Sunaina Rekhi is a modern-day Yogani & feel-good therapist who has mastered the traits of yoga and beyond. She is the First Indian woman to represent her country in the united nations for Yoga and wellness.
Sunaina opened the most prestigious International Yoga Day Celebrations Worldwide at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City in June 2019 and digitally in 2020. The Yoga Master has worked with major brands such as Apple, Google, Vodafone and Starbucks, big universities & colleges, and many other renowned corporate houses.
To facilitate a better lifestyle in students and urban office goers she has created a special Spinal Master Program – SpineItUp! Due to long hours of sitting in front of the PC and laptops and by sitting in certain position students and corporate people suffer the most from spine problems.
Women Fitness India gets in a candid chat with Sunaina Rekhi over yoga and fitness on International Yoga Day!
Namita Nayyar:
You graduated from Nottingham University with a double major in economics & econometrics and Psychotherapy and Counselling. But, today you are a practicing yoga & wellness expert. Share your journey and what led to your transition to a practicing yogini?
Sunaina Rekhi :
When I experienced the profound healing qualities of Yoga I felt the need to share that with others.
The profound practices of Yoga helped me get through my own emotional distress and move it though and out of my body, so it doesn’t get stuck there. I needed to learn to express my emotions in a healthy way, in the body and mind. I still remember, I would roll out my mat in the middle of the night, if I needed to release any emotional baggage. Yoga came to my life as a savior!
You have to do the work before you can teach the work. We are always a student before we are a teacher- always.
The journey has been deep, magical, and life-changing. Yoga has connected me to so many different people, supported me in joy and sorrow, and brought me to a revolution of consciousness. I’d say it’s been an amazing journey so far with more surprises to come.
Namita Nayyar:
You were the First Indian Women to represent the country at The United Nations headquarters in New York for the most prestigious Yoga day celebrations in 2019 where you made more than 5000 illustrious world leaders practice the art of Yoga. You also lead the celebrations virtually in 2020. Congratulations on the same. Share your experience and a memorable event?
Sunaina Rekhi:
I felt so embodied when I taught there, standing on The General Assembly Hall! What an energy!! Like I had finally arrived home in my body and the space around me. I had never felt so whole before.
Namita Nayyar:
Having mastered the art of Yoga and Life Coaching for over a decade, you have tied up with a number of media and television broadcasters like Aajtak, Disney+ Hotstar, Tata Sky so that people across the globe are privy to benefits of yogic practices and meditation. How do you go about balancing a hectic routine, with personal practice and routine?
Sunaina Rekhi:
I lead by example. Just by paying attention to what I’m doing, learning to be more attentive and caring in any context.
Namita Nayyar:
What is your daily fitness routine? How do you kick start your day?
Sunaina Rekhi:
When I wake up in the morning, I need to quickly connect with my breath and with the new mental state to make universal energy manifest through me. I make gentle unblocking movements, visualise my day and use external and internal cleansing methods such as moving my abdomen in circles, cleaning my nostrils with salt water, oul pulling, drinking flavoured waters like Turmeric, cumin, fennel. All of this really helps my mind and body to come in a state of detox.
Then I move on to a combination of asanas, breathing exercises, and meditation. The idea is to internalize and connect with the self. The practice really helps to charge me with energy, direct my senses inward, appease my thoughts and meditate on the individual or absolute self.
Namita Nayyar:
Share 5 Yoga asanas you follow on daily basis?
Sunaina Rekhi:
There is a saying that you are only as young as your spine is flexible. For me personally, I do these 5 asanas every day to keep my spine as strong, flexible, and healthy as possible!
There are 5 major movements that the spine makes:
- Flexion rounds the spine forward- Childs Pose or Cat Pose
- Extension rounds the spine back- Cobra Pose or Cow Pose
- Rotation twists the spine- Simple Seated Twist or Ardha Matsyandrasan
- Side bending/Lateral flexion of the spine- Standing Side Bend or Triangle Pose
- Axial extension decompresses and vertically elongates the spine- Upward Salute Pose or Downward Facing Down Pose
My five yoga asanas would be the ones where I can usually practice all of these five movements!! ahave given you 10 poses here so you can alternate:)
Namita Nayyar:
Your daily diet pattern. Share your meals per day, foods you look out for & try to incorporate in your diet? How do you detox?
Sunaina Rekhi:
- fresh fruit and vegetables (Right now, to tell the truth, I am on a Mango Diet! Literally!! I love mangoes much much!!)
- pure vegetable juices
- wholemeal bread
- seeds
- sprouted seeds
- legumes
- Coconut milk and almond milk
- nuts (I really love my almonds and walnuts!! I soak them in the water the night before and they are even tastier)
- herb teas
Namita Nayyar:
According to you 6 yoga asanas one can practice for optimum mental health & fight anxiety?
Sunaina Rekhi:
- Tree Pose: This classic standing pose may help you focus inward, quieting racing thoughts.
- Triangle Pose: This energizing pose can help ease tension in your neck and back.
- Standing Forward Bend: This resting standing pose may help relax your mind while releasing tension in your body.
- Fish Pose: This backbend can help relieve tightness in your chest and back.
- Reclining Bound Angle Pose: This relaxing pose can help you let go of anxiety while promoting a sense of calmness. You can make it more of a heart opener by placing a block or cushion under your back.
- Seated Forward Bend: This pose is thought to calm the mind while relieving anxiety. If you feel that your thoughts have been scattered throughout your practice, take this time to turn inward and come back to your intention.
Namita Nayyar:
Having dealt with deep pain due spondylitis during her childhood and overcoming six painful slip discs, you have managed everything through Yoga and meditation. How has it been possible? Please share with the audience to help them better understand the benefits of yoga?
Sunaina Rekhi:
Yogic teachings tell us that human suffering is caused by aversion and resistance to what is happening. Acceptance is liberating, and teaches us to accept our moment-to-moment experience instead of running from it. It teaches us to face any difficulty head on, with self-compassion and the understanding that it will eventually pass.
We have to feel it to heal it—we have to fully experience the pain in order to process and integrate it into our experience.
Practicing mindfulness and yoga has helped me to get better at recognizing my feelings and observing the bodily sensations connected to those feelings, as they come and go throughout the day. I offer myself a lot self-compassion as I go through the pain.
Namita Nayyar:
What is the secret behind your age-defying looks? Share your daily skin & hair care routine? A secret rejuvenation therapy?
Sunaina Rekhi:
I am 40 years old and there is no doubt in my mind that how you treat your body on the inside is truly reflected in how you look on the outside. All the products in the world cannot replace the radiance of skin that has been nourished from within.
I believe without a doubt in my mind that how you treat your body with good food, move your body everyday, have the confidence to believe in yourself; and get plenty of water and sleep. Oh, and be happy and wear sunscreen!
I try to stick to the same routine because when it comes to skin, I believe consistency is important.
One of the most important things as far as your skin is concerned, is to make sure you stay hydrated. Your skin hydrates during the night so I always have a glass of water by the side of my bed to drink as soon as I wake up.
Because I exercise in the morning I will just splash my face with water, dab on a little eye cream to hydrate around my eyes, moisturise and put on a little sunscreen and I’m off.
Exercise plays a vital role in healthy skin. It not only lifts your mood but it aids your detoxification processes by stimulating lymphatic drainage and eliminating any nasty toxins through sweating.
I find beginning my day with some stretches followed by a workout like walking is a great way to get my circulation moving and kick-start my day (and metabolism!)
Namita Nayyar:
How do you spend the day with your daughter? Does she practice yoga? Describe a day with your daughter? Can you please give two examples of rituals, specifically for parents?
Sunaina Rekhi:
If you’re afraid you’re not being a good enough parent, designate uninterrupted time to talk with your child about the day, preferably at bedtime, at least twice a week. When this becomes a habit, you’ll feel closer to your kids, and you’ll feel more confident in your parenting. This time is for you to listen and be together. Ask to watch them play their favorite game or play with their favorite toy, and stay with it. Be enchanted by your child’s mind and heart and questions.
Ask your child what you could’ve done better that day. Or what you just didn’t handle well. That kid will tell you if you keep the space safe for him or her to talk. Please remember to listen well and don’t try to defend. Stay soft and receive – you’ll get all the information you’ll need to be great for your child, and that will inspire your child to be great for you.
Namita Nayyar:
Your future upcoming plans & projects?
Sunaina Rekhi:
Working on some amazing Feel Good Programmes that we are offering to Corporates and Universities!!
You can visit my Instagram Page to know more about Yoga, Mindfulness, Travel, Lifestyle, Nutrition and Wellness in your day-to-day!
Namita Nayyar
Message for WF followers & your fans? Also for International Yoga Day 2021?
Sunaina Rekhi
May we all be joyful, nourishing and nourished, healing and healed, restful, clear and creating. This will make the world a better place for our children.
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