Yoga sends ‘chi’ to Deftones bassist in coma

Posted by gina on Oct 9, 2009 in Fundraising News | 3 comments

Last Sunday, the Yoga Solution studio was filled with the relaxing sound of “namastes,” “oms” and a meditation gong. But what spoke the loudest, perhaps, were three chants of “Chi.”

On Oct. 4, 10 people came together to practice yoga and send “chi,” or life force energy, to Chi Cheng, bassist for the Grammy-award-winning Sacramento band, Deftones. Cheng has been in a coma since Nov. 4, 2008, after being involved in a motor accident.

The event was organized by yoga instructor Julie McKechnie, who normally teaches classes for members of the Gold River Racquet Club. Her friend Jennifer Sadugor, the owner of Yoga Solution, 887 57th St., allowed her to use her studio for the fundraising gathering, she said.

“I’m such a big (Deftones) fan and when (Chi) had his accident, I was upset and distraught,” McKechnie said before the class. Looking for updates on Cheng’s condition, she found a way to help through the website www.oneloveforchi.com.

A little over six months ago, another Deftones fan, Gina Blackmore, set up the website to update fans on Cheng’s status and allow fans to send “get well” messages as well as donate money to pay for his medical bills. At the time of publication, more than 2,334 donations totaling nearly $73,000 has been donated through the website.

“‘One Love for Chi’ touched me because I was once in the hospital and received overwhelming support from friends and strangers,” McKechnie said.

She decided to get her family and friends together and hold a yoga fundraiser, she said. At a cost of $20 per person, all proceeds went to www.oneloveforchi.com.

Among the attendees was McKechnie’s mother, there for her first yoga lesson. “It was great, even though I don’t know (Cheng); he’s a friend of a friend,” said Christine Nicholson, one of the attendees. “It was a great way to get into yoga and to do something for someone else.”

In fact, only one person practicing yoga on Sunday actually knew Cheng: his ex-wife Adrienne Cheng. Their son Gabriel also attended the fundraiser, but waited in the other room playing video games during the lesson. “It was amazing; I’m blown away and really touched,” Adrienne Cheng said after the yoga lesson. She mentioned that benefit shows for her ex-husband have been held all over the world.

“Chi’s family wants me to thank everyone for coming to this event as well,” McKechnie said after the lesson. “Our energy has made its way to (him and) his family.”

The next fundraising event will be during this weekend’s Second Saturday event. Vintage clothing boutique Bows and Arrows, 1712 L St., will be selling “One Love For Chi” t-shirts.

Those who want to donate can check www.oneloveforchi.com for future fundraisers or donate directly to Cheng’s family for medical bills via Paypal.

by Jonathan Mendick

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/15033/Yoga_sends_chi_to_Deftones_bassist_in_coma