At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Jayashree Jagadish for an interview with BrilliantRead Media. She is a Yoga Practitioner, Teacher, Actor and Influencer. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Jayashree:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I have grown up amidst the beautiful coffee estates and paddy fields of the scenic Coorg, where, I have throughout stayed close to nature. This invariably led me to believe in the magic of nature, which carried me to the University of Agricultural Sciences for graduation.
In the university, I immersed myself in learning diverse things extending from soil, plants, helpful insects to agricultural machinery and much more. Further, post-graduation in Crop Physiology gave me an in-depth knowledge of these beautiful beings called crops that feed and give us life.
My love towards yoga began from my birthplace, Coorg where I had been practising yoga since the early days of my life. My professional journey into yoga commenced in Hyderabad where I got trained by one of the most revered gurus, Dr ALV Kumar known for his traditional methods of yoga.
Meanwhile, I also developed a keen interest in aerial yoga and got myself trained in both basic and advanced forms of aerial yoga from a well-known yoga teacher Pratibha Agarwal of Anahata Yoga Zone in Hyderabad. I am also actively involved in spreading the knowledge I have gained about yoga.
I have been born into a family of teachers which naturally aligned me with a career in education. My profession as a school teacher is also very close to my heart, I feel it is a profession without a single dull moment, the one that sharpens your skills with every passing day as we learn much more than we teach.
In addition, my passion for acting dragged me into a beautiful and colourful world where you get to live varied roles. I am an aspiring actor and a model with a few years of experience, yearning for more and always ready to experiment.
I am also an avid traveller wherein I enjoy learning while becoming one among the people, imbibe from their culture and inculcate in my life. Being an army wife has also helped me to see innumerable places.
One aspect I feel is always true…‘Wherever you go, it becomes a part of you and the farther you go, the closer you come back to home’. To sum up, I am living a complete life and passionately enjoying my roles as a mother, an army wife, a teacher, an actor, a model, a yoga trainer, and a traveller.
How did you discover your passion?
As mentioned above; my family background, the environment where I grew up, my husband and two children, the places I have lived and travelled have made me discover myself, my interests and understand what I need to pursue in life.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
‘Tiny drops make a mighty ocean’. Every effort, however minuscule can make a difference; every person can contribute to the well-being of our beautiful mother earth.
Whatever little we can do to make to make the lives of others better …. their happiness, health and well-being is what keeps the fire on within me.
The constant belief and faith in me that I can do better than yesterday is what rekindles the spirit in me to achieve more. I have tried to do the same with my knowledge of yoga, spreading its awareness and helping people practice it. In addition, I have been a responsible actor participating in positive advertisements and commercials. I have also been a caring teacher.
All my efforts feel worthy, and my heart fills up with pride when my students say, ‘we love you ma’am’, ‘we want you to be our teacher in the next year too’ and so on.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
The biggest source of motivation in my life has been my mother, her delicate balancing act in taking care of three diverse children, at the same time managing home and work in difficult times is what made a deep impact on me since my memory days.
Even today her constant support and ebbing in my life have been the thrust to achieve whatever little I have been able to. Even though others have come into my life, she remains my first and still the biggest source of inspiration. A mother is a mother…. irreplaceable.
And of course, my husband also without whom I couldn’t have made it to where I am today. He has been the greatest support and strength who has given me his unconditional love and care.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
> Being mindful.
> Having gratitude for all the blessings in my life.
> Taking ownership and responsibility for my actions.
> Having Courage.
> Kindness and empathy.
> Ability to take risks and step into something new with the supreme belief in oneself.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
In my opinion, some of the keys to success are:
– Maintain good physical and mental health
– Be humble
– Have confidence
– Believe in yourself
– Value others
– Be humble
– Never stop learning
What advice would you give to our readers?
Understand yourself first, know your strengths and weaknesses. Build on your strengths and address your weaknesses. No one is perfect, enjoy your imperfections, they make you distinct from others and they are your real identity.
At the same time, accept everyone the way they are, everyone behaves in a particular manner for reasons best known to them. Everyone has a story to tell, lend an ear to them and accommodate the lesser privileged.
Always try to be your better self, try and help people poorer than you. One can always contribute some portion of our earnings to help others and spread positive energy and vibes.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
My journey so far has been long and tough but very satisfying. There has been great learning and unlearning. Not everything has to be perfect.
I have earned it en-route. I am playing multiple roles. There has never been a dull moment in my life as every aspect of my life journey has been meaningful which makes it more satisfying and exciting.
There is more to look forward to and more to achieve for the benefit of myself and others.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
