Yoga Aid Press Kit
2011 Yoga Aid Challenge Press Kit
What is Yoga Aid?
Yoga Aid began in 2006 with knowledge so beautifully summed up in MC Yogi’s words:
“When we live to give love, there’s no greater feeling”.
Two yoga enthusiasts; Clive and Eriko, set out to put their yoga practice into action
by creating Yoga Aid: an international non-profit supported by a small group of
yoga and global change advocates. Here, yoga and charity find a connection, enabling
the ‘giving’ mentality cultivated in yoga practice to take action across the world
in supporting a variety of charities and community projects.
What is a Yoga Aid Challenge?
The Challenge is the way this giving community comes together; through special,
two hour yoga practices held in hundreds of locations worldwide. The Challenge is
lead by a series of 12 teachers, many of whom are internationally renowned. Hundreds
of yogis take part in these unique events in every location, raising money along
the way for selected charity partners.
The Challenge itself has attracted the support of some of the world’s most influential
yogis: teachers include Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Baron Baptiste,
Duncan Wong, Ana Forrest and MC Yogi, among many others. Attendance is free, making
the events inclusive celebrations of community and global awareness. By registering,
participants receive an online fundraising page through which they can help to raise
funds for local and international charity partners.
How we raise funds?
Yoga Aid has developed an online fundraising vehicle hosted on the Yoga AId website
(www.yogaaid.com), which is easy to use, secure, and ensures 100% of donations go
straight to charity. All expenses are supported privately: Yoga Aid takes no deductions
from any donations for the running of the organization or events.
Who do we support?
Since 2006, Yoga Aid Challenges have raised over $1 000 000 USD for more than twenty
charity partners worldwide, including MS Society, Barnardos, Save the Children,
Foundation for Women, Off the Mat Into the World, 4 OneWorld, Africa Yoga Project,
Prison Phoenix Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation and Imagine1day.
2011 Event Schedule:
India: Rishikesh, March 3 2011
Japan: Tokyo Midcity, April 30 2011
US: Wanderlust Festivals, May to August 2011
Across US: 1 and 2 October 2011
Canada: 10th & 11th September 2011
Across Aus: November 13 2011
Contact Us: Johnson Hunter – Global Events Director
Johnson@yogaaid.com
Yoga Aid Fact Sheet and FAQs
Who started Yoga Aid?
A small group of Australian Yoga enthusiasts in 2006:
Clive Mayhew, Eriko Kinoshita and their friends.
Which countries host Yoga Aid Challenges?
Previously, India, Australia, the USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan
And how many locations have there been? At end June 2010, the Challenge had
happened in 97 places worldwide, some of the most memorable including in front of
the Sydney Opera House, Tokyo Midtown, beside the Ganges in Rishikesh, India and
Piazza Navona in Rome.
Who does Yoga Aid raise money for? In the US and Canada this year we are
supporting:
Africa Yoga Project (
www.africayogaproject.org)
4OneWorld (
www.4oneworld.org)
The Art of Yoga Project (
www.theartofyogaproject.org)
Headstand (
www.headstand.org)
305 Spiritual Gangsters (
www.305spiritualgangsters.com)
How does Yoga Aid divide funds raised?
The Community Ambassador (or event organiser) decides from the above five charities
which they would like to support at their event. (from 1 to 4). Then individual
Challengers choose the charity they would like to fundraise for from those selected
by the ambassador.
How much goes to charity?
Yoga Aid takes nothing from any donation whatsoever. PayPal takes 3-5% for compulsory
credit card fees.
So how does Yoga Aid pay for their expenses?
All expenses are supported privately by the Yoga Aid philanthropy fund.
How much money has been raised so far?
At end of July 2011: $1 098,527 USD
Where did that money go?
To a range of charity partners, including Off The Mat, Africa Yoga Project, Japan
Platform, MS Society, Indian Heritage Research Foundation, Manjushree Orphanage
India and many others.
How many yogis have participated in a Yoga Aid Challenge?
At end June 2011: over 8850 across the world.
Which well known yoga teachers have been involved?
Seane Corn, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Duncan Wong, Ana Forrest, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa,
Twee Merrigan, MC Yogi, David Life, David Swensen, Duncan Peak and Simon Low amongst
others.
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