UpRising Yoga honors Robert Sturman for his portrait work of young yogis.
UpRising Yoga is a nonprofit that trains teachers and places them in locations where yoga classes are not often held, including juvenile hall and other places where young people may have experienced trauma. They give teachers the tools to teach trauma-sensitive yoga classes and support the proliferation of these life-changing and empowering practices. UpRising Yoga has collaborated with artist Robert Sturman who has shot a number of portraits of the young yogis they serve. On November 14, the organization will be honoring the artist at an event to be held at Kinship Yoga Studios.
Jill: You shoot all over the world and have such an impact on people who see your work. What was so moving about the youth practicing yoga in Central Juvenile Hall?
Robert Sturman: I love celebrating all humanity striving to be their best. But, hanging with the teens was really cool because I remember so clearly how lost I was during those years. I made a lot of mistakes but I had a good heart. I saw myself in these kids and just enjoyed being with them and reflecting their goodness back to them. They simply want to be seen and sometimes being seen is all it takes to begin a new path.
For more information about UpRising Yoga, visit: uprisingyoga.org.
For more information on Robert Sturman and his work, visit: robertsturmanstudio.com
