The new Scandi trend in action: World’s leading researcher on ‘sisu’ will run 2400 km across New Zealand to break the silence on interpersonal violence

These days, it seems like everyone is interested in new Scandi trends. The Danes have ‘hygge’ and Swedes have their own ‘lagom’, but Finns have ‘sisu’- an age-old Finnish word that denotes endurance, resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Finnish PhD candidate and social activist Emilia Lahti began exploring 'sisu' at the University of Pennsylvania in the US and is now working on the first doctoral dissertation on the topic at the Aalto University in Helsinki. Soon she is taking her research to a whole new level. At the end of 2017, Lahti will run over 2400 km across the length of New Zealand, averaging 50 ultra marathons in 50 days.

The'Sisu Not Silence' ultra-runis part of her global campaign to break the silence around interpersonal violence and celebrate the strength of those who have overcome abuse. Interpersonal violence is one of the

most pervasive human right issues across the globe, affecting hundreds of millions of people all over the world each year from every social class, income group, race and culture. However, many victims feel alone and ashamed to speak about their situation.

“Talking about violence that has happened in one’s own family can often require sisu. By highlighting stories of overcoming interpersonal violence and celebrating the strength of those have survived emotional, physical or sexual hurt, we will eradicate the deadly silence around the issue and empower women and men to share their stories the way they are. The goal of the Sisu not Silence movement is to help build a culture of zero tolerance to abuse and dismantle the shame imposed on those who've been forced to endure it.” says Emilia Lahti, who herself is an overcomer of interpersonal violence.

Join a live online yoga class to support the Sisu not Silence movement!

On April 23rd, which is the evening of the London Marathon, the world’s first interactive online yoga studio Yogaia will organise a live online yoga class to support Emilia’s campaign. The theme of the yoga class is ahimsa, the yogic principle for non-violence. On the mat, ahimsa means respecting your body during your yoga practice to avoid injury.Off the mat, ahimsa speaks to showing respect and compassion towards yourself and all living things.

Help support and celebrate overcomers of interpersonal violence by joining the special Sisu not Silence yoga class LIVE from your own living room on 23^rdApril 2017 at 6pm GMT. The class will be available immediately after the live session as a free recording. Yogaia will donate £1 to Sisu not Silence for every person who joins the live or recorded class by April 30^th2017.

Get to know Emilia Lahti and read more about the Sisu not Silence movement atsisunotsilence.com.

For more info 

Kamina Nagel

Marketing Manager, Yogaia

kamina.nagel@yogaia.com