PORT ANGELES — Amelia Andaleon grew up in Port Angeles, the daughter of Filipino parents.
She left for a while to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she became a fitness instructor.
Then Andaleon came home and learned about yoga, a practice she finds healing on many levels.
When Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, killing or leaving missing more than 5,000 and displacing millions, she wanted to do something, give something.
She talked with friends in the local Filipino community, and they recommended the Philippine Red Cross as well as Catholic Relief Services.
Fundraising yoga
In hopes of generating donations beyond her own, Andaleon will teach a fundraising yoga and meditation class at Kula Yoga, 128 E. Front St., at 3 p.m. today (Sunday).
Admission is a suggested $10 contribution to the Philippine Red Cross.
“This gentle class will be one hour, followed by a short meditation, then socializing with light refreshments,” said Andaleon, who has been teaching yoga since April.
“Bring a yoga mat if you have one” to the studio, which is next door to the Port Angeles Dance Center.
Kula Yoga owner Travis Riemer is donating the space, while designer Noah Dibert and PenPrint of Port Angeles donated posters to promote the event.
“If you’d like to make a donation but skip the yoga, please stop by after 4:15 p.m. today (Sunday), Andaleon added.
“If you would rather, you can donate directly to the Philippine Red Cross” at www.redcross.org.ph or Catholic Relief Services at http://crs.org.
Other ways to donate
Although not affiliated with the yoga fundraiser, donations also can be made to the American Red Cross, either through the regional or national offices.
The Olympic Peninsula Red Cross, which serves Clallam and Jefferson counties, can take checks, with “Philippines relief” written on the memo line, or money orders mailed to the chapter at P.O. Box 188, Carlsborg, WA 98324, or hand-delivered to the office at 151 Ruth’s Place in Carlsborg.
Online contributions can be made at www.redcross.org.
Fifteen years
Andaleon has practiced yoga for 15 years now.
She enrolled in the Baptiste vinyasa instructor program this past June and traveled to Sedona, Ariz., for training.
“I believe in the healing power of yoga,” she said.
Andaleon teaches at Kula Yoga as well as at the Clallam County YMCA at 302 S. Francis St. For more information about Andaleon’s yoga instruction, visit www.spirituallyfityoga.com; for details about Sunday’s event visit www.KulaYogaPortAngeles.com.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
