From the mat, to the mind – that’s how I would describe my journey in Yoga.

It started as a ritual for wellness. Without any precise outcome in mind, I continued this ritual with immense faith, commitment and patience. Neither did I evaluate nor did I pause the practice. I simply allowed the experience to unfold at its natural pace. I just kept going relentlessly.
Have you experienced anything like this?

I first sensed the ‘physical body’ and ‘energy body’ transforming for the better. Then it was the ‘mental body’ transformation, more subtle. Within a few years it was so addictive that yoga become a way of living for me. Today it is my breath, my raison d’être. This revelation was slow and steady, but spectacular.

After being a yoga practitioner for several years, I finally took up the formal teachers training program – the best decision of my life. This stepwise progress created a very solid foundation of experiential learning. Facilitating sessions with the different audiences with their varying objectives served the premise for lifelong learning.

From deep within I wished to be a better version of myself. This was a game changer. All the credit goes to the power of breath. It was all about self-awareness and observation of my behavioral patterns. They were there all the time, but now they were apparent. I’m sure you can resonate with this. I hold this heightened awareness very special since it led me to act on the patterns to begin the transformation.

I marked a change of putting in long hours comfortably doing things I detested, and more importantly, with full involvement. I simply felt being more resourceful than ever before.

The most treasured experience is being able to create a consistent good state of mind. As the days and years passed by it became more evident that yoga was instrumental in steering life beyond the mat. It was now my practice ground. What I desired off the mat, I practiced on the mat. Whether staying focused, disciplined, letting go the unwanted, surrendering, and exploring the unknown……and a lot more.

My most special experience has been connecting with people, working with them on their goals and impacting their lives. In retrospect, I see each and every dot connecting, anything that may have felt inconspicuous, challenging, happened for a reason.

My practices in dynamic environments helped me become relatable to different students. My Masters degree in Yoga is nearing completion. My formal studies of the origin of Yoga through the ancient Indian scriptures, and Ayurved enable me to create immersive integrated practices. I can sense that my purpose to practice yoga has strengthened more than ever before. It is not merely a physical exercise, but a conduit to reach spiritual goals. ‘What’ to do on the mat, stems from the ‘why’ we take the path of yoga.

The opportunity to learn from the narrations of “What is Yoga” as per the old scriptures is simply outstanding.
“Ashtanga Yoga” as it is known today (the eight-limbed path) was formally introduced by Saint Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. The concepts are also embedded in the teachings of the Bhagvad Gita.

Patanjali Sutras guide to living a meaningful and purposeful life, offers a path to spiritual liberation through the practice of yoga.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.2:

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः॥
yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ

Translation: “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.”

Ashtanga Yog narrated in the Bhagvad Gita is a holistic approach to yoga, integrating physical, mental, ethical, and spiritual disciplines as a path to self-realisation and union with the divine.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika encourages practitioners to cultivate discipline, patience, and devotion, leading to self-realization and inner peace.

चले वाते चलं चित्तं निश्चले निश्चलं भवेत्।
योगी स्थाणुत्वमाप्नोति ततो वायुं निरोधयेत्॥२॥
Cale vāte calaṁ cittaṁ niścale niścalaṁ bhavet|
Yogī sthāṇutvamāpnoti tato vāyuṁ nirodhayet||2||

Gheranda Samhita, considered more practical and physically oriented, more focused on the philosophical aspects of yoga. It is often recommended for those who are particularly interested in the physical and cleansing aspects of Hatha Yoga.

वपुःशोधनमासनं, स्थैर्यार्थं बन्धधारणम्।
प्रत्याहारः समागृह्य, ध्यानं धारणा पदं स्मृतम्॥

Translation: “Asana for body purification, bandhas for stability, pratyahara for sense control, and dhyana for higher knowledge.