A unique fundraiser is combining yoga, mediation and reaching out to the community. The special day-long event will support the McGarry girls and Dignity House of Perth Hospice.

Set for Sunday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Family Health Centre (33 Lewis St.) in Perth, the day will entail drop-in yoga classes and meditation, put on by The Yoga Connection.

Sandy Prentice and Nancy Williams, yoga instructors who are spearheading the initiative, say that the local community has been supportive of them at the Yoga Connection, so they want to give back.

They are inviting members of the community to the fundraiser, in support of helping those in the last stages of life, as well as three young girls who are close to the hearts of many in the community.

“We wanted the money raised to benefit people locally,” said Williams. “Both causes are close to us.”

She went on to explain that she taught two of the McGarry girls in kindergarten at North Elmsley School.

Prentice added that they have dedicated the day to embracing the community, by offering yoga classes designed to raise awareness and funds for two causes. She said they would like to offer care givers and volunteers some respite as their way of thanking them for the caring work they do for the community.

Williams agreed, saying there will be a wide variety of classes available throughout the day. “Some of the yoga classes will be geared towards people who may never have done yoga before,” she said. “There will certainly be something for anyone at any level; our instructors work so that each participant is involved at their own comfort level.”

Morning classes will be gentle, while towards mid-day the pace picks up with energetic yoga to build core strength. Later on, take a quiet breather to find calm with meditation. Next, celebrate life with joyous movement in open class, Asthanga Flow or Zumba Gold. End the day by taking a journey to find peace through movement, breath, voice and creative use of sound.

The yoga and meditation classes run all day long and the instructors invite donations for either cause. If interested, just arrive ready for relaxation and movement.