A local charity is bringing together yoga enthusiasts of all levels to “bend for a cause.”
Canmore’s Knight’s Cabin is hosting a Knight of Yoga, a three-hour yogathon at the Nordic Centre on Feb. 20 that will raise funds in support of cancer retreats, said president and founder Lisa Belanger.
Local yoga instructors Lydia Zamorano, Jeff Mah, Vanessa Siltanen and Trish Huston will lead the event with a variety of yoga practice styles from 3-6 p.m., followed by a social with live music and prizes.
Those interested in participating can secure a spot at the event by going to knightofyoga.com to register. Space is limited to 85 to 90 participants, and Knight’s Cabin organizers are asking each yogi to raise a minimum of $100 to participate.
“We have a big goal of (raising) $15,000. It might be a stretch goal, but we’re going to set it and see how we do,” said Belanger. “The idea is it kind of gives you a bunch of different types of yoga, it’s definitely building the community.”
Donations over $10 are tax deductible.
Knight’s Cabin will host warmup fundraising events prior to the yogathon.
On Jan. 31, Brewga will be held at the Grizzly Paw Brewery on Old Canmore Road, including a pint to go with yoga. Tickets can be purchased at knightscabin.com/events.
On Feb. 7, Snowga will be held – an outdoor yoga event on Main Street in the space beside Bow Valley Credit Union.
“All the money is actually raised to host retreats in the Bow Valley,” said Belanger. “We are a national organization, but we are very keen on having all the money raised staying within the community.”
Knight’s Cabin retreats are a place for cancer survivors and offer practical, research-based health behaviour counselling on physical activity, nutrition, stress and sleep to help prevent secondary disease, recurrence, and aid long-term effects of treatment to help survivors make the best of the rest of their lives.
Belanger says exercise improves quality of life for cancer patients/survivors, and, as an example, with colon cancer, it reduces the chance for reoccurrence by over 50 per cent.
“We don’t have drugs that can do that,” she said, “it’s an incredible tool that we have, but we’re not using it, so I became really passionate about getting this message to who it matters the most.”
The “Knight” in Knight’s Cabin is named after Belanger’s best friend Jane Knight, who died after a two-year bout with cancer following being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in high school.
Together, they went for walks or did yoga to help during treatment.
