Joanna Ngalula Abranches
SAYA LUCE – words of heart. Saya means I in Bahasa, Indonesia, where my spiritual journey started. It brings the emphasis on the what we are. A question meant to be asked and answered by one. Luce, on the other hand, from her latin origin Lucem, means light in Italian. It has been here chosen to remind us of our true nature and of what is found on the other side of fear, sadness and ignorance.
Joanna is a yoga teacher, meditator, writer and project manager among many other things. Born in Congo DR -her roots, from a mother half-Greek and a dad half-Portuguese. Raised in Belgium. If you ask her where she is from, she will probably tell you the world. Her borderless compassion and curiosity led her to first study political science and international relations to understand the systems – both political and economic, the humanity lived in. Why some had less -or nothing and others more ? is a question that troubled her. It is therefore with great hopes and determination that she embarked on a 7-year journey working for and with UN agencies, INGOs and Foreign Affairs, trying to help and support vulnerable communities around the world. Disillusionment came to meet her and a sabbatical was in order. She shifted her gaze, from the external to the internal, from noise and constant chatter, to silence. Yoga and meditation took her by the hand, and in writing, she found her true strength and power. Cathartic. These three elements combined provided her with new perspectives – more empowering, with hope and with a taste of the peace within. After years of trying to change the world from the outside, she finally arrived home, understanding it all started from the inside – of our hearts. She now dedicates part of her time in sharing the secrets she discovered through yoga, meditation and writing.








