Yoga.Neha

The answer to 'do you know what time it is?' 🕚

While this might look like a from the outside, the true work is in the foundation—finding that deep core engagement to lift the spine while letting the hamstrings breathe.

Hi! It’s been a hot minute since I introduced myself.
I’m Neha—practitioner, teacher, and proud Kathmandu resident 🗻

It’s been quite a journey to get here: from Delhi to Nepal, and from high-pressure edit rooms to the yoga mat. 🧘🏽‍♀️
Swipe through to see the highlights 🫰

My current disposition: sunny, funny, and fashionable 😉

If you’re new here, welcome! And if you’ve been following along, thanks for being part of the journey.

Channeling this energy all week long! Let's stand tall, smile wide, and meet the days ahead with openness 😊

(P.s Come smile with me in class ❤️ check the 🔗 for more information)

💪

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind in Nepal. A time of absolute rage and uncertainty has given way to hope. With the festive spirit of Dashain beginning to fill the air, I find myself holding both the hope of this season and the raw memory of the past week.

In the midst of it all, when I was truly grasping at straws, my practice was the one constant. It wasn’t about finding lightness, stillness, or silence. It was simply about finding a small semblance of 'regular life'—just showing up on my mat and breathing.

I’m so thankful for the messages from friends and fellow practitioners, especially from India, checking in on me. And for my teacher, Vikas-ji .panchayoga who would consistently ask, "How are you doing today?" Those words mattered more than he'll ever know.

Words are powerful. They can ground us, heal us, and remind us we're not alone. As we step into this festive season, let's remember to use our power to speak up well and to check in on one another.

I turned 40 early this month and I’ve been thinking about the person I was in my early 20s 🫣 and the beliefs I held so tightly back then 🙊.

Back then, I truly believed:

1. It is ok to be a little rude for your jokes to land.

2. The only way to lose weight was to cut out everything I loved: fried food, sugar, cheese.

3. My 10+ hour workdays were enough "physical activity." That I didn't need any mental health practices as I was 'strong'.

4. Faith and traditions were uncool and outdated.

But one of the most beautiful truths I've learned is that we are not a final draft. We have the power to change any time we want if it helps us grow. My perspective has completely shifted. After all, we aren't the same person from Monday to Tuesday. Every sip of your morning tea is a different experience, so why hold on to such rigid views of what is right or wrong?

I've learned that 🌹you can be funny without being unkind 🌷That movement is a lifelong gift for both body and mind 🌺That rituals and traditions can be anything you want them to be, as long as they bring you joy.

Our practice isn't just on the mat. It's in every choice we make to become a kinder, healthier, and more open version of ourselves.

What's a belief you've let go of to make room for a new one?

P.s I still don't do sugar as I don't know how to consume it in moderation 🫣

My parents had a mud piggy bank at home that we couldn't open until it was full. We'd put in spare 10s or 100s, and when it was finally time to break it open, we'd all guess how much was inside. The person with the closest estimate would get a reward 💸. We were always shocked by how much they'd saved just by stashing a little here and there🫣

​My journey to advanced yoga postures feels exactly like that. Each day, I make small "deposits" with consistent practice and attention to alignment. It's not about one big effort, but the cumulative effect of those tiny, mindful moments. The real reward is that moment when a challenging posture finally comes together—a powerful reminder that every little bit of effort adds up.

(Yoga practice, beginner yoga, yoga teacher Kathmandu)

In our yoga practice, we deliberately choose repetition to cultivate discipline, strength, and inner calm. It's how we progress and find our rhythm.

Yet, off the mat, particularly here in Kathmandu, I'm often employing strategies to avoid certain repetitions 😂

For instance, those daily bike taxi rides bring a familiar set of questions. Back in 2019, they were simple; now, with my Nepali, they're more detailed and persistent: "What do you do? Do you earn enough?" or "Do you have kids? WHY don't you have kids?"

So, while we lean into consistent movement on the mat, sometimes navigating the world means a quiet "Can't understand a word because of my helmet," creating space from those repeated inquiries.

Kupondole's Next Top Model (KNTM)

Who is serving it? (In order of appearance)

✨Silence found in the spaces between the sounds✨

Every morning, the vibrant chaos of the school playground next door spills into our shavasana.

From excited squeals to tearful goodbyes and the rhythmic squeak of the swings, it's a lively symphony. And sometimes, those little voices singing (a very unique version of) Rose's APT are just too adorable! 😅 And then sometimes you just want to hit the mute button 😬

But then you notice it - the brief hush between the shouts, the stillness as a shoelace is tied, the tiny pause in the swing's creak. In those fleeting moments, a different kind of silence emerges. And in that silence, the noise fades away. ✨

'Hey spare human, do you wanna build a snowman ⛄
Or we could just play tug, whatever 😏'

Yoga can turn a Paapi Gudiya into Gudiya Raani 👸

Longevity over Intensity🫣

Back when I first started, all I cared about was pushing myself. Mastering those arm balances, feeling the burn – that's what it was all about.

Fast forward 8 years and a few injury-filled lessons later, and my perspective has completely shifted. Now, it's about sustainability. Cultivating a practice that nourishes my body and my mind for years to come 🤝

Let's prioritize longevity. Let's listen to our bodies, find joy in the journey, and build a practice that supports us through all of life's seasons. ✨