Meet Paige Elenson, Founder of Africa Yoga Project
Paige Elenson has taught me many things. Most important of all, she’s modeled how to serve.
I met Paige when she led my yoga teacher training in October 2016. I was in awe of her: powerful, eloquent, and able to pull out parts of me I didn’t know I had.
The final day of training, I, along with 130 of my fellow participants, watched lululemon’s documentary on Paige’s foundation, Africa Yoga Project.
This video is really impactful; I hope you take 20 minutes to watch it before you continue reading.
AYP mission statement
Africa Yoga Project Educates, Empowers, Elevates and Expands Employability with youth in Africa using the transformational practice of yoga. Our vision is to create opportunities for youth to step into their greatness and become self-sustaining leaders in their communities.
When I learned more about Africa Yoga Project and their mission to educate, empower, elevate and expand employability with youth in Africa (currently in over 20 African countries), I knew I wanted to help.
At the end of training, I told Paige I wanted to help. I fully expected to be given an address to mail a check, or a link to the website to make a donation.
Instead, she invited me to come to Kenya.
What?! At first I thought I heard wrong. How could I assist a yoga teacher training? I don’t even like yoga that much.
Fast forward six months, and I was in Kenya, assisting the annual 200-hour yoga teacher training program that is the start of a five-year journey for participants of the AYP Academy.
Paige’s superpower is seeing and believing in the greatest version of each person.
She does a lot of this work through yoga, and how she shows up in the world.
I am so grateful to know her, and am excited to introduce her to you!
welcome Paige Elenson!
Where can we find you?
On Instagram: @africayogaproject
Our website: africayogaproject.org
And in Kenya, at the Africa Yoga Project Shine Center
What lights you up inside?
I love movement - both physical and people getting together to create change
Paige and AYP teachers preparing for Global Happy Hour
10 Things! Respond with the first answer that pops into your head.
• I love… my daughter
• Favorite way to connect with friends... sweat life
• I am the best in the world at... finding amazing people to work with
• My favorite insta follow is... my mom
• Favorite way to sweat... yoga
• A book I love is.... How Can I Help by Ram Dass and Paul Gorman
• My biggest unicorn dream is to... economic equality for all people
• I serve my community by... saying yes
• The one thing I can't live without is... my daughter & coffee
• My favorite lululemon item is... align pants
What do you like most about your favorite lululemon product?
I feel and look like myself in lululemon - and the brand represents my values.
Paige and Octopizzo with the meal kits and sanitary kits AYP distributes during COVID.
Tell us about this one thing you can't live without!
My 7 year old daughter Penzi and I have so much fun dancing and dreaming together.
How do you practice kindness to your body?
Sweating everyday!
Paige and DJ leading Global Happy Hour to provide meal kits for AYPs community.
What else do you want to share with our community?
In Kenya, and in each of the countries AYP is in, we are striving to Amplify Black Voices #OurVoiceMatters campaign.
Go to our Instagram to meet our teachers and hear their stories. They lead breath work and teach on Instagram, too.
Click the button below!
We also host a Global Healthy Happy Hour event every Friday at 5pm EST. It’s an opportunity to come together, breathe, sweat, move, dance, and experience community while providing food and sanitary supplies for our community.
Join us!
Also, Baptiste Power Yoga Phoenix is donating the proceeds of our June classes to Africa Yoga Project. I am teaching tomorrow’s class (Saturday, June 13 at 9am PST).
Make a donation of any amount and join us for class!