Mind-Body Wellness for Underserved Populations

The BIJA Initiative

Bija is the yogic word for "seed," also described as the original urge that all life has to express itself and let its true potential or essence shine. In each of us, there exists bijas of hopes and dreams waiting to blossom, but the environment must be right for growing. With the BIJA Initiative, Karma Krew seeks to provide quality yoga enrichment programs to underserved populations throughout society. The BIJA programs utilize the practices of yoga, including physical postures, breathing, relaxation, meditation, and other mind-body wellness techniques to instill confidence, cultivate calm, and build self esteem in each individual that passes through the program. Some of the groups served by the BIJA initiative include abused and neglected children, at-risk and inner city youth, elderly; battered women; and low income communities throughout the nation.

Current BIJA Updates

Currently, Karma Krew is developing a BIJA Program specifically for abused and neglected children living in shelters. Offering children a place of stability, safety, and community during a critical time in their personal growth development, shelters can (and often do) represent a place where healing for these children can begin. With therapeutic programming and individualized attention, the BIJA program seeks to complement and enhance the supportive environment that already exists at children's shelters by providing quality enrichment yoga programming that can positively affect both the children and the shelter's staff, and fortify the entire learning/living environment in these facilities.

Karma Krew will be accepting applications and training a core group of certified yoga teachers to go into select children's shelters providing a specially designed mind/body wellness curriculum to the shelter's children on a regular basis. Funding for this initiative is already underway. A special community-wide Karma Kastles Sand Sculpting Contest and Fundraiser took place December 1st, 2007 on Jupiter Beach in Florida. 100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be utilized to support the BIJA initiative. If you are interested in becoming part of the BIJA Initiative or wish to support the cause, please contact us at info@karmakrew.org. Please check back on this site regularly for more program updates coming soon!