Why Yoga?

With yoga being a mainstream workout today, I'm sure you have an idea of some of the physical benefits: improved strength, stamina, and flexibility, greater range of motion, and amazing for overall health. Those benefits are wonderful and not to be discounted, but what if I told you yoga was more than being able to do a handstand (I love handstands btw)? If that were the case, gymnasts would be super yogis.

What is Yoga?

The word, yoga, means to "yoke or unite." Yoga is the union of mind, body, and soul. It is a scientific path to self-realization through dedicated effort and practice.

This practice began thousands of years ago in India as one of the Indian schools of philosophy. According to an ancient text, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, "Yoga masters the roaming tendencies of the mind." Yoga is essentially freedom.

How I Found Yoga

After living abroad in Europe and Africa for six years, I never thought that my most significant trip would be the journey inward. I began practicing yoga after returning from Rwanda where I worked at a youth village for 500 orphaned teens. It was the most challenging year of my life, physically as well as emotionally. I was overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted. I came to a point in my life where I questioned everything and nothing seemed familiar. But for the first time in my life, I allowed myself to be.

The local studio in Florida became my sanctuary for reconnecting with myself. Yoga is a deep connection of the mind, body, and soul. It is a spiritual tool that helped me to find myself and to cope with anxiety and quite possibly depression.

For the first time, I felt like I could breathe. For as much as I thought that I'd transitioned smoothly from Rwanda to the U.S., I realized that I was literally carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Yoga helped me cope with my experiences and release what I had clung to. It allowed me to love myself in a way that I never did before. More on my journey from Rwanda to Yoga can be found here.

So, What's the Point?

Everyone is on their own unique journey in this lifetime. Whether you are drawn to yoga for its physical benefits or to de-stress from a busy life, the ultimate goal of yoga is to help you be at peace and to thrive in this life. BKS Iyengar, captured the meaning of yoga beautifully in one of my favorite books, Light on Life.

"You do not need to seek freedom in some distant land, for it exists within your own body, heart, mind, and soul. Illuminated emancipation, freedom, unalloyed and untainted bliss await you, but you must choose to embark on the Inward Journey to discover it." - BKS Iyengar

Wherever you are, it's never too late to start the journey inward. I started at 29. From my own journey, I'll share my experiences to holistic wellness with you and hopefully bring a little more light into this world.

Let the journey begin!

How Rwanda Taught Me the Meaning of Forgiveness

I woke up thinking about Rwanda, a place I used to call home and to some extent, I still do.  April 7 marked twenty two years after the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Almost one million people were brutally murdered in that small landlocked country in the heart of Africa. To this day when I share my story about living in Rwanda, most people either seem bewildered or terrified. Quite honestly, I never felt scared to live in Rwanda. In fact, I think of this country not as the Land of a Thousand Hills, but the Land of a Thousand Smiles. I felt an overwhelming sense of generosity and respect unlike anywhere I've ever felt before. Kwibuka meaning, to remember, in Kinyarwanda, is the nation's theme for the commemoration. Not only do Rwandans come together to remember, but they focus on unity and renewal for a better life, a more peaceful life. The progress that Rwanda has undergone since 1994 is unparalleled to anything I've ever witnessed. It's truly remarkable the sense of community that I felt when living in the the country. For example, every last Saturday of the month people gather to perform umuganda, or community service. Neighbors help out in their communities, build homes, and clean the streets (Kigali is known to be the cleanest African capital). I was in awe of the level of peace that I felt in the country and I often wondered, "how?" How could a post-genocide nation achieve this level of peace in such a short time span?  There could be a number of viable answers, but one that always comes to mind is forgiveness.

Webster's dictionary defines forgiveness as, "to stop feeling anger toward someone for doing something wrong."  But it's much more than that. It's about the willingness to achieve inner peace despite past circumstances and external factors. Forgiveness doesn't mean condoning someone else's behavior or giving a free pass. It's about being in choice, and choosing to live a life with more freedom and happiness.

Rwanda's people a true testament of the power of forgiveness. These past few days, I've been reading stories of former victims and murderers living side by side in peace. I reflect on the people I've met who have overcome and atrocities beyond imagination.

I'm not implying that hatred or animosity doesn't still exist in Rwanda. I'm sure it does like anywhere else. But the Rwanda I know today is beautiful. Its people are kind, gracious, and respectful. The Rwanda I know is strong. They embrace the present moment and create possibilities that didn't exist before.

I think about my Rwandan friends and family often, and the lessons that they unknowingly shared with me. I never really understood what it meant to forgive until I lived there. I didn't realize that forgiveness meant freedom. For that, I'm forever grateful. As Rwanda embarks on its 100 day mourning period, I'm embarking on 100 days of gratitude for having the privilege to live and work in a place of peace, love, and hope. To the people of Rwanda, you inspire me to be a better human. With all of my heart, Murakoze cyane (thank you).

Top 25 Most Memorable Moments: My Year at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village

This past year I spent my time at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda as a 2014 Fellow. You may wonder what it exactly means to be a fellow. For many, this idea of volunteering in "Africa" is an escape from the “real world.” Some may even think that I took a year off. Wrong. Having worked since I was 16 years old, I can say with confidence that this has been the most challenging and most important line of work that I have done. No, I did not perform open-heart surgery, but I did work with 500 orphaned and vulnerable teens from the ages of 15-22 years. Stress, emotional trauma, financial constraints, death, power outages, water cuts, disease, and cultural differences are but a few challenges that I have encountered this past year. As I begin to think about the next phase of my life, I realize that I have experienced it all within one year at ASYV. This hasn’t been a year off, rather, as one fellow traveler put it, it has been my “year on.” For the past eleven months, I have done everything from making beds before the new students arrived to greeting the Prime Minister of Norway for the ceremonial opening of the solar field, the first in East Africa, located on ASYV property. Not only did the scope of work vary, but also the intensity of it ranged from chaotic to quiet. I loved every minute it.

As I write this now, I cannot believe that I no longer reside at ASYV. As soon as I left those gates, the whole year is now a collection of memories, experiences, new friendships and family. The ASYV graduates always say that one can never leave Agahozo-Shalom, but Agahozo-Shalom lives within you. They were right. I may be getting on a plane in a few minutes, but I have gained a new home, and more importantly, new family members.

Here is a list of the top 25 most memorable moments as an Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village Fellow:

1. Spending Christmas in Gisenyi. Before the new students arrived, we went to Gisenyi on Lake Kivu for a few days to relax and spend the holiday.

2. Meeting the new students for the first time and becoming part of the Aloysie Inyumba family. Aloysie Inyumba (1962-2012) was the Minister for Gender and Family Promotion up until her death. She was best known for her hard work as an RPF leader during the Genocide Against the Tutsi and her commitment to rebuilding Rwanda. 

3. Celebrating the New Year at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) with 128 new kids.

 4. Being told, “When I see you, I love you” from one of the girls in my family.

5. Discovering $.30 pineapples and $.04 avocados at the local market in Rubona, a short walk from Agahozo-Shalom.

6. Watching the 2nd graduation ceremony for the Class of 2013. As of 2014, ASYV has 240 graduates. 

7. Laughing with my girls for the first time.

8. Experiencing the tragic loss of the ASYV Founder and Visionary, Anne Heyman (1961-2014). 

9. Visiting my girls in their actual homes outside ASYV. ASYV staff visit the students during vacation periods to check on them and understand more about their backgrounds.

10. Commemorating 20 Years after the Genocide Against the Tutsi with Agahozo-Shalom students who were born during the Genocide.

11. Hosting the African Development Bank’s First Ladies and Spouses Event at ASYV.

12. Meeting the Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, at the opening ceremony of the first solar plant in East Africa on ASYV leased property.

13. Working on the first ASYV fundraising event in Rwanda, Stand & Be Counted Rwanda, which raised almost $100,000. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the actual event due to an illness in the family!

14. Building my first home out of mud and water for a vulnerable family with the ASYV students through the Tikkun Olam program, Hebrew for “repairing the world.” All students learn the importance of Tikkun Olam and work on various community projects during their time at ASYV (and hopefully after).

15. Attending Village Time, a weekly talent show held every Friday in the Village led by the students.

16. Being a part of the Staff Village Time and debuting in my first parody music video from the Rwandan Urban Boyz' song "Marry Me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h54rw786SaY

17. Driving through the countryside and seeing this beautiful place, Agahozo-Shalom, set in the rolling hills of Rwanda.

18. Having a picnic with the new grade and going on a boat ride with my family, some of whom it was their first time.

19. Receiving poems and drawings from the kids and I cherish them more than anything else.

20. Exploring Rwanda and trekking to see the endangered mountain gorillas…AGAIN!

21. Waking up to this view every morning. 

22. Gaining new friends and family.

23. Having the privilege of seeing these smiles everyday.

24. Saying goodbye (for now) to the girls whom I have grown to love this past year. 

25. Realizing that Rwanda is not just another travel destination. It is home and I certainly will be back again to visit family and friends. 

My Love Letter to Prague

Dear Prague, Exactly one year ago, I left you for a new adventure, a new life. I packed my bags and boarded a plane headed to South Africa with the destination unknown.  You were the first place that I truly felt at home after leaving my small hometown in Ohio. You were special. You meant something to me. I spent almost five years of my life living in the most magical city in the world and I wanted you to know that I never took you for granted. I loved you whole-heartedly, despite your miserable winters and endless grey days.

Since leaving last June, I  have had incredible experiences that were beyond my imagination. I dove with great white sharks. I camped under the stars in the vast Namibian plains. I lived on a game reserve and woke up to wildebeest and giraffes near my doorstep. I stayed in a bee-hive hut in Swaziland. I spent the summer exploring the English and Scottish countryside. Above all, I accepted a fellowship to work with 500 orphaned and vulnerable youth in Rwanda at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village.

It's funny how time goes by so quickly and how things can change so drastically. This time last year, I had no idea that I would soon have the most meaningful job of my life. I was traveling around southern Africa with not a care in the world. Now, I care for 500 teens.

As I look back on my time in Prague though, I can't help but feel joy with a hint of nostalgia. You were my first great love and I will cherish you forever. You changed me.  You let me live and explore, and I am thankful for that. I have such wonderful memories of my years in Prague and not a day goes by that I don't think about you. Yes, I think about you often. This is not goodbye forever and maybe one day I'll return, but for now, thank you for being the most beautiful, most amazing city in the world. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

With Love,

Your faithful cizinice

Here is a list of 25 things that I miss most about Prague:

1. I miss the cobblestone streets and breathtaking architecture.

2. I miss running to catch tram 17 to get to work. I don't miss slipping and falling on the ice when running to catch the tram.

3. I miss my colleague and mentor, Jiří Holub, who always had an answer for everything, and could say it in any language (photo of us in Austria for a student field trip).

4. I miss urban art and the city galleries. Luckily, I know the awesome artist who made the Beatles painting on the John Lennon Wall!

5. I miss the first snowfall on Charles Bridge.

6. I miss the Christmas markets with svařák (hot wine).

7. I miss the first sunny day after weeks of darkness.

8. I miss the beautiful parks and Petřín Hill.

9. I miss Maitrea, one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants.

Maitrea

10. I miss my neighborhood potraviny, or mini-market, run by the Vietnamese man who hardly said two words, in Czech or English.

11. I miss hopping on a train and ending up in a foreign country in a matter of hours (photo of Berlin).

12. I miss going on day trips to the Czech Republic's charming towns, interesting sights, and historic monuments. 

13. I miss Prague's quiet and no-nonsense airport. 

14. I miss the weekend events, from gorilla charity runs to food festivals in the park. 

15. I miss wandering around the Old Town Square and meandering through the Jewish Quarter.

16. I miss the beautiful vistas of Prague. 

17. I miss the $5 entry fees to some of the most beautiful ballets, operas, and concert venues in the world.

18. I miss Prague's rebellious, freethinking attitude with its regular protests (photo of a student protest in front of my old office).

19. I miss eating smažený sýr (fried cheese) on a bitter cold day.

20. I miss Prague's spring.

21. I miss the efficient public transportation system and the clean metro stations. 

22. I miss Prague nights and taking walks when the city is illuminated.

23. I miss the randomness in Prague, like salsa dancing at a bowling alley (No, I did not partake in this event).

24. I miss Zuzana Wienerova, my former colleague and friend, an amazing woman and an inspiration to all women. 

25. Last, I miss living in the most amazing city in the world.

The Future of Rwanda and the Faces of the Future

This April marks the 20th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda where one million people were murdered in a matter of 100 days.  For many ASYV students, it is a traumatic part of their past and they are still healing from the terror that struck their nation, and the world. Even for the students who were born after 1994, the genocide had deep residual effects that touched the lives of all Rwandans. To remember this atrocious offense to humanity, Rwanda has held a series of events called, Kwibuka 20. In Kinyarwanda, kwibuka means "to remember." But Kwibuka is not solely meant to focus on the horror and despair of the genocide; it is meant to unite and bring hope to this small landlocked nation. According to the Kwibuka website, Kwibuka20 calls on the world to stand against genocide in three key ways: to remember, to unite, and to renew. I have lived in Rwanda for only four months now, but I have met some of the most inspiring and wonderful people at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. If you ever lose faith in humanity, all you need to do is spend a few minutes at ASYV. The youth that I know and spend everyday with renewed my sense of hope for the world. The genocide in Rwanda was a horrible event in world history and it should not be forgotten, but I want to focus on the future of Rwanda. The future of Rwanda will be determined by its youth. ASYV students range from mid-teens to early twenties and they are leaders, poets, innovators, and possess a keen desire to learn. The photos below depict ASYV students, particularly from the family that I mentor. These are new students at ASYV, but their faces and smiles show hope and strength. Kwibuka may be a time to remember the past, but these are the faces of the future.

Shopping Like a Local: Visiting a Rwandan Market

There is something romantic about grocery shopping in covered markets. The vendors, the chaotic arrangement of vegetables, and the community feel makes shopping an interesting experience. Whenever I travel or live abroad, I am always drawn to local markets. Perhaps because it is just that, local. I also feel a greater connection to my food when seeing it in the open air rather than neatly lined in a sterile-looking grocery store. The produce is fresh and real, unlike so much food found in America. Every Tuesday and Friday I have the opportunity to walk to a local market in the neighboring town of Rubona, approximately one mile from ASYV. Although all meals are included at the Village, I enjoy cooking some of my own. The walk to the market is pleasant and Rwandans are very friendly. It is customary to greet each passerby with mwiriwe, or good afternoon. Often, children follow closely behind me, giggling and whispering, muzungu, a term given to white visitors.

The market is an open-air space lined with people selling everything from goats to flour. Upon arrival, I am immediately offered tomatoes, cabbage, and any other produce that is available. I am always amazed by how incredibly inexpensive fresh produce is buy in Rwanda. I can recall paying $2.00 for avocados in Prague and in Florida, but in Rwanda, I pay less than fifty cents for three.

After perusing the aisles, I settle on a price for the produce. Here is a breakdown of food that I purchased (1 USD = 681 RWF, as of 2014):

Small Bananas          100 RWF

Basket of Tomatoes  100 RWF

Avocados (3)             300 RWF

Green Peppers (3)     100 RWF

Total                         600 RWF ($0.88)

These prices can also change slightly depending on one's bargaining skills. Compared to grocery shopping in Kigali, I find that the produce is fresher and half the cost. This food lasts a few days and it's delicious.

In addition to shopping at the local market, I also go to the grocery stores in Kigali to buy "junk food." To give you an idea about current 2014 market prices, here are a few examples:

Can of Diet Coke                                     900 RWF

Bottle of Coke or Fanta                         300 RWF

500g of coffee                                         2,100 RWF

1 liter of low-fat milk                             1,000 RWF

500g of pasta                                          1,900 RWF

Bag of tortilla chips                                1,900 RWF

Local gouda cheese wheel                     3,750 RWF

Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bar      1,100 RWF

Large jar of peanut butter                     3,600 RWF

In general, I can find almost any food in Rwanda. It is more expensive to buy certain items (e.g. cheese and sauces), but the local fruits and vegetables more than make up for it.