Students at Quinnipiac University received e-mails last week inviting them to attend yoga classes on Jan. 27 at the Recreation Center to support Haiti. “Yogis for Haiti” was based off of the Web site “Off the Mat, Into the World” that Assistant Athletic Director for Wellness and Fitness Tami Reilly reads.

“This was their dream, and we jumped on it,” Reilly said. “Although we did promote ‘Yoga for Haiti’ – we announced that we would collect money [in] all [fitness] classes if anyone wanted to donate.”

Proceeds from the event will go to the relief efforts of Partners in Health, whose Web site says they are “a health care provider working to support immediate and long-term need in Haiti.”

During one of the flow yoga classes offered in the fitness center, instructor Jen Weber purposely played music that was a tribute to Haiti that she found on Amazon.

“Everyone could come together and practice yoga… We chose it because it has a lot of spirit,” Weber said.

“I wanted to come out to get some exercise, and heard about the donations so I contributed,” said sophomore Catherine Liu. “It’s great that QU is taking an initiative to donate.”

“Personally, I had no goals for [how much] we raise … it was more about having some way to help,” Reilly said. “When tragedy strikes, we look to send something to fix it – and the something is most often physical objects and/or money.”
Reilly said the event was held because of the positive energy that is created by doing yoga.

“With yoga, there is always intention,” she said. “The power of intention and well-wishes was what the aim was here. Give what you can, and keep sending healing thoughts to the people of Haiti. A little energy goes a long way.”

Photo credit: Jenny Connell