In the decades that followed the Korean War, over 250,000 Korean children were sent abroad, to be adopted by foreigners, for many reasons, but most prominently was the incredible weight of economic hardship facing these parents and all of South Korea during those years. It is referred to as the Han Diaspora.

Born in Daegu, South Korea to Korean parents, Hojung was given up for adoption at a very young age. She was adopted by Flemish-Belgian parents in Europe, who, shortly after her adoption, moved to Madison, Wisconsin.

And although she’s traveled extensively all over the world, and speaks several languages fluently, Hojung reveals that she has never truly felt like she belonged to any people, place, country, or nationality.

Her initial introduction to yoga, as you’ll hear, was astonishingly cathartic. At the age of 16, she discovered Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, which led her to explore various Hatha Yoga traditions for the next 10 years, before beginning Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga in 1998 in New York City, with Guy Donahaye.

Hojung shares with us her incredible story about her personal search for identity and meaning. And her somewhat tragic reunification with her birth parents. You can listen to a full account of her adoption story on a podcast episode recorded back in December 2018, on a podcast called: ADAPTED.

We spoke also of the emotional concept called “Han” in Korean, which refers to a deep nearly indescribable feeling of sorrow, melancholy, or grief that seems to be an essential element of Korean identity. A feeling Hojung felt her whole life, without being able to give it a name, until she began returning to her motherland, and reunited with her birth family between the years 2012-2017. Hojung mentions a Korean film, Seopyeonje, where the story indirectly depicts this Han quality to the viewers.

Hojung’s own story forces us to ask deeply profound questions like: What happens when your spiritual practices are unable to nourish you during a time of crisis? Where do you turn? What do you do?

In this extra long Holiday Special, we are taken through an incredible journey of self-discovery. We catch glimpses into how culture works to construct one’s identity, and how yoga can work to heal deeply unconscious wounds, when we become present to what’s arising.

Hojung’s story is a deeply moving and emotional journey, where we are given the opportunity to come face to face with the reflection of our own self.

Grab a warm cup of chai because this is one episode that will touch your heart and open your mind.

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The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case.

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Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here.
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