Using yoga to bring hope to South African townships
Imani Dlamini
Yoga is a physical and spiritual practice rooted in ancient Indian philosophy that is believed to have emerged 5000 years ago. The word ‘yoga’ originates from the Sanskrit word, yuj, which means to yoke or bind. Today it is practised in various forms across the world usually through a combination of postures, breathing exercises and meditation.
On the 21st of June 2019, the world will celebrate the International Day of Yoga, a day earmarked by the United Nations to raise awareness of the benefits of practising yoga. The benefits can include improved sleep, flexibility and a reduction in stress and anxiety.
In South Africa organisations are tapping into these benefits by spreading this ancient practice to people in low-income areas such as townships, to help them cope with challenging circumstances such as crime, violence, unemployment and HIV/AIDS proving that yoga is accessible to anyone.
- Yoga4Alex (Alexandra, Johannesburg)
Yoga4Alex welcomes local youth to enjoy the benefits of yoga ( Yoga4Alex)
Yoga4Alex is a non-profit organisation founded in 2011 by Dr Marianne Felix that was developed to promote physical and mental wellbeing for at-risk youth in Alexandra township, in the city of Johannesburg.
Alexandra is one of many townships in the country that is beset by challenges such as high unemployment, violent crime and poverty.
Many of Alexandra’s residents live in informal settlements or ‘shacks’ ( Yoga4Alex)
According to their website:
“Yoga4Alex strives to eliminate the fear of failure that some youngsters can possess in Alex and replace it with remarkable self-confidence that everyone is capable of succeeding in all aspects of their lives.”
They believe that yoga can help the youth cope with anxiety and depression and other challenging circumstances they face on a daily basis. They offer several programs to promote wellness such as free weekly yoga and meditation classes at a local skill and a teacher training program for aspiring yoga instructors. As of 2019 they have 3920 youth in their program and have partnered with 6 local schools to offer yoga.
Students, both young and old, hold a yoga pose at Township Yoga class (Township Yoga Project)
2. The Township Yoga Project (Inanda township, Kwa-Zulu Natal)
The Township Yoga project is an initiative is building yoga studios in townships in the KwaZulu-Natal province. They have already set up studios in the Inanda township, an area beset by challenges such as violent crime, poverty and unemployment. They believe that yoga can help those suffering from challenges such as HIV/AIDS.
3. Ahim’SA( Cape Town)
Ahim’SA is another non-profit organization that offers free yoga lessons in townships in the Cape Town area to promote peace and harmony in response to high levels of violent crime and environmental degradation in the country. Their principles are “non-violence, reconciliation and respect for nature and human nature.”
Students at an Ahim’SA yoga class ( Ahim’SA yoga Facebook page)
By bringing yoga to communities beset my societal challenges, these organizations demonstrate that yoga can be a tool to assist people to navigate challenging circumstances.
Africa Global News Publication
