Belize’s International Yoga Festival 2020 Goes Virtual

by Carolee Chanona November 26, 2020

written by Carolee Chanona

Held annually by the non-profit organization Rhythm of Change Belize (ROC), the Belize International Yoga Fest (BIYF) brings together yoga and meditation practitioners, aspirants, and curious world citizens. And this year, the event goes virtual. Which means, you too can enjoy soulful moments of wellness, healing, relaxation, and reflection from the comfort of your home. The ROC’s vision and mission has been using yoga as an integrative technique to bring mindfulness, peace, and equality to all corners of the country. And now, to any corner of the globe.

2020 international yoga festival belize And while yoga may seem intimidating to those who can’t touch their toes, the ROC has worked hard to bring forth individual, social, and environmental practices that shows yoga’s effects are diversely positive, and not just physical. In previous years, ROC provided yoga to Female Section of the Kolbe Foundation in Belize Central Prison, offered free children and senior yoga classes in Placencia. Plus, even facilitated Yoga Teacher training scholarships to the SVYASA Yoga Research University in Bangalore, India, which was provided by the High Commission of India. Additionally, Om Shanti Belize — a registered Yoga Alliance Teacher Training school — offered scholarships to Belizeans as well.

How the Belize International Yoga Festival (BIYF) started

BIYF 2019. Photo by Mickey Mercury

Being the first of its kind in Belize and the region, the Belize International Yoga Festival is a family-friendly affair. Not to mention, BIYF is ROC’s signature fundraising event. In 2019, BIYF saw over 30 presentations, classes, and holistic workshops by both local and international facilitators under multiple tents; agenda items included Children’s Yoga, Ayurveda Workshop, and even a Belizean twist — Yoga & Kriol Drumming. All this, and more, was held on the Harbour View Greens of the historic Fort Street in Belize City.

“The festival is a time for positive interactions which is vitally important for the well-being of our community, country and the world especially in these times. BIYF2020 is for EVERYBODY!”

– Michelle Shanti Williams, founder of Rhythm of Change Belize (ROC) and The Belize International Yoga Festival

Fear not, aspirational yogis; the Belize International Yoga Fest has a practice for all ages and walks of life designed to leave you with a positive mark. Whether you’re interested in a motivating talk, holistic workshop, or sharpening your practice on or off the mat; Belize’s yoga community continues to grow with open arms. If you’re interested in balancing mind, body, and soul, then tune in virtually to the Belize International Yoga Fest on December 6 from 6 am to 6 pm. Nonetheless, viewers can enjoy a day of yoga, meditation, music and roundtable discussions with modern day visionaries from 21 different countries.

Mindful mediation at BIYF 2019. Photo by Mickey Mercury

Tune in December 6 via Facebook for the live broadcast here from 6 am to 6 pm. Header photo courtesy The Ellysian.

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Carolee Chanona

Staycation advocate and brunch enthusiast, Carolee brings a creative flair and incurable case of wanderlust to the Caribbean Lifestyle team in her role as Editorial Director. Nature’s bounty on the family farm encouraged her hobby of cooking and the value of using fresh, local Belizean ingredients; this locavorean belief was honed under her 2-year tutelage with Chef Sean Kuylen and the Flavors of Belize team before pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Law at the University of South Florida. Lover of adventure holidays and quiet beachside escapes, Carolee enjoys destinations explored off the beaten path—traversed on oxygen tank or in her handy-dandy hiking boots.