Posts In: City of Hope

Flashbacks from Yoga One founders Amy and Michael Caldwell on how they nurtured a family-owned business and a thriving yoga community.

Some of the dates and details have dimmed, it was likely late 2002 or early 2003, Amy and I were at Twigg’s Coffee shop in University Heights with some fellow yoga teachers and a few representatives from City of Hope.

We were brainstorming ideas for how the yoga community could raise awareness and support for City of Hope’s mission to research and treat cancer.

It was exciting to be a part of something that could facilitate serious health advancement and relief not just locally, but worldwide. We were honored to be included. 

There were a few more meetings and then the City of Hope team went off to figure out their next step.

Towards the end of summer, it was agreed that Yoga One and other studios would host yoga classes and donate the proceeds to the organization. Here is a snippet from our press release: 

“September 12, 2003, Yoga One will be offering an expanded schedule and donating all fees collected that day to the City of Hope, a world-renowned biomedical research and treatment facility dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure for cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

“”In addition to the strength, flexibility, increased concentration, balance and coordination the practice of yoga provides, it is first and foremost a healing activity. Raising awareness and support for the kind of work the City of Hope is doing is a natural step for us. We want to extend the well-being our students receive in class to the community at large,” stated Amy Caldwell, Owner/Director and Head Instructor at Yoga One.”

With the increased popularity of yoga and lots of good work, City of Hope’s yoga collaboration blossomed into Yoga for Hope, a multi-city phenomenon with events held in such locations as Phoenix, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. 

For the 2014 San Diego iteration, Amy was invited to co-teach over 800 students during the Yoga for Hope class in the outfield of the Padres’ Petco Park. In addition, Yoga One put together a donation team and offered classes with the proceeds supporting City of Hope. That year, the event raised over $80,000 to fund the research and treatment of cancer. 

It was heart-warming and hug-inducing to practice yoga in the lush, green outfield with so many fellow yoga lovers. It was especially poignant to have Amy’s mother Sally, a cancer survivor, practicing with the Yoga One group alongside her grandkids, Raya and Myles. Three generations together. 

Over the years, many wonderful yoga teachers led the Yoga for Hope classes, some who did so in San Diego included: Stacy McCarthy, Michael Fukumura, Claire Petretti Marti, Sean Corne and Dominic Mineo. Thanks to all the teachers, students, and organizers for sharing their time and energy to help others!

Please have yourself and your loved ones regularly checked for cancer. Some cancers can be found early, before they have had a chance to grow and spread.

Our very own Amy Caldwell will be co-teaching the Yoga for Hope class at Petco Park this year on Saturday, June 7th. We are happy to support such a great cause! Amy toured City of Hope with her mom and was so impressed with the amazing work they are doing on behalf of cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education. City of Hope’s holistic approach helps save lives every day.

There are many ways you can be a supporter! Here are 3 easy options:

1. Join our Yoga One for Hope team and make a donation or just show your support  – Click here to view the team page for Yoga One for Hope

2. Come to the Yoga for Hope class – Saturday, June 7th,2014 at Petco Park in San Diego, CA – on the outfield!  Have fun and feel great practicing yoga on the outfield of the Padres’ major league baseball field for a great cause with approximately 1,000 like minded yogis.

3. Come to a special Yoga One donation class – where 100% of proceeds will go the cause: Saturday, May 31st, 10am at Shelter Island Shoreline Park South (Friendship Bell – see map below) – Donate what you feel. ALL proceeds go to City of Hope.

We appreciate your support!!!

 

There are many reasons people are drawn to yoga. Everyone has their own purpose and goals whether it’s relief from pain or stress, weight loss, or increased balance, just to name a few. But there is a whole community of yogis who practice to relieve the ill effects following chemotherapy treatments. These yogis struggle to accept and make peace with their bodies even as a life-threatening illness attacks from within.

City of Hope is one of the nation’s leading centers for cancer treatment and research. Patients battling cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases are offered gentle, restorative yoga classes for relaxation and well-being, in addition to traditional treatments. Yoga for Hope is a fundraising event for City of Hope that encourages a gathering of the general public to share the joys and benefits of yoga together on a special day. All proceeds from the event go towards research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.

Last year was Yoga for Hope’s official inaugural year in San Diego and it sold out, tripling the initial fundraising goal with $80,000 in donations. This year the sights have been set even higher. Join Yoga for Hope on Saturday, August 11th at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Park for a festival of yoga classes, musical performances and vendor booths. Students at all levels of yoga experience are welcome to take class from renowned instructors Steve Hubbard, Stacy McCarthy, Claire Petretti, Bonnie Saldivar-Jones, and Michael Fukumura (the last two both Yoga One Instructor Almuni).

Yoga One is proud to have been involved in the first Yoga for Hope meetings and planning sessions many years prior. We’re very excited to see how the event has grown and blossomed. To participate, you can sign up as an individual or join a fundraising team. Participants who fundraise will be eligible to receive an exclusive Yoga for Hope tank top and swag bag. Click here to learn more about this fantastic event! This August, come experience where the Power of Hope meets the Power of Yoga!

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