--- title: "My Yoga Philosophy | Ajinkya Meher's Approach to Practice" description: "Discover my yoga philosophy in Mumbai. From Ashtanga Vinyasa to finding balance, I focus on the practitioner's journey, not just the pose. Start your path." canonical: https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/my-philosophy-approach last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # My Philosophy & Approach to Yoga Tribe Verified · 14 years of dedicated personal practice. By [Ajinkya Meher](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala) · Online via Zoom & at studio in Andheri West, Mumbai · ₹4,500 per person / per course (estimate) Part of [Ashtanga Vinyasa Teacher Training Course](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/gallery) Yoga isn't just about bending into a shape; it's about the person behind the pose. Here is my approach to finding balance on and off the mat. ## Photos and videos - [Video: On Guru Purnima, I reflect on the path of learning. Before you can be a good teacher, you must be a good practitioner. Before that, a good student. And before all of that, a good human being. This is the foundation of everything we do.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04d5651a-a532-4043-be39-36d3ec937312) - [Video: I used to be scared to speak in front of people. My journey from a shy boy to a yoga teacher involved many small steps, from working as a waiter to finding my voice through practice. Yoga helps you overcome fears and find your confidence, one day at a time.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4b13382f-938b-4a32-92c3-ea62ce8ec870) - [Video: It's easy to compare your practice to others, but remember, what is basic for you might be advanced for someone else. Progress isn't just about difficult poses. It's also about a better mindset, improved sleep, and more balance in your life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f420d0eb-22f4-4d0f-a82a-addf4b6b38df) - [Video: Your asana practice should be like a coconut: strong and stable from the outside, but soft, light, and calm on the inside. This balance of active strength and inner ease is what we aim for in every posture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3b8a15b8-374d-454e-aebe-abb021c011ff) - [Video: I'm often asked if I get tired or bored of teaching. Honestly, I don't. Yoga changed my life, and I started teaching to support my family. I remember the days of having little money, and I value every step of this journey. I teach with the same love and excitement as when I started.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4372dc02-90a6-4131-a2e2-92718697debc) - [Video: Sometimes your progress isn't visible on the mat. You might not be getting more flexible, but maybe your sleep is better, your digestion has improved, or you're handling life's challenges with more calm. This is also your yoga practice working.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8d33f7e5-f5c1-41d8-8959-57d6dfbe9087) - [Video: Many people think yoga is only about flexibility. I see it as having four pillars: mobility of the joints, active and passive flexibility, strength to hold postures with stability, and awareness to stay present. We work on all four to build a complete practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/101dd2f9-b8e9-4c54-b195-0b17a9b9ac0c) ## About My Philosophy & Approach I don't believe in chasing perfection because my own journey started from a place of struggle and self-doubt. In my classes, we don't just focus on the pose; we focus on the four pillars—mobility, flexibility, strength, and awareness. Whether you are a beginner or a teacher, my goal is to guide you to build a practice that feels sustainable for your life today, not just one that looks good on camera. ### The Coconut Philosophy I often tell my students that your asana practice should be like a coconut. You need a strong, stable outer layer, but you should remain soft and light on the inside. This is my approach to Ashtanga Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga—we work hard on the discipline, but we never lose the awareness of how the body and mind are feeling. ### My Approach to Teaching My teaching style is built on a foundation of 'Abhyasa' (consistent practice) and 'Sadhana' (dedication). When you join my shala or online sessions, you won't find pressure to reach a peak pose immediately. Instead, we break things down: * **Mobility & Foundations:** We start by working on joint health and proper alignment, using props like chairs, belts, and blocks to ensure you stay injury-free. * **Active vs. Passive:** I teach you to differentiate between the two, helping you hold postures with strength rather than just collapsing into them. * **Hinglish Guidance:** My instructions are in a mix of English and Hindi. I believe this makes technical details easier to grasp, especially when we discuss complex vinyasa counting or breathing techniques. ### Why Practice With Me? I was once that shy boy in the back of the room, intimidated by fitness spaces. That experience defines my teaching today. I am not looking to create 'perfect' practitioners; I am looking to help you become a happy one. We focus on the *other* side of yoga—the improved sleep, the better digestion, and the ability to handle daily life with more calm. If you are looking for a space where you can show up exactly as you are, you have found the right place. ## About Ajinkya Meher I’m Ajinkya. I started as a shy boy from Santacruz who was terrified of cameras, and yoga is what finally gave me my voice and confidence. I teach because I want to help you find that same ground, whether you're joining me in Mumbai or online. [See all of Ajinkya Meher's services](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala) ## More from Ashtanga Vinyasa Teacher Training Course by Ajinkya Meher - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/featured) - [Asana Tutorials & Pose Breakdowns](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/asana-tutorials-pose-breakdowns) - [My Personal Practice (Sadhana)](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/my-personal-practice-sadhana) - [In-Person Group Practice](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/in-person-group-practice) - [Live Online Classes (Zoom)](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/live-online-classes-zoom) - [Yoga Retreats](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/yoga-retreats) - [Course Details & Schedules](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/course-details-schedules) - [Miscellaneous](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/ashtanga-vinyasa-teacher-training-course/miscellaneous) ## More services by Ajinkya Meher - [Online Strength Training Program](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/online-strength-training-program) - [Specialized Workshops](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/specialized-workshops) - [Group Yoga Classes (Online & Offline)](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyameheryogashala/group-yoga-classes-online-offline) ## Similar work from other experts - [Yoga Philosophy: Finding Stillness and Strength](https://mytribe.in/mayura_theyogagirl/yoga-workshops/my-yoga-philosophy) by Mayura Pednekar · Yoga Workshops · In-person workshops across Mumbai and NCR - [My Yoga Philosophy and Journey](https://mytribe.in/seema_prab/advanced-vinyasa-strength-flexibility-inversions/my-yoga-philosophy-journey) by Seema Prabhakar · Advanced Vinyasa: Strength, Flexibility & Inversions · Online & In-person sessions in Bengaluru & Mumbai - [My Yoga Journey: From Personal Practice to Conscious Living](https://mytribe.in/yogabysamarthjani/yoga-instruction/my-journey-as-a-yogi) by Samarth Jani · Yoga Instruction · Online classes, home sessions across Mumbai, and studio classes in Breach Candy & Bandra West - [My Daily Yoga Practice and Teaching Foundation](https://mytribe.in/rohitflowyoga/yoga-workshops-corporate-wellness/my-personal-practice-the-foundation-of-my-teaching) by Rohit Flow Yoga · Yoga Workshops & Corporate Wellness · Travels to your venue across Mumbai for workshops and corporate events - [My Personal Yoga Practice and Philosophy](https://mytribe.in/yoga.sanj/yoga-for-fitness-and-flexibility/my-personal-practice-inspirations) by Sanjana · Yoga for Fitness and Flexibility · Available Online & In-person across Bengaluru - [The Yogi's Life: Philosophy, Fun, and Flow](https://mytribe.in/sejalyoga/yoga-instruction/the-yogi-s-life-philosophy-fun-flow) by Sejal Gupta · Yoga Instruction · Online classes across India; In-person at Powai studios & Lonavala retreats ## Book To book Ajinkya Meher, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Ajinkya%2C%20I%20was%20looking%20at%20your%20philosophy%20and%20approach%20to%20yoga.%20I'm%20interested%20in%20your%20classes%E2%80%94could%20you%20tell%20me%20more%20about%20your%20upcoming%20batches%3F)