ABSTRACT
From April to July 1994, the world witnessed genocide in Rwanda when the Hutu military, supported by the Hutu civilians mass slaughtered the Tutsi minority and moderate Hutu population. In 1994, 24.8 percent of genocide survivors in Rwanda exhibited classic symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Project Air is using yoga to help individuals in Rwanda to overcome the devastating effects of the genocide, genocidal rape, and sexual violence. Besides the psychological effects, the genocide left permanent physical marks to the Rwandese. Seeing the person from the holistic point of view, being healthy physiologically, mentally, and socially can be assumed to be helpful to overcome trauma. Yoga participants have experienced severe trauma and many have symptoms of PTSD. Calming people mind during yoga and using the power of breath in everyday work enabled one to stay focused. Better sleep made one feel energetic and young again. It was said "Yoga is like medicine." .
