Why Spring Brings Me Hope for a Healthier World

LifestyleWellness
Written By Sara VanderGoot

This spring, more than ever before, I feel hopeful about the future. My own future, but more importantly the future of the world. A big part of that has to do with the fact that I am turning 45 on April 19th, and I have stepped fully into my soul's purpose to serve the world through encouraging people to nurture their bodies, minds, and spirits. At this point in my life, I have established my career and my business, my son is seven and in school all day, so I have more time to do the things I have always wanted to do, like volunteer for missions I believe in.

photo credit

One of those missions is the work of RunningBrooke. Many of you have heard of this organization and also know the founder, Brooke Curran. Brooke has been a friend of mine for almost two decades and it has truly been an honor to see what she has created and be part of it. RunningBrooke is a non-profit organization that gets kids, especially at risk kids, moving to spark academic achievement. As a yoga teacher, I know firsthand how important movement is for feeling grounded, connected, and focused.

A RunningBrooke-funded classroom in action

For Spring2ACTion, I have gathered a group of local businesses -- team #Block2BeOn -- to help raise money for RunningBrooke. Participating businesses include: Mind the Mat, Kiskadee, The Shoe Hive, Bellacara, Core Wellness, and Vital Body Mind Therapies (Melissa McGlone & Linda Frommeyer).

Hume Springs Playground built with RunningBrooke funds.

 

Shop To Double Your Donation!

Use this link to donate $25 or more to RunningBrooke Tuesday April 9th or Wednesday April 10th and receive 10% off on your next purchase at any of the above businesses through December 31st, 2019. Shop at any of the above businesses tomorrow, April 10th, and a generous portion of your purchase will go to RunningBrooke.

Join Us Today...

Today, Tuesday April 9th, purchase lunch, dinner, take-out, or gift certificates at Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza and a generous portion of your purchase will go to RunningBrooke.

...and Tomorrow To Support RunningBrooke

Join us at Del Ray Pizzeria tomorrow, Wednesday, April 10th between 6-9pm upstairs at The Reserve for pizza on the house! The space and the pizza have been generously donated by Del Ray Pizzeria. While there, grab some other food or drinks and a generous portion of your purchase at the pizzeria will go to RunningBrooke.On your way up to The Reserve check out the Kendra Scott jewelry table outside. Make a purchase a generous portion will go to RunningBrooke that day.

And This Spring in Our Studios

Get moving for spring at Mind the Mat. We provide expert instruction in Pilates, yoga, and barre with two studio locations, one in Alexandria and one in Arlington. Both studios have hot Pilates and yoga. Spring is the best time to detox. Check out our HOT STUDIOS and try our brand new infrared hot studio in Clarendon, Arlington. Infared light has been proven to help with weight loss, detoxification, hormone balance, skin health, and more.Check out Mind the Mat's amazing Spring Workshops to elevate your health, including Yoga Nidra, Butts & Guts, Revitalize Spring Cleanse, Rebirth: A Special Easter Yoga Class, Yoga for Post Baby Blur, Infant CPR, and Childbirth Classes. 

Sara VanderGoot

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Co-Owner | Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga

Sara VanderGoot, CMT, e-RYT 200, RYT 500, is Co-founder of Mind the Mat Pilates and Yoga and Director of Mind the Mat Yoga Alliance certified teacher training program. Sara is an experienced Registered Yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. She studied Interdisciplinary Yoga with Don and Amba Stapleton in Nosara, Costa Rica and at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Sara is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Sara has been practicing massage therapy, including specialties Prenatal Massage, Postpartum Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Thai Yoga Massage, in Del Ray, Alexandria for over 15 years and a yoga instructor for 7 years. At Mind the Mat she specializes in Prenatal Yoga, Postpartum Core Yoga, Mommy and Me Core Yoga, Partners Yoga, and Hot Flow Yoga. Sara frequently acts as a birth companion for many of her clients, doing massage and yoga during labor and delivery to facilitate comfort during both medicated and unmedicated births. Before becoming a massage therapist and yoga instructor, she was a lawyer in the Washington D.C. area and found that the healing practices of massage and yoga brought a balance to her life that she had been searching for.

Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga was founded in 2008 by Megan Brown, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Polestar Certified Practitioner of Pilates for Rehabilitation and Sara VanderGoot, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher (e-RYT 200, RYT 500). In their private practices as physical therapist and massage therapist respectively Megan and Sara observed that many of their clients were coming in with similar needs: relief for neck and shoulder tension and low back pain as well as a desire for more flexibility in hips and legs, stability in joints, and core strength.

Together Megan and Sara carefully crafted a curriculum of Pilates and yoga classes to address needs for clients who are pregnant, postpartum, have injuries or limitations, who are new to Pilates and yoga, and for those who are advanced students and are looking for an extra challenge.

www.mindthemat.com     

2214 Mount Vernon Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22301

703.683.2228

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