Listen Here to Geovanni’s Radio Interview

Listen Here to Geovanni’s Radio Interview

By | 2018-06-12T05:22:22-04:00 November 7th, 2011|Mexico|

HI Mexico was honored to be featured on a popular public radio program in Puebla called “Puebla My People.” This show is a socially oriented program that recognizes local citizens working to empower their own people and “give voice to those who are normally silent.” When a friend suggested featuring HI Mexico General Manager Geovanni Beristain on the program to talk about the organization’s humanitarian work in Jonotla, the station manager was excited to invite him on.

Click the image below to listen to the interview and see accompanying photos of HI Mexico’s work:

A few of the main points that Geovanni spoke about include:

  • An introduction to the Himalayan Institute and its main work focused on yoga.
  • In January 2010 HI launched a social program in rural Jonotla, aimed at contributing to sustainable development in the region, specifically sustainable agriculture. The connection to yoga? “We think that when your body is healthy, your mind is healthy, everything else comes to you naturally. When people use sustainable organic practices, you are regenerating the soil and the environment, so the products that you obtain will be good for your body and for nature.”
  • Much of HI Mexico’s trainings have been done with local university students who are the next generation and who are more open to ideas of sustainability, such as composting, crop diversification, organic biofertilizers, and so on. Through them, we are working to “create a new conscience in the community.”
  • How have people received the vision that HI Mexico puts forward? Some people have hesitated to adopt new farming practices, but in reality these techniques are not new. Our grandparents used these techniques until the chemical and technical era introduced new approaches. The Institute offers to take up these old, natural techniques with a new approach.
  • One challenge is that organic agriculture can mean more up-front costs, but we hope to show that by adopting these practices, the soil and environment are regenerated, saving future costs of degredation. Additionally, the produce grown is healthier for the body. Our new program in family gardens, soon to be launched, focuses on both the techniques and environmental benefits of organic food production, as well as the nutrition.
  • The goal of our work is not just about saving money. It is about health, the natural world, and the social development of excluded societies in the world.

Geovanni was invited to return to the station later this week to publicize upcoming yoga events in Puebla and Mexico featuring Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, sponsored by HI Mexico. These include a lecture tour in Puebla and Mexico City and keynote address at the 8th National Conference on Yoga in Mexico City.