Shani Dayal as a practicing Architect, at the age of 28, started practicing yoga. Though professionally she took a different path and became an architect and also opened a design studio with her husband. Yoga brew as her passion for all these years as she understood that yoga is her calling and took it professionally.
In 2018, she started her own Yoga studio in Gurgaon the name of Shani Yoga, where she taught Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin Yoga. She started taking Live Virtual Yoga Classes and also launched her website and has been working with big corporate houses, and students from all over the world ever since.
Women Fitness India gets on a candid conversation on International Yoga Day with Shani Dayal on Yoga and Mindfulness.
Namita Nayyar:You are a qualified architect & Yoga trainer. Share your life experience of what attracted you towards yoga practice.
Shani Dayal
When I was a practicing architect, the schedule was hectic and stressful, with extended work
hours on the computer or site. This brought along some medical issues. Which is why I started practicing some simple ‘office yoga’. And got hooked onto practice. I started to enjoy my time on Mat and I saw some positive changes physically, mentally, and overall as a person!
Namita Nayyar:
In what way has yoga practice changed your life? Different areas & aspects of you, share an example.
Shani Dayal:
Yoga practice has such a big positive change in me. It has helped in Not only gain physical strength, and flexibility but mentally be more in tune with myself
FULL INTERVIEW ON THE NEXT PAGE!
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.org, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.All Written Content Copyright © 2023 Women Fitness Org
Namita Nayyar:
From where did you take your training, any specific center? Also, why is it important to train under a qualified yoga expert
Shani Dayal:
I did my Teacher’s training from Namah Shivaya, Delhi center and since then trained under multiple teachers I’m truly grateful for! Yes, absolutely, it is very important to learn under a teacher who understands one’s strengths and weaknesses and guides accordingly in one’s best interest
Namita Nayyar:
Can you elaborate to help people understand the difference between Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin
Yoga?
Shani Dayal:
Yoga comes from the root word ‘yuj’ Meaning to join/union. The aim of the practice is to create a
union of the body, mind, and soul with universal consciousness. Hatha is the path to achieve this
union, through the practice of asana, Pranayam, Mudra, etc. So the entire physical practice of
yoga as we know, is Hatha yoga. Vinyasa Karama means combining breath with movement and
having set movements one after the other. These days Hatha and Vinyasa are treated as different
styles of Yoga but actually, all the physical practice of yoga is hatha yoga. Yin Yoga denotes
restorative practice and may have Chinese origins.
In the absence or unavailability of an expert, how can one go about practicing yoga at home,
especially home-makers who are caught up in their routine? These days a lot of great teachers are taking online classes which is a great option for someone who wishes to practice at home. YouTube also has some great teachers, but with online classes, practitioners can get the required attention and guidance
Namita Nayyar:
According to you what should be an idle duration of yoga practice to seek results both physical &
mental?
Shani Dayal:
As a beginner, one should be consistent and I would say 5-6 times a week to really see some
changes within yourself. But eventually, as the practitioner advances, he may begin to realize
that Yoga is a way of life. You don’t really have to always roll out your mat to practice. The way
you think, speak, eat, responds, interact and everything you do in your day can be your Sadhna.
Namita Nayyar:
You have completed Advanced Pranayama Course from The Yoga Institute, Mumbai. Please throw some light on its correct practice and its benefits
Shani Dayal:
Pranayam is an extensive powerful practice and it’s very important which one is suitable for who. So the most generalized and initial advice that I can give about is, first to watch your breath and be aware of it, and secondly do belly/ diaphragmatic breathing- which means inhaling and expanding the belly, exhaling and relaxing the belly.
Namita Nayyar:
As a yoga therapist, share your piece of advice for women suffering from knee & back pain. Also,
how can they go about improving the quality of life?
Shani Dayal:
- Listen to your body by being mindful. Most of the physical issues arise because we neglect the
signs our body gives. - Move. Our bodies love movement and function best when we give it the required movement. Most
of the spinal issues arise due to a lack of movement. Our spine makes 6 different movements and
Yoga is a great way to include these to keep the spine healthy. - Give importance to strengthening. Joints can be made stable by strengthening the muscles
around.
Namita Nayyar:
Share insight into your diet pattern. Foods you must have and also others you keep to a
minimum
Shani Dayal:
I start my day with warm water, lots of fruits, and a warm wholesome breakfast. All the meals are simple home-cooked North Indian vegetarian, but I try to have more servings of veggies, dal, salads, and sprouts instead of filling my stomach only with rotis/rice.
I try to have a lot of liquids throughout the day as well like coconut water, buttermilk, herbal teas, nimbu paani apart from water.
I never completely restrict myself from eating anything indulging but follow portion control instead. I find this much more sustainable than just completely eliminating or restricting oneself.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you like to kick-start your day? How do you balance your personal & professional life with
the help of yoga?
Shani Dayal:
I start my day by doing my practice when my mind is fresh and the day’s responsibility is not on me.
After this l take classes, and do my all other professional work.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you plan to celebrate International Yoga Day 2023?
Shani Dayal:
I am keeping a special yoga session, on a ‘pay as you wish’ basis. So that everyone and anyone
can join and enjoy this beautiful practice
Namita Nayyar:
What is your Message for women to follow the Yoga way of life?
Shani Dayal:
Women are givers and in the process neglect their own health and well-being. So it’s very
important that women give themselves time and focus on their health and well-being. The path of yoga
helps to find a state of harmony and balance. We all need this, balance between family-personal
time, professional-family life, and very very important for women too
Follow her:
- Website: shaniyoga.in
- Instagram: shaniyoga.in
- YouTube: shaniyogastudio
- Facebook: Shaniyoga.in
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of Women Fitness