by Rutu Chaudhari

The yogic path has been one of the most daunting and also, one of the most rewarding endeavors of my life.  It’s a grueling dance of commitment, effort and faith.

Early on, at the onset of my pursuit for a yoga teacher, I was able to grasp the power of commitment.  I didn’t know anything about Aadil Palkhivala; I had read a few of his articles in Yoga Journal Magazine, but I never actually studied with him. I had no idea what sort of individual he was or what he was offering as yoga.  When I examined his training, I was more or less awe struck.  First of all, it was a 2,000 hour certification.  What?  The most I’d heard of up until then was 500 hours.  This alone was intriguing.

As I read on, I learned that his wife, Savitri, was a meditation master who taught an accessible, heart opening meditation program that was at the core of the Purna Yoga curriculum.  I didn’t realize how much I was interested in meditation until I read about Savitri’s experience and dedication to knowing herself and embodying her truth.  That’s when I truly felt that this was the program for me. I didn’t know these people but something in me said, ‘YES , I’m definitely doing this!’

Then I realized that the training was in Washington State...that’s on the other side of the country.  Nah, I don’t think I am gonna be able to do this program.  Then I scrolled down and saw the price!  Yeah, I’m definitely not doing this training!

The How! How can I make this happen?  How will I afford this?  How can I take that much time off, etc? The How is a dream killer. Whenever I thought about how I could possibly make this happen I just felt discouraged, dispirited and stifled.

For some reason, in spite of my disheartened state, I made the decision that I have to do this program. These are the teachers I want to study with since this was the only yoga teacher training out there calling me.  The result of this decision is what taught me one of the most profound and important truths of being an artist and having dreams. The How is irrelevant.  The pursuit of my aspiration has nothing to do with how I’m going to actually make it happen.  The How is a result of my faith and commitment.  The How unfolds in a way that my mind could never conceive.  So why bother using the mind to focus on the how? Just focus on the dream.

The How is irrelevant.  What a beautiful lesson to start me off on my journey into Purna Yoga.  A journey, I quickly learned, is a study with true masters.  Each moment with Aadil and Savitri is a transmission.  Even in the process of deciding to study with them, I experienced their commitment and faith transmitting through me.

Check back soon for the next chapter of Rutu's journey. To read Part I, please click here.

Rutu Chaudhari is a certified Purna Yoga teacher who holds a 2,000-hour certification. Rutu assists teacher trainings, yoga workshops and conferences with Aadil Palkhivala.  She is the Director of the College of Purna Yoga in Atlanta and conducts teacher trainings at her thriving studio, All Life is Yoga.

Rutu is a shining example of the discipline and love for yoga. She sincerely lives her yoga and her radiance and light shine from the inside out. Rutu offers an abounding knowledge of alignment and anatomy, meditation, practical application of yogic philosophy and nutrition and lifestyle from Ayurveda, Chinese and Western traditions. She is also a leading teacher of yoga therapeutics.

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