First and foremost, at YogaOne we see ourselves as part of a greater community. People may define it differently: the yoga community, the Charlotte community, and the health and wellness community. But the sense of community really defines it. We see our selves and our practice of yoga as being eternally linked to every other being on earth (and perhaps beyond!).

To this end, we are always looking for ways to reach out to others. We strongly believe that the best way to keep what you have is to share it with others! Perhaps it is through the practice of yoga or the gift of time or talents. Some ideas we have incorporated into the studio:

• YogaOne holds donation-based "Karma Yoga" class each week. Proceeds from this class are donated to the Karma Yoga focus for the month. Check our schedule for times. We want to make yoga available to everyone and hope to eventually make the whole studio donation-based. We recognize that not everyone can afford regular membership fees. A $10 donation is recommended but not required. And as always, your first class is free.

• YogaOne is joining with other local yoga studios to bring the practice of yoga to the Urban Ministry Center. Every month, instructors teach at the Center to bring the peace and awareness yoga offers to the homeless. YogaOne is honored to be among those working with the Urban Ministry Center and the people it serves.

  The Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization involved both in the ministry of compassion and in the study of urban issues. Their commitment is to the poor, the homeless and others in need by addressing their needs with love, compassion, and tangible assistance. For more information go to: http://www.urbanminstrycenter.org

• Inspired by the work of our teacher, Annie Hammerstone, we are volunteering to organize activities and parties for the children at Alexander Children's Home. For any donations contact Diane at mdtrivette@yahoo.com

• YogaOne was a lead sponsor of the 2006 Cystic Fibrosis Tennis Pro-Am Tournament, which raises money for CF research.

• Our first event was a collaborative fundraiser with 7 local studios (Charlotte Yoga, Peaceful Poses, Sangati, Yoga for Life, Yoga South, and Yogatopia) to benefit Seigle Avenue Preschool. We got sponsorship for 108 Sun Salutations (and you thought the ones you did in class were hard!). Seigle Avenue Preschool Cooperative provides an important educational start to Charlotte's neediest children and families. Together we raised over $5000!

• Each month a different charity is chosen and we collect items or collect donations. Past recipients: Charlotte Battered Women's Shelter and the Susan B. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. Check out our newsletter for simple ways you can enrich your community. Email Sally (sally@yogaonewellness.com) to volunteer or offer suggestions. If you would like to donate to Susan B. Komen foundation you can donate to www.komendonations.org. Click on "Passionatly Pink for cure", then click "Donate to existing team" then select "Yoga One" team