About Indu Arora
The Story Behind My Teachings
It all started with a promise made on May 6, 2000. Overnight, my bedroom transformed to a Yoga space and my mind was given a directive from which it would not deter. Yoga entered my life, formally!
Now, more than 25 years later, the words of my Yoga teacher Shashi Khosla still echo in my mind: Yoga is not to be done but explored and realized. I am only catching the tail of it now—that, too, slowly and gradually. Yoga is not an all-you-can-eat buffet; it is the most precious grasp of consciousness.
A Seeker’s Reflection
THE JOURNEY
My journey - in Yoga and beyond - serves me as a reminder that human beings are inherently complex, and to truly understand one another, we must delve into the depths of our multifaceted selves. I am a seeker, a perpetual student of life, author of three books, constantly evolving and exploring. Most importantly, I am a work in progress, just like the Yoga I practice and share.
I firmly believe that Yoga is not (just) a study of Sutras; it is the study of Self. No matter how many books one may have read or how many hours one may have studied, finally, things make real sense when teachings become a living experience.
It is my pleasure, dharma, as well as the command of my Guru to continue sharing the perennial teachings of Yoga and Ayurveda. I must remind you, there are no shortcuts. The Yoga that I am talking about is not just a one-hour practice, it is a promise to live life mindfully, to understand that the way we live, think, and act have consequences on health, family, community, and world at large.
My mission is simple - to not complicate that which is simple and to not dilute that which is complex by nature.
We must not shy away from efforts in Yoga, the results are bound to come, if not today, then tomorrow. It is the promise of ancient Indian wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda, as is the law of nature.
My vision is to emphasize and to reiterate as long as it takes and as much as it takes that “Yoga is a work-in, not a work-out!”
Yoga is not an all-you-can-eat buffet;
it is the most precious grasp of consciousness. INDU ARORA
What Remains With Me
THE TEACHINGS
Here are the three things that you can take away from my limited but sincere explorations of all things Yoga and Ayurveda:
One, keenly observe yourself and Nature, the rhythmic interaction between the two. For the secrets of wisdom are quietly, effortlessly, and simply ingrained there. Make Nature your Guru.
Two, keep learning - not just for the sake of certificates and accumulating hours - but knowing that this is what is needed if one really wishes to move forward in Yoga, as well as in life. In the same breath, I would also urge that we consciously keep unlearning for that is what creates space for learning in the first place. My diksha Guru Swami Veda Bharati used to say, “When the meaning of the same word changes with time, know that you are growing”.
Three, choose wisely whom to learn from, even though the choices are more than plenty. It is one of the biggest discernments, to know how to separate voice from noise.
With Gratitude and Intention
THE OFFERING
Yoga and Ayurveda are a gift from the wise ones to humanity. Just like the sun, moon, and the stars, this wisdom is ever-giving and ever-present. We can and we must utilize them as a guiding light to work with the complexities of life.
I wish to infuse you with enthusiasm to study, curiosity to introspect and I hope to empower you to know that it is all inside of you. May you find freedom, refuge, and peace in Yoga and Ayurveda on days that are ordinary and times that are challenging.
May our paths cross for the benefit of many. I wish to pay the debt of my teachers and of wisdom with honesty, sincerity, integrity. I wish to live a life that honors death, too. The ones sincerely pursuing the heart of Yoga, shall find it in this very lifetime - this is my wish as well as my belief. Yoga is a work in - not work out!