AYC December Charity of the Month: Eblen Charities

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Wrapping Up 2018’s Charity of the Month Project

Donation Boxes Available at the Studio and Boutique

Asheville Yoga Center is raising funds for Eblen Charities throughout December to finalize its 2018 Charity of the Month project. Founded in 1991, the organization has helped thousands of families in western North Carolina each year with medical and emergency assistance. Eblen assisted 300 families with only one program when it was first established. Now, Eblen has been able to help tens of thousands of families with more than 70 available programs.

“Eblen Charities has worked so hard over the past few decades to support families with medical and emergency assistance. It provides the opportunity for those in our community to seek the help they need to physically heal. As a yoga studio, we know how valuable it is to be able to give others going through health issues access to the resources they need. The community at Asheville Yoga Center is honored to raise funds and awareness for Eblen in an effort to work together to support their work locally,” says Melissa Driver, Director of Operations at Asheville Yoga Center.

Donation boxes will be displayed at the front desk in both the Studio and Boutique beginning on the first day of December until the end of the month. On Thursday, December 27, 10% of sales from drop-in and community classes will be donated to Eblen Charities. Additionally, AYC will be making a direct donation of $250.

We challenge our members and community to support our efforts in raising donations throughout December to give back to those in need.

For more information on Eblen Charities and their work, please visit https://www.eblencharities.org/about/.

AYC November Charity of the Month: MANNA FoodBank

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Asheville Yoga Center Asks Community to Help Support MANNA

Donations accepted at the Studio and Boutique 

Asheville Yoga Center dedicates the month of November to raising food items and funds for MANNA FoodBank. Since 1983, MANNA FoodBank has been serving Western North Carolina by collecting, storing and distributing food through community-based food assistance agencies. During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, MANNA FoodBank distributed 18.2 million pounds of food throughout 16 counties in WNC.

With November being a month focused on gratitude and thankfulness, the partnership with MANNA FoodBank truly hits home for members and staff at Asheville Yoga Center. The yoga community at AYC fosters values that emulate the importance of giving and showing compassion for those in need, and these values are homogenous to those of MANNA FoodBank.

“MANNA FoodBank is a leader in the Asheville community by educating and uniting people to work towards ending hunger. By supporting MANNA FoodBank, we are able to shed light and combat the hunger issues in our outlying communities. We are proud to partner with MANNA FoodBank to collect food items for those in our area. We are very appreciative of the work they have done and continue to do,” says Melissa Pennscott Driver, Director of Operations at Asheville Yoga Center.

Food bins will be available for food item donations in AYC’s Studio and Boutique beginning on the first day of November until the end of the month. On Thursday, November 29, 10% of all drop-in and community class sales will be donated to MANNA FoodBank. In addition, AYC will make a direct donation of $250. Staff and members are participating in a volunteer day on November 13 to package and sort food at MANNA FoodBank.

“MANNA serves over 100,000 people across 16 counties of Western North Carolina every year who are facing hunger. Our largest source of support are individuals who resonate with our mission to feed anyone who needs food, and in our region, that is 1 in 6 people, including 1 in 4 children, who don’t know where they will get their next meal. Every single dollar of support makes a real and tangible difference in the lives of the people we serve, and we stretch every dollar as far as possible. Thanks to the support of our volunteers and food donors, we can help provide enough food for 3.5 meals for every dollar donated,” says Hannah Randall, CEO of MANNA FoodBank.

We ask our members and community to join us in supporting our efforts to raise food items and funds throughout the month. If you would like to volunteer with us, please email marketing@youryoga.com. There is limited space available.

For more information about acceptable food items to donate, go to https://www.mannafoodbank.org/how-you-can-help/donate/donate-food/

AYC Charity of the Month: Helpmate

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Asheville Yoga Center to Raise Funds During the Entire Month of October

Studio committed to donating 10% of drop-in and community-class sales for nonprofit

Asheville Yoga Center is raising funds for Helpmate during October 2018 as a part of its Charity of the Month project. For over 30 years, Helpmate has been providing services to victims of domestic violence in Buncombe County. Their services include an emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, court advocacy and preventative education for at-risk individuals.

“Helpmate encompasses similar values, in that they offer the support and services necessary to give community members a chance at a better, more stable and healthier life. By supporting this organization, we are able to shed light on domestic violence issues happening right here in Buncombe County. Personal safety is vitally important, and we are proud to support Helpmate in their efforts to provide this basic human need to those in the area,” says Melissa Pennscott Driver, General Manager of AYC.

AYC’s Studio and Boutique will have donation boxes available starting on the first of the month, and on Thursday, October 25, 10% of drop-in and community class sales will be donated to Helpmate. In addition, AYC will make a direct donation of $250 to the nonprofit. We invite members of the community to join us and come together in an effort to make a greater impact.

“Helpmate is grateful for the support of Asheville Yoga Center. Throughout October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they will raise funds to assist Helpmate in providing safety, shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence. Working together, we can prevent domestic violence,” says Helpmate Executive Director, April Burgess-Johnson.

For more information about Helpmate, go to http://www.helpmateonline.org.

AYC Charity of the Month: Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

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Asheville Yoga Center Committed to Supporting Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

Studio to donate 10% of drop-in and community-class sales to local non-profit

Asheville Yoga Center is raising funds for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity as its Charity of the Month during September 2018. Since its inception in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) has built 310 new houses and repaired more than 200 homes for members of the community. The nonprofit strives to eliminate substandard housing locally and provides resources for families in need.

“Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is like minded, supporting the basic elements to living a healthy and stable life. Through support of AAHH we are able to address the issue of affordable housing in our community. We are proud to partner with AAHH in an endeavor to provide holistic living, starting with addressing the most basic need. We are grateful for the work and change they continue to bring to the Asheville area,” says Melissa Pennscott Driver, General Manager of Asheville Yoga Center.

Donation boxes will be located at AYC’s Studio and Boutique starting on the first of September. Also, on Thursday, September 27, 10% of drop-in and community class sales will be donated to Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. AYC will also make a direct donation of $250. We challenge the community and our members to help us match our contribution with the goal to double our impact.

“We are honored to be Asheville Yoga Center’s charity partner for the month of September! AYC and Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity are kindred spirits in that we both bring together people from around the community to build a better world. Yoga is one path, affordable housing is another; and there are countless others. It is with the support of individuals, businesses and organizations like AYC, that Habitat can continue to build homes, communities and hope,” says Ariane Kjellquist, Communications Director for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

For more information about Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, go to https://www.ashevillehabitat.org/.

AYC Hosts Indu Arora for Specialty Workshop

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Indu Arora Brings 19 Years of Experience and Knowledge to Students at AYC

Yoga center offers Pranayama, Mudra, and Bandhas for Healing 5-day workshop

Asheville Yoga Center is offering a 300-Hour YA credit with specialty instructor, Indu Arora from August 15-August 19, 2018. Indu Arora has been working to educate others through Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Meditation and Ayurveda since 1999. This class will lead students into a deeper state of meditation by learning about Pranayama, Mudra and Bandhas.

“Yoga is not a study of Sutras; it is the study of Self. No matter how many books you have read or how many trainings you have done, finally, anything makes real sense when teachings become experience. I am here to share that there are no shortcuts. Nothing has the greatest power to heal but self,” says Arora.

The Pranayama, Mudra and Bandhas for Healing classes will be held Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 to 5 p.m. In these classes, students will learn the three core practices that leads to meditation and self-awareness. To enroll, you must be a current student in a Yoga teacher training program, completed a Yoga teacher training program, or have three years of Yoga practice.

“We are pleased to once again welcome Indu back to the Asheville community! Indu brings  years of experience, knowledge and skills with her, and we are thankful to be able to offer this opportunity to those interested in our advanced teacher training program,” says Melissa Driver, General Manager of Asheville Yoga Center.

For more information about the Pranayama, Mudra, and Bandhas for Healing workshop, go to www.youryoga.com/events.org.

AYC Charity of the Month: Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC

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Asheville Yoga Center Raises Funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina

Yoga center to donate 10% of drop-in and community-class sales to local nonprofit

Asheville Yoga Center has selected Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina as its Charity of the Month for August 2018. For over 35 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC has worked to provide positive adult role models for children in the community. The nonprofit has matched more than 14,000 “Littles,” who are children in the community facing adversity, with “Bigs,” who are adult mentors that provide support and compassion for their Littles.

“Children are our future, and we realize the importance of providing positive role models to uplift and support those in need,” says Melissa Pennscott, General Manager of Asheville Yoga Center. “We are grateful for the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, and we are thrilled to help continue their work any way we can.”

To raise funds, there will be donation boxes in AYC’s Studio and Boutique starting August 1, and on Thursday, August 30, 10% of drop-in and community class sales will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC. AYC’s owners Sunny and Stephanie Keach will also make a direct donation of $250.

“This support comes at a time of year when mentor recruitment is crucial to meeting the needs of local children who are facing adversity and waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister,” says Robin Myer, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC. “Boys, in particular, have a long wait before a Big Brother becomes available as a mentor for them — often close to a year. We look forward to using the funds provided in this sponsorship to reach out to more men Buncombe County who are willing to take this step toward becoming a mentor, making a lasting impact in a child’s life and also gaining a friend that will change their life for the better as well.”

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, go to http://www.bbbswnc.org/.

AYC Charity of the Month: Brother Wolf

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Asheville Yoga Center Raises Funds & Hosts Adoption Day for Dogs, Cats, & Critters in Despair

Asheville Yoga Center selects Brother Wolf Animal Rescue as July 2018 Charity of the Month

Asheville Yoga Center has chosen Brother Wolf Animal Rescue as its July Charity of the Month. Brother Wolf works with volunteers in the community to provide food, shelter, and forever homes for animals in the community on a mission toward a no-kill Asheville.

All month long, AYC will have donation boxes stationed at the AYC Studio and Boutique for guests to directly contribute funds, and on Thursday, July 19, 10% of drop-in and community class sales will be donated to Brother Wolf. AYC will also donate $250.

“We realize the love and therapeutic healing that owning a pet can provide, and we appreciate the importance of finding great homes for animals in the community,” says Melissa Pennscott, General Manager of Asheville Yoga Center. “We are thrilled to have Brother Wolf as our Charity of the Month, and we look forward to supporting their furry friends!”

Since 2007, Brother Wolf has worked to create a no-kill community for animals in Asheville. The grassroots organization includes an Adoption Center in Asheville, that’s home to up to 100 dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens at any given time, and local volunteers help to foster homeless animals until they are matched with their perfect owner.

For more information on Brother Wolf, go to https://www.bwar.org/.

Charity of the Month: Asheville GreenWorks

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GreenWork Makes the Dream Work

To help keep Asheville’s natural lands and waterways free from trash, Asheville Yoga Center is raising funds for Asheville GreenWorks as its Charity of the Month for June 2018.

All month long, AYC will have donation boxes stationed at the AYC Studio and Boutique for guests to directly contribute funds, and on Thursday, June 28, 10% of all drop-in and community class sales will be donated to the local nonprofit. Along with class donations, AYC will contribute $250 to enhance the community through educational and volunteer-based environmental programs

“Asheville’s natural resources are beloved by the community, and it is incredibly important that we keep our lands healthy and thriving for future generations,” says Melissa Pennscott, General Manager of AYC. “We are grateful for the diligent efforts of Asheville GreenWorks and the hands-on opportunities they provide to our community, and we are happy to support them in any way we can.”

For nearly 50 years, Asheville GreenWorks has worked to provide educational and volunteer-based programs to preserve and protect Asheville’s beautiful landscape. From cleanups along rivers, roads, and forests, to educational programs for effective recycling and waste reduction, Asheville GreenWorks has made a tremendous impact on the quality and health of Asheville’s natural resources.

“Through hands-on service work in our local environment, GreenWorks volunteers form deep connections to the natural world and to other members of the community,” says Dawn Chavez, executive director of Asheville GreenWorks.  “A cleaner, healthier environment benefits us all. We are proud to have this opportunity to partner with the Asheville Yoga Center, whose sustainability goals and community-building efforts mirror our organization’s mission and programs.”

For more information on Asheville Greenworks, go to ashevillegreenworks.org.

About Asheville GreenWorks

Asheville GreenWorks inspires, equips and mobilizes individuals and communities to take care of the places we love to live. Since 1973, GreenWorks has worked to enhance the community through educational and volunteer-based environmental programs. With thousands of volunteers, GreenWorks engages the community in grassroots projects such as tree plantings, environmental cleanups, anti-litter and waste reduction education, creation and maintenance of green spaces, and care and preservation of Asheville’s rivers and trees.

AYC Charity of the Month: Our VOICE

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Asheville Yoga Center Fundraises to Support Our VOICE

Yoga studio dedicates classes, workshop & 10% of proceeds on April 26 to fight sexual violence

To raise awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month and join the fight against sexual violence in our community, Asheville Yoga Center has selected Our VOICE as its Charity of the Month for April 2018.

All month long, AYC will have donation boxes stationed at the and Boutique for guests to directly contribute funds, and on Thursday, April 26, 10% of all drop-in and community class sales will be donated to the local nonprofit. On April 30, AYC will host a donation-based Trauma-Sensitive Restorative Yoga Workshop led by instructor Becca Odom, LCSW, E-RYT 200. The suggested donation to the workshop is $20, and all funds raised will be directly donated to Our VOICE in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Along with class donations, AYC will contribute $250 to inspire young women and encourage lifelong health.

“Asheville Yoga Center recognizes the importance of victims’ services for survivors of sexual harassment, and we are thrilled by the opportunity to lend our support any way we can,” says Melissa Pennscott, General Manager of AYC. “We are grateful for organizations like Our VOICE that fight on the frontlines against sexual violence in our community and around the world.”

Established in 1974, Our VOICE has become a leader in the prevention & intervention of sexual violence in Buncombe County. The non-profit provides counseling, advocacy, and education to serve all victims of sexual violence regardless of race, religions, sexual orientation, gender identity, status of citizenship, or income level.

“Survivors across the country are speaking up and breaking the silence around assault and harassment,” says Angelica Wind, Executive Director of Our VOICE. “From media headlines to the #MeToo movement, we are witnessing the pervasiveness of sexual violence in our society, while also holding space for survivors in our community. Now, more than ever, we need to stand in support of all people whose lives have been impacted by sexual violence. We are grateful for businesses like Asheville Yoga Center for standing by survivors and supporting them on the path to healing. Every donation makes a difference in the fight to end sexual violence in our community.”

Save the date: March 14, 2019 Our VOICE will be hosting its first Breaking the Silence speaker series. Among the featured speakers will be Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement.

Our VOICE sponsors a number of projects in the community. Wishlists can be found below for those who are interested in making direct contributions to the nonprofit and can be dropped off at 35 Woodfin Street, 28801.

Items for the Working to End Human Trafficking Project: 
  • Backpacks
  • Individually wrapped healthy snacks
  • Access to food: Gift cards to Ingles/Harris Teeter/Trader Joe’s/To downtown fast-food restaurants
  • Clean, new sweat pants
  • New sports bras
  • Blankets
  • Deodorant
For art therapy classes for survivors:
  • Paper clips
  • Colored pens
  • Markers
  • Art paper/Card Stock Paper
  • Photography magazines (ie National Geographic, for collage classes)
For survivors seeking services at the Buncombe County Family Justice Center:
  • Sanitary pads
  • Bottled Water
  • Herbal Tea/Black Tea
  • Coffee
  • Individually wrapped snacks
  • Tissue

For more information, or for information on Our VOICE’s supportive services, see ourvoicenc.org.

About Asheville Yoga Center:

Asheville Yoga Center (AYC) is a leader in providing world-class instruction and support for personal growth through yoga. Founded in 1997, AYC offers classes, teacher training, and a retail boutique for yoga practitioners of all levels. Learn more at youryoga.com. 

About Our VOICE:

Our VOICE, Inc. is a non-profit crisis intervention and prevention agency which serves victims of sexual violence, age 13 through adult, in Buncombe County. Founded in 1974 in the pursuit of a community that is free of sexual violence, Our VOICE serves all individuals in Buncombe County affected by sexual assault and abuse, through counseling, advocacy and education.

Charity of the Month: MountainTrue

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Asheville Yoga Center Fundraises for MountainTrue

Yoga studio dedicates classes, workshop & 10% of proceeds on May 31 to protect our natural lands

To protect the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond, Asheville Yoga Center is raising funds for MountainTrue as its Charity of the Month for May 2018.

All month long, AYC will have donation boxes stationed at the AYC Studio and Boutique for guests to directly contribute funds, and on Thursday, May 31, 10% of all drop-in and community class sales will be donated to the local nonprofit. Along with class donations, AYC will contribute $250 to MountainTrue.

“Asheville Yoga Center recognizes the importance of protecting our natural resources, and maintaining the beauty of Western North Carolina for generations to come.” says Melissa Pennscott, General Manager of AYC. “We are grateful for MountainTrue’s continued efforts on this mission, and we are happy to support them any way we can.

MountainTrue works to protect the natural resources of Western North Carolina through outreach, education, and hands-on activism. With a focus on sensible land use, forest health and water quality, MountainTrue has developed a number of programs to provide community-based solutions to shared environmental

threats. Programs include advocating for resilient forests, healthy communities, clean waters, and green energy in the 23 counties MountainTrue serves.

On May 16, MountainTrue and New Belgium Brewing Company will host the No Man’s Land Film Festival at the brewery location to build community awareness and promote a stronger female presence in the outdoor community.

“No Man’s Land Film Festival celebrates women in the outdoors. Through the film festival, we want to inspire women to lace up their hiking boots, strap on a climbing harness or hit the trail.” Julie Mayfield, co-director of MountainTrue, said in a release. “Our mountains and rivers need more champions, and those of us who spend time playing in the outdoors are more likely to fight to protect the outdoors.”

For more information, or for information on MountainTrue and the No Man’s Land Film Festival, go to mountaintrue.org.