Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-D.M.C. is making that a reality on Sept. 26 with a charity event he’s hosting in the District for the first time.
Om This Way, a play on Run-D.M.C.’s 1980s hit “Walk This Way,” is a two-hour event that will be held at Equinox Sports Club, a luxurious health club in the District’s West End neighborhood.
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels will lead a yoga class called “Om This Way” on Sept. 26. (Courtesy photo)
Equinox has hosted the charity event for two years at its sports clubs in Boston, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. It’s the event’s first foray into the District.
“We can’t wait to bring this movement to our nation’s capital September 26th and the tour continues in NYC in November and Miami in December,” McDaniels said in a statement released to the AFRO.
The charity event is raising money for two groups. The first is The Children’s Guild, a nonprofit that assists Washington and Maryland children struggling with trauma disorders, autism and other disabilities. The other one is The Felix Foundation, which benefits children growing up in foster care.
McDaniels, the foundation’s cofounder, said he relates to the groups because he, too, was a foster child until he was adopted.
“This partnership with Equinox has raised thousands of dollars for The Felix Organization which I co-founded in 2006 with fellow adoptee Sheila Jaffe,” McDaniels said in the statement.
The event kicks off with a 45-minute charity yoga class that’ll have local DJ Brandon “DJ Ri5e” Perry playing old-school and current hip-hop tunes as yogis stretch, pose and breathe it out on the mat under the direction of three instructors.
The yoga session is open to people of all fitness levels, and instructors will offer modifications to people who are new to yoga or are struggling with injuries, said Heather Loren, the club’s member relations manager. Instructors will also demonstrate the postures to show attendees how they’re done.
McDaniels will perform a live concert once the yoga concludes, and a reception will conclude the night. Members of the public do not have to belong to the club to attend, but it costs $75 to reserve a space.
A $500 donation will send one child to the foundation’s summer camp, which gives resources and experiences to foster children that would have otherwise eluded them.
Yoga, an ancient Indian practice that emphasizes meditation, breathing and specialized postures, is typically performed to serene tunes that aren’t necessarily known for their beats.
Hip-hop yoga represents a break from that tradition.
“It’s definitely a more high-energy type of yoga,” Loren said, noting that the yoga will still be a low-impact exercise. “We really just want to be able to serve as a great hosting site…and to be able to sweat for a cause.”
To reserve your spot for the event, visit www.crowdrise.com/om-this-way.