I am Blessed
My story with Yog started when I was mentally tired, spiritually confused and had back pain.
With no will and low faith I happened to visit Sabda (a gift shop at Sri Aurobindo Ashram) to arrange for some quick fixes; a pain relief oil and incense stick for the times when I prayed for guidance. In retrospect I could have purchased it from any grocery store but it was as if the Divine had other plans for me.
At Sabda I found a book titled ‘Back to Health through Yoga’ by Ramesh Bijlani, with a chapter on- The Poor Back which said that ‘more than 80% of us experience back pain and how it can be treated successfully’. It gave me instant relief.
It also explained the management of various lifestyle disorders and how one can restore health through yogasanas to be done for a minimum of 30 mins per day and a yogic way of life to be lived 24X 7 for the rest of your life.
The uplifting energy of the ashram made me feel like I was in a temple and as if the Divine was looking out for me.
I felt as if someone just answered my questions and my prayers.
I feel blessed for my first spark of love for yoga to have started through this book, which led me to do 3 Yoga courses at Mirambika Research Centre (MRC), Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi Branch.
It was not just any Yoga Teaching Training course but Integral Yoga: A yoga not just done on a mat but one that focuses on perfecting everyday life i.e. living one’s life with a yogic attitude of acceptance, improvement, compassion and progress.
The yoga course at MRC introduced me to the true essence of yoga, which is union with oneself, reconnecting in the true sense with oneself and with the entire creation in a new way. Because of Integral yoga, my yoga practice grew in the right direction; it became strong and selfless.
From the minute I joined the course and set foot in MRC it felt like a second home. The campus was a warm, safe space brimming with complete beauty, serenity, quietude and deep learning for seekers of any level.
Everything left a strong impression in my mind, the simple serene beautiful campus, uplifting talks, the exhilarating yoga sessions, herbal tea breaks, the vegetarian dining experience, the all-pervading spiritual atmosphere in the Ashram, the diverse student group and the camaraderie that grew amongst us as the weeks went by.
For me, the entire campus became an open class of connecting and learning through nature with fellow seekers.
The teaching faculty for the course was very knowledgeable, grounded and evolved.
I felt I had a family I did not know about; the connection was instant and deep.
So when one course ended I looked forward to joining another the following year.
The courses were the best learning experience of my life- truly a life-transforming experience.
The course inspired me to treat my body like a temple and so I made many life-changing habits that changed the quality of my life forever such as the right attitude towards food, rest, exercise and work. I learned that it is the small changes that allow great effects to emerge.
The right physical culture and the yogic attitude towards life created the right conditions to reverse the reasons, which lead to my confusion and ill health.
The changes in my attitude lead to conditions of self-healing.
I saw the amazing Mind-Body connection.
The yogic attitude helped me view every stumble, fall as an opportunity for spiritual growth.
The knowledge of self-acceptance and the confidence to self – explore led to self-love and self – transformation.
Chanting sessions gave me the confidence to sing from the heart and conducting yoga sessions gave me an opportunity to express, reinforce my leanings and serve.
As soon as I completed my first course I started conducting yoga sessions at Health Centre, Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The course taught me so much about myself since I took the time to focus internally. I felt safe, nurtured, held and free.
10 years now, I have cared for myself by doing the work that I love and by doing something that has a positive effect on people’s lives.
It is very satisfying when now I feel I can help others to uplift their energies, learn to rightly relax and release worries while learning to live with a yogic attitude both on and off the mat.
While learning the importance of breath I became a tree lover, a tree hugger, then a compost crusader, an urban farmer and a promoter of living a sustainable life.
Basically, I became an environment lover and a minimalist.
A learner for life.
Here I am, a yoga teacher with so many tools in my belt, who still experiences pain in some body part or an occasional emotional outburst but Yoga continues to humble me and help me evolve and mature further as a human being. I continue to practise, introspect, restore and yield my way back into balance.
I practise religiously, in moderation (that’s the key), pursue my passion of passing my skills and leanings to others, live a life with the purpose to keep learning and progressing, contributing to the community and living consciously and connecting in Spirit.
Like I said ‘I am blessed’.