The ancient practice of yoga has seen a resurgence in the last few decades, with more people taking an interest in the low-impact and extremely beneficial training. It has slowly evolved into a lifestyle and not just a workout. The philosophy, flows and poses on the mat all stay with you after you are done. The benefits might be visible on your body, but they are also reflected on the mind and the soul.
Just ask Sana’a Jaman, PhD. Kuwait born and raised until the age of 17, she moved to the US for her bachelor’s degree and stumbled across yoga while working on her doctorate in environmental engineering at the University of Florida. Dr. Sana’a started with a home practice, and a few months in she noticed how much better she felt— mentally and physically. Curious, she enrolled in a yoga teacher training program with the intention of exploring the philosophy behind the physical poses she was already coming to love and enjoy.
It wasn’t until a year later that she decided to start teaching. Since then, she has been on a wonderful journey of self-discovery, healing, becoming the best version of herself and helping others do the same through her many classes, workshops and international retreats.
Now she is back in her hometown and has teamed up with her sister, Dalal, the managing partner and marketing guru. Armed with a B.A of Mass Communications and specializing in Public Relations and a minor in Intercultural Communication, Dalal was the perfect person to manage the business side of the studio.
Kuwait’s newest and hottest yoga studio is a space designed to serve people suffering from anxiety, depression or trying to find their way through life. Sana’a and Dalal believe that these issues cannot be resolved through physical fitness while neglecting mental and emotional health.
Tru3 Yoga wants to inspire yogis to feel at home and at peace by being their true selves. By removing societal boundaries and expectations that create self- doubt, yogis can find self-love that ultimately leads them to a happier, healthier life.
Even though they have just opened their doors, they have hit the ground running with a large selection of traditional and specialty yoga classes that cater to everyone, regardless of their needs or abilities.
Start your day with the Morning Flow class. It is slow but energizing, and includes gentle asana and pranayama. Asana is the Sanskrit word for pose or posture, while pranyama is the formal practice of controlling your breath. The class will help you set an intention for your day while still giving you time to meditate and welcome peace and joy into your morning. Tru3 Yoga offers a Classical Yoga class that brings you back to the heart of yoga. Simply allow the sounds of your breath to guide your practice. You’ll experience classical Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) A & B, traditional yoga asana held for 5 to 10 breaths, mudras (symbolic hand gestures that facilitate the flow of energy), mantras and meditation. This class is perfect for beginners or people who just want something simple but still want all the benefits of yoga.
The beautiful thing about yoga is that it is more than its reputation of being slow and relaxing. It can be energetic, liberating and fiery. The Shakti Flow class will lift your spirit, shift your energy, restore balance and light your inner fire. Spiral into yourself with heat building yoga sequences, tantric breathwork and yoga nidra. This class might not be suitable for everyone, so make sure to check with the teacher before you sign up.
For hundreds of years, yoga was a male-only activity. It wasn’t until recently that it has been rebranded as a female-friendly activity. But Tru3 Yoga is for everyone, and there’s a class tailored for men who seek to build strength and gain flexibility—all while learning new ways to relieve tension and stress. It’s a Friday morning class, perfect for setting the tone for the weekend and the week to come.
We are very excited about the Hump Day Float & Soar class. We get the Wednesday Blues every week. We’re all of out energy and have already started dragging our feet. We are sure that the energy boosting asanas, pranayama and moving meditations will help us gear up for weekend.
Those of us who prefer to ease into things will appreciate the Hatha Yoga class. It focuses on 12 basic postures, and once you are ready you can move on to a more advanced version of the same pose. Alternatively, you could try Gentle Flow, a soothing class that focuses on easing the body into different postures in order to calm the mind. Moving from one asana to the next is slow, favoring safe alignment and breath. The Reflect & Release class is all about restoration, pranayama and even writing to help you meditate and channel your emotions to the surface in a healthy and safe way. Don’t forget to bring your favorite journal.
For a more reflective experience, Meditation class will help calm your mind, settle your body and find a softer focus to your day. The beauty of meditation is that its effects keep going even after you leave the studio. Think of meditation as food for the brain that nourishes our minds to be healthy, vibrant and at ease. For people who are comfortable keeping their head in the clouds, Aerial yoga is a must-try. Scratch that—getting onto the aerial silks (hammock) is something everyone needs to experience at least once in their life. Step off the mat, and into the air. Aerial yoga is an opportunity to gain balance and strength, and the support helps you hold and even lengthen poses to create depth in your practice. The hammock is a gentle way for you to invert, allowing your body to enjoy the benefits of being upside down without the stress. It’s almost like running away and joining the circus. Let go and try something new!
We all can benefit from yoga, but children even more so. The Yoga for Kids class is a guided introduction for children for their own yoga journey. Songs, dancing and games are used to keep them engaged and enjoying themselves. Yoga helps build confidence and self- esteem, and also improves their focus and concentration. It’s a great tool for coping with stress and difficult emotions. The physical benefits—like better balance, flexibility, coordination and strength—are just the icing on the cake. Planting the seed of balance between mental and physical at an early age will help give them tools they’ll need in tomorrow’s world.
There are more classes, workshops, retreats and private sessions available. There is definitely something for you at Tru3 Yoga because they have designed the experience to be a community-centric one, bridging the gap between health and happiness. All members of the community belong, are welcomed, understood, supported and are able to create a powerful yoga practice at whatever stage they are at in their life.
Tru3 Yoga is located in Ras Al Salmiya. For more information, please follow @tru3yoga on Instagram. Interior photography by Armine Minassian @minassian.alex on Instagram.
