“I am a Dentist turned Hatha yoga teacher. The transition point in my life was an insight during my experience that medicine alone has a limited role to play; and ironically, the major role of self-healing is being ignored by us, humans. I found my answers in Yoga which is an infinite topic that needs to be upon you apart from having a good job in a dental clinic, what will I aim for? Especially a person who practiced yoga from childhood? Naturally, spreading positivity through healthy living and mindfulness would be the approach and I only know how to improve health, and how to help others get good health. Now, when a person like this, who is completely absorbed with a thought of compassion towards the human body in nature, suddenly falls into the chain of private dental clinics where a ‘few’ medical professionals dig up the patient’s teeth largely on the commercial gains, I could not handle it.
That’s when I decided to part ways with my previous workplaces and decided to pursue yoga full-time. Beyond being a fitness tool, I believe yoga is a path of living our life to its fullest; inviting vitality and abundance. I started to teach yoga to the families around my vicinity to sustain myself financially. I eventually expanded my clientele across several parts of India and abroad, teaching yoga and mindfulness sessions, both offline and online.
Being a nature lover, I certainly would like to contribute my bit to the betterment of society through yoga and a minimalistic lifestyle. I want to leave this planet with as little disturbance as I can create to this planet. Good physical, emotional, and mental health itself is the biggest possession. This is a huge property that I have which I should take care of and let go when I have to leave this planet. But before that, I am trying to make a positive difference to as many as possible through yoga.
Yoga is something that teaches us how to be human, how to respect others, and our needs, and to what extent you need to use the resources that are around you and to what extent you need to protect them, preserve them, and promote them to the next generations. Today is International Yoga Day and the theme for International Yoga Day in 2023 is ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which represents our shared desire for “One Earth, One Family, One Future. It certainly emphasizes the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along.
My request to everyone is to involve yourselves in practicing some form of yoga which not only benefits the mind and body but also instills love and compassion towards one another.”
- Dr. Srirama Mandava, Yoga Teacher