Meet Zakiya Bishton

Tell us a little about yourself?

Hello, I'm Zakiya, founder of Mindwalk Yoga, an online wellness studio that is a social enterprise. I have mixed Jamaican and English roots and live in East London. I have been teaching yoga for 12 years, practicing for over 20 years and my focus now is yoga therapy for anxiety, trauma and insomnia.

What does a day in the life of Zakiya look like?

My days are a mix of teaching for Mindwalk Yoga, running the social enterprise alongside my amazing team, lots of swimming, yoga and seeing friends and family as much as possible.

In my free time I read a lot, my favorite authors are Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison.

How did your yoga journey begin?

I started practicing yoga when I was 17, looking back I was a very anxious teenager so I think the idea of ​​doing something to find calm appealed to me. I grew up in Birmingham and there were no yoga classes back then. I got a yoga book and started my yoga journey at home.

How did you decide to become a teacher?

I trained with the British Wheel of Yoga when I was 25, it felt like the most natural step in my journey as I had been practicing for so long and wanted to deepen my understanding.

Tell us about the idea behind your platform – Mindwalk Yoga

Mindwalk Yoga was born out of a desire to represent Black women in yoga and to reach people, especially Black women, who believe yoga isn't for them.

Mindwalk Yoga has a unique offering – we are founded and run exclusively by Black women. While our online studio centers and prioritizes Black women, we are open to all.

You can think of Mindwalk Yoga as a boutique version of the Calm app for Black women, but with livestream practices and real community.

You work with a collective of women on Mindwalk Yoga – what does community and collaboration mean to you?

Our community is everything at Mindwalk Yoga. We're an online studio so they're based across the UK, they log in, connect with each other and take time for their mental health. From London to Edinburgh to Yorkshire.

Black women who never thought yoga was for them are joining our wellness community! We offer Chair Yoga and make our courses accessible to disabled people and people with limited mobility. We always make time for conversations, chats and exchanges before class - this social interaction is truly unique and shapes who we are.

How did you come to teach/specialize in yoga for anxiety?

I have been teaching yoga for over 12 years and now specialize in yoga therapy for anxiety, depression, insomnia and PTSD.

And I teach from a place of knowledge. I have anxiety and have had periods in my life where I felt like my anxiety symptoms, such as racing thoughts, shallow breathing, and a deep feeling of not belonging anywhere, were out of control. Using yoga as a tool for self-management led me to specialize in this area.

How have you found yoga to benefit those suffering from anxiety?

Helping people self-manage their anxiety has been the best part of my journey with Mindwalk Yoga. I share practices in classes and long courses that enable people to find their own path. This certificate says it all from a participant in an 8-week course.

“I'm in my 30s and have been clinically struggling with depression for about 3 years, but honestly I think I've suffered from depression most of my life. Even as a beginner, I did yoga from time to time and enjoyed it. But it never really “worked” for me because I felt uncomfortable with the “spiritual” part and was underrepresented in the classroom. What has happened to me since then is a miracle! The peace I began to feel after completing the first week's homework felt so good. But I didn't really notice it until week 2. I enjoyed doing all the exercises as part of my routine and found that I couldn't hear the constant negativity and buzzing thoughts in my head as much. I was more focused and less blurry.”

What would be your top 3 tips for someone dealing with anxiety?

• Holen Sie sich professionelle Unterstützung, das ist wirklich wichtig.
• Sprechen Sie mit Vertrauenspersonen.
• Seien Sie offen für die Erforschung verschiedener Wohlfühlpraktiken.

What kind of yoga teacher would you call yourself?

I am forever a student who is constantly learning. My teaching style encourages students to find what is right for them, I offer approaches rather than specific instructions. And I share the roots of yoga so that people can gain insight into the yoga traditions and philosophy.

How do you practice yoga/meditation for yourself?

All the time. Morning and evening are usually my time to start the day with calming breathing exercises, but honestly, I immerse myself in my exercises all day long.

What would you recommend to improve daily well-being beyond practicing yoga?

I want to encourage you to do what feels right for you and what brings you joy. This is different for everyone. Getting some fresh air and being outdoors helps me ground and feel connected, but it's different for everyone. Be open to new wellness ideas as they are constantly changing and evolving.

What is your favorite piece of equipment/prop to use during your training and why?

Pillow! I practice a lot in bed and use my pillows to make supported positions feel comfortable.

What’s in store for you and Mindwalk Yoga?

We've just launched a 30-day free trial!

To celebrate summer and the warmer months ahead, Mindwalk Yoga has launched a 30-day free trial that runs throughout the summer.Summer is a time to welcome new energy.Our online studio hosts live classes daily, including anti-anxiety yoga therapy, yin yoga, restorative yoga, vinyasa flow, chair yoga, hatha yoga, and healing sound baths. In addition to live online classes, we have an on-demand library of over 100 courses that members can practice at a time that suits them.Community is at the heart of Mindwalk Yoga. To sign up for 30 days of free classes, visithereand join our wellness community.

Find Zakiya with her websiteorInstagram.