Sometimes, a Downward Dog can help downtrodden dogs.

This month’s Feel Good Do Good benefit was held July 6 to support the Humane Society of Jefferson County, and raised over $850.

On the first Monday of each month, yoga instructors teach an all-levels class at the Madrona MindBody Institute, the donations from which go to a selected local nonprofit of the month. 

This month was different from others, with participants given the option of participating in-person outside at the Fort Worden studio or joining in on a Zoom videoconference.

“Awareness of us, some cat food, some money,” said Ellen Heinemann, vice president of the Humane Society of Jefferson County, when asked about what she was hoping to gain from the yoga benefit.

The total is enough to pay for either 10 percent of current vet bills, more than 10 percent of the monthly payroll, the costs of leasing the washer and dryer equipment since the beginning of the year, Heinemann said.

THE SHELTER

The HSJC has been a featured partner since the benefit began. 

“It’s been in the list every year, it’s one of the most well-known and well-loved nonprofits in our community,” said Renee Klein, yoga therapist and co-owner of the Madrona MindBody Institute. Klein taught Monday’s class.

Money raised went into the HSJC’s general fund, Heinemann said. Because “kitten season” — the time in late spring when a furry flood of kitties consumes the shelter — is happening now, money for cat and kitten food is especially important. 

While the funds from this benefit will likely go entirely toward purchasing the food, the humane society has other large projects in the works. 

Heinemann explained that expanded cat rooms, with additional areas for new arrivals, would greatly improve the shelter’s operations. 

When new cats arrive, they must be kept quarantined away from the others. Right now, that occurs in metal cages behind the front desk. Heinemann estimated project costs for a new quarantine area around $200,000, making it a long-term goal.

The shelter’s operations have changed dramatically since March. The first steps of the adoption process all occur online, and only after approval, by appointment, can potential adopters meet the animals. 

This hasn’t caused any overcrowding, though, because the shelter’s numbers are staying low. Normally, the Humane Society of Jefferson County would take in animals from other shelters when their numbers decreased. This hasn’t been happening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of July 6, there are two adoptable dogs and four adoptable cats. 

THE BENEFIT

Now in its fourth year, the Feel Good Do Good benefit has moved to a partially-online format, with participants given the option to attend in-person or via Zoom.

During normal times, Klein said there would be 20 to 30 attendees, which would raise $600 to $700 for the selected organization.

However, these returns are generally lower while the class is done online, bringing in smaller numbers than the in-person classes. Some months have been better than others, which Klein said depended mainly on which organization it was benefitting and how well they were able to bring attention to the event.

Prior to Monday’s fundraiser, the highest totals in the history of the Feel Good Do Good benefit were seen in April when the class raised $801 for Olympic Neighbors.

The yoga instructors each month come from all over the community, Klein explained. Not only do they volunteer their time for the cause, but they work to tailor the class to the organization it benefits. 

“Obviously for this particular class, we will be doing a lot of cat poses, dog poses, even puppy poses,” Klein said.

The Madrona studio was chosen because of its large ballroom, also ideal for socially-distant yoga. At 2,200 square feet, the ballroom can accommodate up to five people under the guidelines laid out in Phase 2 of Washington’s “Safe Start” reopening plan, Klein said.

The classes are open to all ages and abilities, so no previous yoga experience is required. Accessibility is a primary concern, Klein said.

“When you do a yoga benefit you have people of all comforts of yoga, from brand new people to those who have been doing yoga all their lives,” she explained.

Klein offered variations of each pose to maximize the stability and support of each participant. 

“Yoga is for everybody and every body,” Klein said.

The next Feel Good Do Good benefit is scheduled for Aug. 3 to support the Jefferson Clemente Foundation and will be taught by Shauna Artman.