• Health

OneEighty yoga event raises funds and awareness for addiction

• By Ellen Pill
• September 10, 2018
• 2063

Rise Above — Inspired Awareness Over Addiction is a family-friendly yoga event designed to raise awareness and give the community an opportunity to learn about OneEighty's addictive-services treatment and support on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 2-6 p.m. at the Wooster High School Follis Field, 515 Oldman Road, Wooster.

There will be a one-hour all-level yoga class at 3:30 p.m. with other vendors and activities throughout the afternoon.

Advance registration is appreciated, though not required, at www.rise-above-community-yoga.ticketleap.com or on Facebook. Registering ahead will ensure notification in case of weather-related changes to the event.

According to Christy VanSickle, OneEighty's community relations and marketing manager, the stadium pavilion will be available in the event of rain. However, the event may be shortened or cancelled if the weather is threatening.

The wellness-focused afternoon is sponsored by the RISERS. "The RISERS is a key auxiliary group that supports the outpatient clients at OneEighty by helping reduce the stigma associated with addiction and ensuring that our substance-abuse treatment services remain accessible to the community," VanSickle said.

The RISERS support OneEighty's mission by helping with fundraising events and educating the community about addiction recovery.

The idea of offering a free yoga class is the brainchild of local yogi Christine Canter of Studio Irie. "You always hear about wonderful fundraisers," Canter said. "You hear about people stepping up to help, so I thought a yoga event would be a great place to start."

Canter approached OneEighty with her idea. "OneEighty hit home for me," Canter said. "I've had family members who have or are currently battling addiction."

Canter stressed the importance of awareness. "For the longest time no one talked about addiction, and if you didn't talk about it, you could pretend it didn't exist."

Canter hopes this event will be the first of many to come in the future. She's all about inspiring awareness of addiction within the community. "If our event touches one person to seek recovery in a way that's right for them, I think that it will have been successful."

Canter said there is a connection between yoga and creating awareness and treating addiction. "Yoga can be very therapeutic in ways beyond the physical movement," she said. "Finding your breath and becoming aware of it can be nurturing from the inside out."

Many of Canter's yoga instructor colleagues also will be at the event. "They want to help out as a seva," Canter said.

Seva is a Sanskrit word that describes an act of selfless service.

The other yogis present will assist Canter with the class or classes, demonstrate, provide kids' activities, and share their positive energy with attendees.

There will be hula-hoops for the kids, along with other kid-centered activities. Reiki healers will be on hand to offer sessions for donation, and there also will be a massage therapist available for chair massage. Gorgeous Henna will be there doing henna tattoos. There also will be a disc jockey.

Donations will be accepted for activities with all proceeds going to support OneEighty's addiction-related services.

Everyone is invited to share in the free event. "You don't have to participate in the yoga," Canter said. "You can just sit and listen. When you are around people whose vibrations are raised, you are raised."

Canter said everyone should wear comfortable clothing that allows movement and should bring a yoga mat, blanket or towel. "Hopefully we will fill the field," she said.

"Yoga is a practice of kindness, compassion and inner peace," VanSickle said.

The social media trend for the event is #riseaboveaddiction.

OneEighty offers a crisis hotline for anyone suffering with addiction. Call 1-877-275-9227

To reach OneEighty for other questions, call 1-877-275-9227.