With A Creative Difference – Disha Deshpande

I was at my desk at the Rolling Stone India office researching an artist I was to interview that day. This was sometime in April 2015. As I browsed through the pages, I stumbled upon details on a Yoga Teacher Training course in Mumbai.

At that time, health wasn’t a priority as such and fitness wasn’t a part of my everyday routine. I was working for almost 14-15 hours a day and this had supremely messed up my sleeping pattern. I ate mainly to avoid hypoglycemia or low blood glucose levels only  to ensure that I could continue with my work routine. However, I soon realised that I was a victim of stress and it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain my usually optimistic demeanour. I knew I couldn’t really blame the profession and I knew I was at fault. I wasn’t able to to find my work-life balance and I was losing my mind because I knew the problem but didn’t really have the answers or tools to resolve it.  

Listening When The Soul Speaks

You see, when your soul finally speaks up, you listen. And when it gives you directions, you follow them. So, yes! I did quit my job and moved back into to my parents’ house in Gujarat to study for my GRE. But I had also enrolled in a yoga TTC  at the Yoga Institute.

“Listen to your own voice, your own soul. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.”

I was mid-way with my exam preparations and Yoga TTC when I realised that I did not want to pursue the life of a journalist. But at the same time, my interest in art grew exponentially. I felt grateful for the work experience I had as a journalist…it had helped me connect with such a slew of wonderful creators.

The yoga training was slowly bringing clarity in my thoughts. This became evident when my teacher asked me “Why are you here and what do you expect out of this course?”.

I was honest with my response. “I am not sure. All I know is where I need to be right now. Let’s see what Yoga can do for me.” Needless to say, yoga transformed me. On completing the course I realised that there was nothing else I wanted to do but to continue to explore and share the virtues of yoga.

A Yoga Teacher Is Not Very Different From A Marriage Counsellor

The key to any good relationship is open communication. Just like a marriage counsellor, a yoga teacher helps you initiate a dialogue with your body, mind and spirit. The teacher teaches you how to listen to yourself and understand what your soul needs. As you steadily learn to fulfil its most basic necessities, you find that your body and mind, in turn, are now reciprocating that affection and attention in the most remarkable ways! You learn how to forgive, accept and love yourself consistently . And when this happens … everything else seems to be all right.

For me, all of a sudden, everything had changed. It became clear what Life was really about- Happiness. The biggest motivator for anyone’s life and work is, in essence, happiness. We want a great education so we can have a great job that helps us buy things and experiences, which will make us happy at the end. But there is a tiny problem with this approach. We put off our happiness for later.

 

“I will be happy when I score well.”

“I will be happy when I make X amount of money.”

“I will be happy when I finally have enough leaves to go for a vacation.”

…and so on. Who says that you have to slog to be happy? Why can’t you be a happy slogger? And then a happy relaxer? Think about it.

Happiness is not a destination. It is the whole journey.

Self-discovery is a constant process

In the past two years, I have not only had the chance to teach and heal people from all over the world, but also dedicate time for my own spiritual growth. Understanding my body and exploring  true potential has become a mission. Learning how to be the best human I can be has become my mission.  Today, I am a travelling yoga teacher. And I couldn’t be happier.

There is something so humbling in knowing that I am slowly becoming the kind of woman that would have been an inspiration to the teenage me.

I have started couple of projects I am really passionate about. They are all about yoga and self-discovery.

Yog+Art

As a former music journalist, I have a soft spot for people working in the creative fields. It was as a service to them that I developed Yog+Art, a class series to help enhance their creativity while providing them with the necessary balance to be a well-rounded artist. As it turns out, Yog-Art benefits all, which is what drove me to conduct series of workshops that combine the therapeutic benefits of yoga which invigorates body and breath, and the process of creating free hand art to help release old patterns and reconnect body and mind with the spirit.   

Currently, I am taking Yog+Art to kids, moms, corporates and groups as a therapeutic tool for people who wish to release old habits and behaviour patterns to make way for the fresh and new.

Serial Stretcher’s Guide to Trekking

This is a solo project that brings together my love for Yoga and the mountains. SSGTT is a photo and video series on Instagram to increase awareness about the physical challenges faced by trekkers and how Yoga can train the body to function better and avoid injuries during high altitude treks.

Daily Practice- A Ritual

The beauty of a personal practice is that it is completely your own time and  this is an addition to any yoga classes you might go to. It is that time you take to connect with your body and address its needs and concerns.

What does some me-time on the mat do for you?

Bring about discipline.

Connect with your body, mind and soul.

Release yesterday’s tension.

Energise for today.

Unwind at the end of a day.

Use the body to express deep-seated emotions in a safe space.

Understand, accept and appreciate yourself.

Train the body/mind to be stronger, more flexible and adaptable.

A Savasana a day goes a very very long way.

My own approach is to let my practice unfold on its own. Some days I find my body flowing in a fast paced sequence, while some days it only wants some restorative loving. At times all I need is a quick 20-minute mind-refresher while some days even a couple hours aren’t satisfying. To push my limits physically, I combine yoga with running. And in moments of pure vulnerability, I bring art into my healing. There are the Pranayam-only kind of days, Kriya-days, chanting days.… And yes, there are times I don’t do anything at all.

 

Disha Deshpande

Yoga Teacher, High Altitude Trekker, Zen Artist

You can follow her at

Instagram @swastiastu.yoga

Facebook @swastiastuyoga

Also Read: https://www.juruyoga.com/travel-mat-helps-keep-yoga-practice/