Travel With Tamara | Yoga in Kenya

ONE: MAASAI MARA

What: Acroyoga fuses the wisdom of yoga, the power of acrobatics and the loving kindness of Thai massage. To try this form of yoga, you need trust, fitness and a sense of humour. The practice requires three people – a base, who is the foundation of the pose; a flyer, who performs postures supported by the base; and a spotter who, like a mother lion, makes sure no harm comes to her cubs.

Where: Bogani Camp is an initiative of me.org of Canada, whose motto is ‘together we can shift the world from me to we’. This camp has leadership programmes, community empowerment, social impact initiatives – and yoga.

Who: Chelot iis a certified second level Power Vinyasa Flow yoga instructor and an Africa Yoga Project teacher, and has taught yoga around the world. As well as Acroyoga, Cheloti teaches power vinyasa flow and acrobatics.

TWO: LAMU ISLAND

What: SUP yoga, otherwise known as paddleboard yoga, takes yoga to the open seas. Yogis move through their series of postures on paddleboards floating on the water. The practice needs balance and strength, as the boards move with the waves, and a love of the water, since falling in while learning is part of the fun.

Where: Banana House is a resort that focuses on wellness and yoga. Daily yoga classes take place morning and evening, and regular Art of Living retreats happen throughout the year. The team at Banana House are the architects of two annual festivals: the Lamu Yoga Festival and the Lamu Yoga and Wellness Festival.

Who: Kelly Alomba trained and qualified in Power Vinyasa Flow with the Africa Yoga Project. As well as SUP yoga, Kelly teaches power vinyasa flow and Hatha yoga, and was once personal trainer to international supermodel Naomi Campbell.

THREE: MOMBASA

What: Kundalini yoga, or laya yoga, is influenced by the Shaktism and Tantra schools of Hinduism. Using chanting, meditation, breathing and yoga postures, this is a more spiritual form of yoga. Often called the ‘yoga of awareness’, Kundalini focuses on truth, compassion and consciousness.

Where: Bodyworx and Bliss, Bahari Beach Hotel is a health club with a wide variety of classes in all aspects of fitness, including Pilates, circuit training, step aerobics and several forms of yoga. The resort also has a couple of swimming pools and a spa.

Who: Felix Njiru trained in Kundalini with teachers from the Kundalini Research Institute in collaboration with Yoga Teachers for Africa, and was one of the first certified Kundalini yoga instructors in Kenya. He trained in Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow with internationally certified Ashtanga teacher, Sharon Moon; he’s also certified in Power Vinyasa Flow and Pilates, and is an experienced Capoeira player.

FOUR: NAIROBI

What: Power Vinyasa Flow was established by Walt Baptiste and his son Baron Baptiste who, inspired by Hatha Yoga, created a highly physical yoga practice. This form of yoga requires commitment, passion and focus, and builds physical strength.

Where: Africa Yoga Project, Diamond Plaza, was created in 2007 to train young Kenyans, particularly disenfranchised young men and women from marginalised communities. Its yoga teachers offer a fabulous selection of classes from 6.30am to 7pm, and the centre also offers an annual teacher training programme. The Saturday morning community class is free.

Who: Bernard Gitonga joined AYP when it opened, and is now a level 2 teacher with 200-hour teacher training. With a background in acrobatics and kickboxing, his yoga is physical and strong. Bernard is also qualified in Next Generation Yoga and teaches children both formally at the centre and informally around his home.