Left to right: Amanda’s Easel program coordinator Cindi Westendorf, yoga teacher Eleonora Rachele Zampatti, vocalist Allison LaRochelle and pianist Samantha La Rochelle will collaborate on a special Healing Art event on January 25 to benefit 180 Turning Lives Around.

Press release from Ode to the Moon Yoga

On Sunday, January 25, Ode to the Moon joins with the Monmouth County-based nonprofit 180 Turning Lives Around in an invitation to celebrate the new moon in the New Year with the benefits of yoga and healing art, in a special event to aid the victims of domestic violence.

Hosted at Renaissance Pilates, the program begins with an art show, featuring the works of local artists as well as participants from 180’s art therapy project Amanda’s Easel, opening at 3 pm. A special one-hour yoga practice — accompanied by live acoustic music, and led by Ode to the Moon yoga teacher and founder Eleonora Rachele Zampatti — follows at 4 pm. A silent auction of the showcased art and other art items follows the yoga class, with refreshments available.

Eleonora Zampatti, a survivor of domestic violence, originated the monthly Ode to the Moon yoga program to help other people caught in the cycle of abuse, explaining that “All the arts are therapy to heal. Once I was acquainted with the amazing work of Amanda’s Easel, I sought to bring all these arts together to raise awareness to this often hushed subject, and give sanctuary to its victims. ”

Lending their talents and skills to the event will be vocalist Allison LaRochelle, pianist Samantha La Rochelle (both from Middletown) and guitarist Tristan Garrity of Red Bank. Allison performs inspirational music to empower participants including her original songs written for the yoga series. A juice tasting will be provided by Monmouth County’s Nourished By Nature, owned by Cassandra Mesce-Quarantello; food offerings are courtesy of local chef Sam Witten.

The Renaissance Pilates studio is located at 8 East Front Street in Red Bank. The cost of the yoga class is $25, with all proceeds going to benefit 180.