Dreams Have No Limits :

Help Make 2011 the Best YSNV Ever!!!

How it all started

Cheryl Catranbone offered the first YOGA SALUTES NON VIOLENCE in 2002 while living in Mississippi, born as a way for Cheryl to connect the Yoga Community with the local community and at the same time teach her students a practical way to integrate the teaching of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Karma Yoga (Selfless Service).

The idea began in her mind and heart as her way to personally connect more deeply with the community and offer more than a mere donation to a charity that needed support. Having visited India, Cheryl knew of the tradition of performing 108 Sun Salutations. A practice she longed to try for herself, she saw the possibilities of marrying all of these ideas and at the same time benefit victims of abuse in her hometown. While the first event was a small one, the event grew each year thanks to the wholehearted efforts of the local yoga community. The tradition had been born and Cheryl brought it with her when she moved to Maryland.

In 2006 Cheryl approached Kathy Donnelly of the Yoga Center of Columbia to see if she might be willing to be a part of the event. Kathy in her ever generous and loving spirit answered with a resounding YES and Yoga Salutes Non Violence was held for the first time in Maryland in November of 2006. With over 30 participants taking part and with donations by local businesses and the generosity of the yoga community the event raised over $13,000 for the local Domestic Violence Centers. Each year the event continues to grow with just over $20,000 collected in 2010!

In 2011, YSNV is proud to welcome Willow Street Yoga, as they join us in our efforts to promote peace by hosting a satellite event in their Takoma Park Studio. Thank you and welcome to Willow Street Ambassador Naomi Gottlieb-Miller and Willow Street Yoga!