Yamuna Zake, 69: Tapping into Bodily Wisdom

Our bodies are complicated—beyond what even the best minds in medicine and science fully understand about the many-faceted causes and effects of the billions of interactions within us that we experience every minute of every day. Oftentimes, the best we can do is to say, “X worked well for several others; this seems like a similar situation, so let’s give it a try and see how we feel.” This is pretty much what most medical doctors are doing when they prescribe something for a patient. Let’s see how it’ll work for you, and if needed, we will adjust.

The same idea is in play with other non-medical methods. As long as it is not dangerous, if you like the way you feel as a result of trying something, maybe do more of it. If not, try something else. This is how Yamuna has led her life and her exploration of various techniques: If it feels good, do more of it. If it is a treatment method that she has seen work on someone, perhaps it can improve the health of someone else too. This is one of the benefits of being a bit older: We can discern what works for us.

How old are you?
Sixty-nine. Seventy in December.

Where are you from and where are you currently?
I was born in Miami Beach, Florida, and raised in Chicago. I moved to New York City for graduate school at 21 and basically lived there most of the time until I moved to Ibiza full time just after COVID.

Why did you move to Ibiza?
I moved full-time to Ibiza for more peace and quiet, and because my best friends are here. I choose to live in Ibiza because I live right on the Mediterranean. I am in the water to swim in about 60 seconds. I choose to live more in nature at this point of my life. And some of my best friends live here.

What is life like in Ibiza? What’s your day-to-day like?
I wake up, do an hour of breathing and [my] Body Rolling practice, then do 15 minutes of working on my feet, and then, weather permitting, I swim.

Afterwards, I walk into town and open our business called Lighthouse Ibiza. I greet people and bring them into the EES (Energy Enhancement System) studio or sign them up for workshops or classes. Later, dinner alone or with friends. There are always lots of parties; if I wanted to, I could be busy day and night, but, mainly, at this point in my life, I stay quiet.

[Editor’s Note: EES, or the Energy Enhancement System, “generates multiple bio-active life enhancing energy fields, including ‘scalar waves’, which can allow cell regeneration, improve immune function, provide relief from pain, detoxify the body, elevate moods, and assist in balancing right and left hemispheres of the brain to increase energy levels” (Energy Enhancement System). At Lighthouse Ibiza, Yamuna uses this modality to boost cellular energy, promote detoxification, and enhance overall well-being. The peaceful environment she creates promotes profound relaxation, rejuvenation, and healing.]

Are you married? Kids?
I am a widow, and I have an amazing daughter named Yael. Yael works with me running our world business.

How has yoga helped you personally heal?
I started practicing Hatha yoga at 14. It led me to create all of my work. I do not practice yoga today, but it has given me the pathway to creating all the Yamuna work. Under Yamuna, there is Body Logic, the master hands on therapy, Body Rolling, and a self-help therapy, which began as a translation of a Body Logic session and has gone deeper and deeper into unlocking and freeing the body from restrictions, old injuries, surgeries, and traumas. I also developed Foot Fitness, Save Your Body Parts, wrote three books and continue creating. All my work continues to heal me and keep me in good shape.

In your own words, how would you define “healing”?
Healing is a tricky word these days. Spontaneous healing when you go to a healer, self-help healing where you learn and become empowered to be able to keep yourself healing, various systems of healings, touch therapies, breath work, meditations, group power in healing—everything that can help you heal, body, mind, and spirit, falls into healing.

Was there a defining moment in your healing journey that you think shaped how your offerings evolved?
I have had many defining moments in my healing journey. It almost always involves Yael. During her birth, I tore my left adductors and dislocated my left hip weekly just walking around. Chiropractors and osteopaths were not helpful in healing it. They could put the hip right, but, soon, it was dislocating again. I figured it out by simply looking in the mirror and realizing there were no inner thigh muscles functioning on my left side. I chose yoga postures that I thought would work. I was able to stabilize it in two to three weeks. From then, I dedicated my time to helping yoga students overcome their restrictions and Body Logic was birthed. I spent years fine tuning this work and for over 35 years I saw 10 people a day helping to heal their injuries. 

Tell us about your current yoga practice and AnatomyU.
I developed AnatomyU as an app to help empower people to self-heal and explore their bodies one muscle at a time. It is a genius app and should be used in medical school, nursing, physical therapy, massage school, yoga teacher trainings, pilates, etc., etc.

I continue evolving my work all the time.

You recently opened a studio called Lighthouse Ibiza. How is this venture different from your past offerings and work?
I recently opened Lighthouse Ibiza with my partner Barbara to bring the powerful healing system called EES to Ibiza. I was recommended to this technology when Yael had a terrible car crash three years ago and was in ICU for three months.

I needed to find quantum biophysics types of healing to speed up her recovery. Out of all the systems I found, this was the most powerful and very effective. 

I have never focused on promoting other people’s work. I have always delved deeper into my original work. I felt the EES technology was so important that I wanted to be part of sharing it with the world.

You’ve been involved in the wellness and healing arts space for a while. Based on your experience, have you noticed any profound shifts in the field as a whole since you started working with clients?
I do not notice profound shifts in the world of healing, except for those who are looking at making a huge profit with expensive equipment. What I find when it comes to destination spas and retreats is of course they have to have all the latest equipment, but, ultimately, guests are looking for healing work they can bring home and continue their healing self-help work. Spas are afraid of offering new work that is self-help, sadly.

What is your main message to someone who wants to take better care of their body?
If someone wants to take better care of their body they need to look beyond classic fitness and find ways to maintain and self-heal for the rest of their lives. Combining various methodologies and never just focusing on one thing is important. Being flexible and open to changing your choices along the way is important. Of course nutrition is always important, but you need to find your way and not listen to others and what works for them. We are all different!

Besides yoga, how else do you take care of your body and mind?
I have my morning practice and swim and hike! I also love saunas, steams, and anything with thermal waters!

What are your three life nonnegotiables?
I need a lot of me time.
I need as much freedom and do not like to feel stuck.
To live my life the way I choose without someone else controlling me.
To have close connections with people. 

Connect with Yamuna:
Website
Instagram

Cover image by David Harry Stewart.