The initiative, launched by Yoganaya International School and company Mude, will train around 180 future teachers from low-income areas in Rio and São Paulo over 14 months.
Participants also receive uniforms, yoga mats, speakers and microphones, as well as stipends and support when entering the job market.
Among them is 54-year-old hairdresser Luciene Costa, who turned to yoga for back pain relief and now dreams of leaving the salon to teach.
Organisers hope the project will break yoga’s reputation as an elite pursuit and support sustainable careers in the favelas.
