Headstands for Hunger

“Sometimes it feels like there is so much work to do, that we don’t know what to do. Coming together, being here, doing this – that’s something. Right now, you are doing something that matters. Keep showing up. Keep doing THIS.”

Vanessa Van Noy, the founder of Headstands for Hunger, offered up that deeply moving and memorable truth in 2014, the second year of her charitable effort to raise awareness and collect food for hunger people and pets.

The room got quiet as she spoke – and the vibration in the room got LOUD.

The Jersey Shore yoga community understood – in that instant – how important it is to show up.

The best part? They keep showing up – STRONG.

The 2017 Headstands for Hunger practice was the most successful to date, with more than 200 yogis practicing together at Conventional Hall in Asbury Park with a shared intention to feed those in need.

Vanessa and her team collected over 2000 pounds of food, which they immediately donated to Fulfill NJ and the Pet Pantry.

The NJYC would just like to take a moment to honor the teachers who gave their time, love and attention to the event: Amanda Feinstei, Adam Sobel, Jeff Seymour, Gina Cappiello, Erin Peluso, Keisha Anderson, Stefanie Sheridan, and Jeffrey Boga.

We’d also like to show MASSIVE LOVE to Melissa Chill, who sang and played LIVE during the event.

And last but never ever least, we need to give praise and offer up major gratitude to the incomparable Brian Motzenbecker, the owner and chief photojournalist at Simply Photography, and Kristian Quistgaard of Fine Shadow Photography, who shared these images with us.

Please click on each picture so you can get a true taste of us how talented these men are. They both donated their time to make sure Headstands for Hunger would have the visual representation is deserves.