On the 22^nd April we had a Journey Outreach Kenya quarterly meeting of which we did an evaluation of our programs since January and mapped out a strategy for the coming quarter. The following weekend,  HCK team got to visit Y.E.T Group and Huruma Young Innovators. These groups are headed by fellow practitioner Anderson Shivaji. The groups have been receiving regular Journey processes since last year. It was agreed that the groups would also start receiving regular Yoga sessions. We look forward to a mutual beneficial relationship

Here is a cross section of testimonials from the people we have been working with

“Yoga inanipatia nguvu na inafanya mifupa yangu kuwa laini. Najifundisha upendo na mwalimu ni mzuri. Ninapenda butterfly.” (Yoga gives me strength and aligns my structure. I learn the gift of love from the practice and I like the teacher. My favorite pose is butterfly one)  Sebastian, 9 yrs, Nairobi Remand Home

“Yoga inamaliza stress na inafanya mwili ikuwe mzuri. Ninafurahishwa na shoulder stand kwa sababu na simama na mabega.” (Yoga reduces my stress and makes my body fit. I like shoulder stand as I get to stand with on my shoulders) Anyango, 14 yrs, Nairobi Remand

All our outreach work is enabled by funds collected from the monthly Yoga workshops and partly funded by Journey Outreach. Through monies collected, our team is able to go out and touch children and Youths life from diverse circumstances and radiate their hearts with the gift of Yoga and Journey tools. The next workshop will be held on the 26th May 2012. Follow the link to know more

To be part of our outreach programs, email us on info@holisticommunity.com

To perform this asana:

• Squat with your feet and knees wide apart. Position your arms between your knees, with your hands directly under your shoulders, then put your hands flat on the floor in front of you. Hands: Stretch your fingers wide and turn your hands inward slightly
• Bend your elbows, and turn them outward. Rest your knees against your upper arms. Next, rock forward until you feel your weight on your wrists. Stay in this position if you are unable to proceed further. Weight: This exercise is still useful even if you stop at this point, as your wrists support your weight and your forearm muscles are being strechted.
• Slowly raise each foot, then balance on your hands for at least 10 seconds. Aim to increase your time in the pose to 30 seconds; with practice you will be able to hold the position for up to a minute. To come out, lower your feet to the ground, sit up, and shake out your wrists. If you are strong enough, repeat the Crow twice.
• But if you are ready to go further, squeeze the legs against the arms, press the inner hands firmly to the floor and (with an inhalation) straighten the elbows. Seen from the side the arms are angled slightly forward relative to the floor. The inner knees should be glued to the outer arms, high up near the armpits. Keep the head in a neutral position with your eyes looking at the floor, or lift the head slightly, without compressing the back of the neck, and look forward. Stay in the pose anywhere from 20 seconds to 1 minute. To release, exhale and slowly lower your feet to the floor, back into a squat

Beginners: Try lifting one foot up at a time to get a feel for how far forward you need to bring yourself. Do not let your head drop. This will cause you to tip forward and lose balance. Put a blanket in front of you so you won’t be afraid of hitting your head if you fall. Everyone falls when learning this pose.

Advanced: Once you come up into the pose, do not let your elbows splay out to either side. Work on straightening your arms. Tuck the heels in close to your butt, and jump back to Chaturanga

Benefits: Strengthens arms and wrists, stretches the upper back, strengthens the abdominal muscles, opens the groins and tones the abdominal organs

“For the first time to be there with the theater group company it was so bad to see most of the kids crying, sad with casts and bandages around their legs and arms some even whole body   and being carried from one end to the other as other even can’t feed themselves they have to be helped. Leonida from theater Group Company used to sing for them and dace as I read them journey kids stories and at the end of the day they were smiling and even forgot the pain they had. The following week when we visited them it was a bit better as some could walk by themselves, as usual we started with the gentle Yoga class for kids, it was amazing to see the kids able to do the yoga postures without feeling any pain then I took them through a kids class room journey, then give time for the dance therapy by the theater group company.” Sheila, Children yoga instructor

“ Thanks to the theater group company and Holistic community Kenya for thinking about us , I tell you Sheila, the pain I feel is just too much for me , but when I listen to the journey stories you read to us and the songs Leonida sing us , I just forget the pain in my leg  and I just feel good “ says little  Mercy.

“I could not think of taking another operation ,as the doctor said that  for me to walk better I have to go for the second operation  I just felt like that was the end of me Sheila, I can’t let myself go through the same pain a gain , is just better I die but thanks to you guys I got courage after the journey stories for kids you normally  tell us and the way you guys sing and dance made me feel better , and to yes to another operation , hey even now see although I steel feel pain its not as such but its good that I am now sure that when this one gets better al go home I won’t be here for another year” says David

At the hawkers girls market, we got two new recruits who joining our sessions. Meet street children, Kevin and Bena. We met these two full of life young bi while at our Outreach Program at the Nairobi Hawkers Market. Kevo and Bena are children on the streets who spend their lunch time hour at the Hawkers Market hoping to get some left over food. In one of our session, they joined the girls in doing the yoga poses. At first they were cheeky, as you would expect a 14 year old boy amidst teenage girls but after few minutes, they were one with them. The girls welcomed them wholeheartedly without discrimination and made them feel comfortable, one with them. During the yoga class, the two boys were very enthusiastic and found pleasure doing what they had never done before. When Charles directed us into to the warrior pose sequences, one of the boys was overheard excitedly whispering to the other “ehhh leo sisi ni maoterro (street language for “today we are warriors”). At the end of the session, the jovial lads agreed to join us every session. The beauty and Unity of Yoga

In Naivasha, the session is slowly gaining momentum with more street children trooping in each week. As of now, we have two sessions there on the same day, one with the elderly youths and later on Yoga Toto with the young ones.

At the Remand Centre, we were involved in planning for their sports day which was a great success. Also at the Remand centre, the bigger boys have taken the role of assisting the younger boys in our program. A sense of discipline and responsibility is being instilled into these young urbanites which is the main vision of the centre. One of the bigger boys shared with us how he would like to become a fully accredited Yoga and Journey practitioner. We hope for the best!

The last week of the month, saw each one of us heading different directions for outreach work. One person was in Oyugis, the other in Naro Moru, Muranga, One in Thika and still some in holding the fort Nairobi. We are so blessed to be busy giving love away and bringing Unity and Healing through Yoga and Journey tools

View more photos on our Facebook page

Yoga Unites @HCK!

• Increased toxicity in the body, which causes cell DNA damage, hence causing mutations
• Decreased immunity, therefore an inability for your body to get rid of mutant cells
• Poor diet, which causes sugar imbalances and chronic inflammation, leading to cell mutations and a toxic environment
• Blockages of energetic meridians, which interfere with the flow of energy, or Qi, in your organs, hence creating illness
• And sometimes, cancer is seen as a result of unresolved emotions which are beginning to affect your cells.

A diet of colorful vegetables high in antioxidants quenches free radicals which cause DNA damage. Fish oils reduce inflammation and activate enzymes necessary for cellular detoxification. Detoxification protocols ensure all your organs start functioning properly and give your cells a chance to breathe – always a good thing. Regular exercise, meditation and yoga oxygenate your tissues and relieve stress. Oxygenating tissues is always a good thing because cancer cells cannot survive in oxygen rich environments. Alkalinizing your body with certain foods (celery, Kale, lots of greens, etc) also enhances oxygen transport into your cells. Talking about your problems and resolving shocking experiences or unnecessary grief gives you a chance to recover from and prevent future illnesses.

Wishing you the best in health,

Ameet

Ameet Aggarwal ND is a naturopathic doctor, advanced Bowen Therapist and practices Gestalt psychotherapy in Nairobi and Nanyuki. Book your appointment through +254 727 701002 or email ameet@fimafrica.org. Read more about naturopathic medicine onhttp://www.healthretreatsafrica.com and stay engaged with health tips onwww.facebook.com/healthretreatsafrica