Today we’d like to introduce you to Anurag Choudhury.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in a global yoga family, I did not always like to practice yoga.
To be completely honest, I thought it was boring. I always appreciated the workout aspect of it but never understood how it could help and provide benefits in life. As I grew older, this significantly changed. If I was really stressed out, or having a bad day, I would go take a Bikram Yoga class and instantly feel better.
Why was this?
After taking a class, I was always reminded to slow down and take life one day at a time. Life can definitely be short, but it can also be very long. Just like in class. Some classes feel like an eternity, and other classes feel like a breeze. One asana at a time; there’s no need to rush. The length of the class does not change, but how busy your mind is will determine how long the class takes. This has helped me learn how to not overthink situations. There’s not much you can control in life besides your decisions and actions. Good and bad things will always occur. Not knowing when they will happen is what makes life interesting.
Being the son of two renowned yoga teachers, you feel obligated to continue in your parents’ footsteps. But what I have learned is that obligation is not enough. I needed to discover my purpose on my own. It is a never-ending journey we all face.
The pursuit of purpose. Yoga has acted as a guide, a blueprint, on how to live my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I grew older, I started to appreciate yoga so much more. When you are born into a yoga family, you don’t get to find it on your own.
Find what?
As an adult, when you start your yoga journey and discover the benefits it comes with, it usually hits you immediately. This is something I had to experience on my own. I was 14 years old when I tore cartilage in my knee. I went to multiple doctors and quickly had a surgery scheduled. I was heavily into sports and needed to recover quickly. When I finally told my father about the scheduled surgery, he told me to cancel it and get my ass into the hot room. I listened to him and that was the first time in my life I began to consistently practice Bikram Yoga.
To this day, I’ve never had any more knee problems.
Yoga has been around for so long that people interpret it in different ways. If you ask me, there is nothing wrong with that. It actually makes it more special. Yoga can be whatever you want it to be. It can be anything, or it can be nothing, but it is everything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
You’re doing yoga every second of your life.
When you move, breathe, think, talk, sleep, you’re doing a form of yoga.
In today’s world, we have grown to believe yoga is one thing or one way, which is stretching. Commonly known as hatha yoga. But it is so much more. It is widely known as a physical practice, but it can also be mental, spiritual, and emotional to name a few.
How is this possible?
Because if you’re not careful it can lead you on a path of destruction. Yoga can also lead you on a path of bliss. That’s the beauty of it. You get to choose.
You get to decide what you want yoga to be.
My main focus as a yoga teacher has always been to introduce people to what yoga can be other than a physical practice. Growing up in the United States, many people have no idea what yoga is. Even my closest friends do not know what yoga is other than stretching. While this is definitely true and a big part of an individual’s yoga practice, there is so much more to learn.
You are doing yoga every second of your existence.
This is something I learned from my parents and intend to share with the world. I believe once people begin to see this side of yoga, they will open unimaginable doors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Yoga can help you with so many things in life.
It helps me daily with stress, concentration, and problem-solving. Every day as humans, we are fighting with distractions. Distractions can directly affect the outcome of any situation. That is why I believe learning how to concentrate and focus on the task at hand is one of the most important tools to learn in life. It can make or break any situation. This is something we all have an equal chance to learn.
Growing up in a yoga studio, I was able to witness so many people transform their physical, emotional, and mental well-being through the practice of yoga. This has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Witnessing this first-hand ultimately encouraged me to continue in my parents’ footsteps as a yoga teacher.
I truly believe a yoga practice can help motivate people to live a healthier and improved life. By showing up to class, you create a sense of discipline and focus that can help in all aspects of life.
And the best part?
You lose nothing by trying. Even if it’s not for you, simply showing up is a valuable step in the right direction.
Showing up to class is the most important part of it all.
The possibilities are endless, and the doors that open are infinite with the practice of yoga.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bikramyoga.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anuragc8/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anuragc8
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/bikramvideos
