Parveen Nair is a long-term yoga teacher and practitioner based in Rishikesh, India. He offers teacher trainings and programs in Rishikesh and is known for his creative and inspired yoga practice routines that incorporate pranayama and asana. Parveen’s approach to yoga is influenced by his background in dance and his deep spiritual connection to the practice.
Connect with Parveen on Instagram @inbornmovements https://www.instagram.com/inbornmovements/?hl=en
During this conversation Parveen speaks about:
- Yoga is not about perfecting asanas, but about developing the capacity to bring quietness to the mind and recognizing one’s true nature.
- The practice of centering and connecting with the body as it is, without trying to change or perfect it, is essential in yoga.
- Deep sleep can serve as a reminder of one’s true nature and the peace that exists beyond the mind and body.
- Templates can be helpful in guiding movement and creating an embodied yoga practice, but it is important not to copy or compare oneself to others.
Native Yoga Toddcast: A Journey of Yoga and Self-Discovery
Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast, where we explore the world of yoga, meditation, and self-discovery. In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Parveen Nair, a long-term yoga teacher and practitioner based in Rishikesh, India. Parveen shares his unique journey of finding yoga, his experiences with different styles of practice, and his evolving approach to teaching. Join us as we delve into the themes of centering, embodiment, and the true purpose of yoga.
Centering: Meeting Yourself as You Are
Parveen’s journey into yoga began in his childhood, growing up in a spiritually inclined family in Malaysia. He was introduced to the practice of kirtan, or devotional singing, which created a sense of peace and quietness in his mind. This early experience of connecting with the divine set the foundation for his later exploration of yoga.
“When we finish the practice towards the end, just like shavasana during shavasana after shavasana, there was this deep quietness. That made me curious. There was something in this quietness that felt like home.”
Parveen recognized the importance of meeting oneself as they are, without judgment or the need to change. He developed a practice of centering, where he invites his students to observe their bodies, breath, and thoughts without trying to fix or perfect anything.
“I started introducing in my classes the practice of arriving, centering. Observing where the body is at that time, how is it breathing, how is the mind thinking. Can you meet your body as it is, in acceptance of who and what you are?”
Embodiment: The Dance of Movement and Breath
Parveen’s background in dance and his training in Iyengar yoga influenced his approach to movement and asana practice. He recognized the importance of incorporating the breath and allowing the body to move in a soft and gentle manner.
“I found that the breath plays a very important role because then everything becomes very hard and tight. Any asana or any movement you’re doing, do it only if you can do it 100%. But do it only 50% and let the breath take you another 50%.”
Parveen created movement templates that allow the entire body to respond and awaken, while also giving space for individual exploration and creativity. He emphasizes the importance of not copying his movements, but rather finding one’s own unique expression within the practice.
“The medium is movement, but how do we use this movement to arrive at who you are potentially at that day? And to use that as a pathway to your peace.”
The True Purpose of Yoga: Discovering Your True Nature
Parveen challenges the notion that the purpose of yoga is to perfect the asanas or achieve physical goals. He believes that the true purpose of yoga is to develop the capacity to bring quietness to the mind and recognize one’s true nature.
“Perfection in Warrior One is not the purpose. How do you interact with Warrior One becomes spiritual, not perfecting. How do you perfect something which is constantly going through modification?”
He encourages students to shift their focus from external achievements to internal exploration, from identifying with the body and mind to recognizing the underlying canvas of awareness that supports all experiences.
“You are complete. Nothing added to you or subtracted from you is going to bring any peace because you are already peace. The purpose of yoga is to develop the capacity to bring some amount of quietness to your mind so that you can see what is your true potential, your natural potential.”
Conclusion: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Parveen’s journey of yoga and self-discovery is a testament to the transformative power of the practice. Through his experiences with different styles of yoga and his own inner exploration, he has come to understand the essence of yoga as a path to recognizing one’s true nature.
As students, we are invited to meet ourselves as we are, to embrace the body and mind with acceptance and curiosity. Through embodiment and movement, we can tap into the vastness of our being and experience moments of deep peace and connection.
The true purpose of yoga is not to achieve external goals or perfect the asanas, but to develop the capacity to quiet the mind and recognize our inherent completeness. It is a journey of self-discovery, where we uncover the truth of who we are beyond the limitations of the body and mind.
As we continue on our own yoga journeys, let us remember that the practice is not about reaching a destination, but about embracing the ever-unfolding process of self-discovery and awakening. May we find inspiration in Parveen’s teachings and continue to explore the depths of our own being.
Join us next time on Native Yoga Toddcast as we continue to bring you insightful conversations with inspirational speakers in the field of yoga, meditation, and beyond. Remember to follow us on Instagram @nativeyoga and visit our website at nativeyogacenter.com for more information. Until then, may you find peace and joy on your own yoga journey.
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