Yoga in Togo

So as many of you know, I am crazy about yoga and before coming to Togo I completed a 200 hour yoga certification through Core Power Yoga in Chicago and officially became a certified yoga instructor. One of my goals in Togo was to not only keep up my own practice but have as many opportunities to teach Peace Corps Volunteers and locals more about yoga. At the beginning of training I started a weekly yoga class that has officially been named Yoges in Toges. It has been such a success and many of the Peace Corps Volunteers have used it as a much needed reprieve from our grueling training schedules. At our last session we invited some host family members and it was so great seeing the PCVs and Togolese doing yoga side by side.

That night I decided to do an experiment with my host family to see if they would like it. I did a mini session with my host father, host brothers, and host sister and it was hands down the best night I have had in Togo thus far. My host father got so into it and was holding each pose with intense concentration. I really didn’t need to do much education about the purpose and benefits of incorporating yoga into your daily life. He went on a long rant about how yoga was good for bring tranquility into your life, great for the heart, circulation, mind, etc, etc. He encouraged my brother to start up yoga once he attends college this fall and I have promised to give him some literature on different postures.

In the capital city Lomé there is a Kundalini Yoga studio that I am dying to try out as soon as possible. I will let you know how it goes!

For a good laugh check out the pictures on my facebook page!