My Yoga Journey
with Zahra Yaqub
Published 13 June 2020
Zahra Yaqub is a yoga teacher and fashion designer in Kaduna, Nigeria. In this interview with Ayurooms, she shares her yoga journey and motivation for practicing yoga.
What does yoga mean to you?To me, practicing yoga has shaped me beautifully. Aside from the physical benefits of practicing yoga consistently -- which includes flexibility and a perfect body shape -- yoga has also taught me how to relate to people, to always try to find something good in a person and, most importantly, patience. The yoga community worldwide has played a huge role in getting me here without even knowing it; everyone's kind words and encouragement have kept me on track. Yoga isn't just a union of the body, mind and soul; to me, yoga is a union of beautiful hearts regardless of how far they are from one another.
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Yoga isn't just a union of the body, mind and soul; to me, yoga is a union of beautiful hearts regardless of how far they are from one another.
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When did you first start practicing yoga and why?I started practicing yoga in 2015 when I first ran into Kinoyoga on YouTube. Before that, I honestly had no idea of the word yoga until I came across Kinoyoga on my YouTube while going about my usual ballerina videos (I wanted to learn ballet so bad lol). There was something about the way she talked and how she broke down the steps on approaching a headstand. She motivated me with that video and that was how I got stuck with her and started my own yoga journey.
Were you ever resistant or hesitant to learn yoga?I was hesitant to learn!!! I was so amazed from the first yoga video I watched and since I was always alone, I gave it some trials. But when I fell from my first trial of headstand, I became resistant since then and I'm still fighting my fear for inversions at the moment lol.
How has yoga impacted your life?Yoga has impacted my life in a very positive way. It changed how I react to whatever challenges life throws at me, positively. To be honest, yoga makes me feel like a child at heart.
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Yoga has impacted my life in a very positive way. It changed how I react to whatever challenges life throws at me, positively. To be honest, yoga makes me feel like a child at heart.
Why should someone practice yoga? You should practice yoga in order to be physically fit and healthy. Practicing yoga is just another way of staying forever young.
What are your favourite asanas and why?My favourite asanas include any form of backbends because I feel energetic whenever I try them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?Well, I'd like to advise every yogi out there, especially beginners, to move at their pace; be like a flower that never tries to compete with the flowers next to it. You just bloom. You have the tool, which is your body; study it, know your capabilities and move accordingly. Your journey is different and unique; don't compare it to others :)
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Zahra's yoga journey teaches us that yoga is much more than its proverbial definition of "union" of body, mind and soul. It is a union of beautiful hearts across time, across space, across race, across all divides. And that's why it is so beautiful and precious. Moreover, we don't have to wait for perfect circumstances in order to learn yoga. We don't necessarily need a teacher to get started. If you are motivated enough like Zahra, you can learn on your own using free online resources. Go at your own pace, but don't miss the opportunity. Yoga unites. Namaste!
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