Get Bent on Learning

Even before the stock market began to droop, New York's public schools were starting to feel the crunch of budgetary cutbacks, which have resulted in the elimination of everything from physical education programs to items on the lunch menu. One organization that's helping to improve the situation is Bent On Learning, a nonprofit that provides yoga classes to children from kindergarten through 12th grade in New York City public schools. The program helps over 1,000 kids stay centered and focused each year and has also made a dent in some of the Big Apple's juvenile health issues, like obesity, stress and asthma.

With its admirable mission, it comes as no surprise that last night's New York benefit for Bent On Learning attracted a cross-section of the city's boldest names, including Gwyneth Paltrow (who hosted), Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany. But the event was anything but a stuffy fundraiser. Held in the expansive West Village Stephan Weiss Studio, comfy black sofas and a burning fireplace during the cocktail hour made everyone comfortable whether they'd shown up in a long formal dress or jeans.

Throughout the night, there was a wonderfully relaxed rapport amongst the guests: Donna Karan told a pregnant Kelly Rutherford (from Gossip Girl) how beautiful she looked; Francesco Clemente warmly hugged Russell Simmons; Christy Turlington chatted with The Beastie Boys' Mike D. Even though the event featured large elegant tables, a stage and a silent auction, it was welcoming enough to feel more like a large dinner party at someone's downtown loft.

Gwyneth Paltrow came with Eddie Stern, a member of Bent On Learning's board and her yoga teacher for a decade. The actress firmly believes in the benefits of yoga. As she put it last night, "We don't really allow ourselves time to be quiet and breathe and stretch. We move so quickly and we expect so much of ourselves that it's just nice to have a practice where you can slow things down."

Paltrow is no stranger to supporting philanthropic projects. Why? "Because I'm a ridiculously lucky person," she said. "People sometimes ask, 'Do you feel a responsibility?' And yes, I do. Why was I given this life? You start to feel like it's your mission to give back and help people in any way you can, whether it's sending a newsletter or raising money. You have to do it."

Kelly Rutherford admires what Bent On Learning is doing. "I think it's a wonderful organization," she said. "It's great that yoga is integrated into the schools early, because so much of the time we get to it late, and then we realize the benefits of it. How fantastic is it to learn to do yoga and meditate? It helps us focus; it helps us center ourselves. I think it's an amazing organization and that it's incredible that they're doing this."

The event was co-sponsored by the clothing line alice+olivia and the Urban Zen Foundation. alice+olivia's founder and designer Stacey Bendet Eisner is also passionate about both yoga and Bent On Learning. "Yoga has been something that's been really important in my life, both physically and mentally," she said. "And there have been a ton of studies that show it helps kids emotionally and physically. It's something that creates a lot of balance in your life, which maybe sounds little cliché, but it has been proven to help kids. It creates a peace and inner strength."

Maybe it's no coincidence that so many of last night's attendees — like Paltrow, Connelly and Turlington — are parents. After all, living with young kids is perhaps the best lesson in how, as children rev through their day, the calm that yoga offers can help them thrive. And, thanks to Bent On Learning, many of New York's public school students are indeed thriving. For more information about the organization, go to www.bentonlearning.org.

Photos top to bottom by Ali Goldstein: Gwyneth Paltrow, Eddie Stern, Stacey Bendet; Julie Henderson and Russell Simmons; Christy Turlington