I’m Zahir Akram, and yoga has been a lifelong journey for me—a journey that continues to evolve with every breath, every story, and every lesson. I’ve been exploring the deeper aspects of yoga for years now, particularly through the stories of the first yogi, Shiva, and the first-ever student of yoga, Parvati. My studies have no end goal; I’ve pursued them simply because these stories resonate with me so deeply—they have profoundly shaped my understanding of what yoga truly is.

 

The origins of the Shiva and Parvati story lie in the hills and mountainous regions of Kashmir. My mother also happens to be from Kashmir, and my initial interest began out of simple curiosity. Over time, my immersion in studying yoga’s rich history has helped me distinguish fact from fiction and explore the relationship between yoga and religion. For me, Shiva and Parvati don’t represent gods and goddesses in a religious sense. They are symbolic—rich metaphorical interpretations of something far greater, something that requires ongoing study rather than worship.

 

As a yoga teacher, I believe that yoga is not just about physical poses but about finding the strength to face life’s challenges, the grace to grow through them, and the heart to never lose hope. My teaching philosophy is rooted in the idea that yoga is a personal journey—one that is as much about self-discovery as it is about the physical practice itself. This is why, even when I teach physical poses (whether in Yin, Handstand, or Peacock Pose), I’m always encouraging students to explore their boundaries. My philosophy is that when a pose stops being psychological, it ceases to be yoga. That doesn’t mean the pose loses value in other ways, but the more psychological a pose becomes, the more it challenges you to confront who you are, and that’s what makes it yogic. As you progress through my online courses, I hope you will organically understand what my philosophy is built on.

 

I see yoga as 1% physical and 99% psychological. However, I don’t devalue that 1%—it’s the most tangible part of yoga, and influencing it helps manage the rest. A small part of something should never be underestimated. To help clarify, a student once asked me if I practice yoga every day. I knew they were asking about the physical practice—about the poses and asanas. My reply was, “No.” But in my heart, I said, “Yes,” because every day I strive to be a better husband and father, and every day I try to grow. There are setbacks, as in all areas of life, but the story of Shiva and Parvati always inspires me to never lose heart. To me, they represent love—nothing more. The merging of what it takes to finally come to peace with life.

 

As a seeker and someone who has been “spiritual” for most of my life, I hope I can do their story justice.

 

I’m here to guide you on your own journey, and I’m honoured to be a part of it.

 

In 2019, I was awarded Best Yoga Teacher in Surrey by Muddy Stilettos. It was a humbling and embarrassing experience for me. Hand on heart, when I first heard about it, I wanted to politely decline the award as it didn’t align with who I was. I wasn’t trying to be the best; I was just being me and helping others navigate their own path. However, I accepted the award because it was good publicity for the studio and helped bring more attention to what we do. I was also featured on Om Yoga’s '5 Male Yoga Teachers to Look Out For' list, and in 2023, our Yoga Teacher Training Program was nominated by Om Yoga Magazine as a favourite yoga teacher training program. This was an amazing gesture, as my fellow tutors and I put our hearts and souls into the training.

 

In October 2024, Akram Yoga 🥇 WON Favourite Yoga Studio at the Om Yoga Magazine 2024 Awards. It was a reflection of the love and dedication we put into our work and the appreciation of our students. I also 🏆WON Favourite Yoga Teacher in the 2024 Om Yoga Awards. Again, I felt humbled, especially knowing how many incredible teachers we have at the studio, including my wife, Laura Akram, who is the ultimate yogi herself. While I don’t teach for recognition, I accepted the award because it brings more people to our studio, giving me a larger platform to share this passion and the traditions rooted in Kashmir with a broader audience.

 

Winning awards is simply a reflection of staying true to who I am. I have never tried to “be” a yoga teacher; I have just followed my heart and shared what I love. This award is a testament to the fact that if we keep doing what we love with passion and authenticity, it will always pay off.

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If you are interested in my punditry on life and all things Yoga, My book 'Yoga-Madness or Meditation?' is available on Amazon and you can learn with me by sitting my online C.P.D courses.