In 2000, while still living in Iran, my birthplace, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). At the time, I couldn’t shake the fear that my future would involve losing the ability to walk. My doctor prescribed antidepressants, which helped relax my body, but my mind remained clouded with negative thoughts.

Fast forward to 2004: I experienced my first MS attack. Following my doctor’s advice, I began self-administering interferon injections three times a week and continued this treatment for 10 years. During this period, my family and I moved to the U.S. However, after being on medication for some time, I began experiencing worsening side effects. I started exploring ways to stop my medication and began taking yoga classes routinely. This is how my journey into yoga began.

Yoga became a turning point for me. I noticed the numbness in my body decreasing, and my balance significantly improved. This sparked my curiosity, and I started exploring how yoga could impact both the body and mind.

In 2014, I enrolled in yoga instructor training at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, initially for self-discovery. During the 200-hour training, I realized yoga was much more than physical exercise. I wanted to understand how meditation could help me become more present and calm my mind, so I also registered for meditation training. By the end of my training, I felt confident enough to stop my MS medication altogether. Inspired by how yoga and meditation brought me freedom and joy, I decided to make them my life’s work.

In 2015, I completed additional training at Almaden Yoga and began offering private and group classes.

I am currently focused on building the MS Yoga Society, a community dedicated to supporting individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and helping them discover new possibilities for joy and fulfillment in life.

Today, in my personal life, I’ve discovered two powerful tools that consistently help me navigate challenging times, whether physical or mental. These tools—yoga and mindfulness—have become my anchors and a source of strength.

In my work, I have the privilege of supporting a diverse range of clients, from yoga enthusiasts to individuals facing health challenges such as knee or back pain, and especially those living with MS. My mission is to empower others by showing them how yoga and meditation can be transformative tools for healing, wellness, and personal growth.

 

For more information about the classes, click here.