Harry Potter-themed Charitable Yoga Classes Combine Magic and Movement

By Kim Hughes 2/21/17 | www.samaritanmag.com

When Harry Potter wants objects to levitate, he waves his magic wand while intoning “wingardium leviosa!” But as any yoga practitioner can tell you, freeing the mind also induces feelings of weightlessness. Now the fun of Harry Potter and the physical expression of yoga are coming together for an excellent cause.

Starting Feb. 25 at Toronto's Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.) , and running every Saturday at 10 a.m. and noon through to March 18 is HP Yoga T.O., although the noon classes ($9.75) have already sold out.

Billed as a “magical Harry Potter yoga experience,” classes — part of an ongoing yoga pop-up campaign hosted by Pop Up Asana Toronto — raise money for the Sick Kids Foundation, the largest non-governmental granting agency in child health in Canada, which fundraises for Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital and researchers across the country.

According to the Sick Kids Foundation’s web site, “in the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2016, SickKids Foundation invested $137.3 million in child health research, learning and care.”

In addition to the $9.75 per class, at the online checkout one can also make an additional donation to the Foundation and receive a tax deductible receipt.

Tickets for the HP yoga classes will also be available at the door for $12, if space allows.

The classes are suitable for yogis age 18 and over at all levels of experience. Yogis are encouraged to wear Hogwarts-themed clothing and “be ready to cast yogi spells and conjure Patronus Charms in a space filled with book-inspired décor,” according to a press release.

“On their mat with wands in hand, students will transfigure between poses like Downward Dumbledore (Downward Dog) to Wizard 1 and 2 (Warrior 1 and 2) and Womping Willow (Tree Pose).”  Classes are led by altruistic instructors Tara DiGi and Alaina G whose pop-up events around Toronto support local charities such as Sick Kids.

The duo launched last summer with a series of yoga classes inspired by rapper Drake, raising over $2,600 for the MLSE Foundation, whose mission is to [improve] the lives of youth by building facilities, giving to sustainable programs and empowering youth through sports and recreation.”

More info can be had here or by emailing PopUpAsanaTO@gmail.com. Remember to bring your own mat.

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* Samaritanmag.com is an online magazine covering the good deeds of individuals, charities and businesses.