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Description

Tami Hafzalla hails originally from Cairo, Egypt, and found her spirit grounded & home-grown through her explorations of Yoga and Ayurveda. In this podcast, she brings us along on her journey originating in a curious & contemplative childhood, through psychology studies in college that triggered her introduction to Yoga, breath work, meditation and self-discipline. "Yoga is here to liberate me." Her drive to be of service to humanity drove progressively deeper through experiences all over the world with Vedic sciences: music, chanting, ancient texts, Jyotish (Ayurvedic astrology), and bhatki, which means devotion. Bhakti is the style of practice that spoke most to Tami across the decades of her journey and has sustained her through years of parenting, working, breathing and living. "The truth of being a householder in the world is that we can't spend all the hours in the day in spiritual awareness, but we can be in devotion." She quotes Jack Kornfield's book, "After the Ecstasy, the Laundry." She shares with us one of her personal favorite mantras, 'begin again' because the nature of being human is honoring recurrent imperfection. We then discuss Tami's brilliant approach to attending to your Ayurvedic constitution during a group Yoga practice. Tami's grasp and application of the science to the daily life is palpable, regardless of wrestling toddlers into pants or on retreat abroad at a spiritual retreat. "This is my practice. My body is changing and this is my practice." Hearing her story is inspiring. Listening through her humility is an honor.

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Bio

Tami approaches her Yoga and Ayurveda practice in the spirit of Bhakti. (devotion) She was born in Cairo Egypt to a Coptic Orthodox family. Steeped in traditional, spiritual practices from a very young age and inspired by travels worldwide, her heart has been deeply touched by witnessing the sweetness of bhakti: devotional acts that align the seeker’s heart to heart of God. There are so many ways to connect with the divine and experience oneness: In a colorful temple puja, in a grand mosque, praying in a luminous cathedral, through poetry, music, art, or quietly sitting in expansive nature. As Rumi shares: “Let the beauty you love be what you do, there are many ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”Yoga and Ayurveda have most nourished and enlivened her, offering space for daily renewal and connection to subtle, peaceful and sacred essence.

Tami believes that everyone has the capacity to connect to optimal health, inner wisdom and grace. As a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, she empowers clients toward self inquiry and insight. Tami offers Ayurvedic treatments as a gateway to deep relaxation, rejuvenation, regeneration and radiance. As a Yoga teacher of 22 years, she is adept in holding grounding, compassionate space. She is committed to cultivating a practice that is warm and welcoming for students to move through a personal process, finding union of body, mind and heart. They are guided to access profound levels of insight and freedom, reconnecting to inherent wisdom, to heal and dissolve barriers that separate us from ourselves and each other. Ultimately, her intention is to share techniques to align with radiance from the inside out; connection to self, connection to others beyond name and form, connection to spirit, universal consciousness and love. Her classes are artfully sequenced, strength building and meditative. She has taught retreats worldwide. She is the co founder and co directer of Synergy Yoga School and has led teacher trainings in Seattle and India. 

It has been a blessing to study with many masterful teachers in India, Australia, Europe and the US. In addition to specializing in Ayurvedic massage, she also offers therapeutic massage integrating Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular, Lomi Lomi, Swedish, Reiki, and Craniosacral techniques. For many years s was an active Doula. Today she serves the birthing community by offering Prenatal and Postpartum massage.

Tami’s greatest teacher is her beloved son Indi Kainoa. From him she has learned the greatest love, patience and joy of being embodied, alive and awake in the present moment. What a blessing to be on this unending journey of renewal & transformation.