Bent on Learning’s 6th Annual Inspire Gala - Capitale, New York City - March 10, 2015

Bridget Moynahan, Jessie Freschl, Stephanie Johnson at Bent on Learning 6th Annual Inspire! Gala

Bent on Learning, an organization that works to bring yoga to New York City public school students held their 6th Annual Inspire Gala on Tuesday evening, March 10th at Capitale in Manhattan.  The event raised over $350,000 to Support Yoga Programs in New York City Public Schools. 

The Bent on Learning Gala attracted renowned celebrity guests, such as actress and model Bridget Moynahan, actor Alec Baldwin, and actor Kevin Navayne.  Festivities for the night at the grand Capitale venue included cocktails, silent auction, dinner, and a on-stage yoga performance by students of New Design.  We must say that the most memorable part of the gala was hearing several NYC public school students speak to how yoga has improved their lives.

Hilaria Baldwin and Alec Baldwin

Bent on Learning supporter Dr. Frank Lipman introduced honoree Gopi Kallayil, Chief Evangelist of Brand Marketing at Google, to the stage where Kallayil gave a heartfelt speech about the value of yoga in schools.  Guests also had a chance to stand and join him in a brief yoga practice. Although only a few minutes long, guests in glamorous cocktail attire joined him for the first ever yoga session at a New York City Gala!

Gopi Kallayil, Chief Evangelist of Brand Marketing at Google speaks at the Gala

Joining co-founders Anne Desmond and Jennifer Ford at the event were Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, actor Kevin Navayne, Ms. Ange Kagame, First Daughter of Rwanda, former Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford, Event Chairs Jessie and Mark Freschl and Amanda Mintz, Vice Chairs Bob O’Leary and Paul Johnson and Lisa and Alex Binderow, and board members Jill Bauman and Bailey Gimbel, among others.

Hilaria Baldwin leading NYC public school students for an on-stage Yoga performance

Co-founder Jennifer Ford, Gopi Kallayil, and co-founder Ann Desmond

Janice and Dr. Frank Lipman at Bent on Learning 6th Annual Inspire! Gala

About Bent on Learning

Bent on Learning brings yoga to New York City public schools and transforms classrooms into healthier, more compassionate learning environments where kids can thrive.  For 15 years, the organization has been an important treasure in New York City, providing free yoga programs to schools during the academic day, serving 18,000 children to date, and paving the way for making health and happiness an integral part of the curriculum of our schools.