About Us
In the spring of 2022, the world was witnessing a tumultuous period marked by conflicts and crises. Sandra Cook, one of Britain’s most respected teachers and a firm believer in the power of collective action, found herself deeply affected by the escalating crisis in Ukraine. As news of the humanitarian plight reached her, Sandra felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by conflict.
Drawing inspiration from the transformative nature of yoga and its ability to foster peace within individuals, Sandra embarked on a mission to leverage the yoga community within the UK for a cause greater than any individual practice. She envisioned a movement that would raise funds for the crisis in Ukraine.
The movement gained traction and garnered an overwhelming response far greater than hoped from within the UK and beyond from teachers, studios and students alike, raising over £10k.
In 2023 war broke out between Israel and Hamas and we are now witnessing one of the worst civilian massacres in history. Rather than succumb to our inevitable feelings of powerlessness, anger and grief we are instead taking a stand, standing for peace and doing what we can, with hope in our hearts, using the resources we have to raise vital funds for 3 humanitarian charities.
And so, in the midst of our shared vision for global peace the "Yoga Stands for Peace" campaign was revived as a global movement.
We envision it as a platform that will unite yoga teachers, practitioners, and studios far and wide, bringing us together under a shared commitment to peace. The campaign's tagline, "Your part in this path is not as one - it is in union," echoed the essence of yoga itself—a practice that emphasizes unity, connection, and the collective journey toward inner and outer peace.
Our vision is to create a space where the yoga community can channel its energy, not only to deepen individual practice but also to contribute to a larger cause. We believe that by collectively coming together with open hearts and a shared purpose we cultivate hope and inspire positive change in the world.
The campaign encourages yoga teachers, practitioners, and studios to host events or donate proceeds from their classes to support the nominated charities working toward aid in the Middle East. The open invitation is a call to action, urging the yoga community to stand in solidarity and use their practice as a force for good. We will run for 12 weeks from the 18th November 2023 to 2nd March 2024.
Join us in harnessing the transformative power of yoga for a collective purpose.
