Alyssa Sullivan of Baptiste-inspired studio Synergy Power Yoga lead the flow with grace while we were serenaded by the beautiful voice and harmonium of Bryna Rene, followed by a meditation by Elizabeth Johnstone. There was also fire dancing by Mistral Dodson accompanied by the primal beat of the African drums played by our own Baptiste Yoga shala teachers, MYS owner Dechen Zezulka and Jim Conlan. Will Evans of WillEvans.com played his tunes from his incredible solo cd Wishin' Well.

Recovery Yoga still needs your help in order to continue and expand programs for mothers in need who practice yoga in a residential substance abuse program and a domestic violence home. Here is what one of our students who resides in a domestic violence shelter with her son has to say:

"I have not only learned the practice of yoga but also techniques to calm myself, techniques to calm my son, and techniques to better my life in general. Recovery Yoga has provided instruction that is fun, flexible, and appropriate for our hectic lifestyle. Because of this routine, my body feels stronger and healthier and we are both much happier."

We are also expanding our veterans programs, and awarding partial scholarships for veterans to attend yoga teacher trainings to share what has been healing for them.

Here is what Lt. Joseph Dolock, who served in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader and is a Recovery Yoga student, has to say (while in Vietnam Lt. Dolock was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge, one Bronze Star for Heroism while under enemy fire, and one Bronze Star for meritorious service):

"At the end of the Recovery Yoga class we would lay on our backs and go or try to go to our safe place. I am by experience and nature a hyper-vigilant person. I see movement I have to look. I hear sounds I have to know where they are coming from. So I am lying there and I hear foot steps. THIS MAY NOT BE A BIG DEAL FOR MOST but for me , and I had to fight it, not to open my eyes to see. I trusted the other in the room that I would be safe. Where is this going for me, I would like to continue with Yoga. I see a value and a place where I think I can trust people. But in the short time I could feel that my instructor cared that I was getting it. What ever it is. FOR ME YOGA IS ANOTHER TOOL TO HELP ME GET THROUGH LIFE WHEN THERE IS NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNAL. "

Elizabeth Johnstone, Founder of Recovery Yoga says, "Thank you all for coming together for our magical evening at the beautiful Ocean House Beach to support our work at Recovery Yoga."

To make a tax deductible donation to support or fund a Recovery Yoga program or initiative, please visit www.recoveryyoga.org or mail your check to: Recovery Yoga, P.O. Box 88, New London, CT. 06320.