Whenever I look back, the contrast is so profound it’s hard to believe it’s all true. There was a time when I was utterly lost, paralyzed by fear, consumed by pain, and trapped in the dark cycle of addiction. Today, I stand before you, not just healed, but dedicated to teaching Yoga and motivating thousands of people to live healthier, fuller lives.
This transformative journey was anything but easy. It required a radical leap of faith: a deep, unwavering trust in myself and in a higher power. Once that trust was placed, everything began to change.
The Life That Was Running in the Minus
I still struggle to articulate exactly how this transformation occurred. For years, I was living in the ‘minus.’ I was constantly tired, crying in pain, and crippled by my drug addiction to the point where I was often unable to walk properly. My nights were a torment; I would go to sleep wishing that my eyes would only open if there were drugs to greet the morning. I made attempts to end my life. Even when I desperately wanted things to change, the grip of addiction was too strong to break.
The sheer exhaustion and desperation of those days are a heavy memory, but they form the foundation of my gratitude today.
The Spark of Light
Amidst this darkness, a tiny, unexpected seed of change was planted. In the haze of my addiction, I somehow found myself beginning to read the Bhagavad Gita. Simultaneously, I made the commitment to become a vegetarian.
It was nearly two years into this final, dark chapter when the urge to stop using drugs suddenly surged through me. It felt different this time, not a fleeting thought, but a deep, driving necessity. The moment I chose to listen to that inner voice, life, as I now know it, started to happen.
I began with a challenging detox and committed myself to the arduous work of self-reconstruction. This path led me to discover Vipassana meditation, which offered a new perspective on my suffering and mind. I started practicing yoga for purely personal healing. What began as a tool for recovery soon ignited a powerful fascination, leading me deeper into the philosophy and practice of yoga.
The Unexpected Teacher
I never had the ambition to become a yoga teacher. My only goal was self-preservation, to heal myself. But as I immersed myself in learning, my teacher saw something in me that I couldn’t yet see. They gently suggested I share my newfound knowledge with others.
Hesitantly, I started by taking private classes while simultaneously continuing my own rigorous studies. To my surprise, I found profound joy in teaching. More than any earnings, I cherished the interaction with my students, understanding their unique struggles, and guiding them toward their own peace. I pursued more certifications, delving into various yoga styles, yoga therapy, and advanced philosophy, ultimately completing a formal degree in Yogashastra.
There was a time when I could not even stand unassisted on my own two feet. Fast forward several years, and I have found the strength and balance to perform headstands (Sirsasana) on the edges of mountains, places where people are often scared just to stand. This physical feat is a potent metaphor for the stability I built within my own mind and body.
Building a Life on My Own Terms
My journey is grounded in the ethical teachings of my gurus, who stressed the importance of honesty with oneself and others. This philosophy became my unshakable foundation. Today, when I look into the mirror, there is nothing that can make me feel shame. I built this life, this sense of self-worth, purely on my own terms and through dedicated work.
I started small, renting studio space by the hour in various localities. When the global lockdown hit, it became another unexpected pivot, forcing my classes online. After a few years of persistence and dedication, I realized my dream: in 2022, I successfully inaugurated my own Yogashala, which has now been running successfully for three consecutive years.
I am eternally grateful to my students. They did more than just learn from me; they taught me how to live and how to laugh. Due to my history, I used to be very serious and reserved while teaching, and their openness helped me to fully open and embrace the joy of connection.
The core principles instilled by my mentor remain the guiding light for my work: never chase money and never cheat anyone. When I opened my Yogashala, it was inaugurated by my first batch of students and the very studio owner who had rented me space years ago, a testament to the value of genuine relationships over transactions.
I have had the privilege of teaching thousands of students and training many yoga teachers. Yet, I maintain my personal practice with unwavering consistency. This commitment is the most vital lesson I’ve learned: I must keep myself first, always, to serve others better.
The journey continues, but the destination is no longer one of darkness. It is one of light, gratitude, and endless possibility.
Shri Thorat
Shri Thorat ji is a Mumbai based Yoga teacher with more than 9 years teaching experience. He has learnt multiple forms of Yoga. He has done Teacher training courses and also graduated in Yoga-shastra. His journey is an inspiring example of how Yoga can help one bring his/her life back on track. You can visit him at his Yogashala in Ghatkopar, Mumbai.
