Najal, a native Brooklynite, NYU graduate, and former competitive gymnast, recognized the importance of connecting with one’s own body and mind from a young age. She believes that nurturing this connection is fundamental to leading a meaningful life and engaging authentically with the world—a sentiment that continues to guide her yoga practice and teaching. Najal came to yoga through meditation, a practice she adopted to steady her hectic and often anxious mind. At NYU, she led a weekly BIPOC-centered meditation group, igniting her passion for community-oriented work and her continued interest in intersecting yoga and social justice. Najal completed her 200-hour Teacher Training at the Shala under the lovely guidance of Barbara Verrochi and Kristin Leigh. Najal’s Ashtanga practice, in addition to her time as a gymnast and dancer, directly informs her teaching. In class, Najal strives for a balance of body, breath, and mind work, emphasizing yoga as more than just asana. Her primary goal is for her students to get out of their heads and into their bodies, while cultivating a greater sense of inner strength, compassion, and joy. When not on the mat, you can find Najal assisting therapeutic horseback riding lessons at GallopNYC, volunteering in the horticulture department at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, or sipping on matcha in Fort Greene Park.