Yoga in the Wild
A rescued bear grazing beneath the elevated walkway at The Wild Animal Sanctuary

A one-day yoga fundraiser

Yoga in the Wild

A Practice with Purpose

A day of movement and meaning for Longmont-area residents at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado. This is your opportunity to join with the Longmont-area community to make a meaningful impact on the lives of hundreds of rescued wild animals while also investing in your own physical and mental well-being. Explore The Sanctuary, see the animals, learn more about The Sanctuary's conservation efforts, make new friends, and practice yoga in the wild!

Your registration includes a full-day pass (day-of-event) at The Wild Animal Sanctuary and one, specially crafted yoga class. All registered participants will also be entered into a raffle for free prizes.

September 26, 2026 Keenesburg, CO $80 early bird / $95 regular Ages 14+
Register for the Event Make a Donation Learn About the Sanctuary

Presented by our sponsor studios

This first-ever event is hosted by two Longmont-area yoga studios. Purchase your tickets directly through a participating studio below.

Additional support provided by Soul 19 Fitness and The Longmont Climbing Collective.

Date

Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Sanctuary is open 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

Location

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Keenesburg, Colorado.

Cost

$80 early bird / $95 regular

Early bird by July 31. Regular by Sept 24. Every dollar supports The Sanctuary.

Includes

One class + full-day pass (day-of-event)

A 60-minute yoga class, Sanctuary admission, and raffle entry.

Who Can Attend

Adults & youth 14+

Youth ages 14+ with parental permission.

Fundraising Goal

$10,000 raised

For rescued wild animals.

About the event

A day of community, conservation, compassion, and well-being

Yoga in the Wild is a collaborative one-day fundraiser bringing together Longmont-area yoga studios and the Longmont-area community in support of the critical work of The Wild Animal Sanctuary. Your participation provides you with a unique opportunity to see many of The Sanctuary's 950+ rehabilitated animals up close while learning more about them and making a positive impact on their lives. This special, yoga-focused event also gives you access to a unique yoga experience at The Sanctuary as you practice yoga in the wild with other Longmont area residents.

With a full-day pass (day-of-event) to The Sanctuary, you will have the opportunity to see the lions, tigers, and bears and other rescued animals while exploring The Sanctuary's 1.5 miles of elevated walkway. Knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to share the animals' stories as well as important information about how they were rescued. In addition, you'll have time to explore The Sanctuary's Education Center, peruse the gift shop, eat lunch at the Lion's Den Café (or bring your own), or grab an ice cream at the Ice Cream Shop. Yoga classes will be held indoors at The Sanctuary's Welcome Center — a domed structure that serves as a controlled biosphere. In addition, each yoga class will either be preceded or followed by a specially curated, 20-30 minute talk about the work being done at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, giving you a unique opportunity to ask questions and learn more.

We move with purpose and we practice in service.

A rescued tiger walking through prairie grass with the snowcapped Rocky Mountains behind

Why it matters

Every registration supports lifelong care

The Wild Animal Sanctuary rescues and provides lifelong homes for large, exotic, and endangered captive wild animals — offering hundreds of rescued animals space, care, dignity, and safety.

Class schedule

Choose one 60-minute class

You are welcome to arrive at The Sanctuary as early as 9:00 AM and are encouraged to arrive at least one hour before your scheduled yoga class. All visitors will need to check in and watch a short 15-minute safety video before entering The Sanctuary. Before your yoga class begins, you may choose to spend time visiting the gift shop or taking a stroll on the raised walkway to visit the animals. Classes will be held on the Mezzanine in the Welcome Center. Restrooms are available. Please bring a mat, water and any props you may need to practice.

10:00 – 11:00 AM Class #1 — All-Levels Vinyasa Kevin Flynn & Cree Lawrence · Yoga Pod
11:15 – 11:45 AM Raffle & Special Presentation The World's Captive Wildlife Crisis
12:00 – 1:00 PM Class #2 — All-Levels Vinyasa Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez & Jennifer Maddox · E8 Yoga
2:00 – 3:00 PM Class #3 — All-Levels Vinyasa Amanda Meader · E8 Yoga
3:15 – 3:45 PM Raffle & Special Presentation The World's Captive Wildlife Crisis
4:00 – 5:00 PM Class #4 — All-Levels Vinyasa Derise Anjanette & Matt Kalinus · Yoga Pod

Your instructors

Meet your teachers

Each 60-minute class is led by experienced instructors from our participating Longmont-area studios. Here's who you'll practice with.

Kevin Flynn & Cree Lawrence — Yoga Pod

Class #1 · 10:00 AM · Yoga Pod

Kevin Flynn & Cree Lawrence

Cree and Kevin are a Longmont, Colorado–based yoga and wellness team creating inclusive, heart-centered experiences for practitioners of all levels. Cree teaches Vinyasa, VinYin, Yin, Restorative, Hot yoga, and weighted workouts, weaving breathwork, creative transitions, stillness, and meditation into her classes. Kevin (E-RYT 500, certified health coach, psychology student) blends play, discipline, and intentional breathing, sharing clear alignment cues and relevant science about posture, breathwork, and mindfulness. Together they lead outdoor classes, festival classes, and retreats.

Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez — E8 YogaJennifer Maddox — E8 Yoga

Class #2 · 12:00 PM · E8 Yoga

Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez & Jennifer Maddox

Karen's enthusiasm for teaching yoga is rooted in its ability to inspire a healthy lifestyle, be of service to others, and help students believe deeply in their inner voice. A 16-year Longmont resident and 500-hour certified instructor teaching since 2016, she is the event organizer for the Yoga in the Wild Fundraiser. Jennifer discovered yoga in 2016 and, after a 22-year corporate career, followed her heart to teach. An E-RYT 500 and Yoga Medicine® Registered Therapeutic Specialist, she specializes in making yoga accessible for every body, blending movement, breathwork, mindfulness, and compassion.

Amanda Meader — E8 Yoga

Class #3 · 2:00 PM · E8 Yoga

Amanda Meader

Amanda has been practicing yoga since 2004 and teaching since 2015. Specializing in Integrated Vinyasa™, she blends strength, mindful movement, and breath-centered flow to create an accessible, empowering practice for all levels. She holds a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification, a 300-hour Integrated Vinyasa™ training, and certifications in Inferno Hot Pilates, Aerial Yoga®, and AFAA Fitness. Her classes emphasize safe alignment, intentional movement, and accessibility — a welcoming space to build strength and deepen the connection between mind and body.

Derise Anjanette & Matt Kalinus — Yoga Pod

Class #4 · 4:00 PM · Yoga Pod

Derise Anjanette & Matt Kalinus

This husband-and-wife duo share over four decades of combined teaching experience and are one of Boulder's most recognized instructor couples. Their classes are warm, inclusive, and highly supportive of new students. Matt brings a distinct levity, encouraging students to cultivate kindness and curiosity toward their whole experience, while Derise's colorful sequencing challenges students in body and mind. Big fans of the Sanctuary, they can attest to the magic of being there at sunset when the lions, tigers, and wolves announce their existence to the world.

What's included

Your registration includes

Two rescued lions resting in the prairie grass at The Wild Animal Sanctuary
✦One 60-minute yoga class
✦Full-day admission (day of the event) to The Wild Animal Sanctuary
✦Access to the 1.5-mile elevated walkway
✦Entry into a raffle for a variety of special prizes and gifts
✦A chance to support rescued animals through direct community action

What to expect

1

Arrive & check in

Check in at the main ticket booth at the Welcome Center with your registration confirmation.

2

Explore The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is open from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Spend as much time as you like along the elevated walkway, Education Center, and public spaces.

3

Practice yoga

All yoga classes are held indoors on the Mezzanine in the Welcome Center, overlooking the elevated walkway. Be sure to set up your mat 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled class.

4

Join the community moment

Two curated speaker presentations and a raffle drawing will be held at 11:15 AM (following the first morning yoga class) and at 3:15 PM (following the first afternoon yoga class).

5

Relax & recharge

Visit The Sanctuary's gift shop, grab a snack at the Lion's Den Café, or cool off with some ice cream from the Ice Cream Shop.

6

Explore more ways to support The Sanctuary

Become a member, adopt an animal, make a donation, pledge your support, or sign up to join the dedicated team of Sanctuary volunteers. More information

60

Minutes per class

Each yoga session runs a full hour.

✦

Bring your own mat & water

Bring a mat, water, and any props you need.

The venue

About The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Located in Keenesburg, Colorado, the Sanctuary provides large-acreage habitats and lifelong care for rescued captive wild animals. Visitors experience it from an elevated walkway designed to allow viewing without disturbing the animals.

Visit WildAnimalSanctuary.org →
1.5-mile elevated walkway
Welcome Center with food, shops, restrooms & rest areas
Education Center on rescue & the captive wildlife crisis
Indoor Mezzanine yoga space
Self-guided experience with volunteers throughout

Register

Register through a participating studio

Two Longmont-area yoga studios are hosting classes for this first-ever event. Each studio manages registration and ticketing through its own website — choose a studio to reserve your spot.

Participating studio

E8 Yoga

Class time and teacher to be confirmed. Tickets are hosted on E8 Yoga's website.

Register through E8 Yoga →
Participating studio

Yoga Pod

Class time and teacher to be confirmed. Tickets are hosted on Yoga Pod's website.

Register through Yoga Pod →

Each studio manages its own registration and class details. Nearby studios may also join if they express interest.

Volunteer

Volunteer at the event

Ten volunteers (5 morning, 5 afternoon) will help with admissions, class transitions, wayfinding, and participant support for 5 hours during the event. Prior to the event, volunteers will need to participate in a team phone call and an on-site orientation meeting at The Sanctuary. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

Email Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez →

Organizer

Organized by Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez

Karen is a 15-year Longmont resident and 500-hour certified yoga instructor teaching since 2016. A former environmental sociologist — with work alongside the Ohio Wildlife Center and World Wildlife Fund — her teaching draws on yoga's power to build self-awareness, resilience, and community connection.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the event?+

Saturday, September 26, 2026. The Sanctuary is open from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

What does registration include?+

One 60-minute yoga class, a full-day Sanctuary pass — including the elevated walkway, Welcome Center, and Education Center — and entry into a raffle for special prizes. You can also add a second class for $25.

Can I take more than one class?+

Yes — you can add a second class for an additional $25 during registration.

Are children allowed?+

The yoga event is open to adults and youth ages 14+ with parental permission. Younger children and family members may purchase Sanctuary admission separately through the Sanctuary ticket office.

Do I need to bring a yoga mat?+

Yes — please bring your own yoga mat, water, and any props you may need. You may also bring your own food and drink or purchase food and beverages onsite at the Lion's Den Café and Ice Cream Shop.

Is there a refund policy?+

No refunds are planned if participants choose to cancel.

Do I need to sign a waiver?+

Yes. Participants will sign a liability waiver that also includes media consent and an option to share contact information with The Wild Animal Sanctuary.

Is this a guided tour?+

No. Time at The Sanctuary is self-guided, with Sanctuary volunteers available throughout the public areas to answer questions.

Can I bring my dog?+

Dogs are not allowed at The Wild Animal Sanctuary because their presence poses a significant danger to both the rescued animals and the dogs themselves. The strict policy prohibits dogs on the property entirely, including inside vehicles.

Move with purpose.
Practice in service.

Spend the day at the Sanctuary and help support rescued wild animals. 100% of event proceeds go to The Wild Animal Sanctuary.

Register for the Event

Not able to attend? Donate directly to the fundraiser →