Manoranjan Chand

Qus. When was your first experience with yoga and when did you truly start focusing on this path?

Ans. I did my Panchakarma course in 2007 and began practicing Ayurveda since then but it wasn’t until 2009 that I began practicing Hatha yoga. I went to Shivananda Ashram located in South India in 2009 to learn from my master and other students. Although I technically started in 2007, yoga has always had a large influence in my life from a young boy growing up in Mahakaleshwar, a place which has a large temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

Qus. How has yoga helped you find your spirituality?

Ans. Using techniques of yoga to understand what exists, past what we can see, to ask questions and find the answers about myself and that which surrounds me, is how I define and seek spirituality. I’m trying to find a balance with my inner being and the external environment as well as expand my consciousness. I could say that it’s been a little over 5 years since I began my quest to find my balance and even though on a rare occasion I get sad or slightly emotional, it doesn’t bother or disturb me anymore. 

Qus. So, was there anything in specific which use to cause an emotional imbalance in your life?

Ans. I left home at a young age, back in 1999, due to financial difficulties caused by a cyclone which destroyed my home, school and created a negative atmosphere as well as a lack of jobs in my home town. Since then I have had numerous jobs before becoming a teacher which include being a cleaner and working as kitchen staff. I’ve had bosses which have been tough and extremely horrible but now I realise that if it wasn’t for these people I would have never saved up enough money to enroll in the Panchakarma course. 

Qus. What do you do if and when you get sad/emotional?

Ans. Well, there isn’t a real reason for me to get upset or to have fluctuations in my feelings because I am happy inside. But, it took a conscious effort to reach this point. Initially, I used Mudras, observed my breath, detached myself from the moment and took a walk to meditate. Nowadays, if I am emotionally imbalanced it’s primarily because I am quite receptive and I feel the energy and suffering of others. For me, nothing is bad any more because everything can teach you something either about yourself or about others. 

Qus. One thing that makes you imbalanced?

Ans. Not teaching! I have a need to share and don’t want to keep any knowledge to myself. Teaching is my medicine.