Hey, I'm Hira
A yoga teacher, writer and recovering productivity bro living in Toronto.
I’ve been practicing yoga for over 12 years and still learning - daily - how to actually listen to my body.
I taught at AimFit in Lahore for 2 years before completing my 200-hour training with Soma Yoga Institute . I’m currently completing my 300-hour training with Soulga x Downward Dog in Toronto.
My Yoga Story
I didn’t start yoga because I was searching for enlightenment. My back hurt.
I was 18. Doctors weren’t helpful. Someone suggested yoga. Over the years I’ve kept coming back to it - through back pain, anxiety, heartbreak, identity spirals.
At first, as it is for most people, it was just a physical thing. But it slowly became a space where I could slow down, feel my body, and actually hear myself think. It helped me understand my anxiety - before I even had the language for it - and gave me tools to meet it with less panic and more compassion.
What To Expect From My Classes
I teach small group and online classes.
Most of what I teach is vinyasa and yin. The pace is usually slow to moderate. I give clear cues. I care about alignment. We pay attention to breath.
I tend to focus on how things actually feel in the body. What’s working. What isn’t. What can be adjusted. I’m not trying to create a peak experience. I’m trying to create something sustainable.
Heat is optional. Modifications are normal. You don’t need to be flexible or calm or spiritually inclined.
That’s pretty much it. If you’ve ever felt like yoga wasn’t for you, I hope this spaces changes your mind.
Teaching Between Cultures
There are many moments when I wonder if I’m doing it ‘right’, or if I even belong in the yoga space.
I grew up in Pakistan in a conservative environment where women’s bodies were closely watched and often policed. I now teach in Toronto, in a culture where yoga is widely accessible and often aestheticized.
Moving between those contexts changed how I relate to the practice.
In one setting, the body felt restricted. In the other, it often feels curated. That contrast makes me pay attention to how we talk about bodies, authority, and who gets to take up space in a room.
I don’t exoticize yoga. I don’t sell transformation. I don’t pretend tradition is simple or modern culture is neutral. I’m still figuring out how to hold all of that responsibly.
Still Unlearning...
Perfectionism. Hustle culture. The myth that productivity = worth. The shame of inhabiting a body that didn’t always feel like mine. The hyper-polished version of yoga I thought I needed to perform.
Teaching and practicing yoga are part of how I stay grounded. This is how I come back to myself - again and again. I don’t have it all figured out, but this is the work that helps me show up anyway.
A Bit About Me (Off the Mat)
I’m a little bit nerdy, a little bit neurotic, and always trying to self-therapize like it’s a side hustle. I love a good debate (especially if I win), have a massive sweet tooth, and want a dog - but also have commitment issues, so we’re not there yet.
I feel most like myself with bare feet on grass, ideally halfway up a trail I already regret starting. I love reading fiction, and I’m convinced baked goods (wink) are a valid form of coping.
I started Yoga Bytes because I wanted a space for the thoughtful, messy, low-stakes side of practice.
How to Practice With Me
Weekly online group classes (Zoom, max 8 people) – Free/pay-what-you-can
Private sessions – 1:1 guidance, tailored support, introvert-friendly
Seasonal in-person classes – Usually in High Park when the weather’s kind
OfferingTree