FAIRHOPE, Ala. — To help spread the health and wellness benefits of yoga, Augusta Kantra and Creative Outlet are hosting a free workshop as part of Yoga Day USA, the national celebration of yoga.

Hundreds of Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) and schools (RYS) throughout the United States will host free or low-cost workshops on Yoga Day USA designed to meet the unique needs of their local communities and change lives — all through yoga. Thousands of Americans across the country from the young and old, flexible and not-so-flexible, to athletes and couch potatoes, and those of every heritage will be able to find a workshop perfect for them. In the practice of karma yoga or service to others, this workshop is a fund-raising event for The Haven (a no kill animal shelter). Any and all donations collected will be given to The Haven.

If you’ve ever wanted to try yoga, this is the day to stretch yourself and give it a try. There are no requirements other than an open mind. Put aside any ideas of what you can’t do, and come experience what you CAN do.

“Yoga Day USA is an annual event where the Yoga Alliance community comes together to share the health and wellness benefits of yoga and the transformative effects it can have on one’s life,” says Yoga Alliance President and CEO R. Mark Davis. “The practice is literally for ‘every body’ — it meets you where you are no matter what your capacity or state of health,” he added.

Yoga Day USA was created by Yoga Alliance, the international gold standard for professional yoga teachers and schools and the leader in setting standards that protect the health and welfare of society.

According to a 2008 Yoga Journal study, 15.8 million Americans practice yoga and 14 million say that a doctor or therapist has recommended yoga to improve their health. Yoga as medical therapy is garnering more attention in the medical community as demonstrated by National Institute of Health’s (NIH) first ever Yoga Week which explored the science and practice of yoga. The benefits of yoga are numerous including stress management, improvement in heart health, reduction of cholesterol, and improved circulation. Practicing yoga can help with illnesses ranging from asthma to cancer. Yoga is also known for slowing the signs of aging, decreasing wrinkles, firming skin and reducing oxidative stress.

To find a Yoga Day USA event, please go to http://www.yogadayusa.org.