Hindu music singer inaugurates project to spread yoga in Brazil’s favelas

By Eléonore Hughes

Dozens of Brazilian yoga aficionados saluted the sun in unison in a Rio de Janeiro favela for the inaugural class of a free course allowing residents of the low-income community to qualify as yoga teachers.

Krishna Das, a renowned American vocalist born Jeffrey Kagel and known for his performances of Hindu devotional music known as kirtan, led a spiritual practice and attendees prayed, sang, clapped and even danced.

“I felt like I was in another world,” Luciene Costa Gonzaga de Andrade said at the event Wednesday. “The mantras transcend the souls and transform sadness into joy. It was magical.”

Hairdresser Costa Gonzaga de Andrade, 54, is one of 20 people from Rocinha, Brazil’s most populous favela, or low-income neighborhood, who have signed up for the free training program offered by the Yoganaya International School and the company Mude.

She started practicing yoga to alleviate pain in her lower back. She used a cane for