Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Gardner.
Sarah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After practicing yoga for about six years and doing some work with Landmark Education, I was able to create space in my heart and mind to realize that it wasn’t about me. I was here to make a difference and how was I going to do that. I remember driving down Route 128 nine years ago and saying out loud to myself, “I want to have a Yogathon at Gillette Stadium where 1000 yogis come together to raise money for children in need.” I shared the idea with my family and a few close friends who supported the idea 100% and a few friends who questioned the enormity of it and said, “How about your local yoga studio to start?” I let go of fear and knew from the beginning that bringing the yoga community together to help others in the largest yoga fundraiser in the country was my goal without a doubt.
When my son, Will, was born in 2000 he arrived 10 weeks early weighing 3 1/2 pounds. He spent 7 1/2 weeks at Brigham & Women’s NICU and Boston Children’s Hospital. After watching my child’s life be cared for with such love and attention, all I wanted to do is give back. My heart wanted to support children in need and when the idea for Yoga Reaches Out was created, I knew that yoga would be the platform and helping children would be the catalyst.
The yoga community completely embraced the idea. The feeling was: we get to do what we love to do (yoga) AND give back at the same time! Sign me up, how can I help? It was truly beautiful to watch it unfold. I just had an idea, the yoga community has done the rest. We held our first Yoga Reaches Out Yogathon at Gillette Stadium’s Field House in September of 2010. 400 yogis gathered and raised over $200,000. This past April was our eighth YRO with officially over 1,000 yogis practicing to raise funds for the eighth year in a row for Boston Children’s Hospital. Yoga Reaches out has donated 1.5 million dollars to the hospital.
In the past year, Yoga Reaches Out has merged with Boston Children’s Hospital and the YRO Yogathon is now a signature event for the hospital. What was once a third-party fundraiser (think lemonade stand) is now a crucial part of supporting Boston Children’s Hospital. After founding and being the executive director of the non-profit, Yoga Reaches Out, it was adjustment to let others take over many of the roles. I could not be happier with my choice to merge. It felt like, what I imagine next year will be like when Will leaves for college, letting my baby grow. Always be a part of it, always loving but knowing that it can grow and succeed with bigger wings. I am a big believer in finding your passion, educating it, growing it, sharing it and then passing it on to help make this work a better place.
For the first six years of Yoga Reaches Out, the event supported different areas in the hospital from the NICU, to research for autism, leukemia and cancer to supporting the Heart Center and now the event supports the Wellness Center at the hospital. The Yoga Reaches Out room offers yoga, reiki and meditation to the care takers, patients and soon to the employees of the hospital. Supporting the Wellness Center at the hospital feels so right. It is like we have come full-circle: supporting what we love to do, helping children and their families, and giving the yoga community a tangible place to volunteer and give back. The Wellness Center is completely supported by Yoga Reaches Out and would not be able to grow and help so many in need if it were not for the Yogathon and the YRO community.
I love this work so much, and I believe our purpose on earth is to help others. I am so grateful that Yoga Reaches Out has helped me and so many others to share this joy of giving.
The ninth annual Yoga Reaches Out Yogathon will be held at Gillette Stadium’s Field House on Sunday, April 28, 2019. Registration will open in January, 2019.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The first challenge was letting go of fear. I empowered myself and then other women to believe in something so much that if fear got in the way the road would be blocked. An idea might not work, but don’t let fear be the reason why. If you try, you will learn from it and grow from it.
I also believe in surrounding yourself with people that are smarter and more knowledgeable than you. Let go of ego and take your passion to a place of purpose.
In the fundraising world many have difficulty asking for money, but always remember you are not asking for yourself you are asking for that child who is fighting leukemia at the hospital or you are asking for that single mom of three who’s youngest child was just diagnosed with autism.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Yoga Reaches Out – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have a Master of Education in Human Movement from Boston University. I have had an in-home personal training business for almost 20 years. I began practicing yoga after my second child was born 15 years ago. Yoga became not what I did but who I was. I studied to become a registered yoga teacher six years ago, and I recently became a certified CrossFit Level 1 Trainer.
I started Yoga Reaches Out almost 10 years ago and I am so proud of all that it has accomplished. YRO became a 501c3 non-profit in its first year and has raised over 2 million dollars for children’s charities around the world. It has also empowered so many people to help others.
As far as I am aware, Yoga Reaches Out is the most successful yoga fundraiser in the country.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I believe in the power of connection. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help or ask questions. I had a mentor from the fledgling stages of YRO, and I believe a huge part of YRO’s success is because of that relationship.
Contact Info:
- Website: yogareachesout.org
- Email: info@yogareachesout.org
- Instagram: yogareachesout
- Facebook: @yogareachesout
- Twitter: yogareachesout
Image Credit:
Ashley Bilodeau
Kadri Kurgun
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