Meet Nasirah Denisse Gaines: Yoga Instructor & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nasirah Denisse Gaines and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nasirah Denisse, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
That is a good question. I think that in order to know when to keep going or when to give up, you have to be tuned into your divine purpose. It is important to get in touch and stay in touch with your “God voice” or whatever you want to call it. You have to be willing to ask the questions, be open to listening to the answers and take heed once you hear them. This takes so much courage! Recently, I was forced to change my career. A career that I enjoyed for 20 years! Did I want to keep going? Of course! But it was no longer good for me, good to me and I was no longer able to do my “life work.” I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Give up everything I worked for and loved? Give up my profession, my day to day? How? I wanted to keep going but it felt like it was all falling down around me. My spirit was unsettled, and my health declined. As if I needed any more confirmation, new opportunities started to present themselves. It was time to let it go, so I did. And guess what? Life is good and all is well. Give thanks…because I asked, listened, and heeded. There’s a quote that says, “The two most important days in your life are: One, the day that you are born; and two, the day you find out why.” As a rule, I try to make decisions based on whether circumstances align with my life’s purpose. I definitely lose sight of it from time to time for sure, but I’ve found life purpose to be a wise guide. And if you do not know what your life’s purpose is, just ask it to be revealed to you. Then, keep your eyes and ears open for the answers because you don’t know in what shape or form the answer will come.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a yoga instructor, I really believe in total body wellness and self-care. My clients continue to come to me because of what I add to their lives. Self-care is such a foreign concept for many of us and too often we’re pouring from an empty cup. Yoga heals, restores, and strengthens on every level–inside and out. I love that I am able to help people transform, I’m excited about it and that shines through. I believe growth only happens OUTSIDE of our comfort zones. Like I was saying, I had to take that leap, risk it and leave my job. I’m now able to focus on growing my wellness business. Yoga Infinitum @Yoga.Denisse offers different styles of yoga to newbies and experienced yogis. Since stepping out, I’ve been presented with more and more teaching opportunities for wellness talks, yoga classes and mediation. I curate SELF-IES yoga events that promote Self-care and Ease within the mind and body. And since the CoVid19 Stay In Place order, @yoga.denisse has gone virtual! Which is crazy because I was thinking about adding online classes before (but was scared to), and of course once outside closed, I was forced to go virtual to continue to offer my services. Additionally, I have been invited to co-host and host different yoga sessions for new audiences online and in-person. None of this is coincidental. It’s confirmation to me, that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I want people to know that the Universe is a place of abundance, it’s limitless; hence, the name of my company and logo—Yoga Infinitum. All we have to do is dream and believe to achieve. We are totally capable of becoming the best versions of ourselves and creating the lives we want. I invite you to join me via Instagram and Facebook @yoga.denisse. See you there!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ok well, I love going for brunch any day of the week. So they should absolutely check out my favorite spots: The Real Milk and Honey; Ms. Icey’s Lounge; Le Petit Marche; and The Atlanta Breakfast Club. They can grab lunch or dinner at Slim & Husky’s for pizza and The Spice House for Caribbean food. On Sunday, catch a Caribbean vibe at the Rum Punch Brunch day party. There, they could get something to eat and wine their waists into the evening. I love the outdoors to connect with nature and recharge. So, spend some downtime at Cascade Nature Preserve or Kirkwood Nature Preserve. Both of these gems are within the city. Atlanta has so much to do; there is something for everyone.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Aw man! There are so many people that help me on this journey! I absolutely have to thank my husband, Jerome. He is incredibly supportive and handles me, the kids and all that’s involved. He is so dope! I have to shout out my mom for equipping me with the tools, being my cheerleader and sounding board. I thank my daughter for being my assistant and keeping me on my toes, and my son. A huge hug goes to my sister-girlfriends and yogis Febury, Nedra, Aisha, Dina, Nimat, Angela, Rose, Shelby, Aqueelah, Sakeena (and many more) for showing up for me in various ways. Of course, I have a screaming shout out to my Atlanta Metro YMCA family and my Vibe Ride Grant Park family. And lastly, I thank the hundreds of students I’ve taught and that also taught me. I believe each individual that has crossed my path, has influenced my walk one way or another and I’m grateful for every step of the way!