Yoga for Reconciliation
Heartfulness eMagazine|July 2023
George Okurut is a yoga teacher in vulnerable communities. He works with poor children in Kampala, Uganda. These projects have created yoga awareness, and mental health awareness, improving the livelihoods of people. George is a certified yoga teacher from S-VYASA Yoga University in India, and Satyananda Children's Yoga at Yoga Pura Vida in Tanzania.
By George Okurut
Yoga for Reconciliation

My journey with yoga started in 2016 when I came to Kampala. I went to one of the dance communities and was introduced to yoga practice; I felt so attracted by it. The trainer, Bobby, told me that I would learn much more if I went to the National Theatre. There I met a lady called Bibotag, who explained the mentorship of yoga. In 2017, one of the teachers gave me a scholarship to be qualified as a yoga teacher for children at Yoga Pura Vida.

When I came back to Uganda from Tanzania in 2018, I developed my inner understanding and study of yoga to share with my community. I come from a background of domestic violence, trauma, stress, and depression; and I was also a victim of the war in northern Uganda for almost two decades. So yoga offered me a lot. When I blend yoga with dance, it gives me calmness and a deeper understanding of myself, so that I can be someone who is more transformative with my community.

What transformation happens with yoga?

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HEARTFULNESS EMAGAZINEView all
A Flower from THE HEAVENS
Heartfulness eMagazine

A Flower from THE HEAVENS

November 14 is Children's Day. This year, SARA BUBBER brings to you a world of forests, magical flowers, festivals, and some animals you may have never seen.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Meeting Phenomenal Women
Heartfulness eMagazine

Meeting Phenomenal Women

The author, CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI, is interviewed here by TARA KHANDELWAL and MICHELLE D'COSTA about her books on mythology, like The Palace of Illusions, which is a retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi's point of view, and The Forest of Enchantments, which is a retelling of the Ramayana, from the eyes of Sita. And there's The Last Queen, which is about Rani Jindan's life.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
HERBAL TOOTH POWDERS: Rediscovering Ayurveda's Natural Secrets
Heartfulness eMagazine

HERBAL TOOTH POWDERS: Rediscovering Ayurveda's Natural Secrets

SRAVAN BANDA presents a natural herbal tooth powder, offering a holistic approach to oral hygiene, harnessing the power of medicinal herbs.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
The Dance of Light and Shadow Lessons from the Dolomites
Heartfulness eMagazine

The Dance of Light and Shadow Lessons from the Dolomites

ALAIN DESVIGNE explores the Dolomites, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
FINDING OUR WAY
Heartfulness eMagazine

FINDING OUR WAY

A Polynesian Explorer's Journey of Discovery

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2024
The First Imprint: Understanding PTSD
Heartfulness eMagazine

The First Imprint: Understanding PTSD

CHRISTIANNA DEICHMANN is the Director of Education at the Association for Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health (APPPAH), where she educates both professionals and parents on fostering the most nurturing environments for welcoming new life into the world.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
The Tipping Point
Heartfulness eMagazine

The Tipping Point

In this final conversation of the series, J. FREDERICK ARMENT continues to talk with CHRISTINE JONES about promoting peace in the world.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL
Heartfulness eMagazine

UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL

Take The Brighter Minds Path To Cognitive Development

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
The Intrinsic Goodness of the Heart
Heartfulness eMagazine

The Intrinsic Goodness of the Heart

DAAJI shares some thoughts on heartfelt acceptance and all it has to offer. He says, \"It is the heart's intrinsic goodness that allows us to accept everything as part of us.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
How Does Fear Affect Our Roles as Mothers? - Neelam Shivhare explores some of the great ancient texts of India on motherhood, compares the behavior of Kaikayi and Yashoda
Heartfulness eMagazine

How Does Fear Affect Our Roles as Mothers? - Neelam Shivhare explores some of the great ancient texts of India on motherhood, compares the behavior of Kaikayi and Yashoda

Neelam Shivhare explores some of the great ancient texts of India on motherhood, compares the behavior of Kaikayi and Yashoda, and realizes the importance of removing fear from our hearts in order to nurture our children.For young women like myself, who are future mothers, I trust we are on the path of becoming selfaware and brutally honest with ourselves. We are creative beings, never forgetting the gifts with which we have been bestowed— the love and tenderness, natural instincts, and intuition to feel the right path. It all lies in the mysterious meanderings of the heart. Are we really listening to our hearts, or confusing the bombarding information on social media with reality?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024