Meet Pratima, one of the teachers at Yoga District who focuses on quieting the mind and connecting with others through the exchange of positive energy. Learn about Pratima’s journey with yoga and how they help their students practice the best yoga for their needs. Check out Pratima’s class offerings by clicking here, and filter by teacher in the upper right corner and select “Pratima.”
Tell us about yourself—how do you identify? You’re welcome to include anything from background and pronouns to life interests and what brings you peace.
My name is Pratima Mahulikar. I was born in Mumbai, India. I spent my childhood and adolescent years in Mumbai. While growing up yoga was an informal part of my life. I regularly practiced yoga at home and school. My parents were my first yoga teachers. Very early on as a child I became fond of doing yoga postures. As a child I remember yoga practice made me feel relaxed and happy. As an adult when I moved to the United States I worked as an accountant and continued my practice at home with family and friends. After retiring from my accounting job, I decided to get trained formally as a certified yoga teacher, so I could share its health benefits with others. Besides yoga, cooking brings me peace. I love to cook and feed everyone who visits my home. The yoga mat and the kitchen are my happy places.
What do you love about being a yoga student and teacher?
As a yoga teacher I love the exchange of positive energy from me to my students and vice versa. Every time I teach a class positive energy coming to me from my students warms my heart and soul. I find this extremely rewarding. For this reason I will continue teaching yoga as long as I can. As a yoga student, I keep learning from other teachers. Many have helped me go deeper into my practice. They help me become completely immersed in the session allowing me to make my practice a moving meditation.
If you could unroll your mat anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
If I could unroll my mat anywhere in the world it would be on one of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca in Peru, South America, where I recently visited. These floating islands are built by a pre- Inca tribe called Uros, who still live on these islands. The lake is picturesque, serene and calm. Being at Lake Titicaca made my heart feel at peace in the current turbulent world.
What does it mean to you to be a yoga practitioner or yogi?
Since I have been doing yoga from a very young age it is a way of life for me. It has made me aware of the noise the mind creates. This awareness helps me quiet my mind and think clearly. For me it is an act of self care. Clarity in thinking has allowed me to have a deeper acceptance of myself. It has helped me make truthful and honest connections with others. It has also allowed me to trust others without over attachment.
What challenges do people face practicing yoga today? How can we be more supportive?
Many times when people come to the yoga mat they feel they have to be very flexible in order to practice yoga. I tell them asanas or yoga poses are tools to bring their focus towards them and their well being. There is no comparison or competition in yoga. They should do as much as their body can do at the time and their goal should be to calm the heart and clear the mind. When I say these words in class I have noticed students feel more relaxed and comfortable in the space.
If you could practice yoga next to any person or being, who would it be?
If I could practice yoga next to any person it would be my Dad. He was an engineer and loved practicing yoga. He was my first yoga teacher. My earliest memory is around age five of my father helping my sister and I with head stands and teaching sun salutations. My hope is to keep practicing self-care with yoga and share its benefits with others as long as I can.
