Interview with Kushal Ram, Ashtanga Yoga Teacher in Mysore

Kushal Ram is one of the newest and youngest ashtanga yoga teachers in Mysore, India. He started teaching ashtanga yoga in Mysore just four years ago, but in such a short time he has already attracted many loyal and regular students. They praise his teaching skills, and his popularity keeps growing day by day.

Why You Need to Study the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

In this interview, Siddhartha Krishna, a Vedanta and yoga philosophy teacher based in Rishikesh, talks about Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. With his background in philosophy, and as an Iyengar Yoga student, he explains why it is important for every yoga practitioner to study the yoga sutras.

Interview with Surinder Singh, Yoga Teacher in Rishikesh

The first time I practiced hatha yoga with Surinder Singh in Rishikesh,  I could immediately sense his very calm energy.  My first thought was, "He practices meditation!" That was a very comforting thought. Many other yoga teachers I'd met before seem to focus only on body postures.

What You Need to Know Before Practicing Ahimsa, Non-Violence

Ahimsa, non-violence in thought, word or deed, is the highest value taught in yoga philosophy. We are meant to practice this value, with mindfulness, in our daily lives. However there is something we need to know before being able to practice ahimsa successfully.

How the Search for the Ultimate Truth Led Me to Yoga

When I was a little kid I always struggled to pay attention at school. I was usually lost in my own thoughts. Driven perhaps by a habit acquired from a past life, there was one particular thought that I use to think about over and over again.

Why I Quit My Job Three Times and Then Never Came Back

I had just found a new well-paid corporate job abroad. It was a remarkable achievement, but even before day one, I had already decided that I was going to quit. I gave myself three years before giving everything up to follow a crazy dream.

How Love, Faith and Determination Brought Me to Belgium

It was tough for me to go back home after a year living in India. After such a life-changing experience I couldn't just go back to "normal."  I felt out of place. I felt as if I didn't fit anymore. I was feeling homesick for another country.

This is Why 2005 Became the Best Year of My Life

In January 2005 I had decided to quit my job to travel to the other side of the world. My destination was India. What an experience! But you won't believe how that year came to an end. I took one of the most important decisions of my life, and I also had a little surprise.

Why I Chose Yoga Instead of Buddhism

For a long time, I felt very attracted to Buddhism, which is in many ways connected to yoga. That's why I'd decided to visit a Buddhist monastery in Nepal. One of the best experiences I've ever had, but once I was there I also realized that Buddhism is not really my path.

True Story: I Seriously Considered Becoming a Monk

Yes, I'm being real. I seriously considered becoming a monk. I had this romantic idea of giving everything up and dedicating my time fully to the spiritual path. Crazy, isn't it? Well, let me tell you the whole story.

The Day I Became Myself for the First Time Ever

I was having an awesome time in Mumbai. I would spend my days at the office, commuting and hanging out with friends. That was the best part. Nothing very spiritual though, but after just a few weeks I started to feel a change in me. Something was different.

Why I Didn't Expect My First Trip to India to Be Spiritual

It was a long flight, around 30 hours with connections. Surprisingly I was very calm during the whole trip. But the last half an hour, right after the pilot announced the landing, I became really anxious. "What am I doing? I don't know anything about this country! I don't know anybody here!"

How I Ended up in India After Quitting My First Job

Today I'm gonna take you back in time, to the experiences that led me to my first trip to India. This happened more than 10 years ago! I'll share with you the biggest life lesson I learned from my first job, and why I decided to follow a different path.

What Motivates Me to Face My Fears and Embrace Failure

"What if I fail?" Have you ever asked yourself that question? Now that I'm facing a new challenge as a yoga retreat host, I've asked that question myself. Luckily I do have a strong motivation to help me face my fears. Here is my why, and also the reason I try to embrace failure.

This is Why I'm Obsessed With My Daily Routine

I’ve been talking a lot about my daily routine lately. Actually, the first thing I do once I arrive at a new destination is to establish a new daily routine. I’m kind of obsessed about it, and I think you should too. Here is why.

Teaching Yoga at Plantation Villa. This is How it Ended

Updated 10/06/18. I was considering ending my yoga teaching gig at Plantation Villa (the Ayurveda resort I mentioned before) pretty much as soon as I arrived. But I didn't want to break my daily routine, and I didn't want to waste time, or money, searching for another place where to teach.

Why I Stopped Teaching Yoga at an Ayurveda Resort in Sri Lanka

Beginning of December last year I started a full-time yoga teaching gig in Sri Lanka, at an Ayurveda resort called Plantation Villa. Luckily I also had the time to focus on my projects. Exactly what I was looking for! Yet I decided to leave earlier than agreed. Four months earlier.

8 Days Surf and Yoga Retreat in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka

Picture this: sunny hot weather, paradise beaches, perfect surfing waves for all levels, great food and yoga every day. Sounds good, doesn't it? Well, you can experience all this during this summer on my next surf and yoga retreat in Arugam Bay, a top surf destination in Sri Lanka.

Yoga Without Mindfulness Is Not Yoga

Mindfulness, a very popular term nowadays, is a practice usually associated with the Buddhist tradition. However, it is also an integral practice of the yoga tradition. As a matter of fact, yoga without mindfulness is not yoga, and I'm not talking only about body postures.

Why Sitting Still Doing Nothing is More Productive Than You Think

Have you ever felt anxious when you needed to complete a task or project on a deadline?

I know I have.

Sometimes it seems that no matter how hard you work, you barely make any progress.

Well, believe it or not, if you sit still and do nothing you'll be able to complete a lot more.

How to Stop Excessive Thinking: Dealing With Racing Thoughts

Do you ever feel as if you just can't stop thinking no matter what you do? I know that feeling. It's like having a little person inside your head who doesn't know how to shut up, even for a second. So, how can we break free from this constant mental chatter and racing thoughts?

How to Avoid Bank Fees While Traveling Asia as a Yoga Nomad

Updated August 31st, 2018. Are you a yoga nomad traveling in Asia? You've probably been wondering how to avoid those annoying bank fees and foreign exchange commissions whenever you withdraw money to pay for your yoga trainings, or perhaps whenever you get paid for hosting your own yoga retreats. I know I do.