A guest post by Devika Pathak
Devika Pathak interviews three incredible yoginis in Mumbai on yoga, juicing, meditation and a day in the life of a yogini. Here is what they had to say.
Sunaina Rekhi
Sunaina was drawn to yoga as a kind of therapy. Going through a series of personal issues, yoga emerged as the instrument that helped her harmonize her mind and body. Today Sunaina is one of Bombay’s most exciting yogis, taking this up a notch with her newly established studio in Juhu- The Yoga Gallery. We sat down with Sunaina and found out about yoga as art and what it does on the mat, and off.
What kind of yoga do you practice/teach?
I don’t believe we can be fixated on one form of yoga; everything you do is taking your experience to another level. Whether it’s hatha, yin, vinyasa or ashtanga, everything culminates into movement, openness and self-expression.
How long have you been teaching?
Almost three years in the studio.
Where did you learn yoga?
I started off learning in London and then did my teacher training in Rishikesh. However, more than anything else, everything I’ve learnt has been alone in a room, reading, practicing and learning. I am my own teacher. I don’t think there is any greater teacher than experience and yoga can take a lifetime. Yoga is not a destination but a journey which heals you every day. It’s also a lot about unlearning. Unlearning certain body and mind patterns and letting yourself in to a place outside your comfort zone.
Where do you teach?
You can stay updated on all my classes via https://www.facebook.com/sunainasyogatherapy/
What has your journey with yoga been like?
I went through a dark period in my life, I was depressed, I was unhappy and yoga started out as a saviour. It became not only my crutch but also my best friend. Every day I choose to be happy, and yoga has helped me a lot and helps make that decision easier day by day. I feel very complete. When I started teaching, my classes were intense but aggressive- which a lot of people enjoyed. I think lately I’ve created a calm in myself and this reflects in my practice.
What does yoga mean to you?
Yoga is magic. Yoga is art. I’m serious! It’s helped me through my personal journey and you know, when the mind is upset, psychosomatically it shows in the body. Now how about this- what if you make your body happy, do you think you can affect your mind this way? Trust me you can. This practice creates openings in your heart and body and takes you to places you never thought you would go. I feel like sometimes you just need to get screwed in life to learn and that you must be ready to be uncomfortable in order to grow.
What common misconception about yoga would you like to dispel?
This is a great question because I meet people all the time and they tell me “Oh, I could never do yoga because I can’t even touch my toes”. It’s not about touching your toes or doing a headstand. I’ve had to work really hard to create flexibility in my body. This practice is like learning anything else, you aren’t born learning to read right? It is built everyday brick by brick and with practice.
Can you share a little bit of information about your daily routine?
I teach most of the day and am a full time mom. I’ve never had a nanny and have no family in the city so between my work and my daughter, that’s pretty much what I do.
Could you recommend any great yoga retreats or holidays?
Keep watching my Facebook page!
Andrea Michelle Brown
You might have seen pictures of Andrea’s travels on her Instagram page @andreamicheleb or sneaked a peek at her on her fiancé Kelvin Cheung’s feed however, apart from being part of the team that’s launched Kelvin’s latest project (https://www.facebook.com/One-Street-Over-1454379781527365/) Andrea has made a name for herself in the yoga community.
The kind of yoga you practice/teach?
Hatha and yin yoga
Years as a teacher?
About a year and a half
Where did you learn yoga?
I did my training under the guidance of Bharath Shetty in Mysore.
Where do you currently teach?
I do private classes which can be scheduled by emailing lovefrombombay@gmail.com
When and how did you first start yoga?
My first taste was in Las Vegas, when I was 17 and I didn’t enjoy it at all. When I was 25, I found myself back at a yoga class on a rooftop in Bandra and haven’t looked back since then! When I first decided to join my teacher’s training in Mysore I did it purely for my own personal growth. It took a little encouragement from two of my own teachers to start teaching myself.
Not to sound clichéd but how has yoga changed your life?
Well, I did meet my fiancé in yoga class. He came a few times, asked me out and never returned to another class. Yoga has also brought me a huge circle of the best kind of friends. Women who are supportive, loving and kind hearted which has been a beautiful gift.
On a personal level, yoga has really helped me with my body image. In any yoga practice, it’s incredibly important to focus on what is happening on your mat. I preach non comparison in every class; we’re all built so differently (thank goodness for that)! It’s taught me about just how amazing the human body is, especially my own.
How does yoga connect to your life and fitness philosophies?
In yoga, I think there’s a great sense of mindfulness and responsibility. You’re constantly checking in with yourself, listening to your body, taking responsibility for your own happiness and making course corrections along the way. If this isn’t a guideline for how to live your life, I don’t know what is. The most important thing in any type of fitness activity is to listen to your body. In yoga this is evident through every practice. Some days an asana that usually comes naturally could become really tough and vice versa. Just like life, it’s all about deep breaths and enjoying the journey.
Can you share a little bit of information about your daily routine?
Every morning, I start with some oil pulling and dry brushing before my shower. I think that’s pretty much where my routine begins and ends.
Have you tried any kinds of alternative therapies that you really recommend (oil pulling, veganism, acupressure, juicing, etc.)?
As mentioned, oil pulling and dry brushing are part of my daily routine. I’m also a big fan of Chinese medicine (herbal and acupuncture). A great book for all women to read is called “Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life.” After a long road to recovery from secondary amenorrhea, I cannot recommend this enough. Naturally balancing your hormones is so important, especially for women!
Could you recommend any great yoga retreats or holidays?
I can totally recommend Samanta Duggal (http://www.samantaduggal.com/). She is a spectacular teacher and has various retreats throughout the year around the world!
And now one just for fun! If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Okay I honestly took an online test to try to figure this out and it said badger?! I’m not sure that’s what I want to go with so let me say…a seahorse. Simply because just like a seahorse, I eat an incredible amount of food in a day!
Lamya Arsiwala
Lamya is an ebullient yogini who has been teaching for five years and practicing for nine. She currently co-owns The Yoga House brand which has four operating centers in India while hosting retreats all over the world! When she’s not teaching, she’s working on creating healthy and delicious food, spending time outdoors and soaking in all the wisdom nature has to offer.
What kind of yoga do you practice/teach?
Hath vinyasa, hatha, vinyasa flow, and free flow dance movement meditation.
What has your journey with yoga been like?
I started my yoga journey at the Australian Yoga Academy and the St. Kilda Iyengar Yoga School in Melbourne. Before long, this innocent love affair became a serious commitment and I realized I had found my calling! I immersed myself in a teacher training program in Ubud, Bali where I lived in an ashram and ate raw food for three months.
My journey has been one of self-discovery. It’s taught me that in order to move forward, you need to hit a few speed bumps along the way. Obstacles need to be viewed as little pearls of wisdom that have been brought into your life for a reason. Yoga has taught me to trust the process of life and believe in the natural unfolding of things.
Where do you teach yoga?
Currently I teach regular classes at The Yoga House in Bandra, Mumbai. It’s a great space which integrates a studio, café and organic shop in one place.
What inspired you to start teaching?
I think I decided to teach as I knew it was the easiest and strongest way for me to stay grounded while exploring the practice and myself even further. While I lived in Australia, I was reading authors like Ekhart Tolle, Dr. Wayne Dyer and was presented with such a different school of thought which really inspired me. I learnt about spirituality, metaphysics and how so much of our lives are in complete rejection of universal laws that we remain asleep simply chasing material fulfilment. Soon I realized that my teaching would force me to live by the philosophy of yoga and embrace it completely. As I look back on the past five years, I feel my life has been enriched immensely and not a day goes by that I don’t feel this is what I was born to do.
What’s a common misconception about yoga that you would like to dispel?
I think the idea that yoga is for the elderly or people who can’t perform other kinds of fitness regimes. Yoga is a one stop shop for your mind, body and spirit.
How does yoga connect to your philosophy on life?
I believe that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Yoga makes you compassionate, mindful and grateful as you become more in touch with yourself. It enforces respect for one’s body and automatically leads one to bask in self-love.
How does yoga connect to your fitness philosophy?
My mantra- less is more. We have entered a state of constant activity with a very Type A approach to life. We have this intense desire for instant gratification and you can see that in the way people kill themselves at work or even at the gym. I’m not saying any of this is negative however I feel yoga strengthens your body in a slow, organic way. It teaches us to relax, slow down and move forward in life in a sustained and patient manner. The moment you stop going against the flow, and forcing your body to do things it may not be built to do, you will find comfort.
What do you think about alternative therapies such as juicing, oil pulling, etc.? Do you practice any of these?
I don’t think I subscribe to any one particular therapy as such but I do try to live a very organic and natural way of life. I try to add as much turmeric in my diet as I can, it’s a great anti-inflammatory. I follow an Ayurvedic diet as much as I can and lean towards foods that balance me. Every morning I start my day with a teaspoon of either organic natural ghee, cold pressed coconut oil or a glass of warm lemon and honey water. I eat lots of homemade yogurt to keep my belly full of probiotics!
Any yoga retreats you could recommend?
Anam Cara Yoga has some great stuff in the Andamans, Kabini and a many more. A must visit!
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Can I give you an insect?! I think I would be a firefly. I’ll have wings to soar and fly but also the ability to land anytime I need to be grounded. And after all, I’ll get to glow in the dark and illuminate the way for others.
About the author-
Devika Pathak is a Mumbai based freelance writer with a passion for chocolate chip cookies, pandas and vinyasa yoga. She works in marketing and loves to write about food, fitness and general musings on life.
