Thousands of Canadians Stretch Their Philanthropic Muscles to Raise Funds for Critical Arthritis Research

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 6, 2012) -

Editor's Note: There are 3 videos associated with this release.

On Sunday March 4, 2012 thousands of Canadians will do their best downward dog pose at Power of Movement 2012, Canada's largest yoga fundraiser in support of arthritis and autoimmune disease research. Since its inception in 2005, Power of Movement has raised over $1 million for critical arthritis research and engaged thousands of Canadians in a celebration of movement.

Thousands of Canadians will 'spread their karma' and do yoga together!

On March 4th, the Power of Movement will take place in 19 locations from coast-to-coast including Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Oshawa, Thunder Bay, Vaughan, Hamilton, Sarnia, Aurora, Ottawa, Montreal, and Bedford. Canadians can register to participate in a yoga mega-session and start collecting pledges through a personalized fundraising page at www.powerofmovement.ca.

Canadians who want to attend a mega-session but don't live in a designated region can still participate through the Virtual Challenge which is assisted through the online yoga service of My Yoga Online, an online yoga community giving a free 30-day membership to everyone who registers for the event.

Reaching Canadians Coast to Coast

From its humble beginnings as a small grassroots initiative in a Toronto community centre almost six years ago, Power of Movement has grown to challenge Canadians in every corner of the country to take action for meaningful change in arthritis and autoimmune disease research. Funds raised will benefit arthritis and autoimmune disease research priorities through the Arthritis Research Foundation.

Quotes

"Each year we hope to exceed our fundraising goal to help the 4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis and autoimmune diseases and this year is no different," says David Prowten, Executive Director of the Arthritis Research Foundation, the organization behind Power of Movement. "Everyone does yoga, and this is your chance to do it for a great cause. I encourage everyone to join us on March 4^th in a celebration of movement to help raise money for critical research that can change people's lives."

"I'm thrilled to be participating in the Power of Movement mega-session in Montreal for the fourth time," says Elana Rudick, who lives with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis. "Yoga has helped me immensely and has had a profound effect on my physical and emotional wellbeing since being diagnosed six year ago."

Connect with Power of Movement

Become a fan of Power of Movement on Facebook; follow us on Twitter @powerofmovement and check us out on Youtube.

Meet our Celebrity Ambassadors

David Paetkau of CTV's Flashpoint, Anthony Sedlak of the Food Network, Farah Nasser of CP24, Melissa Ramos of Sexy Food Therapy, Author Nicole Bouchard Boles, Chan Hon Goh of Goh Ballet and Beth Shaw of Yogafit.

Sponsors

Power of Movement 2012 is made possible with the support of Presenting Sponsor and global healthcare company Abbott, which has been involved with the fundraiser since 2007, as well as National Post, My Yoga Online, Amgen/Pfizer, Joe Fresh, and a host of other sponsors.

About the Arthritis Research Foundation

The Arthritis Research Foundation raises funds and awareness for the most comprehensive, collaborative, and specialized arthritis research centre in Canada. It is housed at University Health Network (UHN), which comprises Toronto General, Toronto Western, Princess Margaret Hospitals, Mount Sinai Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. The Arthritis Research Foundation is dedicated to research in arthritis and related autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal health, and advancements in orthopaedic surgery.

To view the first video associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4qK6xNEz74.

To view the second video associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM8m6M27Jyo.

To view the third video associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cW4jzp2b9Y.