Unknowingly since birth with teachings of ancient yogic texts including The Mahabharata and The Bhagavad Gita. Both my parents were born and raised in India, so growing up, they passed down knowledge of yogic philosophy and stories of Hindu gods and goddesses. Then in 2015, I met my first Teacher who formally taught me Meditation, Pranayama, chanting in Sanskrit and eventually I learned Asana.
Teacher Trainings:
– 200 RYT in Rishikesh, India in 2016
– 200 RYT in Vancouver, BC in 2019
– 300 RYT in Vancouver, BC in 2019 to 2022 which includes: Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Mantra and Storytelling, Ayurveda for Yoga Teachers, Yin Yoga, Myofascial Techniques, Kids Yoga, Art of Assisting, Trauma-Informed Yoga
Reason you started your personal practice:
– In 2015, my mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. I came home from work to find her sitting on the edge of her bed, trembling and crying. She said to me “I want to die.” And my heart sank. This was the strongest woman I know, and yet the first time I witnessed her humanness, suffering. I immediately thought of my friend’s mom, Dr. Kuljeet Kaur, who I knew was a Reiki Grandmaster and Yoga Teacher born and raised in Rishikesh. What started out as a plea for help for my mom turned into years of bonding between me and her. We meditated together, chanted together, learned breathing techniques and practiced Asana together for 5 years. Eventually my Teacher inspired me to travel to India and blessed me with the opportunity to formalize my teachings and offer them to my community.
Why you like to teach:
– Yoga, for me, has always been about healing, and this happens through deepening our experience of relaxation in the body and mind, and ultimately letting go of pain and thoughts that no longer serve us. Yoga has allowed me to dive deeper into my soul and to grow spiritually. My practice of yoga is one of self-discovery through moments of love. It is overcoming challenges, and negative thoughts, with strength and resilience. Through yoga I have found courage and bravery to love myself when it is difficult to do so; because that is when it is needed the most. I found such deep healing in my practice: both emotional and physical, that I want to share this knowledge with others.
Funny moments in class or while teaching:
– In my Restorative Yoga Teacher Training practicum, I brought crystals and placed them on the students chest as they laid in Reclined butterfly pose. In traditional restorative practice, you hold poses for a minimum of 5 minutes and sometimes up to 15 minutes. Quite some time had passed, and when transitioning out of the pose, I had completely forgotten I placed the crystals on my students. They went flying off their bodies to the end of the room and in a split second, I said “Breathe! You are alive! Your heart is beating so full of life that the crystals went flying off your chest to the other side of the room.” Lol. I enjoy thinking quickly on the spot 😉 and I believe there are no such things as coincidences. You can find meaning in everything, if you look deeply enough.
Favourite poses:
– Tree pose or Vrikshasana
– Reclined butterfly pose or Supta Baddha Konasana
