Yoga for refugee women
In keeping with its founding objectives, NELIY supports endeavours to bring yoga to people who may be disadvantaged, and who might otherwise not have the opportunity to attend classes. An organisation we have had such links with since 2022 is the New Citizens’ Gateway (NCG), a registered charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers. The Jasmine Women’s Group is run by the charity, aiming to create a secure and inviting space for refugee and asylum-seeking women to connect with others, establish friendships, and gain empowerment, whilst gaining insights into life in the UK.
NELIY provides the funding for a qualified Iyengar yoga teacher to provide yoga classes for this group. Last year, there were a total of 17 Iyengar yoga classes, with an average participation of 20 individuals per class, from various nations including Sierra Leone, Congo and Afghanistan. Feedback collected from the participants showed that the yoga classes are amongst the most well-received activities organised by the Jasmine Woman’s Group, with the 16 most consistent participants (who had completed at least 6 sessions) reporting a hugely positive impact on their mental well-being.
We are very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the work of this charitable organisation, and delighted to hear that the classes are so well received. Many thanks to the teacher who made this connection for us, and who is doing such valued work.