BY DANIEL-JEAN LUBIN | With a major yoga fundraising event this weekend led by popular local instructor Jason Patrick, Modo Yoga NYC is heating up the frigid city, and hopes to raise mucho funds for God’s Love We Deliver.
Modo Yoga NYC opened in January 2012 at 434 Sixth Ave. at 10th St. to rave reviews. The studio is co-owned by Sarah Neufeld, violinist and composer for Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. What makes the place unique is Modo’s commitment to what’s known as “hot yoga.”
This yoga style uses heat to develop an individual’s flexibility, plus simulates the heat and humidity of India, where yoga originated.
“Modo Yoga is a dynamic system of postures and breathing exercises specifically designed to be practiced in the heat,” explained Patrick, known to some as Downtown’s “Bearded Yogi.”
“Modo classes are intended to open, strengthen and detoxify the entire body,” he said. “We’re committed to ethical, compassionate and environmentally conscious living, and believe that the benefits of yoga are limitless and accessible to all.”
God’s Love We Deliver provides hot, nutritious meals to New York-area residents living with H.I.V. / AIDS and a variety of chronic illnesses, as well as to their caregivers.
Patrick hopes his Big Love Weekend will raise $100,000 — which would fund 10,000 meals — for the nonprofit food provider and its Soho location, which is currently being renovated and vertically expanded. God’s Love also holds a special place in Patrick’s heart since he is H.I.V.-positive.
Patrick has teamed up with friends Shauna Robertson and actor Edward Norton in conjunction with Crowdrise.com, which will be providing the fundraising platform for Big Love Weekend. Attendees will be able to reserve a spot at one or more events, and will then have their very own personalized Crowdrise page to share with their friends as a means of generating further funds via sponsorship donations.
Sat., Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will see yoga exercises and talks. Sun., Feb. 16, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., will feature the Big Love Birthday Bash, with performances by Pharaohs, Christine Cole, Robert Locke and Anny Finnestad, followed by the Big Love Dance Party, from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., with performances by Neufeld and Rebecca Foon of Saltland, plus beats by DJ’s.
“I believe this fundraiser will raise a significant sum of money for G.L.W.D. over the two days at the Ace Hotel, doubling as a birthday party and a fundraiser for this charity,” Patrick said. “I’m excited by the prospect of having many people in my community become involved in the act of selfless service through their participation in this fundraiser event, as the money they will be raising will go toward feeding a lot of wonderful souls in need of nourishment.”
For more information about how to register for Patrick’s Big Love Weekend or to donate, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/BigLoveWknd .
