Dhurva S's Senior Project Blog
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Project Title: Yoga for Wellness: Enhancing Well-Being in Indigenous Communities BASIS Advisor: Heiko Brunken Internship Location: Oaklahoma City, Oklahoma Onsite Mentor: Mr. Anil Kothari |
Project Abstract
Yoga holds the power to transform lives by fostering physical and mental well-being. This project leverages that potential to improve health among Native American communities in Oklahoma through yoga classes. By introducing accessible wellness practices, the initiative seeks to promote both individual and communal well being. The project will be conducted in collaboration with the International Center for Cultural Studies (ICCS) and local tribal leaders in Oklahoma. This location was selected due to established partnerships, the community's openness to such initiatives, and the abundance of opportunities to expand the program's impact. Success will be evaluated through participant surveys, levels of engagement, and qualitative improvements observed throughout the program. The anticipated outcome is an enhancement in participants' physical and mental health, as well as a deeper understanding of how culturally sensitive wellness programs can benefit underserved communities.
Week Ten: Finishing
Welcome all to my final blog post. Over these past ten weeks I have learned so much about Pueblo culture. On top of that I have also learned more about Apache and Navajo culture that I have not mentioned in this blog. In specific I learned more about the Mescalero Apache. It is very encouraging... Read More
Week Nine: Pueblo Languages
Welcome all to my ninth blog post. One of the many parts of each Pueblo nation's inherent identity is its unique language. Not all Pueblo nations have the same language. Pueblo languages are not all from the same language family. Instead, they belong to several distinct linguistic groups. The majority of Pueblo languages come from... Read More
Week Eight: Pueblo Pottery
Welcome all to my eight blog post. Pueblo pottery dates back thousands of years and has ingrained itself into the unique culture of Pueblos. The most common form of pottery worldwide is the wheel-thrown method. Here, clay is placed onto a spinning wheel. Then the potter would rotate the wheel and shape the vessel. This... Read More
Week Seven: Regalia
Welcome all to my sixth blog post. When celebrating their spiritual dances, the Pueblo wear various regalia. The regalia differs from each culture and event. The regalia donned during these dances were reflective of the nature surrounding them. Often these natives would wear animal hides to beckon this spirit within them. For example, if one... Read More
Week Six: Cultural Ceremonies
Welcome all to my sixth blog post. While Kivas are a large part of Pueblo spirituality, it is also important to note the value dances play in their culture. Before the Spanish conquests, the Pueblo tribes had dances for many events. Each event and tradition had its own dance with its own style and custom.... Read More
Week Five: Kiva Findings
Welcome all to my fifth blog post. Many of the Pueblo people that I have seen are practicing Catholics. But as we already know this was not the case for a majority of their history and it was only recently that they were converted by the Spanish. After conversion, many of these people would still... Read More
Week Four: Continued Discovery
Welcome all to my fourth blog post. The Santa Ana Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo, and the Kewa Pueblo are all located on the Rio Grande River. They have beautiful adobe houses located on both sides of the bank and are backdropped by the very edges of the Rocky Mountains. First, we went to the Santa... Read More
Week Three: Further Exploration
Welcome all to my third blog post. Usually when going to any Pueblo nation a message such as this is posted. Generally, the guidelines go like this. In the Pueblo villages, photography is allowed. However, when it comes to the church, photography is not allowed. Photography especially is not allowed in the graveyard right in... Read More
Week Two: First Site Placement
Welcome all to my second blog post. This week I traveled to the New Mexico. All the native cultures in New Mexico are divided into three traditions. The Pueblo, the Aztec, and the Navajo. All these traditions are distinct and in them they each have they’re on certain groups and qualities. When considering majority of... Read More
Week One: Introduction
Welcome all to my first blog post of many narrating my journey. The purpose of my project is to understand and learn more about native cultures and also to implement a yoga curriculum. The best way to do this is to explore and understand these cultures first hand. For this reason I will be travelling... Read More