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Eleven years ago, Aham Yoga was born, although I never intended to become a business owner, let alone own a yoga studio. Today I’m writing to celebrate the incredible community that has supported us since the very beginning. Aham Yoga started small but has since grown to become a local yoga sanctuary with a global presence. This milestone is not just about our journey as a company, but about every person who has walked through our doors, trusted our teachings, and fueled this journey.
From humble beginnings to global reach
When I immigrated to America 12 years ago, I had just taught yoga in India, where my first studio was playfully called “Daily Yoga.” The name comes from the simple belief that daily yoga practice yields the best results. But when I moved to the United States, I felt a sense of incompleteness: I had only just begun to delve into yoga, learning from my teachers in India. After spending nearly a decade in the fast-paced and often toxic world of Bollywood dance, yoga became a refuge. It transformed not only my body, but also my mind.
However, when I arrived here, I didn’t know anyone. Most people who immigrate come either to study or work, and enter established communities or networks. I had yoga, dance and an immense hunger to teach. But I was navigating a world that felt disconnected from the authentic yoga I had learned. At the time, there were no yoga teachers in my area who looked or sounded like me. And the way yoga was offered here left me disillusioned. I didn’t resonate with the studios or the teachings around me.
But I knew I wanted to teach, and that’s where the Aham Yoga story began: with just six students. Social media wasn’t as powerful as it is today, so word of mouth became our lifeline. Our studio starts with a few basic classes per week, in a small, no-frills space. We had few accessories, no blinds, no cooling, and yet the yoga spoke for itself. Little by little, these classes began to fill up and our community began to grow.
But before we get into our story. I have to stop and say hello to the team that makes up Aham Yoga. Jamie, Srujana, Michelle, Nimisha, Swaropa, Gayathri and Sahana. Powerfully kind, generous and sincere women who consider Aham Yoga their own. Who have made yoga an integral part of their lives and come forward to serve you for years. They all started like you as students, then were attracted to yoga and decided to study it in depth at Aham Yoga. If you haven’t taken a class with them yet, be sure to do so. Aham Yoga would not be what it is today without each of them.
A studio powered by the community
What started as a modest operation grew organically, driven by people showing up for themselves and each other. The community has requested workshops, teacher trainings, retreats and more. In response, Aham Yoga developed. This studio was never just about yoga classes, it was more about creating a space where people could learn, grow, and connect. It’s this community that has helped me call Redmond home over the last decade.
Along the way, I learned how to run a studio, build a team, and grow as a person. At 26, I was a business owner in a new country, with no prior business management experience. Fast forward through all the tears, triumphs and sacrifices, and here we are, strong as a local business with global impact.
The Global Impact of Aham Yoga
Today, Aham Yoga has grown far beyond the walls of our studio. We have made a significant impact in the global yoga world. OUR Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast is in the top 5% of podcasts in the world, not only in health and wellness, but in all categories. We distribute content to 212 countries and nearly a million downloads are expected this year.
We have trained yoga teachers from all over the world (Australia, Japan, Ukraine, Netherlands and more) almost every year. Our Aham Yoga community spans every continent, with hundreds of teachers studying with us every week and thousands every year. And even if you don’t see this global reach if you’re a regular student of Aham Yoga, rest assured, our little studio in Redmond is part of something much bigger.
OUR YouTube channel continues to thrive, although we now focus on sharing podcast episodes there. Earlier this year, our Jala Neti video reached 1 million views, earning us recognition as one of the best yoga channels for beginners.
And while I don’t often talk about it at the studio, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to the yoga community in a variety of ways: writing for publications, serving on the boards of yoga festivals, taking speaking at conferences and teaching around. the world. But for me, the most important work takes place within the walls of Aham Yoga.
A sincere thank you
To each of you who have been a part of Aham Yoga over the past 11 years, whether you attended a class, joined a workshop, completed teacher training, or simply supported us from afar, we are grateful. You are the reason we made it this far. Thank you for your trust, your kindness and for being part of this journey. The team and I are very grateful to you.
Aru