£ GBP
It is widespread news that stress is a significant threat to both the older and younger generation and chronic stress is a leading contributor to various physical ailments and diseases, ranging from hypertension and diabetes to elevated cholesterol levels and joint pain. It’s impact on our physical health mirrors it’s influence on mental health. Our body and mind are connected. So when stress messes with our body, it messes with our mental health too.
However, many people in the Nigerian society are still unaware of the impact of stress and the connection between the mind and body. This is evident in the surprised look I have received and questions I have been asked at any corporate or community group session I have taught. They are also unaware of the immense benefits of yoga in physical, mental and even social well-being.
In Nigeria, Yoga is either seen as a voodoo practice to be scared of, or a practice for only skinny or athletic women. It is also qualified by some as an elitist practice for the wealthy and so the popular saying is, "Only people who have the money to can consider wellness or even think of taking care of their mental health".
Thus, my mission and that of the Love Yoga Community is the raise awareness of the benefits of yoga, encourage more people to yoga classes by the affordable rates offered, and preach the importance of prioritizing preventive health and well-being practices like mindfulness and yoga.
We are a small group of yoga enthusiasts, students and active participants of about 50 persons at the moment. The community was founded also with the intention to assist in building awareness of yoga in Nigeria, encourage holistic wellness practices and aid stress alleviation amongst young people in Nigeria, which has been a hounding problem.
We are so passionate about having our very first retreat this year. The purpose of our retreat is to bring the community together, and encourage individuals seeking holistic wellness through yoga and mindfulness practices, but at a very affordable rate. As previously stated, yoga is not a popular practice in Nigeria, a predominantly black African population, and where it is being offered, it is majorly unavailable to middle and lower class of the community, due to high rate of classes.
This community offered yoga at $2.5 (as at 2022) a class to make it affordable and reachable to many young people in Lagos but has been on a forced hold since the devastating event.
With the upcoming retreat, we hope to subsidize the price of the retreat to make it available to 20 people in Nigeria genuinely in need of the experience and if within reach, offer a free slot to one or two persons who absolutely can't afford to be there.
