Get to Know Punyah Yoga Teacher: Pratap Rawat

Certifications completed: 

Masters in yoga science from Uttarakhand Sanskrit university 

500 Hours TTC from Rishikesh 

Main Style Practiced: 

Ashtanga vinyasa and hatha yoga practice 

How many years have you been practicing?  

I have been practicing since the beginning of 2015. 

I practiced for two years in university where I learned traditional hatha yoga, and studied yoga philosophy, anatomy, and various therapies and kriyas.

After that, I did a 200 hours TTC in ashtanga yoga then I started practicing Ashtanga yoga. 

I have completed my 300 hours yoga training in hatha and ashtanga.

What does your practice include? 

My practice starts in the early morning, which includes yogic kriyas. 

I start with morning rituals such as prayer, and chanting mantras before sunrise is called Brahma Muhurtham, which means that it is the time to worship God.  At that time, all the people are in a deep sleep and nobody will disturb you.

After that, I begin practicing ashtanga yoga and some breathing practices.  I do a short meditation before and after my practice as well.

Why do you practice yoga or meditation? 

I practice because yoga brings discipline and energy in me, makes me grounded, and brings balance in my physical and mental bodies. 

What benefits have you received from your practice? 

My yoga practice has helped me to make myself more disciplined, to grow my wisdom, and to build my faith on a strong foundation for my practice. It has also helped me to develop clarity in the body and mind.

What skills do you have (anatomy, massage, etc?) 

I studied the Fundamental Principle of Yoga Anatomy which is important in asana practice.

What makes your class different from "exercise" classes? 

It is an exercise when you do yoga only in the physical levels, but yoga asana is beyond exercise because in asana we go from external to internal with the help of breath.

In yoga practice connection to our physical and mental body is the breath. 

What makes you passionate about yoga?

As we know Rishikesh is the world capital of yoga, the healing power of the Ganges is strong here. Rishikesh has been a magnet for spiritual seekers. Therefore this environment helps and motivates me to do yoga.

What makes you happy? 

Doing my duties for my yoga journey.

What's the best advice you could give to a seeker? 

Do your duties every day for your physical and mental health. 

Facebook page URL: pratapsinghyoga

Instagram page URL: pratapsinghyoga

Yoga Alliance Teacher: Yes or No? Yes