Dorcas Murunga is a yoga teacher based in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a certified yoga teacher with the Africa Yoga Project and has been an inspiration to her local community. Dorcas is passionate about sharing the transformative power of yoga and has been teaching various styles of yoga, including power yoga, yin yoga, and African yoga. She is dedicated to meeting her clients where they are and helping them on their yoga journey.

Follow Dorcas on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/dorcas_murunga/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
Visit here here on The Africa Yoga Project website: https://www.africayogaproject.org/blogs/media/finding-me-on-the-mat-you-too-can-how-yoga-changed-my-life
Dorcas teaching on YouTube: 
https://youtu.be/S313HEIXxpo?si=SIKXaT8RfaIPlFUa
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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054493899233&mibextid=ZbWKwL

During this conversation Dorcas speaks about:

• How she discovered yoga as a way to lose weight and improve her health.
• Despite facing initial resistance, she has been able to change perceptions about yoga in her community and inspire others to embrace it.
• She believes that yoga is a powerful tool for personal transformation and encourages everyone to give it a try.

Native Yoga Toddcast: A Journey of Transformation and Empowerment

By Todd McLaughlin

Welcome to the Native Yoga Toddcast, where we bring you inspirational speakers in the field of yoga, massage, bodywork, and beyond. In this episode, we have a special guest, Dorcas Murunga, a yoga teacher from Nairobi, Kenya. Dorcas has been an incredible inspiration to her local community, sharing the transformative power of yoga. In this thought-provoking conversation, Dorcas shares her personal journey with yoga, the challenges she faced, and the impact it has had on her life and the lives of those around her.

Discovering Yoga: A Path to Transformation

Dorcas first encountered yoga in 2015 when she was looking for a way to lose weight and improve her health. She met a yoga teacher named Jamila and was immediately drawn to the practice. Despite the financial challenges of affording classes, Dorcas offered to exchange her African bags for yoga lessons. This marked the beginning of her yoga journey.

“It was challenging because of the weight. But interesting because it was a new practice. And interesting because I was finding the posture.” – Dorcas Murunga

From Student to Teacher: Empowering Others Through Yoga

As Dorcas continued her yoga practice, she realized the transformative power it had on her life. She decided to become a certified yoga teacher to maintain her practice and inspire others. Dorcas received a scholarship from the Africa Yoga Project and became a certified teacher in 2018. Since then, she has been teaching various styles of yoga, including power yoga, yin yoga, and African yoga.

“I teach yoga for kids. I teach power yoga, yin yoga, African yoga. And I’m always learning Kundalini yoga and practicing it for myself.” – Dorcas Murunga

Overcoming Stigma and Embracing Yoga as a Lifestyle

Dorcas faced opposition and stigma from her community, who believed that yoga conflicted with their religious beliefs. As a Christian, she had to navigate the challenges of integrating yoga into her faith. However, through her consistent practice and dedication, Dorcas was able to find balance between her Christian beliefs and the teachings of yoga.

“With consistency of researching and going deeper into the practice, it actually helped me to be a better Christian, if anything else.” – Dorcas Murunga

The Africa Yoga Project: Empowering Youth Through Yoga

Dorcas is also involved with the Africa Yoga Project, an organization founded by Paige Elenson. The project aims to empower youth in Africa through yoga, providing them with training and opportunities to become yoga teachers. Dorcas herself received a scholarship from the project, which enabled her to deepen her practice and share yoga with her community.

“I love that Africa Yoga Project has really impacted mostly the youth because it was targeting the youth and empowering them.” – Dorcas Murunga

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Growth

Like many yoga teachers around the world, Dorcas faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns and restrictions, she had to adapt to teaching online and find new ways to connect with her students. Despite the financial difficulties and loss of clients, Dorcas focused on the positive aspects of the situation, such as the opportunity to improve her verbal cueing and reach a wider audience through online platforms.

“I choose not to see any challenge. I choose to find options.” – Dorcas Murunga

The Future of Yoga in Africa: A Lifestyle and Unity

Dorcas believes that yoga will continue to grow in popularity in Africa, not just as a trend but as a lifestyle. With the increasing number of African yoga teachers and the accessibility of online platforms, more people are discovering the benefits of yoga and incorporating it into their daily lives. Dorcas envisions a future where yoga unites people from different backgrounds and cultures, promoting physical and emotional well-being.

“I invite those who are in need of transforming their lives to try yoga, if you need if you are in need of transforming your life, try different things with an open mind and deepen that practice for yourself and for people around us for the betterment of the world.” – Dorcas Murunga

Conclusion: A Journey of Transformation and Empowerment

Dorcas Murunga’s journey with yoga is a testament to the transformative power of the practice. From her initial encounter with yoga to becoming a certified teacher and inspiring her community, Dorcas has embraced yoga as a lifestyle and a tool for personal growth. Despite the challenges and stigma she faced, she remained resilient and focused on the positive impact yoga has had on her life and the lives of others. As yoga continues to gain popularity in Africa, Dorcas envisions a future where it becomes a unifying force, bringing people together and promoting well-being on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.

Dorcas Murunga’s story is a powerful reminder that yoga is not just a physical practice but a path to self-discovery, empowerment, and unity. Through her dedication and passion, she has transformed her own life and inspired others to do the same. As we navigate the challenges of the modern world, let us embrace the teachings of yoga and use them to create positive change in ourselves and our communities.

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