Yoga class to help comatose musician

2011-01-14T01:42:37Z

The second annual “Yoga for Chi” class will be held Jan. 22 to benefit Chi Cheng, bassist for Deftones, who has been in a coma since November 2008.

“It’s an hour-long free yoga class for all ages, and it’s open to all skill levels,” said Julie McKechnie, who will be hosting the class from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at American River Crossfit, 1512 Howe Ave.

Students are encouraged to make donations, which will help Cheng’s family raise the money needed to transport him to New Jersey to see a specialist.

Cheng, who has lived in both Sacramento and Stockton, was in a car accident on Nov. 3, 2008, and though his family says he is improving, he has yet to regain consciousness, according to oneloveforchi.com, a website set up to rally support for the musician.

“His family gives updates and blogs on the website,” McKechnie said. “The family came out and asked for support.”

McKechnie doesn’t know Cheng personally, but said she has been a fan of Deftones, and she wanted to do her part to help.

“Last year, we raised just under $300,” she said. “We’re hoping for $1,000 this year.”

Gina Blackmore of Austin, Texas, founded oneloveforchi.com in March of 2009.

Blackmore said she founded the website because she wanted to help Cheng and his family in any way possible, and described Cheng as “a great guy who was always very kind to my husband and I.”

At last year’s event, Cheng’s ex-wife and son came, and McKechnie said she is expecting supporters from all over Northern California at this year’s event.

Jan. 22 is the date for the global “Wake Up Fest,” when supporters around the world will hold events for Cheng.

On the website for Wake Up Fest, lists events are listed all across the United States as well as in other countries, including the Czech Republic, The Philippines and Romania.

For people who want to donate but are unable to attend the yoga course, oneloveforchi.com has a PayPal donation button.

“It’s one small thing a fan can do,” McKechnie said.

Photos of last year's event by Jonathan Mendick.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Yoga sends 'chi' to Deftones bassist in coma

2009-10-07T17:59:16Z

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.

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Yoga class to help comatose musician

Yoga sends 'chi' to Deftones bassist in coma