‘I want to create the awareness among people that yoga is not only about physical asanas and it is not a workout in any way.’

Sushmita Mukhia is a Yoga teacher from Navi Mumbai, India.

1. What style of yoga do you teach? And, where are you located?

I teach Traditional (Hatha) Yoga.

I am located in Navi Mumbai, India.

2. What is your intention behind teaching?

I want to create the awareness among people that yoga is not only about physical asanas and it is not a workout in any way. But it is more about the mental and emotional connection. Infact much beyond than that, it is an act of rejuvenating the prana (life force) inside you.

3. Who are your mentors in yoga?

Basically I am a self learner. There have been several teachers during this phase. I learnt Bhakti yoga from my grandmother since childhood.

I learnt Hatha yoga during my YTTC from the teachers of Rishikesh Yogalaya (Mr Sanjay K Naithani, Mr Prahlad Singh and Mr Shailendra Dangwal).

4. What have they taught you?

They have taught so many things like, training the mind and breath are of utmost importance because if these are trained then physical asanas will automatically follow its way. Only doing an asana is not important but doing with the correct alignment and posture are important etc.

5. Please mention a book that you have read about yoga that has had a positive impact on you?

Yoga Sutras, Science of Pranayama, Yoga anatomy and the journey within and many more.

6. What lesson are you currently learning in your Asana practice?

I am learning how to get detached from the worldly attachment of pleasures or comfort.

7. How often do you practice?

I practice 6 times a week.

8. How do you implement the other 7 limbs of yoga into your life other than Asana?

I often implement it in terms of meditation, pranayama (as training the breath is very important). Due to meditation, I am able to build more concentration so that my observational skills also improve.

9. Why is being present so important to you?

As Sri Sathya Sai Baba always says that we all need to be present or focus on the present because yesterday is a past, tomorrow is a future and no one knows what will be the future but what we currently have is a present, that’s why present is called a gift. Since I have studied in His college in South India (Anantapur) so I follow His preachings.

10. How can we keep up with you on social media? What is your IG handle and/ FB name?

My insta account@ Yog_with_Sushmita

My FB @ Sushmita Mukhia