Field of Yoga in Cedar Falls will be holding a yoga fundraiser honoring veterans' service on Veterans Day, Monday, November 12, at 5:45 pm. All are invited to attend this one-hour yoga class taught by studio owner Mary McInnis Meyer, based in the yogic theme of seva, or selfless service. All proceeds go to Yoga for Vets, a non-profit organization founded in 2007 to welcome home war veterans and help them cope with stress of combat through yoga instruction.
The organization's founder, Paul Zipes, is a Navy veteran who started doing yoga in 1995 on a dare from his wife. He now teaches and advocates for vets nationwide. Zipes says he "has seen first-hand the healing effects of yoga for many current and former troops. It reduces their PTSD symptoms, stress and injuries and helps them deal, during and after deployment, with mental and physical challenges."
YogaforVets.org lists studios, teachers, and venues throughout the country that offer four or more free classes to war veterans. McInnis Meyer called Zipes in May of this year to join the cause, and since has been offering free classes to all vets - combat and non-combat - all the time, no limit. "This is such an easy program to support. Yoga For Vets is grounded in what yoga is all about for all of us - becoming more present so we can heal from the past and progress positively into the future," she says.
Find out what's happening in Cedar Fallsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Donations can be made on site before the class, or mailed to Field of Yoga, 115 E 4th St, Ste 101, Cedar Falls, IA 50613. Make checks out to Yoga for Vets. For those new to Field of Yoga, McInnis Meyer suggests arriving for class at least 15 minutes early. More information can be found at www.fieldofyoga.com, or by calling (319)830-2080.