yoga with pragya Archives - Page 8 of 32 - Pragya Bhatt

An Auspicious Start – Pune Day 0

September 2, 2019

This is my fourth consecutive year coming to study at RIMYI. In previous years I’ve had the luxury to make lists and plan. This time I was caught in a whirlwind. I had to wrap up projects, attend a last minute Vedanta class, plan the quantum of assignments to work on this month, and so on and so forth. I was, of course, also trying to stuff myself with as many idlis and masala dosas as I could. Have to survive for a month after all.

I think all the frenzied activity of the last few days caught up with me last night. While I was finishing my packing I suddenly felt sick and threw up my lunch. My stomach settled down after that but I was in no position to eat and went to bed.

After a quick and simple breakfast of fresh steaming idlis (surprise!) this morning we drove to the airport. A short flight later I alighted in Pune.

Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra is special and I’ve been lucky to witness it for the last 3 years. As I got into the taxi I could hear the processions and feel the excitement in the air. The festivities will continue for the next few days and it’s great to be here this time of year. I couldn’t have asked for a more auspicious start to my month. Here’s to a wonderful month of growth, re-connection, beautiful discoveries and new friendships.

Fourth year in Pune for my trusted pink suitcase too.

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Poetry Yoga

The Rigors

August 25, 2019

The rigors of a home yoga practice. ⠀
Messy hair, ⠀
sweat stained clothes. ⠀
A little music, ⠀
an old mat.⠀
Props strewn around. ⠀
A useless mirror.⠀

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Books Travels Yoga

Rubbing (Book) Shoulders With My Favs

August 22, 2019

My sister spotted my book at the Delhi International Airport.

Over breakfast with my boyfriend today I mentioned I have my book club meeting tomorrow evening. It got me thinking about reading and those who read. I said to him, “Reading is a bit strange. We all know how to read, but very few actually read.” Those who aren’t bitten by the reading bug as soon as they learn how to read, can never catch the reading disease. For them reading a book will depend on literary awards and bestseller lists. They will never know the pure joy of a juicy historical Walflowers romance followed by the heartbreak of a volume on partition and its consequences. They will never relate to, and therefore never benefit from the existential crisis of a desperate vampire. They won’t know the thrill of hours spent digging through piles of dust motes to unearth treasure in a second-hand bookstore. Their shelves will forever be prey to awards, notable mentions, even popular opinion.

I read ‘God of Small Things’ in high school. The book was one long beautiful breath-taking poem. Last year the magic reappeared in ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’. To have my book next to hers is a little like being close to her energy.

I read a little known book called ‘The Gin Drinkers’ around the time I started college. I was smarting from culture shock, felt like a fish out of water on most days, wondered if things would ever get better and like most young people looked for familiarity that I never really found. (Have I found it now?). As clichèd as it sounds, I recognized a bit of myself in the characters of this book. When Sagarika Ghose spotted her book at the airport, I wonder if she registered the book next to her.

If you spot ‘Beyond Asanas‘ anywhere, do send me a picture!

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Books Yoga

Beyond Asanas – My Book, My Words

August 21, 2019

Thank you @zzeehphotography and @makeupbyhennaanbaree for this amazing shot.

When I was writing ‘Beyond Asanas’ my aim was to write a book which would give readers insight into little known stories about the asanas. This is an aspect of yoga practice which is never emphasized, so most practitioners only understand the asanas superficially.

Little did I know that through the book I would come in direct contact with people near and far, known and unknown. People who would read my words and appreciate them. And then take the time out to give me feedback, and share my work with others. So many of you have reached out to me on social media and through other means to express your thoughts and emotions regarding my work. You have no idea what it means to me. ??????⠀
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‘Beyond Asanas’ was published this year on June 21st. The publisher, Penguin Random House felt that would be the apt day to publish a book such as this. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The beautiful photos have been shot by Joel Koechlin. The insightful foreword has been written by Kalki Koechlin.

Do get your copy now, and please don’t forget to share your feedback. It helps.

Buy on Amazon & Flipkart.

Available on Kindle too!

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Yoga

4th Aug – 11th Aug

August 12, 2019

A snapshot from the first Instagram live session I did showing my own morning practice. Didn’t manage to save the video for this one, but other videos are up on www.youtube.com/PragyaBhatt

This week started with another event, this time for the FLOH Network. FLOH is a singles network which has an interesting modus operandi. Unlike other dating sites, FLOH actually plans meetups for their members. You can then actually meet people face to face, and figure out if you vibe well. And if you do, then you can explore your options to your heart’s content. As part of the event, I shared my personal journey with yoga and how yoga has impacted my personal and professional life.

Sometimes I get out of the yoga pants and into some fancy gear.

Check them out on: https://www.floh.in/

It’s been so cold in Bangalore that I spent an afternoon to dig out all my winter clothes. With the sun disappearing on us for days on end, I designated some time to fish out warm sweatpants and hoodies, sweaters and jackets. It’s so cold that I actually layer for class!!! And usually the layers don’t come off until after at least 10 rounds of Surya Namaskars. What can I say? I’m cold blooded? I filmed a small warm-up routine while waiting for students to show up, and here it is. When it’s cold, I can’t be bothered to take the hoodie off.

I listen to podcasts pretty obsessively and am constantly on the lookout for interesting new ones. This week I stumbled upon this on and found it fascinating. I usually end up listening to this stuff while I drive, cook or even during a shower! Do you have any interesting podcasts that you listen to?

Since many people ask me about my personal practice, I decided to start going live on Instagram. Still a little new to it, I couldn’t save the first live session I filmed, but here’s the second one. The video is kind of grainy and there’s annoying noise in the sound, but it will get better! Follow me on Instagram for quick updates on everything I’m doing.

Also this week I was sad to hear that Toni Morrison passed away. I read ‘Song of Solomon’ in high school and fell in love with her writing. RIP.

Also, ‘Beyond Asanas‘ is now stocked in all the major bookstores and is also available internationally. A friend of mine in Germany and the UK have received their copies. Also – my high school English teacher also got her copy and uploaded this adorable picture. Order your copy now!