Anika Rabbani: Empowering Wellness through Yoganika

In the ever-busy urban rhythm of Dhaka, finding moments of stillness can seem like a luxury. But Anika Rabbani, the force behind Yoganika, has created a sacred space for women seeking peace, strength, and clarity. A certified Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga instructor, Anika trained under globally renowned guru Sharath Jois at the legendary Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Institute of Ashtanga Yoga, the birthplace of modern Ashtanga. Her mission has since been clear—empower others through movement, mindfulness, and self-acceptance.

In this exclusive interview with TINDS, Anika opens up about her roots, her journey through injury and healing, and the evolution of her thriving yoga brand, Yoganika.

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TINDS: Where were you born, and what was your childhood like?

Anika: I was born in Dhaka, and spent my early years between Bakshi Bazar in Old Dhaka and Beniapukur and Ballygunge in Kolkata, where my mother is from. Growing up in a joint family, I was a shy, art-loving child surrounded by cousins and nature. My journey with yoga began at 14, after I suffered a serious spinal injury.

TINDS: What three words define you best?

Anika: Rebellious, Confident, and Artistic.

TINDS: How did your yoga journey begin?

Anika: I worked in the development sector with organizations like CARE Bangladesh and held a Master’s in Development Studies. But it was yoga that transformed me. There’s a saying: “You don’t do yoga – the yoga does you.” Once I got into the flow, I couldn’t let it go. It became my anchor.

TINDS: Who have been your most influential mentors?

Anika: I’ve trained with several teachers, but my guru is David Garrigues of Ashtanga Yoga School Pennsylvania. He’s deeply empathetic and spiritually connected. I also draw strength from my Sufi faith—I’m a mureed of Syed Shah Rashad Ali Alquaderi of the Qadiriyya Order. My spiritual roots and yoga lineage together ground me.

TINDS: Can you tell us about your childhood spinal injury?

Anika: I fractured my spine and tailbone in multiple places at age 14. I couldn’t walk for six months and had to attend school in a special chair. It was embarrassing, but my supportive friends helped me through it. That injury eventually led me to yoga.

TINDS: When did your love for yoga truly begin?

Anika: From day one. My first teacher, Fouzia Mansoor, who now lives in the US, smiled at her students in a way that changed my world. I learned the art of breathing—something so basic, yet so profound. It made me fall in love with life again.

TINDS: How did you start teaching yoga professionally?

Anika: While working at CARE in 2008, my boss asked me to teach yoga to female staff. That turned into regular sessions. Later, I started teaching at Nordic Club Dhaka. Eventually, I pursued certification to legitimize my practice.

TINDS: What has been your most memorable brand collaboration?

Anika: I loved working with Lux (Unilever). That campaign featured five strong women from different walks of life. It was an empowering experience.

TINDS: When and why did you start Yoganika?

Anika: I started Yoganika in 2012, when my daughter was just three months old. After leaving a consultancy role at Chemonics International, I was restless. When she turned seven months, I started teaching yoga on weekends while working for UN World Food Programme (WFP). That balance brought me joy.

TINDS: How would you compare yoga culture abroad vs. Bangladesh?

Anika: Interest in yoga and wellness is growing here. The sad part is, although yoga originated from the Indus Valley civilization, we now import it like a Western trend. Colonization robbed us of ancient wisdom like Ayurveda and yoga, but it’s time we reclaim our legacy.

TINDS: What’s the typical age range of your students?

Anika: Yoganika is a women-only space. I’ve had students from their teens to their 70s. My 75-year-old student is just as inspiring as the young girls. I also teach kids, which I love. I even offer free classes at orphanages and charity schools as part of Karma Yoga.

TINDS: What would you be if not a yoga or wellness coach?

Anika: Probably a lawyer—I’m analytical and argumentative. Or a poet. I love to write, and I see myself authoring a book someday. I’ve already written many yoga articles and find writing very therapeutic.

TINDS: What has been your biggest personal struggle?

Anika: Communicating with women who unconsciously serve the patriarchy, and surviving in a society that constantly judges outspoken women. I was raised with socialist values and still hold them dear. Navigating a capitalistic world while remaining idealistic is hard, but it’s who I am.

TINDS: What’s your advice for a healthier lifestyle?

Anika: Value yourself. Treat yourself with respect. Your body is your temple—honor it. Have high self-esteem, even if you have to fake it at first. Health is your greatest asset. Forget external validation. You are enough. Live like you know it.

TINDS: What are your future plans for Yoganika and beyond?

Anika: I plan to expand Yoganika and seek corporate sponsors to scale. As a certified health coach specializing in autoimmune diseases, I want to launch a wellness food brand. I also want to inspire women through empowerment coaching and promote facial yoga as a tool for self-acceptance and strength.

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