Meet Ali Haji

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ali Haji and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ali, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I came to yoga during a difficult chapter in my life — working in film and TV in New York City, struggling with depression as I reckoned with having chosen the wrong career path, and searching for something that would help me feel connected again. What began as a personal coping tool became a much deeper path once I decided to go back to school and get my masters degree in clinical mental health counseling.

As I began working with clients in a somatically-driven, trauma-informed model, it became clear that the core of true healing lies in our relationship with the body and the regulation of our nervous system — and that, in many ways, this is exactly what yoga was always meant to offer, albeit through more spiritual terminology. I realized that the work I was doing therapeutically was deeply aligned with yogic philosophy, yet I rarely saw those teachings honored in contemporary yoga spaces — especially in Dallas, where the dominant culture around yoga often equates the practice with fitness, heat, and performance.

YogaZama was born from the desire to create a studio that reclaims yoga’s roots while evolving its relevance — a space where nervous system regulation, trauma awareness, and intentional movement sit at the center of the practice. We’re now home to Dallas’s only neuroscience-informed yoga teacher training, and our class schedule is intentionally built to support practitioners in choosing what their system actually needs — not just what culture tells them they should chase.

At its heart, YogaZama invites people into a deeper, more honest relationship with their body, their breath, and their community. It’s yoga as a path to healing — not just sweating.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
YogaZama was born from the intersection of my work as a trauma therapist and my own spiritual path. What sets me apart, I believe, is my ability to speak to large, often abstract spiritual concepts in a way that feels grounded and accessible. A big part of my therapeutic work centers around spiritual identity integration — helping people explore what’s missing or yearning to emerge in their lives — and I see both the therapy room and the yoga studio as vehicles for that same process of reconnection.

What I’m most proud of is simply the fact that I created the studio. That I followed through — that I transitioned out of a past life in film and television and into something that feels deeply aligned. I’m proud that I stayed motivated even when I didn’t feel like I had it all figured out. And I’m proud that the space now exists for other people to come home to themselves.

Getting to where I am now has been less of a linear climb and more of a slow, steady process — one day at a time. Success, for me, isn’t some external marker. It’s a feeling. It’s alignment. It’s when I look around and recognize that the business has become a channel to serve others through my own lived experience and growth.

And no, it has not been easy. I had to learn how to run a business from the ground up. I had to confront my own patterns, fears, and internal limitations. I’ve learned that you cannot run a business you love unless it’s actually aligned with who you are. And even when it is, there are still moments where it feels vulnerable, strange, or even a little hollow to sell something so personal and spiritual. That’s why I try not to get too attached to the outcomes. What matters more to me is whether I’m staying true to my spirit in the process.

I’ve overcome challenges not by pushing through, but by sitting with them. I try to treat my life like a curriculum — every block, every doubt, every fear is a doorway to deeper work. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay to take up space. It’s okay to speak my mind. It’s okay to be direct, to lead, to confront things when necessary. That wasn’t always easy for me — but it’s been powerful to realize that I have something to say.

If there’s anything I want people to know about me or about YogaZama, it’s that this whole thing — the studio, the brand, the training, the classes — it’s ultimately an offering. It’s a service. It exists because I believe that true success only comes when we’re embedded in community and living in service to something larger than ourselves. And for anyone thinking about starting something of their own — yes, it’s hard. But it’s also worth it. And your ability to build something meaningful will always come back to how well you know yourself and how willing you are to stay connected to the world around you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is such a great question — especially because I’m not originally from Dallas, and it took me a while to really fall in love with the city. But now, I’d say it totally depends on the person, because each neighborhood here has its own vibe and charm.

If we were staying near where I live in Turtle Creek, we’d start with a walk along the creek or in Turtle Creek Park, maybe head to White Rock Lake or jog the Katy Trail.

For food and drinks, I’d take them to Sachet — one of my favorite spots to sit at the bar — and Pillar in Bishop Arts is always a hit. We’d visit Tiny Victories, Black Swan Saloon, and Open Sesame on Oak Lawn, and if we had time, I’d drive them up to Sara’s Bakery in Richardson. We’d definitely make a stop at Roy G’s, which is not only one of my favorite queer-owned restaurants but also has worked with YogaZama many a time. Apart from taking the to YogaZama, we’d probably hit Training Mate, one of YogaZama’s other partners for a good sweat. Love Luke and the team over there.

We’d carve out a museum day — the Nasher and DMA are always inspiring — and of course, I’d have to bring them to Roundup Saloon at least once. It’s a Dallas classic, especially if you’re part of the queer community.

I’d also want them to experience the creative side of Dallas through its local makers and small businesses. We’d stop by Twelve Thirty Four Flowers (truly the coolest floral studio), check out Patricio Rivera’s thoughtful designs, and visit Marcello Andres Ceramics — his work is stunning and soulful. There are so many creative, cool people here doing things with intention, and I think that’s one of Dallas’s best-kept secrets.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who deserve recognition in my story, but first and foremost, I have to shoutout my family. They’ve supported me through some major life transitions — and that kind of support is something I don’t take for granted. It’s one thing to shift your own identity, but it’s another to ask the people closest to you — who’ve always known you in a particular way — to see you differently. That takes a lot of courage, and it also requires deep love and flexibility from the people around you. I’m lucky to have that in my family.

My husband deserves huge credit as well. Starting a business is a massive leap, and having someone beside you who believes in you, supports you without judgment, and just continues to show up with love — it’s a foundation I lean on every single day.

My sister is also one of my greatest inspirations. There’s something deeply sacred about the sibling bond — it runs deep, and it’s been a constant source of grounding and motivation for me.

Beyond that, I couldn’t talk about support without naming the YogaZama community. It would be comical for me to pretend I’m doing this on my own — I absolutely could not. From my incredible studio manager to the teachers who show up every day, to the students who walk through our doors and help keep the lights on — this is a grassroots space. YogaZama is built by the community it hopes to support, and I’m endlessly grateful for every single person who’s part of it.

Lastly, I owe so much to my teachers — both formal and spiritual. Those I’ve learned from directly and indirectly: Ram Dass, Mark Epstein, Sharon Salzberg, Shelby Autrey — each of them has shaped my path in ways that are profound and lasting. And beyond any single person, I have to acknowledge whatever we want to call it — God, the universe, life itself — there’s something greater guiding all of this.

Website: https://www.yogazama.com

Instagram: @yogazama @hajinator

Image Credits
Brand Rich Studio