Lots to choose from if you haven't figured out what to do with yourself this weekend. There's the newly-improved Great Lakes State Fair in Novi, or for those foodies out there, you probably already have your sights on the Arts, Beats and Eats Festival in Royal Oak. But if you're looking to stay local, don't dismay, check out today's Weekend Spotlight:

Today's Pick: Second Annual Yoga By Design Yogathon 

• When: Saturday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 2
  
• Where: Karma Yoga
  
• Cost: $20 per class (minimum donation)

Once again, Katherine Austin has offered Karma Yoga for the entire day Sunday (8 classes),  but also two classes on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 1.

Created last year, the Yoga By Design Foundation helps fund local healing-yoga classes in Metro Detroit. Last year, the day-long yogathon drew 131 people to nine consecutive classes and raised $10,000. The funds went to three local groups for yoga classes to help autistic children, fight childhood obesity and individuals with Downs Syndrome.

This year, the event is expanding to two days, offering 16 classes as well as classes in satellite locations. Founder Lynn Medow said her goal for this year is to raise $15,000 to fund more programs.

"I am amazed by the overwhelming generosity offered by so many within our community," she said. "This fundraiser has grown organically from within - I find if I just mention what we are doing, the people and organizations who have benefited from the grants we have given - that folks ask what can they do to support our efforts."

The event is open to the public.

Arlene DeMassa, Yoga Now in Keego Harbor, is hosting a mini-Yogathon in honor of their ninth anniversary. Organized by Stephan George(Stevie G)they are offering three classes on Sept. 2nd; Chris Briney, Living Tradition Yoga, is dedicating a special class Sunday afternoon, Sept. 2; And Brian Grenader, Red Lotus Yoga in Rochester Hills is offering a special Labor Day class on Monday, Sept. 3. In addition, Becca Hewes, Norman Yoga, in Norman, Ok. as well as Lee Edgren, River Light Yoga, in Nashville, Ind. are dedicating a percentage of classes taught around this weekend to the foundation.

“So many yoga teachers desire to help people learn to stay calm in the face of adversity and challenge,” says Medow. “The biggest obstacle is lack of funding. Many organizations are aware of the ways yoga can enhance constituents’ lives and help people negotiate challenges. The Yoga By Design Foundation raises money to fund programs so yoga teachers can spend their time teaching – not searching for funding.”

Medow discovered her passion for yoga at age 40 and turned it into a new career path after 20 years as a social worker with a non-profit. She started her for-profit company, Yoga By Design, in 2001, and shares her expertise through workshops, one-on-one therapy sessions and her own instructional video. 

She studied yoga therapy at the Ananda Seva Mission in Santa Rosa, CA, and became a certified yoga instructor in 2001. She became a certified yoga therapist in 2007, and said she found a niche in using yoga to enrich the lives of baby boomers and others through a heightened awareness of safe practices and balanced body alignment.

Still time to register at www.yogabydesign.us or by calling 248.939.1367.

For More

Yoga By Design, One Soul at a Time

Top 10 Tips For Yoga Beginners

Healing Yoga Yields Unlikely Bond 

Come back to Bloomfield Patch for more weekend events you might not want to miss or visit our events calendar.