Zhang Yu JeniZhang13@163.com SHENZHEN has always offered its residents endless possibilities, where the boundaries between work and passion, technology and nature, and tradition and innovation merge into a vibrant tapestry of life. For Botsitso Melanin, a teacher from South Africa, the city’s energy, diversity, and inclusivity have not only shaped her personal growth but have also fueled her passion for yoga and wellness. Having spent more than seven years in China, she has called Shenzhen home for the past three, finding it a place to fully embrace her love for teaching, connect with like-minded individuals, and evolve both personally and as a yoga practitioner. From North to South Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Melanin moved to China in 2017 seeking new experiences and a change from the predictability of her life back home. After spending several years in Dandong and Dalian, two cities in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Botsitso felt a growing desire for a change of pace and new environment. “In Dalian, I was too comfortable and nothing was really changing. I had this ache inside of me for something new and different,” Melanin told Shenzhen Daily. The decision to move to Shenzhen was driven by a combination of factors, but one of the most significant was the city’s relatively comfortable climate, according to Melanin. Upon arriving in Shenzhen, she was immediately struck by the city’s cleanliness and modernity. One of the city’s most noticeable aspects was its quietness, which she found quite surprising at first. She soon learned that this tranquility was a result of Shenzhen’s commitment to electric public transportation, including buses and taxis. The city’s abundance of green spaces also left a deep impression on her, as she has always found solace and inspiration in nature. Moreover, the locals, as well as the expat community, are welcoming and open to engaging with others. “I love the fact that it has so many different people from various backgrounds, cultures, and professions,” she said. According to Melanin, this sense of community and connection is important to her, as she values building meaningful relationships and sharing experiences with those around her. “When you’re in an environment where it’s not just you, but there are other people who want to explore different things and delve deeper into their passions, I feel like that kind of energy is very contagious,” Melanin shared. From hobby to passion Initially working in television as a producer back in South Africa, Melanin found the stress overwhelming and turned to meditation to find balance. It was during her time in Dandong and Dalian that she began practicing yoga. Starting as a solitary practice to manage stress and anxiety, it quickly evolved into a shared passion as she began practicing with friends. In 2023, Botsitso seized the opportunity to travel to India, where she spent a month obtaining her certification in Ashtanga and Hatha yoga. For her, yoga is not just a personal practice but a gift to be shared. She has introduced yoga to her family, including her elderly mother and sister. Witnessing the positive impact yoga has had on their lives has further fueled her passion. In Shenzhen, she has been building a community eager to explore wellness, often gathering with friends at a local studio and in outdoor spaces during the summer. Through word of mouth and shared experiences, her yoga sessions have grown. “Teaching yoga and wellness is my passion project,” said Melanin, whose main job is an English teacher at a bilingual school in Futian District. As an introvert, Botsitso said she didn’t expect she would be able to meet many different people through yoga. “Then [the community] evolved with people wanting to share the experience with me. I think that shifted my whole practice, and I feel like the people that I’ve met made me better.” She added, “They made me want to share more and explore more. It feels like more of a mutual cause.” With plans to further her education in prenatal yoga and eventually mentor yoga teachers, Melanin envisions a future where she can continue to grow and share her passion. Possibilities and diversity According to Melanin, there’s undoubtedly room for the yoga scene to expand within Shenzhen. For instance, she had the chance to work with a friend who runs an art studio, and they merged their communities for a collaborative event. “It was a great way for people to meet different people. I feel like in a city like Shenzhen, there are a lot of opportunities for something like that,” she said, adding that there is an appetite among residents for diverse experiences, meeting new people, and exploring the intersections of different interests. Melanin believes Shenzhen has a multi-dimensional quality to it, much like herself. “I see life as a series of layers. I often say it’s as if I’ve lived several different lives. I started off with television and then teaching, which led me to explore this yoga journey. I think it’s beautiful,” she said. Melanin explained that sometimes people feel very comfortable sticking to a certain path in their lives. For instance, they’ll get a job and then that’s their journey. “I also thought I was kind of like that until I moved here, then everything shifted. I feel like this city has added more layers to me,” she said. | 