MBA Turned Yogi – Meet Yoga Guru Niranjani !

The more I practice yoga the more I realize how much of a beginner I am.

She contours her body into an unbelievable posture and you marvel at her agility, grace and poise. Despite a degree in business, she chose to say no to a conventional career to become a full-time Yoga Teacher.

Down the memory lane.. 

I remember the first time I ever went to yoga. I was in my 7th or 8th grade, I can’t remember exactly what it was that prompted me to enroll in a series of yoga classes in my school for the sports day but somehow I ended up sitting on a mat in a room full of girls.

My first teacher was everything you imagine a yoga teacher should be. She lead the class through various yoga contortions and breathing patterns. I had no background in dance, gymnastics or anything where you have to be remotely flexible. When I began yoga, I couldn’t even bend down and touch my toes. I am not sure exactly what style she taught, back then I didn’t even think to ask, yoga was yoga right?  I don’t know what it was exactly but yoga gave me something I couldn’t find anywhere else.

After the sports day got over I completely forgot about yoga and I moved on. I took a 8 years long break but after a while I had this overwhelming sense that something was missing and I was urged to seek out another class. Once again I ended up in a yoga studio with my second teacher. My body and mind started to react differently as I started to understand what it was all about. I have been practicing yoga for 2 and half years now.

I contemplated after my MBA whether to go for a job or follow my passion but I chose to follow my passion as I fell in love with my practice. I always wanted to become a full-time yogi and be a forever yoga student and as well as teach others to pass on my knowledge and passion.

So I finally completed my MBA 2 months back, quit my placements, job offers and chose to follow my passion to do yoga.

I am currently doing my yoga teacher training course in Krishnamacharya. I teach yoga when ever I get time to as of now. Yoga as a full-time, has many benefits. Teaching yoga also gives a sense of personal satisfaction to me as I can able to pass on the benefits of yoga to others, see the transformation it brings to their health, energy levels, fitness and mental strength and as well as mine.

Yoga is all about personal experience. Yoga is more than a series of certain movements. Yoga is a way of life. To me, yoga is my compass. Yoga is love, its being mindful. The connection is not only physical but also mental, emotional and even spiritual. The yoga pose is not the goal or touching your toes. It’s what I learn all the way down.

Yoga has helped me in many ways. Yoga has been a way to cope with stress and anxiety, a way to open my heart to grace, love and compassion and the best part for me is the stillness and peaceful aura that the practice of yoga has brought to my internal life. It helps me breathe and flow through life and be present to experience life as it is.

Converting Roadblocks into opportunities

Practice never came easy. It was very difficult for me. Sometimes it was hard to roll out my mat, but I did. I learned to be disciplined and realized that the measure of my practice did not exist in the hour and a half practices, or in quiet rooms. The measure of my practice is my continuous dedication.

I practice where ever I could, in my terrace, in my yoga shala, my balcony. No matter how busy I get I always make sure that I practice yoga every day. Practice every day and you will see progress.

At the end of April 2018 much to my surprise my guru asked me to teach a teen yoga class at her shala. I was both flattered and nervous.

I realized that this opportunity came my way for a reason, and so began my first teaching experience. With no formal training I went into my first class not knowing at all what to expect, but things went very well. It was only a small class but the girls and boys were dedicated and open to my teaching.

So here I am today on my own once again, trying to incorporate everything I have learnt from both my Gurus.

Yoga as a way of life

Yoga is not about whether you can do a handstand or not.

A lot of people don’t practice it because they feel it’s not for them just because they are not flexible. Practicing yoga even for at least ten minutes will keep your mind peaceful and content.

By becoming aware of its benefits, you will start feeling the need to take care of your body. Yoga is a fabulous way of keeping in shape and getting a peace of mind. Also starting yoga practice from young age have good functionality and flexibility, if they start yoga practice at an early age with proper consistency, till they grow up, I am sure they don’t have to struggle with any problems. In addition to this they will grow up with healthy mind and healthy limbs.

Yoga today is not only confined to the Maharishis of the Himalayas or travelers from the west, but is taking a full-fledged form as a lifestyle and to some people even a feasible career opportunity.

Know a great story or want to tell us your own? Write to us at content@chennaiinsider.com and we will get in touch with you. For more updates follow Chennai Insider on Facebook and Instagram.