I’ve always wanted to help people in Nepal in some way – I taught English in Nepal 20 years ago and still have family and friends there. Nepalis are a warm and generous people and I want to help improve the lives of these people who always seem to keep smiling in what are often difficult circumstances.
I had the idea of teaching yoga to people with disabilities, because if you use crutches or sit for long periods it can put strain on shoulders and other parts of the body. Life is difficult if you’re disabled in Nepal, mentally and emotionally as well as physically. Not only is it difficult to get about if you have mobility problems but it’s also incredibly hard to get an education or a job. I wanted to bring people the benefit of yoga in helping to loosen and relax muscles and ligaments, strengthen bones and relieve stress.
So, I got in touch with an organisation called Boddhisattvas In Action (BIA) foundation and also with friends Madhu and Santosh Pariyhar who have disabilities themselves. I found that BIA run a Thangka Painting Institute centre in Kathmandhu Orthopedic Hospital that provides wheelchair users with work producing Tibetan religious paintings and accommodation and where I was able to help give chair yoga session every morning.
It was an honour and a privilege to practice yoga every morning with Navraj and the guys. They taught me as much as I taught them – and we had some good laughs along the way too. I hope to go back soon.
