Yoga is not simply about flexibility or fitness—it is about finding harmony within ourselves and extending that harmony to the world around us. As we mark International Yoga Day, Women Fitness is delighted to feature Shani Dayal, a yoga & wellness coach whose work combines traditional yogic teachings with practical wellness guidance for modern life.
In this insightful interview, Shani discusses the power of breathwork, mindfulness, self-care, and conscious living, while sharing valuable practices that can help women cultivate calm, clarity, wisdom, and inner strength every day.
Yoga for Wellness, Wisdom & World Peace
For Shani, yoga is much more than a physical practice—it is a path to inner balance. Drawing inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita’s teaching, “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” (Yoga is the state of equanimity), she believes yoga helps individuals develop self-awareness, mindfulness, and clarity. When people learn to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively, they make wiser choices that have a positive impact on those around them.
According to Shani –
“When the body is healthy, the mind becomes clear; when the mind is clear, wisdom emerges; when wisdom guides human actions, peace becomes possible.”
Finding Emotional Balance in a Stressful World
In today’s fast-paced world, stress, comparison, and constant digital exposure often leave people feeling overwhelmed. Shani points to the Yoga Sutras’ definition of yoga, “Yogas citta vritti nirodhah,” which can be translated to, “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.”
She explains that Mindful asana practice and pranayama can help calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and create space for self-acceptance. Yoga encourages people to let go of self-doubt and cultivate patience, helping them find emotional balance and inner peace amidst life’s pressures.
How Personal Wellness Creates a Peaceful Society
Shani believes that peace within families and communities begins with personal well-being. When individuals experience physical, mental, and emotional wellness, they are more likely to respond with empathy, respect, and understanding rather than anger or aggression.
Yoga and mindfulness practices foster emotional stability and mental clarity, enabling people to resolve conflicts thoughtfully and build meaningful connections. As she notes, wellness is not only about feeling good—it is about contributing positively to the world around us.
“Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility, and joy.”— B.K.S. Iyengar
The Deeper Lessons Yoga Teaches About Family Life
Beyond flexibility and fitness, yoga offers valuable lessons about relationships and family well-being. Shani emphasizes that inner peace forms the foundation for harmonious interactions with others. By learning to manage thoughts, emotions, and reactions, individuals become more patient, compassionate, and understanding.
“Yoga teaches us to strengthen not only our body and mind, but also to strengthen the bonds amongst others. It can help nurture understanding, harmony, and well-being within the family.”
Breathwork and Meditation for Mindfulness and Compassion
One of Shani’s favorite mindfulness practices is simple breath awareness. She recommends sitting comfortably and observing the sensation of the breath at the tip of the nose—the coolness of the inhalation and the warmth of the exhalation. This practice anchors the mind in the present moment and gradually develops concentration and mental clarity.
She also recommends Metta, or Loving-Kindness Meditation, which she discovered during a Vipassana course. This practice involves cultivating feelings of warmth and compassion in the heart and extending those feelings toward all living beings. Through regular practice, individuals can develop a profound sense of love, kindness, and connection with the world around them.
Five Practices for Mental Calmness and Daily Balance
For women seeking greater calm and balance, Shani recommends incorporating a combination of yogic and mindful living practices into daily life.
- Pranayama techniques such as Bhramari and Nadi Shodhana help relax the nervous system and reduce stress.
- Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic practice of self-massage, nourishes the body while encouraging self-love and care.
- Slow and mindful asana practice creates physical and energetic balance,
- Trataka Kriya, or candle gazing, enhances concentration and relieves eye strain.
- She also highlights mindful eating as a powerful practice, encouraging people to savor freshly prepared meals with full awareness, turning everyday nourishment into a meditative experience.
Overcoming Anxiety, Burnout, and Emotional Fatigue through Yoga
For Shani, pranayama has been a constant source of support during challenging times. She describes breathwork as her guide, therapist, and anchor. Simple diaphragmatic breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and recovery.
Bhramari pranayama is particularly effective for calming the mind and resetting the nervous system. Alongside breathwork, practices such as Brahma Mudra and Kapal Dhati Kriya help alleviate fatigue and restore energy, allowing her to navigate life’s demands with greater resilience.
Shani Dayal’s for International Yoga Day
As a mother and wellness practitioner, Shani has come to appreciate how often women put the needs of others before their own. “Women are givers. I have realised this even more after becoming a mother.”
Her message is a gentle reminder that self-care is essential, not optional. Whether it is caring for your health, enjoying a favorite hobby, spending time in nature, or simply taking a few moments to breathe deeply, these acts of self-nourishment help replenish your energy and wellbeing. “You cannot pour from an empty cup,” she says. By making time for yourself and honoring your own needs, you become better equipped to care for those you love and live a more joyful, balanced life.
“Fill your cup. You deserve to feel important, loved, cared for, and truly happy.”