Join Francesca this Saturday at Yoga District Bloomingdale for an all levels practice to raise funds for Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, a 400 acre non-profit farm animal and wildlife refuge in Poolesville, Maryland.

Read on to lean more about Francesca’s love for the animals at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, as well as about her work there…

Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary is a 400 acre non-profit refuge in Poolesville, Maryland for farm animals and wildlife, and it’s one of my favorite places in the world. Its mission is to offer care, rehabilitation, and permanent sanctuary for neglected, abused or abandoned farm animals, as well as to provide a protected habitat for wildlife. Twice a year, the non-profit I work for, organizes a volunteer day at the sanctuary. We set up tables for fundraisers, clean out the sheep shed, but mostly we get to visit with the animals. Terry and Dave, who run the sanctuary, know every one of the over 200 animals’ names and stories. Before coming to the sanctuary, most of these animals were neglected or worse, but with love and care, Poplar gives them a second chance to have a happy life.

My favorite little guy is Andy. Andy was purchased by a local farm to be raised for their annual “lamb barbecue”. When he became sick as a baby he was left to die in a cardboard box. A kind woman nurtured him back to health, but his rear legs never worked properly, so she brought him to Poplar Spring. Poplar fitted him with a cart, and now you can see Andy rolling all over the farm when you visit!

I started doing yoga the same time I went vegan when I was 18, and over time, I realized that the lesson of compassion links these two important aspects of my life. I can’t think of a better way to show compassion to all living creatures than to practice yoga to benefit Poplar Spring! Join me this Saturday. All proceeds will benefit Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary.

Written by Francesca V.