One of my favorite aspects of being a small business owner is having full control over the way in which my company gives back. I feel so lucky to have found Yoga Reaches Out, a nonprofit organization that supports children's charities through yoga, and am proud to support them with pro bono photography and personal fundraising each year. Sarah, Laurin, Robin and the whole team have not only created a powerful organization but also an environment for an entire giving community to come together. The energy walking into a room of 1,000 yogis at each yogathon is palpable. This organization is really something special.
I have photographed the New England Yogathon and Kids' Yogathon for the last four years and this past week I was able to attend their annual Top Fundraisers Yoga Retreat in Stowe, VT. Gerry Scott graciously opens his retreat center, Stowe Mountain Ranch Yoga Retreat Center, to the team once a year as a way to celebrate successful fundraising and teamwork. We were able to practice yoga with his beautiful horses for a bit before the rain came and then we took to the town to enjoy some hot cider, apple cider donuts, and maple flavored everything. We were able to take a short hike to view a waterfall {it was a little too slippery for me to get to the bottom with my camera gear so you'll instead see a few fun tree root photographs of that part} and fill our water bottles up with water from a fresh spring. We posed for photographs under Emily's haunted covered bridge and visited the Cabot Annex to eat what felt like 100's of cheese varieties {yum!} and a speciality chocolate shop. Gerry graciously pointed out gorgeous scenery as we drove so I could snap away. And, we of course practiced yoga each morning and evening. A big thanks to Hania, Andrea, Joanna, and Mary for leading the classes! And to Tom Lena for providing such blissful music throughout! And, best of all, we enjoyed amazing meals from Tess, the chef extraordinaire, who graciously provided delicious vegetarian options at each meal. What a trip! Captured in photographs below...
