Shirin Akbar

A solo parent, her daughter is in Colombo and her son lives with her while he studies. She speaks French, English, German, Urdu/Hindi and Sinhala.

Her practice and teaching are rooted in classical training that includes Ayurveda. She studied at Yogadarshanam in Mysore with Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar and deepened her understanding of functional movement through Yoga Anatomy with Stu Girling. Ongoing self-practice and continued education, both contact and non-contact, keep her work evolving and grounded in lived experience. Shirin's classes are inspired by Hatha and Vinyasa: creative, breath-centred and thoughtfully aligned, with plenty of options to modify so you can meet yourself where you are. She aims to instil confidence and quiet fearlessness, so that body and mind can move through life with acceptance and ease; you step off the mat feeling energised, nourished and relaxed.

At Ulpotha Shirin will guide explorations of asana, chakras, mudras, pranayama and meditation: an open invitation to tune in, switch off and follow your own path to wellness.

What you'll experience with Shirin Breath-centred sequences that flow without rush. Options and adjustments for everybody. Practical Ayurveda woven into practice. A genuine welcome and an inclusive space

More about Shirin

Shirin trained in Mysore, India and had her own yoga studio Limetree Yoga in Lahore, Pakistan. Apart from having lived in England, Switzerland and Dubai, she has lived all over the subcontinent, in India, Pakistan and has now been in Sri Lanka since 2017. In addition to English, Shirin speaks French, German, Urdu, Hindi, and Sinhala. She is a solo parent who has a daughter who lives in Colombo and a son who is still studying and lives with her.

Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga inspire the classes Shirin offers. They are creative, fun, challenging, and yet breath-centric. At the end of it all, when you step off the mat, you will feel energised, nourished and relaxed. She welcomes and encourages people of all ages, sizes, sexes and fitness levels to join, as she believes yoga should be all encompassing.