Dear Bikram Yoga Community, 
Your generosity has not stopped rolling in with funds trickling in the entire month and more! The memories created will last a lifetime! A massive thank you to Kristie An for bringing us all together and Christie William, owner of Bikram Yoga Encino, for her unwavering  consistent support and generosity. So much heat was stirred up by every teacher and student as well as local partners and businesses.  This community came together to bring yoga to those who are unable to easily access yoga…and we are happy to announce that Encino yogi Hal Shwimer graduated last weekend from the URY Trauma Informed Yoga Training! 

Event News:  On Saturday, Sept 26th 10:00am magic happened:
-We had about 35 people in the class and generated a lot of interest. After class students were talking with Nick and Jill about different ways they could help. Julie De Haven has been hard at work designing new URY t-shirts!
-Christie William donated the studio's time and two regularly scheduled classes were used for our event. She also generously donated herself and has been a supporter for several years from the very beginning! 
-Just about all of the Encino teachers donated their time, money & energy, even if they weren't in attendance. They did such a wonderful job of promoting and getting people excited and interested leading up to the date. Thank you, each and every one of you!
-Kaitlyn Orchanian, Bikram Yoga Teacher ran the front desk and sold raffle tickets for great prizes. She was incredible & even took photos in class!
-URY Hero's: Jill, Nick, URY Board Member Sherri, Ashaki, Ami at the helm!
-Kristie taught a fun and interactive class and used some of our UpRising tools and practices with the class. Check in/Check out. Breathe in/Breathe out. One of our regular students, Hal, volunteered to teach a posture. He did excellent. Hal taught the entire group tree and toe stand, both sides of both sets. From the front of the room.  Natural teaching ability. It was awesome. He gave us direction and told us to breathe, stretch and be gentle. 
-We had a first timer who demonstrated one of the floor postures, bow, with such grace and precision. 
-Lots of people in URY colors; pink, blue and orange. Lots of Yogabela in the room! Yogabela sales went well that day and we donated $100.80 to URY.  Yogabela has generously showed up over the years and this year donated a total of $520.50 so far!  Thanks Joel Christoph!
We had awesome raffle prizes donated from local companies. Lots of winners, drawing happened throughout the class with lots of laughter it was hard to keep a pose. 
1.Trader Joe's Encino Gift Bag  $50 value.  Thanks Adam!  2. Whole Foods Sherman Oaks on Sepulveda Gift card $50 Thank you  Wendy Camacho!
3. One private lesson by Bikram Yoga Teacher, Kathy Dolin
http://www.nohoartshealing.com/4. One 75 minute massage. Thanks Kathy Dolin!
http://www.nohoartshealing.com/
5. Yoga Towel Gift Basket (valued over $200)
Donated by our Encino student Julie Hardin. She donated but could not attend because she was running a marathon. Go Julie!
http://www.onzie.com/We had tons of giveaways from our friends at Onzie., a Los Angeles yoga wear company that donates to URY events regularly. We had capris, various tanks and the most amazing tote bags that say "breathe in, breathe out" which is what we say in juvenile hall yoga classes.

"It takes a village" and I am beyond grateful that you are the true meaning of yoga = union.
Truly, 
Jill Ippolito
​

Last weekend's Trauma Informed Yoga Training was a collective group of heart filled activists set to go out and make great change in the world. An astonishing melding of minds and souls creating community with purpose. Led by myself (Jill Ippolito), the URY Teachers, our speakers Colleen Mooney, Bea Yorker, Markese Freeman, Mrs. Nellie Williams, Nick Ippolito, Scott Robertson, Laurie Searle, Brent Laffoon and De Jur- an informative overview of how to heal ourselves, understand diverse populations and to teach in settings other than the yoga studio. Look out for the greatness we stirred up in these remarkable people! Namaste, Jill Ippolito