Dr. Yogrishi Vishvketu, a world-renowned yoga guru, has been committed to self-healing and development with a soul purpose. The Pioneer got a chance to interact with him as he shared his inclination toward yoga practices in the West and more.
PNS|HYDERABAD
In the sacred foothills of the Himalayas, where the Ganges flow like a silver ribbon, there exists a yogic luminary—Yogrishi Vishvketu, affectionately called Vishva-Ji—who embodies the essence of yoga—a varieties woven from threads of devotion, discipline, and delight. His laughter, like a thousand temple bells, echoes through the corridors of time, inviting seekers from distant lands to step onto the sacred mat.
Born into the lineage of yogis and Ayurvedic healers, he weaves his holistic teachings like a blooming lotus in the Ganges. He has spread his wisdom across continents; his story unfolds like a mandala, each chapter revealing a new layer of enlightenment. He is a world-renowned yoga teacher trainer who has studied and practiced yoga for over 40 years and trained over 7,000 yoga teachers worldwide.
He started his journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth that would shape his path for years to come, embodying the words the body achieves and what the mind believes. He begins, “My journey with yoga began in childhood, when, at the tender age of three, I found myself drawn to the practice. It seemed as though I carried whispers of yogic wisdom from lifetimes past. Surrounded by the Himalayan foothills, and with three yogi uncles as mentors, my fascination with yoga was sparked.”
Unlocking the transformative potential of yoga, also ignites inner peace. Yoga’s core essence, he says, lies in fostering liberation, encouraging belief, trust, and practice, while guiding individuals to embrace their innate qualities of fearlessness, bliss, joy, and playfulness.
Yoga’s journey to the West has been transformative, evolving from its ancient roots to a widespread practice embraced by millions worldwide. As it permeates Western culture, yoga has undergone various interpretations, adaptations, and approaches. Enunciating his observations, he shares, “Upon arriving in the West, I observed that yoga practices predominantly focused on either asana or meditation, rather than holistically integrating both. However, in my understanding, asana and meditation are inseparable elements of yoga. To truly experience wholeness, or akhanda, in each yoga session, we must seamlessly combine knowledge, asana, pranayama, chanting, and meditation. Asana enhances meditation and vice versa, fostering mindfulness in both practices. Additionally, in Akhanda Yoga, we prioritise mindfulness in our dietary choices, recognising that optimal nutrition is integral to our overall well-being.”
Yoga’s practice varies significantly between the West and India, reflecting diverse cultural interpretations in his understanding of these distinctions, offering insight into the multifaceted nature of yoga globally. In Western contexts, he shares, “Yoga predominantly emphasises the physical dimension, while in India, it is revered as a spiritual journey towards internal liberation. In introducing Akhanda Yoga to the West, my aspiration is to encourage a holistic approach to yoga practice, inspiring Westerners to delve deeper into the spiritual aspects alongside the physical postures.”
From the tranquil shores of Rishikesh to the majestic landscapes of British Columbia, his teaching time spans continents, offering seekers experiences through his teaching. “I divide my teaching time between India and Canada. In India, I lead Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) at Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, where I also conduct classes, workshops, and retreats. In Canada, I’m based in British Columbia, offering classes at various locations and hosting retreats and trainings globally. Additionally, I’ll be traveling to promote my book, Yogasana: The Encyclopedia of Yoga Poses.”
The profound wisdom embedded within yoga and its myriad asanas defies encapsulation within the pages of a single book, and so the need for an authentic yoga book emerges. “Upon my arrival in the West, I observed a multitude of yoga asanas being practiced, often with incorrect names that didn’t align with ancient yogic wisdom or Sanskrit. Recognising this gap, I saw the need for a comprehensive resource that not only provided accurate names but also delved into the energetic dimensions of yoga poses. This drove me to publish The Encyclopedia Of Yoga Poses. Drawing upon my lifelong dedication to yoga, complemented by a PhD in Yoga Philosophy and a deep-rooted understanding of Sanskrit, I recognised the significance of offering a comprehensive resource. It was imperative to provide practitioners and teachers alike with accurate names, variations, and pronunciations of yoga asanas. Collaborating with scholars and experts in the realms of yoga and Sanskrit ensured that the book encompassed a wealth of authoritative knowledge and expertise.”
