My Journey from Engineering to Yoga Practice
I never planned on becoming a yoga teacher. A back injury from mountaineering during my time as an IIT engineer brought me to the mat, and that unplanned detour became my life's work. Here is the path that shaped my practice.
My journey from being an engineer to a yoga teacher was a fortunate accident. It started with a back injury from mountaineering, and the quest to heal myself led me to this path. One thing led to another, and I landed here.
Was I inclined towards spirituality since childhood? While I didn't practice yoga, the seeds were sown early. I was drawn to spiritual talks and had a natural inclination, which came back to me in a big way much later in life.
People often ask how I came up with the name 'Yogavijnana'. It was a name that resonated with my entire being, as it perfectly connected my background in science (*vijnana*) with my passion for yoga. It just felt right.
Having a designated place for practice is important, as the space holds certain vibrations. In this video, I share my favorite places to do yoga, from a specific corner in my own hall to a quiet spot overlooking the city.
About My Personal Journey and Practice
You might wonder why an IIT engineer would shift to full-time yoga. It was not a sudden spiritual epiphany, but a practical necessity to heal a chronic back injury sustained during mountaineering. I treat yoga as a rigorous, logical process—much like engineering—where consistent practice, or abhyasa, is the primary variable that determines your result, not just flexibility or time spent on the mat.
Bridging Science and Tradition
When I named my studio Yogavijnana, it was a deliberate choice. It connects the ancient, intuitive path of yoga with vijnana, the scientific approach. My background in IIT Hyderabad gave me a framework to look at the body not just as a vessel to be stretched, but as a system to be understood through biomechanics and structured alignment.
The Path to My Practice
My practice is built on a foundation of 'safe, exploratory science.' I do not believe in chasing complex poses to impress; I believe in the intelligence of the basics. Whether you are coming to me to fix a postural issue, manage stress, or deepen your meditation, the process remains the same:
- Stabilize: Establishing the physical foundation.
- Pranayama: Preparing the mind through breath regulation.
- Dharana: Cultivating the focus required for concentration.
Where I Practice
I believe that where you practice matters. The environment holds vibrations that influence your state of mind. While I operate from my studio in Chandra Layout, Bengaluru, I have also spent years finding quiet, elevated spaces—like the forest reserves near Bangalore University—to connect with my practice. I encourage my students to find their own designated 'corner' for practice, as consistency in space and time helps build the dṛḍhabhūmiḥ (firm ground) mentioned in the Yoga Sutras.
How We Can Work Together
Yoga is meant to be learned from a teacher who can see the subtle things you cannot. Whether you are interested in our 200-hour teacher training, which focuses heavily on structural alignment, or you are looking for therapy to address specific physical constraints, I invite you to approach this as a student of the process rather than a seeker of quick results.
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