Vivid Balance Woman 2013

Vivid Balance Woman

Letter from dear Devika

I was introduced to Nermeen by the incredible woman organizing Leadership Heights—a trek to Mount Kilimanjaro. At the time, I was postpartum, unfit, and unsure of myself, weighing 88kg and trying to figure out how to acclimatize my lungs and prepare my body for high altitude. I was going to be tent-mates with Konstantina, and I knew I had to keep up—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

Nermeen became the first yoga teacher in my adult life who taught me the power of breathing correctly. She helped me reconnect with my body and understand its strength—from how to balance properly on flat feet to building muscle confidence and learning poses like Halasana and the wall pose, which became tools in managing my stress.

But her impact went beyond the physical. I was navigating the emotional toll of a difficult divorce, dealing with courtroom stress and low self-esteem. Her yoga classes introduced me to meditation, helping me calm my monkey mind on the days I felt overwhelmed. Sometimes, she would even make me tea just to soothe my nerves—a gesture that reflected her deep compassion and genuine desire to help.

I still remember the adorable and effective stick-figure yoga routines she curated just for me—drawn with love and tailored to my needs. When she invited me to join a program I couldn’t afford at the time, she still welcomed me in, no questions asked. That experience introduced me to a community of incredible women and to Sujathaji’s teachings on intentional meditation. It was there I heard the question that has shaped my journey ever since: Who are you? Not the roles or labels we carry—but who we truly are.

I also hold close the memory of the Sufi meditation session she invited me to. That evening opened the doors to my next spiritual guide and deepened my journey into understanding the wisdom of the body, the mind, and Indian scientific and spiritual traditions.

Nermeen is, to me, an earth angel. She appeared exactly when I needed her, and helped guide me—body, mind, and soul—toward the next phase of my healing. I will always be grateful for her presence, her grace, and the way she quietly and powerfully shaped my life.