Rana Hamida on Identity Politics, the Refugee Experience & Finding True Freedom

I loved this deep yet playful conversation with Rana Hamida. Rana is an incredible DJ, musician, singer, dancer, artistic director, and a Yin Yoga/Yoga Nidra guide who was born in Syria and was living there as a university student when the civil war began in 2011. Fleeing the conflict, Rana and her family came to New Zealand as refugees.

 

In unpacking this experience we explored how arriving in New Zealand enabled Rana to find freedom from the conditionings of her mind and how she started the embodiment journey of what’s true for her. We talked identity politics and what happens when you don't align with the national identity of your birthplace. And we get into festivals, the joy of dancing as a devotional practice, and what radical honesty looks like.

 

Find Rana here:

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranafreesoul/

 

Website: https://www.ranahamida.com/

 

DJ Rana: https://www.facebook.com/musicalPrana

 

Rana's band: https://www.facebook.com/people/Yet-Undefined/100092474053730/

 

Credits

 

Audio • Luke Bowman

Music • Sexy Urban Beats by PenguinMusic 

Photo • Pete Longworth

Graphic Design • Tara Spice