Youth

SOWETO celebrates International Day of Yoga 2018

A Yoga day was held at Elmon Malele Park, Kunene Street, Soweto (The largest African Town in Johannesburg)- SOUTH AFRICA in Celebration of International Day of Yoga!.

The event was hosted by The Art of Living Foundation in partnership with The Consulate General of India, Johannesburg, The High Commissioner of India and Alpha World Ministries.A well attended event where seniors and youth, people of all shapes and sizes, people from different backgrounds came together to enjoy the International Yoga Day.

The program began with candle lighting by the Dignitaries – High Commisioner of India, Consulate General of India, Johannesburg, Pastor Maurien of Alpha World Ministries, Ward Councillor

This was followed by joyful and reverberating singing by Pastor.The audience joined in with the singing, clapping and waving their hands in the air.

An estimated crowd of 2000 people from schools, churches, SAPS, and the general public participated in the International Yoga Day.

The Yoga was led on stage by yoga teachers from different Yoga Schools. We were privileged to have Sunil Jain from the Art of Living Organisation, India lead us through some of the Yoga postures and Consulate General yoga teacher , Maya Bhatt. There were many volunteers from the Art of Living Foundation and other Yoga schools too.
A very colorful sight followed with everyone donned in their Yoga T- shirts performing the Yoga postures.

Cheers of joy especially from the children could be heard as they moved from one pose to another in when the yoga teachers asked them ” how are you doing?.

The International Yoga Day at Soweto ended with a meditation and a peace prayer. Everyone left the event feeling content and happy.

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Yes 4 Communities

IAHV had the opportunity to teach a Yes 4 Communities Program in partnership with The Salesians Institute in Green Point, Cape Town (10 – 13 April). Youth (ages 20 to 35) were participating in the institutes “Waves for Change” 5 week program which prepares for employment opportunities on the sea.

The practical knowledge which forms part of the Yes 4 Communities program coupled with the focused breathing techniques complimented the practical skills training very successfully.

Some participants experience sharing:

“Personally it was mind-blowing and a very good course. I have learnt how to relax my body and my mind by doing long and short breathing techniques. I also learnt how to be responsible for my actions and how to manage my stress.” – Jodean Sas

“I don’t like it, I love it! It’s refreshing, cool and makes me happy. For a long time I was a very unhappy person, but this course has helped me a lot inside and out. I learnt how to handle my stress and to be grateful for everything in my life.” – Jacobus Adams

“I enjoyed all the sessions and they were all good. Actually I feel like something has been taken off my shoulders. I am free and relieved.” – Luvo

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Say YES to programme for schools to help pupils manage their emotions

Earlier this year, Cape Town was identified as the 13th most violent city in the world in the latest Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice report. Amid the mountainous and oceanic scenery, communities in the mother city, such as Bonteheuwel and Khayelitsha, are plagued by violence, gangsterism and drug abuse. This year, a programme was started to assist youth in these poor and troubled communities to develop life skills such as remaining calm in conflict situations; to enhance human values such as respect; and to assist the young people to improve their focus and concentration in the classroom.

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Yes!Youth – You are the open door and the helping hand in your community.

“People want to improve their communities but they haven’t found the door, the hand, the heart….so let us do something.” Dreadlocked Jean America, a radiant kid with a toothy grin spoke some eloquent words that night. He’d just completed his nine day foundation training ( YLTP – Youth Leadership Training Programme) with IAHV’s Yes! Youth Programme. Jean grew up in Ocean View, a hard neighbourhood situated on the fynbos slopes of the South Peninsula, where violence and drug abuse are a part of life.

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