Aya-Nikole Cook

Aya-Nikole Cook is a mother, an artist/designer, a senior yoga instructor (15+ years), Shamonic Reiki Master Teacher, Ritual + Yoga Nidra Priestess, Spiritual Community Herbalist and the sole owner and Wellness Curator of Haji Healing Salon. As a wellness professional Aya has made a name for herself, while creating expansive practice space and employment opportunities for close to 60 healers through Haji Healing Salon since 2015.

Aya has been featured on the cover of Yoga Chicago and on the pages of Voyage Chicago, The Red Eye, South Side Weekly, Block Club Chicago and the Hyde Park Herald have all highlighted her work and service to community. She’s been a guest on multiple podcasts, interviewed by Jen White for WBEZ, featured on channel 5 NBC news and contributed to the new book YOGA AS RESISTANCE by Dr Stacie C.C. Graham. In 2022 Aya was named a Black Creativity Innovator by The Museum of Science and Industry for her innovative wellness practice with Haji Healing Salon. In 2023 Aya received the Community Care award for Holistic Wellness from Sista Afya and was a recipient of the S.E.L.F.F. Care Sabbatical Grant from The Chicago Community Trust. in 2024 Haji Healing Salon was featured on Destination Chicago, a television program that shines a spotlight on unique small businesses.

Aya walks The Beauty Way (a Navajo concept of living life in harmony with the ALL), blazing a trail of holistic living and right livelihood that centers harmony and healing, balance and beauty through divine service and community care. Aya joyfully goes wherever she is called and she is delighted to answer the call to rise into a space of mentorship, nourishing, inspiring and supporting the next generation of Yoga Teachers, Healing Practitioners and Wellness Curators.

Learn more about Haji Healing Salon and Aya’s mission driven work at hajihealing.com