Beyond Yoga Partners with Smile Train to Launch First Yoga For Smiles Challenge in the Philippines

MANILA – June 21, 2017 – In celebration of International Day of Yoga on June 21, Beyond Yoga, Manila’s premiere yoga and fitness studio, has partnered with Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, to launch the Yoga for Smiles Challenge. The challenge is the first of its kind in the Philippines and will run from August to September to raise funds and awareness for children with untreated clefts.  For the challenge, five Beyond Yoga studios will compete against each other to see who can create the most smiles by raising funds. Proceeds from each yoga class will benefit Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines. The winning studio will be announced during the celebratory event on October 7, Global Mala Day.

“Smile Train is honored to partner with Beyond Yoga to launch the Yoga for Smiles Challenge as it engages those who practice yoga to learn more about the challenges faced by children born with cleft lips and cleft palates. By bringing together their passion for wellness and the inspiration to create a better future for children in need of life-changing surgery, Smile Train hopes that this partnership will be able to reach more children who are in desperate need of help,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Country Director for Smile Train Philippines. She adds, “this is a remarkable event where yogis can practice with great purpose”.

“Beyond Yoga is excited about this collaboration with Smile Train. Yoga For Smiles Challenge puts into practice, one of the core tenets of yoga philosophy, which is seva or service to others. Service is love in motion and what better way to devote our passion for yoga than to help raise funds for children who are born with cleft lips and cleft palates. We are inspired by Smile Train’s vision and commitment to giving every child a chance to smile. The whole Beyond community looks forward to meeting the children that we will be able to help through our efforts,” said Benedict Bernabe, Head of Operations for Beyond Yoga.

Four Beyond studios will participate in the Yoga For Smiles Challenge. Each studio will be led by a celebrity ambassador and a yoga teacher who will encourage students to join and help create the most smiles by donating a suggested amount of Php 1,000. Progress will be tracked by a leaderboard/SmileMeter in the studios to make the competition exciting.

Team Greenhills will be led by actress-host, triathlete and celebrity mom, Aubrey Miles. Team QC will be led by Miss World 2013 Megan Young. Team Rockwell will be led by actress and Beyond Rockwell co-owner, Bianca King. Team Serendra will be led by actress, triathlete, yoga teacher and Beyond Serendra co-owner, Bubbles Paraiso.

The Yoga for Smiles Challenge is open to everyone – for seasoned yogis who would like to get a greater benefit from the practice which they already enjoy doing or beginner yogis who have always been wanting to try something new. They will be helping themselves through the beautiful practice of yoga and helping children smile for the first time.

For more information on the Yoga For Smiles Challenge, please visit www.igobeyondyoga.com.

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About Smile Train

Smile Train is an international children's charity with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problem: cleft lip and palate. Millions of children in developing countries with untreated clefts live in isolation, but more importantly, have difficulty eating, breathing and speaking. Cleft repair surgery is simple, and the transformation is immediate. Our sustainable model provides training, funding and resources to empower local doctors in 85+ developing countries to provide 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care in their own communities. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.ph. For more information about Smile Train’s work in the Philippines, please contact [email protected].

About Beyond Yoga

Beyond Yoga is a leading yoga studio in the Philippines with five branches including Quezon City, Alabang, Greenhills, Rockwell, and Serendra. At Beyond, we believe that yoga is a transformational practice and that everyone should be able to experience its effects. Regardless of age, gender, fitness level, or range of flexibility, there is a yoga class that suits you. We offer a wide range of yoga styles including Vinyasa, Power Yoga, Ashtanga, Rocket Yoga, and Yin Yoga. And we complement this with other fitness systems, like Zumba® and AntiGravity®. Our internationally certified instructors will make sure that you will have a enjoyable experience in a safe and supportive environment. For schedules and rates, please visit igobeyondyoga.com. For more information about Beyond, please contact [email protected].

Press Contacts:

Smile Train
Kimmy C. Flaviano, Country Director, Philippines
[email protected]

Beyond Yoga
Benedict Bernabe, Head of Operations
[email protected]