The Portland Yoga Studio (PYS) is launching a Community Campaign this
month. The year-long campaign features monthly "pay what you can"
community yoga classes, three of which will benefit Portland area
non-profit organizations.

Our lives are interconnected. In small cities like Portland, we feel
and experience these connections. Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy
founded PYS in 1989. Since then, PYS has kept the needs of the
community in mind.

Elaine says, "Francis and I are very grateful for the past and for the
continuation of Portland Yoga Studio's trademark tradition, that is, a
tradition of commitment to excellence and of dedication to its
students' enhanced good health."

Stephanie Abrams, teacher and current owner of PYS says, "The
Community Campaign is a celebration of 20 years in business. It's a
great chance for our students to see how connected we all are to our
local community by participating in the benefit classes, and for new
students$perhaps staff, organization members, or beneficiaries of the
non-profits$to see how yoga might help them. Also, it's a way to
highlight some non-profits in Portland that are doing tremendous work
to support our community."

The word yoga stems from the Sanskrit word yuj$which means to yoke, or
to unite. As yoga practitioners develop a dedicated practice "on the
mat", they gain energy, good health, and clarity.

Abrams continues, "Our hope in practicing and teaching yoga is that we
begin to awaken to the connections between us all. The Community
Campaign is aligned with these hopes."

"I was looking for a way to highlight the inter-connectedness of our
community, as well as a way to reach a larger audience. Yoga is so
beneficial for our whole being: physical, emotional, mental and
spiritual."

The Community Campaign will kick off with a party on Friday, April 24.

The first non-profit partner to benefit from this program will be
Preble Street. Elena Schmidt of Preble Street says, "The work of
Preble Street depends on connections. We connect people struggling
with homelessness, hunger, and poverty to resources that can help them
move beyond their problems. And getting to those solutions depends on
connections$neighbor helping neighbor. Whether it's serving a meal or
collecting clothing or writing a check each of us can contribute to
the well-being of women, youth, and families in our communities."

Preble Street's benefit class will be held Friday, May 8. Habitat
for Humanity and WINI (Women in Need Industries) are the other
organizations selected to partner with PYS.

The months when benefit classes are not being held, PYS will offer
Community Classes. These classes are "pay what you can", and are
offered as a way to honor and build community.

"Especially during stressful times, it is important that we find a way
to connect$with ourselves and with others in our community," says
Abrams.

Friday, April 24 Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
Friday, April 24 Community Campaign Kick-Off/ 20th Anniversary Party
(free, all are welcome) 7:00-9:00 pm
Friday, May 8 Benefit Class for Preble Street ($1-500) 5:45-7:30 pm
Friday, June 12 Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
Friday, July 10 Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
Friday, August 21 Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
Friday, September 11 Benefit Class for Habitat for Humanity ($1-500)
5:45-7:30 pm\
Friday, October 9 Benefit Class for WINI ($1-500) 5:45-7:30 pm
Friday, November 13 Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
Friday, December 11 Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm