Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jun 8: What started as a personal journey toward flexibility and self-improvement has transformed into an inspiring international success story for American mother-daughter pair Kemi Blake and Kimani Blake. The duo returned from the World Yogasana Championships in Ahmedabad with impressive medal-winning performances, showcasing dedication, discipline, and a deep connection to the ancient Indian practice.
At the prestigious event held at EKA Arena, 35-year-old Kemi secured a gold medal in the Back Bend Individual category, while her 16-year-old daughter Kimani earned a bronze medal in the Junior Artistic Individual competition.
Their achievement was made even more special by their preparation in India, where they spent weeks training alongside Indian athletes at a Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Ahmedabad before the championship began.
For Kemi, yoga was initially a complementary practice intended to support her ambitions as a professional contortionist. After relocating from New York to Las Vegas to train at the famed Cirque du Soleil academy, she incorporated yoga into her routine to enhance flexibility and body control. Over time, however, yoga evolved into something far more meaningful.
Despite years of practice, Kemi never imagined herself competing at the world level, particularly against athletes from India, a country widely regarded as the birthplace of yoga. Encouragement from international yogasana athletes and Indian coaches ultimately convinced her to take the leap.
Her decision proved worthwhile, culminating in a world championship gold medal.
Beyond physical fitness, Kemi credits yoga with reshaping her lifestyle and mindset. Regular practice inspired healthier habits, greater discipline, and a stronger sense of purpose. Motivated by her growing passion, she completed an intensive year-long yoga certification programme and later travelled to India to deepen her understanding of advanced yogic techniques.
She eventually developed her own coaching methodology centred on healing, personal growth, and self-discovery.
Inspired by her mother's commitment, Kimani also embraced yogasana more seriously. Already active in gymnastics and pursuing her dream of becoming a professional dancer, she had learned yoga fundamentals at home but only began intensive training for the championship a few weeks before the event.
Despite the short preparation period, the teenager delivered an impressive performance to secure a place on the podium and collect a bronze medal.
Their journey in India was not without challenges. Shortly after arriving in Ahmedabad, the family faced travel difficulties when their luggage was delayed. However, the support they received from Indian athletes and coaches helped them settle in quickly.
According to Kemi, members of the Indian team warmly welcomed them, shared training tips, and even provided valuable technical advice during competition preparations. That spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie left a lasting impression on both mother and daughter.
The experience strengthened their connection to India and highlighted the global community that has emerged around competitive yogasana.
Looking toward the future, Kemi hopes the sport continues to grow internationally and eventually gains recognition on the Olympic stage. She believes yogasana requires a unique blend of precision, control, concentration, and athletic ability that distinguishes it from traditional yoga practiced for wellness.
As the sport expands its global reach, Kemi says she is committed to contributing in any way possible to help yogasana achieve Olympic recognition and inspire a new generation of athletes around the world.