"These courses are truly a lifetime’s work, and I'm so grateful to have a platform to share everything I've learned over the years with you. My goal is for you to walk away feeling more confident in your understanding—not only so you can teach with assurance but also to empower you to be yourself and to question conventional yoga wisdom. Too often, this wisdom, even with the best intentions, causes more harm than good. I hope you can use what I teach to continue sharing the magic, helping others evolve and heal, just as yoga has done for me—and for you."

ZAHIR AKRAM

About Your Tutor – Zahir Akram
Dedicated husband, dad, and lifelong seeker.

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For a fuller biography, click here.

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Hi, I’m Zahir Akram, your course tutor and the owner of Akram Studio. My journey started in 2004 as a personal trainer, with early experiences as far as New York. Over the years, I’ve continuously evolved my approach, always seeking new and effective ways to guide others towards their goals.

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I’ve been deeply honored to receive recognition along the way, including being voted the best yoga teacher in Surrey in 2019 (though I’ll admit, I’m not even the best teacher in my own household!). These moments have been humbling reminders of my passion to help students not only move better but feel empowered in their own bodies, breaking down complex science into accessible lessons.

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For those considering this course, know that my commitment to learning runs deep. I’ve dedicated years to understanding the intricacies of lower back pain, and that journey continues today. But this quest goes beyond just the body. For over a decade, I’ve immersed myself in the wisdom of the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra—a text that has profoundly influenced my approach. Its teachings remind me that each individual is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each person must discover their own magic on their own path.

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Having personally struggled with chronic back pain since a car accident at 17, I understand the frustration and confusion that can come with it. Early advice I received only added to that frustration, and this course is my way of cutting through that noise—helping you to guide your students with clarity, while giving them the tools to listen to their own bodies. Sometimes, the most powerful teaching is helping someone discover the wisdom already within them.

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I’ve studied at the National Academy of Sports Medicine and N.E.S.T.A. in biomechanics, alongside beginning a degree in Osteopathy at the London School of Osteopathy. Though life’s demands shifted me away from completing that degree, the knowledge gained continues to fuel my work.

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I’m here to share not just the science, but the deeper philosophy that underpins yoga. Together, we’ll explore both the anatomy of the body and the timeless wisdom that can guide your students towards their own unique path.

I’ve dedicated half my life to understanding what makes us who and what we are. My studies have taken me from anatomy to philosophy—from the Greeks, who first dissected the human body, to the yogis who say we are not the body. This journey has led me from my parents' birthplace in Kashmir, to the bustling streets of Calcutta, and the serene landscapes of Nepal. I’ve broken down and dissected everything, from the mechanics of breathing to the intricacies of Bandhas.

I’ve had a complex relationship with yoga. I’ve loved it, critiqued it, fallen out of love with it, had enough of it—and yet, I keep coming back. My understanding of yoga isn’t just a collection of other people’s words or theories. It’s a tapestry woven from my own experiences, filled with moments of doubt, rediscovery, and personal growth.

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Yoga has given me the strength to forge my own path, and that’s exactly what I hope to share with you. As the Sufis say, “In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.” This course isn’t about rigid rules or seeking absolute truths. It’s about finding what feels true and right for you, with a heart-centered approach to learning.

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ZAHIR AKRAM