Situated in the Waverley Business Park in Mowbray, TSiBA Education is focused on developing future leaders out of South Africa’s talented historically disadvantaged youth. The Tertiary School in Business Administration operates as a non-profit education institution where all students in the four year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree programme are on a full tuition scholarship.

TSiBA classes began for the first intake of students in the last week of January 2005. The concept was inspired by CIDA City Campus, a miracle model in holistic education that was established five years ago in Johannesburg’s city centre. TSiBA Education is focused on holistic education at its Cape Town campus.

Chris from Moksha was compelled to visit the campus and present yoga on first learning of TSiBA: “The practice of yoga is not an elitist or wealthy pursuit,” he says, “We at Moksha are working actively with community groups to spread the benefits of yoga, such as stress relief, exercise and self development. These are vital facets of education and it is outstanding that TSiBA is progressive and open-minded enough to consider incorporating yoga into its curriculum. Also, the students were so fantastically receptive to the class.”

“Yoga is over 5000 years old as a practice and is all about learning to control the breath, and hence the emotions, because the breath is the bridge between physicality and mental control. By incorporating yoga postures, breath control and meditation practices into their lives, these students will be able to achieve so much more, and as a consequence, contribute more back into their communities.”

This community-centered involvement is a key tenet of TSiBA's approach to education, which places a high priority on the creation of a culture of “paying it forward.” In this regard, the school is inspired by the Shuttleworth Foundation’s commitment to the philosophy and practice of “Open Source”. TSiBA advocates community sharing by documenting all learning and making this freely available to similar entrepreneurial initiatives. The organisation works with a wide network of volunteers and friends who see TSiBA as a vehicle for channelling their own abilities and opportunities towards making a difference. Students are therefore encouraged to “pay” for the privileges that TSiBA affords them by teaching in their communities, helping to manage the campus and, once they have graduated and are working, by contributing towards the scholarship of another student.

“For me the class was more nerve-wracking than teaching regular classes at our studio,” says Loker, “but the feedback was great and it will be easy to continue with the programme - teaching at the campus weekly and doing some workshops around mind/body/spirit and stress management, which is a key component of our work.

“Before starting, each of the students was given an outfit of Moksha clothing to keep and practise in. While correct clothing is not a prerequisite, it does make it easier and more comfortable for practise. It was so amazing to have such an eager, young, enthusiastic group, all novices to yoga, but therefore drawing so much out of the experience,” says Loker.

Sharp dressed yogis – the students donned Moksha outfits before starting

Chris gets up close

The best part – relaxation at the end!

Warriors all – the warrior pose.