As the non-profit arm of Synergy Yoga, Synergy Rising is dedicated to expanding life choices for the youth of Peru’s Sacred Valley through martial arts, dance, and wellness. Together, we are building more than just a physical space—we are creating a sanctuary for learning, growth, and community.
In 2007 Synergy Rising started yoga programs and helped build a school in Umasbamba, Peru. The program was called Intikchurikuna “children of the Sun”. The intention of the school was to celebrate the arts and folk stories of the region while providing the local youth with a great education. Graduates from Synergy Yoga teacher trainings served as volunteers teaching yoga to the youth as part of their teacher training programs.
In 2009 Synergy Rising started a second school “La Escuela Javelita” in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The intention of the school was to maintain the traditional Mayan education system in areas that the youth were not receiving government support. The school was named after la señora Javelita, a local leader who always envisioned bringing the youth in her community an education that honored Mayan tradition and maintained the language.
At Inuka the youth benefit from free dance; capoeira angola; and knowledge-based workshops for youth in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. The program grew out of an initiative that was established by Kibera resident, community organizer and self-taught breaker (breakdancer), Victor Onyango. Following Kenya’s 2007 post-election violence, which left communities like Kibera in shambles, Victor became inspired to create a safe space for creative expression for youth in the community.
Years Later, Victor connected with Synergy Yoga Co-Director, Salim Rollins and invited him to teach the Afro-Brazilian martial, capoeira angola, to youth in the community. Through this collaboration, the seeds of Inuka were planted. The programs included in inuka are Slum Dance Africa; Capoeira Kibera; and The Empowerment Program for Teen Girls.
Today in Sayarisun, we are in the process of purchasing a 250 sq meters property to establish the martial arts and dance in residence center for the youth of Urubamba, Peru. Synergy Yoga & Synergy Rising Co Director Francisco Morales-Bermudez will be moving to Urubamba to develop the program and begin teaching martial arts to the youth of Urubamba. He will be the second center he is involved in developing in the Sacred Valley. The property of Sayarisun is along the Qhapaq Ñan (the Inca road) a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A program of Synergy Rising, Sazones. The program gets in name from a Peruvian term of seasoning or adding flavor. It’s also a play on words on sessions. Sazones are wellness & arts events organized throughout Peru to bring awareness and financial support to youth empowerment programs that the Synergy Rising Ngo leads in Peru and Kenya. To date we have led three events in the slums of Peru and hosted Victor Onyango, Director of Inuka, who traveled from Kenya to Peru last year for the inauguration. At the moment we are fundraising to bring 5 youth and esteemed dance instructor and community organizer Jordy Chafloque CEO of Ventanilla es Todo to NYC for a cultural exchange through dance in collaboration with Violeta Galagarza of Keep Rising to the Top, Inc.
