As International Yoga Day approaches on June 21, I find myself reflecting on a lifelong relationship with yoga, a journey that began when I was seven years old and continues today, more than six decades later.

First Encounters

Like many children growing up in India, I was exposed to yoga at an early age. My first introduction came from observing my next-door neighbor perform Sirsasana (headstand) every morning.

Intrigued by what I saw, I tried to imitate him.

Performing a headstand seemed surprisingly easy then, although I needed the support of a nearby wall to stay balanced. At that age, yoga was simply another interesting activity to explore.

Seeds of Curiosity

During my youth, I became fascinated by the lectures of Swami Chinmayanandaon the Bhagavad Gita, where I first heard references to the yogic path toward self-realization.

Around the same time, I attended talks by philosopher J. Krishnamurtiat the Theosophical Society in Madras (now Chennai). I still remember the atmosphere. Foreign visitors, bright video-recording lights, and an air of intellectual inquiry. Much of what I heard was beyond my understanding at the time, but the ideas left a lasting impression.

Discovering a Deeper Meaning

For many years, my understanding of yoga remained limited. I viewed it primarily as a system of stretching exercises and physical postures.

It wasn’t until my forties, when I read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, that I began to appreciate yoga as something far deeper than physical exercise.

The book offered me a glimpse into the spiritual and profound dimensions of Yoga

Shortly thereafter, I attended a three-day program conducted by Swami Sukhabodananda in Hyderabad. It was a lively session with active audience participation that effectively demonstrated yoga’s integrated approach to life.

A Pause in the Journey

As often happens in life, career demands and multiple relocations interrupted my exploration.

For several years, yoga remained in the background while professional and family responsibilities took center stage.

Although my interest never disappeared, regular practice had yet to become part of my daily life.

The Turning Point

My firsthand experience with yoga began about two decades ago when I attended the Inner Engineering program offered by the Isha Foundation in New Jersey.

The program, created by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, immediately resonated with my practical and analytical mindset.

The primary takeaway was a daily thirty-minute practice known as Shambhavi Mahamudra, a combination of yogic postures, breathing techniques, chanting, and meditation.

For the first time, yoga moved from an intellectual interest to a lived experience.

Going Deeper

I practiced daily for nearly a year. Encouraged by the positive changes in my focus and emotional balance, I enrolled in several advanced programs offered by the organization.

Over the years, I attended Yogasana and Shoonya programs at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, India.

Volunteering during various programs further deepened my understanding. Whenever opportunities arise, I continue to revisit these courses as a refresher. Each visit helps rekindle my enthusiasm and renew my commitment to practice.

Subtle Changes

The effects were subtle rather than dramatic.

Over time, I noticed shifts in my eating habits, thought patterns, and response to everyday challenges. More importantly, yoga gradually changed the way I viewed life itself.

I became less reactive and more observant. Situations that once caused stress or frustration seemed more manageable.

While yoga did not eliminate life’s ups and downs, it helped me navigate them with greater balance.

Learning From Different Traditions

As retirement gave me more time to travel, I began including visits to ashrams across India in my itineraries. These visits exposed me to a variety of yogic traditions, philosophies, and practices.

Each ashram offered its own perspective, enriching my understanding of yoga’s many dimensions. Yet despite these varied influences, I continue to follow the daily practices I learned through Isha, which have served as a consistent foundation for my journey.

The Most Valuable Outcome

Today, my daily practice lasts only about thirty minutes, but it has become as essential to my morning routine as brushing my teeth.

If I were asked to name the most valuable outcome of my experiments with yoga, it would be an increased awareness of the mind’s constant chatter.

Yoga has not stopped the endless stream of thoughts about the past or the future, but it has helped me notice them. In that simple act of noticing lies a measure of freedom, calm, and clarity that I continue to cherish.

I am still a student. The journey continues.

Originally published in Medium/Write a Catalyst