Yoga Shala: Capri, South Africa
Humanitarian Photography, South Africa
I began moving forward with humanitarian photography in 2017 when I felt a need to change directions with my life and photograph stories about what I believe my purpose should be.
My journey in this area was a slow start, especially when Covid-19 hit the world and with lockdowns in the United States, stopping my advancement. One day in early 2020, I decided it was time to move ahead regardless of the world shutting down in fear of a pandemic.
In this story, I wish to share my life in Capri, South Africa, living at Yoga Shala, in words, and pictures.
View from my balcony bedroom
Atlantic Ocean to my left
Yoga Shala: Capri, South Africa
Yoga Meaning: Union Shala Meaning: School
There are many Yoga Shala's around the world. Candi and Sydney, my Yoga Shala host in South Africa, has a blend of African buildings, art, and furnishing.
My Home for Two Months
Immediately when I stepped into Yoga Shala at 1:00AM Sunday morning, I felt I had come home. Every part of Yoga Shala felt like I had lived there for many years. Yoga Shala was full of warmth and love.
Yoga Shala Entrance
Master Chief - Sydney
A five star experience
Dinner @ Yoga Shala
Yoga Shala Dining Room
Dinner with the family
Charlette
Family Housekeeper from Masi
Yoga Room
Their main focus of Yoga Shala is on the principals of ' Service' or 'Karma' yoga. In the African language this translates into living the principles of Ubuntu or 'Humanity'.
Yoga Intern
Leonie Bruckner
Germany
Internships and Volunteers
Yoga Shala has hosted many interns and volunteers from around the world allowing them use their place as home base.
Candi and Sydney have invited many international people who have a wish to make the world a better place to live and help uplift and play a role in creating a sustainable future for the surrounding communities, while having the interns use Yoga Shala as an opportunity to explore the beauty of the people and the country.
Former Interns
Candi and Sydney, my host, pose with three former Roots Interns from Sweden. Of course, Bindi and Buddha, the house dogs had to get in the shot.
Visitors of Yoga Shala
Family visiting from Masi
Yoga Shala is situated in the Roodeberg Mountain range, on the South Peninsula of Cape Town which is at the end of the African continent. At the end of South Africa, which is at the most southern tip of the African continent, is where two oceans meet: the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
Yoga Shala is uniquely situated in close proximity to Masiphumelele township where many of the interns have played an active role in the sustainable development and prosperity for the surrounding communities.
Some of the Residents at Yoga Shala
Yoga Shala is not a retreat. The aim of Yoga Shala is to bring real and lasting development and change to local and worldwide communities. At Yoga Shala, future interns are invited with skills and knowledge to help promote human values, with the goal of educating and strengthening the interns’ values through service.
The end journey is to break the poverty cycle and create an abundant and sustainable future of all.
Local Attractions
Above: Local Kommetjie Grocery Store
Should you wish to shop at an American style store there are shopping centers nearby.
Cape Point Wine Vineyard Estates, Noorhoek, South Africa
Sitting at the restaurant enjoying a glass of wine.
Host and Owners of Yoga Shala, Capri, South Africa
Candice and Sidney
Candice Horgan
Coordinates the logistics for the HIV/ AIDS awareness programme in South Africa for 15 plus years. Candice works with the:
National Department of Health; USAID
Civil Society and NGO's in implementing the HIV // AIDS awareness programme in South Africa.
At the same time, she has implemented a wellness programme and youth leadership programme for the:
Art of Living Foundation and IAHV (International Association of Human Values)
IAHV teaches meditation and stress release techniques to 1000's of individuals; in South Africa
In 2010 Candice co-founded Projekt Ubuntu Community Projects with her life partner and soul mate, Sidney Ryan. Together they went on to host 5,000 international volunteers, working on a volunteer programme in South Africa.
The volunteer programme is aimed at teaching the values of the African principal of Ubuntu through service.
Budha & BindiCo-Written By:
Candice Hogan
Rick Rusch
Footnote:
It took three attempts to travel to South Africa, and two attempts to return home to the United States.
When returning home, the Dutch government closed their borders minutes of me entering into the Cape Town airport to anyone traveling out of South Africa, regardless of their citizenship.
The easiest way out then was through the Middle East, and I found only one airline that traveled to the United States - which was Qatar airlines.
My flight and my short stay at the airport in Qatar was a pleasant one, except for the $24 USD cup of coffee.
Also my photography gear was scanned separately, checking for explosives hidden in the equipment.
