A deep breath in. A slow breath out. The body fills with warmth and energy, while the mind finds calm and release.

Every day at our camp is filled with activities aimed at both the physical and mental recovery of women and their children. They talk, play, draw, attend psychological counseling sessions and women’s circles, and discover new interests. Among all these activities, some help people pause, listen to themselves, and feel the tension gradually melt away as the body fills with calm. Our yoga sessions have become exactly that.

For many participants, this is their first experience of this kind. At first, they don’t fully understand how different movements of the body can help them find balance and peace. But by the end of the stay, we see participants coming to class with joy, knowing exactly what they want to feel. No rushing, no fuss — just a mat, themselves, and the nature around them. They listen closely to their bodies, feel their lungs fill with air, hear their heartbeat, and feel their muscles stretch.

“It’s very important to us that this camp be a space for recovery. Sadly, many of our families have lived through difficult circumstances. That’s why physical and emotional health matter just as much today as educational and creative activities,” says Zinaida Prokopenko, assistant coordinator of the Voice of Romni summer camp.

During the sessions, the change in the women is clearly visible. Tension eases, breathing grows calmer, and smiles appear on their faces. These sessions don’t take much time, but they offer something so often missing today — inner stillness, a sense of harmony, and peace.

“My whole body felt relief right away. The exercise for the stomach was especially good. My skin became so much softer and smoother. I’d like to keep practicing yoga,” shares camp participant Hanna Koval.

Recovery begins with small steps. Sometimes an hour spent in silence, a few deep breaths, and the feeling that there are people nearby who care about you are enough.

The summer camp is held as part of the project “Comprehensive Support and Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Vulnerable Families in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy Oblasts,” implemented by Voice of Romni with the support of the International Rescue Committee.

@voice.of.romni 🌿 Глибокий вдих. Повільний видих. Тіло відчуває тепло й енергію, а мозок – спокій і розслаблення. Кожен день у нашому таборі сповнений різними активностями, спрямованими і на фізичне, і на ментальне відновлення жінок з дітьми. І серед усіх цих занять є ті, які допомагають зупинитися, прислухатися до себе й відчути, як поступово зникає напруга, а тіло наповнюється спокоєм. Саме такими стали наші заняття з йоги. 🔻 Літній табір триває в межах проєкту “Комплексна підтримка та психосоціальна реабілітація для вразливих сімей у Дніпропетровській, Запорізькій, Харківській та Сумській областях”, що реалізується громадською організацією “Об’єднання ромських жінок “Голос Ромні” за підтримки International Rescue Committee in Ukraine. #Літнійтабір #відновлення #фізичневідновлення ♬ оригінальний аудіозапис – Voice of Romni / Голос Ромні