Meet Reha founder of Rekkha Yoga
What is your background, and how did you become interested in your work / project field?
My name is Reha and I am a yoga teacher. My background is in Psychology and Behaviour Therapy. I initially wanted to get into medical school and become either a Psychiatrist or Neurosurgeon. Once I was accepted into medical school, my first year made me realize I truly was not passionate nor motivated towards this route and the idea of helping people within bounds of a hospital did not excite me. However, what was unshakeable was my passion about positive mental health outcomes and people and I now incorporate this into my teaching of yoga. This to me is fulfilling.
Practicing yoga at my local temple was my after school activity in primary school. I didn't think of it much then but now I realize what a blessing it was. Yoga as a lifestyle has since informed the ebb and flow of my life. I always knew in the future I'd want to teach yoga the authentic and culturally respectful way. This especially was amplified when I started seeing that the term yoga was taken out of context so often by so many. So three years ago I decided to quit my job running a family business in the finance industry (which was only meant to be a summer stint but prolonged) and teach yoga.
My dad didn't talk to me for a few months when I told him that I didn't want to work for him anymore. It has been the best decision I've made. I have never been so motivated and passionate about something before and all the while it was always there. I always say yoga finds you when you're ready.
What are some of the projects or initiatives you're currently working on or have completed in the past?
My primary goal has always been to reintroduce yoga to the mainstream in a culturally respectful manner and to make it accessible, affordable, and inclusive.
My greatest achievement to date is that I've been able to be another indigenous contributor bringing light to the issue of cultural appropriation in the west and in yoga studios. I have over the past 2 years seen some (italicised intentionally) yoga studios change and teachers change for the better. I was surprised this year when I went to Australia for a friend's wedding to be told by studios owners I visited whilst there that they've read the articles I contributed to speaking out against cultural appropriation and the inaccessibility of yoga. It was humbling to hear that these Australian studios had sent the articles to their teachers and asked them to read it and change accordingly.
This is and will be an ongoing process as especially in New Zealand run studios the idea of white privilege, white feminism, sizeism, age-ism, other-ing, appropriation to name a few is prevalent. It feels aggressive and offensive to others when I speak about it and the effects of colonising an indigenous practice but the real life outcome and stats speak facts on this matter. Slowly, lots of people are in fact realizing (lots would never admit it or apologize unfortunately) and are actively make changes.
The challenge is that telling people to change is one thing, making them change is another. You can never change anyone, they would need to be responsible enough to want to do so themselves. Some examples (of many) of challenges towards me because of this movement include aggressive denial by yoga teachers and studio owners yet you see them stealing your content and ideas on social media, some even steal my posts (which take hours to research and write) word-for-word, loss in teaching opportunity and (permanent) 'halts' on contracts previously agreed on and so consequential loss in income, cold shoulders by management and colleagues who would rather remove themselves from a conversation they know they have contributed unhelpfully to instead of acknowledge their part and incline to change. However, in the end better opportunities came along and come along. I would never want to be at a place that doesn't align with my values and morals so I welcome all that happens is meant to happen.
Another awesome thing I'm proud of is to have the New Zealand Police on board one of my mental health initiatives.
A typical day in my shoes is (traffic)-jammed! I teach at some thoughtful places all over Auckland so most of my day is spent driving around or being stuck in traffic. However, seeing and sharing energy with the students and teaching makes it a walk in the park.
Advice to anyone starting up a new idea or venture?
My tip to anyone wanting to start with anything is to just start. You will never know enough and you will never be this ideal self you are trying to envision before starting. The best of you comes through the journey.
How can folks can get in touch with you?