The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre was this year’s beneficiary of the Central Alberta Yogathon.

It was the fourth year of the event, which started as a way for yoga practitioners in Red Deer to raise money for causes related to mental health.

Due to snow and near-freezing temperatures, the location was moved to the auditorium in the downtown library branch on Saturday.

Patricia Arango, the support centre’s executive director, said the event was a way for their group to raise its profile and get people talking about their #iRespect campaign.

“We are talking about positive messages. So we choose not to talk about the rape culture. We are talking about culture of respect. We are talking about how important it is to work together, how can we protect our kids, protect each other to be safe,” Arango said.

Arango said once a person adopts respect as a lifestyle, their actions will be influenced by that principle.

Madelyn Commins, an organizer from Central Alberta Yogathon, said their goal from the event’s inception was to present yoga as a tool for people trying to improve their mental wellness.

She said the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Centre was a fitting cause to get behind.

“The people that use their services, hopefully, would find yoga as a tool for some of the things they’re going through,” Commins said.

“The other thing about yoga is having respect for your body, your space, your community and the room you are part of. It all fits with their ‘I Respect’ campaign.”