MotorYoga - Riding for Kids

INTRO "MOTORYOGA - RIDING FOR KIDS" 
The goal is to support two non-profit associations that are helping children and kids in hardship: either leaving in difficult social or family environments or affected by serious sickness. Meanwhile, the project aims to create new bridges and positive relationships between kids and adults of different cultures, nationalities and religious beliefs because in this moment of history we are facing the danger of separation and segregation, we are risking to break those relationships so hardly built starting from the end of the world wars. MotorYoga proposes and shares the view of yoga accepted by the United Nation (UN) in 2015, when it was which officially recognized how "yoga can contribute in a holistic way to achieving an equilibrium between mind and body [...] can make a direct and useful contribution to humankind's quest to achieve sustainable development and move towards lifestyles that are in harmony with nature".


WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT MOTORYOGA
It pursues these goals through the participation to an adventurous charity travel: riding a vintage motorbike across the whole Europe to fundrise the creation and publishing of a Photographic Yoga Book whose revenues will be forever totally donated in favour of two non-profit organizations.


BENEFICIARIES
The first beneficiary of our efforts is "Rhythm of Change – ROC Belize", a trustworthy non-profit who does a great job assisting and supporting kids living in socially difficult environments of Belize in Central America. The second non-profit association is "Dynamo Camp", whose sole aim is social solidarity and operates in the social/health assistance field. It is the first italian entertainment therapy camp which hosts for free children from 6 to 17 years with serious and chronic pathologies. Here smile and laughter are the primary medicine. Please notice that I’m not in any way directly associated with Dynamo Camp (not yet at least!).


THE FOUNDER
Alessandro Giovinazzo  is a Yoga Alliance recognized yoga teacher and trainer E-RYT200 & E-RYT500, part of the teacher training staff of Evolation Yoga. He also collaborates with Synergy Partner Yoga and he is an ambassador for the Rainbow Kids Yoga. He work as a vegetarian-vegan italian cook for special holistic and yoga events. Here his blog.


PHILOSOPHY
Due to the economic crisis, political issues and illegal immigration, we are facing the risk of forgetting the hard lessons taught by the world wars age, and to return to a Modern Middle Age of violence, separation, fanaticism, instead of building a harmonious planetarian system and balanced lifestyles. MotorYoga aims to be an example of unity beyond external differences. MotorYoga believes in the diversity as an opportunity to stimulates mankind's growth. It believes, in accordance with modern science, that what any human being - especially kids - really need daily, and for which many on the planet are still struggling for are: water, food, shelter, a real love contact. This is extremely clear if we observe children of any origin, whose physical, intellectual and emotional development is strictly dependant on those four points. This is the reason why MotorYoga has two non-profit association working for children as beneficiaries and kids as protagonists. As long as only one child in the world is either thirsty or is taught to prevaricate over others, our work will be incomplete, until that time we cannot consider ourselves a real civilization.
 

MOTORYOGA BIRTH (told by Ale)
About a year and a half ago (summer 2016) I received an unexpected gift, an old motorcycle: a Moto Guzzi Nevada 750cc, barely used and almost 20 years old. I had dreamed to own a motorbike for a long time and I was patiently waiting for a time when I could afford one. I strongly felt that that gift had to be valued and used with purpose, for a higher good, and as a sign of gratitude. That Moto Guzzi, a vehicle of movement, ought to become a vehicle of transformation and awareness, a transporter of joy. But how to do it? Every time I was riding the motorcycle or thinking about the amazing person who gave it to me, I was feeling happy, excited, innocent and grateful as a child, I was really having a Motor-Yoga experience. It was then chatting and sharing these feeling and thoughts with friends and fellow yoga teachers that the name "motoryoga" came up and all its philosophy. Soon enough also the desire to make it true.


THE BOOK AND THE JOURNEY
In a few days the whole idea took shape: crossing all the 26 European countries on a vintage Moto Guzzi to teach Yoga Food Events and Yoga Workshops both for children (Rainbow Kids Yoga) and adults (Vinyasa, Bikram, HotYoga, Yin Yoga, Synergy Partner Yoga, Dynamic Meditations), witnessing the journey on a blog, and creating a photographic book for charity. 


WHY WE NEED ALSO YOUR HELP
I put all the savings of the last few years into this charitable project, but this is not enough to guarantee its success. The logistic, technical and practical difficulties are many, and the expenses as well are. An initial estimate says:
1. 25,000 - 30.000 km to go, at least of 4-6 months commitment in case of favourable logistic conditions, good weather and finding a regular help in each and every country.
2. The cost estimate amounts to €14,200 and includes: basic camping/couchSurfing equipment to avoid accommodation rental cost (300€), fuel (3750€) counted on the average l/km fuel consumption of the Motorbike, non-avoidable customs or highway fees (750€), basic motorcycle equipment (450€), motorcycle overhaul (500€), change of tires after 14K km (360€), camera/actioncam accessories for videoblogging: (650€), basic food supply for 4/5 months (2500€), book post-editing and publishing costs for 500 paperback copies + Ebook (5000€).
I'm asking support for only 7.000€ which half of the cost, but hopefully, the donation will cover all costs and we will ready faster to sell the book. The 1st batch of paperbacks will be sold at 25€, rising 12.500€ and this without counting the ebook sales which will be priced at 14€.


Half of the people I talk to about the project they like it but think I am crazy to rely on people's support. The other half is excited and would like to join me (of course you can!) because they are sure we can make it. Perhaps they are both right, but my question is:

what real change and transformation is possible without risking everything we have or we are and without the courage of asking other's help? I trust you...,


... and I trust that you are supporting me. I believe there are many more good people around that people think there are. That's why at the beginning of May 2018, despite all the difficulties, I will jump on the motorbike and start "riding for kids".

WHO JOINED ALREADY
Few businesses, several individual donors have fortunately already contributed to the project, most of them in person. All those sponsors or single backers have donated with their heart, known that together we can make a difference, that unity means strength & success. They are all persons who want to leave a better world to their children, a world where travelling will be safe, where you are free to express your ideas, a world that is still worth living. It is for this amazing world that I am here asking for your support!


EVERY CENT COUNT  MAKES A DIFFERENCE!




THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Alessandro Giovinazzo
www.motoryoga.com
www.nevergiveuoyo.ga