EMBARC’s new Yoga Classes Aim to Improve Mental Health and Community for Burma Refugees
EMBARC volunteer Steffi S. Lee demonstrates a yoga pose for EMBARC’s free yoga class.
Every Friday, a group of refugees and immigrants from Burma gather in Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center’s (EMBARC) Franklin office to practice yoga. EMBARC’s Burma Family Focus team hosts the free yoga classes led by Steffi S. Lee, an EMBARC volunteer and certified yoga instructor.
Since launching in late August, the class offers an hour for individuals to care for their physical and mental health after a busy week. A regular yoga practice can lead to improved strength, balance, and flexibility, and help reduce stress, according to studies published by the John Hopkins Hospital. Because of this, yoga proves especially helpful for back pain, arthritis, and heart health. And it can give everyone better sleep, more energy, and better moods.*
Yoga can benefit everyone, said Lee, who completed 200 hours of training to receive her instructor certification.
“I think breathing, being grounded in your breath, is really beneficial and lets you take a step back and be present,” Lee said. This simple practice can ease stress and improve mental health.
“One lady came because she wanted to see how it could benefit her mental health,” Lee added.
Lal Muani, a participant in the class, seconded this sentiment. Muani had no previous yoga experience, but emphasized Lee’s skill teaching new students.
Lee ends each session with savasana, a yoga pose where participants lie flat on their back, close their eyes, and try to relax every part of their bodies.
“The savasana is the best part. I have never felt relaxed like when we’re done with the yoga class and [Lee] tells us to rest. And I feel like the time when we relax, it’s 100% relaxing. That’s how I feel, I feel light,” Muani said.
Yoga can also provide a space to build community among Iowa refugees.
“Being there and being present and being welcomed is a good way for the Burma and refugee community to come together,” Lee said. “Sometimes it’s just being with the community. I know that’s something that’s been beneficial for me. Being part of a yoga class can be beneficial in terms of connecting with others in your community.”
Lee volunteered for EMBARC starting October 2020. At first, she worked with the Burma Family Focus team. The team partnered her with a mother and her kids, and she has worked closely with that family for the past year.
Lee’s wide range of skills quickly offered more opportunities at EMBARC. Lee is a law student at Drake Law School, where she trains in writing and presentation, among other legal skills. She plied her writing skills to write video scripts for EMBARC’s weekly resource videos.
Her presentation skills proved invaluable to EMBARC’s IT Navigator classes. She trained two IT navigators on presentation and how to effectively teach and convey new skills for the students in the class.
Yoga helped her cope with the stress of her previous job.
“I worked as a reporter for a couple years. And that’s how I started to realize the benefits of yoga because I was constantly on the go and away a lot,” Lee said.
Her yoga training offered her another opportunity to help the Burma community with EMBARC. Henny Ohr, executive director of EMBARC, suggested Lee lead a yoga class for community members.
“Henny approached me when she heard I had my certification. We talked and she explained what her vision was for helping EMBARC’s community with yoga,” Lee said.
EMBARC’s free weekly yoga class can only accommodate 25 participants, but the class has room for more community members, and anyone can and should join, Lee said, even those with no yoga experience.
“Sometimes the idea of doing yoga can seem intimidating because sometimes it just feels very unknown,” Lee said. “Having it be accessible and being something that everyone can be involved in is a benefit, because it should be and it is absolutely a practice everyone can be involved in.”
Lee particularly welcomes those new to EMBARC or new to Iowa. “If anyone is available and wanting to be part of the EMBARC community, they’re welcome to join,” she said.
Yoga helps build community and meet new people in a relaxed way, making it perfect for new community members.
The Family Focus team’s yoga classes are offered for free every Friday from 4 to 5 pm. Classes meet at 4801 Franklin Avenue in Des Moines. Yoga mats are provided, but classes involve lying on the ground, so bring a blanket or pillow if you want extra support. To join, call Lal Muani if you speak Burmese or Chin (515-339-1525), Iris Tun if you speak Karen (515-473-0977) or Pray Meh if you speak Karenni (515-306-7725).