While all those yoga poses can appear intimidating at first, it’s a very approachable form of activity. Greesha Dhingra, a certified yoga instructor, and practitioner, shares yoga’s countless benefits. Greesha Dhingra aims to help people heal by giving them the gift of yoga. She tells how yoga not only affects the body but also calms your mind and gives you peace.
The beautiful yoga instructor also specializes in pre-natal and post-natal yoga, which helps pregnant and new mothers to increase their strength, flexibility, and endurance of muscles needed for and after childbirth. Greesha Dhingra takes online sessions for yoga, and her students are extremely happy that she has taught them so much about yoga and helped them in many ways.
Let’s dive into the conversation with Greesha Dhingra on IcyTales to learn more about yoga and how she started this journey.
Q) Could you tell us something about yourself? How long have you been practicing yoga?
Greesha Dhingra – I was a marketing professional for eight years before yoga came into my life. I started my yoga practice in 2020. I read books on yoga to learn and improvise my practice. I was self-practicing till the end of 2021. This was when I decided to quit my corporate life and move to Rishikesh to deepen my practice and learn under Gurus.
Q) What has yoga done for you, and how has it helped change your life?
Greesha Dhingra – Yoga came into my life as an aid for my struggling digestion. As I practiced it more and more, I touched upon the psychological and spiritual aspects of it. In addition to improved digestion, my metabolism went up, irrespective of age. I became calm, composed, and more mindful. I could make my decision without any anxiety. The biggest change was the ability and clarity in my mind to know the true purpose of my life. I am no longer dependent on external stimulants for sensory pleasure.
Q) Do you believe yoga to be an alternative form of healing and medicine? Is yoga a way of life or a way to exercise and meditate?
Greesha Dhingra – Yoga is a way of life. Yogic dincharya teaches us a way of life that keeps our physical body healthy through the stillness of mind. “Yoga Chitti Vritti Nirodha” – Yoga is a practice to still the fluctuations of the mind, which is the root cause of illness in our bodies. Most metabolic and endocrine problems are a result of unhealthy lifestyles and stress. Yoga is practiced religiously and can keep you from such lifestyle disorders. However, if your body is in an extreme stage that demands medical treatment, combining yogic practices with medical treatment makes healing faster.
Q) There would have been a journey full of ups & downs behind all your success. Could you tell us something about your journey?
Greesha Dhingra – The journey has been blissful so far. The beauty of practicing yoga holistically is that it keeps you in bliss and gratitude no matter what. You are unaffected by the ups and downs. Everything you do is in devotion to the cosmos. I had my share of struggles at the beginning when I quit my job and left the big city life to practice yoga. But that surrender to the cosmos took care of me. You become a minimalist; therefore, you no longer are attached to a material lifestyle, hence no struggles. I was questioned by society for taking this step without any plans ahead, but I knew I was doing the right thing.
Q) There are many yoga professionals; what do you think makes you stand out from them?
Greesha Dhingra – I do not stand out. I am trying to become a better human being every single day. My intention is not to stand out but to stand in the correct line that allows me to do my karma and get closer to the divine. Hari Aum Tat Sat. As a yoga instructor, you only pledge to keep your intentions pure so you can help people heal.
Q) What is your favorite yoga asana? And Is flexibility important for practicing yoga?
Greesha Dhingra – Flexibility is a by-product of yoga abayas. Your food, breathing patterns, and mental state decide how flexible you can be with your Asana practice. Every asana is a favorite, especially the ones that put me in “Sthiram Sukham Sthiti,” which is a state of silence and stillness.
Q) Do you have a favorite yogi or a guru that inspires you?
Greesha Dhingra – My guru @Bhaveshyuj and his guru @Vanamalikrishna
Q) What do you enjoy the most about practicing yoga, and who is your constant support and pillar during all the hardships or difficult times in life?
Greesha Dhingra – The most amazing part of yoga practice is a state of bliss that you do not wish to come out of. My constant support is the divine, my husband, my family, and my gurus.
Q) What would you advise beginners who want to start practicing yoga?
Greesha Dhingra – If you are a beginner, you should abide by three rules: come to the mat with no expectations. Just give yourself to the practice; stay consistent, and come what may, even if it takes time. Practice yoga holistically, not just the asanas; never compare your practice with anyone. This is your journey inward and your journey alone. Always practice with a good and knowledgeable teacher.
Greesha Dhingra believes that yoga teaches us a lot, including so much about her mental peace and physical well-being. Despite the widespread opinion that yoga is a form of exercise that improves flexibility in the body, she believes and teaches that yoga is more than just a physical routine—yoga is a comprehensive plan of how to live in the world with physical, emotional, and mental strength and stability.
Greesha Dhingra also understands that yoga can help keep your mind at rest which doesn’t let the instabilities in your mind takeover and helps you fight anxieties and tensions. The poses in yoga are devised to strengthen and align your muscles and bones, which helps ease apprehension in your body and mind.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat