Shobhit & Shikha

Since childhood, I saw my grandfather practicing Yoga Asanas, Pranayama and reciting mantras. Growing in such an atmosphere, I developed keen interest in Yoga and realized the importance of health, early in my life.

I am a chemical engineer by profession, and work for a leading Pharmaceutical company. I know how the culture in industries is thriving these days; long working hours, competitive environment and elevated stress levels. It just not affects you mentally, but also impacts your physical wellbeing; your heart beats faster, your breath quickens, and your muscles tense. Personally, Yoga has always came to my rescue in those stressful times. Yoga is all about harmonizing the body with the mind and breath through the means of various breathing exercises, yoga poses (asanas) and meditation.

To have a holistic understanding of Yoga, I pursued 200 hours of Yoga Teacher training Course. This course not only broadened my knowledge of yogasans but opened a very important gateway which was Yoga Philosophy. Contribution of Asanas is just 5-10% in Yoga, rest is the art of living. As per Ashtanga Yoga by Sage Patanjali, Yoga has eight limbs Yama (abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption). This ancient philosophy is still relevant in today’s world and would be contemporaneous in years to come. By regular practice of first 7 we can reach the eighth ultimate stage of samadhi and explore our full potential.

I have read quite a lot of books on Yoga Philosophies out of which, books by Sage Patanjali, Ramana Maharshi and Swami Vivekananda have inspired me the most. The practice of Yoga leads an individual to the union of consciousness with that of universal Consciousness.   Every morning, my happy hippie yoga mat reminds me of the Joy of the previous day practice and attracts to get ready for today’s experience.