My Story, Sorita ku

I was born and raised in Borneo, Malaysia, as part of the Kadazan community — one of the Indigenous tribes known for our deep connection to land, culture, and tradition. In 2019, I moved to the UK, stepping into a world that felt both exciting and unfamiliar. Leaving home meant learning to adapt to new environments, embrace a different culture, and rebuild a sense of belonging from the ground up. But through every challenge, I found strength in remembering my roots. When you hold onto where you come from, you start to appreciate the little things — kindness from strangers, new friendships, shared meals, quiet moments of growth — and you learn to see the world with an open, understanding mind.

I started practising yoga in my early 20s. In the beginning, it was simply a physical practice,  a way to move, sweat, and release stress. But as the years went on, and as I navigated change, distance, growth and the realities of adulthood, I realised yoga was quietly becoming something much more meaningful. Yoga became a place for me to breathe. To listen.To reconnect

Over time, I learned that yoga wasn’t just about flexibility or strength. It was about coming back to yourself — your breath, your body, your mind, your truth. Living abroad and experiencing different cultures taught me resilience: how to adapt, how to start again, how to stay open. Every country I’ve lived in or travelled to has taught me something new, but each experience also reminded me of how precious my own roots are. Being Kadazan is central to who I am — our values, our relationship with nature, our sense of community, and the stories passed down through generations. And the more I practised yoga, the more I saw a natural connection between my cultural upbringing and yoga’s ancient philosophy.

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How my roots connect to yoga

In Kadazan-Dusun culture, everything begins with the earth. The land is not just physical — it is grounding, life-giving and deeply respected. Our rituals honour nature, our dances echo the rhythm of the soil, and our values remind us to stay humble, grateful, and connected. Yoga, at its heart, teaches similar principles: grounding, mindfulness, breath, presence, and unity between the body and mind.

Even though yoga originates from India, its essence is universal. Anyone can embody it with sincerity. For me, yoga has become a bridge between where I come from and the person I continue to grow into. When I practise, I feel echoes of home — the forest paths, the mountain air, the wisdom of my ancestors, and the resilience of the women before me.

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My vision is to create a space — online, onsite, and in community — where people can reconnect with themselves, no matter where they come from or what season of life they are in. 

A space that honours:

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heritage, because where we come from shapes who we are

movement, because the body holds stories

breath, because it anchors us

culture, because it reminds us that we belong to something greater

nature, because it grounds us

human connection, because we are not meant to walk alone​​

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I hope to weave in the values I grew up with — authenticity, gratitude, humility, and connection to the land — and create gentle spaces where people can feel grounded and supported.​

Whether through private classes, corporate wellbeing, community sessions, or future retreats, my vision is to share yoga in a way that is meaningful, accessible, and heartfelt.

Yoga has supported me across continents, challenges, and new beginnings. Now, I hope to share that same sense of grounding, clarity, and connection with you.

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Thank you, Kotohuadan

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