Bella Luna Yoga is on a mission to celebrate a global, ever-expanding yoga consciousness. First stop, the tropical climate of the Caribbean! The inaugural Caribbean Yoga Conference will be held February 2-5, 2012 at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Bella Luna Yoga is the brainchild of Kimberly Moon, an educator, yoga instructor, and entrepreneur. Born from her passion for yoga and travel, Kimberly founded Bella Luna Yoga, an innovative business that provide resorts with world-class yoga and wellness programming and offers skilled yoga instructors the means to share their love of yoga with the world. Bella Luna’s team of experts offers professional consultations and program development in a variety of areas from yoga and wellness program development and lifestyle coaching to recruiting and placement of professional yoga instructors.

Moon is excited to announce the addition of the Caribbean Yoga Conference to Bella Luna Yoga’s agenda to enhance the world’s passion for yoga. “We are excited to bring people together from around the world who are inspired by the practice of yoga, curious about exploring our planet, and ready to embrace a growing community of practitioners from all walks of life,” says Moon of the warm celebration of sun, sadhana, sand, seva and sangha.
The conference lineup includes workshops for all abilities with world-class instructors including Toni Bergins, Gaia Budhai, Kathryn Budig, Jeffrey Cohen & Andrea Boyd, Seane Corn, Sharon Feanny, Scott Feinberg & Amy Lombardo, Moses Jas Jeet, Noah Levine, Nadine McNeil, Sadie Nardini, Jason Nemer & Jenny Sauer-Klein, Simon Park, Stacey Shanks, and MC Yogi & Amanda G. Topics range from Vinyasa Flow and Journey Dance to Core Strength and Kudalini. The conference will offer two 2.5-hour sessions each day with opportunities for morning meditation and Noon yoga on the beach.

A unique element to this conference is the outreach to the community, and country, where the conference is being hosted. In partnership with Shakti Mind Body Fitness in Kingston, Jamaica, The Caribbean Yoga Conference is pleased to offer The Shakti Love Scholarship. Through The Shakti Love Scholarship, Jamaican youth councilors, social workers, and teachers are invited to bring their passion, knowledge and curiosity to the conference at absolutely no cost. In addition to their own restorative R&R, each scholarship recipient will have the opportunity to learn to yoga-related skills to bring back to their professional lives from some of the world’s most beloved yoga teachers.
The conference will deliver a strong sense of giving back to the community and making a difference in the world we live in. A “Karma Korner” will be setup throughout the conference for participants to learn about different ways to spread good karma in everyday actions. In addition, an off-site karma yoga workshop will be held at The SOS Children’s Village in Montego Bay on Saturday, February 4, 2012, giving participants an opportunity to get involved right away.
“Many yoga conferences involve sitting on a mat, learning and practicing. I want to honor the practice on the mat, but give participants a chance to take immediate action beyond their mat,” Moon says of the importance of the conference’s off-site karma workshop.

Sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $700. The yoga community is an economic power house spending $5.7 billion a year in the US alone, becoming a part of the Caribbean Yoga Conference will give any company’s services and products international recognition, marketing power, and an audience of approximately 500 participants. Current supporters include PRANA; Shakti Mind, Body, Fitness; Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, a Hilton Property; YOGANONYMOUS; Ancient Language Collection; Jade Yoga; Be Present; Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association; I Love Yoga; Yoga & Life; and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Complete conference details are available at CaribbeanYogaConference.com. Registration is $345 per person and includes access to all the conference events including your classes, morning meditations, Noon yoga sessions, keynote address, closing address and evening events. Transportation, meals and accommodations are not included.
For additional information visit http://www.CaribbeanYogaConference.com or contact ShawnnaLea Zemanek at (802) 233-6510 or shawnnalea(at)bellalunayoga(dot)com.

The 18th Annual Pepsi Rebel Salute has returned and will feature a superstar line-up, including Stephen Marley, Johnny Obsourne, Maxi Priest, Gramps Morgan, Queen Ifrica, Tarrus Riley, Luciano and Tony Rebel, the festival organizer. The Pepsi Rebel Salute will take place on Saturday, January 14, at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St. Elizabeth. The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is among the sponsors for the concert event.

Jamaica’s top roots reggae show, the event attracts visitors from the United States, Canada and Europe, who are looking for reggae in a family-friendly environment. The show’s mantra focuses on the principles of positive living. Attendees of the Pepsi Rebel Salute have healthy food and beverage choices including fresh juices, vegetables and fruits. “The continued success of the festival provides yet another opportunity for us to promote Jamaica and its rich musical heritage to a global audience,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch. “We salute the organizers for creating an environment in which quality reggae can be enjoyed.”

According to festival organizer Tony Rebel, he and his team are working to expand the concert to two days in the future. “We want to redefine and re-imagine the festival experience while expanding the Rebel Salute brand,” said Rebel. “This festival is in a unique position to lift up and support other artistic disciplines while breaking new ground on the festival circuit.

The “Sigma Corporate Run” is a 5K (3.5 mile) Run, Walk, Wheelchair event that began in 1999 in Downtown Kingston at Breezy Castle with a target of $500,000.00 for the Jamaica Foundation for Cardiac Disease. The theme was “Straight from the Heart” with 297 finishers. Since then, PanCaribbean’s Sigma Corporate Run moved to Emancipation Park in New Kingston and has grown consistently – in its 13th year, over $15M was raised with almost 15,000 registrants.

Over the years, funds raised have purchased much needed equipment for charities such as Sophie’s Place & Mustard Seed Communities; The University Hospital Labour Ward; Jamaica AIDS Support for Life; The Renal Units of the Cornwall Regional, University Hospital and Kingston Public Hospitals and in 2011, the Victoria Jubilee Hospital Neo Natal Care Unit. The 2012 recipient, Chain of Hope Jamaica will benefit from all funds raised under the Patronage of Her Excellency The Hon. Lady Patricia Allen, Dr. The Hon. Usain Bolt, OJ and Dr. The Hon. R. Danny Williams and with the support of our partners, sponsors, participants and other donors.

2011 Registration: 126 Corporate Companies, 85 Non-Corporate Groups and 777 Individuals for a total of 14,729 persons; 6,761 runners, an increase of 40% and 7,954 walkers, an increase of 25%.

PARTNERS: The National Health Fund, Reggae Marathon, Sagicor

PANCARIBBEAN’S SIGMA CORPORATE RUN – FEBRUARY 19, 2012

• CHARITY: Chain of Hope Jamaica
• FOCUS: Assisting the cardiac programme of The Bustamante Hospital for Children
• PATRONS: Her Excellency The Most Hon. Lady Patricia Allen, Dr. The Hon. R.Danvers ‘Danny’ Williams OJ, CD, Hon. LLD., J.P., CLU, Dr. The Hon. Usain Bolt O.J., C.D.
• TARGET: at least $50,000,000 (Fifty Million Dollars)
• REGISTRATION OPENS:     January 2, 2012
• REGISTRATION CLOSES:     February 3, 2012
• FEES: Teams up to 75 – $55,000, over 75 – an additional $700 per person;

2012 Sponsors

Gold:
Catherine’s Peak
Digicel Jamaica
The Gleaner Company Ltd.
National Baking Company Ltd.
PUMA
RJR Communications Group

Silver:
Advertising & Marketing
King Alarm
Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. Ltd.
Stewart’s Auto

Bronze:
Caribbean Broilers
National Outdoor Advertising
Nestlé Jamaica

Volunteers:
Jamdammers Running Club
Sports Medicine Association
Sagicor/PanCaribbean Team
Scouts
JAAA

•Prize Categories:
•Wheelchair M/F (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
•Individual M/F Walk/Run (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
•Corporate M/F Walk/Run (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
•Under 16 M/F Open
•Overall 1st place Corporate Walk Team
•Overall 1st place Corporate Run Team
•Largest Corporate Team
•Best T-shirt Design
•Executive Management Award (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
•Perfect Roster

Tickets for the most highly anticipated show in the region, the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival – The Art of Music, are now available for purchase online as well as at select locations in Kingston and Montego Bay. Patrons can purchase tickets for the 2012 mega event for either single nights, the weekend, or the entire season. Single night tickets grant entry to Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, while the weekend package provides patrons with access to Friday and Saturday nights. Season tickets grant access to all three nights of the stellar event.

In tribute to the celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of independence in 2012, general admission single night tickets for Thursday January 26 will be only US$50 while VIP tickets are priced at US$120. On Friday, general admission will be US$100 with VIP tickets at US $200. The final night of the show, Saturday, January 28, will see general admission at US$80 while VIP access can be attained for US$120.

The two-day weekend pass can be had for US$175 general admission and US$315 VIP. The three-day season pass is priced at US$250 for general admission and US$430 for VIPs. Excitement about the Festival is already building and as “Jazz and Blues” fever grows, patrons are urged to get their tickets early, as prices will increase, as the event gets closer. With the addition of the added convenience of buying tickets online, patrons will find that gaining entry to the event is now that much easier. However, tickets bought online will be gained at a slightly higher price as there is a 8% handling fee for online purchases. Tickets are also currently available at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel and Pampi’s Blue Note Jazz Bar in Montego Bay. Organisers will soon announce the full complement of island wide ticket outlets.

As the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival – The Art of Music once again transforms the Trelawny Stadium into a musical milieu of fun and excitement, VIP tickets will grant access closer to the stage, with limited seating provided on a first come basis.  Patrons with general admission tickets will have access to general areas of the Festival grounds. While no seating is provided in this area, patrons can rest their legs during the event by taking advantage of the unreserved seating area of the stands.

The 16th staging of the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival – The Art of Music will feature a world class line-up including multi award winning songstress Celine Dion who has sold over 200 million albums worldwide. The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Jamaica’s very own golden-voiced Richie Stephens and Germany’s Gentleman are also booked for the 2012 edition.

Corporate support for the Festival has been favourable with the Jamaica Tourist Board, Iberostar and Flow returning along with RIU, Half Moon Resorts, Hilton Rose Hall, CVM TV (the official television partner), The Gleaner (the official print partner), Scotiabank, Pure Country and Loyal Haylett Management Services.

The three night event will also see performances from Canada’s reigning R&B queen Jully Black, jazz sensation Nicole Henry and Trinidad and Tobago’s soca queen Destra.

August 6th 2011 marked 49 years since Jamaica gained it’s independence from Britain and the occassion was marked by various celebrations islandwide and overseas. The now customary Jamaica Independence Grand Gala was held at the National Stadium and the stadium was filled to capacity as thousands of Jamaicans came out to watch a show punctuated with all aspects of Jamaican culture that defines us a nation. A selection of photos from the event can be seen below.

Thousands of Jamaicans are expected to converge at the National Stadium in Kingston, on Saturday, August 6 for the colour and spectacle of the annual Grand Gala under the theme: ‘Jamaica Rocks.” The event, which gets underway at 5:00 pm, is one of the major activities for Jamaica Independence Festival 2011, and will feature costumed groups, marching bands, festival and gospel song winners, among others.

Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Delroy Gordon, said that this year’s event is a “must see”. ”We will trace the history of the Jamaican music in a moving, colourful, exhilarating and exciting three-hour presentation,” he stated at a recent JIS Think Tank held at the agency’s head office in Kingston.

Mr. Gordon said that while admission to the event is free, a ticket system has been put in place to ensure crowd control, and persons will not be allowed to enter the National Stadium without a ticket. They will be available from August 2 at various outlets, which will be announced in the press, and also at the JCDC head office.

“These tickets are free of cost and no one should purchase the tickets,” he stressed. The Grand Gala will be preceded by the annual Independence Day Parade, beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the lawns of Kings House. “The event will have the usual pomp and pageantry,” Mr. Gordon said.

He informed that due to production costs, the street parade will not take place this year, but will return for the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2012. ”It is our ambition that next year, we can put at least 50 floats on the streets of Kingston, symbolic of the 50 years of our Independence, and so what we want to do is to regroup our energies and resources to make sure that next year, where that is concerned, it is a humungous event,” he stated.

The street parade, which returned to the festival celebrations in 2008, features floats, costumed groups and effigies, which make their way through the streets of Kingston to the National Stadium.

Turning to activities in other parts of the island, Mr. Gordon said that civic ceremonies, stage shows and street dances will take place in the parish capitals.

In western Jamaica, there will be a street parade and gala at the Montego Bay Waterfront, popularly known as “Dump-up Beach,” beginning at 2:00 p.m. The parade will begin at Sam Sharpe Square.

Additionally, he said, there will be a two-day “Emancifest” in Sligoville, St. Catherine beginning on Sunday, July 31.  This will include a bonfire and the singing of traditional songs as well as the sale of traditional foods.

Jamaica Independence celebrations wraps up with the Independence street dance in Half-Way-Tree Square starting at 8: 00 p.m.

Jamaica Independence Festival 2011 is being celebrated under the theme: ‘The Journey Continues’.

Source – JIS

Twenty six youths from inner city communities were on Thursday (July 28) presented with certificates for completing a two-month course in youth entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The project, implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), forms part of the European Union’s (EU) Grants of Low Amounts III (GOLAS III) programme, which supports human and community development. It was financed by a $2 million grant from the EU.

Dubbed, ‘Step Up Ina Life’, it targeted unattached and at risk youths from volatile communities, including Allman Town, Grants Pen, August Town, Tivoli Gardens and Waterhouse, with training provided by the Area Youth Foundation (AYF). They were trained in life skills and entrepreneurship, to build their capacity to start businesses of their own, and equip them with non-perishable income-earning skills.

Speaking at the closing ceremony at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) headquarters in Kingston, Project Director and Lead Trainer, AYF, Sheila Graham, noted that the participants received 50 hours of structured training on conceptualizing, establishing and operating a business.

Mrs. Graham felt the programme was incredibly successful, with about 12 participants creating their own business plans at the end of the intensive workshops. She noted that of the 30 individuals who started the course, 26 completed it and were presented with certificates.

“This project is a perfect example of what can be done when there are scarce resources and a lot of need, because we were able to maximise our resources by taking advantage of the raw talent and skills of our youth,” she stated.

The Project Director also noted that the AYF has trained more than 350 young people, with the assistance of the EU and JSIF, in various programmes over the last year.

Project Officer, JSIF, Rohan Bell, who brought greetings on behalf of JSIF Managing Director, Scarlette Gillings, commended the participants who completed the programme.

“You have my heartiest congratulations on behalf of JSIF and the EU for your accomplishments,” he told them. He also advised them on the various routes they could take, to make their projects and plans create real and profitable business ventures.

“You can also get further assistance from many organisations, including the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), or if you are thinking of exporting or just finding the best market for a product that you have made or think that you can make, there is also the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO),” he stated.

He advised the participants that getting together in groups, in which they can support each other’s ventures, was a good idea, as they would be able to share ideas and resources and attract funding from local and international organisation, which prefer to fund groups rather than individuals.

EU Representative, Helen Jenkinsson, congratulated the participants, noting that their dedication paid off.

“I’m sure the business plans that you’ve been working on will help you to find work now, or in the future, either working for somebody else or working as your own bosses,” she stated.

She said the EU has pumped close to $1.6 billion to date into the PRP II, as it is believed that improving the living conditions of people is an essential way of giving them hope and security.

Project Participant, Princeyanna Tucker, who spoke on behalf of the graduates, said the programme was a “life changing experience”.

“It was life changing, in the sense that many of us didn’t get the chance to go to a tertiary institution, where we would have gained the knowledge which we could later use to be a successful professional or entrepreneur,” she said. Through the programme they learned how to write business plans, cash flow projections and other business skills.

Two participants were awarded special honours: Princeyanna Tucker received the prize for the Most Outstanding Participant; and David Jemmieson for Best Attendance.

Business proposals emerging from the project included bakery and pastry shop, ice cream parlour, games arcade, bar and lounge.

The Jamaica Railway Corporation (JRC) will celebrate the Emancipation Day holiday weekend with special excursions to the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon, on Sunday, July 31 and Monday, August 1.

According to the JRC, the return trip will commence in Linstead, St. Catherine with the designated train departing that location at approximately 9:05 a.m. each day. The route will see the train arriving in Bog Walk at 9:15 a.m.; Spanish Town,  9:35 a.m.; Old Harbour, 10:02 a.m.; and Bodles Junction, 10:15, before crossing into Clarendon and rolling into the capital, May Pen, at 10:43 a.m., and arriving  in Denbigh at 10:55 a.m.

The return journey will see the train departing Denbigh at 6:00 p.m. on both days, and taking passengers back along the same route travelled. The trip will culminate in Linstead at approximately 7:50 p.m. on both days.

The JRC says tickets, which will be pre-sold, cost $800 for persons travelling from Linstead and Bog Walk, and $500 from Spanish Town. These can be purchased from JRC train stations in Kingston, Spanish Town, Bog Walk and Linstead.

Ten finalists in the 2011 Jamaica Festival Song Competition will vie for prizes and awards at the finals scheduled to take place on Friday, July 29 at the National Arena, Kingston, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Persons vying for the prizes are Andy Livingston, Kellis Quashie, Raine Davis, Christopher Rose, Marshell Hylton, Mojo Herb, Tinga Stewart, Joel ‘Bunny’ Brown, Christopher Anderson, and Everton David Pessoa.

In addition to receiving $1 million,  donated by telecommunications  company, Claro, the winner of the competition will drive away with a brand new 2011 Nissan Tiida motor car, courtesy of Fidelity Motors Limited.

Festival Song Co-ordinator of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), David Reid told JIS News that the 10 finalists have been involved in the production of an album under the theme: ‘The Journey continues…’, featuring the evolution of music in Jamaica starting from our African ancestors to the present. Each finalist was also assigned a top Jamaican Director to produce a music video for each song.

“The ten finalists represent all genre of the Jamaican music and it will be interesting to see them at the finals when they perform live to make Jamaica get a song that will rock the nation come August 6,” he said.

Mr. Reid said the winner of the competition and other artistes will be making appearances at Independence street shows across the island and at the Independence Grand Gala on August 6, at the National Stadium.

“Persons love their performances, persons love their personalities and we know that this year we will be able to book them for many of the shows after Independence,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Reid said plans for the 2012 Festival Song Competition are well underway.

“We want to get that song out from as early as January, so that persons will be able to rock the entire year on the Festival song, or Jamaica 50 songs as we are looking forward to call it,” he added.

Mr. Reid said that after the finals, the JCDC will begin hosting several workshops for entrants to expose them to the characteristics of a good song and the music industry. After the workshops, participants will be invited to submit songs for the competition, he said.

Tickets for the Festival Song finals are on sale at the head office of the JCDC located at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston, Portmore Mall Pharmacy and Music Mart at Twin Gates Plaza.

Via – JIS

The 2011 Makka Pro surfing contest being hosted by the Jamaica Surfing Association at the Makka Surfing Beach at Southaven, Yallahs Saint Thomas from the 15-17 July, is shaping up to be one of the biggest ever surf events in Jamaican surf history with the official sponsorship of the Jamaica Tourist Board! The event is attracting enquiries from pro surfers from Trinidad to New York as this year’s Makka Pro is the 3rd event in the 2011 Western Atlantic Pro Surf Series.

With the recent successes by Jamaican surfers on the regional and international stages, the surfing world is now taking Jamaica’s surf much more seriously. The Makka Pro now in its 5th year is demonstrating that the Jamaica Surfing Association is committed to ensuring Jamaica becomes recognized as a genuine destination for adventurous surf travelers. The JTB recognizes this fact and has committed to sponsorship of the Makka Pro and will be actively working to promote the event and by extension, the sport of surfing in Jamaica.

“Jamaica enjoys an enduring legacy of excellence in sport and given its international renown as a first class tourist destination, we are in an advantageous position to carve out a niche for ourselves in the lucrative and fast growing sports tourism market” said JTB Deputy Director of Tourism Cruise, Events and Attractions Mr. Jason Hall.

“At the Jamaica Tourist Board, we are particularly pleased to be associated with the Makka Pro Surf event, which brings together sport and community tourism in a unique setting in St Thomas, showcasing our natural beauty and our warm culture. Surfing is a multi-billion dollar industry with several hundred thousand surfers around the world and we commend Billy Mystic Wilmot and his team for their vision and hard work to put together a world class event which we feel will help in positioning Jamaica as a leading surf destination in the region”

“The creation and growth of this event over the past five years is putting the alternate tourism spotlight on a region of Jamaica that has been neglected for a long time…..” Said JSA President Billy Wilmot “…now the eastern end of our island can stand up and present world class extreme sporting attractions and vacation options that cannot be offered by Jamaica’s traditionally promoted tourism products at the western end of the island… a genuine niche market which is already attracting surf tourism clients.”

More and more local businesses are now coming forward interested in being a part the major annual calendar event for the Southwest Saint Thomas community. Citizens are seeing surfing as the foundation for establishing tourism as a viable business option for their area.

“Saint Thomas have whole heap of attractions already…” said one informed and enthusiastic resident, “… Morant Point Lighthouse over 100 feet high and built in 1841 is the oldest lighthouse in the island, Reich Falls with the 30-foot water fall, big pool and underground springs, Paul Bogle Statue in the center of Morant Bay, Bath natural mineral spring and Botanical Garden, Stokes Hall, the 17th Century property of the former Governor of Nevis, Blue Mountain Peak and now Surfing… man we gone clear!”