Getting to know Zakiya Bishton

Getting to know Zakiya Bishton
Do you tell us a little about yourself?
Hello, I am Zakiya, founder of Mindwalk Yoga, an online well-being studio that is a social company. I mixed Jamaican and English roots and live in East London. I have been teaching yoga for 12 years, has been practicing for over 20 years and my focus is now on yoga therapy for anxiety, trauma and insomnia.
What does a day in the life of Zakiya look like?
My days are a mixture of teaching for mindwalk yoga, leading the social company together with my great team, a lot of swimming, yoga and as much as possible to see friends and family.
In my free time I read a lot, my favorite authors are Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison.
How did your trip to yoga began?
I started practicing yoga with 17, in retrospect I was a very anxious teenager, so I think that the idea of doing something to find peace. I grew up in Birmingham and at that time there were no yoga courses. I got a yoga book and started my yoga trip at home.
How did the decision to become a teacher?
I trained with the British Wheel of Yoga at 25, it felt like the most natural step on my trip because I had practiced so long and wanted to deepen my understanding.
Tell us about the idea behind your platform - Mindwalk Yoga
Mindwalk Yoga came from the desire to represent black women in yoga and reach people, especially black women who believe that yoga is not for them.
Mindwalk Yoga has a unique offer-we are founded and operated exclusively by black women. While our online studio focuses on and prioritized by black women, we are open to everyone.
You can imagine mindwalk yoga like 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 cooperation mean for you?
Our community is everything at Mindwalk Yoga. We are an online studio, so they are based in the whole of Great Britain, they log in, combine each other and take time for their mental health. From London to Edingburgh to Yorkershire.
black women who never thought that yoga would be something for them, join our well-being community! We offer Chair Yoga and make our courses accessible to disabled people and people with restricted mobility. We always take time for conversations, chats and exchange before class - this social interaction is really unique and shapes who we are.
How did you get to teach/specialize yoga for fear?
I have been teaching yoga for more than 12 years and have now specialized in yoga therapy for anxiety, depression, insomnia and PTSD.
and I teach from a knowing place. I am afraid and had phases in my life, in which I felt that my anxiety symptoms such as frenzied thoughts, flat breathing and a deep feeling of nowhere to belong out of control. The use of yoga as a tool for self -government has made me specialize in this area.
How did you experience that yoga benefits them to those who suffer from fear?
to support people in dealing with their fear themselves, was the best part of my trip with Mindwalk Yoga. I share practices in classes and long courses that enable people to find their own way. This certificate says everything about an 8-week course.
" I have been in my thirties and have been clinical with depression for about 3 years, but to be honest, I think that I suffered most of my life from depression. I have already worked with yoga as a beginner. I never really "worked" because I felt uncomfortable with the "spiritual" part and was underrepresented in class. What has happened to me since then is a miracle! The peace that I started to feel after I did the homework of the first week felt so good. But I only really noticed it after week 2. I enjoyed doing all exercises as part of my routine and found that I couldn't hear the constant negativity and the humming thoughts in my head so much. I was more concentrated and less blurred
What would your top 3 tips be for someone who has to do with fear? I am forever a student who is constantly learning. My teaching style encourages the students to find out what is right for them, I offer approaches rather than specific instructions. And I share the roots of yoga so that people get an insight into yoga traditions and philosophy. all the time. In the morning and in the evening there is usually my time to start the day with soothing breathing exercises, but to be honest I dive into my exercises all day. What would you recommend to improve daily well -being beyond practicing yoga? I would like to encourage you to do what feels right for you and gives you joy. It's different with everyone. To grab fresh air and be in the countryside helps me to earth and feel connected, but it is different for everyone. Be open to new wellness ideas because they constantly change and develop. pillow! I practice a lot in bed and use my pillows so that supported positions feel pleasantly. We just started a free 30-day test version! To celebrate the summer and the coming warmer months, Mindwalk Yoga has launched a free 30-day test version that runs all summer. summer is a time to welcome new energy. Live courses take place daily in our online studio, including yoga therapy against anxiety, yin yoga, residualorative yoga, vinyasa flow, chair-yoga, hatha yoga and healing sound baths. In addition to live online courses, we have an on-demand library with over 100 courses that members can practice at the right time for you. Community is the heart of Mindwalk Yoga. To register for 30 days of free lessons, visit here and join our wellbeing community. Find zakiya for her website Instagram.
What kind of yoga teacher would you call yourself?
How do you practice yoga/meditation for yourself?
Which device/props do you prefer to use and why during your training?
What is the case with you and mindwalk yoga?
From the pen of yogamatt