International model, ex collegiate gymnast, and certified life coach, Zoya Yaseka is on a mission to bring mindfulness and mental wellness to the mainstream in Jamaica.

What is mindfulness?

According to Pyschologytoday.com, “Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. This state is described as observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.”

In a nutshell, Zoya in her program Prescription for LIFE teaches leaders, coaches, and parents tangible tools to practice mindfulness. She now wants to bring this programming to the mainstream, and teach people how to include these practices in their daily life.

Zoya Yaseka and her partner American tech-consultant and fellow model, Matai Blacklock are organizing retreats that will feature the seed of her programming, something her “gym babies” have affectionately named The “Superhero check-in©️. ”

 “I love to see people light up when we begin the conversation of empowerment and purpose in their lives.”

She continues, “As a gymnastics coach I teach children and young adults how to cope with the fall so that they can rise. This evolved to teaching coaches how to teach more mindfully. Now, through this programming, I believe I am setting a new standard for how we empower those we lead and teach.” Zoya says.

Zoya’s early start as a nationally ranked athlete

Zoya knows from experience how to deal with striving to achieve your goals and disappointment. At an early age, Zoya was invited into the Elite development program by the world-renowned coach Kelli Hill. Kelli was the coach of Zoya’s gymnastics hero, Dominique Dawes. Under Kelli’s tutelage, Zoya became a nationally ranked athlete. Chronic injuries would prevent her from pursuing her Olympic dreams but Zoya’s talent granted her full scholarship offers to many of the top Division One colleges in America. She chose the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and competed for the team under Derek Galvin from 2009-2012.

Zoya launches partners with The Plantry™

Zoya recently moved back to Jamaica to launch the Prescription For Life wellness retreats. Zoya and her partner Matai Blacklock, are partnering with sustainable brands like The Plantry™ to bring a series of healing and empowering experiences to the island.

The Plantry™ is a luxury style of plant-based cuisine that prides itself on using fresh produce, fruits, nuts, and seeds to help rejuvenate the body and soul.

“I chose to partner with Zoya for this wellness series because I believe in the power of food and how it can heal the mind and body. I also know how integral the experience of connecting with that food is in feeding the soul.”

“Eating a plant-based diet is one of the most impactful things we can do for our environment long-term and so I make it a point to use ingredients that are so good you don’t miss the meat. At The Plantry we’re looking to change the way people consume food and live. ” Danielle Terrelonge, principal of The Plantry says.

Zoya Yaseka location scouting for locations for wellness retreats

As the vice president of international relations for the Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association (JAGA), Zoya Yaseka had to recalibrate her mission to bring mindfulness to the sports industry.

“In addition to the clinics that I have been planning with the president of JAGA, Nicole Grant to address technique and a more mindful approach to coaching and life on the mat,  I’ve been compelled to focus on building something that will benefit the sports industry and Jamaica as a country long term. The effects of COVID-19 on our communities has been heart-wrenching. The self-isolation and loss of jobs and people we love are affecting people’s mental wellness. Everyone is looking for new ways to cope and find balance within this new normal.” she says, “I believe Prescription for LIFE is something that can help anyone in that way. We will teach you to balance and breathing techniques including how to develop your mindfulness  practice and meditation.”

Zoya Yaseka was spotted scouting Seaside Villa in Treasure beach, St. Elizabeth, to launch her wellness retreats. During her visit Zoya expressed, “Seaside Villa in Old Wharf would be an amazing location for a retreat. We used the time there to plan our ideas for the wellness series, this included our breathing techniques and stretching. The property felt perfect for healing, and inspiring community experiences that could be Covid-friendly while remaining intimate.”

“We appreciated the staff being there to not only make us feel comfortable but to implement COVID019 protocols: checking everyone’s temperature upon arrival and making the whole team feel safe.

Every sunrise was like a charge of creativity and every sunset was a wonderful prompt for gratitude. I can’t wait to share the magic we created with commercial and fashion photographer Jamie Barnett in this space, and I am bursting to share the pop-ups and events we have coming up with The Plantry.”

The sprawling villa is a two-story home with seven spacious bedrooms, two kitchens, giving guests lots of room. The main areas provide enough space to remain socially distant during group conversations and activities. The property features a large pool, beautiful landscaping, vibrant tones, a gazebo that the team used for meditation, and another that was used for alfresco dining.

Zoya Yaseka says, “My favorite features of the house were the winding stairs to the beautiful Moroccan-inspired mosaic-tiled pool and the pathway to the private beach. Swimming in the afternoons and watching the sunset in the evenings was everything. I wish I could describe to you what it was like to wake up to the sunrise in the morning there, and how the orange light would just pour into our room, but that’s just something you have to experience for yourself.” she says.

The co-owner of Seaside Villa, Matthew Octeau was happy to accommodate, “Our villa is perfect for groups and hosting getaways for extended friends and families. Zoya’s group was lovely and they experienced what Treasure Beach has to offer, right from the steps of our seaside villa.”

To learn about the Seaside villa in Treasure Beach, check out their listing on Airbnb at www.seasidevillaja.com

For for more information on the Prescription for LIFE wellness series follow @Prescriptionfor.life, @zoyayaseka, @mindful.matai, and @the.Plantry, on Instagram.