Yoga Challenge to Beat Arthritis

My Yoga Online - My Yoga Online is proud to be supporting the Power of Movement 2009. On Sunday, February 22, thousands of Canadians will be striking their best downward-facing dog pose for Power of Movement 2009, the world's largest yoga fundraiser designed to celebrate mobility and raise money for critical arthritis research.

This year the popular yoga event goes national for the first time — throughout the day, large-scale Power of Movement yoga "mega-sessions" are taking place in 10 cities coast-to-coast including Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. Power of Movement has also partnered with yoga studios in other communities across the country to hold smaller fundraising sessions. People of all ages and fitness level can get involved — from yoga gurus to those with limited mobility — by registering online at www.powerofmovement.ca.



More than 4.5 million Canadians live with arthritis (one of the leading causes of disability) and autoimmune diseases. The economic burden of arthritis in Canada is estimated at $4.4 billion annually. These conditions account for over 10 per cent of the total burden of all illnesses in Canada, yet only 1.3 percent of attributed health science research is dedicated to this area.

Now in its third year, Power of Movement began as a small grassroots initiative with 250 participants in Toronto. The event's initial goal was to generate $10,000 but in just two years it has surpassed all expectations raising more than $115,000. Money raised in 2009 will benefit arthritis and autoimmune disease research priorities across Canada, through the Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre (AARC) Foundation and several chapters of The Arthritis Society.

The Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre (AARC) Foundation raises funds and awareness for the most comprehensive, collaborative, and specialized arthritis research centre around the globe, housed at University Health Network (UHN), which comprises Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals. AARC is dedicated to research in arthritis related autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal health, and advancements in orthopaedic surgery.

About The Arthritis Society
The Arthritis Society empowers the nearly 4.5 million Canadians with arthritis to live their lives to the fullest by combating the daily limitations of arthritis. In the last 60 years, The Society has invested $165 million towards arthritis research to develop better treatments and, ultimately, find a cure. The Arthritis Society's mission is "to search for the underlying causes and subsequent cures for arthritis, and to promote the best possible care and treatment for people with arthritis".