Press release from Ode to the Moon Yoga

On Sunday, July 24, Ode to the Moon Yoga invites the public to join them on a new journey to aid the victims of domestic violence. Beginning at 6 p.m., a one hour yoga class will be held at Renaissance Pilates, located at 8 East Front Street in Red Bank. Sponsored by Mika Yoga Wear and Booskerdoo Coffee, the donation-based session will be accompanied by the live, soulful music of vocalist Allison LaRochelle.

Ode to the Moon began 2 years ago, starting very small. The goal was simple: to invoke discussion on the topic of domestic violence and raise money to benefit the efforts of 180 Turning Lives Around, a Monmouth County-based nonprofit organization that provides shelter and resources for the survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Now, after a brief hiatus, Ode to the Moon will be going to a different studio each month this summer, leading to a big final 2016 event of the season in October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) at the new Detour Gallery. All donations will go toward making Ode to the Moon Ode to the Moon a non-for-profit origination that breaks the silence about domestic violence through movement in yoga, visual art, and music.

“It is through the movement of my body that I was able to accept my past, embrace my scars, and learn how to fall in love with myself,” says Eleonora Zampatti, founder of Ode to the Moon, body movement specialist, international yoga teacher and herself a survivor herself of domestic abuse. “It is thanks to yoga that I began to heal, and understood that was time for me to use my knowledge and my story to empower others.”

Eleonora knew she needed another element to make this class stand out from the rest — something that, when paired with movement, would allow them to truly understand her mission. Meeting Allison LaRochelle was fate. Before even hearing her sound, as soon as she found out Allison was a musician, she was on the job as the voice of Ode to the Moon, and has been ever since. Ode to the Moon continued to grow and to travel around New Jersey, New York and Europe.

Future plans include projects that will highlight education and discussion on the topic of domestic violence, as well as furnish guidance to various professional services for those who need assistance. The long-term objective is to empower individuals who are in need of finding a voice to break their silence. Go here for additional information on the 2016 schedule of events schedule, donations and more.