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Sonakshi has taught me yoga in the many avatars of my body and headspace -the busy executive who needed not just "yoga" but breathing to find balance, a Postnatal version of myself who had serious weight gain, hip and lower back issues and had lost a lot of strength, and now a woman in her late 30s who has back issues that come and go, and a toddler and a dog who routinely interrupt and distract the practise!
Sonakshi is a terrific yoga instructor especially for yoga newbs like me. It’s been sometime that I’ve trained under her but I distinctly remember the time I was taking my first step into the world that Yoga is.
After taking sessions at various yoga studios and still not getting the hang of it properly, I was about to give up. It was supposedly going to be my last shot, before switching back to gym for good.
Attended a class with her and found everything which was missing in my previous trainings. There could be many people who have really progressed in yoga but at the same time, to be able to teach the very same thing to others is where Sonakshi excels.
Yoga is such an international hype lately. So, at some point, we have all ended up in a classroom surrounded by people and one instructor. Not going to lie; I ended up in a room filled with experienced, beginner, and just completely lost people. It does get hard to keep an eye on every individual when there is only one instructor.
I tried to get through class by looking at other people and getting the pose right. But, with no foundation of yoga, it got hard. A year later, I knew the poses but no idea how to do a sequence by myself at home.
2020 hit, and with all the free time on my hand, I decided to take online classes with Sonakshi. I was a little iffy at first, wondering how much could I even learn from being online. Sonakshi helped me build a foundation; she went at a speed that was right for me. She helped me understand the importance of each pose, the importance of yoga in my life. When she knows you are getting too comfortable with the yoga pose she will change it up. You will hate those days and ask her "why, why you doing this to me?" But, I promise you it will satisfy you once it's done. She pushes you to do your best even when you are feeling lazy.
In a pandemic dictated world, as yoga became a new international commodity, finding a yoga teacher was both easy and hard. New Instagram handles proliferated everyday and as we tried to find our breath again, yoga became that desperate anchor for many helpless souls like me.
After trying my hands in several online classes with different yoga practitioners, I finally came across Sonakshi’s style of teaching.
To say Sonakshi is a wonderful yoga practitioner and teacher is an understatement. Sonakshi carries beautifully the twin poles of discipline and compassion that I believe are crucial to a good yoga training. Compassion that comes with an understanding that each body is different and therefore has its own trajectory in learning. However this compassion isn’t sacrificed at the altar of discipline. As an ashtanga yoga practitioner, Sonakshi is not only herself committed to the discipline of learning and practicing yoga but also puts those efforts to cultivate and train her students to do so.
In the cacophony of self-care, sometimes we forget the virtues of routine, of learning the same thing, doing it repetitively everyday not with an intention to master it but to unravel novelty in routine. Learning primary series of ashtanga yoga with Sonakshi, made sure I connect with those repetitions, those disciplinary modes that are constantly under erasure as we relativize everything.
Yoga with Sonakshi brought in me an ability to hold still and let go even when being committed to a routine. I wish her more success, more students and hope that I continue my yoga journey with her.
I have tried many forms of workout in the past but nothing’s worked as well as Yoga. Sonakshi’s emphasis on breath, balance, strength, and mindfulness, created a holistic experience that has now become an integral part of my lifestyle.
I started off as a beginner but can already witness a remarkable change within a few months. She is very perceptive in her training and understands the unique needs of everyone. She has been a patient guide through my post-COVID recovery and helped me reorient my focus towards my health and well-being.
Apart from the physical transformation, the positive impact that Yoga has had on my mental health through these challenging months has been incredibly rewarding.
Often, the classes are my favorite part of each week. It’s been a delightful journey with Sonakshi and I hope to continue for a long time.
I practiced ashtanga yoga with Sonakshi for 6months. I have seen her work with beginner to advanced levels of student in the same session helping each session to be challenging for everyone. She is patient to understand your body but pushes you to get better when she knows she can. I had fun getting better at yoga with her:)
Sonakshi has been a wonderful instructor. Her training & direction will guide you to be stronger, more accurate and involved in the process. She knows how to get the best out of your session.
Having never been very confident with yoga and dealing with physical injuries, Sonakshi guided me confidently through my start with yoga. I felt incredibly comfortable in her awareness of both the power of the body and an understanding of my own limitations.
Sonakshi has a wonderful and motivating energy. She was able to understand my body well and adapt the classes to match my abilities while pushing me enough to grow in my practice. I always feel rejuvenated and at peace after my classes with her.
Sonakshi is a wonderful yoga teacher who I recommend to students of all levels. She knows the anatomy and personalises her sessions to each person’s needs. Her attention to form and breath is a priority. Her commitment and knowledge of yoga surpasses her youth!
I started training with Sonakshi a few months ago and have really enjoyed my classes. I got diagnosed with ADHD during lockdown last year and her classes are the only ones I have been able to enjoy and look forward to.
As a teacher she grounds me, as she’s very calm and understanding. I also love how non judgmental she is - when I find some postures difficult she’s very gentle at guiding me without making me feel discouraged.
I feel at peace after our classes which is an unusual feeling in my mind as I’ve struggled with this feeling. I hope to continue with her as long as possible.
Sonakshi is a wonderful yoga teacher, coming from a traditional yoga background, she takes the time to explain each asana pose in detail, and is well aware of modifications that may suit an individuals needs where required, without compromising on correct sequencing and flow. Her classes are both invigorating and deeply calming.
Sonakshi is a master at what she does and constantly inspires you to do better. In spite of not having done yoga in years she helped me realise my body was capable of doing a lot more than I had expected, that in itself was a big win. She’s a great teacher, always keeps things fun and it’s mesmerising to watch her do even the simplest of poses but she takes it to the next level when she performs the more advanced ones. Highly recommend.
I had neglected my mobility for years and although i am active in the gym and with sports, my movement was becoming a problem. Sonakshi came in to start me off with yoga and took time to understand what i needed. Im sure i would have been a tough person to work with given where i started. She has been very patient and attentive to my body and its needs. I found that my levels improved dramatically within the first couple of months. Now she is making me do all types on contortions. I recommend her highly.
Working with Sonakshi is all work. But it’s also all laughs and generosity. Sonakshi is a gifted teacher and she makes the often challenging process of learning Ashtanga lighter with her spirit and enthusiasm.
I’ve trained under Sonakshi, on and off, for almost 4 years now. I feel she has been my best teacher so far. She is thorough, exacting to detail, yet doesn’t push you beyond what your body can take. Therefore, I find her to be the perfect balance between bringing out your best, and yet not injuring you in the process. I feel I’ve done my best yoga with her, and learnt the maximum from her. And to top it she’s a lovely pleasant young woman whose company I thoroughly enjoy. In fact, I find her very inspiring because she dares to dream and lives her best life. I wish her all the best and maximum success as she well deserves it.
Sonakshi is a very good yoga teacher who taught me beginner level Ashtanga. Although I have many years of yoga experience, Sonakshi allowed me to fall in love with the Ashtanga practice and was very helpful with adjustments. Not only is she a great yoga teacher but she was very easy to talk to and flexible and understanding of the ever changing schedules. I really miss her classes!
Sonakshi is a great teacher. As someone just starting out with yoga, it was very important to me to learn from someone who knows what they're doing. She definitely fits the bill! I always feel so comfortable in her classes because I know I'm under the right guidance.
Another thing I admire about Sonakshi is how helpful and approachable she is.
Sonakshi is disciplined yet compassionate; she knows when to push you to do your best or when to let you stop. I've definitely learnt to make the most of my practice and to enjoy it thoroughly, thanks to her!
I started yoga with Sonakshi in 2022 to manage my auto-immune condition. She was very patient with me and helped me grow from not being able to do a Malasana to being able to do my first Suryanamaskar ever. Sonakshi really connects with you and guides you through the sessions. Her constant reminders “to breathe” made all the difference in my practice as it helped me experience yoga beyond the physical asana. She’s not only a very compassionate teacher, but having conversations with her about everything from books to travel to movies helped me distract from the pain and endure the poses during classes. I am really grateful to Sonakshi for her constant encouragement and support and hope to be back at The Shala Delhi very soon.
