Sculpt Fusion Yoga Carmel Valley joins forces with Yoga for Hope

Since opening her studio eight years ago, Kim Stahler, owner of Carmel Valley’s Sculpt Fusion Yoga in Torrey Hills, has been supporting and raising money for causes close to her heart through special donation classes. This year, she is joining forces with Yoga for Hope San Diego, an annual event with over 1,000 participants that raises funds and awareness for those with life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, HIV AIDS and diabetes. At City of Hope, patients are offered gentle restorative Yoga classes as a complementary therapy to traditional treatments.

“This program has had a profound impact on quality of life for many patients” says Claire Petretti Marti, co-creator of the event. Now in it’s 6th year, Yoga for Hope will take place at Petco Park on Aug. 13 and the community is invited to attend. (See story on page B1.)

“I’m so excited and honored to be a part of this amazing day of hope”, says Stahler. She and her fellow yogis will be participating in the Aug. 13 event this year with some very special people in mind. “ We are honored to be part of this event, especially since Claire is an alumni of our studio and has created such a healing atmosphere for the San Diego community. We went through her battle with breast cancer six years ago and the members of Sculpt Fusion Yoga have supported her every step of the way.”

There is another very special person whose story is being told at Yoga For Hope this year.

Susie O’Boyle, a team member and teacher at Sculpt Fusion Yoga, is a wife and mother of two young children. She was diagnosed with breast cancer three-and-a-half years ago and went through intense treatment.

Just when she thought she passed the rough times, O’Boyle found out that her breast cancer had returned and spread to her liver, lungs and bones and a new cancer appeared in her colon. Although the doctors did not offer O’Boyle much hope, she was not willing to give up.

Along with going through massive amounts of chemotherapy, O’Boyle has continued her yoga practice at Sculpt Fusion. “Her zest for life continues each and every day. When she walks through the doors of the studio, the power of her daily yoga practice and the positive attitude of our very own Susie Strong becomes an inspiration to all of us,” says Stahler.

To learn more about Yoga for Hope, visit nationalevents.cityofhope.org, click on San Diego, Yoga for Hope and “join our team.” “Sculpt Fusion Yoga.” Visit www.sculptfusionyoga.com.