My yoga journey started on accident. I was going to a large community gym in Montana when a nice Czech woman who’s husband was military moved into town started working at the gym. She started teaching a small yoga class. I quickly fell in love and started practicing Sun A’s and Sun B’s constantly. In the midst I had to have emergency surgery due to aggressive gastricparesis and was very nervous that I did not know if I could continue learning to fly, bend, and practice. After healing, living that military life it was time to move again, my next stop was in D.C. One of the first things on my “new move” list was finding a yoga studio to root and grow my practice. After finding a studio and trying out several classes, a few weeks later I walked into Ahmed’s Saturday class. First his energy was so contagious, his love for his practice and sharing with others was ALL over him. Second his assist made me want to dig deeper. Lastly the way he celebrated all levels showed me his passion for all to grow wherever you were in your own practice. After the class I immediately asked him about his class schedule and what else he was offering! He pitched working 1:1 and I wasn’t completely sure if I was equipped to train with someone that was so advance beyond my current practice but something about his light made me feel like it was the way to go.

 I started working 1:1 with Ahmed December 2016 and it changed my life. The biggest thing Ahmed always drove home whether we were working on the hardest pose, sitting doing breathing exercises, or being still listening to melodic drums, he taught me the importance of positive self talk and saying I CAN no matter what. Ahmed has been my trainer through multiple open abdominal surgeries, 2 moves to different states, and pits in my life I never thought I would make it back from. Handstand hops always felt so far away along with being still and allowing my breath to bring energy to my mind and body. The way Ahmed celebrated my small victories the same as my big victories on and off the mat, kept me pushing myself beyond what I thought I could ever do. The importance of self practice being just as important maybe even more important than community practice became very real to me. Ahmed has never stopped cheering for me. I thought not seeing him multiple times a week in person would make my practice suffer but we both stayed committed to doing what it takes. Between Facetime, text, and sharing via social media my practice has grown. Not only am I flying in handstands but I stopped holding my breath in movement and in stillness. Every open abdominal surgery I have had (and I’ve had 9 surgeries) no matter doubts from anyone I come back stronger and better because of yoga. Yoga has made my core inside and out so much stronger. I’ve done it “all”, cross fit, cycling, running, Pilates, cross training, etc. NOTHING has made me feel stronger than yoga, it is something you can share with anyone and always be growing in, the growing never stops. That is something that I have learned from Ahmed to fully embrace. Being called a prodigy by Ahmed is a true blessing because he has truly changed my life. He has been used in my life to truly help me fall deeper in love with my practice and share my light with others as Ahmed has shared his light with me.  

 “At times you meet people in your life journey that help you add bigger stones to your growing foundation. Thank you Ahmed for pushing me to try things I never thought I could do, even in the midst of my medical condition gastricparesis and continuing to allow me to dig deep, release and breathe in all moments to becomes the strongest version of myself inside and out! BOOM! Ahmed you are a world changer”

~Christina M Arrington Silva~ December 2016

I have been practicing yoga with Ahmed for a few months now, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the expansion and deepening of my practice as a result.  As I told him recently, his yoga class is by far the most democratic of classes – by which I mean to say that anyone at any level can show up, be thoroughly challenged, be gentle, and be accepted on his or her mat. 

Many new yogis can be intimidated by exceptional practitioners of yoga, with the mentality of “I would like to try that, but there is no way I can get into that posture.”  Ahmed’s teaching style is ideal for that mindset because he teaches you how to use your breath, trust your body, understand your body’s limitations and its potential.  Striking the balance between accepting one’s limitations and reaching towards or beyond one’s potential is a very difficult task.  Ahmed helps his students achieve that with his cues, helping guide the mind to stillness, helping return the mind to the breath, and helping keep the body aligned to reach towards something greater than the self.

Ahmed also finds the humor in practice.  His guidance into and out of postures can be playful, and he can harness playful energy in the classroom, suggesting the next more advanced posture for his students on a differentiated basis.  That differentiation in class is critical to putting all students at ease, regardless of their level of advancement or ambition in their practice.  Teaching in that differentiated style is also what gives Ahmed a leg up over other teachers – he can dial it up or down during a class depending on what the students are feeling, not what he is feeling.  His yoga is truly a gift focused on the student and his or her needs. 

As a devout Hindu, meditation, and yoga practitioner, I truly believe the spiritual element is often what is missing in many yoga practices.  Be the classes a good workout, an advanced practice, or even a slow flow, many classes and teachers are lacking the spiritual foundation of embracing the mind-body union that is fundamental to yoga.  This is one of Ahmed’s many gifts.  He is able, using simple verbal cues, to return his students to a mindful mental state of following breath and thoughts to guide movement.  Even outside of class, it’s clear he understands this is a way of life, not simply a trendy product to be sold in a hot studio with expensive mats and leggings.  Ahmed is a true practitioner, and on his way to becoming a legitimate yoga guru.  

Finally, Ahmed has been kind enough to invite me to a variety of his classes and settings to practice.  While some teachers are firmly structured in where and how they teach (and that is a credit to them), my status as a full time single working mother of two requires flexibility.  However, I love not having to sacrifice my desire to practice – Ahmed has been kind to recognize that and flexible enough to include me in other settings.  That kindness and flexibility, that openness of spirit, is tremendous in terms of creating a safe space that travels to new places.  For that, and for the tenderness of his teaching, I am grateful.

~S. Sita Sonty

I had an amazing experience at the Yoga Through Connection retreat in Mexico. This trip began as a solo trip (being that I didn't have a travel partner) and I left with a brand new yoga family that stretches across the US in all directions. The schedule was perfect allowing for a balance between learning, relaxation and fun! The food was A-MA-ZING! Casa Om is a wonderful place for a retreat. The location and views are stunning. The staff is friendly and incredibly helpful. Ahmed and Candace are fantastic retreat hosts. They are genuine and knowledgeable. The curriculum for the week was challenging, fun and gave plenty of opportunity to grow. I am sooooooo looking forward to the next retreat. I will likely make YTC retreats a staple in my travel schedule. Thank you again, Candace & Ahmed, for putting in the work to make this trip happen!

~Ashley Reed

I had the pleasure of going on the Yoga Through Connection Retreat in Cancun/Puerto Morales. I’m a beginner in yoga, but I needed a vacation and a way to stay active physically & spiritually. I was a great all-around experience The instruction and purpose behind the instruction was clear and easy to follow. I definitely made some friends and had some laughs along with deep conversations. This trip was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. The scenery was beautiful, the food was great, the accommodations were comfortable and the people were friendly. This is a trip you have to try.

~James H. Parks