Uzima Space: Your Ultimate Glocal Destination for Authentic Wellness Retreats in Zanzibar.

Harmonizing Local and Global: Tailor-Made Well-Being Retreats in Zanzibar

Experience the epitome of destination wellness in Zanzibar with Uzima Space. Discover how our mindfully made retreats creating the difference for expats, travellers, and residents offering ´Rest, Replenish, Reset ´ Experience.

Blissful Yoga Retreats Ranging from a Weekend Escape To Week-Long Rejuvenation

Uzima Community Space for Wellbeing takes pride in creating wellness retreats specifically tailored to the needs and preferences of expats, travelers and residents. From carefully selected accommodation options to curated weekend wellness programs, we leave no stone unturned in ensuring that your retreat experience is nothing short of extraordinary. We design programmes to accommodate all individuals with varying schedules. From busy Zanzibari moms seeking tranquility to digital nomads working remotely on the island, our yoga retreats cater to diverse lifestyles, offering a serene escape for every soul.

Immersive Wellness in UNESCO World Heritage Site- Stone Town

´Mji Mkongwe´ also known as a Stone Town in Zanzibar, with its breathtaking historical landscapes and cultural heritage, serves as a spurios backdrop for your wellness journey. Uzima Space offers a tranquil space where you can fully immerse yourself in the ´Pole Pole´ lifestyle while delving into a range of wellness practices. Whether you seek to rejuvenate through invigorating yoga sessions, find peace through meditation, or indulge in holistic therapies, our community wellbeing space is open for you from Monday to Sunday .

Embracing Zanzibar's Rich Culture with Local Teachers and Healers Amidst Enchanting Aromas and Scenic Delights

Zanzibar, where we invite you to dive deep into the heart of the island's vibrant culture offers a truly authentic encounter with the island's traditions, as we proudly collaborate with local yoga teachers and healers, bringing their expertise to enrich your practice. Immerse yourself in an extraordinary experience, not just through the practice of yoga, but by connecting with the essence of Zanzibar. Our studio embraces the therapeutic wisdom handed down through generations, and let it resonate with your mind, body, and soul.

In addition to the invaluable teachings, prepare to be mesmerized by the scents and scenes that surround you. The air carries the hypnotic fragrance of exotic spices and tropical blooms, heightening your senses during your sessions. Our studio's setting is thoughtfully designed to provide awe-inspiring feel of Zanzibar's natural beauty. Feel the gentle town breeze tenderly caressing your skin as you settle into your yoga poses, while the sweet melodies of local birds and the gentle whispers of the ocean create a harmonious symphony around you.

Embrace this extraordinary fusion of yoga and Zanzibar's vibrant spirit, leaving with a renewed sense of peace and a heart filled with the beauty of this tropical paradise.

Author -contributor Anastasia Popova, blogger, content creator & Uzima Space grateful student

Find Your Inner Peace & Perfect Yoga Practice with Karuna’s Eco-Friendly Non-Slip Yoga Mats.

Unique Swahili Design & Names Inspired by East Africa: A Collaboration between Karuna Lifestyle and Uzima Textile

Yoga mats are a great way to provide individual comfort and stability while you practice your yoga poses and meditation for everyone who enjoys ‘me time’.
What if you could find a state-of-art yoga mat that not only makes your journey more fulfilling but also adds creativity and mindfulness into the mix?

Introducing microfibre eco-friendly non-slip extra-soft and thin Karuna’s Yoga Mats – they look like art canvases, are easy to clean, and fold up neatly so they don’t take up much space in your bag.

Not only do these mats have Swahili names and provide all of the benefits of regular yoga mats such as cushioning and stability, but they also make an artistic statement wherever you go.

Bahari ‘Ocean’ in Swahili

Inspired by the waves crashing along the shores of East Africa, these Bahari yoga mats are designed and curated with love by experienced yogis and textile artists to embrace water that represents divine generosity and personification of healing, protection, and vulnerability, change.

With their abyssal colors and unique designs, these yoga mats add beauty to your practice while helping you stay connected to the Ocean’s energy.

Each one is unique with its own design, made out of 100% natural and biodegradable rubber with a soft touch finish means that no matter where or how often you use them, they won’t harm the environment either!
These durable creative yoga mats will help inspire mindful moments wherever you are.

All yoga mats are available with two thickness options for cushioned or travel purposes - 4 mm and 1.5 mm

They create an inviting atmosphere for both meditation sessions and mindfulness workouts alike and create that ‘zen’ feeling throughout the practice.

Duara

‘Circle’ in Swahili

Inspired by the cultural confluence of African Coast, these Duara yoga mats feature a bold and striking circle motif. The circular shape has deep spiritual meaning in geometry, symbolizing wholeness and infinity. This beautiful design is perfect for any yogi looking to add some extra style to their practice.

These durable creative travel yoga mats will help inspire mindful moments during your travels. They create an inviting atmosphere for both meditation sessions and vigorous workouts alike which will leave you feeling energized throughout your trip.

Mji Mkongwe

‘Stone Town’ in Swahili

These Mji Mkongwe yoga mat designs are inspired by the beautiful architecture and vibrant colors of Stone Town, Zanzibar. The intricate patterns feature a mix of traditional Swahili designs with modern geometric shapes to create a unique look that will add style to any home or studio. A perfect combination of comfort and beauty, this mat is sure to inspire your practice each time you step on it.

This medium to high grip with moisture designs aesthetic yoga mats are designed to help reduce the risk of slipping during poses. This is especially important when doing poses that require balance or stability, as any unexpected slippage could lead to an injury.

Additionally, the increased grip provides extra cushioning and support while practicing yoga, which can be beneficial in helping practitioners maintain proper alignment and form during their practice.

Kanga

East African Fabric

Name in Swahili

Inspired by the beautiful bright colors

and

patterns of traditional East African fabric used commonly by Swahili women, these Kanga

yoga mats feature a colorful patterned top layer and are intricately detailed, which represent the diverse beliefs of East African` women’s traditions and their ultimate resilience and strong spirit.

Not only will these mats provide comfort and support during your practice; but they will also help ensure that each step of your journey is taken with respect for the planet.

… And the cherry on top!

All 1,5 mm travel yoga mats can be folded neatly, take no extra space in the bag, and can be used as a towel with their extra soft finish.

It`s the most innovative way to make the most out of your workout gear.

Practice Yoga, Manifest, and Meditate with Karuna’s Soft and Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats!

Author -contributor Anastasia Popova, blogger, content creator & Uzima Space grateful student

Experience The Joys of Zanzibar Living with Uzima, a Perfect Place for Expat Well-Being in Stone Town.

Living in Zanzibar is a dream come true for many expats. The island has an abundance of natural beauty, as well as cultural and historical attractions that make it one of the most desirable locations to live abroad.

However, with all these wonderful opportunities comes the need to ensure that you are taking care of your physical and mental health.

This is where Uzima Community Space for Well-being comes in – a place dedicated to helping expats achieve optimal well-being through their own unique approach to holistic health. At Uzima Well-being we believe that our clients should be able to enjoy life in Zanzibar without worrying about their physical or mental well-being. Our holistic approach combines traditional medicine practices with modern evidence-based treatments to help you find balance within yourself and create lasting positive change in your life.

We provide individualized treatments such as yoga therapy, meditation classes, personal development workshops, massage therapies, herbal remedies, and lifestyle education so that you can get back into balance quickly while still enjoying the wonders of living in this beautiful country. The importance of well-being cannot be overstated when it comes to living abroad; not only will it help keep you feeling healthy and energized but it can also have a huge impact on your overall happiness levels too!

By taking steps towards improving your wellness today at Uzima, you’ll be setting yourself up for success tomorrow and beyond by having more energy available for work or leisure pursuits throughout your stay here on Zanzibar Island.

“We understand how difficult adjusting from one culture or environment into another can be; whether it’s language barriers or just getting used to new customs so we strive to make sure each client feels comfortable during every step of their journey towards better well-being here at Uzima Community Well-being Space in Stone Town.”

— Dominique Davant

With our experienced team members who have had plenty of experience working with people from different cultures around the world, we are confident enough that no matter what problem someone might face, our team would always try hard enough until they find appropriate solutions. Not only do we offer comprehensive services designed specifically for expats living on Zanzibar Island but we also provide online support through our website which allows individuals access resources such as articles written by local experts about various topics related to wellness even when they aren’t able physically to attend any sessions held by us.

We want everyone who visits us to feel like part family here at Uzima! In addition, at our space there’s always something going on; from workshops offered throughout the year focusing on different aspects of wellness to special events held once per month (like group yoga classes, retreats, and healing experiences )for everyone interested to join!

So if ever wanted to learn more about keeping mind-body healthy while experiencing the amazing culture found only here then please don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime. For those looking to take advantage of some spectacular views of beaches, Uzima provides the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind after a long day exploring city streets and nearby villages!

Whether prefer to spend time alone reading a book under palm trees near the shoreline or go swimming and explore coral reefs located close by – either way, guaranteed leave feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the future brings next!

At Uzima we strive to create an atmosphere that promotes relaxation and peace of mind along with providing the necessary tools needed to maintain optimal levels of both physical and mental health.

If looking to improve your quality of life while staying true to values and traditions found locally then look no further than right here!

Karibuni Sana!

Author -contributor Anastasia Popova, blogger, journalist & Uzima Space grateful student

Emotion - the human experience

by Lebopo Letshwiti Siliwoniuk

We found ways to connect with emotion last so time to get dirty with it!

I’m sure we have all come across that one human who swears to not have any emotion,
the demigod of sensation, who we know, contrary to their statement(s) is an emotionally
charged human with a socialised ability to pretend feelings do not exist, until they exist,
and lets be honest - they exist!

We all experience emotion(s), they make up a huge part of our human experience. These
strange ever changing sensations which rise and fall and, come and go, are felt
throughout the day with or without reason. Some emotions feel enormous and all
consuming. The “easier” ones are recognised as happiness/ enjoyment / fulfilment ,etc.,
the more “difficult” ones are closer to anger/ disappointment/ frustration, etc.,. In certain
circumstances we can almost predict the arrival or departure of our emotions, but mostly
the unpredictability of our day has them on shuffle.

The moment I truly began to understand emotions and my human experience was during
Vipassana. I remember a lot of focus on craving and aversion, like how we crave and
avert emotions. Before sitting I would set expectations, if ever I fell short, a correction
needed to be made. A few days of observation revealed how each sitting was a
completely different experience, there is no way to predict what we are met with. Each
day I was simply facing myself, all my basic needs met and I had little to no external
stimulus, I was in the “perfect” environment, yet my own differences remained in each
moment. This simple observation was immensely profound for me, I managed to identify
an absolute norm: ‘the observation of ones changing nature is the key to self realisation”.

I swear when you are able to identify your own s*!t your life changes instantly! From that
moment the sittings became more of a game, a window to understand and unpack my
personal experience.

Yes, the world around us is ever-changing and all consuming, yet so are we, this is our
human-nature. We too are in constant states of evolution, emotions are our individual
guides toward growth (and expansion). Basically, what I am getting at is how our
emotions are the perfect tools to navigate our healing and fulfilment, the secret is to learn
how to sit with the emotions in all their sensational glory, its nonjudgmental self
observation. I felt unstoppable by the end of vippassan. The exercise of sitting with self
on a daily basis, and learning how to self sooth before projecting myself created a unique
simplicity. Out of this incubator the experience is different, it requires immense self
restraint and discipline. The worldly distractions continue yet we must remain with our
super power. A lot of this is easier said than done, it seems practice and consistency are
key pillars here.

And just when you think you have the hang of it all the craving and aversion begin, the
unrealistic desire to live within a single sensation, the desire to experience only happiness
(or a similar ‘positive” emotion). When we do not get the desired experience or outcome
we begin to think we are broken, something is wrong with us. Yes, there may be
immense sadness in our hearts but here lays our greatest teacher, here is our conscious
sign to shift, to evolve, to slowly remember who we are.

Very often it is not the fault of another but rather the effect of the choices we have made
and/or conditioning that is yet to be addressed. This is when we must surrender, this is
the hardest time to sit. But you sit, you sit and let the tears poor down your face, you sit
and doubt all of you're being, you sit and observe that deep seated hatred you hoard
within you, you sit in anger, you sit in annoyance, you sit. In these moments we rewire our
consciousness, we remember how we are everything and nothing, we remember how we
are not our emotions, we remember how to heal, we remember how to love and we inch
closer to our primal vibration.

Thank you for reading this. Thank you for allowing me to share. I hope you take the time
to sit with yourself and for those that need a little more guidance please check out the last
article!

With love and Light,

Namasté

Self Check-ins

by Lebopo Letshwiti Siliwoniuk

Let’s talk about self check-ins, and I don’t mean the check-in you do when you’re about to board a flight. I’m talking about a self check-in that requires silence and mindfulness.

Most conversations start with a “Hi, how are you” followed by the generic response of “I’m good”, “I’m well” or “I’m okay thank you”, although there is usually more to this answer. We have been socialised to respond accordingly and for some reason we hardly ever ask ourselves how we are. I think the first few times you take a moment to ask yourself how you are, it is a rather strange feeling and, instinctively you jump into your socialised response.

WHY SELF CHECK-IN

We don’t always have energy for a yoga class or the patience for a meditation, nor are these the only ways to connect with ourselves. An alternative way to slowdown and connect to the present moment at any time of day is by asking yourself “how are you?”. A great thing about self check-ins is that you are able to observe and sort through your emotions, allowing you to decipher what your emotional and/or physical needs are, where they are lacking or abundant etc., and, from there you can create an intentional plan of action to personally ensure your emotional balance and wellbeing.

As a new mom I also find myself needing to regulate and sort through many new emotions and experiences during the days. Check-ins helps me compartmentalise the rise and falls of my emotions, allowing me to integrate these emotions into the experience. It’s the perfect exercise for a busy schedule.

WHEN TO SELF CHECK-IN

In moments where you feel deeply but are super confused by the emotions that arise this is an exceptional tool. Let’s say you feel a particular way around someone but can’t quite put your finger on it, a self check-in is the perfect tool to sort through the emotions and actions. You will be able to see if it’s a person or possibly a past trauma that prompts certain reactions or sensations, hopefully eliminating the reaction and enabling you to act accordingly.

A personal example of this is with my husband, at times my initial response is to react in a manner that criticises him and who he is but, in actual fact the emotions that arise are caused by underlining trauma responses, which I am required to actively confront. And true to fact, at times there are trauma responses that he imposes on me, requiring him to check-in with self.

Other great times to perform a self check-in is when clouded by emotions, decisions and/or options. Maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the bed or, someone just looked at you funny, or, maybe you just need to connect a little more. Whatever the case is, a self check-in is extremely beneficial to deepen your self-awareness.

HOW TO SELF CHECH-IN

The Self Check-in Check list:

✓ Find stillness: The best form of stillness will be in your external environment. Find a comfortable and quiet space where you can be, or just feel alone. The less distraction the better, so walk away from any electronics or stimulus.

✓ Posture: Tune into your body. When starting off find a comfortable seat, if you desire (or the occasion calls for), you may stand or lay down. No matter what you decide make sure; the parts of you in contact with the ground are deeply rooted, relax your anus (sounds weird but you’ll thank me later), straighten your spine, gently and comfortably pull your navel to spine, drop your rib cage and engage the abdomen, shoulders are relaxed, relax your arms - give them a shake if you like, ensure your jaw is relaxed/ unclenched, the tip of your chin is parallel to the ground, and the crown of your head reaches up to the heavens. Relax the entire body with this awareness.

✓ Breath: Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth. You can do this as many times as you feel, as vigorous or as slow as you desire! Keep the BREATH FULLL! INHALE DEEPLY, EXHALE COMPLETELY (I can never stress this enough). Add some movement here if it feels right. On your final breath(s) make an intention, you can make your own or use the following prompt: “I release all negativity, I surrender my desires, I allow all possibility.” Say it as many times as you desire. Keep the breath long and strong as you repeat.

✓ Pop the question: “How are you *insert your name* ?

✓ Body Scan: Allow your awareness to scan through your body and feel into the different limbs and organs of the body. Repeat the question. Take your time. Breath into any difficulty or discomfort, do not name or shame, simply observe.

✓ Sit: Sit with the emotions, sensations, images, words, numbers - what ever it is that came up, sit with it. If nothing seems to come up remain with the emotions and/or sensations, remain in the present moment and connect. Be observant here, do not identify it, just observe it. The issue is not the emotion, the issue is the trigger and the reaction so sit and simply observe.

✓ Rewrite it: If it so happens change is required, know the past is the past, what has happened has happened, the present moment is here and now, and the future is yet to come. You can change your reaction, you accept only the best. Now, reimagine what the best response or feeling, feels, sounds, and tastes like. Reimagine how you truly desire to feel and/or respond. Feel into this with immense loving kindness, it doesn’t matter if the other person was in the wrong, the focus is on you, how you can best navigate your way.

✓ Plan of action: Identify your plan of action for the future. The best route for you to proceed with the life you choose. Look at the different actions or activities requiring you to change, keep or add, to your life to ensure your happiness.

✓ Release it: Release it all! Inhale deeply and exhale completely. Apologise to the other person and yourself. Accept your own apology, forgive yourself. Thank yourself for taking the time to check in with yourself. Create an intention to mindfully move forward with your plan of action.

✓ Write it down: Optional but very impactful.

Remember, as simple as this exercise may seem there are layers to it. It might take a few attempts before you can connect and answer truthfully. At times you may even be tempted to avoid the answer due to the emotions or feelings that begin to arise. The most important thing is to sit and observe, know that all emotions are valid, there are no good or bad emotions, they just are, and, you are allowed to feel.