Namaskaram, (this is a traditional Indian greeting which roughly means "I bow down to the divinity within you") my name is Arundhati, I live in India. I live in a beautiful ashram nestled at the base of Velliangiri Foothills in South India. The ashram is called Isha Yoga Center. I have been living here along with my husband, Sharad, as a full time volunteer for the past 2 years.

To fully understand my story, you need a little context (this could be a long story so please bear with me). I first learnt Isha Yoga when I was 15, I walked into their flagship program called Inner Engineering. My parents had done this program in the past and I could see the positive change it caused in their life, curious to know more, I also enrolled the program, not sure what to expect.

Before this, I used to think that yoga was only for old people or American women wearing spandex and twisting their bodies, but after doing the Inner Engineering program, I realized that yoga is a profound science and in many ways it showed me how to maintain my inner balance no matter what was happening around me, it greatly improved my health and stamina but most importantly it taught me how to be joyful within myself, not depending on external factors.

After experiencing these benefits and also the joy of offering this to other human beings, my husband and I decided to move to the Isha Yoga Center full time and do our small bit in offering this. The founder of Isha Yoga, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has been a great inspiration for us.

As a full time volunteer we do not get any salary but the foundation takes care of all our needs and supports us in a variety of ways. But most importantly for me, the work I am doing now is tremendously satisfying and no monetary amount could compensate for that. In a time when there seems to be so much that needs to be fixed in the world, offering some simple tools which are logically correct and scientifically verifiable, for one's inner well being is the most fulfilling work we can do.

Both me and my husband conduct Inner Engineering programs in India and other places all over the world as part of the volunteering activity we do with Isha Foundation. Btw here is a link to give you an idea about what is Inner Engineering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2uINxm_wbc). Would love you share more with you and your friends. :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love my life as a yoga teacher but the desire to travel still burns strongly within me. I have always loved travelling and meeting new people and experiencing local culture firsthand. Once my partner & I travelled from New Delhi in North India to Coimbatore in South India in a small petrol car along with 2 other travellers we had met on the way. This was roughly 3200kms in 12 days. We were travelling on a shoe string budget, stayed with local people and ate the best homemade food in all the stops we made along the way. The highlight for me was the night we spent on the beach under the open sky in our sleeping bags.

Another time my partner and I travelled through Karnataka State in India on a rented moped scooter. 1500kms in 6 days, this included a trip to the forest as well as the UNESCO Heritage site of Hampi.

For me historical sites and the cultural history of the place I am visiting is very important. Equally important is to explore the natural beauty of the place.

I am hoping to meet many like minded people through couchsurfing and spread the love!

Interests

• vegetarian
• traveling
• classical music
• isha yoga

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite book- (hardcore) Harry Potter Fan. Apart from that various books have appealed to me over time, I have a voracious appetite when it comes to books and have read everything from Paolini's Inheritance Cycle to Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice to Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies.

Favourite movie- There are many movies which make this list but I think Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise trilogy top the list along with School of Rock and Notting Hill. A few Bollywood (Indian) movies like - Rang De Basanti, Dil Chahta Hai, Rock On also feature on this list.

Teach, Learn, Share

My partner, Sharad and I would love to teach some simple yogic practices to whoever is interested.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share some simple yoga practices and also some simple healthy Indian snacks.

Countries I’ve Visited

United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

India