Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ja’Myya Abdullah. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ja’Myya, appreciate you joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

In 2021 I received my certification to be a yoga instructor. At the time I didn’t have the funds to finish paying for the course. My yogi was very understanding and really helped me be able to complete payments. I worked with her all summer teaching yoga with CMSD (Cleveland Municipal School District). I, along with other yogis, taught at many different schools in the district for a week at a time. Even though payments I received didn’t go into my “pocket” I still consider those sessions to be my first dollars made because it also helped me complete payments to my certification.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Ja’Myya Abdullah, I am the founder of “Sentinel Yoga”. I started yoga at home watching YouTube videos over 10years ago. I was nervous about actually attending a class. My biggest concern was “oh shoot I am NOT flexible enough to attend and actual yoga class.” I let my anxiety keep me in the confines of my living room. Not too long after I started on my own my mom invited me to take a class, it was also her first time. The class was an aerial yoga class. I was SUPER nervous and excited at the same time. After that class, my love exploded. I increased my practice at home and fell more and more in love with not just the movements of yoga, but the lifestyle. Learning the principals and how to apply the 8 limbs to my day to day life was a challenge, a challenge that I am still working on today. In 2020 I moved here to CLE, OH and was working at a smoothie shop. My husband and I were talking about what steps I could take to enhance my yoga journey. I was looking online for yoga schools/classes in the area. Just as I was looking deeper into an online school, a young lady named Patrice walked into the shop. As she ordered she mentioned she was on break from taking Yoga Teacher Training Classes and how a student just dropped out and a space was open. I immediately got the information and who to contact. As soon as I had the chance I contacted the instructor, and after an initial interview, BOOM, I was a student at the Dawn M. Rivers School of Yoga! After receiving my certification I began teaching around Cleveland. I work with non-profits, like Acacia Park Wellness, doing yoga in the park during the summer months and in various other spaces. As I teach (classes between 60-90mins), I like to give clients a knowledge of the philosophies of yoga, stories of personal experiences, and demonstrations of poses. I find that a lot of people don’t feel confident enough to attend yoga classes, just like I did. During my class I like to give reassurance to each person by showing modifications to each pose and giving an encouraging word. Giving modifications to poses can give each person the senses “wow I can do this, I am a yogi!” I am very proud that I am able to work with amazing organizations and businesses aimed towards positively benefiting the health of others mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Im really looking forward to teaching classes with The P.O.D. Project at RidAll Green Partnership, and more yoga in the park with Acacia Park Wellness. I am and believer and a product of yoga being very beneficial. Through the many years of doing yoga I have experienced better physical movements, healthier mental processes, and a deeper connection to my emotional and spiritual self. Taking a class with me is like creating a personal bubble of safety and serenity. I offered each person an judgement free space to be present for themselves in whatever capacity they need in that moment.

Have you ever had to pivot?

This past winter (winter 2023/2024) really hit me hard. I had been dealing, or not dealing with, a lot of mental and emotional things that somewhat took a spiral and really affected my physical health. Unfortunately I had to take a big step back from a lot of opportunities that I was working on. This included teaching yoga classes, partnering with businesses, and even personally being n my mat. In November 2023 I experienced a random sickness that had me ed ridden, unable to eat or drink, and made it difficult to eve move for almost a week. During this week I realized how much I was not taking car of myself. Unfortunately this caused me to pull back from many of the events and partnerships I was involved with. I need time to recover and gain my strength. I really had to pivot my journey, as well as my teaching. It was difficult to pull away. I am a very headstrong person and I didn’t want to put down any of the things I had on my plate. But, my health took priority. Being a mother, wife, yoga instructor, and a full time worker I had to really figure out how to regain my health and strength to be able to benefit others. I am still recovering, as well as working on other endeavors. Getting back to my mat physically has been the most difficult part of my recovery. There are days when all I want to do is stay in bed and be there all day. But, I know in order to help others I have to be able to show up for myself. As I continue to work on bettering my presence on my mat mentally and physically, I hope to show others that sometimes we stumble and need a moment to gather ourselves. And, whatever that moment looks like that it is ok. As long as you do your best to continue to show up for yourself and move forward in the best possible way.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think working with businesses focused on a healthy community in all senses has helped me build my reputation. I have partnered with Ghetto Therapy and have facilitated meditation/yoga sessions. The community also carries over into yoga in the park with Acacia Park Wellness, and The P.O.D. Project at RidAll Green Partnership.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_yogimyya

Image Credits
ALJ Visuals Majestic Vision Productions, LLC