Shahir is a multimedia artist, holistic educator, trauma-informed yoga teacher, somatic counselor, and integral facilitator. His current life's work is to take the leap to support all beings in restoring a loving connection with themselves, communities, and earth through arts-based education. He holds a master’s degree in Contemplative Education from SFU (2023), a bachelor’s in Film and Cultural Studies from McGill (2015). Born in Malawi with ancestry hailing from Karnataka and Gujarat, Shahir is committed to ‘inner’ and outer structural change informed by anti-oppressive pedagogy, trauma-informed education and intentional practices of decolonization. He roots his pedagogical approach in Buddhist and animist wisdom, alongside integral theory and developmental psychology. 

His multidimensional creative practice weaves performance, costume dance, poetry, song and sculpture into a grand cosmic inquiry about trauma, healing and liberation. He has showcased artworks in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver, as well as presented films at festivals in London, Lahore, and New York City. He is a committed Vipassana meditation practitioner and over the last three years has helped organize the first two successful LGBTQ+ Vipassana meditation retreats in Canada.