Wow. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Yogalife. As I reflect on the incredible gift this journey has been to me, I am overcome with gratitude.

We are all co-creators of the universe, observing the splendor and beauty we are surrounded with. For me the journey started as a yoga practitioner, falling in love with the ancient philosophy. Looking for more depth, I became a teacher, teaching individual classes in New Delhi. As time went by and the love of my students gave me the courage to keep going, the vision became clearer and I decided to start building the organization Yogalife, which now celebrates its 20th birthday. 

I could never have imagined that we would train almost 1500 teachers who are spreading yoga in more than 30 countries. Yogalife now runs more then 15 yoga teacher training courses each year.

I am a student of Life

When I think of the inspiration we have gained, the valuable lessons we have learned and the people we have met throughout this journey, I am so humbled. Being a student of science, I have taken up every project with curiosity and on the way found many teachers who taught me things that I had no idea of: from training methodology to special skills like facilitation and course design, all of which contributes to the learning experience for you, my students.

Each year I like to further develop my skills by attending new training programs and by making use of the feedback from my students. My teachers include my kids and wife, doctors from different disciplines, chemistry and physics experts, coaches and facilitators. All of these new findings help me to even better understand yoga, the body and the human psychology and to serve by teaching.

While I am always looking ahead to what we can do even better, I also know that it is important to take this moment and acknowledge what we have created together so far and to thank the people that have helped us in this process. My teachers in elementary school in India – we used to call them master ji and his wife Bua ji – may God bless their souls in heaven. Other people I am very grateful to: Ripun jai Mehta, Tripta Bhanot, Andre Borschberg, Bertrand Piccard, Deepak Chopra, Kiran Bedi. And last but not least, the most amazing team one can wish for: Poonam Sharma, Manoj Bhanot, Shweta Bhanot, Anne MacNabb, Gabriel (Deva Ram), Savira Vohra, Micaela Preguerman and at least 200 more people who are helping Yogalife to grow.

I am very grateful that you joined me on this journey

At the end of the day, the best part of this whole experience is you — our students. There is no training, workshop, retreat or Yogalife Festival without you. I am so grateful you have stayed with us on this journey. Like an infant we came into existence with the grace of the universe. Along the winding road, we sometimes stumbled and got back up, and every time we rose, we learned and grew as a person, an organization and a community. Yogalife has grown from infant into adult, full of energy, excitement and ambitions, and this growing process does not stop. This would not have been possible without the love and care of the whole community we often refer to as the Yogalife family, because that is what it feels like, a very big family. That family is you, you take care of us, and we take care of each other.

Yogalife wants to keep on spreading the yogic philosophy and in doing so, increase the inner life quality of mankind around the globe. Knowing your Self is bliss and yoga shows the way.

I would love to hear from you this week — how has Yogalife impacted your life?

Big Hug and Loads of Love,
Sanjeev