Welcome to the first of series of blog features on Asquith’s Wow Women – an insight into the lives of women we find fascinating and inspirational, and we think you will too.
With quick fire questions to get under the skin of what makes these wonderful women tick! We have started our series of Wow Women with a brilliant mother and daughter duo, Vimla Lalvani and her daughter Divia Cadbury.
Vimla Lalvani has dedicated her life to teaching people the benefits of yoga. Born in Hawaii she travelled to India after graduating and was a personal student of the most influential figure in yoga today, the master, B.K.S. Iyvengar.
One of the early yoga pioneers, Vimla has written eight yoga books that have been translated into 20 languages, produced 10 yoga films and was the GMTV Yoga Guru.
Divia started her career working for master chef Roy Yamaguchi in Hawaii, followed by the TV Food Network in New York, before returning to London. She founded Bonsai, her highly successful catering company, and then Zuma in Knightsbridge in 2002, which won Best New Restaurant and Restaurant of The Year.
Since selling up, Divia has teamed up with the well-known food critic, Fay Maschler, and set up Page One London – a digital restaurant guide which keeps its members in the know about the top 100 restaurants at any given time.
She has recently qualified as a nutritionist and is writing a new book about the importance of children’s nutrition and dealing with common ailments holistically.
I have been passionate about yoga all of my life.
FAVOURITE YOGA POSE / PILATES MOVE?I love the Standing Bow as it makes me feel like I am flying through space.
GREEN JUICE OR COCKTAIL?Pink champagne!
SUMMER OR WINTER?I love the hot sun and swimming in the ocean.
CITY OR COUNTRYSIDE?Both. City for the buzz and countryside for meditating.
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?Dark Chili Chocolate..
IF YOU WERE PRIME MINISTER WHAT WOULD BE TOP OF YOUR AGENDA?Putting yoga on the curriculum of all educational institutions..
A SINGLE PIECE OF ADVICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN?To understand that female empowerment leads the way forward to a peaceful future..
FAVOURITE PIECE OF ASQUITH CLOTHING?The Blissful Wrap..
WHAT IS IT ABOUT ASQUITH THAT YOU LOVE?Makes my body look shapely while being ethically conscious..
WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SEE WEARING ASQUITH?Michelle Obama..
(Vimla Wears our Flow With It Leggings and our Smooth You Tee. Divia wears our Be Grace Batwing and our updated Hero Tie pants, the Live Fast Pants.)
YOGA OR PILATES?
Yoga.
FAVOURITE YOGA POSE / PILATES MOVE?Headstand so my spine is totally aligned.
FLAT WHITE OR GREEN TEA?Green tea to detoxify and cleanse.
GREEN JUICE OR COCKTAIL?Tequila (the agave nectar from the plant gives no hangover).
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE YEAR SO FAR AND WHY?2002 – because I opened my restaurant, Zuma, and I met my now husband. It was a big year!
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut
IF YOU WERE PRIME MINISTER WHAT WOULD BE TOP OF YOUR AGENDA?Educating schools on the importance of nutrition. It makes me so sad that schools STILL feed their pupils rubbish. I would also do more to educate parents and schools about sugar – it is poison!
A SINGLE PIECE OF ADVICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN?To realise that women bring stability and hope for the future.
FAVOURITE PIECE OF ASQUITH CLOTHING?Bamboo Hero Tie Pants.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT ASQUITH THAT YOU LOVE?I love the bamboo – it is so soft and the bamboo helps to regulate body temperature so it’s great for working out.
Discover more eco-friendly yoga clothes including our bamboo yoga pants and bamboo yoga tops.