Shelia Donovan: Yoga for a Cause

Shelia Donovan, owner of Shelia Donovan Pilates Studio in Canton, is giving local residents a chance to end the July 4 holiday weekend on a relaxing note and at the same time help needy children who live half a world away. Donovan is hosting Yoga for a Cause to assist the Alliance for Youth Development (AYD) in Ghana, West Africa. The yoga fundraiser will take place on Sunday, July 7, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the studio at 847 Washington Street.

Shelia Donovan

Elvis Morris Donkoh lives in Ghana, but has been traveling throughout the United States for the last several weeks raising money for AYD. Orphaned at 5 years old, Donkoh is now the director of the Global Opportunity Fund’s programs in Ghana, whose mission is to help impoverished women and children in Ghana. Donkoh is also the director of the AYD and is working to help children who have very little economic means of survival.

AYD has started an orphanage for school-aged children called Children’s Home of Hope. The organization relies completely on donations and the efforts of volunteers. Donovan was inspired to host Yoga for a Cause for a simple reason.

“I met Elvis and he touched my heart,” she said. “How can you not be moved? People need to know what this young man is trying to do. I want to bring awareness to people.”

Donovan has planned a varied program for Sunday. Flow Yoga with Donovan will be held at 10 a.m. and Restorative Yoga with Carol Milligan at 11 a.m. The yoga sessions are complimentary and those who attend are being asked to make a donation to AYD. Reiki with Milligan will start at 10 a.m. The suggested donation is one dollar per minute of the session.

Chair massages with Derik Newton will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. The suggested donation is one dollar per minute of the session. Following the yoga and massage sessions, Donkoh will speak to participants.

The Pilates Studio will be accepting donations through July from people who cannot attend Sunday’s event. The money that is donated will be used by AYD to offer scholarships to HIV orphans, street children and other needy students to allow them to continue their education. AYD also supports environmental education programs. For more information on making a donation to AYD, call 781-821-4448 or go to www.sheliadonovan.com.

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Posted by Mary Ann Price on Jul 3 2013. Filed under Featured Content. Both comments and pings are currently closed.