The Bigger Picture Effort
An Interview with Dana Edison about the RYC Bigger Picture Effort

Q: What is the RYC Bigger Picture Effort?
Dana: It’s the component of my Radius Yoga Conditioning business dedicated to giving back to the community.

Q: Why did you start the Effort?
Dana: When I launched Radius Yoga Conditioning, I knew I was realizing a dream. I recognized how lucky I was to have the opportunity to follow my passion. As a healthy person with the wonderful support of loved ones, I would be remiss if I failed to see the “bigger picture” and took any of this experience for granted. I’m a yogini who definitely believes in karma. Out of that belief and my appreciation for the opportunities I’ve been afforded, The RYC Bigger Picture Effort was born.

Q: How do you give back?
Dana: Time, energy, and, of course, funds. Just starting out, the latter is a little scarcer, but I hope that the overall effort and resulting outcomes will increase over time as my business grows and my clients get more involved. The more we work together, the more we can accomplish. As a first step, I’ve committed to offering a 100% donation-based Yoga 101 community workshops; all donations will go directly to the National MS Society.

Q: The Effort is primarily focused on fighting Multiple Sclerosis. Why?
Dana: Yoga is a practice that establishes and nurtures the communication and bond of the mind & body—creating an empowering connection that enhances balance, control and awareness. Just as yoga works to build bridges to link the body and mind, multiple sclerosis works to destroy them.

Q: What would you tell people to encourage them to get involved?
Dana: I’d ask them to try to imagine what it must be like to be robbed of your ability to connect intention with action. How would you cope with a loss of balance and sensation…and potentially all other mental and physical functions that we cultivate through our yoga practice? The mind-body connection I’ve realized through yoga has given me greater confidence, made me feel stronger and healthier than I ever have and empowered me to follow my passion and live life to the fullest. As such, I’ve dedicated my career to helping others discover this empowering connection and to fighting MS, a disease that erodes that connection. But I need to do more. We all do.

Q: What are your plans for expanding the RYC Bigger Picture Effort?
Dana: As my business expands, so will my commitment to fighting MS. I will continue to develop creative means for getting involved and giving back. Check my website on a regular basis for updates. For more information about MS, visit the National MS Society website. For volunteering opportunities and to learn about other ways you can show your support on a local basis, use the MS Society’s chapter finder to locate the chapter in your area.

Dana volunteering on a
Habitat For Humanity project