How Yoga Helped Save His Mom’s Life, Inspiring Him To Help Others

Southern California has an abundance of yoga studios. The practice has become so popular in the last decade that there is an offer for everyone. From primary school teachers to fitness gurus to business executives, there is a high demand to try out the millennial discipline.

Tabay Atkins has a special bond with his mother, Sahel Anvarinejad. Together they have fun and motivate each other to better themselves. That’s why when Sahel was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, they were both stirred to the core. 

When Sahel was discharged from the hospital, there was a great sense of relief. But even though she was now cancer free, she now had to regain her strength, as the chemotherapy had left her body very weak. 

Sahel’s endurance paid off; even though it had been only two weeks since she had been declared cancer-free, she was already starting a new, exciting path —one that would recover her body and mind’s strength.  

When Sahel finished her course, she started to teach at schools, and for private students, this new career path was very nurturing for her. As she inspired others with her recovery story, and the success of her classes, she finally decided to open her own studio.

At ten years old, he finally finished his yoga teacher training. Although the course is aimed at adults who want to pursue teaching yoga, so many of Tabay’s peers had been practicing for longer than he had been alive. It was a challenge for the young boy, but it only increased his sense of accomplishment. 

Tabay, from a young age, had the endurance of a true athlete, so it comes as no surprise that his father is a former NFL linebacker. Larry Atkins played for the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs before retiring in 2003.

Upon finishing his certification, Tabay could officially teach at his mom’s studio. Although at first he mainly taught teen classes, he also started filling up his schedule with adult classes as well. Sometimes people were unaware of the age of their instructor and were taken aback when the young skinny boy appeared in front. 

Tabay nowadays is the youngest holder of a 500-hour teacher certificate in the US, the highest international standard available. He is such an enthusiast that he has also complemented his profession with other certifications such as kid yoga, yoga for autism, aerial yoga, circus ring, reiki, and restorative yoga. 

Tabay has many achievements under his belt, and with them, he has garnered a lot of beautiful experiences. Amongst the most significant is when he was invited by a school in San Francisco that specializes in kids on the autism spectrum.

Sahel celebrated her 10th anniversary of being cancer-free recently. And they did so on a big Hawaiian holiday where he prepared a fun watermelon “cake” with a candle. Even though a decade has passed, they are still aware that cancer hasn’t ended for everyone.

Another one of Tabay’s accomplishments in recent years is gaining a vast social media following. Because of his viral story, he earned enough attention to be able to give interviews and is now sponsored by many important brands, including Nike. 

Even though he’s busy with his entrepreneurship, his true love will always be teaching yoga. He has the privilege of his mother owning a studio. Still, he’s also frequently invited to teach at events and festivals around the world.

Tabay’s recent partnership with Nike isn’t the first time the young talent has been sought after by a big-name brand. When he was only eleven, the renowned yoga and athletic-wear brand lululemon invited him to become a brand ambassador, where he toured some of their biggest stores teaching yoga classes. 

Another brand that became interested in Tabay was Kashi, the organic cereal brand. Because their philosophy is very on par with the young talent, Kashi named him a brand ambassador. This helped to position him in the food industry, as his love for cooking has only increased through the years.

One of the things that makes Tabay a fantastic instructor is that he is aware that to work your body, it’s also essential to work your mind. So what makes yoga a different sport is that you aren’t competing with other people but are working together with your mind to reach a state of inner peace and mindfulness. 

Tabay decided to turn vegan when he was only thirteen. He wanted to join in his mother’s footsteps and become a healthier version of himself. With all of his travels, he also discovered that there is phenomenal vegan food out there and that he wouldn’t miss meat at all. 

If Tabay has set something clear about his personality, it’s that once he sets his mind to something, he follows through. And that is the case with his love for vegan food. He decided from a young age to share his recipes with the world, but when that wasn’t enough, he started creating Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen.

The food truck offers a wide range of vegan food options, but most of them are inspired by Tabay and his family’s Persian ascendance. He likes to honor his roots from his mother’s side and is proud of the delicacies he can offer, highlighting and celebrating his culture. 

Tabay and his mom now have a much calmer life. They split their time between California and Hawaii and manage their thriving businesses together. The pair support each other in every endeavor and passion they pursue.

Sahel’s cancer diagnosis was a low point in her life, and thanks to an unexpected opportunity after her recovery, she pursued a career that changed her and her son’s life forever. The incredible outcome the pair had was utterly unexpected.