Niki Bakshi
My yoga journey started in 2015 when I was diagnosed with lupus and lost a lot of mobility in my upper body. I tried many medications and went to see many doctors, but nothing seemed to work. It wasn't until I was introduced to ayurvedic remedies, proper nutrition, and yoga that I started to regain my health.
I went through Ashtanga and Vinyasa teacher training in 2017 in Papa'aloa, Hawaii. I have taught many different styles of yoga including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Gentle, and Kundalini. I am also a student at the University of San Francisco and a member of the USF Yoga Club.
My goal is to spread peace and health through yoga and meditation to my community.
Book a Private Virtual 1-on-1, Small Group or a Full Private Class for your friends, family or co-workers with the button link.
Our method of Virtual Classes, Training and Private Classes connects individuals - you can see, talk and practice together - whether you each live cross country, state or across the globe from each other. Invite friends and family from around the world - get fit, have fun and connect - ALL within the comfort of your own home!! We also understand that privacy is important so having your video and audio ON is optional during virtual class :)
Let’s Get Social! Follow Downtown Yoga on Instagram! @901downtownyogamemphis or click the Social Icons on top of the page to connect!
Q & A Niki Bakshi!
What is your yoga background? As a student? As an instructor?
After being diagnosed with lupus, I began to practice yoga to regain mobility. In 2017 I got my Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Certification as a way to deepen my practice. I slowly began to teach and by 2018 I was teaching regularly.
What is your yoga philosophy?
In Sanskrit, the word "yoga" literally means union. Yoga brings together the mind and the body and allows us to gain physical strength and mental clarity. With yoga, we learn an awareness that can be used in everyday life.
What do you hope your students get the most from your classes?
As a teacher, I love watching my students as they grow and reach their goals. I hope my students use my class to focus on themselves.
Do you prefer a specific style of yoga? Why?
Personally, my favorite style of yoga is Vinyasa because I love to put together sequences that flow in a very natural way. I like the freedom that it brings and the ability to integrate different styles of yoga like Kundalini or Yin within a Vinyasa class.
What is your advice to a beginner walking into their first class?
The most important part of yoga is to respect your body and its limitations. Come with no expectations. Do not compare yourself to others and be compassionate towards yourself.
What tip do you use in your life to motivate yourself to move?
I try to remember that I have the power to choose how my day goes and what I make of it. The difference between a productive day and an unproductive day starts with me.
What elements of yoga are you excited to teach, and why?
I am excited to teach pranayama because it is so relevant in everyday life. Prana means breath and pranayama is the control of breathing. It is important to be able to control your breath, not just in yoga, but in everyday life as well. Pranayama can be used to calm yourself in times of stress or to give you strength when you need it.
