Yogi-activists move ‘Beyond Coal’

(Photo courtesy of Kelly Martin)

Further proof that yoga can involve more than a good stretch: This Saturday evening, Nov. 23, yogis and activists will come together at Asheville Yoga Center to speak out against coal-fired electricity and help to move Asheville towards clean energy alternatives.

The Yogis Beyond Coal event will include a yoga class, kirtan practice — a call and response chanting of mantras — and a presentation by Kelly Martin, of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, on how Asheville’s coal-powered, Duke Energy-owned electricity plant contributes to pollution, health problems and climate change.

Martin, who identifies as both a yoga practitioner and an environmental activist, says the merging of these two worlds makes perfect sense. “I think people who practice yoga and people who are concerned about the environment often overlap,” she says. “People who want to make the world a better place through yoga practice often also want to make the world a better place through environmental activism. We want our bodies to be healthy, just like we want our communities to be healthy.”

Lisa Sherman will lead the yoga class and Michael and Stephanie Johnson will lead the kirtan practice. Attendees will also be provided with further opportunities to take action locally. Dobra Tea and the French Broad Chocolate Lounge will provide tea and chocolate. The event takes place Saturday Nov. 23, 5-7 p.m. at 211 Liberty Street. Admission is donation-based.

Find more information about the event on Facebook at http://avl.mx/02x.

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About Lea McLellan
Lea McLellan is a freelance writer who likes to write stories about music, art, food, wellness and interesting locals doing interesting things.

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