Buddhi Tribe aligns with Women’s Support Services

MILLERTON— Beyond her work in improving area residents’ health and sense of balance at her Millerton studio, Buddhi Tribe owner Kate Shanley has made it her mission to offer support to those who need it most. She hosted a fundraiser to benefit Women’s Support Services at the end of October, which she now says will hopefully become one of many.

Shanley is an active member of her community. She’s been praised for her active role as a volunteer and board member for Women’s Support Services in Sharon, Conn. Though her involvement with the organization began last summer, her understanding of the issues concerning domestic violence sparked from personal experience. Since she joined the Women’s Support Services Board of Directors in July, Shanley has demonstrated her commitment to raising awareness through countless volunteer hours and service on the board.

“For myself and for Buddhi Tribe, community is about helping others and doing your best,” Shanley said. “I think supporting local organizations such as Women’s Support Services represents both of these efforts. The more good you do, the more good you attract.”

Understanding how valuable community support is to ending domestic violence, Shanley approached Women’s Support Services about hosting a fundraiser. She called it 108 to End Hate. Described as a donation-based practice of 108 sun salutations, the fundraiser highlighted a series of yoga poses performed in a continuous flowing sequence with the intention of improving muscle strength and flexibility. While practicing a 108 challenge is typically done around the solstice to usher in the new season, Shanley said she organized the fundraiser for October since it coincided with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

The fundraiser had about 10 participants. Whether they chose to participate in the 108 sun salutations or not, attendees made the practice unique to themselves. Tally counters were offered so that participants could keep track of how many sun salutations they did.

Following their practice, everyone enjoyed tea and snacks in the studio, many of them eager to participate in future 108 challenges.

Raising around $300 through the fundraiser, Shanley said every dollar raised would enable Women’s Support Services to continuing helping those in need.

“We really need the community on board so that everyone understands domestic violence happens throughout the community,” said Women’s Support Services Director of Development Shelly Ross Robbins, “and the more people know about it and take a stand against it, really helps our work.”

“It’s important to me to spread awareness about domestic violence and to offer myself as a listening ear and a guiding hand for those affected in my community,” Shanley said. “My hope is to help Women’s Support Services do their important work and for those affected by domestic violence in our community to feel safe to speak up, knowing they have a supportive community committed to non-violence.”