‘God and Evil are all inside us, it just depends on us, which one we choose.’

Pinaki Yoga is a yoga teacher based in Gurunam, India.

1. What style of yoga do you teach? Where are you located?
I teach a very traditional and spiritual practice of Hatha Yoga, that basically trains body and the mind, to sustain a higher level of energy.

I teach Power Yoga that is a continuous and quick repetition of Asanas, that makes my clients completely overactive & excited and build up their strength & flexibility.

I teach Kundalini yoga once a week, that includes chakras meditation with specific yoga mudras.

I also teach Pregnancy Yoga in which I guide pregnant woman about the postures and diet, which help her to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

I am based in Gurugram, India

2. What is your intention behind teaching?

Today, people depend on their physical senses to collect information from the outside world. They can only see, what eyes want them to see, they can only think, what mind wants them to think and because of this they are losing their control on their thoughts, emotions, cravings, fantasies and if we see from the real frame, everybody is a slave of his own mind.

My aim is to relieve people from their fluctuations of thoughts, build up a physical & mental strength and provide them a different perspective about life, with compassion and love. 

You see, God and Evil are all inside us, it just depends on us, which one we choose. 

3.Who are your mentors?

For my physical training and my specialization in Pregnancy Yoga, I did a certification of 200 hours from the World Yoga Alliance, Rishikesh, India. I am also Pursuing, Post Graduation Diploma In Yoga and Naturopathy.

Except for this, I acquire most of my knowledge from yoga literature and Indian Philosophy. Behind my every action there is part of Indian Philosophy, Bhagwad Gita. I have read more than 50 books In Yoga, Tantra, Naturopathy, and Ayurveda from great writers like Pema Chodron, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda, B.K.S. Iyengar, Sadhguru

4.What have they taught you?

During both of my studies, I have learned the fundamentals and foundations of yoga and got trained in Hatha Yoga postures.

Buddha said, ‘We cannot be liberated until we are free from our wants and preferences.’

All these years of my practice and study, taught me about the power of calm mind and consciousness, which can only be achieved with the sense of inner awareness and deep wisdom. 

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

Bhagwad Gita - Indian Philosophy

Inner Engineering - Sadhguru

5 Chapters of freedom - Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Power of subconscious mind - Dr. Joseph Murphy

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

Working on my inversions and Breathing Extensions and Retentions.

7. How often do you practice?

I practice Asanas on a daily basis for 2 hours and an hour spent daily for meditation and pranayama.

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

I always try to keep myself pure into my thoughts and actions. Always believe in karma theory and self learning mechanism. Surround myself with the natural environment and feel every part of nature into me, with every breath, during my meditation.  

Whatever we think and feel, is responsible for our circumstances and surroundings. What we do outside, is exactly the reflection of how we feel inside. We should be clean and truthful into our intentions and thoughts, based on this, people and opportunities come into our life.

9. Why is being present so important to you?

I believe in the theory of karma. Our doings and intentions always come back to us as the fruits of our actions and thoughts.

The past is something we cannot change, the future is the only thing we can make better by our present karmas & actions.

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

IG account & Facebook - PinakiYoga

‘Being present is important to me because there is a treasure in the NOW.’

Chantelle Broomes is a yoga teacher located in New York City.

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

I teach Power Vinyasa and Meridian Yoga. I am located in the city.

2. What is your intention behind teaching?

My intention behind teaching yoga is to serve others. It is in my nature and I feel blessed to be able to share my knowledge and help people get more in tune with their inner self.

3. Who are your mentors in yoga?

My mentor in yoga would be my teacher and beautiful friend Erin Rose.

4. What have they taught you?

She has taught me how pranayama, tantra, chanting, asana , acupressure, and ear acupuncture.

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

Tantra Spirituality Sex by Bhagwan Rajneesh.

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

I am currently learning how important the utilization of the breath is during asana. I recently learned how to breathe correctly and it has deepened my practice immensely.

7. How often do you practice?

I practice at least once everyday.

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

I implement the other 7 limbs of yoga by just simply bringing more awareness into my daily mundane tasks. For example , I would only think of pranayama during yoga. Then I wondered what if I tried breath control outside of the studio? Perhaps the next time I was in a scenario where I was really angry or anxious and to my surprise it worked. I wasn't perfect, but I felt myself much more calm than I would have been in the past without that kind of keen awareness.

9. Why is being present so important to you?

Being present is important to me because there is a treasure in the NOW. Often we tend to get caught up feeling so depressed about the past or anxious about the future that we miss out on the blessings in front of us in the very given moment. Being aware and in tune to what's happening in the present moment only invites more awareness. This will bring us just a little closer to rediscovering our true selves.

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

My instagram is : mysticaleuphorian

My facebook is : Chantelle Broomes

12 Inspirational Quotes by K. Pattabhi Jois.

K. Pattabhi Jois is globally known for being the incredible yoga Guru that he was. While he spread the practice of Ashtanga yoga, he also inspired many with his teachings and profound words of wisdom. 

Here are 12 quotes by K. Pattabhi Jois:

1. ‘Do your practice and all is coming’.

2. ‘Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man who doesn't have strength can practice. Except lazy people; lazy people can't practice Ashtanga yoga.’

3. ‘It is very important to understand yoga philosophy: without philosophy, practice is not good, and yoga practice is the starting place for yoga philosophy. Mixing both is actually the best.’

4. ‘Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.’

5. ‘Yoga is your mind control capacity.’

6. ‘Body is not stiff, mind is stiff.’

7. ‘Yoga is for internal cleansing, not external exercising. Yoga means true self-knowledge.’

8. ‘Yoga is universal…. But don’t approach yoga with a business mind looking for worldly gain.’

9. ‘When the breath control is correct, mind control is possible.’

10. ‘Yoga is an internal practice. The rest of just a circus.’

11. ‘So whether you do your first downward dog at 14 or 44, it’s not your history but your presence on your mat that counts.’

12. ‘The full ashtanga system practiced with devotion leads to freedom within one's heart.’

Sourced from A-Z Quotes and Wordpress

Be inspired by Yancy Scwartz...

There is no doubt that Yancy, who some may know as 'Scotty', Scwartz is a true yogi. By true, I mean that he has learnt to detach the Ego from his teaching and practice. 

Let his inspirational words inspire you:

1. How long have you been teaching?

Since 2008

2. What motivated you to start teaching and what have you learnt from teaching?

It just kinda fell into place. The more I wanted to practice, the more I wanted to teach. I learned how to be more compassionate to others through teaching. Whatever I teach, I'd better be doing because it makes the teaching authentic. People know and feel what's real and what's not. 

3. What is something that you have learnt from a fellow teacher?

I learned how to say less from my Dharma teachers. 

4. How many times a week do you practice?

My main practice is a specific mantra and pranayama routine sitting in lotus. That happens 5 days a week. Physical asana I do everyday for fun. 

5. Who inspires your practice?

My friends, the people around me. 

6. Why is it necessary to you to practice?

Because it will help spread consciousness and awareness. With that consciousness and awareness I can walk around more liberated. 

7. What message do you like to spread through teaching?

Stimulate your sixth sense and tap into your higher self. Operating from your higher self is a peaceful and compassionate place to be. 

8. Where are you currently teaching? 

Sweat Yoga, Hot 8 Yoga Santa Monica, Create Yoga and Hollywood Power Yoga 

9. How has skateboarding been a part of your yogic journey? 

It's a catalyst because you are constantly using your legs, so that takes care of your lower body. Yoga is a lot of upper body. So you spread awareness, consciousness through your lower body, your upper body. Once you master your body you can go beyond it. To skateboard you must be fully present like in yoga except in skateboarding if you are not present the consequences are a lot greater. 

9. Has yoga helped you through something that you struggled with? If so, what and how?

I've broken my wrist and foot skateboarding, and yoga has helped me recover. Yoga has helped me to not feel limited. Little by little yoga can help you rebuild and work past certain injuries. 

10. What has kept you practicing?

It's my dharma. I teach, so I must practice so I am always in the students position. Its a prerequisite for the job.

Follow him on Instagram: @yancyscotschartz Visit his website: www.yancyyoga.com