By Gauri Chandna
In a world full of struggles, jealousies and negativity, it
is sometimes difficult to find happiness. Shanthi (Joyful) Yogini has not only found that for
herself but is also joyfully sharing it with the world. It was inspiring to get
to know her as person and about her personal journey from being a single mom to
a Yoga Master who is making a difference in so many lives that she is touching.
Gauri : Tell us something about your background
When I came to USA with my 1.5 year old daughter, I allowed
negative emotions to influence me as I was a single mother. Putting the ancient
wisdom into practice not only helped me to heal but trained me to be happy from
the inside out no matter what. I then decided to share this wisdom with others
for the rest of my life.
So I resigned my software job, to enjoy multiple roles –
Empowerment and Happiness Ambassador, Dancer, Interactive Storyteller, Art
& Culture Educator and Motivational Speaker.
My "Happiness for Education" movement has a
mission to empower a million conscious people to “Live a happier life through
Ancient Practices and contribute for the Freedom of one million Child slaves
and Education of one million Children in Ancient Vedic wisdom”.
Gauri: According to you, what is Yoga and who all can
benefit from it, and how?
Shanthi: Yoga is NOT relaxing exercises for flexibility. It is the
time-tested art and science of living. It is India’s greatest gift to the
world. If Yoga is a HUGE tree, Yoga pose is just one branch of it.
Unfortunately the word Yoga these days has become synonymous with Yoga poses.
Everything you do in life is only to be happy, yet there is
a WIDE GAP between where you want to be and where you are. Yoga bridges the gap
making you happier, fulfilled, and harmonious amidst chaos.
Yoga to me is union at 3 levels. (1) That of body and mind (2) That of oneself
and others (3) That of individual with the supreme.
Even just one Yoga pose (Aasana) a day can make you
energetic and healthy. What can be said of ALL that comprises Yoga?
Yoga helps students excel in their studies.
Artists become creative, singers enhance voice tone and
dancers stay youthful, and balanced.
For those with ADHD, it increases focus.
It benefits professionals whose jobs are stressful and sedentary.
Yoga changes one’s attitude to life. So parent-child or
partner relationships improve.
For the sick and the grieving, it enables physical and
mental healing.
The world cannot create another comprehensive system like
Yoga. Yoga is the super set and everything else is a sub-set.
Gauri: What is
unique about the way you teach Yoga?
a.
Authenticity – I have been living and breathing
Yoga in ALL its forms since birth. I offer Yoga in its pristine pure form. I
adhere only to the time-tested practices, and avoid modern variations that may
compromise on the fundamentals of Yoga. My students comment that I am the REAL DEAL.
b.
Independence and Confidence - I don’t just “Instruct”
or “Teach” Yoga. As a Yoga Master, I train both Yoga teachers and students, and
empower them to become confident and independent of me by explaining the how
and why of everything.
c.
Flexibility in schedule – Since the students are
confident, they can schedule their practice whenever they want at home.
d.
Efficiency - The techniques are taught in such a
way that even 1 or 2 minutes can be utilized well.
e.
Simplicity – My focus is on simple poses done
rightly rather than complex poses
f.
Variety – I train them in not just poses, but
ALL aspects of Yoga beyond the mat and its applicability in daily life,
ensuring union at all the 3 levels.
g.
Fun - I make it fun by intertwining story and/or
Bharatanatyam dance with Yoga poses. Dance is a minor stream of Yoga and forms
Naatya-Yoga.
Gauri: Do you believe in Karma? If yes, how does that
relate to Yoga?
Shanthi: Karma is a law just like law of gravity. Karma which
literally means “Action” is the Indian term for Newton’s 3rd law
“Every action has an equal and opposite reaction” or “As you sow, so you reap”.
Karma is the process that leads us to the state of Yoga
(union). And Yoga is the process that leads us to the state of zero Karma. Both
support each other.
Every action we do, no matter its reaction, prepares us to
the ultimate state of happiness that we are longing for. Sometimes we make mistakes and do actions
that we regret later. Yoga trains us to let go of the regrets and view failures
as stepping stones to success. At the same time, Yoga by enabling us to be
always in the “Present”, makes us act with wisdom and clarity. This results in
less Negative Karma and more Good Karma, which finally leads to Zero Karma.
Karma is interpreted as destiny by some, which simply means
that you forgot WHEN you sowed the seed, but you are now reaping the sweet or
bitter fruit. If you understand that it is the law of life, you are less likely
to be affected by it. You also have the opportunity NOW to sow the desired
seeds and create your own destiny. Yoga helps you in that.
Gauri: Tell us something about the EMPOWER system that
you have developed.
E- Ethical Values (They determine your behavior and relationship
with others - You being straightforward or compassionate)
M-Movement
(How you move your body, whether on a treadmill, or in an aerobics class
or doing Yoga poses or dancing)
P-Praanaayaama Breathing (Your breath is 100 times
more powerful than what you think it is)
O-Observing (This leads to awareness which is 50%
of the goal reached)
W-Way of living (It includes everything you do
from morning to night)
E-Eating (You are what you eat. Your stress or
focus depends on it)
R- Relationships (The people you choose to be around
influence you in a positive or negative way)
Each step impacts your physical and mental wellbeing.
Gauri: Where are you headed from here? Any dreams close
to your heart that you would like to share with us?
Shanthi: I want my training to be accessible to anyone globally. So I
have created an online multimedia training curriculum called “YogaLaasya” that
has 75% Yoga poses, 10% dance, and 15% storytelling and Vedic wisdom. It is fun
and promotes spiritual weight loss. You can know more about it at http://tinyurl.com/happymoves. I love
to create online programs on everything that I currently offer as workshops in
schools and colleges, and on topics like Yogic eating and mental healing that I
am currently training my clients on. I
dream to write several books. I have started writing my first.
My dream is also to start a Yoga teachers training program
and travel the world offering retreats and workshops. Anyone wishing to move
forward in life and looking for guidance on their next step can sign up for a
FREE Skype/phone consultation with me.
Connect with me through www.yogaforhappiness.com
Http://Www.Facebook.Com/Yogatohappiness
Http://Www.Twitter.Com/Yogatohappiness
Http://Www.Linkedin.Com/In/Shanthiyogaforhappiness
Http://Www.Twitter.Com/Yogatohappiness
Http://Www.Linkedin.Com/In/Shanthiyogaforhappiness
Or write to Namaste@yogaforhappiness.com
