My Journey With Yoga

My Journey into Yoga and Holistic Healing

I discovered yoga in 2007, driven by chronic back pain I was experiencing in my early 20s. At the time, I was just starting my career as a financial analyst on Wall Street in New York City. My health had already been severely compromised, and I was frequently on antibiotics to manage multiple chronic conditions. On top of that, I was navigating personal challenges. A former co-worker suggested I try yoga to alleviate my back pain, and that simple suggestion changed my life.

My First Yoga Class

I took my first yoga class in Brooklyn in 2007, not knowing that it would be life-altering. At the end of the class, I had a profound meditation experience. For the first time, I felt a deep, inner joy that wasn’t tied to external events or plans. It was pure, unconditional happiness, simply from being present in the moment. This experience felt so natural, like something I had forgotten but was now remembering. From that point on, I dove fully into studying all aspects of yoga.

Yoga not only healed my lower back pain but also led me on a path of total life transformation, helping me heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Meeting My Teacher

That transformative meditation experience occurred during a class with my first yoga teacher, a senior disciple of Sri Dharma Mittra. I practiced with this teacher for three years before meeting Sri Dharma Mittra himself in 2010. I immediately felt the presence of something extraordinary in his being. I spent several years learning directly from Dharma Mittra in NYC, and in 2010, I completed his yoga teacher training. Soon after, I was honored to join his yoga center as a staff teacher.

During my time in NYC, I taught in various studios, led local and international retreats, and offered private lessons throughout the city.

Teaching Yoga Everywhere I’ve Lived

In 2015, I moved to the Bay Area, where I focused primarily on offering private yoga classes and corporate yoga classes. In 2024, I moved to Oahu, Hawaii, a place that feels like home to my soul. Here, I continue to share the transformative practice of yoga.

How Yoga Changed My Life and Why I Share It

Yoga has helped me remain centered, strong, and emotionally balanced, no matter what life throws my way. It has provided a profound sense of peace and inner calm. The most significant impact yoga has had on my life is helping me realize the divine presence within myself. Yoga, at its core, is not a religion but a set of practices designed to purify the body and mind, ultimately leading to self-realization.

Yoga is a tool I turn to in different ways, depending on what I need. Some days, I focus on breathing techniques, other days, I dive into more vigorous practices, and some days, I lean into deep relaxation. I view yoga as a toolbox—one that supports me in every aspect of my life. It’s a system of healing that can be applied to any situation, offering balance, strength, and clarity.

Ahimsa and My Plant-Based Journey

A central principle of yoga is Ahimsa, or non-violence, which extends beyond humans to all living beings. This teaching deeply resonated with me and led me to adopt a plant-based diet in 2010. Following the teachings of my mentor, Sri Dharma Mittra, I began practicing juice detoxes, which played a significant role in my healing. Within a year, I had weaned off all medications and had healed my chronic health conditions. Since then, I’ve remained medication-free and continue to thrive on a plant-based diet.

In 2014, I became a certified Holistic Health Coach, seeking to support my holistic lifestyle through proper nutrition. This knowledge led me to guide others on their wellness journeys as a health coach and personal wellness chef.