Downtown Yoga is partnering with the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Hammond to present “Geaux Yoga,” an event benefiting cancer patients and their families.

The event will kick off with a morning yoga class hosted by Downtown Yoga at Cate Square Park on April 22 at 9 a.m.

Brenna Barzenick, co-owner and instructor at Downtown Yoga, encourages anyone interested to attend the class. Anyone wanting to participate should be able to lower themselves to the ground and stand back up.

“Definitely bring a mat,” said Barzenick. “It’s open to all ages, all shapes and sizes, and zero experience is required. It’ll be a class that is easily accessible to all levels, from someone who has never practiced yoga before to someone who practices yoga every day.”

Erica Kelt, Northshore director of development for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, explained that the event will continue after the class with live entertainment and activities.

“There will be music,” shared Kelt. “There’s food. Cate Street Seafood Station is doing food, Smoothie King, Big Squeezy. We’ll have Geaux Chiro out there doing chair massages. We’ll obviously have our skin screenings going on, and we’ll have kids’ activities from the Discovery Center.”

“Geaux Yoga” will benefit local patients.

“100% of the funds raised stay in the area and benefit patients and services here at the Hammond Center,” stated Kelt. “Some of those include our free community screenings, which we offer.”

The center raises funds to provide for expenses that insurance does not cover, such as gas for transportation costs.

“Our patient assistance programs do whatever we can to make sure that a patient has the best chance of completing their treatment and therefore the best chance of survival,” said Kelt.

Funds also support nutritional supplements for patients and the center’s social worker and dietitian.

“Every patient meets with them to make sure they’re eating what they’re supposed to, and then, from the social worker perspective, their emotional state, their family, anybody who’s involved, that we’re providing comprehensive care for them,” explained Kelt.

Barzenick and Britni Serou, co-owner of Downtown Yoga, have made philanthropy part of their business.

“We, as Downtown Yoga, are very involved in the community and big supporters of fundraising events for important causes,” shared Barzenick. “We partner with Paris Parker Aveda Institute twice a year, once for breast cancer research fund and one for coastal conservation.”

A general admission ticket is $25 in advance and $35 at the event. VIP tickets are $100 and come with a yoga mat, a ‘swag bag’ and a reserve spot in the front. Tickets may be purchased online through MaryBird.org/yoga.