This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Yoga for Peace Comes to Pearl River

The 2nd Annual Hudson Valley Yoga for Peace event took place at Vision Fitness Sports Club in Pearl River Sunday.

Vision Fitness Sports Club in Pearl River drew people of all ages to take part in the 2nd Annual Hudson Valley Yoga for Peace event Sunday.

“Yoga for Peace” is a global event in which people around the world simultaneously join in a series of yoga poses.  All donations from the Hudson Valley event went to the Rockland Family Shelter.

Stacey Radinski, who assisted in Sunday's event, said the Rockland Family Shelter, “Assists women and families in battered situations here in Rockland County.”

Find out what's happening in Pearl Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hundreds of people from 37 countries participated in 108 yoga poses called sun salutations Sunday. 

"(A sun salutation) is a series of movements that gets the blood flowing, gets your mind centeed and your soul awakened and aware," Radinski said. "(The event fosters) unity, togetherness, strength of purpose and goal.  Everyone across the world is doing it for a good cause."

Find out what's happening in Pearl Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The salutation began with a downward dog (hands and feet on the floor, bottom in the air), stepping the right foot back for a warrior-one lunge, then a push up plank position, followed by the cobra pose, then back to the downward dog position.  Then repeat with the opposite side.

Why do all this?  Participants had a variety of reasons for why they came to the event. Some simply enjoy yoga for the flexibility and balance it can offer.

In addition to great physical benefits, yoga has tremendous mental benefits. 

Justin Scott of Bardonia enjoys yoga as a nice break in his exercise routine. 

“It helps me destress after work,” Scott said.  

Kathy from Garnerville said, “My friend invited me… I’m here for the transformation.  I think it will take me to a place in my mind maybe where I never was before.” 

Others came because of the event’s popularity last year and wanted to repeat the experience. Some attendees simply wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to support the Rockland Family Center.

Download the movie

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?