Open your Heart for Philip's Open Heart

Dear friends, family, and community,

Philip is a beloved member of so many communities in Chicago. He spends his days dedicated to empowering yoga students at Zen Yoga Garage, Midtown Athletic Club, Yodega, Movement Gyms, and in his personal life. As a full time yoga teacher, he relies on his health and able body to provide his income.

In the past few months, Philip became aware of a genetic heart condition that affected a member of his family despite already being an archetype of clean living. After this information, he took extra precautions to follow up with his doctor about his own health. It was through this work that they found his heart, too, needed intervention. At the end of January Philip will undergo open heart bypass surgery due to an abnormal presence of coronary artery disease.

Other methods to intervene unfortunately were not able to mitigate the severity of his condition and this operation is being performed proactively and urgently to prevent any serious or life threatening event.

This surgery will not only require Philip to accrue massive expenses through medical bills and changes to his living environment to aide in recovery, but will also take Philip away from the career that he loves, and also the career that sustains him financially.

Philip gives a piece of himself to each of us every time he steps on the mat to teach, or sits in a lobby with a supportive ear. Please consider contributing in anyway you are able, to give him ample time to recover and come back as the strongest version of himself yet!

This is where we, as a community, can make a difference. We are raising funds to help cover the costs of Philip’s surgery, medical expenses, and recovery time. Philip will not be able to work/teach/earn for about three months (coming back slowly at a reduced capacity when he does return). Even beyond the immediate recovery, there will be ongoing expenses and needs related to his physical and mental recovery and growth. Your generous donations will help ease the financial burden and allow him to focus on healing, without the stress of financial strain.

How You Can Help:

Donate: Any contribution, big or small, will make a significant impact. Every dollar brings Philip closer to the care he needs and helps him focus on his recovery.

Share: Help spread the word! The more people who know about Philip's story, the more support we can gather.

Send Love: Even if you can't contribute financially, sending your positive energy and well wishes means the world to Philip.

Philip has been a guiding light in our lives—now it’s our turn to support him through this challenging time. Let’s come together to help him heal, so he can continue to shine his light.

Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your unwavering support. We know that with your help, Philip will get through this stronger than ever.

With love and gratitude,