Life Off the Mat: Finding Balance in Bengaluru
Yoga is not just about the poses we hold for an hour. It is about how we show up for ourselves when the class is over. Here is a glimpse into the moments that keep me grounded.
Dressed in white for a Navaratri series photoshoot, a project that taught me so much about perseverance. This look reminds me of the clarity and peace I seek to cultivate in my yoga practice and share with my students.
A thoughtful moment during my Navaratri project. Completing this series was a personal victory that reminded me of my own strength, a feeling I hope to inspire in everyone who joins my classes.
Expressing myself through movement and traditional attire. This hand gesture, or mudra, is a storytelling element in dance, much like how we use our bodies in yoga to express and release emotion.
The feeling of accomplishment after finishing a personal project is incredible. This journey, like yoga, was about setting an intention and following through, even when I had doubts.
Finding a moment of peace in nature, sitting under a tree in Cubbon Park. Connecting with the earth is a simple way to ground your energy, a practice we often explore in my outdoor yoga sessions.
A candid smile during a day out. I believe that joy is a practice, and finding moments to laugh and feel light is just as important as the time we spend on the mat.
Feeling happy and relaxed in the park. My approach to yoga is all about finding that same sense of ease and comfort in your own skin.
About this collection
You might see me teaching Vinyasa flow or painting a mural, but this is the real work. Whether I am sitting barefoot in Cubbon Park or managing a photoshoot, I apply the same principles of mindfulness I teach in my yoga classes. It is about making space for quiet reflection in our busy city lives.
Life off the mat is where the real practice happens. When we roll up the mat, we are left with ourselves, our thoughts, and the daily grind. My approach to teaching is built on this. I do not just instruct on how to hold a Plank or Downward-Facing Dog. I focus on how to use those asanas to build a foundation for daily life.
Whether you find me at a studio in Indiranagar or painting a mural in a quiet corner of the city, I am looking for the same thing: aaramaagi energy. I believe that anxiety management and mental clarity are not just for the studio. They are for when you are stuck in traffic, dealing with a deadline, or just navigating the ups and downs of a Tuesday.
I often get asked how I balance being a mural artist and a yoga instructor. The answer is simple. I do not try to keep them separate. My yoga practice—the breathwork, the disciplined movement, the Sanskrit cues—fuels my art. And my art reminds me that life is meant to be messy and beautiful. If you are looking for a practice that does not demand you to be flexible enough or perfect, but just invites you to be present, I would love to have you join my sessions. Let us breathe, move, and find a little bit of stillness together.
Pavna
I am Pavna, a yoga instructor who is still figuring it out just like you. I wear many hats as an artist and mural painter, and I bring all of that chaos and color into my teaching. If you are tired of stiff studios and want a space where you can actually be yourself, we will get along just fine!
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