Addis’s potential yogis
Ever heard about yoga?
Got any clue of what it is? Probably many people have never known what yoga exactly means and how it is practised. Compared to Europe and the US, where yoga is enjoying great popularity, it is yet in its infancy in Ethiopia. Still there are some initiatives in Addis and for the future yoga should most likely also find its way into people’s leisure activities here.
Yoga has its origin in ancient India some 3000-4000 years ago and is a philosophic doctrine.
The term yoga derives from the verb ‘joke’, which means to unite the individual consciousness with universal consciousness or simply to concentrate and calm the changing states of mind. This does not only mean physical exercise and, on the other hand, should not be mistaken for anything religious.
Yoga, in its most popular form of Hatha Yoga, consists of mental and physical exercises, breathing techniques and so-called asanas, which are postures in order to purify the body and get aware of internal states. Properly practised, doing yoga keeps one remaining in the present moment and allows a deep awareness and acceptance of who we are. Instead of directing our attention to the outside world, we stick to ourselves, integrating mind, body and breath.
There are many good things about yoga such as gaining more fitness and flexibility for your body, as well as dealing more easily with negative feelings and relieving stress in our everyday lives. Additionally, yoga helps in improving physical problems like back pain or headache and at the same time contributes to losing weight, building up a better immune system and a higher level of energy.
So who teaches yoga in Addis? Are there even Ethiopian teachers? Yes, among a few foreign teachers there is one certified native teacher in town. Aida, who had grown up in Addis and spent about 20 years in America, came back to her home country about three years ago. She is registered with the Yoga Alliance and gained her professional qualifications in Los Angeles and India. After having taught yoga for more than 5 years in California, she wanted to take some time off and spend time at home. Unexpectedly, as it often happens in life, she found somebody interested in her work and offered her to give lessons at a local gym. Finally, Aida decided to stay and has since then been teaching yoga in Addis.
Starting with only one participant in her first class, she now runs several classes every week at her own place which she opened about one year ago. People interested can join for beginner’s courses, all level courses and there are also special therapy classes for those suffering from back pain, for example. What kinds of people are currently attending Aida’s classes? Though there is no age limit, it is mostly young foreigners and some Ethiopians taking part. Basically, women, but also one or another man, young to middle-aged, come and enjoy the benefits they gain from practising yoga. Well-off foreigners like diplomats, ambassadors and their kids often prefer private lessons. Even pregnant women can get courses especially designed for their needs.
Entering Aida’s studio makes one feel in good hands and following her instructions can, indeed, result in forgetting your daily business. You just keep following your conscious breaths and perform the asanas. After some workout, a relaxing part rounds off the session which is best described as really pleasant silence. Walking outside, one leaves feeling peaceful inside and out, though not tired but fairly energized.
This is also the reason people show up regularly: they want to feel relaxed, calm their minds from work and other troubles every one of us knows only too well. Most of them long for some stress relief and, as Aida especially points out, there are a number of clients who primarily wish to lose weight.
Asked for future perspectives, and if yoga also might get popular in Ethiopia, Aida appears quite confident and attributes yoga to some great potential for the coming years. According to her, one main problem keeping people from practising yoga and giving it a chance comes from their misconception as seeing it as a kind of a religion not fitting their (mostly) orthodox belief. Aida clearly points out her holistic approach of yoga which would include elements of meditation but could not be related or put on level with any religious practice.
She also reveals plans for an upcoming festival to be held once a year and a treatment centre to be opened soon.
Though yoga is taking a slower way in Ethiopia, it should, most likely for the future, find more people inspired by its positive effects and attending classes regularly. If it will become as popular as it already is in Europe and other Western countries remains to be seen. Giving it a try is highly recommended!
Ed.’s Note: The writer is on an internship at The Reporter.
By Doris Kusen
