Happy Tails Yoga to Stop Animal Cruelty, Kinnelon Library on 5/24/11

Are  you curious about Yoga? Do you feel passionately about stopping animal cruelty and neglect? Consider spending an hour on May 24th, 2011 from 6:30 to 7:30pm with Energy in Motion LLC which will host a Happy Tails Yoga class at the Kinnelon Library to benefit the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

For questions about the 5/24/11 class, contact Maryellen Liddy of the Kinnelon Library at 973-838-1321 or Tiffiny Twardowsky of Energy in Motion at 973-983-9554.

Here's the premise for Happy Tails Yoga:

During the month of May yoga teachers donate their time by teaching classes, locations donate their facilities to hold the classes and attendees donate their money to take these classes. Happy Tails Yoga turns over 100% of the proceeds to the NJSPCA to benefit mistreated and neglected animals (almost $5,000 to date).

Intriguing, no?

Tiffiny Twardowsky, who will be teaching the 5/24/11 Happy Tails Yoga session at the Kinnelon Library, is principal of Energy in Motion, LLC and founder of Happy Tails Yoga.  I had the opportunity to ask her a few questions.

CB: Tiffiny, tell me about yourself and your business?

TT:  I've been in the health and wellness industry for over 20 years designing exercise programs, conducting wellness seminars and health promotion programs, and teaching group exercise classes. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Movement Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology and a Masters of Science in Health/Fitness Management; I'm an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, a certified Nutrition Specialist, and a Registered Yoga Teacher for the National Yoga Alliance. She is also CPR/AED and First Aid Certified.

That said, I'm really passionate about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and a sound well-being and I've developed a teaching style that combines the science of physiology with the holistic principles of yogic philosophy. I find that this all-encompassing approach improves both physical health and mental well-being.

CB: what about Energy in Motion?

TT:  I started Energy in Motion in 1996 to provide on-site fitness and wellness services for corporate and private clients, allowing busy people to take a proactive approach to health, fitness and stress management. Programs include yoga, pilates, group exercise classes, personal training and wellness seminars. You can find more info at www.einmotion.com; there's a video that explains the services we provide.

CB:  What about Happy Tails Yoga?

TT: I came up with the idea for Happy Tails Yoga in 2008 after speaking with two other yoga instructors with whom I shared a passion for animals. We all adopted pets from rescue groups or animal shelters. For me, the marriage of yoga and animals was a natural fit. Yoga is more than just a form of exercise. It is a way of life, helping you enhance your own health and well-being. Since opening my home and heart to adopted dogs, I wanted to find a way to enhance the health and well-being of the too many abandoned, neglected, and unloved animals in New Jersey.

It started out small, but as I was creating Happy Tails Yoga, I realized I needed to make more of an impact for the animals. I decided to contact as many yoga teachers as I could to see if they would donate their time and talent to teach a Happy Tails Yoga class. People who attend the classes—which are open to all, at any experience level—donate whatever amount they choose. Happy Tails Yoga teachers then send 100 percent of the proceeds to the NJSPCA. I chose the NJSPCA to receive Happy Tails donations because it provides services statewide; I wanted the funds raised during Happy Tails Yoga classes, which are held all over the state, to benefit all of New Jersey’s animals in need.

CB: What do you love most about Kinnelon? 

TT: I live in Rockaway, NJ. My favorite places to visit in Kinnelon are the many parks this town has to offer. My husband and I love taking our dogs for walks in the woods.

CB: Tiffiny, how can blog readers get more information?

TT: To find a Happy Tails class near you, visit HappyTailsYoga.org and click on “Schedule.” It's a great opportunity to try a new class or take a class with your favorite teacher. Donations can be made, in any amount, at a Happy Tails Yoga class or at the NJSPCA website. In fact, NJSPCA has a donation link on their website specifically for Happy Tails Yoga. You can also mail checks made payable to NJSPCA to:

Happy Tails Yoga

c/o Tiffiny Twardowsky

PO Box 53

Rockaway, NJ 07866

The more money we raise, the more animals we save!

CB: Thanks, Tiffiny!

I hope you'll consider limbering up body and soul on 5/24/11 at the Kinnelon Library with Tiffiny Twardowsky for a Happy Tails Yoga class. You'll contribute to helping stop animal cruelty.

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