Meet Zaaki
My yoga journey
I'm a certified yoga teacher with 27 years of personal yoga practice. My yoga journey began in 1999 while I was studying Computer Science at university in the vibrant islands of Trinidad and Tobago, where I’m from, and it has been a transformative part of my life ever since.
After an unexpected relocation to London in 2016, my yoga practice became a crucial part of my life. In Trinidad, I was an avid swimmer, and particularly enjoyed long-distance ocean swimming. I quickly found that I wasn’t going to be able to comfortably pursue outdoor swimming year-round in the UK. So, I turned to yoga mostly for the physical practice, hoping to maintain my mobility and flexibility in my body as I age (I’m now 43); but through yoga I also found community, mental clarity, balance, and meditation.
My yoga practice has helped me navigate life after the loss of both my parents, the transition from a small Caribbean island to the UK to marry my husband, and the unique challenges brought by the COVID years.
Training
In Tooting Bec, London where I’ve made my home - I found myself practising yoga almost every day, sometimes twice a day. With encouragement from one of my main teachers I pursued my 200-hour hatha-vinyasa yoga teacher training in London with renowned teachers Adam Husler and Michael James Wong, and with mentorship from inspiring figures like Radhika Das and Mia Togo.
This training provided me with a strong foundation in contemporary yoga anatomy and alignment, along with a deeper appreciation for yoga history and philosophy. When asked why I wanted to teach yoga - my response was, “I want to help people feel what I feel when I practice.”.
My path has been diverse and enriching; I left a career in IT, and for over a decade I owned and ran a very popular wine bar in Port of Spain’s art district, and also worked as a chef, catering events for up to 500 guests, while also running very busy stalls at local farmers’ markets on the weekends. These experiences taught me the values of creativity, dedication, and community—principles I bring into my yoga teaching.
Teaching
In my classes, I guide a physically challenging vinyasa krama practice with a playful approach, often with a few surprises thrown in. We’ll breathe and move, accompanied by kirtan chants, soul classics and maybe even some flamenco inspired dance beats.
I believe yoga should be both invigorating and enjoyable, and I encourage my students to explore their full potential on the mat. The emphasis is not on the achievement of complex poses, but the deep inward reflection and self awareness that happens on the journey to elevate one’s physical practice; that students can then carry with them out into the world.
I lead group classes, as well as provide private consultations, and bespoke flows. Join me on the mat as we embark on a journey of strength, flexibility, and self-discovery.
Further Trainings
40 hour Accessible Yoga Teacher Training led by Jivana Heyman, with Rodrigo Souza, and Ann Swanson
50 hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training led by Bernie Clark and Diana Batts
5 hour Breathwork for Stress Relief with Joshua Reynolds
Currently working on:
15 hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training with Carling Harps.
4 hour Myofascial Release with Tiffany Cruickshank.
Up next:
50 hour Rocket Yoga Teacher Training with David Kyle (Winter 2027)
300 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Michael James Wong and others. (Spring 2027)
300 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Christian Coelho/ High Yoga School (Autumn 2027)
“I really like that you still leave enough time for a proper savasana, it’s so important and teachers just don’t do it anymore”
— AD