Yoga event to help Haiti

GUILFORD — Yoga in Bloom will hold a YOGA for a CAUSE event to benefit Haitian Ministries for the Norwich Diocese.
The free will donation yoga class, suitable for all levels, will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St.
Child care will be available, thanks to parent volunteers, organizers said. Mohawk Paper will donate materials for school-aged children to create an art project to be sent to the Norwich Mission House in Haiti.
Yoga in Bloom founder and teacher, Stefanie Patterson, will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the event to the relief work of Haitian Ministries, organizers said.
"I find great joy in my yoga practice when teaching within a like-minded community, and I would like to foster a sense of love and peace for the Haitian people by quieting the mind, stretching the body and connecting the collective spirit," Patterson said.
Patterson selected Haitian Ministries because of its long-standing presence in Haiti and the work it does to support those in need, event organizers said.
The office of Haitian Ministries was inaugurated in 1985 with the help of The Rev. Jim Carini, who was Patterson's parish priest while growing up in Preston.
Over the years, Haitian Ministries has supported two orphanages, a meal program, a medical clinic, a scholarship program and reforestation projects.
To reserve a spot at the event, call Patterson at 877-224-3178.
Beginners are welcome. Space is limited and pre-registering for childcare and the children’s craft project is required.
Patterson has been practicing yoga for 15 years. She is certified through Finding Inner PeaceYoga School’s 200 hour program and is a member of the Yoga Alliance and has received specialty certifications in pre-natal yoga and children’s yoga, organizers said.