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Kashi Atlanta's Yogathon Fundraiser a Huge Success

By Ganesh Giri

Kashi Atlanta held their first ever Yogathon Fundraiser on Saturday, May 1st  to raise money for their Street Meals and KidsArt community service programs. And, by all accounts, it was a huge success.

The event kicked off at 1pm with the first round of Sun Salutations that continued non-stop until 6pm. Though the day began with clouds and rain, attendance was high and the crowd was full of excitement - ready to have a good time for a good cause.

Participants had been invited to come and go as they pleased, challenging themselves to complete as many Sun Salutations as they could throughout the day, either as sponsored participants or by making their own $15 donation at the door. Most came and stayed for an hour or so, though a few managed to push on for nearly the entire five hours, stopping just long enough to re-hydrate, have a snack and cool off. Those that completed at least 40 Sun Salutations were treated to a free on-site massage in the studio's back garden.

20 yoga teachers volunteered 15 minutes each throughout the day, creating a continuous and nearly seamless class. Kashi Atlanta's own kirtan group performed live at various points during the day; their drumming and chanting invigorating the crowd and keeping everyone's energy up. At the half way mark, as the Yogathon reached its 80th Sun Salutation, the rain stopped, the clouds parted and, appropriately enough, the sun came out.

In all, over 200 Sun Salutations were performed in five hours and participants raised over $6,000 in donations.

“We were amazed at the number of pledges and donations we received,” said Agni Ma Mushkin, one of the organizers of the Yogathon. “It's more than we'd anticipated our first time out. Everyone pitched in. Participants not only made donations, but also went out and got donations from friends, family and coworkers. Plus corporate sponsors like Arden's Gardens, Market One, Sevananda, and Gold's Gym made valuable contributions as well. As soon as they heard what we were doing, they wanted to help out. It's because of all of them that the Yogathon was such a success.”

All proceeds from the Yogathon benefit Kashi Atlanta's Street Meals and KidsArt programs. Street Meals distributes over 300 bag lunches to the homeless each week. Volunteers prepare the lunches at Kashi Atlanta every Tuesday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. They are then distributed in downtown Atlanta, at a shelter and at various parks, every Wednesday at lunchtime.

Several times a month, volunteers with the Kashi KidsArt program visit Egleston and Scottish Rite Children's Hospitals to make art projects with patients and their families. Projects have included sock puppets, butterfly mobiles, holiday cards, and “sculpty” clay creatures. Art supplies are donated or purchased with donated funds.

According to Mushkin, plans for next year's Yogathon are already underway. “We'd like to take the Yogathon outside next year, perhaps to one of the parks or other locations around town. And we hope to open it up to other yoga studios too. It would be wonderful if we could get the entire Atlanta yoga community behind it. We had such a great time doing this, and it's for such a good cause, we're hoping next year will be even bigger.”

For more information about the Yogathon, Kashi Atlanta, or their community service programs, please contact Ganesh Giri at 404.688.6757 or ganeshgiri@kashiatlanta.org.

Beyond the Clouds