A sea of legs and arms waved simultaneously from side to side in the dimly lit room as yogis and their students bent and stretched at the Yogis Give Back event, a fundraiser for children of drug-dependent mothers.

"It started as just a way to get everyone together and have a moment of common ground," said organizer and yoga instructor Stephen Brown. "It was important to have an aspect of giving not only for a worthy recipient but one that none of us had anything to do with."

For the last four years, yogis and their students have met on the first Saturday of December to practice yoga while raising money for the Hope Center for Children. The non-profit organization helps children whose mother's receive treatment for chemical dependency at the House of Hope Treatment Center.

Participants pay $20 to attend the 2 1/2-hour class, held this year in a small theater at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

Brown, who said part of practicing yoga is giving back to the community, invited instructors from a variety of disciplines to join him in the cause.

"It's a great energy. There are people from all walks of life, and it's great to get them all in there for one day," Brown said. "It's not just about raising money, but also about raising awareness for organizations like this one."

At Saturday's event, the space filled with bodies lined up on mats just feet apart in the crowded theater. Participants ranged from first timers to senior instructors.

"I love yoga, and I wanted to support the charity," said Susan Dyer at the end of session. "It's intense, wonderful and almost spiritual."

Lisa Heaton, director of Family Service for the Utah Alcoholism Foundation, said the money will help children who don't qualify for other assistance programs. The funds cover case management, evaluations and counseling.

"It's an amazing help. The bottom line is helping kids by paying for their treatment," Heaton said.

The programs serves between 300 to 400 families per year. Children from birth to 8 years either spend a day at the center while their mother receives treatment or live at the center.

In previous years, the event has raised between $2,000 and $5,000, thanks to sponsorships and participants who contribute more than $20.

"They do good important work every single day of the year," Brown said of the Hope Center for Children. "Those people attending the class now know about House of Hope and other programs they do. That's important."