinox, another time of powerful change in the universe,” says Sullivan.

While the organization is trying to raise money, Covenant House California is keeping the event in concert with the earthy feel of yoga and its Bay Area practitioners. “This is a simple event--no walking, no running, no high-production costs. Just you, a mat, and a grassy field at a time of year when the weather rocks,” says Sullivan. The event does, however, enjoy the media sponsorship of Yogi Times, ClearChannel Outdoor, Bubble Media, Oakland Magazine, and others. “Each year the event gets bigger and bigger. This is truly a word-of-mouth phenomenon, and it’s passing around from yoga mat to yoga mat.” A number of Bay Area schools, whether they teach the Sun Salutation series or not, have signed on registering teams of 10 or more and donating passes.

“This is an exciting event and it’s been pretty easy to get people psyched up for it,” says instructor Home. Home has been spending the summer preparing for Om for Kids and has lined up other teachers and massage therapists to volunteer at the event. In addition to massage therapists and chiropractors, participants will be rewarded with free Tazo Tea, MetroMint water, Sports Basement discount certificates, and a musical celebration following the Sun Salutations. Food from New Delhi restaurant will also be available for discounted purchase.

To learn more about Om for Kids or Covenant House California contact Sean Sullivan at (510) 625-7812 or log on to www.omforkids.com.

Covenant House California is part of the nationwide network of Covenant House programs that have over 30 years of experience working with homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth. Covenant House began serving California youth in Los Angeles in 1988. Our success in working with street youth in the L.A. area prompted community leaders and youth themselves to request a similar program in the Oakland area. In November 1998, Covenant House California-Oakland (CHC-O) was launched through an innovative Community Service Center and Street Outreach Program in the Oakland/East Bay area. The Community Service Center (CSC) consists of crisis intervention, case management, and access to a range of employment, educational, recreational, and referral services for homeless and at-risk youth. We provide a continuum of care to meet the complex and multiple needs of our young people. For more information, go to www.covdove.org.

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Calendar Listing

Yogis Unite to Fight Youth Homelessness

Title of the Event: OM for Kids Yogathon

Date and Time: Saturday, September 23^rd, 2006, 10am–1pm

Venue Telephone: none

Event Info Telephone: (510) 601-0465

Media Contact Info: Sean Sullivan cell (510) 282-2209; ssullivan@covoakland.org

Admission Costs: $25 registration fee

Event Description: The OM for Kids Yogathon joins together yogis at all skill levels to perform 108 Sun Salutations in unison, raising awareness and funds for homeless youth. Sign up and receive free training classes before the event and multiple benefits at the Yogathon itself: fun prizes, delicious food from New Delhi restaurant, beverages from Metro Mint and Tazo Tea, and free massages to soothe any ache. All money raised supports the work of Covenant House California, which has been serving the Bay Area’s homeless and at-risk youth (ages 13-24) since 1998. Learn more at www.omforkids.com.

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Voices of Our Youth: Bo

The smile on Bo’s face is one of a champion, and after enduring what he has, there’s no wonder why.

After losing his house in the summer of 2004, Bo found himself without more than just a home; he was without motivation, he was without joy, he was without desire for life.

He eventually found himself at Covenant House, where “at least, [he] had a place to stay.” What started out as a simple way to survive turned into much more as he found people who cared about him and his well-being.

“The staff at Covenant House really cared, and made me want to do more,” he says.

From then on, Bo started going to GED classes regularly. Though it was difficult, he pressed on, and, much to his delight, he passed the test not too long after. Now he’s enrolled at Laney College, which he hopes to transfer from to a local four-year university.

“Thanks to Covenant House, I found out that life is much bigger and better than what I thought it could be. Before, I didn’t really know what was out there and didn’t really care, and now I’m going to college, and I owe it all to everyone here.”

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Voices of Our Youth: Key

To survive and thrive, people need support and love, but this is not what Key had at home. Home life was difficult, stressful, and simply not conducive to the reaching of her goals, so in November of 2004, Key made her way to Covenant House in search of that support and the love-rich environment she needed.

The first thing she did was look to the employment specialist for advice, which helped her become more knowledgeable in the world of employment. Soon after, she acquired a job. Then she decided to improve her own being, and took money and anger management classes. Soon after, she was a more joyful and financially savvy individual. Needless to say, without much time, Key found herself well on the way to recovery, in more ways than one.

Today, Key stands strong as a stable, employed young woman. Not only that, she now volunteers at Covenant House herself as a G.E.D. tutor for those who are where she was!

“Covenant House is the place to go when you need the knowledge and support to move on and be a better person.”

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Voices of Our Youth: Maurice

People always ask: “Is Covenant House successful? Do these kids really get the help they need? Can they really turn their lives around?”

Well, just ask Maurice.

At the time of last year's Yogathon, Maurice was a resident in our shelter.

Always eager to offer a hand, Maurice worked with our street outreach program as a peer intern for six months. He helped our Van Outreach Staff find new places where homeless youth congregate. He helped the youth to understand that there were adults that cared about them and wanted to help them help themselves out of homelessness. Having Maurice there to “keep it real” allowed us to make in roads and build relationships with homeless youth that would be more difficult for adult outreach staff alone, consequently allowing us to provide even more food, support and shelter.

After this rigorous experience, Maurice applied to Americorps, and these days, he works to train other youth in environmental stewardship, protection and towards the improvement of their neighborhoods. He has also successfully moved into a two bedroom apartment in Oakland, and makes sure to stop into Covenant House just to say “hi” at least every couple of weeks, just to let us know he's maintaining his life? as well as his yoga practice!

Maurice is an exceptional young man who, in spite of facing the challenges of being homeless, has evolved into a living inspiration to all of us. He plans on being at this year's Om for Kids Yogathon as a full participant; maybe he will be doing his downward dog right alongside you!

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Meet a Participant: Becky

The Om for Kids Yogathon will make you feel like a rock star....

... Or at least that's how Becky saw it after completing the Yogathon last year.

"It sounded very exciting! I love sun salutations and the challenge of the idea, even though it seemed like a challenge few others could say they did," says Becky, looking back on her participation.

But regardless, Becky put her mind to it and knew she could do it, because she would have training and support: "I saw that Kristie Home was one of the teachers leading the Yogathon and she is one of my favorite teachers. I saw that I got free classes with her and took about half a dozen classes leading up to the Yogathon. I [then] felt very prepared for the experience."

And not surprisingly, the actual day turned out to be a pleasant experience for her: "I thought this would take a whole day but we were done in the time of a normal yoga class, less than two hours, with the built-in pauses and reflections, which was very beneficial. There was a beautiful community vibe to the day, especially with the music and the giveaways."

"At the end, I was proud of myself. Proud to have been part of this activity for a purpose and proud of myself just for completing the practice. I thought, “Wow, I rock!? and then went and ate a large meal to reward myself!"

While Becky absolutely rocked in her sun salutations, it should be noted that Becky also helped to raise thousands of dollars for the homeless youth we serve as well!

This year, we hope that you will be there finding your inner rock star.

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Meet a Participant: Barbara

“108 sun salutations? Isn’t that really hard?"

These are the most common questions posed about the Yogathon, and yet once-beginner Barbara Lewis has done it twice, and is ready to take it to the mat once more at the third Om for Kids Yogathon on September 23rd, 2006.

"I was a beginner who had only been practicing yoga for 6 months when I signed up for my first one, but the Yogathon is thoughtfully designed to make it a great experience for the beginner as well as the experienced yogi,” she says. "It's a very inspiring morning."

When it came time for the second Yogathon, Barbara was one of the first to sign up.

"The Yogathon represents the best of the Bay Area spirit, with people coming together on a Saturday morning in Golden Gate Park” she said. “There’s a great community sense of community--with music, refreshments, and yogis from all over the Bay Area and beyond.”

Last year, Barbara enlisted a friend to join her in signing up for the Yogathon. “He was really raw, in terms of his yoga experience,” she said. “He had been to hardly any yoga classes before and was a little nervous, but he ended up having a great time, and I really enjoyed having a friend to do it with. We both encouraged each other, through the fundraising and the 108 sun salutations themselves.”

Barbara is looking forward to participating again this year and recruiting more friends for her team. Although her demanding job at a software firm limits her time for formal yoga classes, she says “the sun salutations are easy enough to practice at home.”

“One of the best aspects of Yogathon is that they really take care of you,” Barbara said. “The free sun salutation practice classes before Yogathon are great if you can catch them. And even better, there are free massages right after Yogathon is over!” The free Sun Salutation weekend workshops are offered to registrants at www.omforkids.com and a team of volunteer massage therapists will again be available this year to Yogathon participants.

"Covenant House goes out of its way to make Yogathon a rewarding experience for each and every participant, from beginners to yoga pros,” Barbara said. “I think that it’s a really great event and a wonderful cause.”

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Studio Spotlight: Greenpath Yoga

Greenpath Yoga is a green yoga studio that offers traditional Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga for beginners and teen classes, as well as 100- and 200-hour Yoga teacher training programs and a prenatal/yoga for women teacher training. A Yoga Alliance registered yoga school, Greenpath Yoga is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to fostering Yogic philosophy and practice, and was founded by Ashtanga Yoga teacher, Clayton Horton, who will be doing the Kirtan at the Yogathon. Greenpath Yoga awakens reverence for the Earth and the Cosmos by drawing on ancient traditions and practices that connect human beings energetically to their own bodies and to the Earth. To join the Greenpath team at the Yogathon, click here.

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Studio Spotlight: Integral Yoga Institute

IYI, located on Dolores Street near Dolores Park, is a great place to get your practice started. They offer classes meeting a range of abilities--from beginner to prenatal to advanced-level Hatha classes in the Swami Satchinanda tradition. To join the IYI team at the Yogathon, email Sean.

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Studio Spotlight: International Orange

International Orange Spa and Yoga services, which is located at 2044 Fillmore Street on the second floor, is comprised of professionals who focus on restorative remedies that encourage the body's natural healing capabilities. Each IO professional will customize each treatment to address your specific and changing needs. For best results, practice yoga, steam and relax (in the IO lounge or on the sundeck) before and after spa treatments. IO primarily offers classes in the Vinyasa, or flowing style of Hatha yoga, which synchronizes movement with breath. Restorative and Prenatal Yoga are also IO specialties. To join the International Orange team at the Yogathon, click here.

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Studio Spotlight: Atha Yoga

Atha Yoga is the home of one of our wonderful Yogathon instructors, Kristie Home. Atha Yoga meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at the James Howell Studio at 66 Sanchez in San Francisco as well as in her home studio in the Castro area of San Francisco. To join the Atha Yoga team at the Yogathon, click here.

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Contact Information

Registration Questions:
(510) 601-0465
jkunishima@covoakland.org

Sponsorship and Media:
(510) 625-7812
ssullivan@covoakland.org