Global Mala Press Release 2008

GLOBAL MALA PROJECT UNITES YOGA COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

Yoga Enthusiasts Throughout the World Cross the Borders of their Mats to Raise Consciousness and Funds for Important Causes.

SAN DIEGO — (August 25, 2008) — On September 21-23, the Global Mala Project, whose purpose is to unite the global yoga community, will implement events throughout the world in honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace.

Taking its name from the sacred prayer beads called “mala” used in India and Tibet as meditation guides, the Global Mala Project will form a “mala around the earth” through collective practices and intentions.

The symbolic mala formed by the global yoga community represents the prayer for peace, hope and charity the Project will be sending to the world. The mission of the Project is to raise both funds and consciousness for some of the most pressing issues facing the world today.

Local yoga teacher, Kris Ward, of Trikaya® – the Yoga of Intentional Creation (www.TrikayaTribe.com) - and her volunteer team are organizing and hosting the San Diego event, which will be held at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park on Saturday, September 20th, from 4 – 9pm. Last year the 100% carbon neutral, eco-friendly event sold out and raised thousands of dollars for both local and global charities, some of which included the Humane Society and earthquake victims in Peru. Those who attended the event experienced AcroYoga® and Trikaya Yoga workshops, dance performances, group chanting, live music, meditation, raffle, and paradigm-shifting films and presentations.

This year’s participants can expect more of the same plus kids’ yoga demonstrations, hoop dancing, local exhibitors, organic kettle corn, and a Deep Yoga Workshop. The money raised will go to support entrepreneurs in developing countries via micro-lending with Kiva (www.Kiva.org) and Just Like My Child (www.JustLikeMyChild.org), holistic health education for youth via Youth Health Alliance (www.yogamonth.org), and conscious evolution through the film series HUMANITY ASCENDING (www.humanityascending.com) by futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard.

“With the rising threat of Global Warming, the illusion of separateness is dissolving around the world,” said Shiva Rea, world-renowned LA Yoga teacher and catalyst for the Global Mala Project. “Yoga is one of the few common denominators for millions of people around the world; together we are creating a circle around the earth and dedicating our energy to peace.”

Both the San Diego and Los Angeles Global Mala events are collaborating with the Yoga Month awareness campaign and its Yoga Health Festival – also a charity event. The San Diego Yoga Health Festival will be held on September 24th, the Wednesday following the Global Mala Project. VIP passes that include access to both charity events, a benefit concert with Donna de Lory, and the Trikaya Rooftop Afterparty with live DJ, Contortionist, Jacuzzi, Palm Reader, and likeminded yogis, are currently available online. For more information, please visit www.globalmalasd.org.