Yoga Aid Challenge 2011
Naperville joins America to Salute the Sun for Charity
Yoga enthusiasts from all over the Chicago area will be coming together to salute the sun on October 1st by taking part in the 2011 Yoga Aid US Challenge.
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.
Naperville Yoga AId Ambassador, Michelle Young
Michelle has been involved in the Fitness World for over a decade. She joined her first fitness facility at the age of fourteen, and physical fitness has been weaved into her life since.
Having worked with some of the top fitness establishments and a leading weight loss center in the US, she has had the pleasure of being exposed to a number of fitness perspectives.
Striving to learn something from everyone she meets, she brings to her practice a medley of experience and viewpoints. After many years of being in the fitness industry, yoga found its way into her life. It is here that she finds her center blending both mind and body and the love for a yogic lifestyle.
Determined to share the endless benefits of Yoga, Michelle founded Salutations Yoga, where she offers personal yoga and pilates instruction, fitness coaching, and dietary consultation. Her vision is to help others culminate a healthy relationship with their bodies.
Michelle has recently began her relationship with Yoga Aid, and finds it to be an exemplary opportunity to give back, while she teaches and learns from others.