JEDDAH: The Jeddah-based Saudi-Hawaiian yoga instructor talks self-discovery, finding peace and ketchup.
Yoga has taught me to accept myself. I never thought I’d be able to say I love myself, but 99 percent of our struggles are mental — many of our negative beliefs aren’t true. With time, you realize that and think to yourself, “I’m not so bad.”
People think because I practice and teach yoga that I’m some sort of guru — cue angelic hymns in the background — and that I have everything figured out and am so peaceful. On the contrary, I practice yoga because I’m a bit crazy. Part of me is peaceful, but yoga is just one page in the book of my life, but that’s the image they see on my social media.
Humans love drama. We all want this fancy super-food gimmick that’s going to heal us. And a lot of first-timers think yoga will (magically) bring them peace and they’ll be practicing this cool, calm yoga flow. They don’t understand that I can’t bring them peace. It’s within themselves, and practice isn’t always fun. But I feel like people keep coming back because they’re tapping into self-discovery.
I get the weirdest things as gifts. I once got a package of different sauces and ketchup. I can’t even get my mind around that one.
I’m a believer in natural remedies but by far the quirkiest thing I’ve ever bought was eye drops from India made of onion, garlic, lemon and ginger extract. I tried it and felt like my eyes were on fire. But a few seconds later the burning sensation was gone and I could see better. I swear it works.
Less is more. We don’t need a lot to be happy.
I have found courage and acceptance that things can or can’t work out. I don’t allow fear to rule or take over my decisions. If it’s meant to be, then I’m grateful, and even if it isn’t, I’m still grateful. Everything that happened in the past led to who and what I am today. So I don’t have any regrets.
