Yoga: The Art of Inner Transformation and Wellness

by Saloni Chauhan

History of Yoga 

The origins of yoga can be traced back to Northern India roughly tens of thousands of years ago. The Rig Veda, one of Hinduism’s four major books, is where we first encounter the word “yoga.” The bizarre antique carvings and paintings from this time shed light on the practice of yoga at the time. The Lord Shiva (Pashupathi) and Parvati images represent various yogic asanas and contemplative positions.   

According to the website, legend has it that Lord Shiva introduced yoga to his bride, Parvati, to enlighten and remind her of her true nature. Nandi, Lord Shiva’s mount and most devoted student, overheard some of the teachings when Shiva was performing this and transmitted them to humans. According to the Nath sect, Lord Shiva is known as Adinatha because he is regarded as the first yogi, the first person who practised yoga. 

One who practices ancient spiritual yoga in the modern era. 

The interior of the house was much more stunning than the exterior, not just because of the amazing entrance with its Buddha statue, large mirror with a sitting area, and eye-catching poster of a mermaid tree, but also because of the spiritual energy that filled the entire house. It was more than simply a home; it was also a yoga studio. 

The voice of white boy-cut-haired woman wearing an OM-adorned t-shirt echoed in the Yoga center’s main hall. Her face was peaceful and full of confidence. With a lovely smile on her face, she was moving while teaching her students some moves. Her name is Katia Andari and her spiritual name is Mahadevi. She has been doing yoga for about 40 years.  The students were experiencing a different energy in the room because of the slow music playing in the background. 

“I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis with a mass about 38 years ago,” says Andari. “I read a magazine during that time that told me about an ashram where you had to stay for a full month and get up at 4 a.m. to practice yoga and pranayama. I spent six months there, where I learned about yoga and Ayurveda.” 

Andari said with yoga, she was able to completely heal herself. It was challenging, but yoga can provide mental strength that can heal anything.  

“I had the mass attack, I couldn’t feel my legs up to my waist for two weeks,” says Andari. “I start feeling better when I learn how to meditate and practice yoga because then I won’t feel anything from my waist all the way up. 

According to Andari, yoga is all about discipline, and that changes her entire life. She also makes other changes that lead to a much healthier living.  

“I changed to a vegetarian diet and only consumed organic foods; this is how I experienced healing,” says Andari. “I noticed that I did not require any music or television to relax my mind because I was in meditation at 4 a.m. and at 6 p.m., which gave me mental peace.” 

Inspiration can help people change their lives. 

Many people were motivated by Andari to change their lives through yoga and also finding mental peace. 

“I first met Andari eight years ago when I enrolled in a free yoga class for two weeks. After realizing the value of yoga, I never stopped practicing,” says Sheila Romberg, a person who started yoga inspired by Andari. 

According to Romberg, yoga benefits her mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and most importantly it helps her develop self-love. 

Romberg said besides teaching her yoga, Andari also provided her with knowledge on what to do to take care of the inner and outer sides of the body, including drinking warmer, how to improve the digestive system, how to filter the liver, what good moves for back pain, leg pain, what is more beneficial for spinal pain and other things. 

After learning and experiencing the benefits of yoga Andari started teaching 21 years ago in all the health clubs in Windsor and Leamington. Then she started her own studio at her home. 

“I installed padded cork flooring in this studio because I want my students to feel comfortable performing headstands here,” says Andari. “Everything in the room is eco-friendly, and there are no chemicals because when you perform pranayama, you open your lungs and breathe in, so you don’t want chemicals.” 

Andari also takes care of her student’s injuries while she teaches her yoga. 

Romberg: I cannot join the class because I have a neck injury from a car accident. 

Andari: I can help. You just have to do what you can do; I will take care of your injury. Yoga will help you to relieve your pain, it will not increase your pain I will make sure. 

Dedication makes difference 

According to Lidija Ljuljdjurovic, a current student of Andari, once she started yoga with Andri even if she dropped off for any reason, she comes back to her. 

“I am actually coming back after 10 years,” says Ljuljdjurovic. “I used to come here 10 years ago and I was here for a couple of years, I just joined back again. This is my first class after 10 years.” 

According to Ljuljdjurovic, yoga also helped her to overcome when she went through some serious health challenges. 

Andari has a dream to give back to the community by opening free yoga classes for everybody. 

According to Andari, learning and understanding spiritual Yoga in a divine setting teaches people that nature has every resource necessary to heal the human body. The practise also teaches the power to control the mind, because everything in the universe is interconnected.