Rediscovering the True Essence of Yoga in Modern Times
Namaste, dear readers!
It's wonderful to reconnect with you all! If you're reading this, our paths have likely crossed before in one of my yoga teacher trainings under Banjaara Yoga & Ayurveda, courses at Yoga with Kassandra, or in-person workshops somewhere on the globe — or perhaps you intended to join but life had other plans. So let me take a moment to reintroduce myself and have a fun little dive into my journey with yoga.
I was born into a family steeped in yogic traditions, with forefathers who were respected preachers and kirtankars of the Bhagavad Gita. Their devotion to this sacred text filled our home with spiritual richness. But here's the twist—I attended a convent school, which meant balancing these deep-rooted cultural values with a Western academic upbringing. Talk about a fascinating combo!
Growing up, I often felt like I was living two lives. One minute, I was soaking in the spiritual essence of the Bhagavad Gita; the next, I was navigating the structured, disciplined environment of a convent school. This clash of worlds left me in a state of delightful confusion.
As the years passed, I found myself increasingly drawn back to my roots. The wisdom of my forefathers, once seemingly distant, started to resonate deeply within me. This journey of reconnection wasn't exactly a walk in the park—it took years of introspection, study, and a whole lot of embracing my heritage. My yoga journey has been all about embracing yoga's roots and understanding its deeper teachings.
In university, I dove into the demanding fields of politics and law—aggressive, competitive, and quite the opposite of my inner inclinations. The pressure cooker of these domains left me feeling out of sync with myself. It was during these times that I turned to the philosophical teachings of yoga, seeking solace and understanding.
For over 17 years, I've immersed myself in the academic study of yoga, far beyond the physical asana practice. Although I adore asana, my first love has always been yogic philosophy and psychology. With a background in Western philosophy and psychology from university, I've found it incredibly rewarding to bridge the gap and make Eastern wisdom palatable to a Western mind.
This yoga journey has taken me across the globe, sharing the timeless wisdom of yoga through in-person and distant learning platforms. And now, I'm thrilled to embark on a new adventure here with writing blogs and making podcasts on yogic traditions and culture. My mission? To inspire and encourage you to look beyond the physical postures of yoga and explore its profound teachings.
Each week, I'll be sharing insights on how the primordial teachings of yoga can be woven into our daily lives, debunking the myth that yoga is an ancient practice irrelevant in modern times. Trust me, its relevance and necessity are more pronounced today than ever before.
I hope to create a community of like-minded individuals, eager to delve deeper into the true essence of yoga. Together, we'll rediscover the timeless wisdom that can transform our lives and bring a sense of peace, purpose and harmony in these turbulent times.
I'm truly grateful for our paths having crossed and hope you enjoy hearing from me again with more yoga insights. Thank you for reading until now, and I look forward to sharing more with you.
With gratitude,
Madhura Bhagwat
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