Recently, I contacted yoga instructor Krati Malik Gulati, known as “Yogaakrati”, to discuss her perspective on yoga and body image, common assumptions about yoga, self-acceptance, and the role of yoga, and meditation in healing and transformation. Mrs. Krati Malik Gulati is a health and wellness member state president of Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Madhya Pradesh and working as a women’s councillor, empowering women entrepreneurs and leaders. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she assisted around 1500 patients. She has received recognition for her efforts from the CAIT ASSOCIATION, the World Book of London, WICCI, and the AYUSH MINISTRY. Her sincere and ongoing role is to teach and help convey experienced and authentic information on the importance of how we live, breathe and be. Her aim is to help people improve their mental and physical health, and live more fulfilling lives.
Q1. How long have you been practicing yoga and why did you start?
I have been practicing yoga for 16 years. I started when I was in my 11th standard. I was always interested in yoga but taking time out for it was a challenge. When I started to practice regularly, after a month I realised that I was no longer looking at the time. I enjoyed the calm and peace I was experiencing. My entire body has become more robust. I feel more lively and confident than before. Then there was a drastic change:I was forced to quit practicing for some reasons. As a result, my mind and body suffered setbacks. I begin to feel alone, powerless, and full of bad energy. Then I realised, “No one matters; only you matter.” You can only help and serve others if your body and mind are in good condition.
In 2015 I joined my first project called: Stop Diabetes Movement. The project was designed by S-VYASA University Bangalore (Madhumeh Mukt Bharat Abhiyan) in which I was the district head where we have conducted many free camps for all age groups. It was a turning point in my life. After being part of it, I realized how people are healed by yoga and meditation. I felt so happy how people shower blessings and their infinite love to me. This strengthened my dedication towards this spiritual path, and my interest in yoga has become vaster. My exploration of yoga, meditation and spiritual direction continues to deepen.
Q2. What is your opinion regarding the essence of yoga and meditation?
In my opinion, yoga is a collection of spiritual, mental, and physical practices developed in different schools of Hinduism and Buddhism to manage the mental and physiological processes of the body in order to lead toward reaching an elevated spiritual and mental state in a person. Yoga is beyond you; I think it just changes the way you think and see things, and however, it shows you how to do it better.
As we talk about meditation, it means “samādhi,” or “union with God.” When an individual spirit soul is concentrated, focused, or you can say it unites with God, entirely focuses on God – their mind, body, heart, and entire being are given to God without a trace.
Q3. What challenges do you face in promoting yoga and how do you overcome them?
First false myths and impressions of what yoga is really about had unknowingly turned away. People thought yoga was specifically for unhealthy people and older people.
The second challenge was how to guide people to start the journey. I recommend a beginner series at a local yoga studio or gym. This will help them to gradually understand each pose and get proper knowledge on the poses as well as their impact on their well-being
The third challenge is funding for yoga schools. NGOs cannot get funds and today also people are not interested in sending their children to yoga schools. But the Indian government promotes yoga so it is now compulsory in every medical college and every child play school.
Q4. What is your opinion on the strategy that the government can apply to promote yoga?
Well, this is just my opinion, because people nowadays are very far away from the reality of life. In India, this initiative very much requires awareness about yoga, which ultimately brings you to the reality of life.
We are so busy in our daily work that we hardly stop and think about bringing improvement and change in life until reality bites us. It is better for people to focus on self and health and trust me, that’s a good strategy. Yoga is by far the best way to learn this!
Q5. How can yoga help in dealing with the current health crisis we are facing today?
I would like to share that yoga immensely helps people in not only recovering faster, but also in fighting disease.
I can say it’s during the pandemic I helped cure more than 1400 people who are suffering from covid-19. Yoga and prāṇayam boost immunity. I suggest people should include yoga as an important routine in their daily life.
Q6. People think yoga is just physical exercise, but it is much more than that. According to you, what are the practices you serve others to connect with it?
Yoga is beyond this because its aim is to cultivate peace, stillness, and contentment. There has been much research to prove that Yoga helps improve general wellness by relieving stress, supporting good health, and improving mental and emotional health, sleep, balance and much more. Yoga helps in the attainment of perfect equilibrium and harmony in life.
Q7. What advice would you give to a student about yoga?
Make sure you connect with the practice, only then will change happen. Continue your practice with regularity. Make your path joyful, fun, loving, light, thrilling, and calm.
According to experts, today’s age is dealing with more challenges such as sadness, stress, anxiety, depression and an unbalanced lifestyle. Thirty to forty minutes of daily yoga practice provides balance in the face of these issues.
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