Yoga teachers in the region are collecting donations for local fire departments!

Yoga teachers in the region are collecting donations for local fire departments!

In the Gohrischheide region, special attention will be paid to yogic practice this week. The local yoga teachers have launched a charity campaign to support the local fire departments. This initiative began in early July 2023 when the region was affected by severe fires. “We want to show our support and gratitude,” explained Katja Siemens, who is leading a free yoga class for beginners in Gröditz next Sunday at 9 a.m. The donations collected will flow directly to the fire departments in Wülknitz, Zeithain and Gröditz, as already agreed in consultation with the mayors. Mayor Enrico Münch actively supported the campaign and took part in the yoga classes himself.

The courses run until Sunday, July 20, 2023, and take place in various locations, including Gröditz, Großenhain, Riesa, Stolzenhain and Bad Liebenwerda. An event under the motto “Together for our region” is also being offered in Bad Liebenwerda. Participants can donate from five euros, with many even giving ten euros or more. The goal is to collect a four-figure amount to relieve the burden on the fire departments. Public relations work was promoted with a postcard campaign that has already raised 500 euros for new trees in Gröditz, also part of the support for the community.

Diversity and Inclusion in Yoga

Yoga has long since evolved beyond the clichés. The Accessible Yoga movement, founded by Jivana Heyman, is committed to making yoga accessible to everyone, especially people who may not be visible on social media. An inclusive target group is addressed, which also includes older people, people with physical or psychological problems and people in wheelchairs. Programs like “Yoga on the Chair” offer a valuable opportunity, especially for the 60+ generation, to stay active and exercise in a community even as they get older.

An important step in this direction is the accessibility of yoga offerings. The website of Treffpunkt Yoga, a professional provider in Dresden and the surrounding area, is regularly checked for accessibility and adapted to the guidelines of the Accessibility Strengthening Act. Appropriate adjustments, such as optimization for screen readers and keyboard navigation, are part of the package. In addition, courses in different styles and special offers for different age groups and experience levels are provided, including the popular prevention courses that are subsidized by health insurance companies.

With such acceptance and accessibility initiatives, yoga should be experienced by everyone – regardless of physical limitations or personal backgrounds. The importance of inclusion and diversity in yoga is becoming increasingly recognized, and it is encouraging to see these trends making their way into the region.

So anyone who would like to embark on the yoga mat adventure is warmly invited to join the upcoming events. The contribution to the community is not only noticeable, but also urgently needed, especially at a time when support for local fire departments and social projects is needed more than ever.