My trip to India September 2024

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As a yoga teacher, my journey with yoga has always been one of deep learning and continuous growth. Yet, my recent trip to India—the birthplace of yoga—opened my heart and mind to a dimension of the practice that I had only read about in books or heard from other yogis. The experience was so profound, I knew I had to share it with my students, and now, with you.

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I’ve always felt a pull towards India, the land of sages and seekers. India is where the ancient science of yoga was born, nurtured, and passed down through generations. While I had immersed myself in yoga for many years, something within me yearned for a deeper connection—a more authentic understanding of its roots. The call to India came at a time when I was feeling somewhat plateaued in my personal practice, and I knew that to grow as a teacher, I needed to first grow as a student.

Stepping into the Sacred Land

As soon as I arrived in India, I could feel an indescribable shift. There’s an energy in the air that’s hard to explain but impossible to ignore. The cities are alive with vibrant colors, smells, and sounds. Yet, beyond the busy streets, there is a deeper pulse—a hum of ancient wisdom that weaves itself through the country’s rich culture and spirituality.

I spent my time visiting several sacred sites, including Rishikesh, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganges River. Known as the "Yoga Capital of the World," this place has been home to many sages, saints, and yogis for centuries. Practicing yoga here, in the open air with the Ganges flowing beside me, felt like tapping into a wellspring of divine energy.

Rediscovering Yoga as a Way of Life

In India, yoga is more than just the postures we practice on the mat—it’s a way of life. From sunrise meditations to chanting in temples, the experience gave me a deeper understanding of yoga as an all-encompassing practice. The focus wasn’t just on the physical; it was about harmonising body, mind, and spirit.

The Gift of Community: Satsang and Connection

Another highlight of my trip was experiencing Satsang—a gathering of seekers coming together to share spiritual wisdom. It was humbling to sit among people from all over the world, each of us on our own unique path, yet all united in our quest for truth and inner peace. Listening to spiritual teachers and having conversations with fellow travelers, I realised that yoga is not just about individual practice; it’s about community and shared learning.

This sense of connection extended beyond the yoga halls. Whether it was a vendor on the street or a fellow traveler, every interaction was imbued with a sense of warmth and openness. India teaches you that we are all students on this journey, constantly learning from one another and the world around us.

Returning Home: A New Perspective

Coming back from India, I felt more aligned with my purpose as a yoga teacher. I no longer see yoga as just a series of poses or breathing exercises but as a profound, spiritual journey that continues to evolve. This trip reminded me that teaching yoga is not just about instructing movements but about holding space for others to explore their own inner landscapes.

Now, when I teach, I try to bring the essence of what I learned in India into the studio. I encourage my students to think beyond the physical practice—to see yoga as a tool for inner transformation, for living with more awareness, compassion, and presence.

The Takeaway: India Is Always Within

India taught me that the external journey is a reflection of the internal one. While traveling to sacred sites, meditating by the Ganges, and learning from Indian teachers was life-changing, the real journey was happening within me. And that is the beauty of yoga—it guides us inward, towards a place of stillness and peace that we can access anytime, anywhere.

For my students and anyone reading this, my biggest takeaway from India is this: The profound peace and wisdom we seek are not somewhere far away—they are always within us, waiting to be discovered.

India may have been the catalyst for my transformation, but the real journey is continuous, and it is available to all of us. Whether on the mat, in meditation, or in everyday life, yoga offers a path to connect with the divine within.

Namaste. 

 

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