500 Expected at the South Florida Yoga Aid Challenge to Benefit 305 Spiritual Gangsters

Miami, Florida (I-Newswire) September 24, 2011 - Miami, Florida- More than 500 yoga practitioners are expected at the South Florida Yoga Aid Challenge set for Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 at the top level of the newly constructed parking complex at 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. The fundraising event will consist of a 2 hour yoga practice of 108 Sun Salutations to benefit the 305 Spiritual Gangsters, a Miami-based non-profit providing free yoga classes to at-risk youth in inner city schools, shelters, jails, and community centers.

305 Spiritual Gangsters' 2012 goal is to raise at least $50,000 in order to create a more sustainable program in at least 20 South Florida locations (each with four 6-week programs per year). "Our mission is to diversify the face of yoga and make it more accessible to youth coming from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups", says Terri Cooper, who founded 305 Spiritual Gangsters in May 2008 after reading the headlines on the front page of the Miami Herald, which stated that $332 million was cut from Florida's Public Schools, while the state was building three new prisions, costing taxpayers $305 million.

The organization has also developed the Urban Guru Scholarship Program, which awards selected applicants a full scholarship to a 200 hr. yoga certification course and immediate job placement upon completion. Not only are we teaching self-respect, self-control,and self-awareness through yoga; we're developing yoga educators that are already a part of the inner city communities we are reaching", says Marisol Tamez, the organization's director.

The top fundraisers at the South Florida Yoga Aid Challenge will receive a Grand Prize package valued at $5,000, including complimentary accommodations for 7 nights at an Elite Island Resort in the Caribbean. Other great prizes include: yoga classes at Green Monkey, yoga wear from Lululemon and I Love Yoga, beauty services from Salon Sepia, hotel accommodations at The Standard in Miami Beach, and more! In addition to plenty of positive vibes, the event will also feature free snacks from Whole Foods, and plenty of local vendors.

Last year, the South Florida Yoga Aid Challenge attracted over 400 participants and raised over $30,000 for last year's charities: The Africa Yoga Project and Off the Mat, Into the World.

The event will celebrate the end of September as National Yoga Month, which also saw other local yoga events such as Green Monkey's Mat Crawl Challenge and the Global Yoga Flash Mob.

Those interested in participating in the South Florida Yoga Aid Challenge can register as an individual or as a team and may create their own online fundraising page online at www.YogaAid.com. Drop-in rate is $25 or raise $108 and get FREE ADMISSION.
Registration begins at 9:00am on the 7th level of the 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage. The yoga practice begins at 10:00am and lasts about 2 hours.

Yoga Aid Promotional Video: http://vimeo.com/27729873

About Yoga Aid
The Yoga Aid Challenge is a special, 2-hour yoga practice held in hundreds of locations worldwide. However, the practice itself is not the challenge. The real challenge is in fundraising for charity in the lead up to the event. Since 2006, the Yoga Aid Challenge has raised over $1 million for various charities all over the world. www.yogaaid.com

About 305 Spiritual Gangsters
305 Spiritual Gangsters is a Miami-based non-profit that provides free yoga classes to at-risk youth in inner city schools, shelters, jails, and community centers. Those interested in volunteering or seeking to establish a youth yoga program in their organization may contact Executive Director, Marisol Tamez at Marisol305Yoga@Gmail.com or 786-728-7266. www.305SpirituaIGangsters.com I
www.305Yoga.com

About 305 Spiritual Gangsters:
305 Spiritual Gangsters is a Miami-based non-profit that provides free yoga classes to at-risk youth in inner city schools, shelters, jails, and community centers. Those interested in volunteering or seeking to establish a youth yoga program in their organization may contact Executive Director, Marisol Tamez at Marisol305Yoga@Gmail.com or 786-728-7266. www.305SpirituaIGangsters.com I www.305Yoga.com

Company Contact Information
305 Spiritual Gangsters
Marisol Tamez
7300 Biscayne Blvd.
33138
Phone : 786 728-7266