Fundraiser -- Party with a Purpose: YOGA MOVES MS

Nov. 16th

fundraiser for
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

Mindy
Eisenberg has a passion for helping people live with Multiple Sclerosis – first
her mother, and for the past 10 years, Michigan residents living with the
chronic disease. That’s why she puts her heart and soul into planning an annual
fundraiser to gather funds for special Yoga for MS classes so tudents don’t
have to pay exorbitant amounts.

This year’s event, which takes place November 16th at the Troy Marriott and honors four clinicians from local MS clinics, will gather many from the MS world – doctors, physician assistants, nurses and patients as well as their 

families and friends – to focus on therapeutic yoga that supports those living

with MS. The fundraiser supports the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF), which
provides services and education as well as underwriting therapeutic yoga classes for people with MS. 

“Party With
a Purpose,” the November MS fundraiser, honors Dr. William Leuchter (Clinical
Associate Professor of Neurology at Wayne State University School of Medicine
and has been in private practice in Southfield since 1976), Dr. James Voci (Director of Neurology at Beaumont Grosse Pointe and practices at
Michigan Neurology Associates on the East side), Elizabeth Cobb (Dr. Leuchter’s
assistant at his Southfield practice since 1998) and Jennifer Lombardo (has
worked with Dr. Voci for more than 8 years).  Three of the four honorees
actively practice yoga, and all strongly believe yoga should be part of the
treatment plan for those with MS.

Diane Ring, who created yoga for MS in 2005, will be presented

with the Founder’s Award. Erica Coulston, President of Walk the Line to SCI

Recovery, Inc., and the 2013 winner of Oakland County’s Elite 40 under 40, will
be the keynote speaker. In 2001, at the age of 23, Coulston sustained a spinal cord injury,
which left her paralyzed from the chest down. After attending other programs with
limited physical success, Coulston co-founded Walk The Line to SCI Recovery in
July 2007. This activity-based physical therapy program assists clients with
spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries to actively pursue recovery from their
injuries.

Attire:  Saturday Night Chic (jeans welcome)

Tickets: $75 each (includes dinner, drink, “fishbowl “and silent auction and keynote speaker Erica Coulston)

Register online at Blacktie.com link: 

https://www.blacktie-southflorida.com/calendar/event-detail.cfm?id=9354

For information: yogaspiritwellness@gmail.com

 * Please help us spread the word
about this wonderful event! Tickets are available and the event is open to the
public. All proceeds go to help people with MS take local yoga classes. *

About Eisenberg and the classes:

Eisenberg
and her co-teachers instruct four weekly therapeutic yoga classes for MS patients,
reaching an average of 100 students every year in Rochester, Novi, Southfield
and Bloomfield Township.  Eisenberg’s

students arrive with a range of symptoms and levels of ability.  Some students are impacted by symptoms such
as fatigue, while others require a cane, walker, scooter or wheelchair to move. 

“I believe
yoga should be available to everyone regardless of physical limitations or
financial concerns,” says Eisenberg. 

“We are all
waiting for the day when yoga therapy is covered by insurance.  Until then, fundraising is necessary to help
defray the costs of this cost effective complement to traditional medical
care.”

As a way to
make that happen sooner than later, Eisenberg is participating in the
instruction of a yoga therapy class offered to Wayne State University Medical
Students. This is a first step in a long journey to insurance coverage for yoga
therapeutics.  Research studies are
increasingly demonstrating the effectiveness of yoga therapy for a range of
conditions including MS, Cancer, Anxiety and Depression, Cardiac, Asthma, back
care and more.

Yoga Moves
MS students say they sleep better, have fewer spasms and experience an improved range of motion when they practice yoga. 

One student no longer needs a walker to get out of bed in the morning.

Many students say they can manage their chronic pain better due to techniques
and tools learned in yoga.

Eisenberg
creates a sense of community in her therapeutic yoga classes. Students claim
the discussions and class themes, such as diet and lifestyle practices, yogic
philosophy and self-empowerment and relaxation techniques, are as important as
the stretching and physical movement, as they can share their symptoms and
struggles in a supportive and understanding setting.

A recent
study showed that just six months of continuous yoga significantly reduces
fatigue in people with MS. Fatigue has been known to be disabling for 80
percent of MS patients if not kept in check. Another big benefit of yoga for MS
is the breathing and meditation/relaxation exercises that help reduce stress
and pain. A study is currently underway at Cleveland Clinic on how yoga helps
ambulation for people with MS.

MS can
introduce financial pressures on the individual living with it as well as

his/her family. Many cannot afford their medications, let alone the cost to

attend a yoga class for MS.  This
fundraiser attracts donations which pay for the class for many patients. Many
MS sufferers cannot work due to the fatigue and movement and ambulatorychallenges that come with the disease, says Eisenberg.

Unlike
regular yoga classes, Eisenberg’s specialty classes include co-teachers so
every student gets extra attention and spotting so they feel safe in various
poses.

Mindy
Eisenberg and her team of co-instructors teach four weekly adaptive yoga
classes for people with MS. Yoga Moves MS classes take place, Mondays at Noon
at Red Lotus Yoga (1900 S. Livernois, Rochester Hills, 48307) ,Tuesdays  at Noon at Doctors of Physical Therapy ( 21600 Novi Rd, ste D600., Novi, MI 48375),
Tuesdays at 7 pm at Congregation Shaarey Zedek (27375 Bell Rd., Southfield, MI
48034),  and Thursdays at 2:15 pm Karma
Yoga (3683 W. Maple, Bloomfield Twp., MI 48301).