YogaKids to bring relief to Haiti's children

Fund raising is as easy as breathing, moving your body and having fun. At least that's how children from around the world will likely view it as they get set for four consecutive days of yoga, April 22-25, 2010. It's all part of Children Helping Children, a worldwide, coordinated effort to bring relief to Haiti's children. The project is sponsored by YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds (www.bridgeofdiamonds.com).

“The idea with this effort is for kids and adults to stand together as one from points around the world, bring our shining lights together and send rays of hope, love and strength to Haiti's children.”

So far almost 1,000 children and teens from the United States and around the world have registered for YogaKids (www.yogakids.com) classes being held in seven countries on four continents. Certified YogaKids teachers will host these donation-based classes, with the proceeds going toward a goal of $50,000. The funds will be used to send a team to Haiti to train school teachers, social workers and parents in how to use yoga to reduce stress and anxiety in children.

According to Marsha Wenig, who co-founded YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds and YogaKids International, Inc., both based in New Buffalo, MI, "This project is one example of how we intend to fulfill our mission to provide direct assistance and healing support to children in need following a crisis such as the Haiti earthquake."

Targeted to youngsters ages 3 to 9 and teens/families, the classes will encourage breathing, a core element of yoga practice, and include lessons on life in Haiti, as well as yoga poses, stories and guided visualization. Each child will also create a personal greeting card to be hand-delivered to a child in Haiti.

"Our classes are designed to empower children to make a positive difference in the lives of kids in need," said Certified YogaKids Teacher Candy Blaxter, who is championing the Haiti relief effort from Newburyport, MA. She is one of about 50 YogaKids teachers who will hold the classes.

According to Wenig, "The idea with this effort is for kids and adults to stand together as one from points around the world, bring our shining lights together and send rays of hope, love and strength to Haiti's children."