OmTown Heroes Recap!

by Anne Marie Vaughan

A couple weeks ago, a few of us from The Space Above along with Studio Bamboo, Breathe Yoga Center, Angela Phillips Yoga Studio and many yogis from the area came together to practice 108 sun salutations during the OmTown Heroes event at Marina Shores Marina in Va Beach.

OmTown Heroes, formed in part by Ann Richardson of Studio Bamboo in Va Beach, is a non-profit organization formed to facilitate community outreach projects for yogis wanting to "give back" and "pay it forward". This event in particular raised funds for The Give Back Yoga Foundation and The Exalted Warrior Foundation, both working in communities to provide yoga instruction to our military, wounded vets and also helping to make yoga available to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

The more than 50 participants were lead through each sun salutation by a certified practitioner, our very own Lisa and Kim being two of those. This was the first time I had the chance to be part of a 108 event. I had heard that it's rare to have all participants complete all 108 sun salutations, and while I fell into that category I would say about 90-95% of the yogis on the deck completed all 108. What an amazing experience to witness!

I've also been told that moving through all of these sun salutations becomes a movement in meditation, the mind doesn't even need to be consciously aware of what the body is actually doing. Since I was one of the few that was unable to complete the 108, I didn't think I would be able to experience this meditation, however to my surprise I did around the 20th sun salutation!

Did I say that it was an amazing experience? The energy radiating from all of the yogis on the deck and the beautiful sunset on the water made for a great evening to experience such a great event.

I encourage everyone (yogi or not) to get out in to the community and participate in those events that mean something to you, you never know what you might experience.

Om-Town Heroes - giving back to our military

Please join all of us from The Space Above as we unite with the rest of our community and create a weekend focused on giving back to those military members who give so selflessly to each of us. September 20th-22nd, Om Town Heroes will host three different events all to benefit The Give Back Yoga Foundation, Operation Finding Peace, and The Exalted Warrior Foundation. Come meet some of the fine men and women who have benefited from these programs!  108 Sun Salutations ~ $30.00, 6:30pm Kim and Lisa are honored to be part of the crew leading you through these auspicious 108! Thursday evening, September 20th, yoga practitioners from all over the Hampton Roads area will kick off our weekend of sharing and giving. The Yacht Club at Marina Shores will host 108 Sun Salutes on the deck as the sun sets over the water. We will end the evening with a panel discussion sharing the importance of giving back to the community through service. The Gala ~ $65 On the International Day of Peace, Friday, September 21st, the Yacht Club at Marina Shores will host a Gala in their Coastal Room saluting our Veterans. Community and Business Leaders and our own Visionaries will celebrate Hampton Roads' connection with our Om Town Heroes. This will surely be a night to remember with music, hor d'oeuvres, cash bar (beer & wine) and a silent auction. Dress is casual cocktail.  Tickets to this event are $65.00 and are limited.  Tickets should be available for purchase very soon at The Space Above...watch for the announcement! 5K Fun Run, Walk, Dance, or Whatever ~ $30, 8:30am We will wrap up our weekend of giving as Lululemon, along with the help of J&A Racing, host a fun run, walk, or whatever and AFTER party. Its a 5K ~ you can do part of it, you can do it all, you can come hang out. you don't run? Doesn't matter, you can walk! Note: this is a fun run~it won't be timed, there isn't a course, there is just fun! After the run hang out for an after party hosted by Lulu...door prizes and giveaways galore! To Register for any of these events go to www.eventbright.com search OM TOWN HEROES