Local people - meet KPMT Community Engagement Officer & yoga fan, Ayan

Feb 11

Why not give yoga a go with Flip Your Dog For Mental Health on Wednesday mornings at 10.30–11.30am? Classes are free and you can attend online or in person (COVID-19 guidelines allowing) at Lewis Place Community Centre, Dalston Lane, E8 1NU. Classes are running until 23 February 2022.

We would like to introduce and congratulate Ayan on her new role as Community Engagement Officer at Hackney Marsh Partnership. Ayan first connected with King’s Park Moving Together at the Flip Your Dog yoga sessions at KPMT’s Pop Up at Hackney Marshes Pavilion this summer.

How long have you lived in the King’s Park ward?

10 years now! I really like this area. I am looking forward to working across my community to raise awareness on ways we could improve our health and wellness for long lasting change.

How do you like to be physically active?

I joined the yoga practice that runs every Wednesday. I wasn’t a person who exercised much before and the gym wasn’t for me. To be honest my anxiety wouldn’t allow me to work out in public, but Vaughan from Flip Your Dog was very approachable and I didn’t feel anxious at all during my first session.

What do you enjoy about yoga?

Yoga has really opened my eyes to the importance of looking after this vessel. It’s a subjective form of exercise and it has kickstarted my spiritual journey. It's made me mindful about my well being, health and happiness.

Did you have preconceptions about yoga?

I knew about yoga since I was young, but due to my heritage being a young black muslim girl I didn’t think it was for me. There is a stereotype of yoga being an activity for affluent white women.

I believe it would encourage more people from my community if there were more people like me doing it.

I told a boy I know about it and was surprised when he said he would like to join me, his football coach had recommended it for stretching.

Vaughan, Director of Flip Your Dog has this to say about yoga’s health benefits.

Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise that enhances physical and emotional wellbeing. Improved strength, balance and flexibility reduces the risk of injury for people young and old.

Moving our bodies and stimulating the central nervous system boosts the immune system, while breathing techniques and meditation are scientifically proven to reduce stress, improve focus and support our wellbeing.

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