Yogathon to benefit YMCA youth
Brittany Mucy, in the Mickey Mouse shirt, will be among the instructors who will be conducting a Yogathon at the Mon Valley YMCA.
Debbie McKita Kurtis
Debbie McKita Kurtis was always an inspiration to fellow members of the Mon Valley YMCA, and one way to honor her memory, said Peggy Herforth, is to give others the same opportunity to find good health through fitness.
On Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the YMCA will hold its first Yogathon, not only to celebrate Kurtis’ life, but also to benefit youth programming so that every child in the community has access to its Youth and Teen Initiatives, regardless of financial means.
“She was the kindest, most joyful woman, who made everyone around her feel good,” said Herforth, health and fitness director at the Y. “She was important to a lot of people. When she was in class, everyone was happier and there was more enthusiasm. She just had this energy.”
Kurtis was 55 years old when she died in 2010 of leiomyosarcoma, a very rare and aggressive cancer that typically affects connective tissue or bone.
“There could be a room full of people, Debbie would walk in, and her energy was so special and strong that she made everyone feel like they were the most important person in that room,” said Jamie Divelbiss, who was a member of the Y before moving away. “Debbie loved all people, and she loved life.”
Added Jen Hartung, a fitness instructor at the Y, “She was an amazing woman. If you knew her, she impacted you in a positive way.”
Seven instructors will conduct the Yogathon, which is being held, not coincidentally, on Earth Day, just because, Herforth said, “yoga and caring for the earth go together.”
“One of my favorite benefits is the flexibility that increases your range of motion. Age plays havoc with your body,” said Herforth, 59. “Another important benefit is it increases your lung capacity and posture. It strengthens your core, and you stand taller. The stress release certainly can bring a sense of calmness and serenity.”
Yoga also improves heart health. A good example, said Herforth, is a woman she taught at the Monessen Civic Center who, after attending classes for 12 weeks, no longer needed blood pressure medication. “I knew what made me feel good, but I didn’t know this woman would, too,” Herforth said. “There’s discipline in yoga that makes you more disciplined in the rest of your life. You have more respect for your body.”
Herforth will be among the instructors leading the Yogathon. She will be joined by Amaera Felder of Belle Vernon; Patricia Kuharic, a native of Allenport who is a yoga instructor in New York City; Kristen Lane, a wellness coach and healthy lifestyles advocate; Brittany Mucy, another instructor at the Y; Heather Omahne of Pittsburgh; and Autumn Timko, who owns a yoga studio in Elizabeth.
Herforth said Kurtis was a longtime member of the YMCA, bringing her daughters to preschool there 30 years ago. She never missed a class, even in bad weather, dropping off her father at McDonald’s to meet his friends before coming to class.
“Occasionally, I taught just her,” Herforth said. “If it was anyone else, I would not have held class.”
The programs the Yogathon will benefit are early childhood education, teen leader volunteers, day care, youth and teen programs; summer child care, college internship program, summer day camp, competitive swim team, HALO After School program, lifeguard training certification, youth fitness programs, Special Olympics Training and the John Barbero Memorial Scholarship.
“Our Y does make a difference in the life of a child,” said Herforth, noting that a golf outing in the spring and a sports auction in the fall also benefit youth programming. “We don’t turn people away. The money has to come from somewhere. Quite frankly, we wouldn’t be where we are without fundraisers and donations.”
Cost of the Yogathon is $15 per person, and registration is being accepted in the business office at the YMCA. T-shirts also are available for purchase. Participants are asked to bring their own yoga mats.