Highlights from My Yoga Practice and Teaching
A glimpse into my journey with yoga—where strength meets softness. From studio flows to nature-inspired practice, here is a collection of moments that define how I teach and live.
Welcome to my shala. Here, we use tools like the yoga wall and blocks to explore poses safely and effectively. This image captures the essence of a group class, where students at different levels can practice together, finding both strength in poses like Ardha Chandrasana and release in supported inversions.
I believe in a hands-on approach to teaching. In this private session, I am guiding a student deeper into a backbend using a chair for support, ensuring proper alignment and preventing injury. This personalized attention helps you understand your body's unique capabilities.
My background as a dancer deeply influences my practice. Here in Natarajasana, or Lord of the Dance Pose, I find a connection between rhythmic movement and steady balance. This asana builds focus, opens the shoulders, and strengthens the legs.
Props are not just for beginners; they are tools for discovery. Using a chair for a deep backbend like this allows for a safe, supported spinal extension, helping to open the heart and shoulders more fully than one might be able to on their own.
Yoga is for everyone in the family. Sharing my practice with my son is one of my greatest joys. Here, we find balance together in Vrikshasana, or Tree Pose, turning a classic asana into a moment of connection and playfulness.
Taking my practice into nature connects me to the world. Performing Ardha Chandra Chapasana on a tree branch is a test of balance and concentration. It reminds me that yoga is not confined to a mat; it is a way of interacting with our environment.
This video shows a short vinyasa sequence that flows from one pose to the next. My experience in dance and theatre brings a quality of fluid expression to my practice. This kind of movement builds stamina, flexibility, and a strong mind-body connection.
About this collection
You'll notice many photos here feature props like chairs, blocks, and rope walls, or me giving hands-on adjustments. That’s because I believe alignment shouldn't be a struggle. Using these tools isn't a shortcut or a sign of weakness; it’s a smart way to understand your body's potential and practice safely, regardless of your flexibility.
A Different Approach to Yoga
At Nirakula Yoga Shala in Koramangala, my approach is rooted in the Iyengar method but heavily influenced by my background in dance and theatre. You won't find us rushing through poses just to sweat. Instead, we use the yoga wall, heavy wooden blocks, and straps to help you find the correct posture. This allows you to stay in a pose longer, understand the biomechanics, and eventually move deeper without risk of injury.
Why Props Matter
Many students think props are for beginners. In my class, they are for everyone. Whether you are using a chair to support a backbend or a rope wall to traction your spine, these tools act as an extension of your own skeletal structure. They give you the feedback you need to build strength properly. If you are struggling with stiffness, props are the bridge to the pose.
My Teaching Philosophy
My classes are an invitation to observe your own rhythm. I mix traditional Hatha and Ashtanga flows, but I always prioritize the 'why' behind the movement. Because of my theatre background, I view the mat as a space for expression as much as discipline. My students, whether they are in a group session in Koramangala or joining via our hybrid Zoom feed, are encouraged to practice at their own pace. Progress is rarely linear; as we say, practice and all is coming.
Join Our Community
Whether you are looking for group energy, private therapeutic instruction for injury recovery, or advanced workshops to master peak poses like arm balances and deep backbends, there is a place for you here. My goal is to guide you toward a sustainable practice that serves you on and off the mat.
Nirakula Yoga
I’m Amaresha. I teach yoga, but I’m also a dancer and a father. At my shala in Koramangala, we focus on safe alignment and finding your rhythm, whether you’re new to the mat or a seasoned practitioner. It’s about building a practice that fits your life, not changing your life to fit a pose.
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