Shirkendra’s yoga journey began in August 2016, where she practiced Hot Body Yoga online with Denise Austin. She made a habit of practicing every day to continue her recovery from Lupus Nephritis in January of that year. Due to the severity of her illness and frequent stays at the hospital, she had to quit her job and focus on her health. She decided that once her body became mobile and strong enough she would do anything it took to stay healthy and alive. Shirkendra continued her rigorous renal diet to kick her kidneys back into shape and after 6 months she finally went into remission.

During this healing time, she and her husband traveled to South Carolina by the ocean to ease her mind and calm her nerves. Shirkendra found happiness and joy there. She felt at peace when the waves would rush up on her feet and legs. The sand between her toes as she walked up and down the boardwalk and God’s love shining on her face was electrifying. Although in remission, her mind had to recoup from the trauma of being chronically ill.

Shirkenda wanted to bring awareness and make a positive impact on her community by volunteering with the Lupus Foundation of America. She formed a team and they all helped fundraise and participate in The Lupus Walk 2017 in Cleveland. She also helped facilitate lupus education classes at her church. Her vision of a powerful life force was just beginning.

In 2018, she became a homeowner and gave birth to her daughter a year later. However, her loyalty to yoga came to a standstill during the pandemic. Being a full-time teacher with her eldest son and taking care of her baby girl took a toll on her mentally, physically and spiritually.

Then she realized that something was missing. She got sick and tired of being sick and tired. Getting colds and flares back-to-back was getting ridiculous. So, she prayed for a way out, a path that would get her back on track with her health. She didn’t have time to be back in the hospital. She knew her suffering had a purpose. Then the emails came…

Shirkendra received several messages from a local black owned yoga studio to take some free classes. She actually knew one of the teachers from her church and was amazed at how personable and professional the team was. The seed was planted for her to pursue her dream of becoming a yoga teacher.

With the support of her family, Shirkendra took a leap of faith and signed up for Spring Yoga Teacher Training 2022. During her 200-hour training, trainees were asked to write down their short-term and long-term goals. Shirkendra desires to start private yoga in-person and online classes for patients in hospitals, individuals and groups. She believes that creating a program tailored to your specific needs is so beneficial for our everyday lifestyle. One day she wants to have the opportunity to travel the world and teach internationally.

On June 5th, Shirkendra completed her 200-hour yoga certification and graduated from Dawn M. Rivers School of Yoga. She celebrated with 7 other trainees whom she now claims as her brother and sisters. Their instructor Dawn created a beautiful ceremony for them. They all sang, danced, laughed and cried. The journey wasn’t over, it was just beginning.