Yoga center will host free family fest

Newton — Breathing Room Yoga & Healing Arts Center will host “Love in Motion,” a free family festival and benefit for families challenging autism, on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will offer live music, healing body work, kids activities, community resources, vendors and giveaways. Donations will be accepted. All money raised through the Burton Armstrong Pierce Foundation will go towards creating a small learning center — where individuals with autism and their families can come for relaxation, inspiration, intellectual stimulation and self-expression.” The event is the brainchild of two moms with autistic sons, Nancy Sierchio of “David Versus Autism” and Michele Burns Pierce, coauthor of “Danson: The Extraordinary Discovery of an Autistic Child’s Innermost Thoughts and Feelings,” featured on “Oprah” and “Larry King.” Cheryl Paulson, owner of Breathing Room Center, wanted to practice “seva,” the sanskrit word for “service” through her new yoga and healing arts center. Paulson feels service “feeds us spiritually and awakens us to the greater truth of our own being. It is work done for the community and others without a thought of reward.” Hosting the benefit at the healing arts center was the perfect solution for Burns Pierce and Sierchio who were looking for a space to create an autism friendly community event. Breathing Room Center is located at 735 Route 94 between Blairstown and Newton, next to Wilbur’s Country Market. For event details visit www.breathingroomcenter.com.