Did you always want to teach yoga?

I didn't make a conscious decision as such to make it a career even though I have always been drawn to the spiritual world. I grew up being exposed to prayer, kirtan, mantra and yoga through my grandparents who are both yogis, but nobody at that time made any money from it - they shared their knowledge to anybody who was ready to listen out of love.

Tell me about that? Was it a positive experience growing up in that environment?

Looking back I would say that I was extremely fortunate. We learned a lot and laughed a lot. We were a very big family and very close. However, my grandfather ran a very disciplined household and there were certain rituals to follow.. reciting the Gayatri Mantra, reading from the scriptures, doing likita japa, chanting, making garlands for the home temple, prayer, yoga... and I always seemed to be getting into trouble because from a very young age I had a very independent streak in me and questioned absolutely everything!

What about your parents?

Well my mom is also an incredible being. Very devoted, very compassionate. She is all about seva- about serving others. She is like most other mothers- always wanting the best for their children, wanting them to do some good in the world. I remember when I was very little, like maybe 5 or 6,  she would take me to the temple or to the houses of various swamis to receive their blessing. She would also take us for darshan when spiritual masters such as Satya Sai Baba came to town. I was lucky. I learned very early that education -especially spiritual education- is an intrinsic part of our growth and development as human beings.

How did you start teaching?

I was studying at a center when a senior teacher asked me to assist him in his classes.  I discovered that not only did I have something to offer but that I really enjoyed sharing it. People responded. I got my own classes and it just snowballed from there.

What were you doing at the time?

I was making my living as a dancer and doing an equity gig as an actress in a theatrical play in London. The plot was based on the Upanishads and was about a woman who was going through life trying to find answers to certain questions. And along her journey she would meet these various characters who would each have something to teach her. All of these characters were actually manifestations of God and I played them all. Eventually my identity as this higher being is revealed to the woman. In this play, one of the parts was a child yogi and so it turned out that yoga was even turning up in my non-yoga world! I love anything that inspires creativity and freedom so theatre and art have always been a part of my life.

When I think back, it seems that everything that I have done in my life- even those seemingly unrelated things- have led me to where I am now. There's a perfection in the order of things. I am right now where I was intended to be.

Can you talk a bit about your style of yoga?

My way of teaching is deeply intuitive. It is based on the specific needs of the person in front of me. I try to find a way to connect to the heart of the person so there is not one specific style or technique that I follow. The question I like to ask is 'How can we express this so that we meet my need for your safety and well-being and your need for getting X or Y benefits from this.' Often we discover that both are one and the same. So often people come to me saying 'I was told this is wrong' or 'why can't I look like that!' (pointing to Christy Turlington on the cover of Time magazine). And I explain to them that yoga is not about twisting your body into a pretzel or enduring pain in order to look a certain way. It is a way to connect with the Self. Christy is Christy. You are you. You can look at other people for inspiration as long you understand that the pose will express itself differently in your body. Then most importantly, you find peace with that. Movement then becomes an expression of joy, a divine dance, a celebration of your inner beauty. This is when you create the space for transformation to occur... not by forcing it or willing it -for this itself is an act of violence towards ourselves. We must start from where we are. Not where we wish we could be or where we were last week, or last year or many years ago. It is about being present with what Is.

Who inspires you?

My grandfather without a doubt. Everything he says is peppered with incredible insight and wisdom.  I learn from him all the time- even being in his presence is powerful. Of course his guru was Gandhi-ji so definitely much of the sensitivity and awareness that has manifested in my teaching comes from his guidance and teachings. Perhaps a more accurate answer to your question would be simply 'God'... The wisdom of God through the channel of my grandfather.  It is not me that teaches yoga or me that dances or me that sings in the shower in the morning. It is God through me. I am simply the channel, the link-up.

What is it like working with Celine Dion? Is she really as nice as she appears?

Celine has a beautiful heart. I feel blessed to work with her. She really goes out of her way to make you feel good. Not that one needs that. But even at this level of stardom, she never ceases to remind others how much she values and appreciates them. She has a terrific sense of humor as well. We laugh a lot during our time together.

You also work with her dancers, right? What has that been like?

Great. I love it.  It's so rewarding to work with the same people every day. You see their development not only physically but as spiritual souls as well. As dancers, they are very tuned into their body and so willing to explore new ways of working. Yoga has helped rebalance their bodies- strengthen what is weak, open up what is tight... you know there are hazards to working in this show- the stage is severely raked which is great if you are sitting in the audience watching the show but it plays havoc on their bodies because once they step on that stage, their alignment is completely off and they have to compensate or hold themselves differently. So the asanas help with that. I teach meditation as well which they are really into.

How does it help them?

In all sorts of ways. It centers them, gives them a tool for living, for gracefully dealing with all the challenges that life presents them- on and off stage. Through meditation they now have more choices available to them. They can react- or they can step back and witness what is occuring without being absorbed in it- and then react- or not. They are experiencing the freedom that meditation brings. It's just wonderful.

What have you read recently that you enjoyed?

I usually have a couple of books on the go at the same time. I enjoyed Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven. It made me reflect on my own life and about how connected we all are. It humbles me to know that I do not know everything there is to know. I'm reading Marshall Rosenberg's Non-Violent Communication. His ideas are life-changing and yet so simple at the same time. The romantic in me has recently enjoyed reading Nicholas Sparks. The legal brain in me likes John Grisham. When I was a kid, I used to read the dictionary for fun!  I could probably read just about anything.

How would you like to be remembered?

As one who sought to bring out the best in others. As one who sees light in everybody and makes each person feel really good about who they are. 

Thank you