WOW – About – Works of Wonder International

Works of Wonder International (WOW) is a 501(c)(3) educational organization working in partnership with the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) to offer practical and effective techniques and guidance for health & wellness, peace building, youth empowerment, personal mastery and trauma relief.

WOW is honored to partner with IAHV to bring the healing power of the breath to the BIPIB (Black, Indigenous and Persons who Identify as Black) Community.

The International Association for Human Values was created in Geneva, Switzerland in 1997 by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as a global platform for humanitarian initiatives that solve problems by uplifting human values. IAHV promotes the daily practice of human values through natural evidence-based programs, practical tools and techniques. This fosters a sense of connectedness and respect for all people and the natural environment, an attitude of non-violence, and an ethic of social service.

Through its country organizations and partners, IAHV conducts service projects and raises funds for humanitarian and disaster relief initiatives throughout the world, raising awareness of the key role of Human Values in achieving a global society of peace, justice and well-being for all.

Reception for Sri Sri at Morehouse College – April 2013
Rev. Dr. Gerald R. Durley, Dr. John S. Wilson, President of Morehouse College, Rev. Timothy McDonald,
Rev. C. T. Vivian, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Carter, Dean, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Chapel

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the International Association for Human Values, received the prestigious Gandhi-King-Ikeda Community Builder’s Prize in a ceremony held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Chapel of Morehouse College.

Sri Sri was honored for his humanitarian work in 152 countries, including disaster relief and outreach to oppressed groups, through the United Nations-affiliated International Association for Human Values and the Art of Living Foundation, two of the largest volunteer-run, not-for-profit organizations in the world.

Sri Sri was welcomed by Dean Lawrence Carter Sr. to Morehouse College for a conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young at the King Chapel moderated by Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley. They discussed a range of topics including peace, social justice and the environment.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

As an ambassador of peace, Sri Sri has played a key role in conflict resolution around the world as he shares his vision of non-violence at public forums and gatherings worldwide. Regarded as a neutral figure with a sole agenda of peace, he represents hope to people in conflict. He has received particular credit for bringing opposing parties to the negotiating table in Iraq, the Ivory Coast, Kashmir and Bihar.

Through his initiatives and speeches, Sri Sri has consistently emphasized the need for reinforcing human values and recognizing that we belong to a one-world family. Fostering interfaith harmony and calling for multi-cultural education as the remedy for fanaticism are significant parts of his efforts to achieve sustainable peace on our planet.

Sri Sri has touched the lives of millions around the world, going beyond the barriers of race, nationality and religion with the message of a one-world family free from stress and violence that can be created through the reawakening of human values and service.

Sri Sri Speaking at Providence Missionary Baptist Church
in Atlanta, Georgia – April, 2002.

"My vision is a violence-free society, disease-free body, confusion-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, trauma-free memory, and sorrow-free soul, which is the birthright of every individual." - Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Alice Holliday

Executive Director

Alice Holliday is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Works of Wonder International, and has taught stress management, trauma relief and personal development programs internationally since 1972. Her background in the mind-body wellness field includes conducting a study on the effects of the SKY meditation technique on hypertension amongst African-Americans at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia as well as initiating a campaign, 'Harmony in Diversity' to promote cross-cultural awareness in the wake of the events of September 11th, 2001 (which included a six-week series of interfaith celebrations and presentations at churches and mosques) in the greater Atlanta area.

John Holliday

Executive Director

John F. Holliday is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Works of Wonder International (WOW). As a senior instructor of the SKY Breathing course, he was among the first to receive special training to provide trauma relief to returning war veterans and has taught individuals and groups from a broad cross-section of society, including mainstream as well as underserved populations such as prisoners and the homeless.

Dr. Tracee Jamison-Hooks

Senior Instructor

Dr. Tracee Jamison-Hooks is an associate professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University and a former NASA engineer. As a senior teacher for WOW, Tracee has taught the SKY Breathing course to many participants worldwide, with a special focus on Indigenous populations, participating in many outreach activities in the tribal community.

Zaccai Free

Senior Instructor

Zaccai Free is a senior instructor of the SKY Breathing course, with over 20 years of human and community development experience, managing international development projects, facilitating community engagement, and leading training programs for small to mid-size non-profits and global NGOs.

An honors graduate of Florida A & M University and native of Washington D.C., Zaccai Free utilizes his creative talents to connect communities around the globe. As a certified Stress Reduction-Trauma Relief specialist; personal empowerment and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) facilitator, Zaccai has led programs for government agencies, corporations, NGO's and non-profits in the Caribbean, Canada, and USA.

David Shaw

Senior Instructor

David Shaw is a Facebook Solutions Architect and senior teacher for WOW. David has organized and taught SKY Breathing courses for the past 8 years, with a special focus on youth. David also has a great love for Japanese culture and has taught English as a Second Language while living in Japan.

Clarke Weatherspoon

Senior Instructor

Clarke Weatherspoon is the Head of School at the Waverly School in Pasadena, California and senior teacher of the SKY Breathing course. Clarke is also the former Director of The City Leadership Corp of San Francisco, which aims to bring local citizens together to work on projects related to community service, social justice and sustainability.

Chris Smythe-Macaulay

Senior Instructor

Chris is a Senior Project Manager for IT Infrastructure and Operations at Denatro Consulting International, and formerly the United States Peace Corp. Chris is a senior teacher of the SKY Breathing course and serves on the Board of Directors of FARE - the Fund for African Relief and Education, which helps to lift families out of poverty through education, skills training and resource development.

Mollie Costello

Instructor

Mollie Costello, as a Registered Nurse, worked with hospice patients for many years. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life of service and message of unity, Mollie left nursing in 2012 to open a social justice center in downtown Oakland, CA.

The Alan Blueford Center for Justice provides a safe space for the Black community and allies to gather, heal, and celebrate Black lives with 'Love Comes First' as the center's motto.

Mollie began practicing SKY Breath Meditation in 2016 and in the same year began offering SKY courses, taught by Works of Wonder teacher Clarke Witherspoon, to the community she serves at the center. Impressed by the practical knowledge and evidence-based techniques imparted on the SKY courses, she became a SKY teacher herself in 2022, She continues to offer SKY courses out of the center and also teaches online.

Works of Wonder International (WOW) is a 501(c)(3) educational organization working in partnership with the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) to offer practical and effective techniques and guidance for health & wellness, peace building, youth empowerment, personal mastery and trauma relief for the BIPIB (Black, Indigenous and Persons who Identify as Black) community.