Circle of Skirts is a program run under the Friends Without Border npo, working out of Natest Primary School in Phoenix. The group of ladies gather on a Saturday morning to participate in soft yoga and support each other.
Image: Rachel Vadi
Two years ago, a small group of women began gathering on Saturday mornings at Natest Primary School in Phoenix. Today, the Circle of Skirts has grown into a thriving network of support, healing and self-discovery, with plans to expand its reach to more women across the community.
What started as a modest initiative under the banner of Friends Without Borders Mount Edgecombe (FWB) has blossomed into a movement. The women, aged between 40 and 70, now meet weekly to move, share and grow together. And the group is determined to bring more women into the circle.
Laughter now rings through the quiet corridors of the school every Saturday, where participants set aside their work and home responsibilities to focus on themselves. Under the guidance of Manjula Marimuthu, a certified Life Coach and dedicated FWB volunteer, they engage in soft movement, yoga and reflective conversations aimed at living more fulfilled lives.
Marimuthu draws on more than 20 years of experience in the business and non-profit sectors, as well as her roots in the Campbell’s Town community of Mount Edgecombe. Her approach blends movement, mindfulness and coaching, creating a space where women can deepen their self‑mastery and take positive action in their lives.
“CoS serves as an engaging and learning space for women, where the more time spent together, the more they learn about themselves through each other,” Marimuthu said. “Sharing personal traumas, whether from divorce, widowhood, abuse or health challenges, becomes a collective healing experience, especially during the CoS Joy Class.”
Yoga plays an important part in the Circle of Skirts program, believing that a healthy body, supports a healthy mind.
Image: Rachel Vadi
The sessions begin with simple stretches designed to help participants centre their thoughts and connect with their bodies. Lovina Archary recalls the emotional journey she has undertaken since joining.
“I used to cry all the time. I learned from this group and now I can speak about my feelings without crying. We love and support each other, and I’ve grown so much, especially through journaling,” she said.
The classes are anchored by cultural music that radiates joy, with movements that may seem simple yet effectively target specific parts of the body. Sona Ramdhani spoke about her transformative experience.
“There is opportunity to do good here. I’ve found a space that has given me perspective. It’s about taking care of myself first, which in turn helps me support others,” Ramdhani said. Through this self‑care approach, women learn that their own happiness often allows those around them to thrive as well.
The group, which includes women from Phoenix, Campbell’s Town and Mount Edgecombe, was born out of FWB, an NPO established in 1964 to serve children of local sugar mill employees. Built with contributions from workers and Natal Estates Ltd, FWB has long been a pillar of community support.
For Archary, Ramdhani and the others who gather each week, the circle has become more than a class. It is a place where solitary battles become shared victories, and where the act of showing up for oneself becomes a way of showing up for others.
For more information or to join the Circle of Skirts, email [email protected].