About the workshop

Acknowledging the suffering and trauma so many fellow human beings are going through in different parts of the world, this workshop aims to give room to a few of their voices, from Internally Displaced People in South Sudan, landmine survivors in Colombia and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

The workshop will explore ways in which trauma-sensitive mindfulness, based on somatic body work, can be introduced into the MBSR program when implementing it in war zones. It will also offer perspectives on how mindfulness can be a valuable tool for self-care, emotional- and mutual regulation, and fostering compassion towards oneself and others. As key to being humane, sensitive and vulnerable in challenging humanitarian and emergency contexts.

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.