Giving comes in all forms.

For Karen Williams, it comes in forms of bodies twisting and stretching into exotic-sounding postures -- for good causes.

Williams owns Yoga For Life, a studio on Morehead Street...Since March, she's held benefits there on the first and third Fridays to raise money for a different cash-strapped charity.

She calls the events "Yoga Matters," with participants paying as much as they can afford for a 75-minute class and a talk from a member of the particular organization that is being helped. Williams donates the space. Teachers donate their time -- all the proceeds go to the charity.

The next benefit is Friday at 6 p.m. Yoga for Life has two studios, and there'll be two teachers for beginning and intermediate students.

"It's important in the yoga community that we give back," she said. "What I love about 'Yoga Matters' is that it gives back on so many different levels. It gives back to the students. It gives back to the community and to the organizations that are so financially challenged in this economy"...

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(Note: The Cliff is a news blog hosted by two Charlotte Observer reporters and is part of Charlotte Mission Possible - "a joint effort by local media outlets to help Charlotte residents understand the charitable needs of the community and then find ways to help meet those needs.")