The Journey Thus Far

The last working day at Zela, went prepared with the new visiting cards ... handed the first one to the CEO right after his farewell speech.

It was a beautiful purple, with an awakened lotus. Created with the help of a dearest friend

... it read...

radhika chaliha

+91 **********

radhikachaliha@gmail.com

passionate about yoga & sharing it with you.

___________________________________

That was 4 years ago!

If there was a second tipping point in my life, this was the moment... everything changed from here!

What began as a "passion for yoga" & "sharing" it.... continues even today .... in similar textures but entirely different hues.

Zela Health Clubs gave the platform to lead 'asana' classes & it was quite a ride. A small tucked-away quaint neighbourhood studio named Core Pilates in Koramangala, enabled to reach out in an intimate manner - to be able to listen to nuances of the breath & modify accordingly was fascinating. At the same time, one of the first yoga studio chains in the city - a1000 yoga, set it's first urban yoga studio in Koramangala - this gave the opportunity to carve out a unique methodology & instructional style. Guiding dancers/ yoga practitioners/ teachers with keen body-mind awareness at S.M.ArT in Richmond town, pushed the envelop. Alongside, a steady group of personal practices was being established.

A 'vinyasa' form evolved! And new experiences gathered a new tribe - of friends & re-acquainted with the familiar - on a different playground. This was all so special!

"Passionate about yoga & sharing it with you"

Sharing ...extended to include other aspects .... food. #kixfix born in a tiny-Mysore-room prior to August 2011 was being noticed, referred to  & more importantly touching lives.

Massage & acroyoga simultaneously took shape! A chance encounter at the Bangalore Ultimate set the motion for an adventurous phase.  Exploring acroyoga in Auroville, to assisting in sharing the form in Bangalore to co-facilitating to facilitation..... has been a journey. This established a balance between an self-ego & self-partner & the dance of synchonicity between the two. Valuable life lessons assimilated through these experiences.

Meanwhile, 'vinyasa' classes continue .... 'sadhana' continues... 'seva' begins to find expression.

Yoga Mat-ters is born in SMArT with 2 dear friends (& yoga practitioners). Akin to a 'bija-mantra'; taking form slow & steady. Organic. A labour of love! Community building & interaction has been a truly rewarding & satisfying experience.

The cat jumps out of the bag as a result of an invitation by a friend, to hold a stall at Bangalore's most loved Sunday market - Sunday Soul Santhe. The name had been rolling around in the mind-space. Friends (& yoga practitioners) assisted in transforming thoughts... . they created from a heart-space..... "Kikis Yoga" 

The canvas expressed a riot of colours! One is reminded, off the mat,  the necessity of focus & alignment (along with flow) ... a friend guides in crystallising a social-media-marketing-all-encapsulating identity - "Kikis Life".

Group classes fall away to lend a focused attention on personal sessions & therapy oriented sessions. The Thai Yoga Massage training helps in non-invasive intervention techniques for therapy patients/ practitioners. Experiencing people's commitment & resolve when in ill-health is both humbling & strengthening. Imbibed qualities of compassion & patience through these exchanges.

Group interactions finds expression through acroyoga workshops instead.  An experimental space to jam is formed... "Namma-acro", an outdoor space located in Cubbon Park provided an opportunity for monkeys-to-play. This was beyond jamming - this was formation of friendships,  the one's that last!

The wanderlust tendency in Kiki's Life, sees extensive travels - the common theme runs - "passionate about yoga & sharing it with you"

Whats in the heart & mind is with me wherever I go...

& Wherever one goes.... one shares!

Travel evolves the methodology! Daily-yoga classes gives way to a structured workshop format. With only 2 programs so far.... it's an evolving space. As is Yoga Mat-ters! As the community grows, the philosophy widens - there is now, "Yoga Mat-ters: In-the-park" & to that, we include; "Yoga Mat-ters: Off-the-mat".

Kiki's Yoga co-hosts & leads an acroyoga session on the first International World Yoga Day celebrated on 21st June 2015.

Yoga grows...

The theme remains... "passionate about yoga & sharing it with all"

As am writing this, i notice it's not neatly packaged. It doesn't have edges... rather the experiences are porous, have permeability... is layered & meanders...

Each day feels different as does each practice

The 'sadhana' & learnings ... not all easy, some come with pain

There are setbacks.... moments of despair & disillusionment.... "What am I really doing"

Wave after wave - the ebb & flow!

These existential questions shakes, creates turbulence, a storm ahead .... the path not quite visible but, there is steadiness, it's both frightening yet calm ....  less travelled but full of wonders....

It draws me.....

It awakens!

August 1st 2015, we complete 4 years!

'Texture'- a portion of a poster design of 'Kiki's Yoga"
by Nidhi & Milan