The Awakening Within: A Yoga Journey
The Awakening of the Soul: Yoga as my life experience
When I first heard the word “yoga,” I honestly didn’t care much. I was just 10 years old and thought yoga was something only grown-ups did—just a bunch of stretching and breathing! My mother used to go to yoga classes regularly. Her teacher, Prabha Madam, was graceful and calm, and had almost 40 years of yoga experience. One day, out of pure curiosity (and also because I didn’t want to be left alone at home), I went along with my mom to one of her classes.
I quietly sat in a corner, watching everyone do slow movements and deep breathing. To be honest, it looked a little boring to me. I thought, “Yoga is for grown-ups. What does it have to do with kids like me?”But my mother didn’t give up on me. Every now and then, she would take me along again—hoping that one day, I might enjoy it. But nope, I still wasn’t interested. Yoga just didn’t make sense to me at that time.
Everything changed when I actually started practicing yoga regularly.
Bit by bit, my thoughts started changing. Slowly, without even realizing it, I began to enjoy it. The walls I had built around yoga started falling down.
Then, something amazing happened. I got to meet Mr. Ravanikar, a super energetic and inspiring yoga instructor who loved working with kids. He didn’t make yoga boring. He made it fun and magical. He showed us that yoga is not just about bending your body but about finding the strength that’s already inside you.
I saw kids younger than me doing incredible poses like headstands, Chakrasanas, and balancing postures with so much ease! I was amazed. “How do they do that?” I kept asking myself. That’s when I thought—maybe, just maybe—I should give yoga another chance.
So I did. But it wasn’t easy.
I started practicing again, but then—ouch!—I hurt my finger. It was painful and frustrating. For a while, I felt like quitting. “Why me?” I thought. But my parents supported me and told me something I’ll never forget: “Yoga isn’t just about doing it right; it’s about not giving up.”So I kept going. I practiced slowly, listened to my body, and stayed committed even when I felt like giving up. Slowly, something magical began to happen. Yoga became a part of me. Not just a subject or an activity—but a lifestyle.
As I practiced more and more, something beautiful began to happen at school too. I became calmer. I wasn’t getting angry or anxious like before. I started feeling peaceful and focused. My teachers noticed that I was more silent and mindful, and honestly—that made me really happy.
I began taking part in yoga competitions. I performed in Yoga Dasara right in front of the grand Mysore Palace! I even showcased yoga during the Torchlight Parade! I couldn’t believe it myself. The same yoga I once ignored was now something I truly loved.
I finally understood what my teachers meant—yoga is a gift from the ancient sages of India. It’s not just about touching your toes or standing on your head. It’s about feeling strong inside, becoming calm, and discovering who you truly are.
In the quiet moments of meditation, I felt something beautiful. I wasn’t just doing yoga—I was becoming more aware of myself, more peaceful, and more alive. I learned to live in the moment and appreciate everything around me.
Now, I’m not just learning yoga. I’m also teaching and sharing my experience with others— friends, juniors, even adults! I want them to know that yoga is for everyone, not just grown- ups. It helped me discover my true self, and I hope it does the same for them.
What once seemed like a strange world of slow movements and deep breathing is now my world—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
