YOGA FOR LIFE

About Yoga for Life

MISSION

Yoga for Life aims to promote yoga in the Philippines as an effective complementary therapy to western medicine for those living with HIV, as well as a supplementary venue for convergence among those who live with, are affected by, and support the fight against HIV.

VISION

Through a heightened awareness and holistic understanding of HIV, health, and self, we envision Yoga for Life to be the foundation of an empowered positive community and an enlightened society that live positively and live well.

HOW WE BEGAN

Charmaine Cu-Unjieng and Paulo Leonido first met in 2010 during their Yoga Teachers’ Training. Together six days a week for two months, they got to know each other, and clicked. Call it dharma. They were both passionate about HIV and yoga. Call it fate. They even had the same birthday. Call it whatever you want. They became proud parents of the idea of yoga for the HIV community.

With her contacts at EchoYoga, and his contacts at the Philippine General Hospital and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Charmaine and Paulo developed a yoga program designed for the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Soon, with some of the most dynamic people, each an HIV advocate in their own right, they formed the Core Group, whose work and dedication would help bring Yoga for Life to fruition. And on 02 June 2010, we held the first Yoga for Life class for our first 14 students.

The first months were like walking on thin ice, as we needed to get people to open up to either experiencing yoga or facing the issue of HIV, or in some cases, a combination of both. But as our newbies become regulars, who invite friends, who invite friends, it is the Yoga for Life community itself that is helping us evolve into what we need to be on the holistic road to wellness, inner peace, and self-empowerment.

In April 2011, ten months and 300 members since it began, we formalized Yoga for Life as a non-stock, non-profit entity with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with the purpose to conduct sessions of yoga and other related disciplines to serve as complementary therapy for those living with HIV, as well as supplementary venue for convergence among those who live with, those who are affected by, and those who support the fight against HIV.

Today, we, the Core Group, strive for more ways to serve the growing YFL community, so we may continue to reach more people and build a community of advocates who, through yoga, shall share their energies towards living positively and living well.

E-mail: yogaforlife.ph@gmail.com
Mobile Phone Number:
0917-5404247 Charmaine
0917-3889658 Paulo

Information: If you have questions or comments, or if you would like to make a donation to support the cause of Yoga for Life, whether in cash or in kind - brand new or gently used yoga mats, yoga straps, yoga towels, water bottles, etc. - or if you would like to share with us your time and knowledge as a guest yoga instructor or resource person, please do not hesitate to contact YFL.

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Posted in: Fitness,HIV Awareness,Organization