The founder of Yoga for Life in PNG Fazilah Bazari is in Vatican, Rome, for “The Sport at the Service of Humanity”, the first Global Conference on Faith & Sport.
She was invited along with other top figures in sports, government, religion and NGO's from around the globe with the focus of harnessing the power of yoga and sport and using it as a tool for human development.
Fazila’s participation comes following the Vatican’s recognition of the Yoga for Life and Walk for Life programs in the country.
The Vatican’s official mission is to validate and endorse sport and yoga by developing a declaration of principles and guiding values that express how sport and faith can serve the greater good in the service of Humanity.
They also wish to develop partnerships to put these principles into action.
Yoga for Life and Walk for Life programs have come to the attention of the Vatican, who see their activities as ones that promotes the guiding principles of “Sport in the Service of Humanity”.
Bazari, who is the founder of Yoga for Life and manager for Walk for Life said since the inception of these two programs, they have made a large impact in Port Moresby.
She noted the program attracted many young people with its philosophy and practice of non-violence, truthfulness, cleanliness, moderation, surrendering the work for the highest good of all, self-study and reflection.
“These principles are necessary and useful especially for our young people and they are taught in a yoga class weekly throughout the city.
“So many women have taken up yoga from the WFL program with women champions leading the change in their communities, sharing the above values and becoming teachers themselves. We are changing the people. Then they change their families, then their communities, then the people themselves change their city, and their country. The power is in the people. Yoga awakens this possibility of change.
The programs promote physical exercise and well-being in the city together with NCD Governor Powes Parkop, the founder of Walk for Life, who advocates preventative health care.
They also drive a community development message encouraging individuals to be the change that they seek in their own lives and communities.
Governor Parkop, proud that the city is being represented in a positive way through these programs, hopes that this will promote tourism, more sporting events and also boost investor trust in the city.
"By us representing Port Moresby positively in the world, it will help to boost tourism, investor trust and open our city to more international sporting events. These programs also help to achieve our goals of developing a Safe City, a Clean City and Healthy and Active city for all.”
The event began on October 5 and will end today.