The Africa Yoga Project works to empower youth, build a global community and increase well-being in East Africa.
They have introduced hundreds of students in Kenya to the practice of yoga, and provide educational scholarships, job training
food stipends, temporary housing and health services.
The core group of students is from impoverished backgrounds in Nairobi, Kenya, and are between 16-30 years old and live on under $2 per day. Many are personally affected by HIV/AIDS and are living/have once lived on the streets.

AYP has created and works to sustain the ”Amani Circus” – “Amani” is the Kiswahili word for Peace. Amani Circus was created in 2008 in response to a two month period of electoral violence in Kenya that cost over 1000 lives and left 300,000 Kenyans homeless. The circus created is built on the themes of Chaos and Stillness and the peace that can be found between. This peace circus travels to the areas affected by violence and is a platform for youth leadership & non-violence.

 They are working to construct a center where youth can learn yoga, as well as other movement arts such as acrobatics and dance. The center will be a safe place to spend time, helping them to keep away from the glue- sniffing, stealing and begging that is so often the norm for those living on the streets. They will also learn skills that they can use to earn money by performing, and will receive the physical and mental stimulation that these children so often crave.

They will host a 2009 teacher training of young adults that hail from similar backgrounds so that they can become yoga teachers. These young adults have otherwise limited means of earning a living due to limited access to education during their own childhood. By training them to become teachers they will not only be supported by working with the street children that are part of the Africa Yoga Project, but will also be able to teach in their own time to the wealthier community in Nairobi.

Learn more and support them! Africa Yoga Project

 
Why Yoga?
Yoga reveals our authentic selves, perfect and flawed, uncovers our limitless potential to embrace change and to take action. The practice of yoga does not only work for upper class westerners, but for Kenyans too. Yoga transforms limitations into power.
Yoga revolutionizes our body, our emotions, our relationships and our ability to serve the greater good.

**All text excerpted from AYP site- Check ‘em out!!**

Can I just take a moment and to tell you how great Jessie and Eugene from Ashtanga Montreal are? They are great- so great! They are the most fun teachers/performers/parents/partners/people to work with/around/near ever. Their energy is fantastic, they are both absolutely wonderful yoga teachers with very different teaching styles and approaches but when they get together they are BAM! KAZOOM! KAPOW!! If you ever have a chance… I highly recommend having something to do with them, whether it’s dropping in for a class, catching one of their super acroyoga blast workshops or even just watching them perform in this exquisite video. Get more info and go check them out!!