Her body is still, her face serene, as if she has pressed pause on the chaos of the world. Eyes closed, shoulders relaxed, arms stretched wide, she breathes deeply and silently. For five long minutes, nothing stirs — not even a whisper. Then, with deliberate calmness, she folds her hands together, resting them gently on her crossed legs. Slowly, her eyes open. A subtle smile flickers across her lips, and with a knowing look, she signals that she is ready.
This is how Asha Omar who owns the Asha Yoga Awareness and Hospitality (AYAH) Organisation begins not only her mornings but also her conversations — with grounding, balance, and silence. Born in the winding, historic streets of Old Town, Mombasa, 50 years ago, Asha has spent the last quarter-century in Italy, raising a family, working, and mastering an ancient discipline that she believes can heal broken bodies and troubled minds alike: yoga.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
At first glance, many mistake Asha for a woman in her early thirties. Her firm physique, youthful energy, and glowing face conceal her age. She attributes it not to expensive treatments or genetics but to the daily yoga practice that has shaped her mind, body, and spirit.
“Yoga is often misunderstood,” she explains gently. “Many people confuse it with religion or sport. It is neither. Yoga is an all-round discipline. It connects the brain, the heart, the soul, and the body so that you can discover your inner self.”
In Italy, Asha has spent the last 10 years teaching yoga to people from all walks of life, using the practice not only as a form of exercise but as a pathway to healing, mindfulness, and positive living. This year, she made a bold decision — to return home to Mombasa and share the gift with her community.
Bringing Healing Home
Her first stop was the Reachout Centre Trust (RCT), an anti-drug lobby in Mombasa that works with young people struggling with addiction. Here, Asha saw an urgent need.
“I wanted to help young people with drug dependence disorders disentangle themselves from the disease,” she says. “Through yoga, I guide them to realize why God created them, their purpose on earth, and to embrace fresh life.”
But her vision stretches beyond rehabilitation. “I don’t only deal with recovering drug users. Yoga is for the entire community — children, parents, teachers, managers. Everyone can benefit, and no one is excluded,” she adds.
[In Action! Some of the male staff at Reachout Centre Trust during a Yoga session in Mombasa. Yoga is becoming one of the best ways to heal the inner soul. Photo/Joseph Ngala/Sept’ 24, 2025].
With her trademark broad smile, Asha explains that yoga is more than physical poses. It is a discipline that strengthens mental resilience, fosters positive thinking, and replaces destructive patterns with healing ones.
“When you practice yoga every day, you are not only protecting your mental health,” she says. “You are also improving your reasoning, your physical health, and your ability to focus only on the positive instead of being consumed by negativity.”
Beyond Misconceptions
Despite its global recognition, yoga remains relatively unknown in Kenya, often dismissed as a foreign or religious practice. Asha is determined to change that perception.
“In our country, many people are unaware of yoga despite it being so critical to mental well-being,” she laments. “It is not too late. If we embrace it, we can learn to think positively, detach from destructive habits like drugs or crime, and stop blaming ourselves for our past.”
At the heart of her teaching is the power of breathing. Through calculated breathing techniques, Asha explains, the nervous system is calmed, the brain receives oxygen, and negative thoughts are slowly replaced with clarity and peace.
“Bring your problems before yourself,” she advises. “Instead of blaming others, forgive them. Think step by step about how you will solve your challenges. It is not a miracle, but slowly, you begin to feel loved, valued, and at peace with those around you.”
Her philosophy is simple: life must be lived in gratitude. “Always thank God for the gift of life. Don’t postpone your to-do list. Do not lament about everything. Be positive, give your best, and you will gain what you thought was lost.”
Practice for Everyone
During the interview, Asha’s phone rings repeatedly — calls from people seeking guidance. Her schedule is busy, but she insists yoga does not demand large amounts of time.
“You can start with just five minutes, then ten, then half an hour, until you reach one hour daily. Preferably, practice before starting your day,” she says.
In Italy, she even introduced yoga programs in schools. “Imagine raising our kids to be mentally strong from a young age,” she says with conviction. “Our society will be healthier, free from drug abuse, crime, and even irresponsible behavior.”
Her dream is to extend her work in Kenya to leaders and professionals. “Managers and CEOs should practice yoga. It helps them balance their roles at work and at home. A person who practices yoga daily cannot be violent at work or cruel to their families.”
Voices of Transformation
At Reachout Centre Trust, the impact is already being felt. Faizah Hamid, Programs Manager, recalls her first session with Asha.
“The first experience was engulfed with fear and uncertainty,” she admits. “But midway through, I felt something I can’t explain. When you sit quietly, close your eyes, and breathe deeply, it feels like your brain is connected to your heart. It’s powerful.”
Hamid is eager to continue practicing, whether alone or with her colleagues. “The results are real,” she says.
Pili Saria, an advocacy officer at RCT, echoes the sentiment. “It has never crossed my mind that yoga can be an all-round treatment — for the body, soul, heart, and brain. It is a new phenomenon to me, but one worth practicing daily.”
The Bigger Picture
For Asha, yoga is more than a practice; it is a philosophy of life rooted in mindfulness, forgiveness, and balance. She believes that if Kenyans embrace it, they will not only improve personal well-being but also nurture a more compassionate, resilient society.
[Yoga expert Asha Omar (far back) during a Yoga class with some of the Reachout Centre Trust staff. Asha is on a journey to enable coastal community embrace Yoga as one way of both physical and mental healing. Photo/Joseph Ngala/Sept’ 24, 2025].
“It is about balancing the brain, being mindful, reasoning properly, meditating deeply, forgiving, and solving problems step by step,” she says. “If you follow yoga’s guidelines, you stop carrying the burdens of the past that only hurt your inner self. Instead, you begin to heal.”
Her message is simple but profound: wellness is not found in medicine alone. Sometimes, it begins with a deep breath, a quiet mind, and the courage to look inward.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice that began in India thousands of years ago. While many people think of it only as stretching or exercise, yoga is actually a complete discipline that combines movement, breathing, meditation, and mindfulness.
At its core, yoga is about creating balance between the body, mind, and spirit. Through controlled breathing and gentle postures, it helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and improve focus. Regular practice strengthens the body, sharpens thinking, and fosters positive emotions.
Importantly, yoga is not a religion. It is a universal practice that anyone — regardless of age, faith, or background — can use to improve physical health and mental well-being. Whether done for five minutes or one hour, yoga is a simple yet powerful tool to reconnect with yourself and live a more balanced life.
