Yoga Unites for Living Beyond Breast Cancer is an annual fundraising event that provides a way for individuals and teams to join the community in supporting women affected by breast cancer while experiencing the healing benefits of yoga. It's an outdoor yoga class & Healthy Living Expo set on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. I was deeply moved by my experiences with Yoga Unites for Living Beyond Breast Cancer. It's quite moving to see so many people doing yoga together while looking out over the beautiful skyline of Philadelphia. Seeing over 1,000 beautiful people doing yoga in such a historic and grand location is a monumental sight. What I wasn’t prepared for was the incredible feeling of love, trust and hope that surrounded us. When we did our first pose and the clouds move away to let the sun shine on us, I realized that this was bigger than just a yoga class, it felt like a movement. The half-day event included an outdoor yoga class and Healthy Living Expo, where participants were engaged in informative conversations that highlighted yoga and exercise, healthful foods, natural cosmetics and goods and services to improve quality of life.

Union is the essence of yoga. Partner Yoga or Yoga for Couples is a gentle practice which combines yoga and massage. Joining in postures and stretches while supporting each other, enhances awareness while also bringing new depth to one’s connection. The practice takes you to a place where you can take a retreat from your normal self and be focused on play.

Partner Yoga focuses the mind. It increases strength and flexibility which are done in the spirit of nurturing and child-like play. The practice builds trust, communication and intimacy on verbal and non-verbal levels. You learn to practice enforcing your boundaries and limits in a spirit of compassion.

Yoga for partners is a fun adventure into intimacy, play and relaxation. The poses are simply a way for couples to step deeper into their being. When you stretch with your partner, you melt each others tensions. Whether your relationship is fresh or stale, working together in yoga can potentially renew your connection with your self and your significant other.

Partner Yoga is a great way to learn surrender, build trust, and deepen intimacy. If you have never done partner yoga before, it is both meaningful and fun, and people say that they feel more open-hearted. To find a class suitable for your fitness and body type, make sure to ask the teacher before-hand if previous yoga experience is required and if the poses are physically challenging. If you are a beginner, take a class that has gentle poses that are not done in a hot room.

According to Jasmine Kaloudis, Founder of Synergy By Jasmine, based in Philadelphia, PA, "Some poses challenge your balance and strength. Others require your total trust and surrender. Each exercise and breathing technique uses the power of the partnership. Partner can often achieve more than if they were practicing alone. This yoga style requires no special equipment and can be done in any open space."

There are various levels of partner yoga and other more advanced forms are called Acro-Yoga, (Acrobatic Yoga). This practice is best suited to those that are more advanced in their yoga practice and is best done with a spotter or helper since many of the poses are more acrobatic and adventurous in nature. They also challenge balance and strength and on can fall out of position more easily since they are acrobatic in nature.