About the workshop

Restoring dignity as part of healing has been a core theme for postcolonial southern Africa and the global South. What are the practices that bring heartfulness, courage and presence when facing difficult contexts and histories? How does the relationship I have with my ancestors play into this? What do we remember of their ancient ways? What role do inner work and self-realisation practices play in fostering the patience, robustness and momentum needed for transforming wounded social realities? Where do we even begin?

We invite you into a circle to explore the questions that matter to you in this regard, sharing some of the realities and learnings from Southern Africa, Colombia, South Sudan, Bangladesh and Yemen spanning diverse realms of work from mindfulness-based programmes, trauma therapy, to gardening, to dance, yoga, movement and breath work. 

About the workshop holder

Paula is a Colombian national. While studying Anthropology—and because of an illness—she became curious about the ways in which human beings can build peace from within, and how resilience and healing can be inspired and guided through the body. She began her humanitarian work in India, Nepal, Thailand and Burma working for the Tibetan Government in Exile among others. Paula has been Co-Directing RESPIRA in Colombia (now Breathe International) since 2013 where through mindfulness, somatic body work and anthropology she has worked with teachers in conflict affected areas, survivors of torture, Gender Based Violence and landmines in Colombia, South Sudan and with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh for the International Organization for Migration (IOM). She has an MA in Conflict Transformation from Javeriana University, is an MBSR teacher from the University of San Diego California, and is a Trauma Sensitive Yoga facilitator through the Trauma Center in Boston.