Psycho-social support through yoga and vocational skills training for refugees in Greece - a project by ELIX in collaboration with Finn Church Aid
ELIX, in partnership with Finn Church Aid (FCA), has launched the second part of the “Project Yoga” that offers a certified training course to young people to become Yoga instructor.
The training course is aimed at those who want to become Yoga instructors to improve their employability and open new paths for professional development.
The multicultural background of the participants in the program is of great interest, as the 10 female and 4 male students come from countries such as Syria, Spain, Bangladesh, Ireland, Albania, Iraq and Greece.
The Training contributes to the personal and skill development of refugees, a fairly mobile population, and young adults, providing them with a recognized accreditation for a profession they can do anywhere in the world. The profession of the Yoga instructor consists thus an excellent opportunity for professional development internationally, while enhancing the physical and psychological well-being of the participants.
The Training is part of the “Project Yoga”, an educational project for locals, refugees and migrants that promotes non-formal education as a tool for integration and personal development, yet another example of ELIX's successful collaboration with FCA.
The 200-hour lessons include introduction to the historical and philosophical background of Yoga (Vedas, Upanishad, Rishis) and particularly Hatha Yoga and its modern evolution, basic terms in the Sanskrit Yoga language, introduction to Yoga Sutras and Bhagavat Gita, various Yoga Techniques such as Pranayama, Meditation, Nidra Yoga, Krégia (cleaning techniques) and Mudras, and various teaching techniques such as sequencing, adjustments, oral words, use of essential anatomy and chakra principles.
During the training course, participants will also receive training in entrepreneurial skills, based on FCA's entrepreneurship program, to explore new business opportunities as Yoga instructors.
Lessons are provided in English language and all necessary equipment is provided in the ELIX Yoga studio.
Upon completion of the training, participants will have the opportunity to participate in exams to receive accredited international certification as Yoga instructors that can be used both in Greece and abroad.
The “Project Yoga” is implemented in cooperation and funded by Finn Church Aid (FCA).
