Refugee and asylum-seeking women are some of the most marginalised, vulnerable, and under-represented members of our society. Often these women have experienced torture, human trafficking and sexual violence. Many have fled for their lives. These are the women Ourmala helps. Yoga relieves their pain and anxiety, helps them sleep and starts to restore self-esteem and hope.
2015 was the inaugural year of our Warriors for Women initiative, a week of public fundraising yoga events, coinciding with Refugee Week. Our aim was to raise much-needed funds to support Ourmala’s work, as well as awareness about the refugee and asylum-seeking community. By harnessing the strength yoga gives us, we mobilised Yoga teachers and students, who believe in Ourmala’s work, to make positive change together.
Yoga teachers and studios got behind Ourmala’s mission by gifting time and class proceeds to help us empower refugee and asylum-seeking women through Yoga. What started off as a London-based initiative quickly lit up the international Yoga community with fundraising events running across the world, from Ibiza to Texas.
All funds raised will be spent directly on providing a safe space for these women to breathe, access free therapeutic yoga, English classes, and other services, education and opportunities to help them rebuild their lives.
Thank you to everyone who involved for this very special first year.