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Outdoor yoga class in Abbotsford supports victims of human trafficking

Event on Saturday, Aug. 7 raises awareness and funds for Ally Global Foundation
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An outdoor yoga class in Abbotsford on Saturday, Aug. 7 raises funds to fight human trafficking. (Image by Sofie Zbořilová from Pixabay )

More than 70 people are participating in an outdoor yoga class in Abbotsford on Saturday (Aug. 7) to raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking.

Yoga for Freedom is organized by Ashlyn Koebel and James Bak in support of Vancouver-based charity Ally Global Foundation.

The COVID-friendly event will start at 8 a.m. at Field House Farm at 6680 Beharrell Rd. on the Matsqui flats. The class will be taught by instructor Jessica Hart, and the event is sponsored by local Abbotsford businesses Field House Brewing, Spruce Collective, The Daily Market and Peak Coffee.

The event is part of a fundraising initiative across-Canada on Aug. 7 called Move for Freedom. The annual fundraiser, organized by Ally Global Foundation, invites participants to use an activity they love – such as biking, hiking or yoga – to raise donations and awareness to fight human trafficking.

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More than 100 teams and over 450 participants across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and PEI will be “moving” for freedom in their own way.

When Koebel first learned about Move for Freedom, she shared the campaign with Bak, her friend and co-worker at Field House Brewing.

Bak, who has a background in advocacy, jumped onboard immediately.

“Everything happened so fast! Abbotsford is such a connected city with a strong community of local businesses. We were able to partner with some amazing people to make this event happen,” Koebel said.

Tickets to Yoga for Freedom are available at eventbrite.ca for $30, with every centre going to the cause.

“I’m daring to dream that by doing something as simple as yoga, we can make a difference by raising funds that will either prevent a fellow human from being trafficked or save someone from the horrors of human trafficking,” Bak said.

Visit allyglobal.org for more information or, for tickets, go to allyglobal.kindful.com/moveforfreedom/yoga-for-freedom-



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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