Yesterday, on the auspicious occasion of Sharad Navratri, we kicked off the first session of Yoga Classes by Daddu and I had the privilege of being the first student.
Harshit has been a lifelong friend. From leaving a secure and high-paying job at TSMC to living a nomadic life, trying out as a trek guide, he has finally found his calling in Yoga. Today, he is a certified Yoga Teacher. He's someone who truly follows his own path, and I've always admired that.
After slouching in front of my laptop for years, I had screwed up my posture and flexibility completely; to the point where during Covid, I was struggling to even take a step properly. That was my wake-up call. Since then, realising that for playing the long game I have to stay healthy, I have tried to bring more balance into my life. Things have improved, but flexibility remains a big challenge.
So yesterday, we started the class with some breathing pranayams. Then came the stretches. Harshit asked me to try a Suryanamaskar and I couldn't even complete a single pose correctly. When I was young in school, we had yoga classes, and I never remembered Suryanamaskar being a problem. But here I was, struggling in every step.
Harshit had come prepared with a whole sequence of asanas for the session. But seeing the state I was in, he immediately tweaked the class. Instead of pushing me through his planned routine, he started with simple stretches to build mobility first. That kind of sensitivity makes a real teacher.
Beyond asanas, Harshit is also deeply versed in philosophy both Vedic knowledge and worldly wisdom. He has always had an aptitude for questioning the status quo, and that has led him to where he is today. I wish him all the best in his journey ahead.
From a friend, I am now going to be a lifelong student of Gurudev Harshit Shrivastava.