Yogi in the Community: Koya Webb

This week’s Yogi in the Community is Koya Webb! Koya is an LA and Nashville based yogi who works across the country with those interested in putting the “LIFE” back into their lifestyle. Take a moment to be inspired as Koya takes us on her journey and offers tips to those interested in making small, yet transformative modifications in life. Thank you Koya for sharing with us and inspiring so many.

Name: Koya Webb

Location: Los Angeles, CA, Nashville, TN, Travels Worldwide

What led you to the practice of yoga?

Yoga came to me a as a gift, a painful gift that I didn’t want to open. I remember my first class…I cried. I was a track and field athlete in college who put my body through everything it could handle until one day I dropped to my knees from a striking bolt of pain that I later found out was a stress fracture in my 4 lumbar vertebrae. My season was over…my full scholarship threatened, and I all I had to offer the world at that point was an overflow of tears.

A concerned counselor suggested I try yoga. I’d never really heard about it before and remember my first class being full of pain and tears. Somehow I found myself halfway on my head and I thought it was going to explode. I think if I had a way out I wouldn’t have returned for a second class but I signed up for the semester so I was stuck.

Day after day inch after inch I saw myself improving. After a week I’d cried all the tears my body was capable of and my teacher suggested I focus on my breath. I stopped thinking about the poses and only thought about fully breathing the entire class. After a month my spirits were lifted and I added swimming and biking to my routine to heal my body. I forgave myself for being so hard on my body and after a year of therapy and self love I returned to the track to win 3 Championship titles in the High Jump, Heptathlon and Mile Relay and led my team to Wichita State’s first Women’s Track and Field Championship title. My continued practice of yoga has helped my strengthen my body and my mind.

Check out Koya's Top 10 tips for a healthier you! — Check out Koya’s Top 10 tips for a healthier you!

What has been the most challenging/humbling lesson you have learned through your yoga practice?

I’ve learned that the body needs balance. We all put a lot of emotional and physical stress on our bodies daily. I focus on balancing that stress out with meditation, yoga and swimming. I’ve also learned that some things come quickly…and others slowly but with continued practice everything that is for you will come.

Can you provide our readers with some recommendations on how to transition into healthier lifestyles without burning out?

My top 10 Lifestyle Tips:

1. Wake up in prayer and gratitude

2. Drink 3 quarts of lemon water a day

3. Practice yoga for at least 10 minutes daily

4. Sit quietly in silence/meditation for at least 10mins daily