Yoga for Namibia
With a weekly online yoga course offer - Yoga for Namibia - Birgit Janssen supports the children and young people of steps for children in Namibia together with her course participants. You can get to know Birgit in a short interview - and maybe you will be there next week on Monday at 8 pm! 50% of the proceeds from this online course will be donated to steps for children - yoga for a good cause. A wonderful idea to get active and get involved.
1. who are you?
My name is Birgit, I have lived in Hamburg with my family since 2010 and in 2015 I decided to give up my former job (accountant) and dedicate myself entirely to yoga.
2. how long have you known us and how did you come to support steps for children?
In 2022 I was on the train from Bavaria, after a holiday home with my family, and was looking online for a way to As part of my birthday party to support a non-profit organisation for Africa, where the focus is on education and helping people to help themselves, and that's how I came across you.
3. this year you were able to get to know us better and took part in our meeting for volunteers in Hamburg. Why did you decide to continue supporting us?
The few times I have had personal contact with you, I have realised what great people are behind steps for children and that it is meaningful and enriching to continue to be charitably active.
4. you have a very special passion that you have turned into your profession...
Yes, I am lucky enough to be able to teach yoga and teach a variety of yoga styles, give group classes and 1:1 lessons.
5 There are different types of yoga. How do you find out what suits you?
It all depends on the individual. We are all a colourful variety with different needs. One person is very sporty and the next just wants to relax. People have health restrictions or want to get back into exercise after an injury. Some like to be outdoors, others are looking for a yoga studio or individual lessons. Some just want to enrol in a course online, others are looking for contact in a group.
6 You also use yoga to promote education and future opportunities for children and young people in Namibia and Zimbabwe. How did this come about?
During the pandemic lockdown, many yoga studios were unable to open and my studio classes were also cancelled. So I decided to offer a holistic online yoga session of 60 minutes on Mondays at 8 pm, which is suitable for everyone: „Chill, it's yoga“. As I teach them from home, I save on room hire, don't need to book in advance and can offer single and 10-person cards at a low course fee, of which I donate 50 % of sales to charity for disadvantaged children. As of this month, these donations will go to steps.
7. is there anything you are grateful for?
Of course! There are a thousand things I'm grateful for: My family, my health, my life in Hamburg, for my yoga students. I especially try to regularly remind myself how grateful we can be for the seasons, nature, being able to live in a safe country, having fresh air and fresh water. Once you realise what we have been given, you can go on like this forever ♥
8. what could you never do without?
To my family and friends.
9 What does attention mean to you?
To be so focused that I step out of reactive behaviour, pause for a brief moment to make a conscious decision about how I want to act and what I want to convey.
10. is there a country that you really want to get to know?
Two: Vietnam and Namibia.
Dear Birgit, we would like to thank you and your course participants very much for your support with the yoga class in favour of our steps children and young people, which has already raised a proud three-figure sum.
