Learning to Belong — My Quiet Journey from China to Zurich Through Yoga and Art
- Vivian Yu
- Oct 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 1
I moved from China to Zurich one and a half years ago. It wasn’t my first time living abroad — during my university years, I was surrounded by international students from everywhere. Friendship formed easily in that world. We studied together, cooked together, healed our homesickness through laughter and late-night noodles. Community was simply part of daily life. I want to find my female community and female friendship in Zurich as well.
Here in Zurich, life feels… different.
Not bad. Just quieter.
The city is beautiful in a very composed way. Clean streets, calm trams, schedules that run like clockwork. People are polite, helpful — yet I still sometimes feel like I’m walking through a painting instead of living inside it. I exist here, but I don’t quite belong yet.
Back in my student life, yoga was always my anchor. I joined yoga classes not only to stretch my body but to connect with people who moved through life with softness and purpose. Some of my closest friendships were born not from conversations, but from shared breath on a yoga mat.
So lately, I’ve been wondering:
What if I can rebuild that sense of connection here?
Not through big parties or loud events… but through slow mornings, quiet movements, shared moments of grounding.
On weekends, I imagine gathering with a few like-hearted girls — practicing yoga together in a sunny studio or maybe outdoors by the lake. Nothing competitive or “Instagram-perfect.” Just real bodies, real breathing, real presence. And then, maybe, brunch afterwards. Or tea. Or simply sitting and talking about life.
Because yoga, to me, is not just a practice for the body — it is a bridge between souls.
And beyond movement, I’ve been craving creativity. I love painting — not professionally, just intuitively. I picture joining a small painting workshop, or meeting someone in a cozy café with watercolor sets on the table, quiet music in the background, brushes moving while thoughts unravel.
No performance. No pressure. Just expression.
I’ve learned that the best way to know a city is not only by walking through its streets — but by sharing meaningful moments with someone in those streets.
So if you are also new here, or simply looking for connection through peaceful rituals — yoga, painting, slow conversation — maybe our paths are meant to cross.
I am ready to open my heart again.
And perhaps, through movement and color, I will finally grow roots in this city.
Recently, I found the She Connects Züri community. And for the first time, I felt a little spark of possibility — maybe my kind of people are here after all.
So this is my quiet invitation:
If you are someone who finds peace in yoga, joy in art, and meaning in slow, intentional connection — I would love to meet you.
Let me know if you feel the same.
Maybe we are already part of the same tribe — we just haven’t met yet. 💛
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