me, waiting for yoga class to begin

I trained as a yoga instructor in Canada about a year ago, but only ever taught sporadically there, mostly because I was too busy with work and school. I was not sure about offering yoga classes in Rwanda, but am infinitely glad that I decided to try. I have been learning a lot about myself as an instructor, as well as about the women who show up Tuesday and Thursday nights (concealing their jogging pants under their elegant and colourful skirts) for my classes.

Maybe reading this blog, you are thinking that teaching yoga is a silly thing to do, given the academic nature of the Students for Development internship program. I may have thought that too, at one time…

But bodies carry emotional traumas and stresses. And the women of the Tubahumurize Association have all been severely traumatized, either by war, by genocide, by rape, or by domestic violence. Heartbreakingly, for some women, their trauma is the result of all of these. It is clear that their bodies carry their emotional traumas, as they suffer a whole range of symptoms, from chronic headaches to asthma, hypertension, insomnia, and digestive problems.

The women’s health is also compromised by violence, including the physical mutilation and rape that many experienced during the genocide and war. And of course, all of their health problems are compounded by weakened immune systems, which is in turn the result of stress, poor nutrition and, in many cases, HIV.

Given the suffering that these women experience in their bodies on a daily basis, I feel so grateful that I have at least some skills to offer them that can help them to feel a bit better. Through the breathing, stretching, strength building, balance and relaxation that are part of our yoga classes, these women have a much-needed opportunity to enjoy themselves, to connect with their bodies, and just forget about their troubles, if just for a while. I have loved teaching these classes, and now know that I intend to continue teaching yoga upon my return to Canada. Best of all, the participants love the classes, and are reporting that they feel much better!

beneficiaries of Tubahumurize after yoga class

Category: On location, Rwanda // Add Comment »