Yoga For Wellness
Recording of Live Online Panel Discussion
This Yoga For Wellness online panel discussion took place on Saturday, 29th January, 2022, you can access the recording below.
Wellness is a term that is used a lot in in relation to yoga, but what does this actually mean? We have gathered a group of well-known and respected names in Ashtanga yoga to discuss this live online.
View on YouTube
Our aim is to discuss and attempt to define how wellness is manifest in yoga as a comprehensive package aside from asana and to bring it into our practice where it is often found lacking. For, as strange and contradictory as it may sound, yoga as it has made its way outside India to general popularity, hasn’t always been framed and guided by *wellness*.
Yoga has always been a system of *self-care*. Which is not the same as the popularised term involving a weekend of pampering at the spa, rather the necessary accompaniment to yoga’s ultimate aim of self-inquiry. Because, firstly we have to make friends with ourselves; being willing to embrace ourselves as we are is the necessary step in knowing ourselves.
Chandana Bhowmick
Chandana began Yoga 2000 and at first it was all about asanas. In 2009 she decided to quit her corporate job to delve deeper into her yoga studies. Her calling – Ashtanga Yoga was found in 2011.
She began to study with her Guruji Shri R Sharath Jois and has been under his guidance ever since. Chandana received Level II Authorization in 2016 and now runs her own Mysore program in Pune, and regularly travels to teach.
Instagram: @chandanabhowmick
Website: Chandana Bhowmick
Deepika Mehta
In 1997, Deepika’s life was changed by a near-death rock climbing accident. Doctors told her she would never walk again. Not one to allow obstacles to deter her spirit and enthusiasm for life, she sought alternative approaches and methods of healing including meditation, pranayama, and yoga. She began her yoga journey with Sivananda Yoga, which eventually led her to Ashtanga Yoga.
Deepika is Authorised Level II and lives with her husband, Mark Robberds and child in Bali.
Instagram @deepikamehtayoga
Website: Deepika Mehta
Mark Robberds
Mark has been a devoted student of yoga since 1997. In 2010 he became one of the few students worldwide to be Certified in the Ashtanga Method. Forever a student, he has been expanding his knowledge and skill set he has also learned from Ido Portal, hand balancing masters Miguel Sant’ana and Yuval Ayalon.
In his teaching he attempts to integrate his experience with the ancient wisdom of the yoga tradition, the modern day movement approach. He lives in Bali with his wife Deepika Mehta and their child.
Instagram: @markrobberds
Website: Mark Robberds
Prem
Prem began his journey into the world of Consciousness at 15 years young. This led to meditation and Ashtanga yoga in 1978 when he was blessed to be with Pattahi Jois in intimate settings of only a handful of students.
He has an extensive knowledge of Ayurveda learned directly from Dr Vasant Lad, Dr David Frwaley and Dr Robert Svoboda. In addition he has studied with master teachers in the arts of tranra, meditation, herbology, and so much more. He runs Ashtanga Yoga Bali Research Centre with his wife Radha.
Instagram: @ashtangayogabali
Website: Ashtanga Yoga Bali
Radha
Radha discovered the Ashtanga practice in 1990, at the age of 20 when she studied with Chuck Miller for 5 years. At which point she went to Mysore to practice with Pattabhi Jois, where she knew she wanted to teach the method as her life’s work. She began to practice and teach with Maty Ezraty at Yoga Works in LA.
Radha also has a strong passion for Ayurveda and using food for wellness influenced by Paul Pitchford. She runs Ashtanga Yoga Research Centre Bali with her husband Prem.
Instagram: @ashtangayogabali
Website: Ashtanga Yoga Bali
Santina Giardina-Chard
Santina is an Ashtanga yoga teacher and Gestalt Therapist, both of which have helped her find her path to healing from substance abuse and compulsive behaviour patterns.
She is Authorised Level 2 by Sharath and has extensive yoga training including Mark Tongi, Matthew Sweeney, the comprehensive Knoff Yoga Syllabus, Prem & Radha, Richard Freeman & Mary Taylor. In addition she holds a Mater of Gestalt Therapy, training in Jungian Psychology, Story-telling & Mythology as well as Clear Belief Training Coach.
Instagram: @santinagiardinachard_
Website: Insanyoga
Simon Borg-Olivier
Simon has studied with great traditional masters from Tibet, Japan, India, and China. He Simon has been practicing traditional forms of posture, movement, breathing, and mental control for 50 years. Since 1990 he has regularly taught at conferences, festivals, and intensive teacher training courses internationally.
He has been a registered physiotherapist for 23 years as well as working as a research scientist and a University lecturer. Simon is co-director of YogaSynergy, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected yoga schools.
Instagram: @simonsynergy
Website: Simon Borg-Olivier
Yan Ong
At the age of 16 Yan tested at the top 2% of worlds IQ and joined the Mensa Society. From 2010 she lived in Mysore for 4 years from practicing with Sharathji as well as learning ancient yoga philosophy scripture.
Yan has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga full time for the past 10 years, along with travelling internationally to teach classes, philosophy lectures, workshops and festival events. She is an Authorised Level II Ashtanga Yoga teacher & owner of the Mysore Room in Kuala Lumpar in addition to hosting a yoga book club and podcast.
Instagram: @yanyoga
Website: Yan Ong