Certified 200hr AYP Yoga Instructor, Completed Baptiste Level II Teacher Training, AYFit Instructor, Certified within AYP Art of Assisting
In 2013, I completed my 200hr AYP Teacher Training -- the first held in Nairobi. In the same year, in July, I completed Level 2 of Baptiste Teacher Training in Malindi lead by Baron himself. I have also been certified by AYFit in Acro Yoga, by Yoga Hope in TIMBO Yoga, and AYP’s Art of Assisting in both 2013 and 2015. Through my certifications, I teach 5 outreach classes in Huruma, private Baptiste power yoga and Yin classes weekly, and am interested in teaching corporate classes. Eventually I hope to open an ‘Empowerment Center’ for youth for them to learn various skills (yoga, acrobatics, martial arts, music, beadwork, etc) to show them that they can find purpose and potential within their future.
I was born in Huruma at Mathare Constituency, in Nairobi. I attended primary school in Nairobi and completed high school at my home in Kitale in the North Rift of Kenya. Growing up I wanted to be a professional footballer but because of my size I never stood chance.
After high school I moved back to Nairobi, where I started teaching Social Studies to students in grades 7 and 8 at Gracious Kideo School. It was at Gracious where I found the Africa Yoga Project (AYP). Every Tuesday and Thursday they offered outreach community classes, taught by Ann Njeri. As the games manager, I would organize the schedule for these classes and became curious to my own potential within the AYP community. As I witnessed the influence of the yoga practice on the students, I quickly noticed that those who fully participated in yoga also excelled in school. It dawned on me that I too should turn to yoga to find positive results in my life.
After taking my first class, I felt the change within me; everything moving, becoming lighter, and more empowered. I began my yoga journey by attending Saturday community classes at the Shine Center. Each class, taught by a different teacher, resounded and awoke within me new ways of being. It ignited the spark to stand up in leadership positions for my community.
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Personally, yoga is my connection to my community and the world. As a trained EMT paramedic, I use my knowledge of anatomy to create a strong yoga practice for my students through my assists. My love of yoga goes beyond the Shine Center; I leads practices in homes, studios, and outreach classes all over Nairobi. I am is a powerful Baptiste Yoga teacher. By sharing the Baptiste Methodology in my teaching, I inspire my students to feel complete, energized and loved. I is inspired to be a strong leader in his community and share my knowledge with other teachers and students. I have discovered my strengths and my commitment to my profession as an EMT and to be of service to all through yoga. I like to step out of my comfort zone and commit to growth in my life on and off the mat. I aim to send a message of peace and love to the world through Baptiste Power Yoga.
]]>My name is Kevin Ogutu, I am 27 years old. I was born in Nairobi, Kenya in a slum called Lungalunga. My father died in a car accident when I was very young, and all my life I lived with my mother and my sister. Growing up in the slum was not easy since my mother did not have a job. She did the best she could to provide the bare necessities of life for my sister and me. But with all the stress of a single parents, she grew very sick. All she hoped for was seeing us growing in a better life, but she could not make it and died when I was 16 years old. Luckily, I managed to finish primary school however, from there it was really difficult to go to high school because of money issues. In 2009, I joined Kuruka Maisha Organization. The idea and purpose of Kuruka Maisha was to support youths who were coming from the slums to develop their skills. I developed dance skills then became interested in dancing. Dance for me was like a therapy and it reached a point when I found myself weaving dance movements into stories. The deeper I danced, the deeper I discovered myself; bringing me to a meditative state.
I was introduced to yoga by my contemporary dance teacher. I joined Africa Yoga Project in 2012 after getting the scholarship. Yoga was really what I needed because all I needed was to look into my body to receive its benefits and rewards. I became more interested into the power yoga style because it is more a physical practice incorporated with meditation. It was easy for me to gain self acceptance through yoga. This acceptance allowed me to become a role model to some of the parents and youths who knew me in my community. Africa yoga community has really inspired me when it comes to talking to and interacting with all different kinds of people in a collaborative manner.
In 2015, I managed to travel to Germany for three months and work with students and refugees from Eritrea. All this happened because of the inspiration I got from the practice of yoga and life as general. Now I volunteer teaching and reaching people who cannot afford the practice through outreaches conducted by the Africa Yoga Project. I also teach at a gym and hold private classes. My mission is to reach as many people as possible. The idea is to create possibility for everyone because I believe am blessed with what I have and should share the blessings I’ve received with as many people as possible.
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Ever since Donatah started practicing and teaching yoga she has discovered tremendous growth not only in her physical body but also in other areas of her life for example she has discovered inner peace and joy within herself, learned to appreciate people just the way they are without judging them, she is more flexible and has learned to accept herself no matter what others may think of her. Donatah has learned to be of service to other people by teaching free yoga classes to her community and being there for other people whenever she can. Finally what Donatah sees as possible in other people is that anyone can achieve their dreams as long as they believe and work hard on them rather than looking down on themselves and believing what people think or say about them and she is up to something bigger than herself to her community in that she would like to use yoga to transform youths in her community just the same way it did to her. Namaste!
]]>Besides being a yoga instructor am an acrobat, contortionist, dancer, co founder of Acro yoga Kampala and for a very long time I was looking forward to learning more and understanding yoga until I got an opportunity to know about the scholarship that happens annually in Kenya Nairobi and applied.
Yoga is my day to day routine. At the moment I run yoga and acroyoga classes in different communities, schools and also do yoga for the special needs in 3 different districts in my country thanks to Africa yoga project and also run a weekly Sunday community class at the National theater (UNCC).
Having a change with my welfare, practice, gymnastic, being a contortionist and social life thanks to this practice of Baptist power yoga that has positively changed my life around and still in work and I also decided to do the same in different communities in Uganda. I also run private classes for individuals, group clases, schools, organizations among other institutes.
YOGA MY LIFE YOGA MY WORK. AM REACHING FOR THE STARS.
+256754895948 // : biibotag5@gmail.com // FACEBOOK: BIIBOTAG YOGINI
]]>Through this inspiration, he joined African Yoga project in Nairobi 2016 where he got the training of teaching Yoga power and being a member of Africa Yoga Project (AYP) Now he does dance and teaching yoga in his community at Dar es Salaam Tanzania,
His vision is to portray different forms of beauty through Yoga and Arts as a mean of creating a positive impact and contributing to the development of Tanzanian Arts Scene.
]]>In 2013, I became certified through Next Generation Yoga to lead children’s classes. In the same year I gained my Anatomy Training for postures and functionality and also achieved my certification for Art of Assisting. I completed my Baptiste Level II training in Malindi, with Baron Baptiste himself and then attained my official Certification as a professional Baptiste Yoga Instructor.
Within my time at AYP, for the past five years, I have committed myself to growing the service projects and outreaches. When Seva Safaris and Ambassadors of the Africa Yoga Project visit Nairobi and the Shine Center, I work as a liaison between AYP and the communities to ensure their work done and time here is productive and enjoyable for both parties. Currently, I teach outreaches, empower other teachers, and coordinate all the service projects. I work to empower other yoga instructors by teaching them the Baptiste methodology, the Journey into Power sequencing, and enlightening them to their own possibility of greatness. For the outreaches, I take account for what is missing and what is needed; for instance mats and ensuring the classes are running smoothly. Finally, for the service projects, I plan the entirety of their schedule from the physical projects (building schools, planting gardens, etc.) to the outreaches they attend.
In my spare time, I teach private classes for those looking for an evening or late night practice. I am hoping to expand my reach and teach more private and group classes throughout Nairobi. I love making connections with new friends from all realms of the world and would love to hear from you.
]]>For the past seven years, yoga has been an inspiration within my life, as well as the lives of many people I know. Through yoga, I am positively changing my home, where many adolescents and youth see me as a role model. I completed my teacher training through the Africa Yoga Project four years ago have been instructing courses throughout Nairobi.
My mission as a yoga instructor is to empower people through what inspired me in yoga--the playful dynamics between physicality and mental stamina. I am eligible to teach children, adults, those with special needs, and those just beginning their yoga journey! My qualifications consist of certifications from AYP 200hr Expand Your Power, Level Two Baptiste Power Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and the Next Generation Yoga for children.
I look forward to seeing you in one of my sessions! My schedule is very flexible and I can come to your home, office, or any place of your convenience.
]]>In April 2013 I completed my 200 hours yoga teacher training with Kiersten Mooney, Lisa Taylor and Paige Elenson - founder of Africa Yoga Project. I also completed my Ashtanga teacher training in June 2013 with Sharon Moon, the Africa Yoga Project, and the JOIS foundation. In the same year, I completed the Next Generation Yoga for Kids teacher training with founder and director Jodi B Komitor and successfully completed the Baptiste yoga level two training in Malindi, Kenya. In 2016, I acquired the Basic Anatomy Training for yoga covering anatomical movements, bones, ligaments, tendons, joints, muscles and nerves, with an intro to stretching, vital organs and pain with Thomas Parkinson physiotherapist.
Currently, I teach my classes in Nairobi and I am huge proponent of meeting clients where they are located in their own environment and time to deliver private classes. I guide students to awakening and becoming aware of their own bodies through dynamic vinyasa flow and rhythmic breathing.
My goals is to leave students finish the class with a greater feeling of physical ease and mental relaxation.
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I love teaching yoga to my community because I feel at peace when leaving my students in a space where they feel they belong and at peace with themselves through a change from negative to positive behaviors. There is nothing better than seeing my students that help to better them both on their mat and then in their life. The drive which keeps me teaching and practicing yoga is the feeling I can leave with my students and the sentiment I take in my heart; the feeling of love, connection, and unity no matter one’s social status or race.
I invite you to come practice with me and have an experience you will never forget. Please reference my attached email address and mobile number to come have fun at a class with me!
]]>I love Baptiste yoga because it allows me to rediscover a sense of wholeness where I don’t feel like I am constantly trying to fix the troubled parts of my life. Being a Yogi, freedom for me implies not being battered by the difficulties of life, because life has it’s ups and downs. It implies a sense of equanimity and that ultimately, there is an inner core that is always in harmony with it’s surrounding. Yoga allows me to find inner peace that is not riddled by the endless struggles of life, it allows me to find a state of peace that was previously unknown.
I chose to teach Baptiste yoga as I believe this style shows the glory of yoga. Initially, I was looking to yoga for merely the physical benefits but the practice ended up saving my life. It was yoga that gave me a new birth, bringing health where there was illness and firmness where there was infirmity.
I teach Baptiste Power yoga in schools, events, Yoga studios, retreats, private and group classes. I also teach Prenatal yoga, and Next generation yoga (Kids Yoga).
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After training I taught free outreach classes in my community for 3 months. I am a martial artist doing unified martial arts called Tong ill moo- do. I also do fine arts and design, I print t-shirts, do sandals and also yoga blocks just to mention a few.
Yoga has helped me to be flexible and also helped me improve my martial arts skills. It has also helped me a lot in breathing and given me inner strength that I need a lot in martial arts. Yoga also has given me the opportunity to meet new people from different races and backgrounds. I love yoga!
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I am looking forward to a brighter future!
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I've been practicing power yoga for five years now and currently am teaching as a first year instructor and am also qualified in the advanced art of assisting and kids yoga.
I was introduced to power yoga by a good friend who always insisted I shouldn't judge something before knowing or trying it, so one day I accepted the challenge and went to one of his classes. I was instantly taken by the practice especially the physicality and the same time the smoothness of the practice. I continued for five years and it changed my life physically and mentally.
I also enjoy swimming, watching and playing football whenever I can, and I also repair computers and mobile phones as a side gig.
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I started teaching yoga in 2015 after attaining my teacher training certification from Africa Yoga Project in Nairobi Kenya.
I knew I wanted to be a yoga teacher the day I took my very first yoga class, I felt great transformation with in my body, from the vitality all through the asanas to the calmness in savasana, it was a process of total rejuvenation and I immediately knew that yoga was something I needed to do as often as possible.
A day after my first yoga class I applied for the Africa Yoga Project teacher training and that was my turning point, since then I have been teaching yoga in communities, orphanages,and wellness centres empowering, insipiring and creating positive transformation.
I am a Leader who is passionate about making a difference and creating the change that I desire to see.
I offer Private classes, group classes, and corporate yoga classes.
Besides yoga I am also a professional dancer and choreographer with an experience of over 7 years in performing arts.
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After gaining my certifications and teacher trainings, I co-founded Lyfsports and Recreation Company. Lyfsports promotes and provides sports activities such as yoga, skating, karate, Tae Kwon Do, and ballet to international schools, individuals, and corporations.
I am interested in holistic approaches, such as yoga, which provide benefits to the mind, body, and spirit to improve my students’ lives. Personally, I have experienced the valuable and meaningful power that a yoga practice has and have also been impacted by positive change it has brought physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
When I started yoga my body was in pain. I later came to learn this was due to old injuries, past stresses, and weaknesses. I was stiff, sore, and not very flexible; wanting to feel better, lighter, and stronger. Yoga gave me more than I could ever have expected and is increasingly beneficial in realms of stress relief, feeling at home with my body, and increasing my mental ability to focus on empowering my life.
I have experience with helping my students with weight loss, pain management, and building strength and flexibility. I enjoy working with students on their particular goals and will work with you to meet your goals both on and off the mat.
]]>Shine Center Evening Studio Manager and Certified Baptiste Power Yoga Instructor
Mambo! My name is Zablon and I am a certified Baptiste Power Yoga instructor. My life-long passion for health and wellbeing began in my teen years with the study of Karate. Then later in life I began work as a personal trainer. I have dedicated myself to seven years of studying and teaching yoga to empower my students on every level of their being: physical, mental and spiritual. I currently teach at the Shine Center and offer private classes both at the studio and homes. I care about health and fitness; I understand my student’s needs and expectations and I address them to the student’s satisfaction. Feel free to reach out to me for more information or to schedule private classes!
]]>I am a certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher, living and working in Nairobi. In 2009, I began my expedition as yoga teacher through an intensive training in Mombasa lead by Baron Baptiste, founder of the Baptiste Institute, and Paige Elenson, founder of the Africa Yoga Project. Within this training, I discovered my true calling in life: to teach and inspire others through the transformational practice of yoga.
I have been working with the Africa Yoga Project (AYP) for the past three years. This has given me the opportunity to study alongside and learn from world renowned teachers; David Life, Sharron Gannon, Jules Fabre, Manju Jois, and many Senior Baptiste Teachers; who have all come to Kenya to share their wisdom. I have participated in workshops concerning various concentrations within yoga allowing me to deepen my teaching and practice. These include, Yin Yoga, Yoga for Kids, Acro Yoga, Yoga for Trauma Survivors, The Business of Yoga, Thai Yoga Massage, Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Meditation, Yoga for Addiction and various assisting and alignment workshops.
I attribute my personal growth both on and off the mat to being a part of Africa Yoga Project. I have been partnered with an international mentor, Sherry Zak, for the past three years. Weekly she and I share a call over Skype, through which she imparts empowering and inspiring wisdom from various aspects of her life. I love my fellow AYP teachers and deeply value the support I receive. In particular, the Kenyan director, Moses has been an integral part of my life, keeping me accountable and continuously believing in me.
I am passionate about promoting peace within my country and I believe through the transformative power of Baptiste yoga, change can be made.
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Hi, I am Evans Stoki, but most people call me Stoki. I am 23 years old and a Baptiste Power Yoga teacher. I have been practicing yoga since 2010. I did the 200hr teacher training in 2015 and joined the AYP academy in 2016. Before being introduced to yoga, I was an acrobat which I still love to do because it also keeps me healthy and it is very fun. Through yoga I have found a sense of peace and relaxation that didn’t exist in me before. My body has become more flexible and I feel lighter and able to handle stress in my life. When I teach yoga my passion is to let students experience their own greatness and how they are powerful on and off the of mat! I teach five classes a week, including classes for kids and adults.
Feel free to contact me about where my outreach classes are or scheduling a private! Namaste.
]]>Outreach teacher in Kibera for those with Special Needs
I am Magdaline Adhiambo and I am from Nairobi, Kenya. I became a Baptiste-certified yoga instructor in 2013. Baptiste Yoga focuses on empowering individuals to transform their lives through physical practice, meditation, and active self-inquiry, with the goal of fostering dynamic communities through powerful and authentic individual expression. I was first exposed to Baptiste yoga in 2009. Soon after that, I participated in a Level 1 Teacher Training "Boot Camp." After completing my Level 1 Training, I began to assist as a teacher at outreach classes, eventually taking the seat of the teacher myself.
At the start of my teaching, I taught six classes per week to attain my certification as an AYP Yoga Instructor, and now I teach one outreach in Kibera for those with special needs. I was inspired by my outreach class at the Mathere special school with children who suffer from various physical and mental handicaps. I was touched by their enthusiasm, joy, and playfulness. Teaching at Mathere always lifted my heart and spirit and moved me to gain training to teach those with special needs through Yoga for the Special Child program. After this program and providing yoga for deaf students, I know the basics of sign language. I am committed to evolve as a teacher through continuing education opportunities and expanding my own life experience. I have learned to say "Yes!" to life and to mean it. Baptiste Yoga has given me the courage to dare to change my self-defeating habits of thinking and behavior. It has helped me to be
able to make decisions that are right for me, and to take charge of living my own life. Through my practice, I have learned that I have the strengths of
dedication, persistence, faithfulness, endurance and willingness of heart. My English speaking skills have improved dramatically. I have learned that being of service to others means bringing my best self forward in the world. In this way, I empower others to do the same.
Currently as an AYP alumna, I teach weekly private lessons throughout Nairobi, provide classes to those with special needs, and teach Beginner classes on Monday at 6pm and Wednesday at 9AM at the Shine Center in Diamond Plaza.
]]>My first introduction to yoga was through my brother, who taught at the Africa Yoga Project’s Shine Center. After he passed away, I was invited to partake in the AYP 200hr teacher training. At the time I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I never had much interest prior and even when I would find my brother sitting cross-legged, I would question what he doing! I attended my first class, which was the Saturday community class, and felt very uncomfortable with the assists, being in a room full of sweaty people, and having to introduce myself in front of the entire class to explain how I found yoga. Regardless, a week later I began the teacher training. The training was filled with so many different people and personalities, which made me feel more comfortable because most of my colleagues were also new to yoga. Each day that passed, I felt more and more comfortable and inspired to deepen my practice and to want to teach others.
After the 200hr training, I went to the coast to complete Level Two, lead by Baron. It proved to be incredibly difficult, but simultaneously rewarding. I returned to Nairobi and was luckily immediately able to work for AYP. I am also certified in the Art of Assisting, Next Generation Kid’s Yoga, and am in year four of the AYP Academy program.
Currently, I teach four kids classes through AYP outreaches, located in children’s homes in Zimmerman. In these classes I aim to provide spunk, spirit, and energy to the lives of these youths. I also teach private classes throughout Nairobi, within which I work to intentionally cater the practice to the needs of my clients. You can even find me teaching power yoga every Sunday at Jaffery’s from 10-11AM where all are welcome!
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My first experience with yoga was is in 2012. After attending a series of classes, I developed an inner interest and serious relationship with my yoga practice. It transformed my life! I knew that it was something that I wanted and needed to share.
In 2013, after completing a Baptiste Power Yoga Teacher Training led by Paige Ellenson and Kristin Mooney, I began teaching. I love sharing this practice and leaving students in possibility. I've completed Acro-yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Ayfit, Prenatal Yoga, Next Generation Yoga workshops, and attend my co-teacher's classes. These workshops and classes provide me with fresh insight and inspiration for my teaching.
My classes are a combination of physicality, self inquiry and possibility. I focus on alignment, living a balanced life, and inspiring my students to become role models in their communities and workplaces. My expectation is to allow my students to have fun, be challenged, and own their greatness on and off their mats!
Namaste
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My name is Peter Muasya and I was born in Nairobi in the Korogocho area. I grew up in a family of seven, primarily raised by our mother. When I was young, day-to-day life was filled with struggles, however I was able to find enjoyment and joy through football and eventually acrobatics. After completing my education at Korogocho Primary School, I began my journey as an acrobat. Through Rollingspears, I travelled throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East performing with my childhood friends.
Upon returning to Kenya in 2012, I reawakened my yoga practice through the Africa Yoga Project. I started by completing the AYP 200hr teacher training in Nairobi. Then I acquired my Baptiste Level Two in Mombasa with Baron Baptiste himself. I also am certified through the Next Generation for Kid’s Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga with Sharon Moon, Art of Assisting with Paige Elenson, and for acrobatics I am certified through Kid’s Acrobatic workshops in Holland.
Currently, I work with children at the Thika School for the Blind, provide private classes, and work with Mwangaza to provide yoga retreats for kids. I love my life very much, ever since I was young. Staying active, teaching yoga, and doing acro all bring energy and empowerment to my life. Aspirationally I would love to be a comedic actor.
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I have been a yoga instructor in Nairobi for the past 15 years as a professional acrobat. I have pursued Baptiste style of practice because it has helped me to gain strength and mindfulness, deepening my acrobatic abilities. I find my practice of Baptiste yoga influences my daily life, on and off of the mat. I see real results, emotionally, physically and socially in myself as well as my students. I have learned to take ownership of who I am and whom I want to be. Baptiste yoga has helped me to seek answers from within rather than waiting for help from without- to start by trusting myself, and to serve others by empowering them to do the same. I teach students of all ages and levels of experience in the practice. I find that my students uncover new realms of possibilities for themselves, as well as benefit from my clear physical instruction. I love to inspire my students to be better, healthier, versions of themselves.
Contact Information: chelotiken@gmail.com // 0725906049 // find me on Facebook!]]>In practice, want to bring every kid to the present moment so we play games, chant, and have engaging activities to get the kids’ minds off of other things that are going on in their lives. I want the kids to feel loved most of all; feel the connection among us.When we come to the yoga class we are one. There is no differences among us, yoga brings us all into oneness, and I love the connection I share with the kids in this way. I also teach private classes, mostly students from ages 2-13. I love yoga because it makes me come back to my purpose and has taught me moral principles, like how to live with people in the right way, to communicate, to relax. It also has allowed me to travel to different places that I haven’t gone before in order to teach yoga.
]]>I can really see a change in my students, since starting yoga they have really become strong. When they started they were weak and now they are healthy, now they think about what is next in their life, they think about the future. Yoga has helped the mothers become better mothers to their children and the small kids are having fun. The slums are a dirty environment, but by bringing in yoga we have brought in health, peace, happiness, and freedom.
I work with women in prison who have killed people and I want to help them and teach them to let go of the stress of their situation. Relaxing your mind is possible anywhere, they can be who they want to be. For me, yoga has really helped me-you see me right now, I am shining and I am not shy anymore. Be yourself, do not be afraid or anything. In life do not give up-if you give up, then everything you worked for will disappear.
In one year I want my own studio and in that studio, it’s one of my students running it. I will be in another country spreading the word of what yoga can accomplish!
Currently, I am an AYP Receptionist for the Shine Center, teach a bi-weekly Pop-Up class at Prestige Plaza (Mondays and Wednesdays 6PM), private classes, and a weekly class at the Shine Center--Mondays at 9AM.
Please contact me for private classes, I am very flexible and love to ignite the passion of yoga within others!
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