About Us

About Uzima & our team

Uzima is a Swahili word meaning aliveness, wholeness, wellness.


Our Community Space is a studio aimed at nurturing the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of our whole community here in Stone Town. We offer daily yoga and movement classes as well as wellness workshops, retreats, and studio rental.

See our classes

About Uzima Textile

A conscious fashion and accessories brand born and raised in Zanzibar.

Every piece is handmade with locally sourced and naturally dyed textiles. We collaborate with artisans, offering an alternative to mass-produced and imported goods. Uzima Textile celebrates craftsmanship, community, and the beauty of slow fashion.

It is our intention to raise awareness of the impact of fast-fashion on the planet and in order to do this, we are fully transparent on our production methods, where our products come from and how they are made. We also run textile workshops to encourage mending and upcycling second-hand clothes.

See the collection
 

Yoga is a physical, mental & spiritual practice that encourages body awareness, balance & mindfulness. It also increases range of movement & flexibility.

What people think of Uzima Space.

  • “I've been spending some time resting and reflecting lately. Your studio continues to stand out in my mind. Not just as a highlight from my time in Zanzibare, but as a space filled with deep knowledge, joy, and peace. It truly offers a sense of grounding to everyone who walks in. Tha'ts exactly what it did for me and I believe for many others too."”

    Zenani Yin YTT participant

  • "Your generosity and care for all us of have been nothing short of amazing (...) from the bottom of my heart I say a big thank you. You are creating something truly magical."

    "Your generosity and care for all us of have been nothing short of amazing (...) from the bottom of my heart I say a big thank you. You are creating something truly magical."

    Marijohn

  • “I started with yoga when I lived in Stone Town for 2 months. It has been a great experience to have Päivi and Aida as teachers. Their energy and guidance helped me develop fast and I really enjoy the practice. I am grateful to have found a hobby which gives strength both physically and mentally. Namaste!”

    Louise

Meet our Team

A woman practicing yoga indoors on a yoga mat, in a wide stance, with arms extended to her sides and head turned to the left, wearing yellow pants and a black tank top, in a room with wooden floors, shelves, and colorful walls.

Domi

Domi is a French textile designer and the founder of Uzima Space. A long-time yoga practitioner, she discovered yoga in 2011 and completed her Yoga Teacher Training with Karuna Yoga in 2019. Her own practice and love of creating welcoming spaces for connection led her to establish Uzima Space in Stone Town.

Today, alongside running Uzima Space, Domi is also the founder of UZI•MA Textile, where she explores natural dyes, colour, pattern and slow, intentional ways of making. Both projects are rooted in her belief in the importance of slowing down, creating with intention and making space for wellbeing, creativity and community.

Trainings and qualifications:

  • Karuna Yoga, Lamu, 2019

  • Yin Yoga Africa, Uzima Space, Zanzibar, 2026

Woman practicing yoga in a serene indoor space, balancing on one leg with hands in prayer position, wearing a colorful headscarf and comfortable clothing.

Aida

Aida is a Zanzibari yoga teacher and one of the people who has helped make yoga more accessible to the local community. She is a co-founder of Living Yoga Zanzibar and has spent many years sharing yoga through classes and outreach programmes across the island, including classes for people who might not otherwise have access to them.

Her teaching is rooted in Hatha, Yin, Power and Vinyasa Yoga, with a warm and inclusive approach. Aida has trained with Africa Yoga Project and Zanzi Yoga, as well as completing a children's yoga teacher training with Yoga Pura Vida. As a Zanzibari woman, she brings a unique perspective to the practice and is passionate about making yoga feel accessible, relevant and welcoming within her community. She also teaches in Kiswahili.

Aida teaches Hatha and Yin Yoga at Uzima Space.

Trainings and qualifications:

A woman practicing yoga indoors, squatting with her hands in a prayer position, wearing red pants and a purple headscarf, with a serene expression on her face.
A woman practicing yoga indoors on a pink mat, sitting in a kneeling pose with one arm raised overhead in a yoga studio with wooden floors and light-colored walls, with white curtains and hanging lamps in the background.

Fatma

Fatma is a warm, energetic and inspiring yoga teacher who loves sharing the practice with her local community. Her classes combine movement and strength with an emphasis on building a healthy, strong and connected body. Whether through Hatha, Power or Vinyasa Flow, she encourages her students to challenge themselves while keeping the practice accessible and joyful.

A much-loved part of Fatma’s classes is the smile meditation she often offers at the end — a simple practice that leaves you feeling lighter and more connected. She has also trained with Yoga Pura Vida, an organisation working to make yoga and its benefits accessible within communities in Tanzania and beyond.

Fatma teaches Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga and Vinyasa Flow at Uzima Space.

Trainings and qualifications:

Kristina

Originally from Slovenia, Kristina has made Tanzania her home, first in Dar es Salaam and now in Zanzibar. Her Hatha classes are thoughtfully sequenced around slow, mindful movement, precise alignment and conscious breathing. With a strong foundation in yoga philosophy, pranayama and meditation, she creates a space to slow down, reconnect with yourself and explore the deeper aspects of the practice.

Kristina teaches Hatha Yoga at Uzima Space and has also completed specialist training in Vinyasa Flow and Yin Yoga.

Trainings and qualifications:

  • Indian Cultural Centre, Dar Es Salaam, 2014

  • Indian Cultural Center, Dar es Salaam, 2016

  • Yin Yoga Africa, Uzima Space, Zanzibar, 2025

Kisia

Kisia is a warm and gentle presence at Uzima Space, bringing kindness, groundedness and a deep love for yoga into everything she does. As our Studio Manager, she helps keep the space welcoming and running smoothly, while also sharing her own yoga practice with the community. She is passionate about making yoga accessible and inviting to everyone, and is currently deepening her practice through Yin Yoga teacher training with Benny from Yin Yoga Africa.

She teaches at Uzima Space, offering a gentle and welcoming approach that encourages students to slow down, connect and enjoy their practice

Trainings and qualifications:

A man practicing yoga on a mat outdoors during sunset near a body of water, with boats in the background.
A woman with red braided hair smiling outdoors on a balcony, wearing a cream-colored tank top and green corduroy pants with "ESSENTIALS" patch, background of green trees and a cloudy sky.

Oscar

Oscar brings a warm, grounded and welcoming energy to Uzima Space through his Pilates classes. His approach invites you to slow down, connect with your body and build strength and awareness through mindful movement. Whether you are new to Pilates or already have a regular practice, his classes offer a supportive space to move, strengthen and reconnect.