Physio-Led Yoga & Pilates for Real Results
I combine 9 years of physiotherapy experience with clinical yoga and Pilates to help you move without pain. It is not about endless reps—it is about finding the right connection with your body.
If you're dealing with sciatica, you know how frustrating that pain can be. I use targeted movements like nerve flossing and gentle hip trusts to help elongate the sciatic nerve and relieve pressure. My approach is to address the root cause, not just the symptoms.
It's not about how many reps you do, but how you do them. Here, I'm guiding a client through a reformer stretch, ensuring her alignment is perfect to target the right muscles. This hands-on, quality-focused approach is central to every session I teach.
That "tech neck" or forward head posture from hours on screens can lead to a lot of discomfort. I use corrective exercises like the prayer stretch to improve mobility in your upper back and shoulders, which helps realign your spine and reduce strain.
A strong core is the foundation for a healthy back and good posture. This is one of my favorite effective ab workouts you can do on a mat. The key is to move slowly, with control, and to connect your breath to every movement.
My time in Mysore for yoga teacher training was about more than just poses. It was a deep dive into the connection between movement, emotion, and self-discovery. This experience is woven into my teaching, blending the physical practice with a mindful approach.
Here is a perfect example of my physio-led approach. I'm using a simple physio ball to help a client correct her posture and activate the small stabilizing muscles in her back. These specific cues and adjustments make all the difference in building a mind-muscle connection.
I love seeing my clients progress. This client made incredible improvements in her shoulder blade mobility. We worked on specific back extension exercises on the reformer to release stiffness and build strength in her upper back.
About this collection
My sessions do not look like typical group classes because they are not. As a physiotherapist, I look at how your body is actually functioning—whether that is chronic sciatica, stiff shoulders from desk work, or just needing better posture—and build a program that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Beyond The Mat
When I design a routine, I am not just thinking about a pose or a movement pattern. I am thinking about your range of motion, your spinal alignment, and the specific muscle groups that need support. Having spent 9 years as a physiotherapist, I have seen how common injuries—like a herniated disc or a stiff neck—are often treated with generic exercise that can actually make things worse.
How My Sessions Work
Whether we are working one-on-one or in a small group at my studio in HSR Layout, the goal is quality over quantity.
- Mind-Muscle Connection: We will slow down. You will learn to feel exactly which muscle should be activating during a move. If you are doing a core exercise, you should feel your deep stabilizers, not just your neck or hip flexors.
- Physio-Led Adjustments: If you have sciatica, we use nerve flossing to create space. If you are dealing with 'tech neck,' we use specific thoracic spine mobility drills to reverse that hunch.
- Tailored Equipment: I use everything from reformer machines to simple physio balls, depending on what your body needs on that specific day.
Why This Approach Matters
Yoga and Pilates can be transformative, but only if they are practiced with respect for your physical limitations. I have worked with everyone from athletes to people just trying to get through a workday without back pain. Even I have days where I need a push to show up. That is why my classes are built to be supportive—we laugh, we challenge each other, and we progress step by step.
If you have never tried Pilates because you think it is 'just for flexible people,' I invite you to come and feel the difference. You do not need to be flexible to start. You just need to be willing to take the first step.
Sara Najafi
I am Sara. I am a physiotherapist, but my real work starts on the mat. I moved from Iran to India, and this journey—from my physio studies to my yoga training in Mysore—taught me that healing is about connecting the science of how we move with the soul of why we move.
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