Hot Yoga Studio to Host 'Sweat-A-Thon'

will host its first “Sweat-a-thon” Thursday, where yogis will participate in three 90-minute classes with the chance to win free yoga classes.

“You have to stay standing through the whole standing series and basically stay in the room,” said co-owner Debbie Burack. “If you leave the room for any reason during any of the classes when they’re being taught the hook comes out and you’re out.”

The event begins at 8 a.m., but participants are encouraged to come in by 7:30 a.m. Those who complete two classes will win a free week of yoga, and those who complete all three classes will win a free month.

Three different instructors – Tommy McFeely, Jenn Campbell and Kristina Snickars, will teach the three classes, with a five-to-10 minute break between each class.

There is a minimum $10 entry fee to participate, and participants can also accept outside sponsorships for the event.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Family and Friends of Drew Odnoha Scholarship Fund. Odnoha was killed on March 19, 2005 after being struck by a car crossing a street in Bethpage.

Andrew said he met Burack while looking for donations for his annual fundraiser dinner for the scholarship fund in May, and she donated a gift certificate to be raffled off. About a month later he received a phone call saying the yoga studio would like to donate further.

“Probably the middle of June I had got a call from her marketing manager saying that [they were] having this ‘Sweat-a-thon’ … they wanted to give proceeds to the scholarship, which I thought was again very kind and generous of them,” he said.

Burack said hearing Drew’s story from Andrew fueled her want to give the proceeds to the scholarship fund.

“I have an 18-year-old son so when Drew’s dad came in and explained what happened to his son it really hit home,” she said.

Burack said at time of publication 15 people have signed up for the event and an additional 15-20 signed up via Facebook.