That's it. I'm in love.

I fell in love. I fell in love with Kenya. I didn't know it was going to happen but I have to say I'm having a serious love affair with Kenya. It's the most beautiful place I've been and the most life changing experience I've had. The most amazing feeling that came up while I was away was the feeling of connection. Often I didn't know people's names, and sometimes I didn't even share a word with them, but I felt so connected. I realize that I've never felt at home in the states because in fact this place isn't my people's home. I went to Kenya and was surrounded by brown folks who welcomed me in, named the tribe I am from, and who wanted to keep me.

Anthony looks like my father

and teacher happiness looks like my mother.

These are my sisters.

 

And these look like my kids, they look like me                        

There was joy everywhere. Everywhere. Each time I notice myself worrying I realize that the people I met in Kenya wouldn't be worrying about things I am thinking about and I turn to joy, transformation, and light. We only have this life to live and we need to live it with purpose and intention. Full of love, grace, and light. 

I am so inspired. Half of my heart is here and the half is in Kenya. We saw where every penny of your donations and support went which is why we are going back to Kenya. If your heart was moved by our experience please consider donating to the our campaign. The money goes directly to the project and when we raise another $10,000 we'll be able to return to Kenya and volunteer with Africa Yoga Project to do big things and powerful work.  Here is a link to our campaign page  https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/ayoga/campaign.jsp?campaign=108 

Thanks in advance for your support. We'll return in 2013. More soon. 

Expansive

We've been away from blogging for a few days. We went on safari and words cannot even describe this experience. On Monday we travelled to Amboseli National Park. It took us about 5 hours to get there from Nairobi. Immediately when we entered the park we saw elephants everywhere!!! So amazing. We've never seen elephants in the wild and they were everywhere. They are majestic creatures.

We visited the Masaai Village where there are three Africa Yoga Project teachers, Julius, Jacob, and Benjamin. Julius and his brother Satatori were our tour guides. We heard about the traditions of the village after being welcome by the Masaai with a welcome song and jumping activities. We heard about the medicine man, visited the school, and visited the market. In my opinion the women do the hard work in the village. They build the houses out of cow dung, pump the water from the water station, carry the water and tend to the children. The men typically spend most of their days tending to the cows and goats which represent wealth. Overall the Masaai are a strong people and we hope to go back and visit them one day.

 Masaai School which Africa Yoga Project built.

 We went on another game drive and saw a cheetah .Our driver who has been to Amboseli several times has never seen a cheetah. It is very rare to see them in this area. We got lucky!!!

We spotted a giraffe on our way out; the only one we saw the whole time. She is beautiful!! This trip has been filled with amazing experiences. Each day has been full of life, energy, intensity, freedom, and light. We will definitely come back to visit Amboseli to visit. 

Flying

January 14, 2012

 So much bliss!!! I taught 102 people yoga yesterday!!! Each Saturday the Africa Yoga Project teaches at 2 hour community class at the Sarakasi Center. I got to teach the community class yesterday and loved it!!! It was the sweatiest, loudest yoga class ever. What I've found in my limited experience with the Africa Yoga Project teachers and students is that they make lots of noise when sighing in class or letting go through lions breath or an exhale. It's awesome. They are super expressive in class. I love it. I usually play music when I teach but the stereo was all locked up so I couldn't use it. I didn't even miss the music because their breath and vocal expressions where all I needed to accompany my flow in class.

After class we headed to Flying Kites which is in Kinangop, Kenya. We took an eventful drive there and it is so beautiful. Clean air, mountains, simply idyllic.  The kids set the table in preparation for dinner. Most amazing dinner I've ever had.

 

We found a tarheel fan!

The kids did a talent show for us. Lots of Dj's, dancing, and mischievous. Saturday nights are going to seem so boring when we get back to North Carolina!

We spent the night in a room with about 8 other folks and we woke up to the sounds of roosters and children.

Francis is a 17 year old who lives at Flying Kites with his sister. He has been there for a year. He is a beautiful being and I'm so honored to have met him. He asked me what my tattoo on my wrist means and I told him revelation. I explained that I had a life changing experience and a revelation is something that you realize or that happens that opens your eyes. You can't go back to the way you were before given the knowledge you have based on the revelation, or experience you've had. Kenya is very much this way. He was very interested as he was heading to Nairobi for some medical procedures because he has many health issues from trauma he has experienced and witnessed in his life. I am hopeful he is okay. He has such sweet energy.

 Beautiful breakfast prepared by Flying Kites staff.

          
 Jeff doing some partner yoga this morning!

The Rift Valley

Please check out Flying Kites website. They have an amazing organization. www.flyingkitesglobal.org

I promise you if you ever think of coming to Africa please come to Kenya. It is the most vibrant place I've ever been in my life. Colorful, complicated, chaotic, and beautiful! 

We're off to safari tomorrow in Amboseli. We leave at 7:30am and drive 4 hours to see lions, elephants, zebras, and hopefully giraffes. Cannot wait!

Connection

January 13, 2012

"You come to Africa with a hard heart, you'll leave with a soft heart. You come with a soft heart, you'll leave with a broken heart. You come with a broken heart and you'll never leave."

Don't worry we are definitely coming home in a week. We aren't broken hearted we are open hearted and so full of light right now. I started the day off with the last part of the workshop series on Trauma and Yoga for the Africa Yoga Project teachers. The men and women were together in a group and the lovely Billy and Irene taught an energetic practice while Anthony put us into small groups to share what we learned from the workshops. Then I taught a practice for calming including some chakra clearing and a yoga nidra. It was a beautiful experience.

We rounded out the day with our last visit to Gracious School. It was amazing. I shared this amazing moment with one student. 

And these.

Jeff jumped up and down and the kids sang! 

Gracious School is in our hearts, heads, and spirit. We feel so honored to have been invited to Gracious School.

Breathe in and Out

I began the day running the men's workshop on trauma and yoga. In the workshop we focused on what the men can do to take care of themselves mentally, physically, emotionally, and physically. They enjoyed the workshop and I am hopeful they continue the discussion.





Then we had some lunch in the house before heading to Gracious School. Jeff enjoyed hanging out with Irene's daughter otherwise known as baby girl.

Jeff and I travelled to Gracious School. I taught some yoga and Jeff taught some music. The children were so excited about the yoga and I even incorporated some chicken dance into the yoga moves to warm them up for Jeff's portion of the class. There is so much light in the physical structure of the building and in the hearts of each child and teacher.

Jeff rounded out the class with a photo. The students wanted a photo with their amazing music teacher.

Nimeshiba

Nimeshiba means "I am full" in Swahili. It usually refers to food but I'm referring to my heart. Today I co-led a men's group for the Africa Yoga Project teachers. We focused on trauma and the men shared about their experiences. They have deep traumas that they haven't spoken about before. It was amazing to co-create a container where they could share, connect, and release. At one point I shared that I witnessed them doing acrobatics or yoga assists (pictured here) and I said "you support each other physically all of the time, this group is a way of supporting each other emotionally."

I'm hoping they continue to support each other and share. One person described how living in the ghetto and not having enough to do with your time is "too much", he expressed that idle time in the ghetto is a bad thing and that practice of yoga kills the idle time. It's true yoga keep us breathing, moving, meditating, moving through emotion and makes us busy in a positive way instead of a harmful way. I'll meet with the men tomorrow to continue our discussion and sharing. They are courageous, amazing spirits, and I am so honored to share space with them.
 

Jeff went to the school again and made music with the children. They love him.  He brought them instruments to play and they shared the ones they made from cans, beans, sticks, bottle caps, and bottles. He taught them the hokey pokey and played his trumpet which was fun for them. At the end they gave feedback and said they enjoyed the class they express so much gratitude for him coming to share his gift of music.

 

Mlango Kumbwa

Mlango Kumbwa means "big door."  The past two days have opened many doorways. Physically, emotionally, and mentally.  I began Monday, by attending a yoga class for deaf students. I've never been to one before and I was very inspired when I left the class. Irene, my Rafiki, (friend), teaches the class. The class moves more slowly than a hearing class and the students have to watch what you are doing to know what to do next. I taught at the end of class and I loved it.

I don't know sign language but I was able to communicate with the students through my eyes and it was wonderful.

Then I came home on the Matatu which is a bus like vehicle, except I have no idea how the system works. Luckily, Irene was with me and was able to guide me back to the house.  Irene and I co-led a group with the women teachers on yoga and trauma.  Many of the women have experienced loss, sexual and physical violence, and neglect. They have been meeting as a women's group for quite some time but they hadn't ever disclosed their experiences of trauma to one another before. It was an empowering experience. We also led a second part to the workshop yesterday and focused on self-care and the women's group agreed to continue to share with one another. 

Jeff rounded out the day yesterday with going to Gracious School and teaching the students some music. They made musical instruments, sang, danced, and enjoyed it a lot. As you can see from the picture below, Jeff is in his element.  He's teaching them the chicken dance. He'll go back tomorrow and I will go with him.

So back to the big doorways, you will notice from our photographs that there are doorways everywhere. Most of the time we capture someone looking in the doorway. It's amazing. People share, they grow and learn and they are looking for what is behind the door and for a way inside. Sometimes it's easy, particularly when something is very challenging or intense to look for a way out and I've only encountered people here, in Kenya, who want to come inside emotionally, physically, and mentally. Beautiful people, and a beautiful place. I hold so much gratitude for this experience.