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 Shikha Sood for an interview with BrilliantRead Media. She is a Leader, Mindfulness Coach, Certified Yoga Trainer, Mindfulness practitioner, Change Enabler and Influencer. Let’s learn more about her background, her inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shikha:
Talk us through your background and your journey, please;
With over a decade of experience in corporate marketing, I realized the need for a healthier lifestyle and turned to yoga as a means of physical and emotional well-being.
As a self-practitioner, I developed a deep passion for yoga and decided to become a Hatha Yoga teacher, undergoing 500 hours of training and teaching private and corporate clients both in-person and online for the past 3.5 years.
Along with being a Yoga teacher, I am also a Mindfulness practitioner and training to be Mindfulness Coach, helping people find inner calmness amidst the chaos of daily life.”
My classes offer a unique blend of strength, balance, flexibility, agility, mindfulness, proper breathwork, and relaxation. Through my social media handle @yogaispossible, I actively promote a healthy lifestyle by sharing my knowledge and experience of yoga and its healing benefits. I believe in the power of human potential and aim to inspire people to break free from self-imposed limitations.
How did you discover your passion as a ‘Yoga Teacher’?
Early in my life, I witnessed a loved one’s terminal illness, and it made me realize the importance of maintaining good health. As someone who had suffered from anxiety, gastric and hormonal-related problems for a long time, I knew firsthand that allopathic medicines only provided temporary relief. This motivated me to research natural and sustainable ways to improve my health, which led me to yoga practice.
What intrigued me about yoga was its ancient origin and ability to target the root cause of the problem. Within seven to eight months of daily practice, I started to feel its impact on both physical and mental well-being. I experienced increased flexibility, improved digestive health, and reduced anxiety levels.”
Additionally, yoga also helped me in my grieving process by regulating my nervous system. The breathing techniques and mindfulness practices helped me to stay present and grounded during a difficult time.
As I continued my yoga journey, I reached a point where I realized the need for aligning my work with my core values and personality. I was working as a marketing professional and felt unfulfilled with my career. I knew that I wanted to pursue something that aligned with my passion for yoga and helping others, and that’s when I decided to become a yoga teacher.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns presented new opportunities for me to teach yoga to people from all over the world through virtual classes.”
After more than a decade of practice, on and off, I felt an organic urge to deepen my understanding of yoga philosophy and share my knowledge and experience with others. I enrolled in a super intense teacher training course offered by an internationally recognized and Yoga Alliance-certified Yoga Centre, which opened a whole new dimension into the world of yoga for me.
Yoga has become a way of life for me and much more than just a set of physical postures. As a mindfulness coach and yoga teacher, I believe in learning together with my students and structuring my classes depending on their needs and goals.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
To keep going despite the challenges, I focus on my goals and remind myself that every day is a new opportunity. I believe that fear can hold us back, but I also know that growth lies on the other side of fear. I listen to my heart and ask myself whether something is fear-based or will propel me towards growth.
Self-belief is also essential for me to keep going. Finally, reading books to gain deeper perspectives on the areas of challenge has been invaluable to me.”
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
I believe that the biggest source of motivation in my daily life is my own self-belief and inner drive to grow and improve as a person. I also find inspiration in the potential of human beings and the idea that fear should not hold someone back from reaching their full potential. Additionally, surrounding myself with supportive people who believe in me has been a key factor in my motivation.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
(1) Owning my sensitive and empathic nature as my superpowers:
Practising empathy and compassion towards others in my personal and professional relationships
Leveraging my ability to connect with people on a deeper level to build stronger relationships and networks
Taking time to recharge and practice self-care to prevent burnout
(2) Compassion and kindness towards self:
Practising self-compassion and being gentle with oneself during difficult times
Taking time for self-reflection and understanding one’s own strengths and weaknesses
Learning to set boundaries and saying no when necessary to protect one’s own well-being
(3) Being in touch with my intuition and using it as a guiding light to move ahead in life:
Practicing mindfulness and meditation to cultivate awareness and clarity in decision making
Learning to trust and follow one’s inner voice and instincts, even in the face of uncertainty or doubt
Using intuition as a tool for problem-solving and creative thinking
(4) Spiritual Development:
Developing a sense of purpose or meaning beyond material success or achievements
Cultivating gratitude and a sense of connection with something greater than oneself.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
I will say it straight that there are many factors but if you really have to have the key elements then to me these are the ones:
Develop self-awareness: Spend time understanding your core values, beliefs, strengths, and weaknesses. This will help you align your actions with your true self and make informed decisions.
Examine the quality of your thoughts: When you face self-doubt, fear, or limiting beliefs, take a step back and identify the source of these thoughts. Are they based on a lack of skill, fear of judgment, or a belief that others are always better than you? Once you understand the underlying belief, you can challenge it and bring yourself closer to success. You may even seek help from a professional expert if needed.
Take action every day: Success is built one day at a time. Instead of getting overwhelmed by long-term goals, focus on taking small, consistent actions that align with your values and lead you closer to your vision.
Cultivate resilience: Accept that setbacks and failures are a part of the journey to success. Instead of giving up, use these experiences to learn, grow, and become more resilient.
Be adaptable and open to change: The world is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt to change is crucial for success. Be open to new ideas, perspectives, and approaches, and be willing to pivot when necessary.
Surround yourself with supportive people: Success is not achieved alone. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, support your goals, and provide constructive feedback when needed
What advice would you give to our readers?
Don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing your passions. It can be daunting to leave a stable corporate job, but often the fear is driven by limiting beliefs. If you have a strong desire to do something, take the time to explore it and see if it’s the right path for you.
However, it’s also important to have a plan in place and a safety net in case things don’t go as planned. Savings can be helpful in providing a cushion but also think about what you can fall back on if things don’t work out.
Believe in yourself. You may encounter naysayers who tell you that you can’t do something because things have always been done a certain way. Don’t let others dictate your path. Trust your instincts and your abilities, and have confidence in your decisions.
Understand your core values. Spend time reflecting on what’s most important to you and what brings you joy. When you have a clear understanding of your core values, you’ll be able to make decisions that align with them and lead to a more fulfilling life.
Step out of your comfort zone. Trying new things can be uncomfortable, but it’s often the first step towards personal growth and new opportunities. Encourage yourself to take risks, embrace challenges, and learn from your experiences.
Don’t let age or societal expectations limit your potential. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that once you hit a certain age, you can no longer pursue certain interests or take risks. But the truth is, age is just a number and you’re never too old to try something new.
Don’t let social constructs dictate how you live your life. If something brings you joy and fulfilment, pursue it regardless of your age or what others may say. Remember, you are only limited by your thoughts and beliefs, so challenge yourself to break free from restrictive thinking and live life to the fullest.
Develop a reading Habit – Reading is a valuable habit that can help you grow personally and professionally. It exposes you to new ideas, different perspectives, and a wider range of knowledge. Make it a point to read every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
You can start with topics that interest you and gradually broaden your horizons. With so much information available online and offline, reading is an easy and inexpensive way to learn, improve your vocabulary, and enhance your critical thinking skills.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
My journey as a yoga teacher is incredibly satisfying and exciting because I get to be a part of the transformative journeys of people from diverse backgrounds.
Whether it’s a teenager or a university professor, seeing my students progress and grow in their yoga practice is truly fulfilling. It’s heartening to hear comments like “I feel completely transformed in the last 6 months of practice with you,” and it’s a testament to the power of yoga to heal and transform.
One of the things that I find particularly inspiring is seeing people over the age of 65 years coming to my classes regularly and doing postures that can be challenging for even young people. It’s a reminder that age is just a number and that one is only limited by his or her mind. Witnessing this kind of determination and resilience is truly humbling, and it motivates me to continue sharing the practice of yoga with others.
For me, yoga is not just a job, it’s an investment into personal growth. I enjoy teaching and helping people develop a mind-body-breath connection, and I find it incredibly fulfilling to see my students experience the benefits of this connection in their daily lives. Moreover, being a yoga teacher allows me to work flexible hours, which gives me the freedom to spend time reading and pursuing other interests.
Above all, what makes my journey as a yoga teacher so satisfying and exciting is the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives. By helping my students cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and resilience, I believe that I am contributing to a happier, healthier, and more connected world. The relationships I have built with my students are truly special, and I feel privileged to be able to share this journey with them.
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.
