It’s no secret that yoga improves your flexibility, keeps your muscles tone, helps you control your weight and more. This summer, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, yoga students will gather on the beach at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island to reap all these healthful benefits. And by participating in the twice-weekly class (in a beautiful setting, to boot!) they’ll do more than help themselves; they’ll be helping the animals of the Hilton Head Humane Association, or HHHA.

Every year, more than 2,500 dogs and cats receive help and care from the HHHA. Animals receive medical treatment, exercise and love and attention from a staff dedicated to their compassionate treatment. Since its founding in 1976, the organization has been at the front of humane treatment options. For example, its feral cat program traps, inoculates, neuters and releases feral cats at no cost to businesses or residents. In addition, its no-fee spay and neuter programs provide assistance to low-income residents whose animals might otherwise bring unwanted offspring that can neither be fed nor housed.The HHHA also helps low-income people keep their pets through counseling or aid. Programs like these are all part of the HHHA’s commitment to eliminating the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals, mostly by reducing the number of animals reproduced or abandoned.

Proceeds from the beachside yoga classes at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island benefit the HHHA and its efforts to improve the lives of animals on the island. Each class lasts for one hour and is open to guests and to island residents of all experience levels. Classes are complimentary for hotel guests and donation-based for all others.Yoga instructor Jennifer Brewer will be leading the resort’s new yoga classes. She brings with her more than 15 years of teaching experience and is a RYT-500 yoga therapist from Subtle Yoga in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a RYT-200 therapist from Asheville Community Yoga in Asheville, North Carolina.

“We are delighted to offer guests and others in the community this unique experience that combines the beauty of our beaches, the opportunity to learn from Jennifer, and the chance to help our local humane society” said Chris Bracken, the director of sales and marketing at the resort.