Writer: Linus Oberhoff - DIZ Volunteer
Written on: 28th November 2024
Feel free to watch the recap video here.
After years of practice, you realise that yoga is not a sport. It changes how you perceive the world, how you interact with others, it changes your life. And the foundation for all of that is your breath.“ On 24th November, Hoa Bella gave insight into yoga that changed her life. As a C4C woman, she was the special guest of chapter four “Whispers of Wellness” of the workshop series “Voices of Resilience”. We as international C4C volunteers were honored to take part in this event.
The workshop gave a glimpse how meaningful yoga is to Bella, who is a yoga teacher. By instructing basic yoga exercises and introducing us to the breathing techniques, we had the opportunity to experience some of the benefits of practicing yoga and mindfulness ourselves. But sharing her life story is what really puts her teachings into perspective.
Being the only daughter of the family amongst her three brothers, her mother suggested early on that she should abandon school, because she as a woman would only need the basic skills of counting and reading. To prove that she could provide for herself and for her education, she cut and sold wood to earn the school’s fee herself. Pursuing her school career, she had to defy all odds and overcome a head injury she sustained while cutting wood, her brother falling severely ill and her mother being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Bella gave birth to two kids. Albeit being happy and proud of her beautiful son and daughter, the births had caused her serious back problems. After ending her difficult marriage, she had to provide for the family by herself. That was when Covid hit and jobs were cut across the world. In this time of severe hardships, she relied on yoga to foster her inner strength and her physical wellbeing. This was also when she encountered a community of single mothers that she met at C4C. Being able to share experiences and challenges, uplifting others and strengthening body and mind by practicing yoga gave Bella the resilience that she had demonstrated her whole life.
The life story of Bella is an inspiring example of resilience and endurance to overcome obstacles and hardships in life. Although people did not always believe in her, treated her badly or misused their position of power against her, she had the strength to carry on and the power to remain a kind and loving person. This is what she wants the community to hear: Connecting with yourself and others can help you overcome challenges, and finding a community of like-minded people and practising yoga is a great way to achieve that.
I want to thank C4C for hosting this event, inviting us to take part in it and providing excellent English translations. And I am thankful for Bella’s openness in sharing her life story with us.
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