by Clarissa Hartley

Meet Zenida North, the brains and heart behind Realistic Yoga Retreat — a yoga studio nestled in the crisp cool North of England. North proudly stands at the forefront of a movement that encourages approachable, jovial yoga sessions. With classes running both in-person and online, Realistic Yoga Retreat has flourished under her guidance. But how did Zenida stumble upon yoga, and what led her to become a respected instructor? Let’s delve into her inspiring story.

The Unlikely Journey to Yoga

Ironically, Zenida didn’t start within the world of sport or fitness. Being placed in the lowliest set for Physical Education (PE) at school, it wouldn’t be surprising if she declared a penchant for potato chips than push-ups. Spending her time in mundane runs and binge-watching marathons rather than anything remotely sporty.

However, at 18, she embarked on a life-changing journey towards fitness due to an itch for something new and a sudden spark of restlessness – she found solace in yoga. Contrary to conventional belief, her lack of rigorous physical activity gifted her with natural flexibility, which eventually garnered her an affinity for yoga. Simultaneously, her ambition to enroll as an RAF nurse motivated her to start gymming. This drastic shift from zero physical activity to intense gym regimes necessitated yoga’s calming effects for balance.

The Evolution Into Teaching

To teach yoga didn’t initially jump out at her as a career choice. In college, her studies revolved around creative writing and English literature with an aim to publish more narratives and ultimately teach in a school setting. Her optimistic visions of teaching, however, were undermined by the stress that comes with the vocational territory.

In a quest for escapism, Zenida decided to step out of her comfort zone and explore new horizons. She purchased tickets for a spontaneous trip to India, armed with advice from her yoga class guru – to consider undergoing yoga teacher training.

Deep within her newfound serenity and bliss that Goa, India offered, Zenida found herself teaching yoga out of a spirited whim. A pair of curious wanderers intrigued by yoga but hesitant, found Zenida offering to guide them. Surprised by their eager attendance the next morning, she found herself teaching on the beach, purely out of passion. This newfound love for instructing became a serendipitous discovery, setting her on the path of becoming a yoga instructor despite her past reservations.

The Continuous Journey Of Learning

Zenida’s initial preparation entailed 200 hours of training, extended by an additional 300 in Nepal. She advocates the importance of reevaluating, reflecting, and continuously improving your skills, emphasizing her belief that the journey of learning never ceases.

Realistic Yoga Retreat: The Genesis

The ripe inspiration behind Realistic Yoga Retreat emerged from jocular banter of Londoners in Goa, christening her ‘Realistic’ for her straightforward nature and Lancashire roots. This unconventional personal branding sublimely transformed into the identity of the yoga retreat she eventually established in Kendal. The retreat prides itself on representing Zenida’s plain-speaking style and earthy community that overlooks age and ability, eschewing formality.

Yoga: A Lifestyle With Diverse Impact

Zenida’s passion for yoga shines through as she reveals the introspective revelations it brings forth and its profound impact on comprehending one’s environment and responses. Her personal battles with stress reactions have also been appeased, thanks to the balancing impact of yoga. Furthermore, yoga has drastically improved her dietary habits, adopting an unrestrictive approach, focusing more on nourishing her body the right way. When asked about her other fitness routines, she gleefully shared her zeal for football, fell running, cold water swimming, and animal flow.

Yoga, to her, can bring calm to everyone. Its ultimate goal is to enable navigation through life effectively by regularizing the nervous system. The variety of yoga styles can cater to diverse needs, making it suitable for everyone. Zenida concludes that yoga’s essence is in imparting tools to discover tranquility within the chaos.

Intriguingly, Zenida moved from being an unlikely enthusiast to a passionate advocate for yoga, proving that it’s never too late to embrace a healthier lifestyle. She now stands as an inspiration, illuminating a path to rediscovering oneself through the lens of yoga.

Yoga, Yoga journey, Fitness change, Yoga teacher training, Realistic Yoga Retreat, Yoga for beginners, Health and wellness, Yoga lessons