Thanksgiving Yoga Benefit in Marblehead Celebrates 20 Years

MARBLEHEAD, MA - Marblehead's annual Thanksgiving yoga fundraiser is back again for its 20th year.

Sponsored and held by nAGLY, the North Shore alliance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth, the event will be held Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in Parish Hall of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 135 Lafayette St.

Local yoga teacher Elaine Wintman started the event years ago and hosts the event in conjuction with Swallowtail Yoga and teachers Julie Pottier-Brown, Maggie Winter, and Steve LaBonte.

North Shore Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth (nAGLY) Executive Director Steve Harrington said the organization is thankful to have Elaine Wintman and Swallowtail Yoga as a long-time supporter of their programs and outreach.

"Not only have we benefitted from the annual Thanksgiving fundraiser, Elaine has also been part of our programming, teaching our youth the benefits of yoga and relaxation. We are forever grateful to have her as part of our extended nAGLY family," he said.

Wintman said the benefit has always been important to her.

"It’s our responsibility to give back, to do what we can to make this world a kinder and more peaceful place," she said. "For the yogis who practice together on Thanksgiving morning, it means they are more equanimous, happier, more relaxed, and all of those states get passed on to everyone they celebrate with. Family, friends, everyone they meet and even people they don’t know benefit."

Wintman said the benefit includes a guided meditation and funds from the event go towards nAGLY programs.

"We meditate for world peace; we do a lovingkindness meditation where we widen our circle of friends and loved ones to include as many folks as we can," she said.

In general, she said, the yoga community of the North Shore is a generous and compassionate group of people. Over the years, she said, the community has supported many local organizations through a variety of events, and the Thanksgiving Yoga Benefit has become an annual tradition for many.

"People who attend the benefit tell us that it grounds them for a great day. Thanksgiving can be stressful, and a yoga practice is a perfect antidote to stress," she said.

For more information, contact Wintman at 781-367-1181 or elaine@elainewintman.com.

Courtesy Photo / Elaine Wintman