Namaste!
Yogis and Yoginis
My name is Ash and I'm from South India. I'm a full time Community Support Worker, working in Autistic community and a part time Yoga Therapist.
My Family’s Legacy
My grandfather was a Varma Kalai healer and Ayurvedic doctor in Tamil Nadu. People came from all over the state to his doorstep to be made healthy by his famous “healing hands”, and herbal medicinal treatments. Many people who were not able to walk came to him, and after 49 days of his treatment, they could walk. I would like to believe that I carry my family’s legacy, as his passion for healing has no doubt been passed down to me.
Medical Nurse?
As a young adult, I went to school to become a nurse, but while I was in nursing school, I experienced acute pain in my back and hips. As the years progressed, my condition worsened, and instead of using prescription medications to treat myself, I remembered my roots, and decided to immerse myself in yoga for healing. Around 3 months after daily practice, I had no symptoms, and no more pain.
Yoga Instructor?
After this rapid self-healing, I felt compelled to deeply reflect on my family history, and the ancient healing technique of yoga. This sparked a newfound desire in me to help and heal other people the way I had been healed. Later, I enrolled in a basic yoga teacher training program in my hometown.
Fallen Yogi?
Giving into unhealthy habits, sedentary lifestyle and also not knowing the right yoga lineage to practice, my overall health has gone from bad to worse. This time I was diagnosed with fatty liver and poor lung capacity. I remember the constant pain in my right abdomen and not being able to even climb few stairs without stopping to gasp.
Transformed Yogi
Two years into teaching yoga classes, I became discontent with the yoga that I had been taught to teach. Yoga had to be more than just bending and stretching. I attended workshops, talked to yoga teachers, and researched, but I felt that authentic, effective yoga was very hard to find. For a year and half, I put a pause on teaching in order to devote myself to personal research. I started familiarizing myself in the teachings of many influential yogis, the most transformative being T. Krishnamacharya, an extremely influential yogi who introduced me to the importance of conscious breathing, vinyasa krama, and tailored, individualized yoga. Nine months of regular practice of Vinyasa Krama transformed me into a complete different being not just physically but also mentally and spiritually.
Yogis and Yoginis
Some part of your consciousness has brought you to yoga, and to me, and I’m so happy that our paths have crossed. Congratulations on doing something so significant and life-changing for yourself! I am ready to teach you the essence of true, ancient yoga. Are you ready for the healing journey within.
Ash