Inspiring Conversations with Denisha Parker of Yoga Nisha

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denisha Parker.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2019 I started training to be a yoga instructor; a month before completion of my training, Covid happened, and the world was shut down. I finished my training online and started teaching my friends and family via Zoom. It was a great way to stay to connected while teaching the benefits of yoga and meditation, especially during a time where people needed connection. Fast forward to the Summer of 2020, when there was so much racial tension in the world, there was a need for healing, safe spaces, and education about diversity, equity, and inclusion. There was a need to create wellness spaces for BIPOC, from that need, Yoga Nisha (Nourishing, Intention, Self-awareness, Healing & Acceptance) was born. I started an LLC, taught online, and eventually started to sub-lease space. My mission is to provide a diverse group of individuals a safe space to have unique experiences that promote mindfulness, empowerment, and self-exploration. Creating a diverse wellness space is important to me as current wellness space lack diversity and resources to promote inclusivity. So often, I would show up to classes and be the only black women in the room. It’s time to shift wellness spaces to help promote mental and physical well-being for all. Representation matters. It’s important that BIPOC have teachers that look like them. In Summer of 2021, I went to Florida for 21 days to get my advanced Yoga teacher certification. In the Fall of 2021, I started training to be a Yoga Therapist. I am almost finished with the program, and I am excited to offer additional services that promote healing and growth. I am proud of the work that I am doing and the wonderful community that has supported and continues to support my vision. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Growing up in the inner city of Cleveland, I’ve seen a lot. We didn’t live in the best area, but we were loved, and my mother taught my 2 sisters and I self-love and worth at a very young age. When I was in middle school, my father was killed, and it shifted things. During that time, I don’t think I knew what grief was and I didn’t get help for it. There are so many people in my community that don’t have the resources to get the help needed, and when we do its difficult to find black and brown teachers, therapists, doctors, etc. Through life experience and Yoga Therapy, I am learning the importance of being where you are and understanding that it is okay to not be okay. We learn through the hard times. Fast forward to today, I am a wife, mother of five Albert (24), Alonna and Alonn (21), Jason (11), Jayse (9), and an Intervention Specialist full-time in South Euclid-Lyndhurst school district. I have been married for 12 years, however, prior to getting married I was a single mother of 3, and I worked to put myself through college. I have a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in special education. While building Yoga Nisha, I have continued to work full-time. I have had to wear many hats in my lifetime. It has not at all been easy, but it has all been worth it. I have worked hard to achieve all that I have today, it has been a journey and I would not change a thing. The challenging moments are what makes me stronger. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Yoga Nisha?
Yoga Nisha is a yoga studio committed to healing, growth, and well-being. When it was created, it was created because there are very few black-owned studios in Ohio. Services offered at Yoga Nisha are Vinyasa, SlowBurn, Soul Flow, Yin Yoga, and private Guided Meditation practices. 

Vinyasa is a type of yoga that focuses on movement, breath, and alignment to attain balance. There is a connection in the mind, body, and soul. Vinyasa aligns a sequence of poses with the breath to achieve a continuous flow. In Vinyasa, the body gets warm, and the heart rate comes up as you work to the peak of the class. While this is a faster-paced class, there are modifications making it beneficial and appropriate for all fitness levels. 

Slow Burn is a type of yoga that is a sequence of postures that uses the breath, yet it is at a slower pace. Slow burn should not be confused with easy. The pace of a slow burn class is slower, with an emphasis on safe alignment while maintaining balance and breath. Postures are held for 2-4 cycles of breath to help connect, notice, and align. Static holds throughout this class allow for strength, stability, posture integrity, mindfulness, and awareness of breath. Slow burn is a great option for new students or any practitioner that just wants to slow down to feel more grounded and connected. 

Yoga Nisha Soul Flow is a 20/20/20 class. The first 20 minutes of class is yin. Poses are done on the mat with an intention to tap into the tendons, ligaments, and fascia. The next 20 minutes, we work through a series of postures that are designed to heat the body. This section of the class is Vinyasa style. There is one breath, one movement as we transition from one posture to the next. The last 20 minutes of class is restorative. We come back down to the mat to stretch, relax, and restore. With Yoga Nisha Soul Flow you are literally getting the best of both worlds. 

Yin yoga is a slower paced more restorative type of yoga. This practice of yoga starts with meditation to get grounded and connected with self. In Yin yoga, the poses are held for longer periods of time (typically three to five minutes of longer) to target connective tissues (such as ligaments and tendons) rather than focus on the muscles as most of our active (yang) yoga practices do. Students will hold 5-6 postures with the muscles fully relaxed, allowing time and gravity to deepen the stretch and target the fascia. This class ends with a longer more meditative Shavasana. 

Meditation in this practice the student is led by me in a private guided meditation session. Students are taught various breathing techniques as they learn to practice mindfulness while being okay with the practice just as it is. This private session will help you connect deeper with yourself as you learn to find the calm in the chaos. 

What sets me apart from others is that I am creating a space that doesn’t exist, a space that BIPOC can show up authentically. I love the community that we have created. We can have open and honest conversations about anything in a safe and caring environment. I love that people from all walks of life can listen, share and be heard. It’s an opportunity to share perspective, heal, grow, love and be loved. A scholarship has been created to assist BIPOC in accessing services. It is important that I create opportunities to make services readily available to individuals who may not have the means.

I am most proud of my ability to show up and do the work. I have had many hours of training and done countless hours of research on BIPOC and wellness. I recently did a presentation on Yoga Therapy and black women, and there was little to no studies to research. The statistics that I found were even more alarming. In the research, I found that Black women make up less than 5% of psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers available to treat patients. Similarly, there are 5.7% Black yoga teachers. These statistics can make it difficult for the Black women to seek treatment. I am committed to bringing change for black and brown bodies while providing education for all. When we know better, we should do better! 

I want readers to support my black-owned business. This can be done by taking classes, donating to the scholarship, signing up for future events that will promote collaboration and healing, and sharing with friends and families about Yoga Nisha and its benefits. 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In 5-10 years, I see Yoga Nisha expanding into a global business. I see Yoga Nisha having its own brick-and-mortar. I want to educate people to be the very best version of themselves. I want to teach all people the importance of equity. I want to share my story in hopes that more people will be open to sharing theirs. This is a great time for change, and while we have a long way to go, I am hopeful that through this work healing can begin! 

Pricing:

• Monthly Membership in Studio $130.00
• Monthly Online Membership $50.00
• 10-class package $120.00
• Drop-in $15.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yoganisha.com
• Instagram: yoganishacle
• Facebook: Yoga Nisha