You know, if I’d associate countries with people, India would definitely be the crazy one among them. India is tough and vibrant and beautiful. India mirrored me the best and worst parts of myself. It’s a country that pushes you to extremes when it comes to learning and evolving on a personal level. Its like a giant washing machine.

I came back to India to deepen my yoga practice and to learn more from my teacher Joseph. But the journey unfolded differently to what I expected. Not only did I stay longer than planned, but I also went far beyond physical improvements. Doing Yoga for 90 days, everyday, 4h a day, has changed me from the inside out. 

Ancient yogic wisdom talks about three different bodies and I got a first-hand experience of it. Not only do we consist of the physical body, but also the ‘astral’ and ‘causal’ one. Working on a physical level, is equally effecting the other bodies on an emotional and mental level.

Three weeks in, I started noticing sudden sadness and sorrows coming up – out of nowhere. Often, I didn’t know what I was sad about. Over weeks, I went on an emotional rollercoaster. Working with your body by doing Yoga daily, opening up your back, hips and chest, stretching all muscles in your body and building up strength is unblocking a lot of old emotions that the body has stored. Its commonly said that hips store emotions, but its not just your hips. Its your entire body.

From a physical perspective, I was pushing my limits everyday. Pain from yesterdays practice wasn’t a reason not to practice today. Feeling muscles pain, aches, stiffness or joint pain is something that is completely normal when you start practicing yoga intensively and is part of the process. I started to accept pain as part of my reality and learned to not be afraid of it or neglect it. 

This taught me a lot mentally as well. Facing pain or discomfort on the outside, is making you stronger from the inside. My teachers were huge inspirations and role models for me. We get brought up thinking, that pain is there to show us something that needs to be changed or healed. But in the first place, pain wants to be felt. By ignoring or avoiding it, we push it away and it ends up being stored on a physical and subconscious level. 

Believe me, it wasn’t easy. There were times during the process, where I wanted to give up and leave. And there were times where I was deeply grateful for the journey I had behind me. Cause at one point, I gained the fruits from my dedication. This state of mind is indescribable: I felt in complete control over my whole being. That is something I have only experienced through yoga so far. 

During this whole process I was guided, advised and supported by Joseph and Joyal. Their open and giving hearts, were actually the biggest lesson for me. I am beyond words grateful to have been able to spend time with them. By living with them, I understood the way they teach yoga. They teach with love and dedication. And that’s exactly how I want to carry the passion and knowledge that I gained out into the world.

Hari Om Tat Sat