By Yazmine Amina Soubra

In my morning meditation the principles of Ubuntu came up and although this term is familiar in my yoga practice and meditations, I stayed in the moment. Ubuntu became known in the West largely through the writings of Desmond Tutu, the archbishop of Cape Town who was a leader of the anti-apartheid movement and who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work.Ubuntu is a beautiful — and old — concept. According to Wikipedia, at its most basic, Ubuntu can be translated as “human kindness,” but its meaning is much bigger in scope than that — it embodies the ideas of connection, community, and mutual caring for all. Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee (watch her TED Talk) once defined using slightly different words than Varty: “I am what I am because of who we all are.”

Although Ubuntu is very difficult to render into a Western language. It speaks of the very essence of being human. When we want to give high praise to someone we say, ‘Yu, u nobunto’; ‘Hey so-and-so has ubuntu.’ Then you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. You share what you have. It is to say, ‘My humanity is inextricably bound up in yours.’ We belong in a bundle of life.”

In your yoga practice find a pose that resonated with your heart, mind and spirit. This morning my practice involved just standing in the space that I meditated to find myself on Mountain Pose.

Mountain Pose: mountain pose is the essence of stability and foundation.

How to do it: Place your hands on your heart. With your feet hip-width apart and parallel, stand rooted and tall. Keep your chest lifted, and make sure all four corners of each foot are planted on the ground. Hold for 10 slow breaths. 

Why it works: Pausing at the start of your yoga flow gives you the chance to observe how your body is feeling without judgment, while slowing down the breath and enjoying the present moment. It also encourages good posture as the spine lengthens upward.

Mandela is the true definition of Ubuntu, as he used this concept to lead South Africa to a peaceful post-apartheid transition. He never had the intention of teaching our oppressors a lesson. Instead, he operated with compassion and integrity, showing us that for us to be a better South Africa, we cannot act out of vengeance or retaliation, but out of peace.

Tutu speaks words for us to ponder and apply to our own lives, “We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world,” he said. “When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.”

This is exactly what Ubuntu is about, it’s a reminder that no one is an island — every single thing that you do, good or bad, has an effect on your family, friends, and society. It also reminds us that we need think twice about the choices we want to make and the kind of impact they may have on others.

As things start to open up, and you are ready to move beyond your yoga practice at home, join us for Yoga in the Park in Berkeley.

When: Every Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 am -10:30am beginning March 16th& 18th sign up here Purusha Yoga

Where: Willard Park, in the Northwest corner by the tennis courts

What: Somatic Hatha Flow classes are based on classical Hatha yoga poses. We flow slowly through poses taking time to notice the nuances of the poses, and matching movements with breath. Carmen and Rachel integrate somatic therapy modalities into the yoga practice, which means the practice will help you to increase body and sensation awareness, breath awareness and control, and other techniques to help regulate and calm the nervous system. All levels are welcome and will be accommodated. Classes are judgment free and welcoming to all.

These classes are a part of the Purusha Yoga School & Purusha Seva Non-profit. **Masks and social distancing are required. Please bring your own mat and props.**

I Am Because We Are

Imagine if we could apply ubuntu in every society, where self-centeredness is replaced with selflessness, hatred with appreciation, and anger with kindness. Ubuntu reveals the importance of our connection to each other. It creates a mindset to uplift one another rather than tear down what makes us unique as individuals. Desmond Tutu defines ubuntu this way, “My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in what is yours.”