Meet the Yoga Teacher
My parents Immigrated to the United States from Gujarat, India in the 80s which makes me a first generation Indian American. I keep my Indian heritage and my cultural upbringing extremely close to my heart. Yoga has origins in the Indian subcontinent so I realize what a big responsibility it is for me to honor the roots of yogic philosophy and teach in an authentic way that still follows the fundamental tenets of traditional yoga.
I was first introduced to yoga in my middle school years by my dad. He and I would go to park-district yoga classes together every Sunday mornings which is where I learned that yoga is not just physical postures (asanas); it’s a holistic system that encompasses breathing techniques, meditation, and ethical principles. I didn't realize it then but looking back, this consistent yoga practice at a young age (in addition to my upbringing with Gujarati speaking grandparents in my household) is what created a foundation for my passion and interest in yogic philosophy and puranic legends today. I briefly pulled away from my asana practice in undergrad at Loyola University Chicago. It’s when I started building work experience beyond undergrad that I started practicing yoga with more intention and purpose.
After graduating from Loyola I went on to gain hands-on clinical/patient care experience for the next several years in a variety of healthcare fields including optometry, inpatient psychiatry and orthopaedic surgery. In the latter two specialties I saw first-hand that practicing yoga can help increase the success rate of a lot of different protocols doctors recommend and prescribe.This was exactly the time I began attending yoga classes more regularly. Class after class I began to notice changes in my strength and flexibility but what intrigued me even more was the improvement in my breathing, mental clarity, and sense of self-awareness. I knew practicing yoga had a profound impact on me and I wanted to share it with others which led me to complete my 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2020. I have been discovering new teaching opportunities ever since.
I have an upbeat and positive teaching style and I strive to create a safe and inclusive environment where students can feel good and have the opportunity to develop a fuller connection to their own mind and body. I would genuinely love the opportunity to practice with you.
