LMP Member Spotlight: Shafa Yahya 🌻
Wonderful dear Shafa. It’s such an honour to introduce you to our lovely LMP member, Shafa Yahya who has been a member since the very start. Shafa visited London a couple of years ago and we got together for class and lunch and I often wish we lived in the same country because I feel we’d be besties. I loved this interview and felt really inspired in a gentle calm way. We need more Shafa’s in the world.
Where are you based?
Hello 👋🏼 I am Shafa. I am currently based in Maldives but I also travel to my home country Sri Lanka and live there for a few months every year.
How did you discover Pilates?
I stumbled upon Lottie's 10-mins Adidas Pilates video. I found the pace of it and how calmly Lottie guided through the video very appealing.
What's your favourite class on the LMP Platform?
I recently completed the 5-Day Arm challenge and loved the entire series. It really helped with my posture and developing upper body strength.
Another class I've done quite a few times is the Nourishing and Soothing Mat Class #316
Do you have a daily non-negotiable or self-care habit?
When I am in Maldives, I ensure I take a beachside walk daily. Ocean therapy helps to calm my overthinking mind. I also love staying in touch with friends and check in on them regularly. Keeping social connections alive is a self-care habit I practice more now than ever before.
Are you working on anything personally or professionally?
Professionally, I am working independently as a Freelance Financial Advisor and Financial Health Planner where I help individuals improve their financial health and build their personal financial capacity.
Personally, I am also building a financial education start up where I intend to teach young adults to make more mindful and responsible financial decisions. I also teach and guide women who are learning about money later in life to become financially independent and empowered while teaching their children good money habits from an early age.
Teaching gives me immense peace & joy and I love sharing my knowledge to improve and uplift my community.
Are you reading anything at the moment?
Yes, I am reading Emma by Jane Austen. It's always amazing to revisit Classic Literature. Trying to be online less, so I’ve started a tiny experiment to go on a weekly basis to our local Library and sit there and read in peace without any distractions and notifications disturbing me.
Do you have any advice that has impacted you and wish to share?
A friend once reminded me a long time back that my sensitivity and emotional nature might one day become my Superpower and not give up when the world becomes a harsh place. Turns out she was right! The world needs people who spread positivity and optimism to counteract the negativity. We must be the Light and be the Peace, we wish to see in this World.
Also, we must continue to keep doing work we are passionate about even if we feel that progress might be slower as per traditional loud noisy metrics. Success is what we define. We don't all have to measure success in numerical or monetary terms always.
One of my favourite quotes which keeps me grounded is:
"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." — Ralph Waldo Emerson