The story behind Yogini Panda
I’m Sama, the founder of Yogini Panda. The name has a story of its own. The knitted panda toque I wore throughout my rock climbing years earned me the nickname “the climbing panda”, and over time, the name evolved into Yogini Panda, bringing together a little piece of my climbing journey with my love of yoga.
Having lived in 10 countries, travel has been a big part of my life. Moving between cultures, meeting people from all walks of life and continually finding myself in new environments has shaped my curiosity, adaptability and appreciation for the many different ways we experience life.
My journey into yoga, meditation, movement and sound began during my 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal, where I was introduced to Dynamic Meditation. I was captivated by the way breath, movement, music, laughter and dance could open doorways into a deeper experience of ourselves. This eventually became the inspiration for what I now call Moving Meditation.
Over the years, sound has become an increasingly important part of my work. I have trained in sound healing in Nepal and India, as well as Integral Sound Healing through the Sound Healing Academy in the UK. My studies have also included Vipassana meditation, Laughter Yoga and Ancient Egyptian Energy Healing, which I continue to explore and deepen.
Laughter has always been an important part of the way I teach too. I believe there is something powerful about bringing joy, playfulness and humour into our practices, and I love the way laughter can shift the energy in a room and bring people together.
Today, yoga and sound healing sit at the heart of what I offer, with breath, movement, meditation and laughter naturally woven into my work. I love creating welcoming spaces where people can step away from the noise of everyday life, slow down and simply be.
My Egyptian heritage remains an important thread in my work, alongside the many traditions and perspectives I have encountered throughout my travels. I draw inspiration from both my roots and my experiences, while continuing to learn, explore and grow.
I believe the path of self-discovery is rarely a straight line. There are twists, turns and unexpected detours, each offering an opportunity to learn, grow and see ourselves in a new way. My role is simply to create a safe and welcoming space where you can explore that journey in your own way.
For me, Yogini Panda is about creating space to breathe, listen, soften, laugh, explore and reconnect with yourself.
My Intention
I believe we all carry an inner wisdom, even when life becomes noisy enough that we lose touch with it.
My role is not to tell you who to be or where your path should lead. It is simply to create a space where you can pause, listen inwardly, and reconnect with what is already within you.
A space to feel, express, release, laugh, soften and remember the light that lives within.
Come as you are. There is nothing you need to prove, become or fix.
